Chapter 1423 Coincidence
For these two parents in Fushan County, Zhifu Island is actually not a mysterious and dangerous place. In fact, they have set foot on Zhifu Island more than once after Haihan took control of it. Of course, such opportunities came from Haihan's active invitation and were a secret itinerary that was not open to the public, so as to prevent the two officials from being accused of "internal communication and external affairs".
Of course they can go, at least in terms of safety, they believe that Haihan will not make things difficult for them. However, "can go" does not mean that they can set foot on Zhifu Island without any hindrance. The sandbank passage connecting to the mainland has many obstacles, so if they go directly like this, they will definitely be stopped. So before going, they had to inform Haihan.
Haihan has a small office in the county town, whose main function is to exchange information with the county government. The last few times Zhang Pucheng and Huang Qu went to Zhifu Island, invitations were sent by this office. So before leaving the city, they first went to the office, which was publicly identified as a business store, and expressed to the chubby boss their wish to go to Zhifu Island immediately to meet with Haihan officials.
"The chiefs may be very busy in the past few days and may not have time to meet with you two adults. If your matter is not urgent, why not wait patiently in the city for a few days?" The fat boss didn't say that he could go, nor that he couldn't. , but the meaning behind his words was to persuade them to give up this plan.
Zhang and Huang looked at each other and shook their heads in unison. Zhang Pucheng said: "I'm afraid I can't wait that long."
Huang Qu also said: "The matter is urgent, I hope you can be accommodating."
The fat boss thought for a moment and then said: "Since you two adults insist, I will accompany you on a trip."
Zhang Pucheng sat in a sedan, Huang Qu rode a horse, and the fat boss got into his carriage and led the way for the two of them. Regardless of their status in the Ming Dynasty, there is no way to get through the checkpoints to the island without permission or being led by an insider. The fat boss never asked them the reason for requesting to go to the island. Perhaps it was because there was no need to ask for the reason. Under the pressure of the army, any local official could sit at home calmly. Naturally, he had to try to contact the senior officials of Haihan to find a way out for him. .
This small team left the county town and headed north until they saw the first checkpoint at the coast. The fat boss got out of the car and chatted with the officer leading the team for a few words, then passed here smoothly and set foot on the road connecting Zhifu. island sandbar. There were two more armed checkpoints on the sandbank, forcing them to stop again.
Sitting on horseback, Huang Qu could already confirm with his naked eyes the existence of the fleet anchored in Zhifu Port in the east. The news I received before is indeed true. The size of this fleet is larger than that of the Haihan fleet that first arrived in Shandong more than a year ago. With the Haihan high-level officials announcing that such a fleet will come to Shandong, Huang Qu will not be able to do so for the time being. I can't think of any other purpose besides taking over the city. Without going nearby to confirm, Huang Qu can be sure that there is absolutely no navy in Shandong that can compete with it.
Zhang Pucheng, who was sitting in a soft sedan, had actually noticed the fleet in the distant harbor. Such hopelessly powerful weapons made him unable to resist much. Perhaps surrender was the wisest choice.
After the two of them passed several levels with trepidation, they finally arrived at Zhifu Island. They suddenly discovered that the level of martial law here was much higher than before, and in the distance they could see groups of armed soldiers shuttling between the barracks, seemingly completing their assembly. Even if no one explained anything to them, the tense atmosphere before the war was already permeating the surrounding air.
"You two, wait here for a while. I'll report to the chief." The fat boss took the two to the entrance of the camp and asked them to stop and wait instead of entering the camp directly like he had done in the past few times.
Seeing that the Haihan Army was already preparing for war, the two of them naturally did not dare to make any mistakes, so they waited at the door in a polite manner. After a long time, the fat boss came out of the camp and took them in. As for the bearers, soldiers and other entourage, they were all left outside the camp.
The fat boss took them to a house, made them wait, and left first. Not long after, someone brought hot tea. Zhang Pucheng asked when he could see officials from Haihan, but he did not get a definite answer. The two of them knew that this was an important military camp and did not dare to go out of the house without permission. They could only wait anxiously inside the house. However, they waited until the tea had gone cold and still did not see the Haihan official.
"Master Huang, do you think we...could it be that we came at the wrong time?" Zhang Pucheng was cautious by nature. Seeing that the other party had not appeared for a long time, he couldn't help feeling a little panicked.
Huang Qu was actually beating the drum in his heart, but as a military commander, he had a little more courage than Zhang Pucheng, a civil servant. At that moment, he still pretended to be calm and responded: "Master Zhang, don't be anxious, since they are already ready to take action. I think we have a lot to do. The purpose of coming here is to express your attitude. Don’t look impatient, as others may misunderstand you.”
Zhang Pucheng felt that Huang Qu was right, so he nodded and sat back in the chair to continue waiting. In fact, it didn't matter whether what Huang Qu said made sense or not. He was just too nervous and needed someone else to explain it to him. It would be difficult for any Ming official to maintain a calm mind in this environment. The two of them are able to sit here peacefully now because of the friendship they have formed with Haihan over the past year or so and the respectful attitude they have always maintained. Haihan shows no mercy to his enemies, but they know that they are not Haihan's enemies.
I don't know how long they waited, but they both drank half full of tea, and finally the person they wanted to see arrived.
"The two adults are so free today and it's great fun to go out to the city together." Qian Tiandun sat down on the chair opposite Zhang and Huang, wiped his face with the hot towel given by the orderly, and then continued: "There are too many things going on today. I didn't have time to greet you two. I'm sorry!"
Zhang Pucheng smiled apologetically and said: "General Qian, you're welcome. I know you are busy with official duties. I am already bothering you when I come to Zhifu Island. General Qian, please don't be offended."
Qian Tiandun nodded and said: "I don't go to the Three Treasures Hall for anything. I don't think you two came to Zhifu Island just to hang out, so let's talk about business directly."
When Zhang Pucheng and Huang Qu heard the word "business", they couldn't help but their hearts beat faster, secretly thinking that this was about to make things clear. Both of them left the backs of their chairs and leaned forward slightly, trying to understand clearly every word Qian Tiandun said next.
"I think both of you should be very clear. Our army will have a large-scale military operation next, which requires cooperation from all aspects. Here in Fushan County, we have to temporarily recruit a group of civilians to go with the army."
Both of them trembled slightly when they heard this. Although they had already thought that Haihan was planning to start a war, these words were still quite impactful when they were spoken by a general like Qian Tiandun.
However, the two of them did not dare to interrupt at this time, so they listened to Qian Tiandun continue: "...Here in the county, I hope you will maintain social order and not cause any trouble recently. If someone wants to fish in troubled waters and cause trouble, then we will punish them I won't be merciful. What's the problem with you two?" Zhang Pucheng glanced at Huang Qu and saw that he was also staring at him, so he had to bite the bullet and said: "General Qian, if the war starts, the land in Dengzhou will be scorched again. I hope the general will take pity on the innocent people and leave them a way to escape."
Qian Tiandun glanced at Zhang Pucheng. Zhang Pucheng suddenly felt as if he had been stabbed by something sharp, and secretly wondered whether he had used inappropriate words to make Qian Tiandun feel unhappy.
"Dengzhou will not become a scorched earth, and Fushan County will not be in chaos. You will continue to be officials of the Ming Dynasty in the county, and everything will remain the same as before." Qian Tiandun suddenly said something that surprised them.
Although they had long determined that the Dengzhou garrison could not stop Haihan's invasion, from what Qian Tiandun said, it seemed that the Shandong garrison had no possibility of causing trouble for Haihan. This was so arrogant. It's just that they were only thinking about Haihan's invasion of Shandong, but they didn't think about the other meaning of Qian Tiandun's words, and they didn't dare to question the obvious unreasonableness of his words.
Qian Tiandun saw the strange expressions of the two people and thought of the fact that they rushed to Zhifu Island to ask for him today. He already guessed that they had misunderstood Haihan's deployment, so he explained calmly: "We will not open the door in Shandong." At the end of the war, there are no plans to use force against the Ming Dynasty. The fleet at the port will leave Shandong in a few days, so you don’t have to worry too much about the impossible. "
Zhang and Huang almost suspected that there was something wrong with their ears. They thought that the arrival of the Haihan army on Zhifu Island meant that the other side decided to take off their masks and formally use force against the Ming Dynasty. However, they did not expect Qian Tiandun to say such words. .
"Is what the general said true?" Huang Qu asked. As soon as the words came out of his mouth, he knew that he shouldn't ask this question. With Qian Tiandun's status, why would he lie to them at this time and lead troops directly into Shandong territory? Who would stop him?
"Of course it's true." Qian Tiandun didn't feel dissatisfied and nodded: "I know what you are thinking. In fact, you just need to think about it. If our country really wanted to attack the Ming Dynasty, how could we choose Shandong? ?”
When the two heard this, they immediately thought of the misunderstanding in their thinking. Haihan made its fortune in the South China Sea, and its strongest foundation is in the south. If they really want to launch an invasion of the Ming Dynasty, then naturally they should give priority to the southern coastal areas where they are familiar with people and roads, rather than thousands of miles away from their homeland. Far away Shandong. It's just that their concern led to chaos. When they saw the Haihan army coming, they subconsciously believed that a war was about to break out locally, but they never thought about the rationality of this possibility.
Unexpectedly, Haihan's target was not Shandong at all, let alone the small Fushan County under their jurisdiction. With a big stone in their hearts, they couldn't help but have more questions. But they knew that Qian Tiandun wouldn't tell them, so they couldn't take the initiative to ask, how could such matters involving military secrets be discussed casually. But as long as Haihan makes a promise not to start a local war, that's enough for them.
Qian Tiandun seemed to be able to see through their thoughts and continued: "As for where this fleet is going, I'm sorry I can't reveal it to you now. You should know what's going on after the mission is completed in a while. ”
Seeing that Qian Tiandun was unwilling to disclose it, Zhang Pucheng and Huang Qu had no reason to stay any longer. Zhang Pucheng said that he would cooperate with Haihan in recruiting civilian husbands, while Huang Qu patted his chest and assured Qian Tiandun that they would not It will cause chaos in the county. After the two expressed their cooperative attitude, they took the initiative to say goodbye to Qian Tiandun and left. Qian Tiandun refused to hold them back and asked the orderlies to escort them out of the camp.
After Zhang and Huang came out, they both found themselves breaking into a cold sweat without even realizing it. The two of them walked to the gate of the camp and saw that the fat boss was still waiting for them, and they felt a little more relaxed. Since Haihan has no plans to attack Shandong, they don't have to leave their homes and offices and run away. The problem that troubled them most when they came has finally been successfully solved.
"I didn't expect to meet an acquaintance here!" Huang Qu suddenly squeezed out a sentence through his teeth.
Zhang Pucheng was stunned, looked up and saw an acquaintance, it was Feng Fei from Qianshan Household in Qishan. Seeing that he only brought four soldiers with him to the island, Zhang Pucheng knew why he came even without asking. After both sides learned about the arrival of Haihan's army, they both thought of the same response strategy, which really coincided.
Of course Feng Fei also saw the two of them, and greeted them from a distance with cupped fists: "Master Zhang and Master Huang, what a coincidence we meet here! It seems that these two adults are really well-informed, Feng is too slow!"< br>
Zhang Pucheng tacitly cupped his hands and said, "Master Feng came very quickly. It's not too late at this time."
Seeing the relaxed expressions of these two people, Feng Fei asked tentatively: "Did you two get arrangements from Chief Haihan?"
"Arrangements?" Huang Qu smiled noncommittally and said, "Then you go in quickly. If you are late, there will be no arrangements." He knew why Feng Fei came, but he didn't want to tell Feng Fei the truth. Of course he would be happy to let Feng Fei have a chance as a competitor.
Seeing Feng Fei hurried into the camp, Zhang Pucheng couldn't help but said: "I didn't expect Feng Qianhu to be such a person!"
"He who knows the current affairs is a hero, and his life is the first priority. There is nothing wrong with him doing this." Huang Qu took the initiative to defend Feng Fei. Of course, in his subconscious, this may also be to defend his behavior. When facing an invincible opponent like Haihan, how many people can die generously for the Ming Dynasty? Even if Feng Fei obeys Dengzhou's orders, he still has to plan for himself first when things happen.
It wasn't until they returned to the county town and the two of them parted ways that Zhang Pucheng lowered his voice and asked Huang Qu: "Who do you think the Haihan people are going to fight with?"
Huang Qu responded: "Who else? If we don't attack Shandong, then only the battle across the sea will require so many ships. But I really don't understand why Haihan would take the initiative to fight against the gold thieves?"
(End of chapter)