Chapter 1105: Paralyzing Superiors
Zhang Pucheng heard Chen Zhongsheng's question in a somewhat unkind tone. He could not figure out what the other party was thinking at the moment, so he could only say vaguely: "The Haihan Merchant Group's fleet is quite large, and they are willing to help the people of Fushan County and transport a lot of food. As a relief, if they want to stay in the area for a long time, they must build a port and dock on the seaside. The other party has informed the official in advance, so it will be no big deal.”
Chen Zhongsheng said: "A few days ago, news came from Weihaiwei that a large number of ships were passing through. It should be their fleet, right?"
Zhang Pucheng responded: "It is the Haihan fleet. Feng Qianhu from Qishan Qianhu Institute has personally gone to Zhifu Island to see it. There are no violations."
Chen Zhongsheng felt a little relieved after hearing this, and continued to ask: "Could it be that these people came from the south thousands of miles away just to bring food to the people of Dengzhou and to eliminate the bandits who were ravaging the place?"
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Zhang Pucheng said: "Your Excellency, I will allow you to explain the details slowly."
Haihan has accumulated many years of practical experience in the south on how to deal with officials at all levels in the Ming Dynasty. After bribing county-level officials, how can he make them explain to higher-level authorities, put Haihan's image in a positive light, and put Haihan's image in a positive light? Han's various methods are packaged into normal trade transactions, and special routines are available. Since a lot of financial resources were spent to bring Zhang Pucheng and Feng Fei into our camp, it was natural to make full use of their positions and slowly launch a propaganda offensive against their superiors. When the company was handed over to Wanmeng, Haihan also specially provided reference materials to Zhang Pucheng, hoping that he would have a few kind words for Haihan after arriving in Dengzhou.
Zhang Pucheng naturally understood this. He had already taken advantage of Haihan. Even if it was for his own benefit, he had to find a way to get his superiors to accept the existence of Haihan people. Moreover, Haihan was so thoughtful that he even had a specially printed "reference material", which made Zhang Pucheng feel more favorable to him. After all, he had never met such a sensible and sensible partner before.
According to Zhang Pucheng, the Haihan Merchant Group is a group of patriotic and kind-hearted southern maritime merchants. They hope to rescue homeless refugees in the Dengzhou area and provide job opportunities by establishing maritime trade lines. In order to enable these refugees to become self-reliant again and gradually get rid of their dependence on official assistance. Of course, in order to ensure that these rescue methods can be implemented, the Haihan Merchant Group also organized its own militia-like armed forces to deal with gangs like Wanjiajun.
"Work-for-relief? This is a good idea! It's just that the Haihan business group needs to transport supplies from thousands of miles away. If they want to rescue a state or a prefecture, the transportation capacity will not be able to keep up, right?" Chen Zhongsheng heard this. After hearing Zhang Pucheng's introduction, I felt that although the Haihan business group had good intentions in doing good, they faced great practical difficulties and couldn't help but worry about the feasibility of this matter.
Zhang Pucheng continued to explain: "The Haihan Merchant Group has many sailing ships. Two fleets of ships travel between Zhifu Bay and Zhoushan Island in Zhejiang every month. After being recruited by them, some people will accept their arrangements and settle in the south. According to the following As far as I know, the Haihan Merchant Group has carefully calculated the transportation capacity, and there will be no problems.”
Chen Zhongsheng didn't know the extent of Haihan's operation in Zhifu Bay. The information he knew was almost all reports from various coastal health stations, which was far less detailed than Zhang Pucheng's. Although Haihan has developed a huge business in the south, it is not well-known in North China. There are only a few glass ornaments from Haihan in the homes of some high-ranking officials. Even if they have heard of the name Haihan, they often only think that it is a trading company and workshop in the south, and cannot imagine the extent of influence this force has on the southeast coast.
The explanation given by Zhang Pucheng still sounded very reasonable to Chen Zhongsheng's ears. These southerners did not save people in vain. The purpose of recruiting people was also obvious, which was to use these nearly free labor to build buildings for them in Zhifu Bay. A port terminal that can be used for a long time. As long as they can provide jobs for the local people, Chen Zhongsheng doesn't mind these southerners opening a port in Zhifu Bay. Of course, if he knew that dozens of the Haihan sailboats docked in Zhifu Bay were military ships, and that there were thousands of armed personnel stationed there, he would probably have a completely different idea.
Chen Zhongsheng continued to ask: "In about three months, the sea surface of Zhifu Bay will freeze. What will the Haihan business group plan then?"
Zhang Pucheng said: "My subordinates have also asked about this matter. They plan to build enough houses and heating facilities before winter comes, stock up on food and grass needed for the winter, and will not terminate assistance to the local people due to seasonal reasons." .”
"That's great!" Chen Zhongsheng twirled his beard and praised: "Since these businessmen have the intention to do good, let's give them more convenience. If they want to reclaim the unclaimed land near Zhifu Bay, do our best to make it possible for them!"
Zhang Pucheng thought that it would not be his turn to accomplish what the Haihan people wanted to do, so it would be great if they could take the initiative to inform the Fushan County Government. Not to mention unowned vacant land, even if it is owned, who would dare to stroke the tiger's beard if it is occupied by Haihan? A gang like Wan Jiajun, which even caused a headache for the government, was almost uprooted by the Haihan people. How could anyone else in the local area have the confidence to go against the Haihan people.
However, the Haihan people are at least reasonable, willing to maintain communication channels, and willing to give some practical benefits to those in power in the government. They are much easier to deal with than Wan Jiajun, who only does evil. From Zhang Pucheng's point of view, he would definitely be more willing to choose Haihan as his partner. It saves trouble and money, which is simply impeccable.
Zhang Pucheng said: "Xiaguan has issued a notice in Fushan County, allowing the Haihan business group to recruit people to work for them in the county. In just a few days, nearly a thousand people have been rescued. There were originally many refugees living outside the county. It has gradually dispersed in the past few days, and many people have gone to join the Haihan Business Group. Presumably, Fushan County will be able to solve the problem of people's livelihood before winter comes."
Chen Zhongsheng said: "Master Zhang has quelled the chaos and captured the bandits, and has also solved the livelihood of the people in the county. I will report to the Secretary of State to express my merits and ask for a reward for Master Zhang!"
Zhang Pucheng waited for a long time, and finally came to the topic. He immediately responded and said: "This is all because the magistrate has led well and strategized. The subordinates are just cooperating with your arrangements and acting according to the plan. I really don't dare to take credit."
The two men sang in harmony, and at this juncture no one took the initiative to mention the Haihan people who had contributed the most to this matter. This could be regarded as a tacit understanding between officials.
Chen Zhongsheng saw that Zhang Pucheng was so enlightened and immediately admired his awareness of being an official. He nodded with satisfaction and said: "The bandit leader Wan Meng still has a reward on his head. If I remember correctly, he should have silver whether he lives or dies. One hundred taels, go and collect the silver reward for the Haihan Merchant Group later!" Zhang Pucheng nodded in agreement, thinking that the Haihan people were rich and generous, so they didn't care about this little money, and they would probably be rejected even if they gave it back. Most of the money will end up in your own pocket. He came to Dengzhou this time with two main tasks. One was to show merit for himself, which has been basically achieved. The other task was to try to get the Dengzhou government to acquiesce in Haihan's existence in Fushan County. Judging from Chen Zhongsheng's current reaction, this second task can be considered basically completed.
Things went so smoothly, and Zhang Pucheng was in a good mood. After saying goodbye to the prefect's Yamen, Zhang Pucheng decided to reward himself with a good meal first. He then rewarded his entourage with a few taels of silver and asked them to help themselves to the food. Anyway, this money was a wanted bounty. Zhang Pucheng didn't feel bad about using the money that fell from the sky.
Zhang Pucheng took only one person with him and went straight to the most upscale restaurant in the city, "Shenxianju". The harvest in Fushan County has failed every year, and people outside the county are full of hungry people. There have long been no restaurants or restaurants in the county. Although he, the county magistrate, will not starve to death, the food he can usually eat is very monotonous, almost all coarse grains. Mainly, there is not much oil and water in the stomach, and the weight will show a downward trend every year without deliberately controlling it. For Zhang Pucheng, it was a rare opportunity to visit Dengzhou City, so naturally he had to try to eat some delicious food to replenish his energy. Moreover, the prefect’s Yamen received a sum of money just now, so they no longer have to eat and feel distressed like before.
Zhang Pucheng went up to the second floor, and after sitting down, he ordered seven or eight of the restaurant's signature dishes without any ceremony, and ordered a bottle of wine, planning to feast here. But before the dishes were served, someone called out to him: "We are a rare guest! Isn't this Mr. Zhang from Fushan County?"
Zhang Pucheng looked up and saw that he knew the person coming. This man was a reinforcement general transferred from Yanzhou by Shandong Dusi during the Denglai Rebellion. His name was Shangguanye. When he first came to Dengzhou, his military position was garrison. Later, he made military exploits in the attack on Dengzhou City and was promoted to military commander after the war. As a general, he led his troops to station in Dengzhou. Zhang Pucheng knew him because this Shangguanye had led his troops to Fushan County to collect military rations. The land was scraped so hard that Zhang Pucheng, a local official, still has lingering fears.
As the saying goes, thieves are like a comb, soldiers are like a grate, and officials are like a haircut. This officer led his troops to the local area to collect food, and his methods were much better than bandits like Wanjiajun who only plundered superficial wealth. At that time, Shangguanye destroyed several villages in Fushan County that were unwilling to cooperate, frightening the rich locals in the county who had not bowed to the rebels and bandits and fled into the county for refuge. Zhang Pucheng also went to Shangguanye to plead for mercy, hoping that he could make his men restrain themselves. However, Shangguanye ridiculed him as a "poor county magistrate" and ignored his request at all.
Zhang Pucheng had no way to make accurate statistics on how much money Shangguanye's troops had stolen from Fushan County, but what he could confirm was that the damage they caused to Fushan County was far greater than that of Kong Youde's rebels in Dengzhou City. . Shangguanye's men took away the food rations that more than a dozen villages relied on, and directly killed more than 30 people. However, because of his status as an officer and soldier, Zhang Pucheng was unable to bring them to justice, and even went to the top Complaints have no effect.
Although Zhang Pucheng had nothing to do against Shangguan Ye and was unable to pursue the crimes he committed afterwards, he still kept this hatred in his heart. He remembered this annoying face very clearly. The moment he saw it, he recalled the unpleasant memories. . He didn't have any good impressions of this person, and didn't want to talk to him at all. It was just out of official etiquette that he put down his chopsticks, cupped his hands in annoyance and said: "Sir Shangguan, you are polite!"
But Shangguanye didn't seem to notice his expression. He walked over and pulled out a chair and sat down: "How is Mr. Zhang always doing? Are you here for business in Dengzhou City?"
Zhang Pucheng said "hmm" very coldly, with the words "go away" barely written on his face. But the other party didn't seem to be that understanding. Faced with this attitude, he actually had no intention of leaving on his own, and continued to talk to him: "I heard that Fushan County is so poor that it's hard to open the door, but Mr. Zhang's style is not like that." He looks so poor! Could it be that Mr. Zhang just picked up the money that fell from the sky?”
Zhang Pucheng thought that money had indeed fallen from the sky, but it was a pity that you couldn't even touch this source of wealth. He snorted and said, "I paid for a meal out with my own money. Do I need to report to Mr. Shangguan?"
Shangguanye chuckled and said: "Of course there is no problem with eating, I'm just afraid that Mr. Zhang's money has some unfair origins!"
"What do you mean by that!" Zhang Pucheng couldn't help but feel a little nervous when the other party said something important. He immediately denied it, even raising his voice twice.
Shangguanye said: "I heard that Mr. Zhang came to Dengzhou with the leader of the Wanjia army bandits to ask for rewards. I wonder which deity helped Mr. Zhang capture such an important criminal?"
Zhang Pucheng felt something was wrong when he heard the other party take the initiative to mention this matter, and did not immediately answer his question. Logically speaking, what the Haihan people did in Fushan County did not spread to Dengzhou so quickly, but Shangguanye spoke in a strange manner, as if he knew something inside.
Seeing that Zhang Pucheng remained silent, Shangguanye continued to talk to himself: "I have also read the notices on Dengzhou sent from Weihaiwei and Qishan a few days ago. Just now you met Mr. Chen at the prefect's Yamen At that time, I asked your entourage outside about the general situation in Fushan County. I already know. Mr. Zhang, I'm afraid you don't know much about the origins of this group of southern giants? Xiao, you dare to cooperate with them!”
Zhang Pucheng was startled when he heard the last sentence and quickly retorted: "What southern giants! They are just a group of businessmen. Don't deliberately scaremonger and frame good people!"
Zhang Pucheng had benefited from Haihan and had filed a record in front of the prefect. If there were problems with Haihan's origins, he would also be implicated. Of course, he didn't believe Shangguanye's statement from the bottom of his heart. If this group of people were really thieves and they had no where to go because they were rich and powerful, how could they be so kind and come all the way to Dengzhou, Shandong to rescue refugees. Compared with the Haihan people, this Shangguan Ye is more like a gangster who robs homes and homes.
(End of chapter)