Chapter 1944
As one of the largest cities in Haihan Kingdom, after several years of construction and development under Haihan rule, Danzhou's current population size has even surpassed Haikou City, another large city in Qiongbei, and is second only to the capital Sanya. The cultural industry, regarded as a local signature, has also grown with the city's prosperity. Today, there are thousands of students enrolled in various academies alone, and this has led to the development of publishing, tourism, transportation and other industries.
In addition to the pillar industry of culture and education, the Danzhou area has a large coastal plain and is rarely affected by maritime typhoons. The scale of agricultural production has also grown rapidly in recent years. Today, Danzhou has a very large planting area of grain crops, tropical fruits and cash crops, and is one of the most important agricultural production areas in Haihan State.
The economic prosperity has brought a large number of floating people to Danzhou, either to study or work, or to invest and start a business, or even just to visit this place. More and more people regard Danzhou as their own. destination.
Danzhou has also formulated some corresponding civil affairs regulations for the increase in the migrant population in order to effectively monitor and manage these floating populations. However, due to the limited staffing of official agencies, many regulations cannot be fully implemented. Even in Danzhou City, there are still many places outside supervision.
For example, the market in the north of Danzhou City gathers all kinds of agricultural products from Sandu Town, Emman Town, Mutang Town, Guangcun Town, Zhonghe Town and other places in the north of Danzhou, and then sells them to Nanhai through this market. everywhere. Thousands of people enter this market every day. The limited number of market managers alone cannot effectively register the identities of so many outsiders, so the relevant regulations are in effect.
After Xue Zheng and his party arrived in Danzhou, they went straight to the market in the north of the city. Some of them had lived in Danzhou for a period of time and were familiar with the local situation, so they recommended this place that fit their current status.
Of course, they don't really come here to trade grain, but they come here to find a way to collect the required information. Although this place is a market with agricultural products as its main business, the people doing business here are not just people who buy and sell agricultural products. Like other places in the world, as long as there are many people and money, there will always be some gray businesses, and Danzhou under Haihan's rule will be no exception.
Xue Zheng and his party arrived at the market. They first found a place to park the carriages and horses, and then divided into two groups. One group went to contact the local people who specialized in underground business, and the other group followed Xue Zheng to a nearby store. A teahouse and other news.
Not long after, people who went to do errands met Xue Zheng at the teahouse, saying that the other party could provide help, but they needed to meet with Xue Zheng for detailed discussions. This is undoubtedly a very dangerous move, and Xue Zheng is not sure whether the other party will betray him. After all, what he wants to do in Danzhou is not as simple as reselling grain or other in-demand materials, but will kill him if caught. If someone with knowledge of the crime appears outside, they may not dare to keep the secret for Xue Zheng and his gang.
"Is the other party reliable?" Although he knew that it was difficult to have a definite answer to this question, Xue Zheng still hoped to use this to increase his confidence in the current situation.
The subordinate who came back whispered in a low voice: "This person has a good reputation in the local area. As far as the villain knows, there was someone who committed a crime and was wanted by the Haihan Yamen. It was from him that he bought a way out and took the person away." He was sent away by sea. Moreover, this man's family had several Ming military captains who led troops to resist when the Haihan people occupied Danzhou. After the war, they disappeared, and all their ancestral property was confiscated by the Yamen, so with Haihan's The festival is quite deep.”
Xue Zheng pondered: "Since he has neither power nor property, how does this person survive in Danzhou and still manage such an industry that requires connections?"
The subordinate responded: "This... villain really doesn't know, but this person has a wide network. Even the news in the yamen can be found out by spending money. There are also some things that are not easy to buy on the market. , you can also get it for money at his place.”
Xue Zheng sneered: "So powerful? Can you also get guns and cannons?"
The man hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said: "The other party said that as long as the price is right, we can discuss everything. Even the artillery on the warship can be obtained with money."
"So powerful? Are you bragging?" Xue Zheng was dubious about this. He knew that Haihan's control over arms was extremely strict. The private sale of firearms and weapons was completely prohibited, and even those who privately held firearms would be punished. Convicted of a felony. The other party even boasted that he could even get naval guns. Xue Zheng couldn't help but wonder if his men had found a liar who only knew how to talk.
"The villain thinks it's interesting...Boss, why don't you go and see for yourself, the other party still has some skills." However, his subordinates insisted on the reliability of this unknown channel.
Xue Zheng looked at this subordinate. This person has been working with him for three or four years. He is very steady and has made few mistakes. He also has good experience in the world. Logically speaking, he will not be easily deceived. Since If he insists on saying this, there must be some special reason.
"Then how to meet the other party?" Xue Zheng knew that such a person would not appear in public easily. Otherwise, even if he was not arrested by the authorities, he would have been killed dozens of times due to various conflicts of interest. To see each other, you must go through some special channels.
The subordinate responded: "The other party's carriage is waiting outside, but they require that only one person can go to the appointment. If someone follows secretly, the deal will not be completed."
"Be careful!" Xue Zheng snorted and said, "Well, then I'll go and meet him for a while to see what kind of amazing person he is! Just wait here and don't cause trouble."
< br>
Xue Zheng casually walked out of the teahouse and saw a black-covered carriage parked on the roadside. The coachman had previously sent Xue Zheng's men over. When he saw the two people coming out, he took the initiative to lift the curtain and said: "Only one person can get on the coach."
Xue Zheng responded, bent down and got into the car, but he never thought that there was another person in the car. He handed him a black cloth bag, made a hand gesture, and said: "I'm offended!"
Xue Zheng took the bag and didn't move. The man looked at him and said nothing to urge him, and the carriage also stopped in place. Xue Zheng knew that he couldn't stand the opponent, so he could only follow the opponent's intention and put the bag over his head to block his sight. At this time, the man in the car knocked on the platform twice, and then the carriage started to move slowly.
Although he couldn't know the surrounding situation with the hood on, Xue Zheng was also experienced in the world. He listened carefully to the movement outside the car while recording the route. He felt that as long as the place was not too far away, he could still rely on his sense of direction even if he was blindfolded. Look for opportunities to confirm its location in the future.
But the other party was obviously on guard. The carriage didn't go very far before it started to turn around and around until Xue Zheng was dizzy and couldn't remember how many turns it took, and the carriage finally stopped.
"Please."
After receiving permission, Xue Zheng took off the bag on his head and got out of the carriage. He found himself in a building similar to a warehouse. In the dim light, he could see the bulging linen bags piled up around him. It's like a mountain, and it looks like it might be a warehouse for storing some kind of food crops. He could still faintly hear voices coming from outside the warehouse. Xue Zheng thought that this place should still be near the market, but it was hard to tell the difference between the southeast and northwest. Xue Zheng looked at the groom, who raised his whip and pointed forward. Xue Zheng looked intently and saw that there was a narrow passage in the darkness ahead, so he walked quickly towards it. At the end of this passage was an inconspicuous wooden door. Xue Zheng clicked the copper ring on the door, and soon someone came and opened the door.
"Search me, I'm sorry!" The person who opened the door didn't wait for Xue Zheng's response, he stepped forward and reached out to touch Xue Zheng, and then took away the blunderbuss and daggers he was carrying. Xue Zheng wanted to have a fit, but the janitor was a head taller than him and as strong as a bear. He could have eaten him with just one hand, so he could only endure the loss for now.
"The things will be returned to you when you leave, go in!" The gatekeeper expressed satisfaction with Xue Zheng's cooperation and waved for him to continue walking inside.
Xue Zheng continued to walk forward, and there was another wooden door in front of him. However, there was no buckle on this door, but there was a big word "push" on it. It's open. He stepped into the door and saw that it was a rather elegant study room. The walls were lined with bookshelves as tall as one person, filled with all kinds of books.
However, Xue Zheng was not interested in the things on the bookshelf. His eyes were fixed on the figure sitting behind the desk at the other end of the study. Because of the backlight, he could not see the person's face, but he could feel that the other person's eyes were also looking at him. Looking at himself.
"Your Excellency is Mr. Huo." Xue Zheng couldn't help but greet him first.
Xue Zheng's men used to work in Danzhou, and they had dealt with this mysterious Mr. Huo and highly praised him, so this time they went to Danzhou to do business, and the man recommended this special man to Xue Zheng. He thought that the other party might be able to provide some special "help" in dealing with the North Koreans. After getting Xue Zheng's consent, he first contacted the party, and then Mr. Huo sent a car to pick up Xue Zheng. Of course, the "help" Xue Zheng needs will not be provided for free. Mr. Huo is not a philanthropist, and the services he can provide are expensive.
Xue Zheng still has doubts about Mr. Huo's ability, but if they want to take action in Danzhou next, they must have some key information to increase their certainty of success, such as the North Koreans' itinerary in Danzhou. It is definitely difficult for outsiders like them to get this kind of inside information, but if they can get the information from local snakes like Mr. Huo, they may be able to prepare in advance and not be as hasty as in Changhua. take action.
The man opposite said: "It's Huo. I heard that Boss Xue wants to do something different in Danzhou?"
"I heard that Mr. Huo has many special connections in the local area, so I would like to ask for help." Xue Zheng said straight to the point: "If Mr. Huo can help me, then remuneration is not a problem."
Mr. Huo chuckled softly and said: "It seems that Boss Xue has a lot of financial resources and is planning to do a big business locally."
Although Xue Zheng was not short of money, he did not want to be taken advantage of by the other party. He immediately responded: "Money is not an issue, but it also depends on whether the help Mr. Huo provides is really valuable."
"Don't worry, if you can afford the price, I can give you what you want." Mr. Huo was obviously confident. He reached out and knocked on the desk lightly and said, "Boss Xue, just tell me what you want."
Xue Zheng was silent for a moment and then said: "A foreign dignitary will visit Danzhou in the next few days. I need his detailed itinerary. How many days will he stay in Danzhou? Where will he go every day and where will he stay? What are the official protection measures? The more detailed the better! Can Mr. Huo do it?”
Mr. Huo was silent for a while before responding: "It's a bit difficult... but as long as the price is reasonable, it should be possible."
Xue Zhengdao: "Do you know who I am talking about?"
Mr. Huo chuckled and said: "Your subordinate already said it when he came here. Isn't it the Korean prince who set out from Sanya a few days ago to visit various places in the country? Although this news has not been made public locally, But the information channel below comes from the official, otherwise I wouldn’t dare to take over your business.”
"How much do you want?" Xue Zheng asked directly. Since his subordinates have already mentioned Li Ming to the other party, there is no need to talk in circles anymore. The business is to negotiate the price as soon as possible.
When Xue Zheng came, he had already thought that the other party would definitely open his mouth, but the cost was not an issue that he needed to consider. The funder behind it provided a sufficient budget for this operation. As long as the matter can be done properly, Mr. Huo's current asking price is not a problem.
"From the arrival time to the time he leaves Danzhou, all the itinerary is priced at 100,000 yuan." Mr. Huo said and added: "Pay a 30% deposit first, and I will notify you of the arrival time in advance. The rest will be paid in Hong Kong. As for the local schedule, this will take some time and will probably not be finalized until he gets here.”
Xue Zhengdao: "How detailed can the itinerary you provide be, and can it meet my previous requirements?"
Mr. Huo said: "Although the business I do is shady, I have always been honest, otherwise there would be no business like yours. Don't worry, Boss Xue, the information I provide will only be more than what you asked for." for details.”
Xue Zhengdao: "Having said that, I have to pay you first. If the news is unreliable, wouldn't it be very insecure for me to spend the money?"
Mr. Huo said: "Then Boss Xue might as well think about it. If I find a way to get this information, I have to spend money to establish relationships. Do I not only have to bear the corresponding risks, but also have to advance money to do this business? I naturally want this money. Receive it first and then provide you with the information.”
(End of chapter)