Chapter 693 Adjustment of Zhennan Port
During the same period, Zhennan Port was located in the southern part of Hong Kong Island.
Timber merchant Chen Lin, who had just returned from Chaozhou with his fleet, looked at the busy scene on the shore with a look of confusion on his face. Thousands of workers were constantly loading various goods to the docked ships, and outside the port there were a bunch of sailboats like him stuck outside and unable to dock. Chen Lin has been in and out of Zhennan Port at least twenty or thirty times. This is the first time he has seen this place so crowded. Considering the size of Zhennan Port, this is obviously not a normal phenomenon.
Usually, there are no more than twenty ships entering and exiting Zhennan Port every day, and only about thirty ships in the peak season. But in front of him were only the ships blocked outside the port. Chen Lin made a rough count and found that there were at least forty or fifty ships, large and small. many. When such a scene appeared, Chen Lin could only think of two possibilities for the time being. Either a gold mine was discovered in Zhennan Port, causing profit-seekers to swarm in, or a plague broke out in this place, making everyone plan to rush to the place as soon as possible. Escape.
After waiting for a long time, Chen Lin felt a little impatient, so he asked someone to put down the boat and paddle to Ap Lei Island across the water from Zhennan Port. The port defenses of Zhennan Port are basically built on the hills of Ap Lei Island. The Haihan Militia has deployed more than 400 soldiers here, including an artillery company, and there is also a "Dignity-class" warship. Temporary supply dock. Of course, there are currently no "Dignity-class" main warships deployed here, and only two "Exploration-class" warships are used for daily surface patrols.
Because Chen Lin often traveled to Zhennangang, he had several interactions with Chen Yixin, a senior Haihan officer stationed here. They quickly developed a friendship because they had the same surname. Every time Chen Lin came to Zhennan Port, he never forgot to bring some local specialties as a tribute. Over time, many soldiers of the militia stationed here recognized him, so as soon as the boat he was riding arrived at the shore of Ap Lei Island, there were While helping to catch the cables thrown from the ship, the soldiers greeted loudly: "Boss Chen is a rare visitor! I haven't been here for a long time!"
Chen Lin cupped his fists and responded: "I recently went to Chaozhou to deal with some matters. I just arrived at Zhennan Port today and came here specifically to visit Chief Chen. There are still some live chickens and ducks on the ship that were not eaten during the journey. Let's give them to the military men on the island to give them a toothpaste. ! ”
"Then Boss Chen is here. The chief just came back from the north two days ago. You have a rest at the dock first, and then we will send someone to report to the chief!" Since Chen Lin did not come empty-handed, naturally he would not be Too bad. The soldiers on the shore quickly set up a springboard for Chen Lin to land. Then several soldiers went to the boat and carried the various condolences to the shore for Chen Lin.
A moment later, Chen Lin saw Chen Yixin in the military camp.
"You came just in time. I also have something to ask you." Chen Yixin gestured for him to sit down and talk.
Chen Lin sat half-assed on the chair, thanked the orderly for the tea, and then said, "Commander, is there anything I can do for you that I can't help you with?"
"Do you own real estate in Zhennan Port?" Chen Yixin asked straight to the point.
Chen Lin didn't know what he meant, but he still said honestly: "The villain has a warehouse locally, covering an area of about three acres, and is mainly used to store wood. I usually come here to trade, and I will stay in the warehouse temporarily for a few days."
"You didn't attend the Sanya Autumn Fair a few days ago, right?" Chen Yixin nodded and talked about another seemingly unrelated matter.
"I was dealing with business in Chaozhou a few days ago. I'm very sorry that I didn't have time to go to Sanya!" Although Chen Lin said he was sorry, he didn't necessarily feel it in his heart.
His main business is timber. Since establishing a relationship with Haihan, his main supply targets are Hong Kong Island, Wanshan Island and Panyu. Although the Autumn Fair was lively, even if a timber merchant like Chen Lin went there, he really only wanted to see the excitement. The wood supply on Qiongzhou Island is basically self-sufficient. A few of the special woods that Haihan asked to buy, such as iron wood used to process rudder posts, bushings and other ship parts, are not produced in places that Chen Lin can reach. area. As for those big projects such as enclosing land to build farms, Chen Lin felt that he was a little unable to do it because of the huge investment. Therefore, although he knew the news about the Sanya Autumn Fair, he was not in a hurry to go to Sanya to participate. By the time he returned from handling business in Chaozhou, the Autumn Fair had been over for several days.
"There were some new policies and decisions announced at the Autumn Trade Fair. You just came back, so you probably haven't heard about it yet." Chen Yixin said thoughtfully: "One of them is about the adjustment of the regional settings of Hong Kong Island. The general content is to change the civilian Facilities are gradually concentrated in Yanchuan Bay in the north...well, the area has now been renamed Causeway Bay, while Zhennan Port in the south will gradually become mainly for military purposes. You know, civilian ships will not be allowed to dock in the military port. ”
Chen Lin said in astonishment: "Then... ships that look like villains will not be able to dock at Zhennan Port? What will the villain do with the goods and warehouses here?"
Before Chen Yixin could answer, Chen Lin suddenly came to his senses: "It turns out that there are so many ships blocked at the dock in Zhennan Port because they are in a hurry to move their goods! Chief, half of the villain's net worth is here, you have to save me!" ”
"Don't panic, sit down first!" Chen Yixin had already anticipated the other party's reaction and signaled him to calm down first.
"When businessmen like you got the land in Zhennan Port, they paid money. You also know that we Haihan always follow strict rules in doing things, so you can rest assured that your things and land will not be short at all. We will allow time for you to transport the goods out, and we will also give you reasonable compensation for the land in Causeway Bay in the north." Chen Yixin explained: "The conditions in the north are better than Zhennan Port, and I believe it will be good for your future business. ”
"The villain spent a lot of money building a warehouse here..." Chen Lin said half-way, and his voice became quieter. He thought that the government was expropriating land. It doesn't matter how much money you spent on building a house. It would be good to compensate for the land. .
"It's impossible to refund you the money for building a house." Chen Yixin changed his tone and said: "But we will compensate for some more land in Causeway Bay in exchange. If you have three acres of land here, you can exchange it for four or five acres in Causeway Bay in the north. How much depends on the specific location. ”
"Ah? Thank you very much, chief!" Chen Lin responded quickly: "The little man will quickly clean up the warehouse... No, he should go to the north to select the land first..."
"Don't be anxious, you have two months to take care of this matter slowly." Chen Yixin said calmly: "The land over Causeway Bay is also reserved for you. If you have more goods piled in Zhennan Port, We can also arrange a ship to help you transfer it." Chen Lin realized that Chen Yixin seemed to have something in his words and quickly responded: "I wonder what the chief's arrangements are."
"Do you have five or six cargo ships under your command?" Chen Yixin asked.
"There are six ships in total, and they are all waiting outside the port for the pier to be vacated. The ships are loaded with wood brought back from Chaozhou this time." Chen Lin answered honestly: "But if Zhennan Port cannot unload the goods, the villain will still need to Just find another port.”
"No need to look for another one. Let your ship dock at the dock here later and unload the goods here." Chen Yixin said solemnly: "After your six ships are free, first make a trip to Sanya to transport some for us. The cost will be calculated for you based on the market price.”
Chen Lin didn't realize it for a moment, but still looked confused: "Transporting things? To Sanya?"
"Is there any problem?" Chen Yixin asked with a frown.
"Ah? Ah... No! No problem! I am deeply honored to be able to serve the leader!" Chen Lin came back to his senses and responded hurriedly: "I wonder when the leader plans to leave? But I need to prepare some preparations. What? Are there any restrictions on the shipment? ”
"I will arrange for people to help your fleet unload the cargo. After unloading, you can rest for a day at Zhennan Port, replenish supplies, and then set off south! At that time, I will arrange for people to board the ship to pilot the ship and determine where to dock for loading. My people will guide you." Chen Yixin slowly explained: "As for what cargo to ship, you don't need to know... If your crew asks, just say to transport the private salt back from Sanya. After that, you can make the payment. I will issue a bank note from Haihan Bank to you, and you can exchange it for cash yourself.”
"That's it?" Chen Lin confirmed again.
"It's that simple." Chen Yixin nodded and said, "I guarantee you won't have any trouble."
The situation encountered by Chen Lin is not an isolated case. The executive committee has recently made a decision to focus the next strategic step on Fujian. Therefore, all resource allocations have to be changed for this general strategic direction. For example, Zhennan Port originally The plan must undergo new changes.
When Zhennang Port was first planned, most of it was still used for civilian purposes. Only Ap Leizhou was used as a military administrative area. In the early stage of development, the Ministry of Commerce and the General Office of the People's Republic of China in Guangdong Province conducted special investment promotion activities to allow merchants to invest in the construction of cargo yards in Zhennang Port. Stacks and other facilities. However, with the confirmation of the plan to enter Fujian, the Executive Committee decided to adjust the functional settings of Zhennang Port and classify the entire Zhennang Port as a military base. At the same time, all civilian facilities here were relocated to the north of Hong Kong Island, near the Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter. The port has completed the first phase of construction and can begin daily operations.
The Executive Committee made such an adjustment, firstly, because it has taken control of the entire Hong Kong Island, and the large seafront plain in the north of Hong Kong Island is obviously more valuable for development than the narrow and limited area of Zhennan Port. Secondly, the Zhennangang area is designated as a military base to serve the strategic development needs in the future.
If Haihan wanted to attack Penghu on a large scale, he would have to send a considerable number of fleets to Fujian. But if this action is taken too early, it will inevitably arouse Shiba Zhi's vigilance in advance, giving them more time to react. The plan formulated by the Military Commission is to first concentrate the fleet at the Pearl River Estuary and arrange several exercises if possible. Wait until the action begins before heading to Fujian to implement the combat plan.
Haihan already has several strongholds at the Pearl River Estuary, but currently there is no place suitable for stationing large troops. Panyu is located too close to Guangzhou. If the Haihan fleet moves up the Pearl River in a large scale, it will inevitably cause misjudgment by the Guangdong officials, resulting in unnecessary consequences. The port of Wanshan Island is too small, and the number and tonnage of ships it can accommodate are very limited, so it is not suitable for use as a military port. Only on Hong Kong Island can Zhennan Port, located in the southwest corner, be set aside separately and handed over to the military for use.
Because of the natural topography of Hong Kong Island, Zhennan Port is completely isolated from the coastal plain to the north, which can also ensure the confidentiality of this military base to the greatest extent. As long as the waterways at both ends of Ap Lei Island are blocked, it will be impossible to detect how many ships are docked in the middle section of the strait. For the military that hopes to keep the secret of troop deployment before war, Zhennan Port is indeed an excellent choice.
To turn this place into a military base, of course there is a necessary prerequisite, which is to remove all civilian facilities. Therefore, taking advantage of the gathering of businessmen at the Autumn Fair, the Executive Committee announced the decision to relocate Zhennang Port as a whole. All businesses with fixed assets in Zhennang Port will be moved out within a time limit and relocated to the new development zone in the north of Hong Kong Island. Get appropriate compensation.
As for Chen Lin's ship being requisitioned by Chen Yixin, this was also an arrangement by the military, allowing a well-informed maritime businessman like Chen Lin to ship out ships and crews to Tieliang Port in Sanya to transport war supplies, in order to cover up Haihan's actions to the greatest extent possible. War preparations in progress.
Naturally, Chen Yixin would not tell Chen Linyun what the goods were, and Chen Lin also had the good sense not to inquire further about the information - since the other party did not tell, it was naturally a military situation that was inconvenient to expose, so it was better for him to try not to get into trouble. Since Chen Yixin has said that he will pay the corresponding freight, he should not default on the bill, at least he does not need to pay for the trip himself. Anyway, it would only take a dozen days to travel back and forth, and it would not have much impact on his business. Chen Lin felt relieved after thinking about it.
Chen Yixin arranged for hundreds of soldiers to unload Chen Lin's fleet at the dock. With hundreds of strong laborers, all six ships of wood shipped from Chaozhou were unloaded the next day. After another day of rest, Chen Lin took the fleet and left Zhennan Port and headed south. Chen Yixin specially transferred several people from the navy to go south with Chen Lin to assume the role of pilot.
Situations like this not only occur in Zhennan Port, but also in neighboring Wanshan Island, Lijiazhuang in Panyu, the Pearl River Wharf outside Guangzhou, and the ports of Danzhou and Qiongzhou Fucheng on Hainan Island, all of which have maritime connections with Haihan. The merchant took over the shipping business. These merchant ships belonging to different shipowners will go to Sanya in batches in the next one or two months to transport war preparation materials prepared by the military to Zhennan Port. At the same time, Fujian will also send ships to transport these materials to Kinmen Island. Even if Shibazhi arranged spies in Guangdong, it would be difficult to detect the methods Haihan used secretly.
(End of chapter)