Chapter 220 Trip to Vietnam (3)
If a strategic support point can be built at the location of the Tushan Peninsula, the entire coastal area of the Red River Delta can be effectively monitored. The distance from here to Black Earth Port is only about forty nautical miles. If something happens, Black Earth Port will have enough time to provide support. Of course, the biggest difficulty in building a stronghold here is not the funds or materials, but the personnel.
The current resident population of Black Earth Port has exceeded 3,000, but the military and police force only has less than 100 people. If this manpower is only used as a defender of social order, it is enough, but if it is to be used as a military defense force or even as an advance team for external expansion, then this number of people is really not enough. Moreover, the limited manpower has been divided into four parts, stationed in the mining area, residential area, port area and the Fushuizhou Island supply station located between Heitu Port and Hainan Island. It is obviously not a practical idea to draw manpower from this to garrison the Tushan Peninsula.
Of course, there is a secret backup plan within the Military and Police Department, which is proposed by Qian Tiandun. Heitu Port will raise funds and personnel on its own to form and train a combat force with mountain and jungle operations as the main combat areas. . In this way, some manpower can be transferred from Kurotsucho Port to establish a long-term stronghold on the Tushan Peninsula.
This plan is not a problem in terms of personnel. There is a steady stream of immigrants arriving at Black Earth Port for you to slowly select. Even if you choose only one in a hundred, you can still select some good seedlings. The main difficulty still lies in funds and ordnance. All the investment in the opening of Black Earth Port came from the base camp. Both funds and ordnance are heavily dependent on the supply of the base camp. Without the support of the base camp, it will definitely not be possible. If this plan were reported directly to the Executive Committee, I am afraid it would be criticized by the opposition. Therefore, although it has been two months since the opening of Black Earth Port, this plan has been put on hold waiting for the right opportunity.
Tao Donglai and others climbed up the hill at the southeastern tip of Tushan Peninsula. From here, you can have a bird's-eye view of the coast and sea within dozens of miles. You can clearly see Cat Ba Island, which is ten miles away across the sea, without using a telescope. , and the estuaries of several rivers within the later Haiphong City are also within sight, which is indeed an excellent monitoring location.
"What a great place!" Tao Donglai couldn't help but sigh: "Occupying this place is equivalent to occupying the seaport in northeastern Vietnam!"
"Although this place is not big, one or two thousand people can be stationed if necessary. It is within a day's sail from Heitu Port and Fushuizhou Island. If military intervention in Vietnam is needed in the future, this place is really excellent. A supporting point,” Wang Tom added. It was his opinion that made the Military and Police Department notice the geographical importance of Tushan Peninsula.
"The most important thing is that there are no threatening forces nearby." Xie Chun also joined the discussion: "We have repeatedly explored the sea area from Black Tu Port to Thanh Hoa along the coastline several times, and no pirates were found. The nearest Vietnamese garrison to the Tushan Peninsula is already a hundred miles away, and it is unlikely to pose a threat here. We only need to transport a few hundred laborers from Heitu Port and spend half a month repairing the barracks, docks and facilities. With basic defense facilities and a small number of troops stationed, this place will be taken.”
Tao Donglai glanced sideways at Xie Chun and asked with a smile: "Have you and Qian Tiandun already colluded?"
Xie Chun did not deny this: "We have indeed discussed it. It would be a pity to give up this place. Even if we have to pay some price, we should take it down! Even if we don't have enough soldiers now, we can move here first. Some people came to settle, just like we did on Fushuizhou Island, building supply depots first and then considering building military strongholds.”
Tao Donglai nodded and said noncommittally: "The idea is good, but the strategic position of this place is much higher than that of Fushuizhou Island. I'm afraid it won't work without garrisoning troops."
"Whether we can garrison troops depends on Mr. Tao's performance in the executive committee." Xie Chun stared at Tao Donglai eagerly.
Tao Donglai smiled and said: "Don't worry, let's wait until we finish negotiating the business with the Vietnamese this time."
The reason why the fleet docked at Tushan Peninsula is because the Black Earth Port Management Committee and the other party had made an appointment to meet here. The other party hoped that the crossing group could send people directly to Hanoi to meet, but considering safety issues, the meeting location was finally set at Doshan Peninsula. However, due to the inconvenience of communication in this era, the two parties only agreed on a rough meeting time in advance, and Tao Donglai and others arrived here two days earlier than the agreed time.
In order to comfort the crew and accompanying militiamen, a traditional seafood barbecue banquet was held on the shore that night. Beibu Gulf is a tropical and subtropical inland sea. Its natural conditions are very suitable for the rapid growth and reproduction of various marine organisms. It was also a famous fishing ground in later generations. The marine biological resources here are very rich. The crew just fished a few nets in the bay and pulled up a lot of good things.
After a hearty meal, Xie Chun touched his belly and said, "The most satisfying thing after time travel is that I can finally eat all-you-can-eat seafood for free!"
Tom Wang smiled and said: "No wonder you want to join the navy. It turns out you have this foodie mentality!"
Xie Chun waved his hand and said: "If it was just for food, I would have joined the catering group long ago. Brother, I got a second-level chef certificate back then."
"You are really versatile!" While talking, Tao Donglai also entered the tent where they lived: "We arrived a day or two early and have nothing to do. How about going to sea tomorrow and wandering around? I want to visit Cat Ba Island”
"Then we have to leave early. We only have about half a day." Wang Tom answered: "Just now, a telegram was sent from Heitu Port. Qian Tiandun will come in person tomorrow."
"He has to come, he was the one responsible for this deal." Xie Chun responded.
There are no people from the foreign trade port in the staffing of Black Earth Port. Therefore, after the Black Earth Port Management Committee initially proposed the goal of achieving economic independence as soon as possible through foreign trade means, the work of carrying out foreign trade could only be entrusted to the shipping and military police departments. ——Only people from these two departments have direct contact with Vietnam.
Qian Tiandun, who had the goal of expanding the military, was very enthusiastic about self-funding, while Xie Chun, who was in charge of shipping affairs, was also a military fan. The two hit it off. As for the method of opening foreign trade channels, although both of them were laymen, after the two cobblers got together, they still came up with a stupid way.
Qian Tiandun first obtained information about the current residents of Heitu Port from the civil affairs department, found those few literate immigrants, and began to interview them one by one. Qian Tiandun believes that in a purely agricultural country like Vietnam, people who can read and write must have a relatively good family environment, and of course their knowledge and social connections are more than those of ordinary people.
Qian Tiandun's purpose was very simple, that is, he wanted to find people among the immigrants who could get in touch with the Vietnamese side. However, this method, which was like a blind cat catching a mouse, actually paid off. They actually found people among the immigrants. Find a guy who is said to be a distant relative of a powerful person.
This immigrant named Zheng Lin is said to be related to King Zheng Song of Ping'an. He was separated from his family while fleeing north. He later fled to Thanh Hoa with other refugees, and was then inexplicably taken on a boat to Black To Port. After arriving here, because he was still somewhat literate, he was assigned to the coal mine to count the miners' work performance. Except that the coal ash was a bit big, it was still a relatively relaxed position.
However, Qian Tiandun and Xie Chun were not familiar with Vietnamese history, and they did not know who the Ping An King Zheng Song was. Not only did they not know, but no one in the entire Black Earth Port knew about it, so in the end they could only ask for help from the base camp via telegram.
Later, a long telegram sent from the base camp explained their doubts. The background of this King of Ping An, Zheng Song, was not small. Zheng Song's father, Zheng Jian, was a powerful official in the Later Li Dynasty. He was once awarded the title of "Capital General, Controller of Water Bu and Camps, General Manager of Pingzhang, Military and State Affairs, Grand Master, and Duke of Liang" in 16 During the century, he led troops to the northern expedition to the Mo Dynasty many times on behalf of the Li Dynasty that ruled the south. After Zheng Jian died of illness in 1570, his second son Zheng Song quickly took his place and continued the Northern Expedition. In 1591, he finally captured Shenglong Mansion and wiped out the two emperors of the Mo Dynasty. Zheng Song was therefore dismissed in 1599. Li Sejong sold the title of "King Ping'an" to him.
However, the domestic political situation in Vietnam has always been chaotic. After the success of the Northern Expedition of the Later Le Dynasty, this chaotic situation did not change. Soon Zheng Song became the actual person in power of the Later Le Dynasty, and forced Li Jinzong to die and supported the The puppet queen Li Shenzong became emperor, and this was one of the triggers for the current military confrontation between the north and the south. After that, the Nguyen family, which had separatized the south, announced that it would sever all relations with the Zheng family and did not recognize the Hou Li regime under the control of the Zheng family. After that, the North-South War began in the summer of 1627. However, before this new round of the North-South War began, King Zheng Song of Ping An had already died in the internal strife of the Zheng family in 1623. At present, Zheng Song's successor is his eldest son Zheng Jie, who is titled King of Qingdu. At this time, the Nguyen family in the south had already controlled most of Guangnan, Hue and Champa. It had become an independent kingdom and had posed a great threat to the Zheng family in the north. Therefore, Zheng Zhi came in 1627. In 2001, he launched an attack on the Ruan family in the south.
As for the immigrant named Zheng Lin who Qian Tiandun and others found in Heitu Port, in terms of kinship, he and Zheng Zhi, who is currently in power in northern Vietnam, are distant uncles and nephews. Although they are a bit far apart, they are still close. Or relatives.
As long as they are relatives, they can establish relationships with North Vietnamese dignitaries. This is exactly the kind of connections Black Earth Port needs. Qian Tiandun immediately picked up Zheng Lin, sent him to the coast near Haiphong, and sent a dozen naturalized people to escort him all the way back to Hanoi. Qian Tiandun's purpose of doing this was very simple, that is, he hoped to convey his trade wishes to the Vietnamese dignitaries in the north through Zheng Lin. Black Earth Port is not worried about not receiving a reply from the other party, because the trade item they proposed is salt, which the current North Vietnamese regime cannot refuse.
Sure enough, the fleet sent to escort Zheng Lin did not wait at the beach for too long. Five days later, the envoy sent from Hanoi arrived here by boat. After seeing the refined salt samples provided by Black Earth Port, the other party quickly reached a trade agreement and agreed on the transaction price, delivery time and location.
Behind this North Vietnamese business group, it is said that Zheng Zha, the son of Qingdu King Zheng Zhi, was involved in the operation. This Zheng Zha is not an unknown person. Historically, he took over from Zheng Zha in 1654 and became the next generation leader of the Zheng family. During the San Francisco Rebellion in the Qing Dynasty, he also cooperated with Emperor Kangxi at the request of Emperor Kangxi. The Qing army united to fight against Wu Sangui.
However, Zheng Zha, who is only 21 years old, is still only a second-generation official and is not yet able to interfere in Vietnam's domestic political situation. But for the privileged class like Zheng Zha, it is very easy to take advantage of the opportunity of the Civil War to make some money from the national crisis. With Zheng Zha's protection, the first two salt transactions were successfully completed. After that, Qian Tiandun expressed his willingness to sell weapons, especially firearms, to the other party through the established news channels.
The arms trade and the smuggling of salt are two completely different concepts. The other party is obviously very cautious about this. After several meetings and messages back and forth, the time and place for the meeting between the two parties were determined. At this time, Heitu Port reported the news back to the base camp, and hoped that the base camp would send high-level personnel to attend the meeting, because it was said that a powerful figure from the other party would also attend, most likely the future ruler of North Vietnam, Zheng Zha.
If this deal can be negotiated, it will greatly advance the time for Vietnam to enter the era of hot weapons. In the original history, it was not until 1642 when Zheng Chi attacked the Nguyen clan that the North Vietnamese army used cannon provided by the Dutch as an offensive method on the battlefield for the first time. The artillery that the Crossing Group can now provide to the North Vietnamese regime has surpassed its competitors 15 years later in terms of performance.
After breakfast the next morning, Tao Donglai and others boarded the "Speed", and Wang Tom personally operated it and sailed away from the Tushan Peninsula. Tao Donglai agreed in principle with the establishment of a strategic support point on the Tushan Peninsula. However, hearing is deceptive and seeing is believing. You still have to see the surrounding geographical conditions with your own eyes, so Tao Donglai had to seize this little time and take a boat out to sea to inspect the surrounding environment.
The "Speed" first went south and took a circle along the coastline, then turned back and headed north, and drove along the mouth of the river to the center of Haiphong in later generations, and checked out the small fishing village there. However, the small fishing village has long been empty of houses, and most of the villagers have moved to Black Earth Port to settle down.
Next, the "Speed" made a large circle along the periphery of Cat Ba Island and took a rough look at this island, which covers an area of more than 100 square kilometers and is the largest in the entire Halong Bay. The island is mostly composed of rolling hills, and the proportion of flat land that can be used for agricultural reclamation is very small. However, there are many rare tree species on the island, and the scenery is also very beautiful. This trip is more accurately described as a sightseeing tour than an inspection tour.
At three o'clock in the afternoon, the "Speed" completed its inspection trip and returned to the Tushan Peninsula. An hour later, the sailboat coming from Black Earth Port also appeared in sight.
Qian Tiandun stepped off the gangplank and first saluted Tao Donglai with a military salute. Tao Donglai returned the salute and shook hands with him and said with a smile: "You've tanned a lot!"
"I can't help it. Now I stay outdoors every day, and I can't live in vain." Qian Tiandun responded with a wry smile.
Tao Donglai caught a glimpse of Takahashi Minami standing upright behind him, and praised him by the way: "I heard that Corporal Takahashi performed very well here in Kurotsuchang Port!"
Hearing this, Gao Qiaonan raised his chin a lot and responded loudly: "This is all the trust of the Executive Committee and Lieutenant Qian!"
Tao Donglai smiled, reached out and patted Qian Tiandun on the shoulder and said, "Good training!"
After a brief exchange of greetings, several responsible persons entered the tent set up on the shore and began to discuss the next work. Tomorrow is the agreed time to meet with the other party, and there are still many transaction details that need to be discussed and determined by everyone.
From Tao Dong's point of view, business negotiations are actually another kind of marching and fighting. Only by mastering as much information as possible in advance and knowing yourself and the enemy can you make more accurate judgments. Therefore, after sitting down, he went straight to the point and asked Qian Tian Dun asked: "Based on the situation you have now, can you infer the other party's attitude towards this negotiation?"
Qian Tiandun responded: "Our contact with the other party is all through the caravan sent by the other party, so it is hard to say whether the information they conveyed is distorted. But since the other party is willing to agree on such an opportunity for an interview, I I think they are still very interested. After all, they can’t make firearms themselves, and they don’t have anywhere to buy them. It’s their luck to come across us.”
"Then do you think if we add some other conditions to the transaction, is it possible to get the other party's approval?" Tao Donglai continued to ask.
"It depends on what kind of conditions. If it's political conditions, I think it's difficult. These Vietnamese don't like Ming people to intervene in their internal affairs, and they obviously treat us as Ming people - —You can make a deal, but don't mix it with other factors." Qian Tiandun was not very optimistic about Tao Donglai's idea.
"This is understandable. After all, they have worked hard to get rid of Daming's control." Tao Donglai nodded. You must know that in the early 15th century, Vietnam fought for independence from the Ming Dynasty, but fought for nearly twenty years and paid a huge price before the Ming Dynasty gave up direct jurisdiction over Vietnam in the second year of Xuande in the Ming Dynasty.
Tao Donglai pondered: "Forget the political conditions, even if we raise it, the other party will deny it. What I want to say is, can we make some attempts in other directions..."
Xie Chun asked hurriedly: "For example?"
"For example, the population we need very much now." Tao Donglai responded.
(End of chapter)