Chapter 313 Replacement
If he were just an ordinary maritime merchant, no matter how rich he was, Zhang Tongpan would not necessarily want to sell his face. After all, the social status of a merchant was far from being comparable to that of court officials. But Haihan's group is really special. They are not only rich but also powerful. Looking at the scale of the construction of Victory Port, it is enough to put the entire Qiongzhou Island officials to shame.
Yacheng began to build the city in the fourth year of Qingyuan in the Southern Song Dynasty, which has been more than 400 years ago. Later, the Yazhou Water Wall was set up at the mouth of the Ningyuan River to assist the city defense. But in terms of the strength of the defense, it is probably far inferior to the Victory Port and Victory Fort built by Haihan, and the construction of the latter only took about a year. What is even more frightening is that the combat power of the local militia organized by the Haihan people is far superior to that of the Yazhou garrison. Based on what I learned from my son-in-law Luo Shengdong, it can be inferred that the combat power of the Haihan militia has far exceeded that of the Yazhou garrison. Yazhou garrison, according to Luo Shengdong, even if they pull out all the garrison on Qiongzhou Island, they may not be able to defeat the Haihan militia.
Regardless of whether it is viewed from any economic, political, or military perspective, it is difficult for Zhang Tongpan to refuse the request of the Haihan people. Even if it was just to protect himself, Zhang Tongpan had to choose the path of cooperation - if the Haihan people could get local military and political officials to jointly submit a letter of recommendation, they would naturally have enough energy to pull people from their seats.
Judge Zhang Tong thought about it for a long time before responding: "According to what Mr. Ning just said, this land belongs to more than 200 households. Maybe some of them are willing to transfer the land at a price, but if they are desperate and refuse to sell, Yes, what will you do? Can you give us some information first? ”
Zhang Tongsuan did not speak too thoroughly, but he believed that it was enough to make the other party understand what he meant - as long as Haihan can handle the more than 200 households in this area, other official procedures will be completed. Not a problem. And the last sentence is also to remind the Haihan people not to make the matter too big. If there is a lawsuit, it will be more difficult for Yacheng.
"Don't sell it to us?" Ning Qi smiled and said, "If you don't sell it, don't sell it, but we will definitely not be the ones who will be inconvenienced then. Don't worry, Zhang Tongpan, we will use as peaceful a method as possible to resolve this issue." Problems that arise.”
Regarding the key households that will definitely appear in the process of expanding its territory, in fact, there have always been different views within the group. Of course, the hard-liners hope to solve it quickly with thunderous means. As for the loss of interests that may be caused to a few people in the process, there is nothing that can be done about it. If you can't even manage such a small number of key households, how can you talk about conquering the world in the future?
However, there is another school of thought that if some abnormal means are used in the land acquisition process, it will inevitably have a negative impact in the minds of the people, and the public ownership of land by the Cross Group itself has a fundamental conflict of interest with the ruling class of this era. Putting this contradiction on the table to resolve it too early may arouse the hatred and hostility of the landlord class towards the crossing group.
After repeated discussions, the Executive Committee finally came up with a compromise plan - for those people who were unwilling to relocate or transfer their land, they would directly adopt the method of enclosing the land, that is, demarcating the land they belonged to. Circle it and let it fend for itself. If this is the case and you still want to be kept in a fence like a poultry, then the executive committee thinks it is not a big deal. After all, the combined land of these two hundred households is less than 10,000 acres, and the currently planned land is less than 10,000 acres. The development area covers nearly a thousand square kilometers of land, which is less than one percent, which does not affect the overall situation.
Of course, if someone really dares to step out and play against the Time Travel Group during this process, then the Executive Committee will not be afraid of putting on a show to scare some people with ulterior motives. In the worst case, they can be captured and transported directly to Black Earth Port to dig coal. Anyway, the number of laborers needed there will never be too large.
There is no need to tell Zhang Tongpan these specific solutions. Ning Qi said this just to give him another reassurance so that he can cooperate well with the development plan of "Qiong Lianfa". But since Zhang Tongsuan didn't promise to take over this matter with a pat on his chest, Ning Qi naturally wouldn't be too harsh on his words.
Zhang Tongpan pondered for a while before saying: "Whose industry will the area operated by 'Qiong Lianfa' belong to?"
"The land ownership belongs to our Haihan side, but the developed industry belongs to Qiong Lianfa." Ning Qi replied concisely.
Zhang Tongpan nodded and asked: "Which family pays the annual taxes?"
"It will all be borne by 'Qiong Lianfa'." Ning Qi explained: "The annual taxes will be sent to Yacheng in cash. As for the specific amount, I can only say now that I will never let everyone in Yacheng Your Excellency is disappointed.”
How much of this so-called "taxation" will go into the national treasury and how much will go into the pockets of officials is a matter behind the scenes. Ning Qi did not report the specific number, and Zhang Tongpan did not intend to ask further questions. If a conversation at their level involved specific numbers, it would indeed be too explicit, and it would not be consistent with Zhang Tongpan's status as a high-ranking official. . It is enough for both parties to reach a tacit understanding on the general direction of cooperation, and there is no need for any oral or written agreement. Doing so will simply leave yourself with a way to be caught.
"There is one more thing that I would like to take advantage of this opportunity to discuss with Mr. Zhang." Tao Donglai, who had been watching without speaking, finally began to speak: "Several adults in Yacheng will resign within the year. This may have a negative impact on The good cooperative relationship between us and Yacheng has been affected. I wonder what Mr. Zhang thinks of this problem?”
Zhang Tongpan said to his heart that you are just worried that your successor will not be of the same mind as your predecessor and will cause you trouble. It's just that it's OK to think about it in your mind, but it doesn't look good when you say it in person. Then he coughed dryly and said: "I believe that when you step down, you will make it clear to your successor. Mr. Tao does not need to worry too much."
"I'm not worried about our business. Even if the new master has some trouble with us, he probably won't have trouble with Yinzi." Tao Donglai said meaningfully: "But if the new master has any trouble with Mr. Zhang, If you are not of the same mind, it will be more troublesome.”
"What does Mr. Tao mean by this?" Zhang Tongpan asked quickly.
"Most of the benefits in this Yazhou territory have gone to the current adults. When the successors come up, there won't be much left for them. It's hard to say whether they will be satisfied with this status quo. Maybe there will be some secret move to change the rules set by his predecessor," Tao Donglai said in a slow and deep voice.
Zhang Tongpan frowned and felt that the other party's words were a bit unfounded. Shopping malls have rules in shopping malls, and officialdom also has rules in officialdom. It is not uncommon for a successor to overturn the rules set by his predecessor as soon as he comes up. But if he does it so blatantly to gain benefits, it is relatively rare. Besides, he is the one who takes over as magistrate. Even if the successors of several other positions want to do something, they are unlikely to bypass him.
However, Zhang Tongpan can be regarded as a somewhat wealthy person. Although he disagreed in his heart, he did not show it on the surface. Instead, he continued to ask: "Then how should we deal with it based on Mr. Tao's opinion?"
"In my opinion, it is not difficult for Mr. Zhang to control the political situation in Yacheng as the governor of the state. However, there is still the unsettling factor of the army..." Tao Donglai paused and observed the other party's face before continuing. : "The vacancies in the Yacheng Guard Station are serious. As far as we know, at least a quarter of the places in the Thousand Household Station are vacant. We can transfer some people from the militia to make up for these vacancies..."
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Before Tao Dong could finish speaking, Zhang Tongpan's face changed color and he said: "How can this be done!"
"How to prevent it? In this way, it can not only make up for the shortage of the guards, but also allow Mr. Zhang to have a force that can be called on at any time in Yacheng." Tao Donglai continued calmly: "There is no cost. Mr. Zhang needs to worry about it, and we will bear all the corresponding expenses.”
Before Zhang Tongpan could say a few words of defense, Luo Shengdong suddenly said: "My son-in-law thinks Mr. Tao's method is very good! My father-in-law may wish to think about it carefully."
Zhang Tongpan's words came to his lips and he slowly swallowed them back. He knew that although his son-in-law had made his fortune with the help of the Haihan people, he actually still had some insights into issues. Based on his familiarity with the Haihan people, since he rushed to express his position at this juncture, it means that the suggestion made by Tao Donglai cannot be rejected. Zhang Tongpan quickly thought clearly about the cause and effect, then put away his angry expression and said: "Since Mr. Tao is sincere, I will consider it carefully. I will allow you to consider this matter carefully before making a reply." At this point , Tao Donglai and others stopped and asked the two of them to go back to their residence to rest for a while. After a while, it would be the reception banquet in the evening. When the father-in-law and son-in-law returned to their residence, Judge Zhang Tong asked, "Why did the son-in-law stop me just now?"
Luo Shengdong explained: "Father-in-law, you don't know something. Judging from my son-in-law's contact with them this year, the Haihan people have a big plan, and they don't allow others to snore next to the bed. I want Yacheng to be close to Shengli Port." So close by, the Haihan people have organized such a powerful militia. In the final analysis, aren’t they just worried about the officers and soldiers in Yacheng?”
"Since you know they don't trust the army, why are you so close to them?"
Luo Shengdong's face turned red. Fortunately, he had been drifting at sea all year round and his dark complexion could not be seen. "My son-in-law was indeed lured by profit at first, but as time went by, he discovered that the Haihan people were very ambitious. Not to mention that Victory Port, even if it includes the entire Yazhou, may not be able to satisfy them. But with my son-in-law's current situation, it is extremely difficult to escape from the control of the Haihan people. It is better to let nature take its course and reap more benefits. Maybe he can be transferred out of Qiongzhou Prefecture as soon as possible by virtue of promotion.”
"What a bastard!" Zhang Tongpan lost his temper in a rare moment and slammed the table. Luo Shengdong lowered his head and did not continue to argue - he believed that his father-in-law was also a smart man and would not be so stupid that he could not see clearly the situation in front of him and where to go. In fact, he did not need his help to come up with too many ideas. .
Zhang Tongpan quickly calmed down after slamming the table. After all, it would not help to fall out with the Haihan people now. After seeing the local defense facilities and the Haihan militia on duty at the port, he now believed what Luo Shengdong said. It's true, if the Haihan people really wanted to raise a flag to rebel, it would be easy to capture the Yacheng guarded by the guards. Although the Haihan people have now chosen a gentler way to expand their power, they cannot refuse. Otherwise, the first to fall would be their father-in-law and son-in-law. After all, they are the ones who cooperated with the Haihan people to obtain the power. The party with the greatest interests.
The so-called "filling the vacancy" plan proposed by Tao Donglai is essentially to control the military control power of Yacheng in disguise. Zhang Tongsuan understands this very clearly, so he said it from the beginning during the meeting just now. I don't agree with this approach. But after calming down, Zhang Tongpan really had to consider the possible consequences of rejecting the Haihan people in this matter.
Thinking of this, Zhang Tongpan felt that he still had to seek his son-in-law's opinion again. After all, Luo Shengdong was Yacheng's number one expert on Haihan issues, and he still had to listen to his opinion on such an important decision.
"Xian son-in-law, if this matter does not go as planned by the Haihan people, what will be the consequences? Will the Haihan people openly send troops to attack Yacheng?" Zhang Tongpan put away his anger and asked as pleasantly as possible.
Luo Shengdong raised his head and responded: "The Haihan people are not willing to go against the imperial court. It is unlikely that they will send troops to attack Yacheng. My son-in-law thinks that the most likely possibility is that Yacheng will be invaded by pirates, and all those who oppose them , will happen to be killed in this pirate attack. My son-in-law is an officer in the water village, so he will naturally be the first to die in the battle. However, given the way the Haihan people do things, they will probably put one on his head. The charge of "colluding with pirates" is to facilitate the successor to step on the son-in-law's head."
"There is such a plan!" After hearing this, Zhang Tongpan felt that it was not very realistic, but he could not deny the possibility. After all, the armed forces of the Haihan people are there. If you insist that the Yacheng garrison can withstand the attack launched by the Haihan militia, Zhang Tongpan himself will not believe it. The Yazhou Water Village where Luo Shengdong worked happened to be the maritime gateway of Yacheng, so if it was attacked, it would naturally be the first target.
Of course, Luo Shengdong's words were a bit exaggerated. He also knew that the Haihan people would never launch a military attack on Yacheng unless they had to. However, a few days before that, he had been invited by the Executive Committee to have a private conversation, asking him to try to persuade Zhang Tongpan to accept a series of plans for the military defense of Yacheng proposed by Haihan. At that time, Luo Shengdong also asked what the consequences would be if he couldn't do it. Although the answer he got was not as exaggerated as a pirate siege, the result for him was not much better - Zhang Tongpan's position as governor of the state would probably be Because several of his colleagues betrayed him at the last moment and fell short, and he, Luo Shengdong, would probably be dismissed and investigated for embezzlement of military pay and other crimes.
Tao Donglai said something at that time that Luo Shengdong remembered: "The transformation of the two roles of useful person and stumbling block is often a matter of a thought between the parties involved."
In the eyes of the Executive Committee, people who cannot be useful will become a stumbling block - Luo Shengdong's understanding is very intuitive and simple, and he is unwilling to give up the wealth and status he has finally obtained, so he decided to try his best to follow the instructions of the Executive Committee He would do what the meeting asked him to do until one day he could be promoted to a higher position and leave Qiongzhou Mansion and leave the control of the Haihan people.
Therefore, Luo Shengdong was very dedicated in persuading Zhang Tongpan and tried his best to avoid conflicts of opinion between his father-in-law and the Haihan Executive Committee. Seeing some signs during the meeting just now, Luo Shengdong hurriedly went to put it out, fearing that his father-in-law would make the matter worse and end badly.
Judge Zhang Tong was bored for a long time, and then suddenly asked: "Do you have any personnel from the Haihan people in your navy?"
Luo Shengdong didn't expect his father-in-law to suddenly ask this question, and couldn't help but be stunned for a moment.
Seeing that he was speechless, Zhang Tongpan thought he was unwilling to tell the truth, so he urged: "Just tell the truth. I just want to understand the Haihan people's methods of doing things."
Luo Shengdong gritted his teeth and said: "To be honest, most of the sergeants in the water stronghold have now been replaced by members of the Haihan Militia. Within two or three months at the latest, the entire water stronghold will probably be It was taken over by the Haihan people.”
"It has reached such a serious level?" Zhang Tongpan was really shocked at this moment: "Does General He know about this?"
"In more than two months, the Haihan people asked their son-in-law to bring 3,000 taels of silver to General He, asking him to keep an eye on the matter. To this day, everyone in Shuizhai already knows the general details of the matter. "Luo Shengdong simply told the whole situation about the water village.
Zhang Tongpan was surprised and said: "Why didn't anyone report this matter?"
Luo Shengdong sighed and said: "The soldiers and sailors in Shuizhai only earn about twenty taels of silver a year on duty. Although now there is private salt trading among the Haihan people, and their lives are a little better, they still only earn about 20 taels of silver in a year." It's only forty or fifty taels of silver. Now the Haihan people are recruiting skilled shipwrights and sailors from us, and the lowest price they offer is ten taels of silver a month. The brothers are eager to let the Haihan militia come in early so that they can fill the quota. If you can get away to work in Shengli Port, who would ruin your job and report this matter to the state government? ”
Seeing Zhang Tongpan's face turned gloomy, Luo Shengdong continued: "Wei Sanzhu, who used to compete with his son-in-law for the general position in Shuizhai, has quietly given up his military post and gone to Victory Port to take the exam for the Haihan Shipping Department. It is said that he has already When you become a captain, you can earn four to five times more money per month than when you work as a pawn in Shuizhai! If my son-in-law hadn't taken over the private salt business from the Haihan people, he might have been like Wei Sanzhu. So he quietly went to join the Haihan people. The situation at the Wei Suo Army was probably not much better. Zhang Qianhu went to the Yazhan office every month more diligently than his son-in-law. The Haihan people were now fighting with his father-in-law. With this greeting, I might have already sorted things out in private.”
(End of chapter)