Nanyang Storm 1864

Chapter 164 Weighing the pros and cons
The evening of August 8

The urgent official document was submitted to the Marshal's Mansion. After Zheng Guohui checked the wax seal and confirmed that it was correct, he used a silver knife to open the package signed by Zheng Shun and three others. Two thick and one thin memorials were clearly visible inside.

Zheng Guohui glanced at the cover, then took the lead in opening General Zheng Shun's memorial and reading it carefully.

After a long time

He opened the other two memorials and read them with great attention.

About an incense stick of time
Zheng Guohui picked up the tea on the side of the desk and took a sip, then stood up, walked out the door, and stood beside the blooming flowers on the courtyard wall.

He looked up at the sky full of clouds that seemed to be covered with a layer of golden light, his eyes were deep and inexplicable.

He murmured, "This kind of chance encounter seems to be the intention of God to make me start early and not give me enough time to prepare."

It has been two months since the Chu Navy received the sailing warships, and more than a month since it received the four ironclad gunboats. The timing seems a bit rushed.

The information revealed in the memorial shows

The sailing warship "Count Fabiano Perez" should return to Manila at the end of August to complete a routine cruise and transport mission.

It is now August 8th, and there are about ten days left.

If a northern expedition was launched during this period, it would be possible to catch the Franks off guard and easily occupy Cebu, Manila and other places.

The downside is that the training is insufficient, which reduces the chances of capturing the enemy fleet and casts a shadow of uncertainty.

If this time is exceeded, the battleship will not be able to return on time.

The Governor-General of the Luzon Islands would have noticed that the sailing warship "Count Fabiano Perez" had encountered an accident, which could have been a tropical storm, or of course it could have been an encounter with an enemy.

The object of suspicion is naturally the Da Chu entrenched on the island of Mindanao.

After carefully weighing the pros and cons, Zheng Guohui was inclined to launch the Northern Expedition ahead of time.

From the naval battle at Angel Port, it can be seen that the training level of the Chu sailing fleet is now good. It is not at a disadvantage in head-on combat, and its bombardment artillery also has a certain technical advantage.

The French sailboats and cannons originated in the 17th century. There have been no major improvements in the past two hundred years and they are now antiques.

According to the confessions obtained from the prisoners on the "Count Fabiano Perez", most of the old-fashioned smoothbore bronze cannons equipped by the Franchi fleet were more than 70 or 80 years old.

The oldest naval gun, it was in service for over 130 years.

The American-made artillery equipped by the Chu Navy is generally within 5 to 10 years old. The two are incomparable in terms of range, power and accuracy.

There is another important information

Half a year ago, Major General Pedro Manuel Carvajal, Governor of the Luzon Islands, sent a letter for help to the Spanish royal family after noticing the changes in Mindanao.

The Far East is far away from Europe, and ordinary affairs often take one or two years to get a response from the royal family.

However, even with the Spanish royal family's laziness and inaction, they did not dare to take lightly the fact that Mindanao was occupied by Chinese armed forces.

As an old European colonizer that made its fortune on the ocean, the Spanish royal family has rich experience in dealing with challenges. Whether it is the swordplay from Portugal, the Netherlands, Britain, France, or the United States, it is enough to compile a thick history book.

The danger that Governor Major General Pedro Manuel Carvajal could perceive could naturally be perceived by mainland Spain as well.

It is possible that they will react with extraordinary speed.

This variable must be taken into account in the planning of the Northern Expedition.

Completing the unification of the Luzon Islands as soon as possible can eliminate hidden dangers in the bud and prevent them from festering and developing into a serious threat.

Zheng Guohui thought carefully and did not make a hasty decision. Instead, he planned to inspect the training of the ironclad fleet tomorrow and then make a final decision.

at the same time
The formal establishment of the Great Chu Navy must also be put on the agenda, with officers at all levels ranked and assigned positions, and their responsibilities clearly defined. This is all implied in the topic and cannot be delayed any further.

"Marshal, someone from the back house reports that it's time for dinner." Fang Shiwei, the captain of the personal guards on duty, walked up and reported softly.

Zheng Guohui turned around, looked up and saw that it was getting late, and responded: "Well, it's getting late, how are you guys doing?"

"In reply to the commander-in-chief, the subordinates below have all been arranged in shifts and are full of energy and spirit."

"Well...it's late at night and the dew is heavy. Ask the duty room to prepare some midnight snacks. At least one bite to eat. Don't let everyone go hungry."

"Thank you for your consideration, Marshal. We brothers have nothing to repay you with except our sincere loyalty." Fang Shiwei replied excitedly.

"Well, do it well."

Zheng Guohui gave a gentle encouragement. He was always kind to the soldiers around him, especially some of the officers who were on the list for observation and training.

Most of the outstanding young officers in the army will be transferred to the personal guard regiment, where they will receive upgraded loyalty education and have a complete and gradually mature officer review system.

Keeping it by your side will also help the Marshal understand more.

Only by passing such an examination can one be sent out to take up senior positions in the military.

Naval Commander Huo Haisheng served as the captain of the large sailing ship "Guangming" for a year and a half. He spent a lot of time with the Marshal and was considered the Marshal's confidant.

This is how it came about that the "royal guards" accounted for the vast majority of the Chu army.

Back to the backyard
The slightly wealthy Qiao Yue came up with a group of maids, bowed deeply and said, "Greetings, Master."

"That's all, no courtesy."

"Thank you, sir!"

After the greetings, Qiao Yue came over lively.

She had now transformed into a charming young woman, with delicate skin that was rosy and fair, and a rounded chin like a ripe peach. Her body was plump and full of curves, and Zheng Guohui loved to hold her in his arms when he went to bed at night.

In front of everyone

Zheng Guohui did not do anything doting, but just signaled Qiao Yue to come over with his eyes, and took her to the back hall restaurant, followed by a group of maids.

Arrival at the restaurant
Cold dishes and plates of cut fruits and vegetables have been placed on the dining table, all covered with fine bamboo strips.

Seeing the master coming, the maids quickly lit the oil lamps, and the surroundings immediately became bright.

After helping the master wash his face and hands and change into his casual home clothes, Qiao Yue gave instructions, saying, "Go and tell the kitchen to serve the meal."

"Yes, Auntie." The maid bowed deeply and went down briskly.

Zheng Guohui didn't ask any questions. He sat down at the dining table with the help of Qiao Xing and Su Meiniang, picked up the freshly brewed tea and took a sip.

The etiquette of the wealthy families is very strict, and no one can sit with him at this table.

A circle of concubines and maids were all serving Zheng Guohui.

Qiao Yue did not dare to sit with the Marshal. She was granted permission to sit on a shorter brocade stool behind Zheng Guohui.

She held Xier in her arms, and the baby was fed with milk. The child's face became pale, and his cheeks became chubby.

Xier opened her pure and innocent big eyes and looked at Zuo Jin curiously.

Zheng Guohui became interested and teased the child a few times. He also dipped his chopsticks in the sweet juice of the cold fruit dish and put it to the child's mouth.

Xier started sucking subconsciously, then kicked her calves up and down, obviously happy.

"Hahaha... this kid loves sweets." Zheng Guohui laughed heartily and dipped his chopsticks in it again. Xier sucked even harder...

The dishes carefully prepared by the kitchen were brought up one after another, and soon the dining table was full.

Smelling the fragrance of the dishes, Zheng Guohui felt hungry too, so he turned around and started eating.

Xier couldn't taste the sweetness, and her flawless big eyes looked around blankly. Qiao Yue held the child and coaxed her softly, but her eyes were all on the master.

No one paid any attention to her. Xier pouted in grievance and started crying loudly.

Qiao Yue coaxed the baby a few times, but when she saw the baby continued crying, she said in a panic, "I'm afraid he's a little hungry. Nanny, take him away quickly. Don't make any noise until the master has his meal, or we'll be guilty."

She handed the child to the wet nurse and hurriedly took him down to feed him.

Sure enough, after a while, the baby's crying stopped abruptly. I guess he had already eaten.

Zheng Guohui ate some and put down his chopsticks. He picked up the white hot towel beside the table and wiped his mouth. He said with a smile, "This kid looks like a delicious food. He refused to let me eat as soon as I put it on the table."

"The blood of the master naturally has the same temperament as the master. I can see it since I was young."

"Qiaoyue, that's a good point. I'll give you a bowl of fish maw as a reward to nourish you."

Upon hearing this, Qiao Xing, who was serving the meal, picked up a small bowl from the dining table, filled the bowl with fish maw stewed with lily, ginseng and antlers, put a small spoon in it, and handed it to Qiao Yue with both hands.

Qiao Yue took it and said with gratitude on her face, "Thank you for the gift, Master. Qiao Yue is grateful for it."

After saying that, he sat on the small brocade stool at the back, savoring the stewed fish maw sip by sip, his face full of happiness.

This scene

Looking at the concubines and maids around her who were envious, Aunt Qiao Yue was actually eating at the same table with the master. What a great favor this was!

The master married the eldest daughter of the Li family in northern Anhui. She was born into a prominent family. Although the wife was not here, the rules could not be violated at all.

Only the principal wife and children could sit down to eat with the master. Even if the concubine gave birth to a child, she had to stand behind him and wait on him. She could not break the rules.

This is not just table etiquette, but also the clear distinction in status among the feudal nobles.

A wife is a wife, and a concubine is a concubine.

If all these concubines could sit at the table, not to mention that the table could not accommodate them all, then the people in the harem would be filled with jealousy, quarrels, and fights for favor, and no matter how powerful one is, they would not be able to suppress it.

The rules formed over thousands of years naturally have certain reasons.

Qiao Yue didn't produce any milk during the confinement period, so the baby was fed by the wet nurse.

She urgently needs to recover and regain the master's favor, so as to avoid being overtaken by Qiao Xing and Su Meiniang.

The struggles in the backyards of wealthy families are undercurrents without the flash of swords and the shadow of spears.

these days
The master was sleeping with Qiao Yue in his arms, but Qiao Yue's body had not recovered yet. During sex, all the love was shared by the two vixens, Su Meiniang and Qiao Xing.

I see it with my own eyes and feel it in my heart.

With the wife away, Qiao Yue is now the mistress of the harem. Naturally, some wet nurses, housemaids, maids and servants come over to her, gossip about her and speak in her favor.

Indoctrination is nothing more than words like consolidating one's favor, having many children and being blessed, and never letting other seductresses get ahead of one another. That is unavoidable.

When there are more women, there are more problems.

The master has great authority and a sharp gaze, so no one dares to gossip in front of him. However, that doesn't mean no one gossips in front of Qiao Yue.

The inner house is a miniature society, and especially when Qiao Yue’s status and position cannot control it, undercurrents are naturally surging.

(End of this chapter)