Updated: 202-0-26

On October 22, the Ming army captured Dinghai City, and more than a dozen inspection archers of the Cen Gang Inspection Division received the news at noon.

Cen Gang Town is located in the west of Zhoushan Island, ancient is an important seaport, has the name of "Six Nations Port", Ming Jiajing 37 years, Haikou Wang directly led 500 ships to berth here, the general Yu Daxian, the general Qi Jiguang led the troops to encircle and suppress, fierce battle for several months at the beginning of peace. After the Qing Dynasty occupied the Central Plains, the inspection department was set up here, with the name of inspection and 7 archers.

In the evening, in the flower hall in the backyard of the Yamen of Ningbo Daotai, Duan Guangqing Duan Jinghu had just finished dinner, and he sat on the Taishi chair under the window and leisurely picked up the teacup. After a busy day of government affairs, Duan Daotai finally had time to enjoy the afterglow of the evening.

It's not easy to be an official in this troubled era, since Duan Guangqing became the magistrate of Yin County, there have been repeated civil uprisings in Ningbo, but the green battalion soldiers here have always been weak and have no combat power. Fortunately, Duan Guangqing is relatively honest and is called "Duan Qingtian", and the local people are quite convinced. It is precisely because of the proper handling and proper handling that Duan Guangqing was appreciated by the Manchu Qing Dynasty and was repeatedly promoted and promoted, from the prefect of Yinxian County, to the prefect of Ningbo, and then to the current Ningshaotai coastal defense army.

Sitting on the chair freehand, looking at the sunset, Duan Daotai couldn't help but think of the time when he first arrived in Ningbo, and it was also a bloody sunset. This was the most violent time in the Ningbo salt and grain case, and the governor of Zhejiang sent troops to suppress it, and as a result, the people set up an ambush, killing more than 20 officials, and hundreds of people were killed.

Duan Guangqing adopted strategies such as reducing grain prices, clearing the salt industry, and reassuring the people's hearts, prompting Zhou Xiangqian, a prisoner who led the petition to the government to settle grain prices, to voluntarily surrender to the police, and through the method of division and disintegration, Zhang Chaoqing and Yu Nenggui, the leaders of the salt dealers who led the struggle against the government, were kidnapped by local forces and sent to the government office. In the end, Zhou Xiangqian, Zhang Chaoqing, and Yu Nenggui were executed together in Hangzhou.

Duan Guangqing remembered the scene when Zhou Xiangqian and the others were sent back to Ningbo to show the public in the first section, and the round eyes of the three seemed to be all staring at him, cold and cold, like snake eyes, without any expression. At that time, it scared him out of a cold sweat for the rest of his life.

Thinking of this, Duan Guangqing only felt that his eyes were a little dizzy, and his neck was cold. At this moment, Zhang Qiguang, the capital of the Daobiao Battalion, broke in with a few inspections that reported the news.

Looking at these inspections kneeling in front of him, Duan Guangqing's head became even more dizzy. The news just came this morning that the Fujian Navy Division has arrived in Dinghai, and the division will enter the crackdown in the past few days, how can the situation suddenly become ~~~

This is no ordinary popular uprising, this is a large-scale attack by anti-thieves.

What a headache! Duan Daotai smacked his head hard, how can the official get bigger and bigger, and these headaches are getting more and more.

Duan Guangqing knew very clearly that if Dinghai City fell, the next step for the thieves might be to pounce on Ningbo, and he would have the responsibility to defend the land as the Daotai of Ningshao. But Shao Can's 7,000 strong soldiers were all given for nothing, what did he use to defend against the enemy.

Seeing that Duan Daotai didn't speak for a long time, the master next to him hurriedly signaled Zhang Dusi to bring the inspection of the report down.

"Your Excellency?" "My lord? ”

The master's repeated calls called Duan Guangqing back from his trance.

"Dong Weng doesn't need to worry too much, this matter needs to be clarified, and then we will discuss countermeasures together." The master comforted, "The most important thing for today is to report the situation to Futai immediately, and then send someone to inquire about the truth of Dinghai." ”

"Yes, although the Zhenhai Division Battalion was pulled to Dinghai by Shao Can, fortunately, Buxing has a sentry fleet to stay there. Let Nabu Xingyou send someone to find out the news.

Duan Daotai sent 600 li to expedit, and at the same time sent someone to inform Bu Xingyou. As soon as the news came out, the entire city of Ningbo suddenly made waves.

Since the Qing Dynasty, Ningbo has formed two major ship gangs for maritime transportation: "South" and "North". At that time, it was exported from Zhenhai and went south from Dinghai to the South Ocean, and from Dinghai to the north, it was the North Ocean. The southern merchant ships went to the South Seas, and the northern merchant ships went to the North Seas. Due to the influence of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, the traditional grain transportation route was blocked. The Manchu court had no choice but to change the grain from Zhejiang to the north.

In 5 years, the first sea of Cao rice into Tianjin in eastern Zhejiang. 0 of the more than 00 sand ships and guard ships in Ningbo are hired to transport grain, of which a commercial bank in the north can send more than 6 ships alone. In that year, Yinxian, Zhenhai and Cixi Sanyi Jiuhu North ship merchants donated 00,000 yuan to build the Yongdong Tianhou Temple and Qing'an Hall on Jiangdong Muxing Road outside Ningbo City.

In the Qing'an Hall that had just been completed in Jiangdong outside the city, Cixi businessman Fei Lunjun jumped up from his seat at once, "What? The imperial army in Dinghai City was gone in one morning. Your news is true. ”

"It's true!" The messenger panted, "The news came from the Daotai Yamen, and more than a dozen patrol archers just came from Cen Gang to report to the Daotai Yamen. Now that the city gates of Ningbo City have been tightened, all the green battalion troops defending the city have begun to strengthen their vigilance. ”

Fei Lunjun sat down on the chair, "What kind of Ming army are those guys who collect taxes at sea, where did they come from?!" ”

"Dinghai is facing the waterway of Ningbo and Shanghai, these Ming bandits occupy Dinghai, and this piece of ocean has become their world, so what should we do with the North Ship?" A shipmer was full of sorrow, "There are nearly 10,000 craftsmen at Yongjiang Wharf, including weighers, hushou, bars, pickers, ship repairers, tent makers, and ropes, and so many people rely on this sea trade to eat." ”

Li Yeting's cigarette pouch rod tapped twice on the table, "Don't be too pessimistic, this group of Ming troops is still beneficial to us, at least they have eliminated the pirates on the surface of the Dinghai." ”

Li Rong, whose name is also Ting, is the son and nephew of the Li family in Zhenhai, and the Li family is a well-known family in Zhenhai, Ningbo. Because Li Yeting has no interest in reading since he was a child, he was sent to Shanghai by his family to learn business when he was 5 years old, and then operated the sand ship industry, and opened the Jiuda Sand Boat as a sole proprietorship, and was one of the earliest Ningbo businessmen who made achievements in the sand ship industry. In 5 years, Li Yeting's fleet took the lead in advancing northward, making Zhejiang Caomi the first time to ship to Tianjin, and turning the industry of Caomi to the sea.

As soon as Li Yeting's voice fell, Sheng Zhiguan, a merchant from Cixi, immediately responded, "Yes, there are very few bandits in Ningbo now, and the red-haired pirates are gone, so only the Guangzhou boat that Buxing has is left." ”

The merchants discussed, "That's right, those red-haired pirates are also in the hands of this thief army, and it is actually difficult for the red-haired pirates to live up to their fame." ”

"Pirate harassment is a trivial matter, if the so-called Ming army blocks the north-south shipping lane, we will not be able to carry out Cao Yun, and all the hundreds of thousands of taels of snowflakes and silver every year will be lost." Fei Lunjun hated in his heart, "This red-haired pirate across the ocean is really useless, and this Ming bandit can't deal with it, three ships rushed to attack the thief army, but none of the boats could run back, and every year we receive 200,000 silver oceans in vain." ”

"Shopkeeper Fei, don't be too pessimistic, this Ming army is easier to deal with than the red-haired ghost." Li Yeting put down his cigarette stick, "My fleet has dealt with this Ming army, and their Maritime Guard is in charge of collecting taxes at sea, as long as you pay this tithe, they are still more reasonable." ”

"You mean to buy a sea lane?" Fei Lunjun shook his head again and again, "Since it is said that it is the Ming army, then they must fight for the world." If they attack Ningbo, our more than 200 ships, large and small, anchored on the Yongjiang River, will become fish in the pond. ”

Some of Fei Lunjun's words made all the shippers frown.

When everyone looked sad, a young businessman cried out, "What are you worried about? Don't forget the imperial court. This grain is related to the safety of Beijing and the society of the Qing Dynasty. If the Ming army blocks the waterway and puts an end to the transportation of grain from the south to the north, can the imperial court ignore it?! ”

Can the imperial court do it? The shippers shook their heads again and again, if the imperial sailors were strong, they would not hire red-haired pirates to escort them.

Sheng Zhiguan snorted coldly, "Is it just our North Boat Gang walking on the Yongjiang River, don't forget that there are also foreigners' big boats, and their boats are running on Yongjiang every day." ”

"There are still foreigners' steamers on the sea, and we originally planned to buy foreigners' steamers to deal with pirates, but far water can't quench our thirst." Speaking of this, Sheng Zhiguan's eyes suddenly lit up, "There is a French warship moored on the Yongjiang River, as if some French minister is in Ningbo." If you don't talk to the foreigners, we will pay for them to escort them. ”

Sheng Zhiguan was particularly impressed by the foreigners' steamers, and he always encouraged the merchants of the North to raise funds to buy large steamers to sweep away the pirates in the Ningbo area and escort the ships.

"No, no." Li Yeting shook his head again and again, "The foreigner gunboats are no better than the red-haired pirates, we don't have so much silver, let the foreigner gunboats escort every day?" Besides, even if they are willing to escort the ship, it can be one or two, not three, and it is impossible for foreign warships to be involved in this war, unless~~"

Sheng Zhiguan was anxious and hurriedly asked, "Unless what?" ”

"Unless this Ming army steps on the sore feet of foreigners." Li Yeting shook his head again and again as he spoke, "It's difficult! Difficult! ”

After a long day of deliberation, there was no result, and the shippers had to leave in the end.

Li Yeting walked out of the house, he surged east along the river, thoughtfully, "First there was the Taiping Army, then there was the Little Knife Society, and now there is a Ming Army." Could it be that the situation of the people is like this river that is gone forever? ”

That night, the six gates of Ningbo City were locked, the green battalion soldiers went to the city to be on guard, and various news spread among the officials and the people, and the whole city was in a commotion.

The next morning, in the meeting hall of the Daotai Yamen, the master concisely explained the situation in Dinghai City in a few words, and the officials in the audience were in an uproar, and the rumors that went viral in the city last night turned out to be true.

Zhang Jingqu, the acting magistrate of Yinxian County, the prefect of Ningbo, said in a trembling voice, "The seven thousand people of the imperial court were wiped out overnight, and the entire Dinghai fell into the hands of thieves. Is this ~~ possible? ”

Why is this scholar all a wreck, so unqualified, Bu Xingyou glanced at him with disdain, "This is the news that my brothers have inquired about overnight, and it is naturally true. ”

Bu Xingyou was originally a pirate, and after being recruited, he became the commander of the Ningbo Prefecture Liupin, with hundreds of brothers under his command, dozens of ships, and competing with Portuguese pirates, dividing the sphere of influence, monopolizing many fishing grounds off Ningbo, and living a very comfortable life.

Since the Ming army set up the Maritime Guard, the sphere of influence of the Portuguese pirates and Bu Xingyou has been greatly suppressed, and the fishing grounds east of Dinghai have run out of room for piracy. A large number of pirates were wiped out on the surface of the Dinghai Sea, and he had always been in his eyes, but Bu Xingyou did not dare to act rashly, he had already guessed the reason for the sudden disappearance of the octopus, and his nemesis red-haired pirates went to the door, and the whole army was wiped out. Bu Xingyou was originally a pirate on the ocean of Guangdong, they were cleared by the British ** ship, and fled from Guangdong to eastern Zhejiang, and Bu Xing has never done anything that he is not sure of.

Bu Xingyou was very indignant in his heart, Dinghai City fell into the hands of the Ming army, did he still have room to collect protection money? Thinking about the old rival who used to be in ashes now, Bu Xing has a feeling of sadness that the rabbit is dead and the fox is sad.

"It's a pity, Ye Junmen has been fighting horses for many years, and he is well versed in military affairs, but because of his foot disease, it is difficult to walk, and the five battalions of the Yamen have also been favored by He Futai, and let Lord Shao Can pull him to Zhoushan, otherwise~~" An official sighed.

Ye Shaochun is the current governor of Zhejiang, because of foot disease, it was difficult to walk, and he went to the provincial capital Hangzhou to recuperate.

Duan Daotai had no sleep all night, his eyes were bloodshot, "Don't say these useless words, it's impossible to think about it." ”

"Ladies and gentlemen, I think that the thieves can take Dinghai City lightly, but it is absolutely impossible to take Ningbo City."

Everyone's eyes were all focused on Zhang Futai, and Zhang Jingqu, the acting prefect of Ningbo, raised his voice lightly, "What is Ningbo Mansion?" Ningbo Mansion is a five-port treaty port demarcated by foreigners and the imperial court, and the foreigners are so powerful that they will never tolerate the anti-thieves to make trouble. ”

"Yes, foreigners won't let the thieves mess up Ningbo."

"That's right, there are foreigners' warships on the Yongjiang River."

Everyone in the hall responded.

"Uh-huh~" Duan Daotai coughed lightly, and the conference hall suddenly fell silent.

"To defend Ningbo, you must first rely on yourself, you don't have the strength, why should foreigners save you." Duan Guangqing looked around, and seeing that no one spoke, he continued, "Last night, I wrote to the imperial court to promote Zhang Qiguang as a guerrilla, and the approval will come down soon. Guerrilla Zhang reported this morning that the city garrison camp and the Daobiao battalion together have less than 1,000 troops in the whole city, so we must recruit a large number of people to help defend the city. ”

Duan Daotai stared at Zhang Jingqu, "Zhang Futai, this matter will be handled by you." ”

"Subordinates obey!"

"It's a matter of life and death, and you have to take it seriously." Duan Guangqing was a little uneasy, and then added.

"Your Excellency, please rest assured."

Duan Daotai nodded, his eyes aimed at Bu Xingyou. "Bu Xing has!"

"Mark it in!"

"How many ships can your sailor battalion gather?"

"There are more than 20 boats on the Yongjiang River, and these can all be gathered~~" Bu Xing hesitated a little, "There are not so many people, and there are only 120 people who can fight." ”

The Red Single Boat of the Fujian Navy Division and the Red Sailboat of the Red Mao Fan were not the opponents of the Ming Army, and Bu Xingyou naturally did not want to fight hard.

"There's no need to worry." Duan Guangqing cleared Bu Xing's thoughts, "There are not enough people, you can recruit, money and food are not a problem." Last night, I also wrote to guarantee that you would be promoted as the capital of the naval division, and if Ningbo City was kept, I would promote you to a guerrilla rank. ”

"Congratulations to Budusi, this time it's a five-grade master."

All the officials expressed their congratulations.

After being promoted and making a fortune, Bu Xingyou's face suddenly turned red, "Lord Daotai, don't worry, I'll go to recruit Minzhuang now, straighten out the warship, and prepare for the battle." ”