"Report to Hong Shaobao," Governor Song of Fujian pushed open the door and waved towards Hong Lishen, "According to the prior appointment, the ships of the Nanyang will arrive tomorrow, and please prepare early." ”

"How many ships are they? Are they all cargo ships? Hong Lishen was not in a hurry to make a decision, and asked first.

"It has been agreed with us that we will use three warships to load 200 cannons and return with the envoys of the imperial court."

"But the fog has been relatively heavy in the past two days, and the sky is gray and heavy, so I'm afraid I will miss the ship......"

Governor Song replied helplessly: "Now that the message is isolated, it is naturally too late to notify again, so I have to complain to God." ”

"Where did they land from?"

"Meiling Port in Zhao'an."

Hong Lishen patted his thigh and said: "This is good, it is very close to the mansion, I must go in person to show my sincerity!" Lord Song, I would like you to order the soldiers on the island, and tell them that although the waves have calmed down in the past two months, there is still a trouble, and they must not be negligent, especially during this period of time, they must be strictly guarded and extremely vigilant! ”

A light breeze and a drizzle of rain hit the long stone steps of the harbor, soaking the moss that spread all over the ground. The staircase swerved up the steep ramp to the embankment, and was meeting the pier to the north, when a dozen soldiers stood on the deck, ready to hang lanterns on the boats.

"What happened to what I gave you yesterday?" The sound of people talking suddenly appeared in the silent port, causing all the sergeants to look back, it was Hong Lishen and Governor Song and others coming.

"This is a major matter related to the country, and Song has taken everything carefully," said Governor Song, "I went to the island and worked all night, urging them to build a few high platforms and carry up all the available cannons, so as to ensure that the entire sea frontier is under my control and will not be taken advantage of by the pirates." ”

"The fog is so big, what if the battery hits the ship by mistake?" Hong Lishen hurriedly stepped down the steps.

Governor Song said with a smile: "Don't worry about participating in politics, the lower officials have taken almost all the circumstances into account, and this time the ship is foolproof." ”

Between the words, the two had already walked into the dock. When the soldiers saw this, they hurriedly jumped back to the shore from the deck and came to salute Hong Lishen.

"No need to salute. The lanterns are all hung up? Hong Lishen hurriedly asked.

"Hung up. As soon as the lord gives the order, our sailors can quickly dispatch to guide the incoming ship to the sea. ”

"Okay, but it's hard work for you, no one can do anything about this kind of ghost weather. As compensation, I will distribute the reward to you when it is done. ”

Everyone was overjoyed, and after thanking Hong Shaobao, they went to rest.

As time passed, the rain did not stop, and the sky grew darker, and a dull roar came out of the dark clouds. The fog obscured his vision, but Hong Lishen could still see the other side of the river, which was full of emerald green mountains, and the clusters of branches and leaves were blown by the breeze, making them look particularly bright in the drizzle.

"That's the West Bank," Governor Song pointed to follow his gaze, "because of the terrain, it has been deserted." Recently, a walled city has been built on it to defend against pirates. ”

Only then did Hong Lishen look at the top of the mountain, and sure enough, there was a low stone city wall, and he could vaguely see the figure on the high platform. He couldn't see clearly, so he narrowed his eyes into a line and saw several people waving a red flag.

"The ship is coming!" Hong Lishen shouted, and he immediately understood this signal.

Sure enough, three warships appeared on the foggy sea, and they were neatly lined up and slowly moving forward—but they were getting farther and farther away from the harbor.

"It seems that you are going to Dongshan Island," Governor Song said unhurriedly, and beckoned to the sailors: "You go and sail and guide them here!" ”

The soldiers on Dongshan Island have not had a good time lately. Under the pressure of the imperial court, the prefects everywhere had bitter words, so they had to sprinkle their grievances on these soldiers. They were recruited from all directions, marching non-stop to the sea, and along the way they had to walk some twists and turns of the mountains, tired and dizzy, but the government only urged them three times, and the document kept repeating the sentence 'violators will be killed', as if there was no room for breathing. The soldiers had to rest in the wilderness, sleeping only two hours in the middle of the night, and finally arrived on the island, but they were ordered by the civil officials to carry wood and stones, and worked frantically under the scorching sun, under the pretext of insufficient service, so that several of them were exhausted, and the government had no scruples.

At the same time, the people who were forcibly moved to Tuntian were also not at ease, and many of them who were fierce and not afraid of death instigated everyone to make trouble, and even stormed the state and county yamen; The government did not dare to disobey the new policies of the imperial court, and was helpless against these popular uprisings. However, on the one hand, Lord Futai ordered them not to exacerbate the conflict, and on the other hand, he reprimanded them for indulging the people, so that they could not give Feng Xiang. How did the soldiers do it when such harsh conditions were set? Just let the superiors scold bitterly, hold down the anger in their hearts, and listen to their ears are about to grind out calluses. In an impatient environment, their temper gradually became irritable and irritable, and they often fought in the barracks, as if they were going crazy.

"Captain, a warship seems to be coming to shore with us!" A soldier hurried down the platform, got into the tent, and shouted to a general.

"I see," said the chief sullenly, "wait for him to come to the shore." ”

"Fuck!" Several military men beside this commander suddenly jumped up and drew their swords, "Let's discuss other things well, what are you interrupting inexplicably?" Get out! ”

"I ......"

"Stop arguing, everyone!" Seeing the tension between the two sides, the chief hurriedly stepped forward and pushed them away, "Our situation is the same. Counsel with us. ”

The man reduced his anger a little, glared at the soldier a few times, and sat down reluctantly.

The chief sighed and said: "I went back yesterday and went to the Yamen to see the Futai, and their civil officials seem to be extremely dissatisfied, but I can personally listen to his old man say, 'This new deal is causing panic in the people, and it will not end early!'" ’”

"They're a miserable fart!" The soldier beat his chest and scolded, "Slave us soldiers all day long, but I sit in the lobby!" The Diao people have been restless, we are busy with everything, and there is no way to treat them, there is no end to this day! ”

"I thought," the chief said to himself, unaffected by his emotions, "since so many people hate the new deal to the core, why don't we take action and mess up the overall situation?" ”

"How?"

The chief made a look and looked out of the big tent: "Didn't Niu Yuan want to borrow the boat to make meritorious service?" We might as well be ruthless and let him never recover! ”