Yuchi Bay on the southeast coast is the customs where foreigners come and go to trade, and foreigners must carry the entry documents when they enter the customs, and then go to the customs office to do a good job of filing after entering the customs, and the trade, address, long-term and short-term, and round-trip time must be recorded clearly one by one.

As for the reason, after Li Chengjing unified Central and South China, Andenor sent an envoy to see Li Chengjing, hoping that she could open the four cities along the southeast coast as treaty ports, increase trade exchanges, and promote each other's economic development.

Li Chengjing left an envoy, and then summoned the generals to discuss the matter. Most of the generals rebuked Andernow for his insatiable greed, and that there was no reason to change the covenant now that it had been signed. Moreover, if the foreigners wait for an opportunity to smuggle soldiers and arms into the country on the grounds of trade, they will gradually swallow up the coastal areas in the future, so they have asked Li Chengjing to refuse Andenor's request.

In the midst of opposition, Commander Wang stood up and tried his best to overcome public opinion, hoping that Li Chengjing would agree to the matter. Commander Wang pointed out that the old-style conservative rule is no longer suitable for the development of the current situation, and resting on one's laurels will only make one's vision more short-sighted, and communicating with foreign countries is conducive to economic development and understanding of the world pattern, which is fundamentally conducive to the great cause of reunification in the future.

Of course, Anderno's ambition must also be guarded against, so it is necessary to draw up the treaty completely, and at the same time strengthen the deployment of naval divisions along the coast, if Anderno really makes a move, it can also be prevented.

After several discussions, she decided to agree to Andenor's request, but the treaty had to be determined by herself, and after consultation, Li Chengjing drafted a treaty: First, the treaty port can be opened, but the exchange must be registered at the customs office. Second, drugs and arms cannot be smuggled. Third, the Navy does not exercise supervision over friendly countries, but has the right to check whether the registration is true. Fourthly, friendly countries coming to the coast are subject to all the laws and regulations of the south-east, but they have the right of diplomatic protection......

After a series of terms were written, the envoy sent a telegram to Anderno, who accepted all the terms and conditions, and only asked for one more clause, "Allow them to lease land to set up a livelihood factory." ”

Li Chengjing agreed to set up a factory, but it must be based on fairness, and it must not forcibly occupy land and affect people's livelihood.

After reaching a consensus, the two sides re-signed the covenant, and Li Chengjing set up a customs office in Yuchi Bay, which was responsible for coordinating and managing all customs affairs.

Three months later, the Yangpu factory was in full swing.

Half a year later, the coastal market showed a new prosperous scene, attracting many entrepreneurs, including Guo Qianye, Zou Baoyi, etc., many entrepreneurs finally reached cooperation with foreigners, and introduced foreigners' trade and factories to various cities, so as to promote the economic development of the entire Central South. Even entrepreneurs in the southwest and the north are trying to find ways to set up foreigners' factories through various channels.

Chinese and foreign newspapers once again praised Li Chengjing, praising her not only as a great military strategist, but also as a far-sighted politician and economist......

However, not long ago, a large number of people gathered at the entrance of the customs office, clamoring for an explanation. Li Chengjing pays the most attention to the people's livelihood and public opinion, and if there are officials who ignore the grievances of the people, once confirmed, they will be dismissed from their posts and investigated.

Director Wei of the handling office asked himself if he was still conscientious in his duties, but he didn't know why it caused so much public resentment. In order to find out what was going on as soon as possible, Director Wei asked them to discuss a representative to explain the matter clearly.

After learning about it, I learned that they were all from the four coastal cities, including merchants and civilians, who gathered here to accuse foreigners of forcibly occupying land in order to set up factories, forcibly buying shops, and forcibly occupying people's houses in order to live.

Foreigners have been safe and sound in the past two years, why is there such a sudden behavior of bullying and dominating the market? All the information about their correspondence must be reported at the handling office, why don't they know anything about it?

The most important thing at the moment is to calm down the anger first, and Director Wei told them to leave first, promising to give them a satisfactory explanation within a week.

After the crowd dispersed, Director Wei began to trace the records of the economic office and the customs registration report, and found that the number of foreigners entering the customs had increased greatly in the past six months, and what was even more surprising was that a large number of foreigners who should return at the specified time only had written registration, but the customs department did not file a record.

The data on both sides did not match, and Director Wei thoroughly investigated the matter, and found out that there were internal customs officials who were bribed by foreigners, engaged in favoritism, forged records for them, and passed the customs in confusion. According to a comparison of the data on both sides, the number of stranded foreigners reached 10,000.

Director Wei sorted out the list and quickly reported it to the Southeast Navy China Command.

Commander Hua was shocked that such a mistake had been made under his own rule, and if the commander-in-chief knew that his official position would be difficult to protect, and he was even more afraid that his life would be at stake, he quickly ordered all localities to urge foreigners to leave the country according to the list.

Unexpectedly, Commander Hua's actions were met with rude resistance from foreigners, who actually had most of their firearms in their hands, causing chaos on the spot, and many soldiers were killed and wounded. Commander Hua mobilized a large army to suppress the riots of foreigners, and arrested and imprisoned all 30 foreigners who took the lead in making trouble and killing people.

Things have evolved to this point, and Commander Hua had to report to Li Chengjing.

Li Chengjing was furious when she heard this, and after sorting out the reason, she immediately sent a message to ask Andeno why he did such an unrighteous act.

Anderneau said that the detention of personnel is a commercial need, and the armament is only necessary for the daily work of the factory. Instead, he beat him up, accusing Li Chengjing of not being so harsh on his allies after sitting on the throne, completely forgetting how he stabilized the rear for Li Chengjing in the first place, so that she could deal with Yin Jun with all her might.

also mentioned that Li Qiyu wanted to cede the four coastal cities, but not only did the alliance fail, but let his brother die in Ningzhou, and Li Chengjing has not handed over the culprit so far.

Li Chengjing was even more angry, and condemned Andernow for meeting in advance even if there was any reason, and the two sides revised the terms, but he actually bribed her officials, acted secretly, and deliberately provoked a war.

The matter of forming an alliance was originally at that time and at that time, he only mentioned the merit of helping each other, and when he first took charge of the cabinet, the situation was unstable, why did he not mention anything about helping him stabilize the situation? Over the past few years, she has always kept her covenant, and her support has not diminished in the slightest, but she did not expect that it would be exchanged for his wolf ambitions.

To put it bluntly, if he really cared about Andrean's death, why didn't he investigate the cause of death after Andrew's death, but rushed into the cabinet to run for election......

Li Chengjing suspected that the stranded foreigners were actually soldiers of the Andenor faction, with the purpose of gradually planting troops and finally annexing the coast. But Li Chengjing's current priority is to wait for the opportunity to lead the army to the Northern Expedition, if she wants to lead the army to the Northern Expedition, the rear must be stable, so she can only restrain Anderno, and cannot be the first to abandon the contract.

Li Chengjing issued an ultimatum to Andreau, she would release the detainees, and the bad consequences caused before were also not to blame, but if there were any more refusals to leave the customs and wanton trouble, they would be killed. Call Wass to release the people, and send the stranded foreigners out of the customs within 10 days, and if they encounter resistance again, they will be shot on the spot.

Anderno's plan was thus discovered, and he was indignant, but he did not have the strength to clash head-on with Li Chengjing at present, and he was the first to ignore the covenant, if this matter was stabbed by Li Chengjing to the world, he would be attacked by political enemies, weighing the pros and cons, he had to order the recall of all the soldiers he secretly sent.

As soon as this incident passed, Li Chengjing sent people to the southeast to strictly investigate the entire customs officials, and found out those involved with foreign countries one by one, and escorted them to Wen Qiong to discuss the crime.

In the end, nearly 50 officials of all sizes were found to be implicated, and Li Chengjing executed all the officials who directly embezzled and made false records, and all the other corrupt officials were dismissed, and those who were seriously involved were sent to prison.

Commander Hua and Director Wei were both guilty of negligence, but it was found out that they really had nothing to do with the matter, and they also took measures immediately after the incident, let alone demote and retain, Li Chengjing added 20,000 soldiers and horses to guard the customs, and then set up coastal inspectors to secretly supervise foreigners.

Song Jiujue's birthday card was delivered to Li Chengjing seven days before the birthday banquet, and this time everyone unanimously agreed that Li Chengjing should go, so Li Chengjing asked Adjutant Long to choose a birthday gift.

Two days before departure, Adjutant Long sent the selected birthday gift to the study for Li Chengjing to see, which was a golden Buddha specially ordered by Adjutant Long.

Li Chengjing nodded in agreement.

Adjutant Long suddenly said, "I heard that Song Jiujue also invited Chen Zui. ”

"I know." Li Chengjing said lightly.

"Commander-in-Chief, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." Li Chengjing did not interrupt, and Adjutant Long continued: "Andeno's ambition is obvious, and the lower officer is worried that he will take the opportunity to send troops to the southeast when our army goes on the Northern Expedition in the future, and then we will suffer from the enemy on our backs.

The Xiao Gang is already the largest gang in the rivers and lakes under the leadership of Chen Zui, Chen Zui has formed an army and trained elite soldiers, and its power cannot be underestimated. ”

Li Chengjing smiled bitterly, "You underestimate Chen too drunk, he is not a person who only relies on emotion, otherwise he still had a marriage contract with me back then, how could he kill Andrew, abandon the marriage and run away?" Won't come to help me now. ”

"Even if Chen Zui refuses to send troops to help, the commander-in-chief can compromise and persuade him to lend the port and wharf, and our army can send out the three armies of land, water and air at the same time."

Li Chengjing shook her head, "It's also difficult, the Xiao Gang never deals with military forces, it can be seen that Chen Zui just wants to support the army to protect himself." ”

Adjutant Long persuaded again: "It is related to the great cause of the Northern Expedition, the commander-in-chief, please think twice, and the next officer will retire." ”

With her current strength, Li Chengjing is confident that she can defeat either side, but when the two parties join forces, she is only sixty percent sure. She didn't understand that if she had Xiao Gang help, great things could be done.

Want her to take advantage of Chen drunk? She knows Chen Zui too well, he won't do anything that violates his principles, and he doesn't have the face to open his mouth.

She took out the pistol on her waist and gave the other one to Chen Zui, I don't know if it's still there......

The day before departure, Li Chengjing decided to let Adjutant Long take a few soldiers to go to Changling with her in disguise as an entourage, and the rest of the generals performed their duties.

I set off early the next morning and arrived at dusk.