Chapter 1399 Interests determine stance
As an important insider, Ma Bo's betrayal will save a lot of time for Haihan's detection and arrest work. Under Mabo's identification, three other accomplices among the immigrants were also identified. So far, Haihan has captured eight refugees with doubtful identities from the immigration camp. These people were surrounded and had nowhere to escape, and they did not have any weapons. Resistance was a futile move for them, so there was basically no encounter in the arrest process. When there was too much resistance, they were all taken down easily.
However, Zeng Xiaowen did not withdraw his troops. His mission was not only to arrest the suspects, but also to complete a relatively thorough cleanup of the immigration camp, especially the barracks where the refugees lived. The soldiers were required to search clean inch by inch. , not even the bedding and bed boards can be spared. These Ming intelligence agents who sneaked into the immigration camp were not here to wait for death. In addition to gathering information, waiting for opportunities to cause sabotage, and even assassination, were also part of the tasks of these people.
Sure enough, the soldiers who searched the barracks quickly found several daggers from the bunks of these people, and the daggers were of the same size, proving once again that these people had another identity and were from the same organization. In addition to the daggers carried by these people, this search also unearthed a lot of messy things from the barracks: flint stones, privately kept small hammers for breaking stones, homemade bamboo knives, They even found two scythes - God knows how they got through.
Zeng Xiaowen frowned secretly after looking at these contraband items. It seemed that the few spies caught were not the only ones who were dishonest. There were quite a lot of restless people in this mixed immigration camp. It is obvious that Mabo did not fulfill his duties in public security management, which is why he gave these people the opportunity to hide weapons secretly. Of course, this dereliction of duty is basically negligible compared to his current crime.
Although the investigation of outsiders in Majiazhuang was somewhat stumbling, it was still implemented unshakably under Chen Yixin's personal supervision. Compared with the targeted arrest operations in Mabojia and the immigration camp, the inventory of outsiders in Majiazhuang is not that easy. People belonging to different bosses and merchants are not all like Majiazhuang. The people in the village were equally obedient. Many of them were even trade representatives appointed by some senior officials of the Shandong government. Their awe for Haihan was far less strong than that of the local people. For them, Haihan's unannounced inspection operation was a very disrespectful act, and the unconditional obedience required by the Haihan people was even more unacceptable to them.
For these merchants from the Ming Dynasty, it would be difficult for Haihan to punish them with charges such as colluding with the government, because many of them originally represented the interests of people in the Ming Dynasty government. Private armed forces have also received limited acquiescence here. After all, there is money and valuable goods that need to travel long distances across states and governments to reach their destinations. If there are no martial artists accompanying them, the personal and property safety of these businessmen will not be guaranteed. Effective protection. These armed personnel were only restricted from openly carrying weapons and showing off after entering the Haihan occupied area. However, in fact, because management was too difficult, the Haihan military was not particularly strict about this.
For these merchants, they actually bear relatively high risks when they go to Haihan's occupied areas to do business. Judging from the current situation, although the two countries have not completely broken up, military confrontation has always existed. Strictly speaking, Fushan County can be regarded as enemy-occupied territory. Once something goes wrong, the backers behind them will not be able to do much. direct effect. If Haihan suddenly turned against him one day, these businessmen would probably lose all their money, and even their lives would be in danger. Therefore, they are particularly sensitive to Haihan's abnormal movements. After discovering that the Haihan Army blocked Majiazhuang today, many businessmen immediately ordered to close their businesses and concentrate their manpower to prevent the Haihan Army from making any unfriendly moves.
Of course, these private armed forces who can only use cold weapons do not have much fighting power in front of the Haihan Army. Even if they want to protect themselves, they still have to look at Haihan's face and do not dare to fight against the Haihan Army. It's just that the Haihan Army asked every household to put down their weapons and undergo inspection, which was a bit difficult for these people.
"People in the yard listen, put down their weapons immediately and accept inspection!"
Hearing the shouts coming from outside the courtyard, everyone in the courtyard was horrified. They were not spies, but they just didn't understand why Haihan would suddenly conduct such an investigation. If they put down their weapons, they would lose the ability to protect themselves at all. One of the middle-aged men in brocade robes said sternly: "People outside, listen, no matter who you want to arrest, Mr. Yu, these people in this yard belong to Mr. Yu, and I won't let you just take anyone!"< br>
The middle-aged man who shouted was named Yu Ping, who was from Jinan Prefecture and the second shopkeeper of Fengshun Trading Company. The trade between Fengshun and Haihan was two-way. They sold cotton cloth and medicinal materials to Haihan, then purchased Haihan industrial products such as glass products from Zhifu Island, and trafficked them to inland cities for profit. As the scale of trade increased, the firm rented land and built a large-scale business store in Majiazhuang, with about twenty clerks stationed locally. Yu Ping had just arrived here two days ago to deliver the goods, and he had to take a batch of goods back to Jinan on his way back. Before he could complete the payment settlement with Haihan, he encountered Haihan's army blocking the village and arresting people.
This was Yu Ping's first visit to Majiazhuang. Although he knew in advance that dealing with the Haihan people would involve certain risks, the considerable economic benefits still drove him to come here. According to the trade content previously discussed between the two parties, he can bring back at least 30,000 taels of silver for the Fengshun on this trip, and the direct benefit he can get from it is not a small amount. As long as he can return to Jinan City safely, he can buy the big house in the south of the city smoothly, and the remaining money can even buy a few more innocent and lovely little girls.
If all goes well, we will be able to complete the loading and return tomorrow morning. Yu Ping was afraid of making mistakes, so he spent the past two days in person in the cargo yard watching the laborers loading the fragile glassware onto the carts. Seeing that it was almost noon, Yu Ping returned to the merchant house to have lunch. As a result, the Haihan Army suddenly moved out and blocked all the roads inside and outside the village.
Yu Ping didn't have much experience in dealing with the Haihan people, so he subconsciously thought that the other party was going to swallow the money and goods together, so he quickly gathered people and distributed some swords, guns and sticks, planning to put up some resistance. Although the Haihan Army has stated that this move is to capture several fugitives, Yu Ping, who is highly nervous, does not believe this statement, even though several employees stationed here have advised him to calm down and not to interact with the Haihan Army outside the hospital. Despite his efforts, Yu Ping still refused to order the door to be opened for inspection by the Haihan Army. However, he did not completely lose his mind, but chose a very loyal reason to reject Hai Hanjun outside the hospital.
When the Haihan Army on mission outside saw such a situation, they naturally thought that there was something shady going on in the store. They immediately surrounded the store and sent someone to notify the superior officers.
Just when the officers outside the hospital lost patience and gave up their persuasion methods to organize a storm, Chen Yixin finally arrived. He knew much more about the situation of the Fengshun than the junior officers. This trading firm was Haihan's largest trading partner in Jinan Prefecture. Its backer was Si Yamen, the chief envoy of Shandong, and it was said that even higher up in the imperial court. There is also a protective umbrella inside, and the background is extremely hard. Haihan has always attached great importance to such a "powerful" trading partner. To put it bluntly, even if the Ming Dynasty government plays some tricks through Fengshun, Chen Yixin will not let such things affect the overall cooperation between the two parties.
So the first thing Chen Yixin did after arriving at the scene was to stop his subordinates who were about to hit the door. Then he took the tin speaker and shouted into the yard: "I am Chen Yixin, please listen carefully, Shopkeeper Yu. Our actions are not targeted at anyone." Fengshun, we just need to confirm that the prisoner we want to arrest is not hiding in the store. Please cooperate with me, shopkeeper Yu, and I will ensure the personal safety of you and your subordinates.”
Yu Ping said loudly in the courtyard: "General Chen, you led so many soldiers to surround my business store, how can I trust you?"
Chen Yixin said: "I believe in the innocence of Fengshun and respect the identity of Shopkeeper Yu, so I did not order strong measures. But if Shopkeeper Yu rejects our goodwill again and again, then I have to doubt myself "Is your judgment wrong?" Yu Ping was silent for a while before speaking again: "General Chen, what you do may damage our cooperative relationship."
Chen Yixin said: "Shop Manager Yu, as long as there are enough benefits, the cooperative relationship between Haihan and Fengshun will not be terminated. This is not a small matter that depends on your will and mine. Even if Fengshun does not have you, or the local If someone else is in charge, our cooperation will continue. Give up the confrontation. You should understand that when it comes to making money, we are actually on the same side.”
It has to be said that Chen Yixin's direct clarification of the relationship between the two parties greatly shocked Yu Ping. Economic interests are indeed the foundation of the relationship between the two parties, and Haihan seems to have no reason to destroy this relationship. Even if he really wanted to fall out, there was no need for Chen Yixin to persuade himself like this outside. After all, as long as he gave the order, the Haihan soldiers outside could immediately invade the store. As for the manpower in the yard, Yu Ping also knew that this was just a form of self-comfort. If they really wanted to do it, how could they possibly defeat the Haihan soldiers with guns and live ammunition outside? The more they resisted, the faster they would die. After calming down, he naturally quickly figured out the reason.
"Put them all away and open the door!" Yu Ping's voice finally dropped, and he waved his hand to signal his men to give up resistance.
Everyone heaved a sigh of relief when they heard this order. They didn't want to be buried together just because the shopkeeper went crazy. Now that they can voluntarily give up the confrontation with the Haihan Army, it is naturally the wisest decision.
Soon the door of the store opened, and Yu Ping stood by the door and bowed slightly to welcome Chen Yixin's arrival. Chen Yixin stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder and said: "Our cooperation should not be limited to trade. We should also work together to deal with those who want to destroy our cooperative relationship."
Yu Ping raised his head and asked with some confusion: "Who does General Chen refer to?"
"Some people who don't want to let Ming Dynasty and Haihan maintain peace." Chen Yixin lowered his voice and said: "It may be Jin Yiwei, or it may be Dongchang or Shandong Dusi. We have arrested a group of people. I hope you will fight with these people. There is no connection between them.”
"No, no, not at all! I'm just a businessman, and I won't get involved in these taboo things." Yu Ping quickly defended himself: "If the two countries are at war, trade will inevitably be interrupted, and I won't do anything about it. Benefits! ”
Chen Yixin stared at Yu Ping's eyes, as if to tell whether his words were credible or not. After a brief silence, Chen Yixin finally smiled: "Of course Shopkeeper Yu would not do such an irrational thing. I just said that we have common interests, so I believe you!"
To ordinary people in the Ming Dynasty, privileged institutions such as Jinyiwei and Dongchang were still talkative existences. When Chen Yixin confirmed that he had reported these information, the shock in Yu Ping's eyes was not fake. Of course, just because Yu Ping is clean does not mean that the Fengshun is also clean. Chen Yixin knows that these intelligence agents are pervasive and may disguise themselves as various identities to sneak into the occupied areas. And Yu Ping may not know everyone under him, so Careful inspection is still necessary.
After solving the troubles here on the Fengshun, Chen Yixin hurried to another place. A confrontation similar to this is not limited to the Fengshun today. In this situation, he often has to personally come forward and speak out to have enough weight to gain the other party's trust.
At the same time, the torture of the captured personnel began immediately at Mabo's house and the immigration camp. The Haihan Army's blockade of Majiazhuang cannot last forever. If they want to catch the fish that have slipped through the net before the blockade is lifted, they must pry open the mouths of these people.
Ma Bo, who was the first to choose a soft confession, could provide extremely limited information. The only Ming spies he came into contact with were those who had been arrested, and there was basically no hope that he could lead out more people.
According to Ma Bo's own confession, his task was to arrange for Ming Dynasty spies to enter the immigration camp, and then find opportunities over a period of time to send people to various construction sites outside the immigration camp that were in urgent need of labor, so that the spies could have access to all aspects of the local area. When the information was almost collected, they were arranged to leave the immigration camp in various ways, and then some new faces were brought in. This is why he agreed to Liu Shang's request to transfer people. Anyway, he had to try to arrange for these people to go out. Liu Shang's request just saved a lot of trouble, but so far, Ma Bo has not transferred Liu Shang's people. These two incidents are connected with the sudden arrest of these people today.
(End of chapter)