Chapter 235 The Seven Most Expensive Words in History(1/2)
Chapter 235 The seven most expensive words in history
Author: tx Cheng Zhi
Chapter 235 The seven most expensive words in history
Chapter 234
When Cheng Shijie first arrived in Luzon, he immediately met with Chinese representatives from Luzon and had a grand dinner with the Chinese representatives.
After dinner, Cheng Shijie had a brief meeting with Wu Shangzhi, Li Guoqun and other Chinese representatives.
“How many Chinese are there in Luzon now?”
"More than fifty-five thousand people!"
Wu Shangzhi was busy preparing to establish the Luzon Executive Committee during this time. He followed Ning Haijun's model and began to count the population. Fortunately, he had many merchants under his command. After knowing that Ning Haijun, that is, Cheng Shijie never collected poll taxes, and Ning Haijun's tax types
There is no such thing as a poll tax at all.
Therefore, when counting the population, it went relatively smoothly.
Wu Shangzhi went on to introduce: "More than half of the population living in Manila, about 25,000 people, is partly distributed on the north bank of the Pasig River in more than 20 settlement areas, and some of it is about 6,700 or 7,000 people.
Make a living by fishing!”
These Chinese do not include the navy soldiers and army soldiers of the Ning Navy. Now the entire Manila is stationed with almost 95% of the Ning Navy’s maritime power. The entire army has a total of six strike squadrons, all of which are in Manila, including Tiaodang Camp and nearby
The Luzon garrison where Weidusi and Liu Qingsong were located totaled more than 26,000 people.
Cheng Shijie nodded and said: "Luzon is a treasure land. Although there are many mountains and hills and not many large plains, there is a lot of land that can be developed. There is no big problem in housing five to six million people!"
Cheng Shijie briefly learned about the current situation in Luzon. In fact, the situation is not optimistic. Because the Zheng fleet landed at Subic Port, transported 40,000 to 50,000 army troops one after another, and began to seize the territory.
What made Cheng Shijie laugh bitterly was that Zheng Zhilong was indeed preparing to fight a protracted war with Ning Haijun in Luzon as predicted by the General Staff.
Early the next morning, Cheng Shijie, accompanied by Cheng Shi, visited the Chinese settlement area in Lu Zhenzhen with Wu Shangzhi, Xie Jinglin, Li Guoqun and others.
First, there was a village about fifty kilometers northeast of the Pasig River. The indigenous coalition tried to capture this town. Under the joint defense of more than 500 villagers, the indigenous forces failed to capture the town.
When Cheng Shijie arrived, he could still vaguely see mottled traces on the outer walls of the town. As Ning Haijun took control of Manila, a town whose original name was very confusing, Siquan Town was obtained according to the situation of the Ming Dynasty.
Because most of the residents of this town are from Quanzhou, they first arrived in Luzon during the Jiajing period and began to take root here. Of course, the current residents are three different groups from the original residents. The first and second generation residents have been
They were all killed, and now there are third-generation immigrants.
The real reason Siquan Town was able to survive the attack of the indigenous army was its large population. Gao Xiangrong, the mayor elected by the people, said: "Our town has a total of 560 households, of which 340 households live in the town.
Two hundred and twenty families living on the plantation within fifty miles of it!"
"What's the population of your town?"
"Three thousand eight hundred and twenty-five people!"
Cheng Shijie nodded, roughly equivalent to an average of seven people. This situation is very common in the Ming Dynasty, but it is very rare in Liaodong, because the principle of allocating land in Liaodong is based on households, not on population.
It is to use profit methods to force people to separate their families to avoid the formation of huge clan forces. Moreover, larger clan forces will be dispersed and settled, and it is impossible to gather and settle in one town.
If these reasons are not taken into account, it is very likely that the big will bully the small. The struggle among the people is actually no weaker than that in the court. Especially in ancient times, the fights between villages and clans would not be possible in Europe or in the small days.
The Warring States Period was a period of national war.
In fact, a Daimyo in Xiaozhi, even a Daimyo at the Wanshi level, is barely at the level of a village chief. Being able to command hundreds of people in battle is already very impressive.
“You must pay attention to safety issues!”
Cheng Shijie said with a serious face: "People who are not from my race will have different thoughts. If the natives dare to cause trouble, don't tolerate it. If they dare to attack, they will be beaten to death!"
A young man following Gao Xiangrong said: "There are many indigenous people."
"This requires us to unite. If you can't afford to fight, you can apply to the garrison, and the garrison will help you fight the indigenous people!"
Cheng Shijie's ass is very upright. His strategy in Luzon is to focus on the territory but not the people. The Ming Dynasty is different from the European powers. The great powers all have a fatal weakness. They have no people, while the Ming Dynasty has nothing but many people.
When we returned from our visit to Siquan Town, it was almost evening.
"The city of Manila was renamed Luzon City, the Port of Manila was renamed Zhenghe Port, the current Zhenghe Port was changed to Beigang, and the south of the Pasig River was called Nangang!"
Cheng Shijie looked at Wu Shangzhi and said: "Public schools must be established in Luzon, and all school-age children must enter school. Time waits for no one. Children are our future!"
Wu Shangzhi replied: "We have schools in Manila and Luzon, but they were built in Nancheng at that time. It is very inconvenient for children to go to school."
“Then arrange the ferry!”
Cheng Shijie said pointedly: "Seize the opportunity!"
Cheng Shijie did not explain to Wu Shangzhi in detail the various subtle influences brought about by China's five thousand years of civilization. As long as the Chinese people are given a chance, a completely different Luzon can be built.
…
After the failure of the last naval battle at Subic, Zheng Zhilong fell ill. As the saying goes, illnesses come and go, and illnesses go away like threads. It is only now that Zheng Zhilong has recovered.
After recovering, Zheng Zhilong was worthy of his heroic character and regained his fighting spirit.
Zheng Zhilong summoned his staff and confidants. He looked at Zheng Zhibao and said: "Lao Wu, if you go to Xiyi, I think they are not happy to see Denglai Navy defeat us and control the entire South China Sea!"
Zheng Zhibao was taken aback and said in confusion: "Brother, do you want to borrow troops from Xiyi?"
"It's not about borrowing troops, it's about joining forces with them!"
Zheng Zhilong said angrily: "Cheng Shijie acts aggressively and never leaves any room. I think they are not willing to deal with such a sharp-edged character... Just tell them like this, they know what to do!"
"yes!"
No matter what kind of instructions Zheng Zhilong issued, it was better than the fact that he had not given any instructions in the past two months. Originally, Zheng's fleet seemed like a rusty machine, but now with Zheng Zhilong's recovery, this machine has begun to move.
After a while, Zheng Zhilong looked at another staff member, Chen Shiqi, and said: "Shiqi, go to Fuzhou and tell Zhang that it's time for him to move, otherwise I won't be able to spare him!"
Chen Shiqi asked with some confusion: "What does the Admiral mean..."
"Everyone wants to reap the benefits. Nothing is so good in the world. He asked me to beat Cheng Shijie. If he doesn't take action now, don't blame me for being rude!"
Zheng Zhilong said with a gloomy expression: "No matter what means he takes, no matter what he does, I don't care, but I want Cheng Shijie to change from a hero of the country to a traitor and traitor who brings disaster to the country and the people!"
Chen Shiqi sighed and said: "Admiral, I'm afraid he can't do this. Even Chief Minister Wen can't do this!"
Chen Shiqi looked at Zheng Zhilong with cold eyes, feeling a little bitter in his heart.
It was Chen Shiqi's judgment that Zheng Zhilong was afraid of Cheng Shijie. In other words, Zheng Zhilong had given up the plan of confronting Cheng Shijie and was preparing to use roundabout tactics.
Just like how they used to deal with Liu Xiang and other colleagues, they roped in the imperial court and the Western Yi to jointly strangle, and exchanged a greater victory at the minimum price. All the generals of the Zheng family smiled brightly, and repeatedly praised Zheng Zhilong for his good strategies. Zheng Zhilong was in a good mood with tons of flattery.
Laughing loudly. Only Chen Shiqi's expression became more and more worried, and he remained silent for a long time.
Shi Daxuan was surprised. After leaving the mansion, he saw Chen Shiqi still frowning and couldn't help but ask: "Shiqi, is the Admiral's deployment inappropriate? Why are you so anxious?"
Chen Shiqi's voice was dull: "We will definitely lose this battle!"
Shi Daxuan was shocked: "Shiqi, you can't say this nonsense!"
"I'm not lying. The Admiral's arrangement may seem clever, but it's actually just wishful thinking! Has he forgotten how good Cheng Shijie is at using profit to drive everyone to do things for him?"
At this point, Shi Daxuan also understood. Chen Shiqi's judgment was correct. Zheng Zhilong's plan was impossible to succeed. First of all, the big guys in the court. If they were really capable of dealing with Cheng Shijie, how could they promise Zheng Zhilong huge profits?
Cheng Shijie's real backer was not the imperial court, but Emperor Chongzhen. Emperor Chongzhen had no money, and officials all over the world were asking for money from Emperor Chongzhen. Only Cheng Shijie not only didn't want money, but tried every means to give money to Emperor Chongzhen. This stabilized Cheng Shijie.
position in the court.
As long as Cheng Shijie promised to hand over part of the protection money at sea to Emperor Chongzhen, even if he was killed in a river of blood and the DPRK was impeached every day, Emperor Chongzhen would turn a blind eye.
As long as he promised that the Western Yi could trade and preach fairly in Guangdong and Fujian, the Western Yi would kneel in front of him and ask for the right to send troops to fight for him.
Now Cheng Shijie is the winner. He can give the emperor and Xiyi far more than the Zheng family. Zheng Zhilong's trick of throwing a thousand pounds away is useless to him!
Thinking of this, Shi Daxuan sighed helplessly and sadly, and whispered: "In the end, it's still..."
Those who are barefoot are not afraid of those who wear shoes. Now Zheng Zhilong has already put on shoes, while Cheng Shijie is actually barefoot, because Ning Haijun's navy is weak. If he is not brave and courageous, he will be killed by Zheng Zhilong in a slow process.
middle.
Shi Daxuan didn't say anything, but he agreed with Chen Shiqi's statement in his heart.
Yes, Zheng Zhilong has indeed given him a feeling of twilight in recent years. On the surface, he still looks majestic. Those who follow the rules will prosper, and those who go against them will perish. But in fact, he has lost his enterprising spirit and just sticks to the status quo.
.
But the Ning Navy, which had already ruled a small half of Liaodong, was full of vigor and ambition. When they swallowed thousands of miles, they had no intention of maintaining their achievements. They expanded towards the Jiannu. If the Jiannu blocked the way, they would beat the Jiannu. They went to the sea.
To expand, Zheng Zhilong blocked the dragon and beat Zheng Zhilong. The Spanish blocked the way. They captured Manila without ceremony and raised four to five thousand Spaniards like pigs.
Now Ning Haijun is just like when he just inherited the territory and power of Yan Siqi's Kaitai King. He is as angry as a tiger and will beat up anyone who disobeys.
Now, even the soul figure Zheng Zhilong is afraid, how can we fight this battle?
Shi Daxuan gave a wry smile, patted Chen Shiqi on the shoulder and said: "Shiqi, there is no need to be so pessimistic. The admiral is just depressed for a while, and he will cheer up soon. Although our army has been defeated in a row and has suffered a lot of losses, it still has two
With more than a thousand ships and tens of thousands of tribesmen, no matter how powerful Cheng Shijie is, it is not that easy to defeat us!"
"The Zheng Group is not as powerful as we thought. I believe the imperial court and Xiyi will see through this soon, and our lives will only become more and more difficult."
Chen Shiqi shook his head, frustration and disappointment written on his face: "Although we still have such elite sailors and so many warships, the admiral dares not to fight Ning Haijun head-on. What hope do we have of victory?"
Chen Shiqi was frustrated because he participated in the Subic naval battle. He witnessed with his own eyes that the Ning navy suffered heavy losses under the crazy attack of Zheng's fleet, and the losses continued to rise.
At that time, the Ning Navy's fleet was getting weaker and weaker, and the Zheng's fleet seemed to have suffered a lot of losses. But the problem was that the Zheng's fleet was very large. As long as the wheels were used, the Ning Navy's naval guns could be exhausted even at the cost of human lives.
To be continued...