Chapter 1678 Privileged Organization
These so-called security police do not have a formal establishment for the time being. To put it bluntly, they are temporary workers. However, in the future, more than half of the first batch of local police officers to be officially recruited in the Manila area will come from these temporary staff. Due to limited conditions, the Haihan Police Division only sent a dozen police officers to provide on-the-job training for the security police recruited in the Manila area. This so-called training, including internship, lasted less than a week. , it just roughly taught these people how to enforce the law and deal with emergencies, and simply maintain local security.
Qin Huacheng was of Han origin and had served in the colonial armed forces, but he had not collaborated with the Spanish in previous wars. Based on his own conditions, he was indeed a leader among these security police. The people from the Police Department selected him to be the leader of the security police detachment in this area, mainly because of his familiarity with the people here. They did not expect to reach the level of public security in Sanya, but at least there would be no accidents every three days.
In the past few days, Officer Haihan had been in charge of the command. However, because there were too many prisoners of war to be interrogated in the past two days, a few police officers were transferred into the city to help. Therefore, Qin Huacheng was the leader of this detachment. I took on this responsibility for the time being. When the time came, there were three people who had not arrived. Qin Huacheng cursed and marked it on the roster. He thought to himself that he would assign a night shift to these three people so that they would remember to come to order in the morning.
The origins of these security police officers are complex, and their quality is naturally uneven. Even though they have been trained by Officer Haihan, because they have been on the job for too short a time, they still have not yet formed the atmosphere that a disciplinary force should have. Many people come and go when they want, without really treating this as a long-term job. Only a handful of smart people like Qin Huacheng could understand the role and power of this special institution in Haihan society from the beginning, and also knew what kind of benefits they could get from it.
After finishing the task, Qin Huacheng divided his men into five teams according to the previous regulations. One team stayed at the temporary police station converted from a warehouse next to the port, while the other four teams went to patrol the jurisdiction.
Although these security police are only a temporary establishment, their patrols are not just a formality. They still have some special tasks. For example, if a Spaniard is found anywhere near the port, he must be arrested immediately. If he encounters armed resistance, he can request assistance from the nearest garrison.
After the previous farce of Aragones and others escaping by boat, Haihan strictly prohibited the Spaniards from approaching all ports and docks outside Manila. Those who violated the ban were regarded as fugitives and spies. These security police were not equipped with lethal weapons such as knives and guns. They were only issued an oak baton and a rattan shield each. This level of armament is sufficient for daily self-defense, and it is suitable for capturing unarmed targets. However, if the opponent has lethal weapons, their equipment can only play a decorative role. At this time, the only thing they can do is to ask for help from the garrison, and the military will come forward to solve difficult targets.
The first thing Qin Huacheng had to do today was to lead a team to the Ding family to find out what happened to the son-in-law of the Ding family. While passing by the market, Qin Huacheng stopped in front of a fishmonger's stall and randomly bought some fresh seafood for him to deliver to his home. The fishmonger was sensible, and he only took a token amount of money, which was probably less than one-tenth of the market price.
In the Han-populated area outside the West City Gate, the social order has gradually returned to normal due to Haihan's deliberate care. Although the port has not yet been fully opened to the public, and the wartime sea ban is still in effect, some people have been allowed to sail. Fishermen approved by the Han government can go fishing, and the food supply on the market has gradually become more abundant. This market is within Qin Huacheng's jurisdiction. It is natural for Qin Huacheng to take advantage of these fishmongers, meat sellers and vegetable farmers. Of course, his boss wouldn't care about such a trivial matter. Even if someone reported Qin Huacheng, the boss would definitely turn a blind eye to it.
Although Qin Huacheng has only been on the job for a short time, he already knows the thoughts of the Haihan people. The government needs people like him to maintain local order. As long as he abides by the rules that must be followed, the Haihan people will not care about him. Seek personal benefit in small things. What Haihan people care about is his ability to do things, not whether he is so clean and honest during his work.
As usual, after purchasing some food for his family in the past few days, Qin Huacheng led the team to the Ding Family Boat Shop located near the port. In terms of wealth, if there are about ten Qin families grouped together, none of them may be as wealthy as the Ding family who is engaged in shipping business. Before the Haihan people came here, the Ding family was probably considered to be the group with the highest social status among the local Han people. Last year's inter-ethnic marriage with the Spaniards was regarded by the Ding family as a measure to bring glory to the family, and a three-day banquet was held, and the whole of Manila knew about it.
But I never thought that the Haihan Army would fall from the sky, and the social status of the Ding family would plummet with the collapse of the Spanish colonial authorities. If the Ding family had not also adopted a wise and protective attitude during the war and did not directly participate in the battle between the two sides, then After the war, more than one Spanish son-in-law might be arrested, and the whole family might be sent into exile together.
In Qin Huacheng's view, the Ding family came to him for help, not necessarily to save the foreign son-in-law, but to get some information and see if Haihan officials were making any move to liquidate the Ding family. And with Qin Huacheng's ability, he can't influence Haihan's official verdict on the Ding family's son-in-law. It is probably the limit to find out the prison conditions of this man. But as long as the Ding family wants something, there is room for negotiation. Qin Huacheng had already thought about it after talking to his father and brother yesterday, and he wanted to use this to obtain some practical benefits for his family.
Of course, Qin Huacheng's reason for coming to Ding's Boat Shop must be very official. It was a routine search to see if there were any fugitives wanted in the city hiding here, and if there were any unusual movements. Among the Spaniards who are currently being arrested in the city, there are still seven or eight uncaptured subjects, and the only escape route is the sea route. Therefore, the security police inspect and monitor these boats very closely, almost every day. Routine inspections must be carried out to ensure that no Spanish fishes in troubled waters and escapes.
The person in charge of the boat shop heard from his subordinate that the security police came to the door again, so he took the initiative to welcome him out. As the manager of this area, Qin Huacheng naturally recognizes the shop owner of the boat shop. This person is Ding Pingsheng, the eldest son of Ding Feng, the head of the Ding family. The person who visited Qin's house yesterday was his second brother Ding Pingcai. The person who married the Spaniard was the youngest daughter of the Ding family, Ding Ping'er.
Ding Pingsheng naturally recognized Qin Huacheng and took the initiative to come forward to greet him. Qin Huacheng slightly cupped his hands and said, "Shopkeeper Ding, you're polite. Today is just a routine matter. I hope shopkeeper Ding can forgive me." After saying this, he waved his hand and his team dispersed in a familiar manner and carried out searches inside and outside the boat shop.
When Ding Pingsheng saw Qin Huacheng's unkind expression, he guessed some of the reasons, so he took the initiative to accuse him and said: "Yesterday, the villain's second brother came to the door to make trouble. There were many inappropriate words. I hope Brother Qin can forgive me."
Qin Huacheng snorted and said, "I don't dare to apologize. I, a small family in the Qin family, cannot afford a visit from a big shot like Mr. Ding. It is Qin who should say sorry to shopkeeper Ding."
When Ding Pingsheng opened the door and sat down in the shop, he naturally did not want to offend a person like Qin Huacheng in the yamen. He comforted him in a low voice and said that he would come to apologize to the Qin family later. His attitude was very low.
Qin Hua had almost beaten his prejudices, and the other party had already given in. Then he changed his attitude and said: "Now everyone works for the leader of the Haihan Kingdom. Shopkeeper Ding doesn't need to be so polite. The leaders often say that overseas Chinese should be of the same spirit. Lian Zhi, let’s unite as one and let’s not break the peace between you and me over such trivial matters.”
Ding Pingsheng didn't quite understand why Qin Hua suddenly became so arrogant and respectful, but he still quickly praised him and patiently waited for the other party's next words. Then Qin Huacheng continued: "What my brother came to my house to say yesterday, I also heard my father mention it after I went back. It is understandable that you are concerned about the safety of your family. If necessary, I will be happy to help. ”
Ding Pingsheng couldn't help but raise his eyebrows when he heard this. If he still couldn't understand Qin Huacheng's tone, then he really wouldn't have to be the shopkeeper anymore. Immediately, he quickly asked: "Brother Qin, what do you mean, is there still room for maneuver in this matter?"
Qin Huacheng didn't give up the truth, and immediately responded: "It's hard to say whether there is any leeway. I can only ask the city's yamen first to see if the verdict has been issued. If the chiefs have sentenced to death, then little people like me can't It's impossible for the chief to change the sentence, isn't it?" When Qin Huacheng said this, he noticed a young woman appearing in the corridor behind Ding Pingsheng, whose appearance was vaguely similar to Ding Pingsheng, and he guessed that she was the one who married the Spaniard. As a young lady from the Ding family, she deliberately raised the tone so that she could hear her.
Sure enough, when the young woman heard the word "shooting", she immediately lost control. She walked up quickly and asked Qin Huacheng, "Is what this official said true?"
Qin Huacheng said: "I'm just saying that this is possible. I heard that in the past few days, as many as a hundred Spaniards were dragged out of the east gate and executed. Many of those who tried to resist after the Haihan army broke through the city were sentenced to death. They were shot. I heard that some people died anonymously and were buried on the spot.”
The young woman said anxiously: "Brother, please think of a solution quickly!"
Ding Pingsheng glared at the young woman and said, "As a woman, don't interfere in business matters. Why don't you quickly avoid it?"
Before the woman could say anything, Ding Pingsheng couldn't wait and pushed her away. Qin Huacheng didn't say anything, just watching the brother and sister's reactions with cold eyes.
After Ding Pingsheng persuaded the woman to leave, he came back and confessed to Qin Huacheng: "My sister-in-law cares about her and she is in trouble. She has lost her etiquette. I hope Brother Qin will not blame you!"
Qin Huacheng nodded and said: "After all, husband and wife are connected, so it is reasonable for them to be unable to control themselves."
Ding Pingsheng hesitated for a moment before saying: "Brother Qin, can you really inquire about the whereabouts of my brother-in-law?"
Qin Huacheng said: "The news can definitely be found out, but...it will take some trouble."
Hearing his tone, Ding Pingsheng knew that it was time for him to make some conditions, and he immediately took the initiative and said: "Brother Qin is troubled, I am willing to pay five hundred silver coins as brother Qin's hard work in asking for information." During the Spanish rule, Silver coins minted from the American colonies were one of the main local currencies. Although the rulers had changed, there were still huge amounts of silver coins in circulation on the market and in the hands of the people. However, the paper currency prevalent in Haihan is unlikely to completely replace silver coins here in the short term.
Qin Huacheng shook his head and said: "We are all our own people, talking about money is too tacky."
When Ding Pingsheng saw that Qin Huacheng rejected his offer without hesitation, he thought it was not because the offer was too low, but because the other party should have prepared the conditions, so he immediately responded: "Brother Qin is right, everyone." We are all Han people, so we should take care of each other, but we can’t let Brother Qin go to waste. I wonder if Brother Qin needs anything, I can help him.”
Qin Huacheng finally had a smile on his face: "Shopkeeper Ding is such a refreshing person! I just like dealing with people like you, okay, then I'll tell you straight."
The conditions Qin Huacheng proposed were what he had discussed with his father and brother yesterday, requiring the Ding family shipping company to rent several cargo ships to the Qin family on a regular basis at a price that is 30% lower than the market price in the future, and he could not shirk it for any reason.
After listening to the conditions offered by Qin Huacheng, Ding Pingsheng understood why the other party looked down upon his own conditions. Five hundred silver coins is probably only enough to hire a cargo sailing ship for a round trip to the Pearl River Estuary at a price that is 30% lower than the market price, but what the Qin family wants is not just a one trip, but a long-term operation. If the cost is calculated, the price the Ding family needs to pay is far more than five hundred silver coins.
Ding Pingsheng hesitated for a moment before responding: "This matter is of great importance. Can I go back and discuss it with my father before replying to Brother Qin?"
Qin Huacheng nodded and said: "It doesn't matter, I'm not in a hurry. You can come find me after you have discussed it. But shopkeeper Ding's brother-in-law doesn't know how to be strict with his mouth. Don't bite him randomly if you can't bear the pain."
Ding Pingsheng's face changed color slightly. The situation Qin Huacheng mentioned was one of the issues that the Ding family was worried about now. Of course they didn't want their son-in-law to die in Haihan Prison and make their daughter a widow from now on, but they were also worried that being implicated by this foreign son-in-law would cause the Haihan people to turn their anger on the Ding family. That's why he was anxious to find a way to find out how his son-in-law was doing in prison. At present, it seems that only Qin Huacheng has hope of getting relevant news, but if time drags on for too long, other variables may arise.
(End of chapter)