Chapter 1786 Can’t afford to offend
Since Haihan sent troops to block the Qiantang River in 1635 in response to the Hangzhou fire incident, the Zhejiang government has rarely provoked Haihan. After all, such a large-scale armed conflict can easily evolve into a full-scale war once it gets out of control. , the entire southern coastline of Ming Dynasty may fall in a very short time, and no one can bear responsibility for this result.
Although the government was quite critical of Haihan's immigration, trade and other measures, as more and more local officials gained practical benefits from it, fewer and fewer people still insisted on playing against Haihan. Of course, some die-hard officials have disappeared one after another without any reason in the past few years, which is another main reason why local officials are silent about Haihan. One path is to get promoted and make a fortune, and the other path is to die in misfortune. Which path to choose is not a difficult problem for a clear-headed person.
After the two countries formally established diplomatic relations last year, the economic and trade exchanges between Ming Dynasty and Haihan turned from underground to open, and more local officials also joined in this game that can make them rich overnight. Even in special yamen like Jinyiwei, many people have benefited from it. Before Deng Qing came to visit, He Xiao didn't think that anyone would come out to cause trouble for Haihan at this time of year.
Lin Xing led people to the official road outside the town and found that more than a dozen grain trucks from Shaoxing had been stopped by the roadside by several Jinyi guards who had changed into public uniforms. The truck drivers and the stewards who were escorting the goods were gathered together. , is being questioned by Jin Yiwei.
Lin Xing had already obtained Haihan nationality and had brought enough manpower, so he was naturally not afraid of these imperial guards. He immediately stepped forward and asked, "Sir, what are you doing? Why are you stopping these carriages?" < br>
"The official is handling the case, no one is involved, please get out of the way!" The Jin Yiwei who was questioned by him didn't have a good expression, and immediately waved his hand impatiently to ask him to step aside.
Of course, Lin Xing would not just avoid it. He led his people to Changxing Town with the purpose of finding out the origins of this group of Jin Yiwei. If the other party was indeed targeting Haihan, then some extraordinary measures would have to be taken.
"It is unavoidable to avoid it, because I am not an irrelevant person." Lin Xing pointed to himself and said: "These cars seized by the officials are transporting my goods!"
The Jinyiwei frowned, put one hand on the handle of the knife at his waist, and shouted: "Sir, there is a guy here who claims to be the owner of the cargo!"
Lin Xing saw that the other party looked like he was facing a formidable enemy, and he even guessed that his purpose was impure. Otherwise, I just claimed to be the owner of the goods. If the other party didn't know who the owner of the goods was, why would they have such a big reaction?
He Xiao had already described Deng Qing's appearance to Lin Xing beforehand, so when Deng Qing walked over quickly, Lin Xing recognized him at a glance.
"Are you the owner of the goods? Do you know what the goods are on these carriages?" Deng Qing was still a little doubtful about Lin Xing's identity, and at the same time he looked warily at the dozens of men with unkind faces standing behind Lin Xing.
Deng Qing led the team to Ningbo to handle the case this time. This was not a daring act on his part. Instead, he received clear instructions to try to create a conflict between the prefect of Ningbo and the Haihan people. It would be best to make them lose people from Haihan. Han's support. Judging from the relationship between Qu Yutong and the Haihan people, this task was not simple. Deng Qing also studied for a long time before waiting for a time that he thought was more suitable.
Deng Qing still had a certain understanding of Haihan's influence in the coastal state capital of Zhejiang, so he did not rush into action after arriving in Ningbo, but secretly observed it for a while. When news came out that Haihan was purchasing large amounts of military rations in the Ningbo market, Deng Qing thought it could be used, so he took the initiative to go find He Xiao, who was in charge of the matter, hoping to exert pressure to get him to reveal some of his conflicts with the prefect. Inside information related to Yu Tong.
But Deng Qing obviously overestimated his own deterrence and underestimated He Xiao's courage. He basically didn't take advantage of He Xiao, but aroused the other party's suspicion. As soon as he went out, He Xiao arranged for someone to follow him, and promptly informed Qu Yutong and Haihan. The countermeasures he took were beyond his expectation.
Although Deng Qing failed to achieve his goal, he decided to continue to act according to his plan to prevent He Xiao from providing food to Haihan. The trading firm run by the He brothers sent people to Shaoxing to purchase grain, and Deng Qing had already sent people to follow him. He had mastered the schedule of the grain transport convoy in Shaoxing, and planned to stop the grain transport convoy here in Changxing Town to hinder The He brothers’ grain purchase plan.
Deng Qing believed that if he blocked the shipment of this batch of grain to Ningbo, it might make it difficult for Qu Yutong to communicate with the Haihan people, thus affecting the Haihan people's trust in him. However, he also knew that the relationship between Qu Yutong and Haihan people was extraordinary. It was difficult to completely destroy the cooperation between the two with this move alone, and he could only take it one step at a time.
Naturally, the local government was not notified of this action in advance, but Deng Qing believed that there was no big risk in his actions in Ningbo. After all, with the status of Jin Yiwei, he would not be too passive even if he faced Qu Yutong face to face. Who among other local officials Dare you come forward to interfere with such nosy matters?
But he probably forgot one thing. A few years ago, there was also Liao Xun, a member of the Jinyiwei family in Hangzhou Prefecture, Zhejiang Province. He got into an accident while investigating the Haihan people. Speaking of which, his colleague who got into the accident was also punished by the commander of the capital at that time. The support of the prosecutor and the prosecutor did not make Haihan have too many scruples. The status of Jinyiwei may have a certain deterrent effect on Ming officials, but it has no effect on Haihan people, and may even be counterproductive.
Deng Qing never thought that when he was doing it, someone claiming to be the owner of the goods would suddenly appear. If the person in front of him was He Xiao's subordinate, then his behavior would be a bit too outrageous. Deng Qing decided to verify the identity of the other party first, and then consider how to deal with this madman who jumped out to cause trouble on his own.
After hearing Deng Qing's question, Lin Xing nodded with a smile and said: "Of course I know what I bought with money. These cars are all loaded with high-quality rice, totaling 40,000 kilograms. The destination is Ningbo Prefecture." The pier at the mouth of the Yongjiang River. My lord, am I right?”
Deng Qing's face darkened and he said: "There is something wrong with your batch of rice. Come with me to the Yamen first and explain the matter clearly!"
If an ordinary person hears such words, his legs will probably become weak. If he is caught by an official and sent to the yamen, it means he will suffer a lot. However, Lin Xing showed no fear on his face, shook his head and said: "In my opinion, the problem is not with this batch of rice, but with you! Why don't you leave immediately? I'll just pretend that nothing happened, and there's no need for you all." It hurts the peace, so this is probably the best solution.”
Deng Qing angrily laughed and said: "You are so courageous, and you still dare to bargain. It seems that you have to suffer a little to let your boss named He know how good you are!" Lin Xing continued to shake his head and said: "My lord, I made a mistake. My boss’s surname is not He, but Shi Shi. Also, if you don’t stop, you may be the one who suffers!”
"How presumptuous!" Deng Qing raised his voice and ordered: "Listen to your orders and lock this man up!"
Almost at the same time, Lin Xing gave the order without haste: "Surround them up and don't let any of them escape!"
The dozens of people Lin Xing brought over immediately dispersed from behind him, quickly forming a circle of encirclement, surrounding the Jinyi guards and the convoy they had captured. The long objects they were holding were also covered with oilcloth, and they turned out to be uniform muskets!
Even though Deng Qing had handled many cases, he had also encountered situations where criminals were stubbornly resisting, but he had never had this kind of experience of being surrounded by the opponent, not to mention that the weapons held by the opponent were definitely not what ordinary civilian armed forces could equip. The musket--looking at the appearance, it seems to be a little more advanced than the blunderbuss of the Ming Army Firearms Battalion.
Deng Qing's mind was agitated, and he immediately thought that the people coming were not He Xiao's men, but the real buyers of the rice, the Haihan people. No matter how arrogant He Xiao is, he is still an official and a staff member, so he should not openly rebel for a few dollars. Only Haihan people dare to act so unscrupulously in broad daylight.
"You are Haihan people!" Deng Qing's hand was already on the handle of the knife, but he did not draw it out - there were at least five muskets facing him, and he was afraid that the knife would be drawn out before it was pulled out of its sheath. Got shot. He knew that once he started taking action, today's matter might not go well. Moreover, the other party had several times more manpower than his own, and they were all equipped with muskets. He might not even have the slightest chance to take action.
Lin Xing responded calmly: "Since you know that this batch of rice was bought by Haihan, why do you still want to seize the goods here? You must know that this kind of behavior will destroy the hard-won relationship between Ming Dynasty and Haihan." The relationship established and this responsibility can adults bear? ”
Deng Qing responded with a livid face: "You attacked Ming officials in Ming Dynasty. This kind of behavior is damaging the relationship between the two countries. I advise you to put away your weapons immediately and leave Ningbo Prefecture. Don't make trouble here!"
Deng Qing had not yet figured out why the Haihan people appeared here and now, and they seemed to be well prepared. The current situation was no longer about setting up a trap to cause trouble for the Haihan people, but that he had already fallen into the trap of being troubled by the other party. Passive situation. But as a military attaché of the Jin Yiwei, he could not lose his momentum at this time, so he could only bite the bullet and continue to deal with the opponent. It's just that this kind of bluff verbal counterattack can't help but seem a bit harsh.
Lin Xing did not get carried away, and still kept a distance of about two feet from Deng Qing to prevent the other party from getting angry and hurting others. As for Deng Qing's "advice", he naturally heard it in one ear and out the other, and didn't take it seriously at all.
"Let the convoy go first, don't delay the business!" Lin Xing waved his hand, and several people slowly approached the convoy with guns raised, while the Jin Yiwei who was pointed at the gun slowly backed away knowingly. They now know each other's background, and of course they will not risk their lives to see if the other party will actually shoot.
The original reason why He Xiao found the Golden Shield was to help them transport grain from other places to Ningbo, so as not to be intercepted by the Jin Yiwei on the way. This happened to meet the situation that He Xiao was worried about. Fortunately, Lin Xing and others arrived at just the right time. Before Jin Yiwei could deal with the food transport convoy, they were counterattacked by them.
He Li purchased these grains from Shaoxing grain merchants, but the convoy that transported the grains was owned by the He brothers. Of course, he knew that the backers behind his boss were Haihan people. Now the Haihan people personally went out to pick up this batch of grain in front of Jin Yiwei, which was also an eye-opener for these coachmen.
"Don't move, anyone who moves will be killed!" Seeing that several Jinyi guards seemed to be ready to make a move, Lin Xing quickly raised his voice and shouted. Although he had been mentally prepared to kill all his opponents before he came, if the situation was controllable, he did not want to really go on a killing spree. After all, these Jin Yiwei have special status. If they were to kill them all, it would be difficult to block the news, and there would definitely be some trouble in the future. Therefore, Lin Xing decided to take the food back to Ningbo first, and then deal with the matter of these Jin Yiwei.
However, Lin Xing's shouting voice was quite unpleasant to the ears of Deng Qing and others. They, the Jin Yiwei, were out on business, and only others looked at their faces. They had never been so useless as they are today. Deng Qing had heard before that how the Haihan people were lawless in doing things, and today he finally felt this feeling firsthand. But in this situation, it can be said that there is no hope of life, and they can only stand there and watch the carriage leave.
"Your Excellency, by doing this, you are making an enemy of the Ming Dynasty!" Seeing that the carriages carrying food had begun to leave, Deng Qing was so angry and anxious that he couldn't help shouting.
"You know nothing!" Lin Xing swore without grace: "If these military rations are not received in time, the first unlucky one may be Daming! If you keep chirping, I will personally give you a shot, useless You have a leg!”
Lin Xing had actually heard a little bit about the whereabouts of this batch of military rations after the purchase, but this kind of thing was Haihan's internal military secret, and he did not dare to reveal it to a group of Jin Yiwei.
"My lord, please take a step to speak!"
Seeing that the grain transport convoy had left safely, Lin Xing was ready to move on to the next item. People would pass by on this official road from time to time, so it was not a suitable place to talk, and Lin Xing still had something to ask Deng Qing - he would not let Deng Qing and others leave easily until he understood the ins and outs of this matter. .
Deng Qing snorted coldly: "I have nothing to say to you!"
Lin Xingdao: "My lord, you may have made a mistake. I'm not afraid of you when I speak politely now. I just don't want to break my face in public. I have something to ask you. If you are unwilling to cooperate, then I can I ordered you to break your legs first, and then take you back to Zhoushan for interrogation. It’s your choice whether you want to cooperate, but it’s best not to think about it for too long. I don’t have the time, and I don’t have the patience to wait for you to wait.”
(End of chapter)