Updated: 0/20/20

At this time, a fishing boat had already rushed back to Jilong Bay and sent back the news of the arrival of the foreign ferry.

Wu Qiaolin's fishing boat had just docked, and Lin Guoshan, the prime minister of Jilong Street, was already waiting for his return.

When Wu Qiolin had already landed, Lin Guoshan immediately waved his hand to drive away the miscellaneous people around him, and couldn't wait to ask, "Shopkeeper Wu, what did Lord Yang say?" ”

Prime Minister was an important position in the township governance organization in the late Qing Dynasty. After Daoguang, in order to make up for the shortcomings of the armor protection system, the Manchu Qing Dynasty implemented the Lianzhuang prime minister system below the Bao, and the official issued an edict to the prime minister to stamp it. It has a great deal of authority and authority, and has almost all the affairs of self-government in the villages and localities, and in terms of official duties, there are two kinds of administrative and judicial positions.

On the surface, it is easy to mistake the prime minister for a subordinate of the township chief. In fact, the chief was an official servant, and according to Manchu law, the chief was a pariah, and the prime minister was the head of a grassroots administrative organization, usually a commoner or a student. The chief executive is the prime minister, who usually assists the prime minister in his official business.

Lin Guoshan is the head of Chicken Coop Street, and he has a stake in the entire coal business of Chicken Coop. Faced with the temptation of powerful interests, he adopted a practice of acting in violation of the government's coal ban. On the surface, he resolutely supports the coal ban, but in private, he wants to secretly Chen Cang.

Hearing Wu Qiaolin's reply, Lin Guoshan was quite satisfied, and his dark cheeks were suddenly full of smiles, "Okay, these two foreign ships need 20,000 loads of coal." The coal on our dockside can almost be emptied. ”

Thinking that the mountain of coal on the dock was about to be exchanged for silver taels, Lin Guoshan, the prime minister of Lianzhuang, was full of little stars.

Dan is a measure during the Qing Dynasty, one quintal is about 60 kilograms, and 20,000 quintals are equivalent to 200 tons.

Wu Qiolin said again and again, "Yes, yes, but you need a lot of ships, otherwise you won't be able to deliver them in one night." ”

"It's okay, there are more than 100 large and small fishing boats in the whole chicken cage, let them all come."

"Isn't this too much movement? There are many people in all directions, will there be an accident? Wu Qiolin was a little worried, "Originally, it would be safest to hand over coal outside Badouzi Island." It's a pity that the monsoon is blowing now, and the wind and waves outside the port are very strong. ”

"What are you afraid of!" Lin Guoshan's face darkened, "This is the common wealth of the chicken coop people, who dares to talk nonsense, I will kill him." ”

As he spoke, he turned his head and ordered, "Hurry up and invite Mr. Lin Qian!" ”

If Lin Guoshan wants to resist the ban of the government and continue to do the coal business, in addition to buying ~ the public officials in the official yamen, the thousand presidents of the big chicken cage are also a key that cannot be bypassed.

Lin Qian is always the general manager of the big chicken cage flood, Lin Wencha.

The big chicken cage flood is under the jurisdiction of Monga Camp, and Monga Camp is under the jurisdiction of the North Road Association, and the North Road Association is under the jurisdiction of Taiwan Town.

The Manchu green battalion was divided into four levels: standard, cooperative, battalion, and flood, and all the green battalions were scattered and stationed in various prefectures and counties, with an average of one battalion garrison for every two prefectures and counties, and the battalion was divided into flood defenses, and usually the whole battalion was dispersed to more than 10 Tangxun, and in case of major wars, troops were temporarily transferred from each Tangxun to deal with them.

Lin Wencha was originally from Wufeng, Taiwan, and last year the Little Knife Society attacked the chicken coop, Lin Wencha led 200 people from the Wufeng Lin Family Nursing Home, and followed Zeng Yuming, the deputy general of the North Road Association, to eliminate the Little Knife Society. Lin Wencha relied on his military exploits to catch the thousand presidents of the big chicken cage flood.

The area around Jilong Street is mainly inhabited by Zhangzhou people, and Lin Wencha's ancestral home is also Zhangzhou. Everyone is a fellow villager, Lin Guoshan gave another dry share, and Lin Qian naturally became his own person.

On the sea outside the mouth of Jilong Bay, the Dinghai ship came from the south, slowed down its speed, and sailed into Jilong Harbor.

On the sea in the distance, the Dunant saw that there was no shadow of a sail in the four corners, and commanded the drone to slowly descend from a high altitude.

"Woo~~" The Dinghai ship sounded the whistle and anchored outside the fairy cave nose.

Mark, who was playing with the birds, was startled, and threw the straw stick in his hand out, "What sound?" Where did the sound come from? ”

Soon the official came to report that the whistle was coming from the direction of Jilong Bay, and that there might be a ship entering the port.

"Oops, the foreigners are really here!" Cheng Makdun of Monga County couldn't help but slap the back of his head.

He came to the chicken coop for many days, walked the birds and sang songs every day, and he had long forgotten his errand to come to the chicken coop.

Ma Xiancheng climbed to the edge of the stone fence with a sense of people, and he put his hand on the pergola in the direction of the harbor, where there were only scattered fishing boats.

The Dinghai ship is moored outside the Xiandong Nose, blocked by the Xiandong Rock, and the direction of Jilong Street is naturally not moored by the warship.

The Yiren are here, right at the gate of the harbor, what do they want to do?!

Ma Xiancheng suddenly had some six gods and no masters, and he immediately dressed up and prepared to take people to the Jilong Street Pier to investigate the situation on the spot.

An old scrivener-like man came in from outside, and he stopped Mark Ton head-on, "The proprietor, you can't eat hot tofu in a hurry!" ”

When he arrived at the old bookstore, Mark suddenly seemed to see his relatives, "Mr. Shen, Yiren may enter Hong Kong at any time, you say, what should I do?!" ”

This Mr. Shen is the master he brought from the mainland, Xiucai was born, and he is an authentic Shaoxing person.

Mark is a child of the Eight Banners, walking a bird and singing a little song is okay, and he can only rely on a group of masters and clerks to solve errands.

Mr. Shen is a very shrewd little old man, "Proprietor, there is no need to panic. The so-called soldiers will block the water and cover the earth, and now the first priority is to find out the situation, know oneself and know the other, in order to win a hundred battles. I have asked Lin Guoshan, the prime minister of Joncoop Street, to send someone to inquire about the news first. ”

Markton was suddenly relieved.

"Woo~~~"

It wasn't long before the long whistle sounded again in the direction of the harbor. The Dunant ship retrieved the drone at sea and also sailed over to rendezvous with the Dinghai ship.

Why didn't Yiren play the whistle endlessly, and Markton suddenly became impetuous again, what did they want to do!

Markton was like an ant on a hot pan, tossing around the room. Mr. Shen looked at the impetuous appearance of Markton's heart, and did not say a word, just sat on the chair and closed his eyes to recuperate.

Soon, Lin Wencha, the general manager of the big chicken cage, and Lin Guoshan, the prime minister of the chicken cage street, and others ran over together.

Lin Wencha first reported that the Ershawan Fort found two Mi Jian Yi ships moored outside Xiandongbi.

Lin Wencha, the general manager of Qian, is the highest military commander of Dajilongxun, and he only got this official position by virtue of his military merits, although Lin Wencha is very unworthy of the straw bag of Makdun, but in front of Makdun, Lin Wencha is very respectful.

Qian is always the official position of the sixth grade, which is higher than the rank of Makdun. But the Manchu Qing Dynasty has always used literature to control the military, and a small seven-grade county order can protect the military position of the six-pin, not to mention that Markun is still a Manchu adult. So Lin Qian is always in front of Ma County, and he is nothing.

Then Lin Guoshan also reported to Markton that a fishing boat had returned from outside the port, and according to the fishermen's report, this Mi Qi Jianyi had still come to buy coal, but it was getting late, and he was going to sail into the port again at dawn tomorrow morning. ”

"No way!" "Can't let them in, buy coal, that's not okay!" ”

Mark was out of breath, his throat was itchy, and he couldn't help coughing.

The servant hurriedly brought the tea. He took a sip of tea and continued with a fixed concentration: "The imperial court has repeatedly decreed that it is strictly forbidden to trade with the Yiren in private. When the Cantonese bandits and bandits are in chaos, the atmosphere of thieves is not calm, and the Yiren repeatedly come to the chicken coop to buy coal, it is difficult to ensure that they do not have the heart of coveting. ”

"Your Excellency!" Lin Wencha, the general manager of the big chicken coop, nodded again and again, "My lord, the foreign ship is now anchored in the outer harbor, and it is inevitable that he will enter the harbor tomorrow to make trouble." The subordinates have instructed Ershawan and Sanshawan to take strict precautions to prevent provocation by foreign ships. ”

"This foreign ship is going to come in, and we must not provoke first and intercept it with artillery. It can only be Huairou! Mark was full of sorrow, and his expectant eyes fell on Master Shen, "Although this chicken coop is not a treaty port, and coal is an item that is strictly forbidden to be mined in Taiwan, none of these Yi people are easy to talk to." How can we understand and enlighten them, so that they can retreat from the difficulties? ”

Master Shen stroked his beard under his chin and said with a smile: "The proprietor, although he is not talented, he is also the master of Dong Weng." When entrusted by men, he must be loyal to others, and this matter of negotiation with Mi Na Jian Yi will be left to me. ”

He raised his neck and said proudly, "I will live up to my mission." ”

"Good, good, good!" Mark was very happy, he looked at Lin Guoshan, "This pig, sheep and melon fruit for foreigners, you should hurry up and prepare everything." ”

"Don't worry, my lord, these are ready-made."

"That's it." The sky outside the window, "It's already dark, Mr. Lin Qian, who are you going to send to send Master Shen to negotiate with the Yi people." ”

Lin Guoshan immediately said, "My lord, let's use a fishing boat." Fishing boats are civilian boats, and it is not easy for people to find fault. There are many fishermen who have done good work on the water in Jilong Street, and there is no problem in sailing at night, and Master Shen will be safe and sound. ”

"My lord, I'll go to Ershawan Fort to observe the movements of the Yiren, so that the soldiers of Dajilongxun can be prepared."

Master Shen, Lin Wencha and Lin Guoshan went out of Shiwei together, and three sedan chairs sent the three to the waterfront of Jilong Street.

There are many fishing boats on the seaside wharf, and on the east side of the wharf near the direction of the Tianliao River, there are piles of high coal mountains.

When Wu Qiolin saw the three of them coming, he hurriedly stepped forward to greet Master Shen and Lin Wencha, and then reported to Lin Guoshan, saying that everything was ready, and he would wait for it to get completely dark before setting off.

Someone on the side quietly sent a bag of silver dollars into Master Shen's arms.

"There's no need to wait until it's completely dark, get ready to go now." Master Shen said to Lin Guoshan, "Don't forget, the gifts that Lord Cheng said must be brought." ”

"Do you really want to send pigs, sheep, melons and fruits to the foreign ship?" Lin Qian was a little unimpressed. He likes to play with guns and sticks since he was a child, and he is very disdainful of this sour show who shakes the fan.

"Hm~~" Master Shen shook his head again and again, he pointed to the fishing boats on the dock, "These boats are mainly to give gifts, Huairouyi people, coal is just an accessory." We must act rightly, and we will give an account to both the upper and the lower. Besides, those are the Yiren. If you are not of my race, your heart will be different, and it is best to be cautious. ”

Lin Guoshan, who was just listening, was suddenly taken aback, and he gave a deep salute to Master Shen, "Wake up the person in the dream with a word, Master is really a master." ”

Lin Guoshan hesitated a little, "This gift will not be ready for a while!" ”

"Uh, it's just a disguise, you don't need to have it, just mean it!"

"Ha~" Lin Guoshan and Lin Wencha pointed their fingers at Master Shen together, and the three of them laughed knowingly.

By this time the moon had risen, and the bay was silvery white.

On the docks, baskets of coal were lifted onto fishing boats. Soon, the fishing boats loaded with coal, with the help of the bright moonlight, sailed one by one to the outside of the fairy cave nose.

In the outer harbor of Xiandong, the Dinghai ship and the Dunan ship each have three high masts, and the arc lamps hanging on them emit a dazzling white light, illuminating all the sea.

Fishing boats shuttle back and forth, and baskets of coal are constantly unloaded from the fishing boats and poured into the hold.

Mark was in the stone enclosure, waiting for Master Shen to come back to report the situation, and he was anxious. When the servant brought him dinner, he had no appetite at all. Several times I climbed to the stone fence and went in the direction of the bay, but the night was hazy and I didn't know anything.

Just when Ma Xiancheng was sitting in the room at a loss, Master Shen came back.

As soon as Master Shen entered the hall, he hugged his fists with a smile on his face, "Congratulations, congratulations!" ”

He told Mark that although the people of Mi Yi were far away from the ocean, they were also in awe of the power of China, and with his incorruptible tongue, Yi Chuan expressed his willingness to leave the chicken coop tomorrow morning.

"Ha~ha~" Markton suddenly became excited, "This is the blessing of the saint and the blessing of the court!" ”

As he spoke, I saw him clasping his fists with both hands to the north, and his expression was extremely respectful.

"Of course, it's also the credit of the gentleman!" Mark patted Master Shen's shoulder very affectionately, "Come, let's celebrate with wine." ”

"However, the Yiren also put forward one condition."

Mark's heart sank suddenly, "What conditions?" ”

"Mi Na Jianyi said that their steamers have not much coal in stock, and they can't go to Hong Kong and Shanghai, so ~~~"

Without waiting for Master Shen to finish speaking, Ma Xiancheng took the words, "Mi Yi Jianyi people want to buy a little coal, right?" Let's not sell it, just give them fifty loads. ”

He waved his hand, "Let Lin Guoshan send someone to send it now!" ”

It was a sleepless night. The fishing boats in Jilong Bay shuttled back and forth for a night, and the gun and sail departments of the Zhoushan and Dunan ships were also busy for a night. By daybreak, both ships had finally filled up with coal.

Lu Huitian was very tired, he walked into the slipway, "Haiying Yang, let them start making breakfast." It's five o'clock, and I can't sleep even if I want to. ”

Haiying Yang and Zhang Xin took turns on duty, and he waited on the slipway in the second half of the night.

"Inform the two ships to start preparing for sailing!" Wang Tiehammer was still very energetic, "Wait until breakfast is over, and then go to sleep after sailing." ”

After a while, Zhang Xin yawned and came in from outside, "What kind of world is this, we are foreigners, and we are still tortured like this." ”

Although Zhang Xin and Haiying Yang were on duty in turn last night, the deck was tinkling, making him unable to sleep.

Haiying Yang also felt the same way, "Captain, it's too hard to make coal like this. ”

"That's right! Not to mention the suffering, it costs a lot of money, and in my opinion, I can simply take it. Zhang Xin said as he secretly observed Wang Tiezhu's expression, "

Wang Tiezhu also muttered a little at this time, do you want to take down the chicken coop first? The original plan was to capture the chicken coop at the end of December, should it be brought forward to November?

Troop problems, dock problems, health and epidemic prevention problems, etc., Wang Tiehammer thought about it, felt a little dizzy, he didn't sleep all night, he didn't eat breakfast, he knew that he had some low blood sugar.

Forget it, he waved his hand, "Let's prepare for sailing, let's study it when we go back." ”

On the morning of the 2nd of the month, the two ships pulled their long whistles and lifted anchor to return home.

When the Makton in the stone fence of the chicken coop heard the whistle, he couldn't help but burst into tears, "Amitabha Buddha ~ Immeasurable Heavenly Venerable ~ These Mi Qi Jianyi people are finally gone." ”