In less than an hour, under the guidance of Master Qin, Shi Mingzhi came quickly, sweating profusely into the prefect's yamen, in the back office, in the study, slightly panting, his chest was a little undulating, his eyes quickly scanned the room, and after seeing it clearly, he had a rough judgment in his heart. Pen "Fun" Pavilion www.biquge.info

There are only two people in the room, one is Li Dexing, the prefect of Guangzhou, and the other should be eight middle-aged people who have been reported. As soon as he stood still, still panting, Shi Mingzhi said without looking back: "Master Qin, you go out first, watch outside, and no one is allowed to come in without the permission of Governor Li and me!" ”

"Yes, Master Shi."

Although Shi Mingzhi's order was a little abrupt and a bit noisy, in such an urgent situation, everyone felt that it was normal, and Master Qin's answer was also smooth and natural.

Soon, there were only three people in the room, Shi Mingzhi, Li Dexing and the middle-aged man, and for a while, the atmosphere in the room was quiet.

Shi Mingzhi did not immediately interrogate the middle-aged man, but wiped the sweat on his forehead, looked at Li Dexing, showed a solemn expression, and asked a little breathlessly: "Governor Li, do you think this information is reliable?" How credible is it? ”

Hearing these two questions, Li Dexing knew that Master Qin had already told the other party about the matter on the road. Otherwise, Shi Mingzhi would not have asked such a question.

This thought flashed in his mind, Li Dexing knew the seriousness and urgency of the matter, and almost did not hesitate, and replied: "Master Shi, at least eighty percent of the credibility. ”

After a slight pause in his tone, Li Dexing continued earnestly: "Senior Shi, you also know that the treaty port in Guangzhou has been open for a period of time, and not only have many foreigners and businessmen from neighboring countries entered Guangzhou, but also many foreigners have long since left. ”

After his breath stabilized, he regained his composure, and Shi Mingzhi also knew that he was asking too much, and there was no need at all. Shi Mingzhi nodded approvingly, and said approvingly: "Also, foreigners have always coveted the wealth of Guangzhou Mansion, and their hearts will not die." ”

Immediately, Shi Mingzhi looked at the middle-aged man and asked solemnly: "Fellow, according to the information you know, do you think when the combined fleet of those foreigners will arrive in Guangzhou and attack here?" ”

The middle-aged man didn't answer immediately, hesitated for a moment, thought a little, and then replied with some uncertainty: "Well~ According to my estimates, with my understanding of the speed of their warship, it will never exceed two days, either tomorrow or the day after tomorrow!" ”

However, Shi Mingzhi frowned, and did not show the eagerness he should have, as a general who had been in naval battles for a long time, he immediately pointed out the doubts: "Fellow, maybe you are right. If only the normal speed of the warships was carried out, perhaps within two days, the combined fleet of those foreigners would reach the waters of Guangzhou. But how can you be so sure that when they arrive, they will attack? ”

Hearing this, the middle-aged man was so angry that he risked his life to come to report the news, but the other party still didn't believe him, there was nothing more annoying than this.

As if seeing the grievances in the middle-aged man's heart, Li Dexing added: "Fellow, it's not that we don't believe you, but we want to figure out the situation, so that we can make adequate preparations to deal with the pirates of Spain and Portugal, do you think this is the reason?" ”

The middle-aged man's heart suddenly felt a little more comfortable, and then he calmed down his dissatisfaction and explained: "Two adults, this is the case, before escaping, I once heard their soldiers say that they must act quickly and occupy Guangzhou Mansion as soon as possible, so as to occupy a favorable position and prevent other countries from getting news and colonizing China." That's all I know, two adults. ”

At this moment, Shi Mingzhi and Li Dexing nodded at the same time, understanding, there is no more reasonable explanation than this, both of them were officials in the Qing Dynasty, and they were in Guangzhou, no one knew the navy of those foreigners better than them, arrogant, and did not take the Chinese sailors in their eyes at all.

This arrogance was most evident during the Qing Dynasty, when their navy often sailed in the waters of Canton Prefecture and often broke into the waters of the Pearl River to show off their might. However, there is one thing that cannot be denied, compared with the naval fleet of foreigners, whether it is the performance of the warships, the firearms and equipment on the ships, or the overall quality of the soldiers, the Guangzhou naval division of the former Qing Dynasty is simply incomparable!

Obviously, the alliance between Portugal and Spain was the idea of fighting, thinking that the current Thunder was the original Guangzhou sailor, vulnerable and could be abused by them.

Thinking of this, Li Dexing's face was worried, but the corners of Shi Mingzhi's mouth rose slightly, and a smile came out, very disdainful and fleeting.

Shi Mingzhi didn't think about it anymore, looked at Li Dexing, and said: "Governor Li, I won't say anything superfluous, now the situation is urgent, the foreigners' naval fleet may come over at some point, I must immediately go to Hong Kong Island, discuss with Captain Qi and them, formulate corresponding actions, prepare to snipe the combined fleet of foreigners, wipe them out of the country, and demonstrate the naval might of our Great Guang Dynasty!" ”

Li Dexing also understands that now is not the time to be polite, and the only thing he can do is to stabilize the situation in Guangzhou Mansion, so that the Navy Thunder has no worries and can fight foreign pirates with confidence. Thinking of this, he immediately said: "Senior Commander Shi, please tell Commander Qi that you can rest assured, I will definitely stabilize the situation in Guangzhou Mansion and ensure that there is no problem with your grain and grass!" ”

Shi Mingzhi smiled slightly, and did not refuse Li Dexing's kindness: "Okay, Governor Li, Guangzhou will be handed over to you!" ”

After a pause, Shi Mingzhi looked at the middle-aged man and said, "Governor Li, I will take this person with me first and take it to Hong Kong Island, maybe Commander Qi has some things to ask him." ”

"Okay, Master Shi, you can take it away, there is no objection." Without any hesitation, Li Dexing opened his mouth and said.

At this moment, the middle-aged man only felt that his mouth was very bitter, and one hundred and twenty people were unwilling to go with Shi Mingzhi. From beginning to end, he never thought that the Great Guang Dynasty of the new country would dare to face the naval fleet of foreigners and fight hard, isn't this looking for death? This made him feel bottomless and very uneasy.

Shi Mingzhi had already discovered the situation, seeing that the middle-aged man was reluctant to get up early, and he looked unwilling to follow him, after thinking about it for a while, he understood the middle-aged man's careful thoughts, and was just about to persuade, but was taken first by Li Dexing.

"Fellow, don't worry, you have a meritorious report this time, this information is very useful, when you come back, the court will reward you with a generous amount of silver, enough for you to buy a house and land and marry a wife~!"

However, the middle-aged man was unmoved, didn't say anything, still sat there, and secretly said in his heart: "My life is not guaranteed, what is the use of more silver?" ”

Li Dexing was a little depressed, how could he have ever had such an encounter? When he was an official in Xiangshan County, as long as he said a word, which of the local people would not dare to be honest and obedient and obey the orders of the yamen?

After thinking about it, Li Dexing did not show his official authority, but put on a righteous and awe-inspiring appearance, and said loudly: "Fellow countryman, if you save Guangzhou Mansion, your life can be guaranteed, and you can live and work in Guangzhou in peace and contentment. ”

Since ancient times, the people do not fight with officials, let alone with officials, and this idea is deeply ingrained in the minds of middle-aged people. The middle-aged man felt Li Dexing's impatience, but he was still unwilling.

The middle-aged man escaped from the Spanish Navy, not only to secretly report the news, but also to survive, and to participate in the battle between the two armies, he was sure to die.

Seeing this situation, seeing that the middle-aged man had no intention of loosening, Li Dexing looked at Shi Mingzhi, smiled bitterly, and said helplessly: "Master Shi, I have no choice, I can't take people over, right?" ”

Hearing this, knowing that the prefect did not mean to be strong, the middle-aged man's heart moved. However, Shi Mingzhi's voice followed, making the middle-aged man no longer insist and willing to follow.

"Don't worry, fellow, I can assure you that you just come with me to the station and ask about some specific things, and you don't get involved in the battle. Moreover, the remuneration that belongs to you, not a copper plate will be less than you. ”

No one is not greedy for money, not to mention that it is built without the danger of life, and the middle-aged man still asked in disbelief: "Daguan'er, what you said is true?" Just ask me something, and then let me go, I really don't get involved in the war between the two armies? ”

Shi Mingzhi nodded emphatically and said two words with certainty: "Really!" ”

The middle-aged man followed Shi Mingzhi and left, leaving Li Dexing alone in the study. Thinking of the scene just now, he couldn't help but shake his head secretly, Shi Mingzhi's statement, he also thought of it. However, he is not a member of the military, so it is not easy to express his position, and it is not good to promise anything to middle-aged people?

Moreover, it is not impossible for this possibility, as a person who escaped from the Spanish Navy, the middle-aged man is still quite useful, and it is not impossible for him to lead the way and identify the Spanish naval warships.

What's more, just because a ship on the sea is equipped with cannons and people have guns doesn't mean they're pirates? Almost all merchant ships, especially those between China and the West, were equipped with cannons, and everyone used firearms, one in case of encountering pirates.

Li Dexing just thought about it, so he didn't go deeper, but stood up and walked outside, and said to himself: "No matter what, my task now is to hurry up and prepare, and discuss with Master Qin, when Thunder and pirates are at war, how to stabilize Guangzhou City and prevent riots." ”

Immediately, in the midst of talking to himself, Li Dexing's figure disappeared at the door of the study, and in the hot weather, the cicadas squeaked, making people upset.