Chapter 14 Liu Chenghuang Comes to Meet the Soldiers in Macao

Hearing that Liu Chenghuang had arrived, Qin Peng hurriedly greeted him. To Liu Chenghuang, Qin Pengshi is respectful and grateful. Since the beginning of the Southern Expedition, Qin Peng has been his deputy, and he has not complained at all. In order to run Liangguang, Yaogang arranged Liu Chenghuang to Hainan Island early, but he let himself lead people to fight again, and Qin Peng felt very unhappy in his heart.

Liu Chenghuang and Qin Peng met in front of the door, and their hands were tightly clasped together.

"Commander Liu has worked hard!"

"The Chief of Staff has worked hard!"

The two laughed and walked hand in hand to the lobby. It was originally the Yamen of the command of the Guangdong capital, and now it has become the headquarters of the Yaogang People's Army.

As soon as the two of them sat down, Qin Peng said: "Commander Liu, this farewell, I heard that you have become the king of Hainan!" ”

"I don't dare to call the king, but it's true that Hainan is in the hands of my old willow." After speaking, Liu Chenghuang laughed proudly with a "haha".

"Let's talk about your affairs in Hainan, I have been preparing to enter Liangguang during this time, and I didn't bother to ask you how it is?"

"Well, that's a long story." Liu Chenghuang didn't know where to start, took a sip of tea from the water bowl, and said: "Since I left you, I went to Guangdong, and I was delayed in Guangzhou for a few days. Ah! It's the kind of wooden boat that fishes. Where have we ever been in a boat like that! It's all landlubbers, and I'm really worried that I'll end up in the sea. Hehe! ”

"Huh!" Qin Peng said, "I think I want to ask my family for a passenger boat to be used as a ferry from Hainan Island to this side." ”

"Hmmm! I don't think the passenger ship is good yet. It is best to use a passenger and cargo boat for ferrying. Liu Chenghuang continued, "We were dizzy and weak one by one, and we finally arrived at Qiongzhou Mansion." I found an inn by the dock and rested for two days, and then I started to see where there was a cashing shop. The store has not been found, but the prefect of Qiongzhou Prefecture has sent someone to find him. I had no choice but to bring a gift to the prefect. The prefect was polite when he saw us carrying things over. Ask where we came from and what do we want to do? He also said that now that the world is in turmoil against thieves, and many important criminals wanted by the government want to hide on Hainan Island, and it is impossible for them to succeed. ”

"Huh! Didn't you tell him that I was sent by the biggest thief in the world? Qin Peng interjected with a smile.

"That's okay! We haven't stood still," Mr. Liu said, "I said, we are from Yaogang, and we want to do business in Hainan." We Yaogang people have a bronze medal from the emperor. When the prefect heard that he was from Yaogang, he really gave three points of face. I guess he saw the box I was carrying, too. The result is that the more you chatter, the closer it gets. Later, I learned that the prefect was also a senior official of the imperial court, but because he was excluded, he was grabbed by someone and sued the emperor, but he was demoted here to be the prefect, and he was always dissatisfied. This prefect is also a northerner, and the transportation between Hainan Island and the outside is inconvenient, so the news is very closed, so it is not enough to listen to me introduce the things outside. In the end, I was left to eat and talk. I gave him the gift first, and there were many issues of the kiln newspaper that I had brought. ”

"Huh! This time, the prefect is dumbfounded! Qin Peng asked after him.

"Of course!" Liu Chenghuang said, "The prefect didn't expect that I would send so many good things at once. You also know that many of the good things in our kiln gang have never been seen before. But this prefect is a scholar after all, and he will let his family carry good things into the back hall, and he will hold our newspaper and not let go. That's when I took the opportunity to say goodbye. ”

"Commander Liu, you have learned this set of our President Zhang! Hehe! Qin Peng smiled and said, "I'm afraid I won't be able to do this." ”

"That's because you didn't follow Mr. Zhang out to give gifts, but I didn't do much of this kind of thing. Hehe! Liu Chenghuang smiled and continued, "Later, we were introduced by the prefect and we bought a very good shop." It's a stumbling block. During this period, when I was fine, I found an opportunity to go to the prefect and chat with him. In the end, I saw that it was almost done, so I told the prefect that I wanted to buy some mountains and forests to plant trees. Please help! ”

"This guy didn't knock you out?" Qin Peng asked.

"Of course it won't help me in vain," Liu Chenghuang said, "the person who can be a big official in the capital is not a fool, he knows that I won't spend money indiscriminately, and there must be no use in buying mountain land." Ask me, how many mountains are you going to buy? I said that you have to buy a lot to make money, otherwise it will not be enough for labor costs. In fact, there are many mountainous areas in Hainan that have no owner and no one to take care of. But if we plant rubber trees on a large scale, then there will be people who will ask. I wouldn't have planted trees without getting the title deeds. ”

"What did the prefect say?"

He also knows that the mountains and forests in Hainan have no owners, and he also knows that the benefits of planting trees are long-term benefits and will not be effective immediately. I suggest that you plant trees and buy mountains far away, and just by the river, so that you can transport the wood you produce in the future down the river. However, I have heard of buying timber from the mountains and forests, but I have never heard of planting trees. The prefect still wants to find out what we do, how can I tell him thoroughly, just say that there are no rubber trees in Hainan that we planted. We are going to take the gum that comes out of the rubber tree. That kind of glue can be applied to the cloth to make a rainproof cloth. The prefect did not know the usefulness of rubber. As a result, we bought a mountain land hundreds of miles long and more than 100 miles wide at a very low price. The amount of money we paid for the land was about the same as the amount of money we gave to the prefect. Later, I became good friends with the prefect. We have the prefect in Hainan, and the locals who want to exclude us don't dare to do anything, plus we have been taking care of them in business, and the relationship has been very good. ”

"I have heard that you are going to take more than 20,000 prisoners from Annam. Are they all planted trees? Qin Peng asked.

"Of course, that's not enough." Liu Chenghuang said, "Later, I recruited people from all ethnic groups in Hainan to plant rubber trees, and those people who came were poor. I stipulate that all people of all ethnic groups are equal, and they are not allowed to beat or scold. I gave them clothes, ate enough, and healed the sick, and soon they treated us as family, and they didn't laze themselves in their work. The people are like that, they know best who is good for them. Later, I asked for some cadres and officers from my house. Organize our people in a semi-military manner. The people also know that only when they organize in this way can they have strength, and they are all worthy of harmony. Outside of work, we also conduct military training. We got a lot of rubber seeds and saplings from Guangzhou and Sulu. I didn't expect rubber trees to survive so easily in Hainan. Now we have planted a lot of rubber seedlings in Hainan, and it will not take a few years to produce rubber. Now we have more than 20,000 employees, but there are still many places where no saplings have been planted. Hainan is rainy and humid, and weeds are very easy to grow wildly, so we have to weed and serve frequently. So we asked for another 20,000 prisoners from Annam. Originally, it would have been okay to ask for more, but if you have more, you can't look at it, and it will be easy to have problems. This time I rushed over for this. ”

"Rushed here for this?" Qin Peng didn't understand.

"So, do you have a large number of officers and soldiers who can't be accommodated? I'm here to solve your problems. Liu Chenghuang looked at Qin Peng and asked, "How is it?" Do you want to thank me? ”

"Oops! I really want to thank you! I'm worried about this. Qin Peng stood up and took Liu Chenghuang's hand and said, "I can see it." Although these three officials in Guangdong did not say it explicitly, they were not very satisfied with the arrangements of the officials and the army, and they were worried about this matter! ”

"I can select 20,000 people to go to Hainan as a regular employee of our kiln gang and enjoy the treatment of kiln gang employees." Liu Chenghuang said, "I want to train them well and assign them to various farms to be officials at all levels." In this way, also give them a way out. ”

"Great! In fact, those who serve in the army are all for food, and in this arrangement, they can still have a wage-earning job, and they are guaranteed to work until retirement. They didn't listen to the music of jumping high. After a while, we will meet with the commanders, political envoys, and envoys of Guangdong, as well as the prefect of Guangzhou. Qin Peng said happily.

However, just when Qin Peng wanted to invite the original officials of Guangdong to come over to discuss the arrangements of the officers and soldiers in Guangdong, the staff officer hurriedly came in with a telegram to report, and Qin Peng took a look at the telegram and handed it to Liu Chenghuang. Liu Chenghuang said with a smile after reading the telegram: "There is no hesitation in this matter, let's talk about it!" ”

The telegram was sent back from the front line in Macao, and the governor of Macao did not allow the troops and officials of Yaogang to enter, and drove the army over, and the Macao warships were still demonstrating at sea.

Qin Peng said: "On the Macao issue, Mr. Zhang has clear instructions. The people of Macao do not have the right to set up a governor on our land. We no longer recognise the Portuguese residency in Macau. Considering that the Portuguese have lived in Macau for almost 100 years, we can allow the Portuguese to live in Macau, but subject to our laws. I will give them citizenship. But if there is any violation of our laws, we will punish them severely. Portuguese ships must be allowed to enter Macao, otherwise they will be severely punished. The Portuguese are allowed to trade with us on an equal footing in Macao, and pay customs duties according to the regulations, otherwise they will be severely punished. ”

"Good!" Liu Chenghuang listened and clapped his hands.

At this time, the Guangdong Commander's Envoy, the Political Envoy, the Inspectorate and the Guangzhou Prefect came to meet Qin Peng, and Qin Peng hurriedly introduced Commander Liu Chenghuang to them. The four Guangdong officials also hurried over and shook hands with Liu Chenghuang in the way they are used to now. The four officials, now in good spirits, are busy every day, they didn't expect to be so happy to cooperate with the kiln people. Qin Peng, as the supreme leader, has no quarrel with them, he talks very casually, and everyone is very relaxed together. The four officials were also like a changer.

Speaking of the matter of Macao, the commander of the Cantonese capital, Lord Chen, said: "Chief of Staff, should we be cautious about the affairs of the Portuguese?" ”

The other two adults also said, "Yes! These foreigners all wear a pair of pants. If you mess with them, they will be in trouble. ”

Liu Chenghuang smiled and said, "Haha! We're here, and it's supposed that they're in trouble. We always have instructions from Mr. Zhang, and we must cut through the mess quickly for them. Solve them all at once. If you are not convinced, destroy them. ”

"I don't know! More than a dozen warships of Hongmaofan were sunk by us at once. The Portuguese were not convinced, and we taught them a lesson. After Qin Peng finished speaking, he said to the staff officer: "Send them a report, if the Portuguese do not listen to the persuasion, immediately solve Macao by force!" ”

The four adults all let out a long breath when they heard this, and said to Lord Li, "Hey! It's a pleasure to listen to! Now I feel like I'm panting! It's so painful. We are a big country, and we have let some barbarians go wild with us for so many years! It just doesn't make sense! ”

In fact, how Macao was gradually encroached upon by the Portuguese, they know very well, but no one dares to say it thoroughly.

Regarding the matter of Macao, when Zhang Zhimu discussed with Chen Yufeng and Ouyang He, he insisted that all of them be taken back immediately. Macau and Hong Kong were very troublesome for Chinese in previous lives. Even when Hong Kong and Macao were recovered, blood was being shed in the hearts of the Chinese people. Some people don't think it's a moment to be proud of, they think, just like their woman was plundered by a robber and sent back on the day that the robber promised, should the family be happy and proud of the woman who brought back a few pieces of clothing? This is not the family who went up the mountain to rescue their loved ones, what is there to be proud of. Now it is different, we have to use force to defeat the robbers, so as not to leave humiliation for future generations.

Strictly speaking, Macao was sold by traitors.

In 1517, the Portuguese governor in India sent a fleet to escort the envoy Piretz to Canton and Beijing in China, asking for formal trade, but the Ming government refused. During this period, the Portuguese fleet forcibly landed on the Kowloon Peninsula and was expelled by the defenders of the Ming Dynasty.

In 1535, the Portuguese paid bribes to Ming officials to obtain the convenience of docking at the docks in Macao.

In 1553, the Portuguese bribed the coastal defense officials of Guangdong, and under the pretext that the cargo ship was caught in the wind and waves, they asked to borrow land in Macao to expose themselves to the flooded tribute, and go ashore to set up a tent to live temporarily. After the facts became a fact, the Portuguese, with the appeasement of the bribed officials, gradually settled in houses built with bricks and tiles, and within a few years, the settlement became a village. Later, the Portuguese even built walls, forts, and set up their own officials, establishing what they called the earliest stronghold in the Far East.

In the beginning, the Cantonese officials discussed ways to expel these uninvited guests, but the Portuguese shipbuilders went on the offensive of bribery, and in addition to paying the ship tax, they gave the local governor 500 taels of silver every year to consolidate their position in Macao. In 1572, when the Portuguese merchants paid their taxes, they gave 500 taels of silver to the local officials, and it happened that other Chinese officials were present at that time, and the Portuguese interpreter had to say that it was the annual rent paid to the Chinese government. The bribe-taking officials also claimed that the land rent collected would be turned over to the state treasury. Since then, the bribe has been turned into land rent, which was paid from the Ming Dynasty in 1572 to the original Qing Dynasty in 1849.

In 1574, in order to control the "Aoyi", the Ming Dynasty government built a city wall along the periphery of the Portuguese residential community on the island of Macao, leaving a gate in the middle for officers and soldiers to guard. Initially, the gates were opened only twice a month, but later changed to once every five days to provide the Portuguese with wine, rice, food, and daily necessities. However, the Ming Dynasty government's quarantine policy instead allowed the "Portuguese Yi" to be established in Macao. In the event of a dispute among the Portuguese living in Macao, the Ming government did not bother to intervene, but let the judges elected by the Portuguese community themselves try according to their own customs and laws, and if they were not satisfied with the trial, they could also appeal to the Portuguese High Court in India.

Under the jurisdiction of the Ming government, the Portuguese paid land rent every year, but gradually divided the land into self-government, organized a public council, held elections every three years, and also established a small guard and set up customs to collect customs duties from Portuguese and foreign ships anchored in Macao.

In 1578, the Pope proclaimed the establishment of the Catholic Diocese of Macao and appointed the bishop of Macau. In 1581, the Italian Catholic priest Matteo Ricci arrived in Macao to prepare for missionary work in the interior. In 1602, the Portuguese built St. Paul's Church in Macao, which lasted for 35 years until 1637. Known as "St. Paul's" by the people of Macau, this church is still a landmark of Macau

In 1623, the Portuguese Viceroy of India appointed Mascot as the first Viceroy of Macao, giving him the power to rule Macao.

Regarding the matter of Macao, Chen Yufeng and Ouyang He both relied on simple feelings to know the territory of the Ming Dynasty and would never allow foreign Yi to intervene, so they agreed with Zhang Zhimu's opinion, they did not know the original history and what kind of humiliation the Chinese people experienced.

Qin Peng and Liu Chenghuang also felt that the takeover of Guangdong was to be taken over completely, and the waiyi needed to be cleared out. It's just that they are not afraid of these foreigners at all, and they don't know about the means by which the Portuguese offer bribes.

It was an infantry regiment sent by Qin Peng who went to take over Macao, and they were stopped by the Portuguese guards in Macao before they came to the front gate of Macao. The kiln officials who followed the infantry were prepared, he had long been educated by Zhang Zhimu's patriotism, and the enthusiasm of education was boiling, and he was waiting for a bloody national shame to immediately ask to see the governor of Portugal and Macao. But the Portuguese soldiers didn't look down on these Ming Dynasty people at all, there was no way, the officer discussed with the infantry commander, ordered the artillery to be brought, and fired two cannons. I just want to give a reminder to the Portuguese governor of Macau. Those Portuguese soldiers guarding the gate didn't expect these people in the Ming Dynasty to make such a big move, so they hurriedly let the officials of the kiln post enter the customs and led him into the Portuguese governor.

The Governor of Macau, Portugal, Ma Shijialu, had already heard the notice from the Guangdong officials, saying that the kiln gang people had called, and these kiln gang people were very powerful. But the Governor didn't care at all, he thought that no matter who came from the Ming Dynasty, they could be bought with money, and if not, the Portuguese warships were not vegetarian.

Today, the Governor's Masgar Road suddenly heard the sound of cannons coming from the direction of the gate, and was about to send someone to see what was going on, when the soldiers guarding the gate brought in a Ming Dynasty man wearing strange clothes.

Hearing the Portuguese soldiers muttering to him, the arrogant Portuguese governor and Ben did not give up their seats to the kiln officials, and asked through an interpreter, "Why have you come to see me?" ”

The official of Yaogang said in a loud voice: "The Governor of Portugal, we have come to inform you by the order of Yaogang that our army is about to take over the defense of Macao, our officials are about to take over the management of Macao, and we, the customs officials, are about to take over the customs here. Please withdraw all your officials and arms. We do not recognise all lease agreements on our territory, and we no longer recognise the Portuguese residency in Macau. Considering that the Portuguese have lived in Macau for almost 100 years, we can allow the Portuguese to live in Macau, but subject to our laws. I will give them citizenship. But if there is any violation of our laws, we will punish them severely. Portuguese ships must be allowed to enter Macao, otherwise they will be severely punished. The Portuguese are allowed to trade with us on an equal footing in Macao, and pay customs duties according to the regulations, otherwise they will be severely punished. ”

As soon as the translator translated, Governor Mascolus also laughed and said, "Haha! Someone is here to get this madman out! Your Emperor can't speak like that to us. ”

The arrogant Governor Mascolu also felt that this little man of the Ming Dynasty was really a madman, and several Portuguese people dragged him out, despite the repeated protests of the official.

In order to show his toughness, the governor Ma Shijialu also gathered all their soldiers in Macao at the gate, and the cannons of the two warships at sea were also aimed in the direction of the gate.

The kiln officials returned to the gate, and one of their shoes was also dragged away. But the official, on the contrary, was very happy, and said to everyone very excitedly: "I have finished talking to them loudly. These bastards won't listen, so let's let the cannon talk! ”

The infantry regiment commander also wanted to enter Macao with artillery, but he knew that he had to inform the chief of staff Qin Peng before the battle.

When he received the telegram sent back by Qin Peng, he happily said to the officers who surrounded him: "The chief of staff agrees to go to war, and it will be up to me next!" ”

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New progress in "Memories of the Southern Song Dynasty": the Battle of Yashan, the defeat of the Yuan army, the counterattack of the Song army, and the landing in Fuzhou.