Chapter 2336
Within the area that Haihan can reach, the Fushan Copper Mine is one of the few high-quality copper mines with huge reserves, unexploited, and located near the coastline. It was also the main reason Haihan chose to go to Fushan County to establish his ruling area. One of the reasons. It is no exaggeration to say that if it were not for the mining of this copper mine, perhaps even Haihan's pace of expansion to the north would have slowed down a lot, and the situation in the entire Northeast Asia might have gone in a completely different direction.
As the mine with the highest copper production in the area under the rule of Haihan, the Executive Committee attaches no less importance to the Fushan Copper Mine than to large mines such as the Shilu Iron Mine and the Heitugang Coal Mine. Moreover, because the Fushan Copper Mine is located in the Ming Dynasty, far away from Haihan's homeland, it will face military pressure from the Ming Dynasty at any time. In order to ensure that it will not be taken back by the Ming Dynasty through forceful means, Haihan has continued to increase its control of this area over the years. Military investment is required to ensure that this mine can be under the control of Haihan for a long time and to stably export copper, an important strategic resource, to Haihan.
The Haihan Army currently stationed in Fushan County, in addition to a small number of naval units in Zhifu Port, also has two infantry battalions located near the county seat and at the Fushan Copper Mine. In addition, militia groups of thousands of people are stationed in important areas such as Majiazhuang and Jiahe estuary. Although these militia groups formed by the Ma family have limited combat capabilities, they can no longer deal with bandits and bandits, and are enough to maintain local security.
Among them, the infantry battalion stationed at the Fushan Copper Mine has often had conflicts with the small Ming army troops sent by Dengzhou under various names in the past few years, and there have also been sporadic casualties. However, both sides adhere to the principle of not tearing apart. ideas, large-scale armed conflicts have never broken out.
However, just in case, Haihan has never relaxed his attention here, and the equipment level is even on par with elites like the special operations group. A large number of fortifications were built on the hills outside the mine, and the locals had enough supplies to allow the garrison and miners to hold on to the mine for more than half a month. In this way, even if the Ming army launches an offensive against the mine, the garrison can delay the arrival of reinforcements.
Of course, based on the combat effectiveness of the Haihan Army's local garrison, as long as it holds its position, it is enough to cope with an enemy attack of about 10,000 people. However, it is unlikely that the Dengzhou Ming Army will mobilize in full force to challenge the defense line of Fushan Copper Mine, so in The local deployment is basically a preparedness move.
However, although such a deployment can deter Dengzhou officials from taking rash actions, the Fushan Copper Mine has been mined for two or three years, and its production capacity is no longer a secret. This is a real piece of fat. As the official owner, the Ming Dynasty officials naturally did not want to see their own mineral deposits occupied by an overseas outsider for a long time, so they would still find ways to cause trouble for the Fushan Copper Mine from time to time.
The Fushan County Government Office has long been ignored by the colonial authorities of Zhifu Island. Its local presence has become almost the same as that of the land god worshiped in the temple, and it has basically been reduced to a decoration. However, Dengzhou Prefecture has a destiny, and the county government does not dare to neglect it. The county magistrate Zhang Pucheng went to visit Zhifu Island due to his status, and even made a special trip to Majiazhuang to convey the intention of Dengzhou Prefecture to the Ma family.
Although Ma Dongqiang was not afraid of the county government at all, he was still somewhat wary of Dengzhou Mansion, especially the news that came this time claiming to be the decree of the imperial court. Even though it was difficult to tell whether the news was true or false, he did not dare to ignore it and sent him away. Zhang Pucheng then called Jiang Sheng to discuss countermeasures together.
Jiang Sheng was just a country scholar. He had never seen much of the world before the Haihan people came to Fushan County. Deep down in his heart, he was still full of awe of the imperial power. Hearing that this was a decree issued by the imperial court, he was a little confused. At this time, there were no senior Haihan officials left on Zhifu Island, and he and Ma Dongqiang did not quite believe in those Haihan officers who were originally from the Ming Dynasty, so they decided to report the matter to Chen Yixin.
It happened that Jiang Sheng had decided to escort a batch of goods to Jinzhou, so he took a boat to Lushun, and then rushed to the front line of Jinzhou to report the situation to Chen Yixin.
Chen Yixin is not too concerned about the authenticity of this news. In his opinion, even if it is the will of the imperial court or even the intention of Emperor Chongzhen himself, it cannot shake the will of the executive committee. Fushan Copper Mine has been regarded as Haihan's. It is an important asset. A large amount of resources have been invested in mining this mineral deposit. Even if a war breaks out over this, the Executive Committee will never agree to abandon this place.
But if Ming Dynasty really takes strong measures to regain control of the copper mine, it will inevitably affect the normal production of the mine. This is definitely a situation that Chen Yixin does not want to see.
Chen Yixin pondered: "Did Zhang Pucheng reveal anything when he came to see Majiazhuang?"
Jiang Sheng said: "Zhang Pucheng said that he had not seen the written decree, but judging from the past handling style of Chen Zhongsheng, the prefect of Dengzhou, he should not make up such an excuse to bluff people."
"Does that mean it might be true?" Chen Yixin shook his head and said: "It's really not the time to use force right now, but if they really intend to use military means to solve the ownership issue of the Fushan Copper Mine, they will have no choice but to fight. It’s time!”
Jiang Sheng's face suddenly became stiff: "If we really start a fight with the imperial court, wouldn't Fushan County be destroyed?"
Chen Yixin said: "Even if a war really breaks out, the lives of everyone in Majiazhuang will not be in danger. Just evacuate to Zhifu Port. If even Zhifu Port is tight, then withdraw to Jinzhou, or arrange for you to settle down south. These two Allowing the children of the Ma family to run plantations on Taiwan Island in the south is one of the escape routes left for the family. If you have to leave Dengzhou, you don't have to worry about not having a place to stay. "
Chen Yixin originally wanted to return to the south to develop, but failed, but he still arranged a way out for the Ma family in the south, so as to prevent the Ma family from suffering retaliation from the government after he was transferred from the north one day. Chen Yixin enclosed more than 2,000 acres of land on the island of Taiwan in his own name and gave it to the children of the Ma family to run the plantations. Although there is no profit there yet, there is such a large piece of land to settle the entire Majiazhuang area. It will definitely be no problem for hundreds of people.
Jiang Sheng said: "Is there any way to discuss the solution with the court? This war is not good after all, many people will die..."
Chen Yixin said: "There will be no room for negotiation regarding the ownership of the Fushan Copper Mine. Uncle Jiang, when you go back, you can inform Zhang Zhixian of my answer and ask him to convey it to Dengzhou Prefecture. If the Ming army attacks the Fushan Copper Mine, then Our country will take reciprocal measures and send troops to attack Dengzhou Prefecture.”
The answer given by Chen Yixin can be described as extremely tough, leaving no room for negotiation at all. Not only is he not prepared to hand over control of the Fushan Copper Mine, but he will also retaliate against the military measures taken by the Ming Dynasty to seize the copper mine. Whether it is Fushan Copper Mine or Dengzhou City that is more important, he believes that Chen Zhongsheng and others should have a relatively clear judgment.
But if the Dengzhou government still wants to take risks, it will have no choice but to dispatch a naval fleet to show force near the coast outside Dengzhou City. Chen Yixin thought for a while and then added: "Let my father-in-law send more eyes and ears to Dengzhou City to keep an eye on it. If the government wants to use force, there will definitely be many signs to follow beforehand."
This kind of errand was originally the responsibility of the Military Intelligence Agency, but most of the troops stationed in Fushan were from the south, and it was easy to attract attention when going to Dengzhou City. Therefore, the task of gathering information was later handed over to the Ma family and local people were sent to live in Dengzhou City for a long time. The information collected would also be of more reference value.
After sending Jiang Sheng away, Chen Yixin stood up and walked to the map hanging on the wall and looked at it for a long time. If this winter's "Operation Snow" had not started soon, his attitude might have been even tougher. He would not even wait for Dengzhou officials to take a clear offensive before sending troops to deter them.
However, for this "Operation Snow Stepping", nearly half of Haihan's troops deployed in Fushan County were also transferred to Jinzhou to participate in the war. Once the operation started, almost all combat troops were gathered on the front line of Jinzhou Isthmus, and it would be difficult to pay attention to it by then. The situation in Fushan County has changed.
Although Chen Yixin believed that it was unlikely that Dengzhou officials would take risks out of desperation, he did not dare to completely rule out the possibility of someone taking advantage of the so-called imperial decree to launch an attack. After much deliberation, he could only transfer a naval fleet stationed in Port Arthur back to Fushan County. Although the warships could not directly reinforce the Fushan copper mine, which was more than 20 miles away from the coastline, they could directly attack the Dengzhou city defense from the sea. , can play the role of surrounding Wei and rescuing Zhao when necessary.
Compared to going to war with the Ming Dynasty, Chen Yixin of course still hopes to maintain the status quo and keep Fushan County in peace. In addition to the Fushan copper mine, the local area has gradually become the sea trade channel for the entire Shandong Peninsula. Almost 90% of the transactions between various state capitals in Shandong and Haihan are completed in Fushan County, and Majiazhuang has become a well-known trade center and goods distribution center. It is no longer just Zhuangzi where the Ma family lives. It gradually turned into a town larger than Fushan County.
The various ancillary industries that have developed around trade in Fushan County, such as accommodation, catering, intermediaries, warehousing, transportation, etc., are almost all under the control of the Ma family. In addition, they have obtained some Haihan through their uncle Chen Yixin's relationship. The revenue from the product franchise in one year is considerable, easily earning hundreds of thousands of taels of silver.
Of course, Ma Dongqiang was not so confused that he kept the profits for himself. He gave 30% of them to his daughter Ma Yuling as a benefit to Chen Yixin.
Although Chen Yixin was not short of money, he was not so aloof as to think he had too much money in his pocket. Besides, the money was given to his wife by his father-in-law, so it seemed inappropriate to refuse, so he acquiesced to Ma Dongqiang's approach. Provide various conveniences to the Ma family within our ability. If Ming Dynasty and Haihan go to war in Fushan County, the industries controlled by the Ma family will be directly affected, and the business results of several years may even be wiped out. This will inevitably cause huge economic losses to the Ma family and Chen Yixin.
Chen Yixin previously comforted Jiang Sheng that even if the situation in Fushan County worsened, there would be a way out, but moving to the south would be equivalent to letting the Ma family start over. Not everyone can accept such a gap. Even Chen Yixin himself would not be willing to have all the hard work he put in here be destroyed by the flames of war.
Recalling that it had been more than four years since he entered Fushan County in 1634, but the Dengzhou government had been causing trouble intermittently in the past few years, Chen Yixin couldn't help but feel a little angry. If it weren't for the fact that the diplomatic relations with Ming Dynasty were currently at the stage of establishing mutual trust, he really wanted to send troops to capture Dengzhou City, and then execute all the restless officials, so as to bring peace to the people eight hundred miles away. Jinan Prefecture gave a weighty warning.
But the priority was naturally to be given to "Operation Snow Stepping" at the moment. Chen Yixin secretly wondered if, after the operation was over, he should try to find a way to completely solve this chronic adult problem in Dengzhou.
Putting aside the problems of Fushan County for the time being, Chen Yixin returned his attention to the Jinzhou Isthmus. In the past two years, there have been fewer and fewer large-scale battles between the two sides, and they have gradually fallen into a long-term confrontation.
After more than two years of continuous renovation and reinforcement, the Jinzhou Isthmus defense line controlled by Haihan has transformed from an earthen city wall into a defense line that is two miles deep from front to back and surrounded by three large fortresses and many fortifications. . Even the Qing army's cavalry, which believed itself to be invincible, did not dare to easily launch an attack on this line of defense that was filled with various traps and heavy firepower fortifications.
The troops deployed by Haihan on this line of defense are probably only one-tenth of the opponent's, which has already had an excellent containment effect. However, this kind of containment is also relative. Because the opponent has been gathering heavy troops in the north all year round, Haihan naturally does not dare to let down his guard easily, and must always maintain a deployment state to avoid leaving an opportunity for the opponent to counterattack Jinzhou.
After seeing Haihan's defensive methods, the Qing army also built a large number of fortresses north of the Isthmus defense line relying on the Daheishan Mountains to block the Haihan army's northward advancement route. After Haihan's army tried several offensives, they realized that to break through such a dense fortress, a large amount of artillery fire was needed. Such an intensity of attack would consume a lot of combat materials, and it was difficult for Haihan to rely on one-time continuous attacks. The offensive completely broke through the opponent's defense line, so they simply gave up and continued to push the front north.
The longer this confrontation lasts, the more defenses the two sides build, and the more difficult it becomes to break through the other side's defenses. Therefore, winter training operations in previous years generally involved delivering troops to the enemy-occupied coastline of the Liaodong Peninsula by bypassing the Jinzhou Isthmus, rather than launching a frontal offensive against the enemy's fortresses here.
But this year's operation is different. Wang Tom and Qian Tiandun hope to take this opportunity to effectively attack the Qing army stationed in the Liaodong Peninsula to see if they can force the Qing army to put elite troops into battle. Therefore, in addition to harassing and harassing the Liaodong coastline, Jinzhou must also launch an offensive at the same time as a response.
This means that just showing off is not enough, you must put real pressure on the enemy.
(End of chapter)