Chapter 2177
Ji Yuanqing was one of the commanders of the secret operation launched against armed salt merchants in Yangzhou last year and experienced the entire operation process. Therefore, when it comes to this topic, he is undoubtedly the most qualified to express his opinion.
Although the combat effectiveness of Haihan armed personnel is far better than that of Yangzhou's civilian armed organizations, the combat effectiveness that a small team can exert when fighting in an unfamiliar environment will be greatly reduced. This flaw has been fully exposed in last year's operation. Although the personnel who participated in the operation at that time were all experts selected from the military and the Ministry of Security, many people were still killed and injured in the battle. Therefore, in the post-war review, both the military and the Ministry of Security believed that this method of action was dangerous. The coefficient is too high and should not be used again.
As for the content of the review, Duan Tiancheng is also one of the insiders, so he is actually not optimistic about using last year's method again to crack down on Shanshan salt merchants in Yangzhou.
But sending troops directly is by no means the best option at the moment. Whether it is for diplomatic needs or to stabilize the trade environment around Zhoushan, the Zhoushan authorities must try their best to avoid openly dispatching troops to Yangzhou. Ji Yuanqing does not need to explain this point. Duan Tiancheng already knows the necessity of doing this.
Zhoushan's prosperity is based on a safe and stable trade environment. Dinghai Port is just a trading port. It relies on preferential policies and a sound market system to attract businessmen from all over the world to trade. The main source of goods and sales market are actually nearby. Affiliated to the Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions of the Ming Dynasty.
If there is peace in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, Zhoushan's prosperity will continue to develop. If there is social unrest, it will directly affect the willingness of businessmen from all over the world, especially those from the Ming Dynasty, to go to Zhoushan. This has been proven in practice in the past few years. Therefore, it is very important for the Zhoushan authorities to maintain regional stability, and they can no longer easily send troops to coerce local officials as they did in the past few years.
Although the Zhoushan authorities still hold military parades or naval exercises from time to time to show off their force, their propaganda direction has long since shifted from creating threats to protecting the trade environment, and the imaginary enemy has also changed from the Ming Dynasty in the early years to A gang of armed pirates that really only existed in imagination.
Such changes are of course made to ensure the stability of the trade environment. This strategy was decided by Shi Diwen himself, and all departments, including the East China Sea Fleet and the Ministry of Security, had to follow it. Although Duan Tiancheng was not from the propaganda department, he knew the inside story, so it was not a good idea to directly send troops to Yangzhou.
Ji Yuanqing said: "Whether it is dispatching a special service team or a large force to Yangzhou, I don't think General Shi will agree. Although we have long-term plans to control the Yangzhou salt industry, if Zhoushan's trade environment is to be affected by this, I’m afraid the latter is more important.”
The implication of Ji Yuanqing's words is that the overall situation should be given priority at present, and radical force should not be used to solve the problem in order to win over the Hui salt merchants.
Of course Duan Tiancheng agreed with him, but the problem was that he had already received Ma Zhengping's benefits before, taking advantage of others' shortcomings and being soft-spoken, but he had taken advantage of both. Although it is not enough to sacrifice one's life for Ma Zhengping just for such a small benefit, at least one has to help others fight for it.
"Perhaps we can adopt some compromise methods to help them." Duan Tiancheng said: "If Huizhou salt merchants can wholeheartedly join us, it should bring us more benefits in the future."
Ji Yuanqing looked at Duan Tiancheng and did not rush to respond to his suggestion. Duan Tiancheng saw this and said: "Brother Ji, you are engaged in intelligence security work. You are an expert in this field. I think you must have other ways to solve Ma Zhengping's problem, right?"
Ji Yuanqing finally smiled and said: "It seems that Ma Zhengping has put a lot of effort into you."
Duan Tiancheng was found out by Ji Yuanqing, so he didn't feel embarrassed at all. He responded calmly: "Ma Zhengping did provide benefits. Regardless of whether things work out or not, I will definitely have to give him a message. Brother Ji, I don't ask you to do anything illegal." It’s an inappropriate matter, but if you are willing to help me, I think Ma Zhengping won’t mind giving you an extra favor.”
Ji Yuanqing listened to his straightforward words, shook his head and said: "What should be done must be done with or without benefits, and what should not be done cannot be done even if there are huge benefits in front of you. There are endless benefits. But you must not miss important national affairs for the sake of immediate benefits, otherwise you will ruin your bright future.”
Duan Tiancheng clasped his fists and bowed when he heard this and said, "Thank you, Brother Ji, for the tip. I will definitely keep it in mind."
Seeing Duan Tiancheng's correct attitude, Ji Yuanqing continued: "There are no ways, but the effect cannot be as immediate as if we do it ourselves."
Duan Tiancheng responded quickly: "I would like to hear the details."
"It's very simple. Let go of the ban, provide military assistance to Ma Zhengping and others, sell them weapons, help them train armed personnel, and let them solve the problem on their own."
Ji Yuanqing's tone was very calm, without any emotion. But when Duan Tiancheng heard this idea, he couldn't help being surprised.
Haihan has extremely strict regulations on the export of weapons, and it is not possible for just anyone to come to the door with money and make a deal. Even if you are a super VIP user like Xu Xinsu, you have to order according to the sales list provided by Haihan. You cannot buy whatever you want. Although Yangzhou salt merchants are extremely wealthy and can even purchase weapons and equipment flowing out of Haihan State at high prices on the black market, if they want to place orders directly with Haihan, they have not yet obtained the corresponding qualifications, at least for now.
Duan Tiancheng said: "This... I'm afraid General Shi will have to make the decision himself, right?"
"Of course." Ji Yuanqing nodded and said: "Every export of weapons and equipment in Jiangsu and Zhejiang must be approved by General Shi personally. Earlier you introduced the muskets purchased by Cui Hongfang, the commander of Dinghaiwei, and the Military Intelligence Bureau and the Ministry of Security cooperated If you want to sell weapons to a salt merchant, you will probably have to go through a double review and then submit it to General Shi for approval. In addition, the approval of military assistance will be more complicated, and I believe you understand the reason.”
Duan Tiancheng nodded, indicating that he understood the reason Ji Yuanqing pointed out.
Haihan's military assistance is packaged output, and selling weapons and equipment is only part of it. Providing targeted military training is a more advanced project. Generally speaking, only a very small number of partners with extremely close relations with Haihan can have this. Honor.
For example, in the Fuguang area in the south, many powerful and wealthy businessmen have ordered scattered matchlock guns from Haihan for use in guarding homes or escorting valuable goods. However, it can be said that only a handful of buyers can obtain military training qualifications. number. The vast majority of buyers just follow the instructions and learn how to shoot. Haihan does not teach any of the techniques and tactics that are truly related to the military.
The current situation faced by Anhui salt merchants like Ma Zhengping cannot be solved by selling them a batch of weapons. Even if they have muskets, they may not be able to outperform their competitors who have mastered musket tactics earlier.
Unless Haihan can provide them with basic military training and teach their people some basic tactics so that they can organize themselves to engage in armed confrontation with their opponents. And this will involve more details, such as whether to send people to Yangzhou to organize training, or to let salt merchants bring the team to Zhoushan for training. How to ensure that these people are reliable and will not be blamed for Haihan in the future. Create trouble. Will the existence of these personnel cause Ming to misjudge the direction of the situation, or even affect the diplomatic relations between the two countries? These are all issues that Haihan must consider before taking measures. If anything goes wrong in any link, it may cause great trouble to Zhoushan.
If it involves military training, it is impossible to buy and sell in one go like a simple arms transaction, where the money is paid and the goods are delivered. The entire transaction cycle will be lengthened, and the corresponding risks will also increase. Even if Shi Diwen is determined to win over the Huizhou salt merchants, he must first carefully consider the possible impact.
"In my opinion, it's better to report this matter tomorrow to see what General Shi means." After Ji Yuanqing explained the stakes, he suggested that Duan Tiancheng should not make any unauthorized claims and follow the normal procedures.
Duan Tiancheng also understood by this time that he could not handle this matter alone, so he could only agree to Ji Yuanqing's suggestion.
"By the way, you'd better write a written material in advance. General Shi is busy with official duties these days and may not have time to listen to your report slowly." Ji Yuanqing reminded kindly.
"Thank you, Brother Ji, for reminding me." Duan Tiancheng knew that Ji Yuanqing could only do this, so he stood up and left immediately.
The next day, Duan Tiancheng, with dark circles under his eyes, came to the headquarters again early in the morning and asked to see Shi Diwen. He specially rushed early in the morning and waited at the headquarters before Shi Diwen's working hours to ensure that he could be received. Even if there is no opportunity for a detailed report, at least he can submit the report he rushed out overnight in person.
"By doing this, I can be considered worthy of yesterday's meal!" Duan Tiancheng raised his hand to cover his mouth to stop himself from yawning. In order to catch up on this report, he only slept for a short time last night, and he was a little tired at this time.
When Shi Diwen arrived at the office, he saw Duan Tiancheng standing at the door saluting him, so he asked: "Is something wrong?"
"If you have anything to do with your humble position, you should report it to the general!"
"Then let's talk inside." Shi Diwen said: "I have to go out to do some errands later... I'll give you five minutes."
Shi Diwen is not really so busy that his feet are not touching the ground, but limiting the reporting time of his subordinates can effectively filter out some useless talk and flattery, so that his precious time can be better utilized.
Duan Tiancheng did not dare to neglect. After entering the room, he gave a general description of how he met and discussed with Ma Zhengping yesterday. Even the details of Ma Zhengping's gift were not missed. Then he returned to the headquarters to find the Military Intelligence Agency in the evening. The reported situation was also mentioned.
"What is the Military Intelligence Bureau's attitude towards the Yangzhou salt merchant?" Shi Diwen asked curiously.
Duan Tiancheng did not dare to hide it, so he relayed Ji Yuanqing's opinions last night.
After listening, Shi Diwen nodded slowly and said: "Ji Yuanqing should be cautious in doing things, that's right! Did Ma Zhengping make any specific requests?"
Duan Tiancheng responded: "There are no specific requirements. I just said that we hope we can take measures to suppress their competitors, otherwise they may face an increasingly difficult situation."
Shi Diwen said: "Did Ma Zhengping explain what they are willing to do for this, or what conditions they will use in exchange for our help?"
Duan Tiancheng said: "According to what he said, he had met Yang Yun before meeting me. The Commercial Office required them to purchase salt from my country to account for more than 70% of their sales in the future. Ma Zhengping probably thought that this These are the conditions for cooperation we require. But I have told him that these are only the basic conditions for cooperation and do not include military assistance.”
Shi Diwen smiled and said: "This salt merchant is really good at calculation. He wants to exchange this for our military assistance. How is that possible? If he has such a stupid head, then send him back to Yangzhou as soon as possible. There is nothing to talk about. .”
Duan Tiancheng said: "What the general said was that Ma Zhengping later said that he could pay and the price was negotiable. But I knew I had no right to negotiate specific terms with him on behalf of the Zhoushan Colonial Zone, so I didn't give him a definite answer."
Shi Diwen said slowly: "We do business with them to help them make money, and it seems like we are taking advantage unilaterally... There are so many people who want to get military assistance from our country, and there are so many people who are unwilling to pay. The reason for wanting to gain something! Buy it with money... Can our country, Haihan, give him this little money?”
When Duan Tiancheng heard this, he roughly understood Shi Diwen's attitude - military assistance can be discussed, but the other party must come up with more sincere conditions. Just spending money can't get what they want. thing.
But Duan Tiancheng was also a little confused at the same time. The reason why salt merchants were able to catch Shi Diwen's eye was not because they were extremely wealthy and had financial resources that rivaled the country's. Now that the other party has expressed its willingness to follow Haihan's wishes in terms of price, what conditions are needed to impress Shi Diwen?
Shi Diwen himself revealed the answer: "I know you may not understand what else the salt merchants can use for us besides their business and wealth. In fact, in addition to these conditions, there are some that are invisible and intangible, such as their Social influence. Just imagine, if even these most powerful businessmen join us and become the spokesperson for our interests, what kind of impact will it have on the local area?”
Duan Tiancheng said: "I am humble and stupid, but I still ask the general to give me some advice."
Shi Diwen sighed and said: "What is good at the top will be bad at the bottom. These upper-class figures can effectively drive social atmosphere and allow our country's products, culture, lifestyle, and values to slowly penetrate into the local society. When the social atmosphere tends to imitate my country, it will be much easier to do business, recruit immigrants, and promote my country's various systems. Regarding this change, you should be able to learn from the neighboring Ningbo Prefecture. Observe it!”
(End of chapter)