Chapter 2180
In the end, all problems still have to be solved with money, but as long as he can maintain his market position in Yangzhou, Ma Zhengping will agree without hesitation even though he knows that the costs incurred will most likely be astronomical. Come down.
Ma Zhengping was not worried about being ripped off by the Haihan people. What he was worried about was that he was not even qualified to be ripped off. Although the arrogant look of the Haihan people made him feel uncomfortable, he also knew that this was most likely the only external force that could save the Huizhou salt merchants, and he must seize the opportunity.
The situation that Ma Zhengping expected most was for Haihan to directly clean up the Shanshan salt merchants in Yangzhou, but he also knew that the Haihan people were unlikely to take such a step at the risk of falling out with the Ming Dynasty. He could only settle for the next best thing and hope that Haihan would Han can provide some effective support methods, and the Hui salt merchants can solve this problem themselves. This is probably the least risky way to assist Haihan.
Through Duan Tiancheng's statement, Ma Zhengping basically confirmed that Haihan would adopt this method to provide support to Huizhou salt merchants, which also made him breathe a big sigh of relief. As long as the Haihan people no longer sit back and watch, the situation in Yangzhou will turn around.
Of course, Ma Zhengping did not get carried away. He knew that even if the Haihan people were willing to help, there were still huge variables. For example, these muskets were actually owned by Huizhou salt merchants. They even spent a lot of money to purchase some muskets produced in Haihan from overseas. However, these weapons failed to form real combat effectiveness in their hands and they still fought hard. But their opponents.
The main reason is that the opponent's musketeers have received better professional training and have mastered some of the tactics used in the army. They are already considered to be a paramilitary organization to a certain extent. Naturally, they have never had any relevant battles before. These people are much stronger with experience.
Now that the Haihan people have promised to provide military training, this of course solves this problem that has troubled Huizhou salt merchants for a long time. However, even if Ma Zhengping was a layman on the military, he could still imagine that this military training matter would definitely not be completed in a short period of time. During this period, how to deal with possible attacks by Shanxi salt merchants was still a huge problem.
Taking advantage of Duan Tiancheng's good mood, Ma Zhengping quickly expressed his concerns to him.
Duan Tiancheng said: "Boss Ma is worried that the camp will be taken over by the opponent before the soldiers are fully trained? This is not difficult to handle. Although it is inconvenient for our country to send troops to Yangzhou, if it is sending non-military personnel, there is no such scruple. .”
Ma Zhengping wondered: "What does this mean?"
Duan Tiancheng said: "I wonder if Boss Ma has ever heard of the escort agency Golden Shield Escort?"
Ma Zhengping said: "I am very ignorant. I only know that this escort agency is run by your country, but I don't know the specific situation. I would like to ask Mr. Duan to explain a few things."
Duan Tiancheng said: "Golden Shield Escort undertakes various escort and escort services. About half of its members are veterans from the Haihan Army, and most of them are Han Chinese. Since its establishment, it has always been favored by merchants from the Ming Dynasty. It has an excellent reputation in the Fuguang area in the south. If Boss Ma has any acquaintances in the Fuguang area, you can ask them about the reputation of Golden Shield.”
When Ma Zhengping heard him say that there were many veterans of Haihan among the members of the Golden Shield, his eyes suddenly lit up. This is a bodyguard in name, but in fact it is a paramilitary organization disguised as a bodyguard. Perhaps hiring them to deal with the Shanshan salt merchants is indeed a good idea.
But Duan Tiancheng immediately gave up his intention: "Although Golden Shield Transport has the ability to fight with arms, in principle they only serve as escorts and will not take the initiative to eliminate targets, so Boss Ma should not rely on them to eliminate them." Competitors. We can send the Golden Shield to Yangzhou to protect your safety, but the grievances between you and the Shanshan salt merchants must be resolved by yourself.”
Although Ma Zhengping was disappointed, he still thanked Duan Tiancheng for the reminder with a smile on his face. He didn't quite understand why Haihan deliberately set a threshold here. Wouldn't it be simpler to let the people with the golden shield directly solve the problem?
This is actually because the top officials of Haihan are now cautious about using troops overseas. Officials can turn a blind eye to civilian armed organizations like Jindun that specialize in doing dirty work, but the authority they are given has limits. .
The situation Duan Tiancheng mentioned was not to offend Ma Zhengping, but was a regulation that was currently being implemented. This was also done to prevent the personnel escorted by the Golden Shield from being bribed by foreign dignitaries and doing stupid things overseas that were difficult to end. After all, there are people under the Golden Shield escort who have guns, and many members have actual combat experience. The ordinary guards stationed in the Ming Dynasty may not be able to defeat them. Of course, Haihan's senior officials cannot let this special armed force become something they can do whatever they want if they have money. Sent mercenaries.
Therefore, the relevant departments have set rules for Golden Shield Transport. When performing employment missions in foreign countries, they can only focus on defense and cannot take the initiative - unless they receive clear instructions from the Haihan military.
Golden Shield Transport can be hired by Ma Zhengping to go to Yangzhou to protect the personal safety of Huizhou salt merchants, but its function is only that. The Zhoushan authorities do not want this armed force to become a mercenary used by salt merchants to attack their peers.
Although Haihan will provide some special support to Huizhou salt merchants, the disputes between salt merchants in Yangzhou will ultimately be resolved by the salt merchants themselves. Shi Diwen didn't want to step directly into this pool of muddy water.
Ma Zhengping asked cautiously: "After that, will Mr. Duan be responsible for the cooperation with your country?"
Duan Tiancheng really couldn't answer this question. Although Shi Diwen authorized him to be responsible for negotiating cooperation with Yangzhou salt merchants, he did not decide whether to let him be responsible for the follow-up. Of course, he did not dare to make a conclusion for his boss without authorization. .
"Boss Ma, don't be so impatient. General Shi has his own arrangements for the follow-up cooperation. By the way, don't leave Zhoushan for the next few days, just wait and see!" Duan Tiancheng could only play tricks on him first and then talk.
Although Ma Zhengping was very anxious about this, he could not urge Duan Tiancheng and could only agree first.
When Duan Tiancheng saw that the conversation had reached a fever pitch, he stood up to leave again. Ma Zhengping bowed his body and sent Duan Tiancheng to the door of the courtyard, and stuffed an envelope into Duan Tiancheng's hand to thank him for his hard work of traveling to communicate.
Duan Tiancheng accepted the benefit and rushed to Shi Diwen early the next morning to report the progress of the meeting with the salt merchant.
"They agreed so quickly... It seems like their life is really difficult!" Shi Diwen was a little surprised that Ma Zhengping agreed to the cooperation conditions so quickly. He originally thought that the other party would have to struggle for a while first no matter what. time, and then bargain for a price, just like a businessman. Duan Tiancheng said: "From the humble position, it seems that Ma Zhengping's attitude is not fake. It should be what the general speculated. The situation in Yangzhou can no longer allow them to drag it out any longer. Moreover, the humble position mentioned the matter of military assistance, and he even I agreed without even asking about the price, which shows how urgent I am.”
Shi Diwen said: "Since you came forward to discuss this matter with Yan, then you will continue to follow up. But whoever wants to use the Golden Shield next, I will ask Ji Yuanqing to join in, and the two of you will be jointly responsible. What do you think about things in Yangzhou?”
Duan Tiancheng responded quickly: "I humbly obey the general's orders!"
In addition to normal business, Golden Shield also has the function of collecting various political, economic and military intelligence in other countries. Therefore, the military department that usually interfaces with Golden Shield is the Military Intelligence Bureau responsible for intelligence collection.
The plan to provide military assistance to the Anhui salt merchants in Yangzhou was originally Ji Yuanqing's idea for Duan Tiancheng. In terms of understanding the situation in Yangzhou, the Military Intelligence Bureau is obviously an indispensable participant, and the subsequent use of the Golden Shield will also depend on Military Intelligence called the shots. Therefore, Duan Tiancheng had no objection to Shi Diwen's arrangement.
Shi Diwen immediately drafted a warrant, appointing Duan Tiancheng and Ji Yuanqing to jointly take charge of the military support plan for Yangzhou salt merchants. Duan Tiancheng was responsible for the personnel training part, while the arms trade and the operations of Golden Shield personnel in the Ming Dynasty were handled by Ji Yuanqing conducts.
After a while, Duan Tiancheng handed Shi Diwen's warrant to Ji Yuanqing: "The next time I have to work with Brother Ji!"
Ji Yuanqing quickly read the contents of the warrant and responded with a smile: "The people from Jindun complained to me before that they had nothing to do this year, but now they have a mission!"
"How could they have nothing to do? Before the fleet's expedition to Hirado, didn't they transfer all the people from Golden Shield back to the island to act as a temporary defense force?" Duan Tiancheng retorted.
Golden Shield Escort operates as a escort agency to the outside world, but internally it can act as a militia organization in extraordinary times. During the East China Sea Fleet's departure overseas, Golden Shield temporarily stopped all operations outside the island and returned all its manpower to Zhoushan Island as a supernumerary armed defense force responsible for monitoring the security situation in the urban area on the island.
Ji Yuanqing said: "You also know that many people in Golden Shield are veterans who have retired from the front-line troops. For them, their hands are itchy if they are not fighting. How can they be satisfied just by being on duty?"
"That's right...they are all people who can't take any time off!" After hearing what Ji Yuanqing said, Duan Tiancheng couldn't help but nod in agreement: "Having said that, those who want to live in peace will be resettled back to their local places after they retire. If you do something, it won’t appear in Jindun’s establishment.”
The Haihan Army has extremely high standards for the placement of retired personnel. For those who are willing to return to the countryside to work in farming, the government will distribute farmland and property. For those who are willing to work in the Yamen, most of them can also arrange errands. Of course, there will still be some people who miss military life after retiring, and a considerable number of these people will join civilian armed organizations like the Golden Shield and continue to live a military life. Occasionally, you will have the opportunity to participate in some small-scale armed operations and enjoy the addiction of fighting.
The headquarters of Golden Shield is located in Sanya, but in fact every overseas colony, especially the trading ports under the control of Haihan, has a branch of Golden Shield. These branches are not completely under the command of the Sanya headquarters. The Military Intelligence Bureau has the authority to command and mobilize its personnel.
The closer the place is to Daming, the larger the staffing of the Golden Shield branch will be to facilitate various escort tasks. For example, the Golden Shield of Zhoushan Dinghai Port has a staff of more than 200 people, and most of the field staff have served in the Haihan Army. They can be said to be a new force lurking among the people, so Shi Diwen was During the expedition, Jindun will be responsible for part of the local defense.
"I happen to be free right now, so let's go to the Golden Shield!" Ji Yuanqing saw the warrant and knew that this matter could not be delayed. He immediately put down what he was doing and went to visit the Golden Shield escort in Dinghai Port with Duan Tiancheng. .
For a prosperous trading port like Dinghai Port, Jindun has always had no shortage of business. After the East China Sea Fleet returned triumphantly, Golden Shield quickly took over the defense and resumed normal operations.
Golden Shield's branch in Zhoushan is located in the port area. It has acquired dozens of acres of land in one go and built a large-scale base.
The base has dormitories, stables, warehouses, collective canteens, training grounds and other infrastructure. It is basically a small military camp. At the gate of the base is the store open to the public. Outsiders are generally not allowed to enter the base and can only conduct business in the store.
Outside the gate, there is a flagpole four to five feet high on the dam used for merchants to park their cars and horses, with a long flag banner on top. Ships coming from the sea can see the " The four characters "Golden Shield protects luck".
For businessmen, the service fee of Golden Shield Escort is not cheap, it is at least 30% higher than that of ordinary escort agencies on the market. But of course it is expensive for a reason, and the reputation of the Golden Shield for protecting luck is worth the price. All goods escorted by Golden Shield will be evaluated before departure. If there are any mistakes during the journey, Golden Shield will fully compensate for them. Therefore, there are still some merchants who are willing to spend a lot of money to hire Jindun personnel to carry out escort services for the sake of stability.
However, due to objective conditions, Jindun's business area is still limited to coastal state capitals and will not go too far into the inland areas of the Ming Dynasty. Most of the officials in the coastal state capitals knew that Haihan was powerful and would not embarrass Jindun's escort business within their jurisdiction. Local officials would also voluntarily avoid provoking these evil stars when they saw Jindun's escort flag.
Since Jindun started its business in Zhoushan, its biggest setback was that it was attacked by gunfire while escorting private salt to Yangzhou, resulting in casualties. Of course, the Zhoushan authorities soon carried out harsh retaliation. Not only did they fight with the salt merchants' armed forces several times with real swords and guns, but they also later sent capable armed personnel to Yangzhou City to destroy the salt merchants' musketeers. However, this holiday has always been remembered by Jindun.
It is no longer a secret in the market that Golden Shield Transport is inextricably linked to the Haihan military, so when Ji Yuanqing and Duan Tiancheng came to Golden Shield in military uniforms, they did not attract too much attention from others.
(End of chapter)