Lu Ming

Page 258

While the Liao people were eating, drinking and pondering, Zhang Zhongqi and Sha Zhengming, who were in the captain's room, were also communicating with each other.

Prior to this, the traversers started from a remote place, relying on advanced technology and military capabilities of the times, but in fact, they smashed all the way to the other forces-first shot, then shot, and then recruited, from No force can survive three rounds in the hands of the traverser.

However, Kong Youde's generation is different from other forces that he has come into contact with before.

Due to the fact that the distance is too far and insufficient power is deployed, and the imperial court is on the side in the north, the traversers have no way to forcibly recruit this group of warlords.

Therefore, I can only adopt the "coexistence" mode that I am unwilling and unfamiliar with.

This brought great pressure to Zhang Zhongqi who was actually doing the operation: it was a difficult scripture to recite.

But in general, according to the results of the two days of dealings, the attitudes of the various forces in Dengzhou towards the traversers are generally not much different from the pre-evaluated ones.

In this way, Zhang Zhongqi planned to take the next step tentatively: make an appointment with Kong Youde to discuss cooperation matters.

It's just that in Zhang Zhongqi's opinion, this work is still very difficult after all, and the severity is not easy to master, so he is always worried that it will not be well handled.

Chapter 588

After nightfall, a formation consisting of a gunboat and two small frigates began night exercises.

At this time, the Dongjiang generals who had something on their minds had no choice but to let go of their emotions and concentrate on observing their master's "Night Sea Battle Ability".

In other words, the so-called night combat exercises are actually quite novel to Kong Youde and his generation.

Prior to this, the sea control power including the entire Liaodong Peninsula was in the hands of Dongjiang Town.The Manchus, who grew up between the white mountains and the black waters, are half fishing and half farming people, and have nothing to do with the sea.

However, having command of the sea is not the same as having superb navigation skills.

Except for the Manchus who can "overwhelm" the people who don't go into the water at all, Dongjiang Town has no formal water forces.

Although the so-called "Navy" is busy on weekdays... it goes south to Shandong to transport supplies, and goes north to North Korea for private trade.But they were all sailing civilian boats during the day and taking the downwind, and if they were not careful, they would be blown to Japan, which had nothing to do with the word navy.

In fact, even in the most prosperous era of the Ming Dynasty, due to the underdevelopment of science and technology, the navy could only be said to be capable of fighting, and it was far from being able to fight at night.

Therefore, it is not surprising that Kong Youde and his crew would feel "frightened" when they saw the full set of routine training subjects such as fleet night formation change + shelling with night vision goggles.

"Brother, this thing can really see people at night!?"

Even when he was surrounded by Houjinbaijia soldiers outside Lushun City, Kong Youde never lost his composure.But after all, he is a young general just over 30 years old, so when the soldiers on the deck of the neighboring ship clearly appeared in the camera, Kong Youde still couldn't hold back the emotional shock, and finally screamed out.

Although the eldest brother Geng Zhongming, who was sworn in at the side, was older, he was also taken aback by the night vision device in his hand.At this moment, in the icy sea breeze outside the bridge, Geng Zhongming sucked in a breath of cold air habitually: "Hiss... This thing is wonderful, almost ghosts and gods... So, who can beat it?"

Only those who have truly led troops into battle know the power of night vision.In the ancient times when soldiers were full of night blindness, and camp screams would occur at every turn, causing the army to collapse overnight, night vision ability is really too mysterious a skill.

"It's just that this thing is so expensive, I don't know what joints it has."

After being frightened, Kong Youde was the leader of the army after all, and he quickly got rid of his abnormal state of mind.So he thought of a possible reason: Is there any usage restriction on this thing?

Geng Zhongming smiled when he heard the words: "Heh... there is no need to guess, we can just ask and find out."

Not long after, in the brightly lit war room, Geng Zhongming generously raised questions about night vision: Could this thing be used in land warfare?What's the point?

Sha Zhengming laughed loudly when he heard the words: "It doesn't matter, why not fight on land? You don't know, in the first battle to recover the three camps, our army's elite entered the city at night, launched a surprise attack, and killed the Tartars in the city. It was clean, and no one was allowed to get off, and this is how the case of the Shuo Tuo Department was kept in the dark."

When Sha Zhengming said this, he turned his head and gestured to Zhang Zhongqi, who was drinking coffee leisurely: "Hey, this is the right person to ask. In the battle that day, Mr. Zhang was the leader."

The original "King Qin's self-defense counterattack", after the content process of "processing" by the traversers, is now well known to the whole country in Ming Dynasty.

So when they heard the climax of "Sneak Attack on Santun Camp", which was recognized by storytellers, in which the protagonist was actually Zhang Baihu in front of him, Kong Youde and the others looked at Zhang Zhongqi with a more serious look.

This is really unexpected, a seemingly inconspicuous follower of hundreds of households is actually a veteran who has done great things!

This time, Kong Youde and the others bowed their hands respectfully, and put on a posture of reacquaintance: "I have met Mr. Zhang."

Zhang Zhongqi smiled and stood up, but a coffee cup slowly came over.After meeting each other, he nodded to Kong Youde: "It's probably a coincidence. I feel happy when I see a hero. General Kong, the moonlight is good today. Why don't you move a little bit and have a cup of coffee with my brother? How about a hero?"

As for coffee, today's guests were lucky enough to have a drink with the crowd during lunch.To be honest, this imported "bitter tea" does not appeal to the natives.But all the smart people present, knowing that this Zhang Baihu deliberately invited Kong Youde, must have something to say, so after a moment of hesitation, Kong Youde nodded and followed Zhang Zhongqi to the captain's room.

Even the captain's room is narrow for an 800-ton gunboat, not to mention watching the moon and cooking wine.

Fortunately, the kerosene lamp in the captain's room was brightly lit.After Zhang Zhongqi entered the door, he greeted Kong Youde to sit down, then smiled and made a cup of hot tea from a tin kettle and handed it over: "I was joking just now, I know you are not used to it, let's all drink tea."

Kong Youde took the green tea mug with both hands.He already felt a little strange, but he still couldn't figure out what kind of medicine was sold in the other party's gourd, so he just smiled and said nothing.

"Brother Ruitu, let me introduce you formally." Zhang Zhongqi stretched out his right hand at this moment: "Your Majesty is the person in charge of all intelligence matters in North China sent by my family's commander-in-chief."

Probably because she was afraid that the other party would not understand, Zhang Zhongqi shook hands with Kong Youde and added with a smile: "Factory guard."

"Zhen Fusi sits in front of thousands of households? How courageous!" Kong Youde shook hands with the other party clumsily. Although he was a little frightened in his heart, Kong Youde replied repeatedly: "It turns out that Master Zhang is face to face. This, brother understands. clear!"

Kong Youde, who originally had a faint guess in his heart, still didn't understand something at this moment.And the reason why he was a little frightened was the opponent's unscrupulousness: comparing himself to the factory guard, he has no law.

However, after the first round of communication, when he sat back in the chair, he somehow felt a little relaxed... Perhaps it was because the other party revealed his "shortness"?Or do they both have dissatisfaction with the court?

Next, in order to continue to ease the atmosphere, Zhang Zhongqi didn't say any more sensitive topics, but chatted with the other party all over the place.

After realizing the rhythm of the conversation, a smart person like Kong Youde quickly adapted to it.And when the atmosphere in the room became more harmonious, Kong Youde finally took the opportunity to ask a question that he wanted to ask before: Is Uncle Cao from the south or from the north?

Cao Chuan in reality, his ID card before crossing shows that this guy is a dick who came from a county-level city in southern Hebei.So Zhang Zhongqi had nothing to hide at the moment, he told Kong Youde openly: Master Cao Chuan is an authentic northerner.If it is divided according to the ancient map, then Mr. Cao is the surname of Yan Guoren.

Kong Youde immediately slapped his thigh when he heard the words: "Oh, brother, you're right!"

When Zhang Zhongqi listened to Kong Youde's explanation in surprise, he laughed again.After laughing, Zhang Zhongqi told the other party: You guessed right.At least half of the old brothers who went to sea with Mr. Cao to establish a foundation were from the north, including Zhang Zhongqi himself and Sha Zhengming.

Zhang Zhongqi also told Kong Youde: Some of them were also from Liaodong, so sometimes the accent sounds a little like Liaodong...

Unlike later generations, in ancient times, geographical ties were a very important part of all relationships such as interpersonal relationships, family relationships, master-student relationships, and court relationships.

Mr. Cao is from the north, and the news that there are even Liao people among the senior officials under his command is undoubtedly great news for Kong Youde.At least in the foreseeable future, it will be much easier for the two parties to deal with each other in the future.

At this moment, Kong Youde suddenly felt much closer to the other party.

So he took the initiative to get up, picked up the thermos with a smile, and filled Zhang Zhongqi's tank with boiling water.

The next moment, after Kong Youde took a sip of the tea, he touched his lips and asked solemnly, "I don't know if my lord is calling my brother here today, but what instructions do you have?"

Zhang Zhongqi nodded unsurprisingly: "Hehe, brother Kong is a smart man, and now everyone recognizes distant relatives, so I'll just say it straight."

"The fleet came to Dengzhou this time. On the surface, it is naturally urgent to save the court and save the ancestor's birthday. But, I think my brother already knows about the joints?"

"I know, I know!" Kong Youde nodded again and again: he had found out the news from Sun Yuanhua before, and knew that the two brothers' units were here to make soy sauce this time.

"Well, let's not talk about things in the open, this is in the dark, it's actually brothers. I received a message from Mr. Cao: I want to use this matter to join hands with Brother Kong. From now on, you and my two families will help each other."

"Ah!?" Kong Youde was still stunned at this moment, although he already had a faint result in his heart.

"En!" Zhang Zhongqi nodded in affirmation: "There is a name, called the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement."

Naturally, the topics that the two of them were talking about in the cabin at this moment cannot be seen on paper.So Zhang Zhongqi then began to explain to Brother Kong one by one.

According to Zhang Zhongqi, after the two sides "reciprocate Austrian aid", Dengzhou Kong Youde (including Geng Zhongming, etc.) will continue to receive secret support from an adult in the south for a long time in the future.

This support is comprehensive.Among them are not only funds, food, medicine and other military supplies, but in some cases there will even be arms support.

In addition, Zhang Zhongqi emphasized that what Kong Youde's department, and even the generals of the Dongjiang faction, lacked the most was not weapons, but the protection of political groups.

Regarding this point, Zhang Zhongqi also promised: Once the matter is accomplished, Kong Youde will be equivalent to joining Lord Cao’s faction in the court in the future—an extremely powerful faction that not only has the core political alliance of the current prime minister + the great eunuch, but also There is a broader honorary group, and a well-intentioned scholar-bureaucrat group.

Zhang Zhongqi finally said unscrupulously: "Except for the emperor, all the civil and military men of the Manchu Dynasty are good friends of my lord!"

When Zhang Zhongqi said this, Kong Youde lowered his head at some point, his forehead was already covered with cold sweat.After a long time, the young native raised his head and asked slowly, "Master Cao, is he planning to rebel?"

Chapter 589 Showdown Moment

"Hahahaha!"

After Kong Youde said the key word "rebellion" so bluntly, Zhang Zhongqi looked up and laughed.The cramped cabin was filled with laughter for a moment, and Kong Youde, who was originally frightened, became a little dazed.

In fact, people with a discerning eye have always known that the actions of the traversing forces are all "standard rebellion procedures" well-known in the traditional royal society.

Besides the imperial court, which force would gather refugees on a large scale to train private soldiers?There are Yellow Turbans in the distance, and Zhu Yuanzhang and Li Zicheng in the near.

In other words, people who are not rushing to rebel will not do such things.

For this principle, it is not necessary to be rich and well-read poetry and books, as long as the aborigines have the ability to understand storytelling, they can think of what the cross-travelers are doing.

The reason why this problem has never been brought up is not because the traversers have cleverly concealed it properly.

In the early days, it didn't attract attention, that's because the scale of the operation was small, and the traversers took advantage of the social chaos to fish in troubled waters.And in the later stage... a few years is already considered the later stage, the giant beast has grown up overnight, not only at an astonishing speed, but also exposed its fangs and claws with the help of King Qin.

By this time, the government and the opposition, including Chongzhen and his think tanks, although they did not say anything, they must all have a clear understanding in private: one cannot force a certain force to rebel, otherwise the harm will far exceed that of the Eastern Captives.

With this understanding, combined with the current bad situation "at home and abroad", then Chongzhen, and all those who have malicious intentions towards the traversing forces, can actually do little: "There are priorities and urgency, and we will wait for the court to get over this." Take a breath and then draw it slowly."

This mentality is the optimal solution in the current state of the imperial court, and it is also the only solution.

However, the traveler also thought so.

For an industrial group that was growing savagely, every day that passed, the strength of the group would increase significantly, and its growth rate was far beyond what a traditional agricultural society could match.

What's more, Daming is running around now, not to mention taking a breath, he is almost dying.

Today's genuine time-traversing people, because they not only have mastered history, but also have information artifacts such as telegrams and social statistics, they are very aware of the gap between their own strength and the current Ming society.

A more clear statement is that these people have long been lawless, because they know the fact that the court has nothing to do with their brothers.

This kind of insolent mentality is in the "actual control zone" in the south, and now there is no need to hide it.That is to say, in the north far away from the old nest, it is probably necessary to restrain a little.

This is also the reason why Zhang Zhongqi laughed out loud today: He never thought that the problem he was still trying to cover up, this little general who was only considered a "humble" member of the Ming system, would actually speak so openly come out.

Kong Youde's actions made Zhang Zhongqi both funny and vigilant.

It's funny because the mind is exposed.This made Zhang Zhongqi realize that it was too obvious what she wanted to do for an outsider like herself who didn't blend in with the times, and was immediately noticed by the natives, making it ridiculous that she was still covering up.

The vigilance is also due to the same reason: after all, he is working in the "enemy-occupied area" in the north, and it seems that he has to restrain himself in the future, so as not to be seen through by the aborigines secretly.

After figuring out the problem, Zhang Zhongqi stopped laughing.

The next moment, he stared at Kong Youde with great interest, and uttered a very interesting line in later generations: "Brother Ruitu, I found that you have a lot of feelings?"

Before Kong Youde could answer, Zhang Zhongqi smiled and waved his hands again: "This is a rebellion. We won't do it. After all, Uncle Cao is loyal and brave to everyone in the world. This... everyone is loyal to the court, and everyone is loyal." Courtier, do you think so?"

"You don't need to be nervous, brother." Zhang Zhongqi continued to work: "Today we are mainly talking about the unity and joint construction between brothers and units... it is not a rebellion at all. Do you want to know an old brother?"

Kong Youde's expression was a little dull, his thoughts were chaotic at this moment.

To put it bluntly, after all, he is just a native young man, and his way of thinking is still that of a "normal enlightened person".So when Kong Youde found out that what he was caught off guard today turned out to be a "head-off" conspiracy, his nerves were completely tense.

But what surprised him was the other party's free and easy, bold, and meaningless.

Before, he thought that this should be a whisper under the shadow of a candle, a conversation among conspiratorialists that contained negative emotions such as hatred, threats, alienation, and solicitation.

But the reality is that the other party has no scruples to get straight to the point, using words such as "brother" and "unity" on their lips.What is brotherly solidarity?Changed to the way of speaking of the Ming people, that is, "the side will collude and conspire to commit crimes." Throughout the dynasties, this is a clear and obvious crime of copying the family and exterminating the clan.

Not only that, Kong Youde found that the other party seemed to be really unaware of the seriousness of the "private traffic connection".It seems that in Zhang Baihu's mouth, as long as the flag is not openly raised for rebellion, the act of "merely" providing some military supplies and food to "friendly troops" is only to the extent of "recognizing a relative" and is not considered rebellion?

The most exaggerated thing is, from the slightly joking words and expressions of the other party, Kong Youde found that this man really didn't take the emperor and the court seriously, and ignored the former in his words.

Normally, such audacious emotions are reserved for fools.So is this one surnamed Zhang a fool?Obviously not.

In other words, they have the confidence to be so arrogant.

Where is the confidence? 4000 real Tartar heads?Night vision skills?Strong guns?

So Kong Youde's expression was a little dull.

After a long time, Kong Youde, who had figured out the joints, finally digested it.However, when he wanted to say something, he opened his mouth a few times, but he didn't know what to say to the "lunatic" in front of him.

In the end, the confused Kong Youde had no choice but to grit his teeth, folded his fists and bowed, lowered his head and said, "Your Demeng Cao and all of you are so loving, I am very surprised."

"There is only one thing: this matter is of great importance. If you are virtuous, one person may not be the master. I hope you will be more tolerant."

"Good talk, good talk."

Kong Youde's reaction had been expected by Zhang Zhongqi.After all, among the generals in Dengzhou, Kong Youde is only the leader of the Dongjiang Alliance, and does not have the rank of a big brother who has the final say.For such a big matter, he at least had to go back and discuss it with his true sworn brother Geng Zhongming.

The next moment, Zhang Zhongqi raised Kong Youde's arm, and lightly patted the back of his hand twice: "Brother, please discuss with your colleagues when you go back, and plan carefully."

"As for me, there is no rush. It doesn't matter whether there is a result or not. From tomorrow onwards, we will continue as usual. We will always be friends."

Speaking of this, Zhang Zhongqi thought of something again: "But there is one thing, my brother needs to be careful."

At this time, Kong Youde saw that the other party was treating him gently, as if he understood Long Live, and his nervousness was also relaxed a lot: "Please advise me, my lord."

"The so-called monarch loses his ministers if he is not secret, and his ministers lose his body if he is not secret. My brother is going to prepare for this, so be careful not to leak the news."

Having said that, Zhang Zhongqi leaned back in the chair and easily took the teacup: "In case something goes wrong, brother, I'll take a boat and go to Mr. Cao... the emperor's kindness probably won't say anything. It's just Brother, if you live under the fence, it will be difficult to explain to the court at that time."

"So this guy understands it in his heart!" Kong Youde knew very well that half of his foot had been dyed indigo by stepping on a pirate boat.However, as the other party said, he is alone and has no right to bargain with any force at the moment, so Kong Youde can only bow deeply, then turn around and leave the hatch.

The rest of the night was peaceful.

In the second half of the night, the fleet practiced regular night subjects off the coast of Dengzhou, and invited guests to observe it together.But at this time, Kong Youde was out of his mind, so naturally he was not in the mood to watch the exercise, so he went back to the cabin to rest early on the excuse of feeling uncomfortable.