Forty-eight years of Qianlong

Chapter 255 The British Doubt

The atmosphere of the first dinner between the British and Beihai Town was quite pleasant, and after Marquis and others visited the Thor, although they were confused and puzzled by many mechanical equipment, they still had a good understanding of these machinery and equipment. The strength of the self-proclaimed "Seresian" was extremely shocking.In their view, this is an opponent they simply cannot challenge.

However, when Captain Ravi proposed to visit the two rapid-fire guns on the Thor, Zhao Xin and others refused on the grounds of military confidentiality.Just kidding, I don’t even show you rifles, but I still want to pay attention to machine guns, what a dream!

When several Britons bid farewell and boarded the boat, they returned to the Reliance together.Several people came to Marquez's captain's room, reviewed the contact with the Siris people today, and Dr. Higgins took notes.

Everyone first recalled everything they saw, the ship, the people, the machinery and the short guns around the waists of the soldiers in Beihai Town, and guessed what the two big guys on the main deck were covered with canvas.After everyone finished their speeches and recorded them, Dr. Higgins raised his own questions.

"These people are a little strange, I mean." He hesitated before saying: "Captain Marquis, Captain Ravi, I have doubts about the purpose of these Siris people inviting us to dinner."

"Oh? Can you tell me your opinion, doctor?" Captain Ravi asked with interest while holding a glass of rum.

"If it is a normal exchange, they should introduce themselves more and provide us with a catalog of goods. But gentlemen, what have we learned this night? Personally, I only know that they come from the far north, Its territory borders the Russians. But where is that place? Europe or Asia? Or which island?"

Marquis suddenly realized: "Yeah! We were dazzled by everything on their ship, and gagged by the wine, steak, coffee, and good-tasting cigarettes they provided. Now that I think about it, whenever we mention When dealing with these specific issues, that Zhao will come up with something new to divert our attention."

"That's exactly what I want to say." Higgins frowned. "They asked us most about opium-related matters. At the same time, they were not very interested in the price or quality of other goods. Moreover, I found that they were the most interested I am more concerned about the opium trade from Goa to Guangzhou. Judging from the situation we visited on the Thor, such a huge ship can easily sail to Europe. I believe you have all seen the huge cargo compartment under the deck , I guess the main purpose of this ship is to transport goods. Faced with such a huge ship, if those Seres people use it to load opium, then it will be very difficult for us to do this business in the future!"

When everyone heard this, their hearts suddenly trembled.Now the prospect of the opium trade is good. Since five years ago, the Qing Dynasty has imported opium worth 10,000+ pounds every year.

If such a spoiler appears, it will have a great impact on the East India Company's opium trade throughout Southeast Asia.At this time, Captain Ravi asked in a serious tone: "Doctor Higgins, do you mean they will intervene in the opium trade?"

Before Higgins could speak, Captain Marquis said: "I think Brad's guess is very reasonable, and this matter must be brought to our attention. At present, we don't know whether these Seres have a trade network in the interior of the Qing Dynasty. ; but I think it is much easier for them to set up an opium smuggling network than ours because of their similar appearance and similar language to the Tartars. Alas! What a headache!"

Several British people discussed for a long time, but there was no good solution.Facing the threat posed by the North Sea, all they can do is to report to the East India Company when they return to India in advance or when they have a ship.

After nightfall, Captain Ravi and the ship's doctor who returned to the Eliza heard that several wounded were too seriously injured.In view of the fact that the conditions in the cabin were not conducive to recuperating, after consideration, Captain Ravi took advantage of the dark night and secretly drove the ship to Hengqin Island in the southwest direction.

Since 1780, the British have secretly set up a smuggling point in Swallow Bay on the west side of Hengqin Island.And here is the earliest drug trafficking base of opium dealers in China.

The British thought they were doing it without anyone noticing, but what they didn't expect was that the trajectories of all the ships on the Chicken Neck Ocean did not escape the radar monitoring of the Thor.It's just that Zhao Xin and the others don't know what's in Swallow Bay at this time.

As the British made formal contact with Beihai Town, from the next morning, sailing ships from other countries successively sent people to visit the Trust and inquire about the situation of the Thor; and the Americans were most interested. .
Let's turn our attention back to the Thor.Early in the morning, large and small fishing boats from Tanzai, Jitou, Maliu, Qingjiao, Huanlu and other islands filled the water of Jijingyang.In addition to selling aquatic products to sailing ships from various countries, these fishing boats also have all kinds of fresh fruits and vegetables, beef and mutton.

The nearby fishermen must have been engaged in this activity for many years, so sailing ships from various countries are very familiar with them, and they have not expelled them; Ingredients.

After Ding Guofeng heard about it, he thought that there were not many vegetables on the Thunder God, so he asked people to put down the gangway and sent the chef down to buy some.Unexpectedly, Zhao Xin and Liu Sheng, who got up early in the morning, also came after hearing the news, looking at all kinds of ingredients on the fishing boat with binoculars, and instructing the chef to buy this and that.

The fish resources in this area of ​​Macau are extremely rich. There are local oysters, crabs, various groupers, golden eels, yellow eels, and blood eels that are rarely seen in later generations, and the prices are not expensive.

With the two foodies Zhao Xin and Liu Sheng, the cook ended up buying a lot of things. After calculating the price, it was only a few taels of silver.Zhao and Liu thought it was too cheap!
After the catches were hoisted onto the deck of the Thunder God, the fat cook followed Zhao Xin's instructions and took out a large handful of shiny silver coins from his pocket to pay for the goods.Some gave four, some gave five, and the fisherman who sold the most got ten.

Several fishermen saw the silver coin given by the other party shining brightly and beautifully, and they liked it very much.They often do business with foreign ships and have received some silver coins, so they know how to identify them.Hearing that the fat cook explained that these five silver coins were considered one tael of silver, he couldn't help but be overjoyed.One of the fishermen looked at the silver coin carefully for a while, and before leaving, he asked the cook: "Master, which god is engraved on your coin?"

According to what he had heard before, the fat cook said with a smug face: "This is the ancestor of the Han people, Xuanyuan Yellow Emperor."

The fishermen were taken aback for a moment, then they chuckled and said, "Master, you really know how to joke."

The seafood bought in the morning was not frozen in storage, so Zhao Xin decided to have a seafood feast at noon, and give the people on board a tooth-beating ceremony.However, when Ding Guofeng proposed to eat seafood barbecue on the deck, he was ridiculed by Zhao Xin and Liu Sheng unanimously.

"Eat such fresh seafood grilled, you are too spoiled! Steamed! Soup! Must!"

So the fat cook took a dozen sailors, under the personal guidance of Zhao and Liu, two foodies, to pack up all kinds of ingredients and prepare to make a seafood feast.

Zhao Xin plans to have steamed grouper, grouper fish soup, boiled prawns, braised prawns, panlong eel, braised blood eel, steamed crab, oyster sashimi, and various vegetables for lunch today.
As a result, just after 10:30 in the morning, Zhao Xin, who was in the kitchen, received a report from the sailor on duty that there was a big boat full of various flags coming from the direction of Macau.

When Zhao Xin saw the apricot-yellow Haiphong Yamen flag on the opponent's mast through the binoculars, he knew it was time for Wang Ping to appear.

After receiving the notice, Wang Ping came to the deck with a respectful face. He bowed to Zhao Xin before saying: "Master Zhao, there should be someone sent by the governor on board. The villain will go over to say hello later, so as not to There was a misunderstanding."

Zhao Xin nodded and said, "Mr. Lao Wang is here."

"Don't dare."

Ever since he saw the power of the two fast cannons on the side of the Thunder God yesterday, Wang Ping finally knew what those eight things covered with canvas were on the side of the ship.In case these gang of rebels come back again like yesterday with the British, without going back to Beijing, He Shen will have to take his skin off!
Not far away, on the Dazhuan boat, in addition to Chen Xinhuai, an acquaintance with the military and civilians of the Macao Coast Guard of Guangzhou Prefecture, and his patrolling officers and soldiers, there was also an aide sent by the Guangdong Governor's Yamen, and two Portuguese officials headed by the Macau Councilor Matos. people.

(The council officer, that is, Procurador, municipal committee member, is transliterated as "唩laiduo" in the official documents of the Qing Dynasty.)
Yesterday, the general manager who fled in a hurry was standing on the bow of the ship, watching the huge Thor, and his eyes were dizzy, and he cursed in a low voice: "Is it possible for these barbarians to die at home?! A good big ship must be painted white. !What a bloodbath!"

Not far behind him, an official in his seventies was sitting on a grand master's chair, surrounded by seven or eight subordinates.This person is not tall, with a thin body, and his beard and hair are snow white.Wearing a regular fifth-rank official robe with a white pheasant patch, and a crystal top shining brightly on the straw hat on top of his head.

This person is none other than Chen Xinhuai (named Guilin) ​​who was appointed by the Qing government to serve as the military and civilian co-prefect of Macao's coastal defense in Guangzhou Prefecture.Because he was only a Gongsheng student, Chen Xinhuai has been working as a county magistrate in a remote place in Guangdong for these years, and was transferred here from Yazhou magistrate at the age of 68.He, the fifth-rank official, is responsible for managing the affairs of the Portuguese people in Macau, supervising the arrest of the sea, and prohibiting smuggling.

Chen Xinhuai held up a binoculars, and when he saw the two dark blue characters "Thor" on the outside of the bow of the big white ship, he couldn't help showing a hint of surprise on his face, wondering if this ship is called Thor?It's ridiculous!But why do these overseas barbarians use my Chinese characters?
It is said that the Chinese people's concept of barbarians has lasted for more than 2000 years. In terms of this strong cultural awareness, no one would regard barbarians as human beings from the court to the people.Therefore, all countries outside of the Chinese civilization are barbarians; that is, they look like humans, but they are not real humans in essence. This is what the Qing people say nowadays, "Although they are animals, they also have a human form."

This concept has naturally affected island countries, North Korea, Annan and other places.

People in Guangzhou now call the British "red-haired ghosts", the Americans "Citigroup ghosts", the Danes "yellow flag ghosts", and the Portuguese "Western ghosts". Macau Ghost" and so on.

So judging from this reason, we can know what attitude Qing court officials have towards foreign ships and foreigners.

Chen Xinhuai put down the binoculars, and ordered his subordinates: "Shout out, let them put a ladder on board the ship for inspection!"

When several officers and soldiers heard this, their hearts went numb.The hull of the boat is too high. If you climb up it with a rope ladder, you will fall into the water if you are not careful.

And the two Portuguese standing behind Chen Xinhuai looked at the Thunder God not far away with shock on their faces.Yesterday, the Macau City Hall heard that a huge white boat of unknown nationality had clashed with the British. In order to maintain the stability of the trade in the Jijing Ocean, it appointed Matos to accompany the Haiphong Yamen to negotiate.

Whether such a large ship of unknown nationality and fierce firepower has come to Macau is a blessing or a curse. The senior management of the Portuguese people in Macau are very concerned, and they are waiting for Matos to bring the news back.

At this time, a coastal defense soldier with a copper trumpet on the boat rushed to the side of the ship and began to shout loudly: "People on board, listen! By the order of Mr. Chen, the military and civilian co-instructor of the Macau Coastal Defense of the Guangzhou Prefecture of the Qing Dynasty, hurry up!" Put down the ladder, we have to board the ship for inspection!"

He hadn't finished his sentence yet, when everyone on the boat saw a guy in a long robe and mandarin jacket suddenly appearing on the side of the other side's tall ship, and he waved at Ji Fang.It's just that because of the backlight, I can't see the face clearly at all.

At this time, a guy who looked like a teacher standing behind Chen Xinhuai came to Chen Xinhuai's ear and said in a low voice: "My lord, that is the one I mentioned to my lord yesterday."

Chen Xinhuai's eyebrows twitched, but he just nodded slightly and didn't speak.I saw a few more people appearing on the opposite boat, standing on the side of the boat and busy.Chen Xinhuai didn't understand what he meant, and was about to ask someone to question him, when he saw a ladder slowly descending from the ship's side; one end was hanging in the air, and the other was close to the hull.Look at the suspended height of the ladder, which is almost as high as the ship's side deck.

After asking for instructions, the sailors on the driving boat lowered the sails, moved the boat to the side of the gangway, and set up another springboard.

At this moment, dozens of people appeared on the side of the Thunder God; these people lined up on the side of the ship, standing upright.In the eyes of everyone on the boat, these people were dressed in white, with weird hats on their heads, and seemed to have a musket on their shoulders.

"Who is this?" Chen Xinhuai asked a few people around him, and one of them stepped forward and said, "My lord, this should be a barbarian sailor. There were also English sailors on board before, but the clothes were different."

"Hmm." Chen Xinhuai shook his head while twisting his beard and said, "It's not good to choose any color. I have to choose white. What if there is a funeral on board?!"

At this time, the person who looked like an aide behind Chen Xinhuai said, "Master Chen, let me go ahead and say hello to them."

Chen Xinhuai cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Mr. Zhou."

The man surnamed Zhou walked across the deck and quickly got on the gangway.Holding on to the railing tremblingly, he stepped onto the Thunder God step by step.After a burst of dizziness, he saw Wang Ping with a pleasant smile.

"Oh, it's really Steward Wang! Long time no see!" The surname Zhou hurriedly stepped forward and bowed his hands.

Wang Ping smiled and said, "Mr. Zhou, how is Mr. Tu?"

"My lord is well! Before I leave yesterday, the governor asked me to make sure that this matter is handled thoroughly." Mr. Tu mentioned by the population surnamed Zhou is Tu Sabu, the governor of Guangdong who has just arrived in office; this person is Manchuria Zhenghongqi people, the Guerjia family, are Heshen's close comrades-in-arms.He Shen arranged for this person to come to Guangzhou from Hubei, in addition to controlling the money bag of Guangdong Customs, it was to help deal with the southward trip of the Thunder God.

That Mr. Zhou continued: "Wang Guanshi. You are here this time, and there is a bit of a commotion!"

Wang Ping waved his hand indifferently and said, "That's because the red-haired people provoked them for no reason, so these people gave them a lesson. It's okay!"

Mr. Zhou asked suspiciously: "How do these people compare to barbarians?"

Wang Ping sighed and said: "To be honest, I have never heard of strong ships and powerful guns. Even if you count the foreign ships in this sea area, they can't stop them."

"Ah!" The surname Zhou suddenly changed his face, thought for a while and said: "Master Chen is on the boat below at the moment, do you want to pay a visit to Steward Wang?"

"Mr. Zhou, what you said is inappropriate. I have a special status on this trip. I can't easily show my face and show my whereabouts. I can't afford to be offended by Mr. Zhongtang. Just now I saw there are Westerners on your boat?"

"Exactly, it's the Olai Duo of the Westerners in Macau. As usual, they also have to board the ship and ask."

"You see, then I'd be even less likely to show up. I might as well tell you the truth, these people want to go to Macau for a while before leaving."

"Oh? Just go to Macau, but close the wall? How long will you stay?"

"But close the wall! Leave in three days!"

The two stood in the shadow of the ship building and muttered for a long time, and it took half an hour to finalize the relevant details.Afterwards, the man surnamed Zhou disembarked and replied, and Wang Ping was led to meet Zhao Xin.

"Mr. Zhao, the Haiphong Yamen will not board the ship for inspection. But if you want to go to Macau, the Westerners will still have to board the ship for inspection, and you have to deal with it."

Zhao Xin and Liu Sheng looked at each other, thinking how troublesome it is!However, they did not dare to drive the boat directly into Macau without the guidance of a pilot. If they hit a rock and ran aground, they would be blind!
(End of this chapter)