Nanyang Storm 1864

Chapter 400 Don’t Let the Cooked Duck Run Away

Waited for half a day

It was not until dusk that Huang Qifan politely said goodbye to Manager He, went out to see Xiao Sanfa and Wang Debiao, who were waiting impatiently, and the smile on his face gradually disappeared.

See this scene
Xiao Sanfa also felt embarrassed and came over and said hesitantly, "Well... Mr. Huang, we've been talking for so long, it seems... the cooperation is going quite smoothly."

It was obvious that they wanted to inquire about the follow-up news. After all, Huang Qifan had never lived and died with them, and lacked the sense of sharing life and death. He was just a guest official of the Black Flag Army, which had an unstable foundation.

Huang Qifan single-handedly promoted and implemented the occupation of Haiphong and Quang Ninh Province, solving the imminent problems of food and subsequent development for the Black Flag Army, and won considerable prestige.

If not so
It is difficult to gain a foothold and hold a high position in a makeshift team like the Black Flag Army, which is composed of clans and neighbors.

After all, Huang Qifan was alone and had only been in the Black Flag Army for a few months. He had few trusted men around him and his foundation was still weak.

In order to save face, Huang Qifan frowned and responded, then waved his hand to signal the carriage to go to the dock.

Wang Debiao said unhappily, "Mr. Huang, this company is too stingy. We came all the way here, and they didn't even bother to treat us to some food and wine."

"They arranged it, but I just turned it down." Huang Qifan stood still and said to them sincerely, "With your hot tempers, who knows what you'll do after a few drinks? If you really overturn the table and start a fight, will the military commander still be able to do business? Will you wait for a moment of pleasure while tens of thousands of people at home are left hungry?"

This questioning immediately choked Xiao Sanfa and Wang Debiao so much that they rolled their eyes and were speechless.

Huang Qifan looked at the carriage approaching, waved his hand and said, "Get in," and then got into the carriage.

The two men were helpless. They thought it was their own fault that the matter was messed up, so they got into the carriage one after another listlessly.

He said angrily, "There's nothing good here. We don't want to be here. Everything is like being a landlord, with so many rules. We brothers can't stand being restricted. Wouldn't it be more fun to eat and drink as we please?"

Huang Qifan ignored them and just told the driver, "Let's go to the dock."

"Sir, please take a seat. Let's go!"

The coachman responded, raised his whip and made a loud whip flower in the air, and the carriage immediately moved forward.

By the window on the second floor
Watching the carriage leave, Lieutenant Colonel Pan Changfu showed a meaningful look in his eyes.

The task assigned by the superiors was completed successfully. Everything that needed to be said and explained was done in detail.

These matters alone are enough for the Black Flag Army to handle for a year or two.

He also looked down upon the Black Flag Army, a makeshift group. Bandits arose in China every year. There were at least thirty to fifty bandits of the same strength as the Black Flag Army in the Ten Thousand Mountains of Guangxi.

At most, it is just a clan power at the township level.

When the battle shifted to coastal defense, even Lieutenant Colonel Pan Changfu could see that this was like jumping into a broader pond, with a bright future.

As long as you don't do anything stupid, it's still worth looking forward to.

The Black Flag Army has been operating kilns for more than ten years, and the scale of the business has always been between a few hundred and two to three thousand people. This is because the environment has restricted its development, and big fish cannot be raised in a small pond.

If they don't get out of that environment, they will always be a group of bandits and robbers, even if they wear the skin of officials, they will still be the same at heart.

If we can follow the strategy, it will be very different.

Clarify the superiors and subordinates and establish rules.

Introduce Chinese immigrants to strengthen the foundation, introduce advanced systems to govern civil affairs, introduce industrial and mining enterprises to improve efficiency, and introduce mature education to read and write.

Slowly develop a land with Chinese as the main base. With people, fields, taxes and food, why worry about development?
If the Black Flag Army expanded from two or three thousand to four or five thousand, or even tens of thousands, and equipped with advanced muskets, then the Vietnamese royal court would not be able to defeat it, and it would be like a local warlord who divided the land and ruled it.

At this point, the wings are gradually grown.

Lieutenant Colonel Pan Changfu watched the carriage leave, then gave a few instructions to Manager He and left in a hurry.

He needed to report secretly to Colonel Han Wenqin, the director of the Fifth Department stationed in Samarinda, and wait for further instructions.

Lieutenant Colonel Pan Changfu had no access to the movements at higher levels.

After night falls

The main streets of Samarinda were lit up with dim kerosene street lamps. A row of street lamps illuminated the streets, driving away the darkness and making the city brilliant in the night.

In recent years
Among the major cities in Southeast Asia, Singapore, Batavia, Kolkata, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Chennai and other places have installed kerosene street lamps, a new gadget, on the main streets to light up the city at night.

The kerosene used is imported Batangas kerosene.

It is difficult for modern people to imagine what it was like to light up the city in the 19s.
Let’s put it this way, it’s like a holiday.

The streets lit by kerosene lamps were bustling with people, and with them came peddlers doing small business stalls, vendors selling food and snacks, and crowds of people singing and dancing. It was extremely lively.

dusk
A lot of people gathered and watched two employees of the kerosene street lamp company, one carrying a ladder and the other holding a long fire pole, lighting the kerosene street lamps one by one.

Every time a kerosene street lamp was lit, there would be cheers, and this happened over and over again tirelessly.

Under the dim but warm light, it can illuminate the happy smiles on everyone's face. Just standing under the light, I feel very happy.

The crowd slowly dispersed only after the lights were turned off.

Outside the city

The steam locomotive pulling the long carriages passed by with a clang, and the smell of coal ash from burning smoke filled the air. This is a mark of the steam industrial age and a childhood impression that remains deep in the minds of many people.

The next morning dawned

The Palace of the King of Chu
The night was filled with sudden wind and rain. The heavy curtains hung low, blocking out the morning light. The air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood, and the bedroom was filled with the tranquility of the early morning.

King Zheng Guohui of Chu woke up from a good night's dream, opened his eyes, and saw his beautiful body lying on the soft bed, revealing his jade-white arms and legs, and vaguely visible his graceful figure.

A young girl was lying on Zheng Guohui's left side, another young girl was sleeping on his right side with her arms around his waist, and there was another one beside his legs.

These are the three twin sisters of the Mei family presented by Governor Zheng Guoguang. They are all 16 years old, with natural beauties and beautiful faces. They are the perfect girls to serve Your Majesty.

After tasting it, Zheng Guohui was very satisfied.

The Mei family is a Hakka family that went to Southeast Asia in the early years and married foreign women. Therefore, the faces of the three sisters of the Mei family are more profound and three-dimensional than those of Chinese women, and they have a unique charm.

After a rough night, the three Mei sisters are now sleeping soundly.

King Zheng Guohui of Chu untied the pink jade arms that were wrapped around his body, stood up and stepped over the woman. This action woke up the three women one after another.

She raised her head and asked pitifully, "Your Majesty, are you going to get up? Please allow me to wait for you."

"No need, just go to sleep." King Zheng Guohui of Chu waved his hand, picked up a wide-sleeved robe and put it on, then walked straight out of the bedroom and went outside.

A moment later
After bathing, King Zheng Guohui of Chu felt refreshed. With the help of his maid, he put on a light robe embroidered with a five-clawed golden dragon. He walked through the winding corridors and arrived at the side hall where he would have his meal.

The accompanying ministers, including Viscount Wu Qingfeng, Secretary of State for the Colonies, Viscount He Xian, Minister of Transport, Major General Zheng Guoguang, Governor, Lieutenant General Robert, Commander of the Armoured Formation, and Li Jinghui, Secretary General of the Royal Household, had already been waiting here for a long time.

"Your Majesty has arrived... Salute!" As the muezzin shouted, all the ministers bowed and saluted.

King Zheng Guohui of Chu strode in without stopping, waved his hand casually, and said, "No need to be polite. Order the meal to be served. My dear ministers, please come and sit down."

The Chu State also had many court etiquettes, but they were far less strict than those in the northern Shenzhou. The ministers were often asked to kneel down, and the etiquette of kneeling had been abolished.

In the royal court, it’s more casual.

After expressing their gratitude, the ministers came to sit down at their respective tables. In front of each of them was a long desk with a very simple and ancient charm, and behind them was an exquisitely carved brocade stool where they could sit down safely.

The long table was decorated with flowers, and 8 cold dishes had been served, including cold pickled cucumbers, cold jellyfish heads, crab legs with scallions, eight-treasure pickles, Brisbane cheese shreds, salted duck eggs and braised beef. These side dishes were refreshing, delicious, exquisite and well-matched.

King Zheng Guohui of Chu sat at the top. The desk in front of him was much larger. It was made of rosewood and was carved with a pattern of nine dragons circling a pillar inlaid with gold and jade. It was also engraved with the royal emblem, revealing an extraordinary royal style.

After ordering the meal to be served
The palace maids soon came in one after another with trays in their hands. On the trays were various delicious foods, including soups, roasted lamb chops and toasted bread, as well as light white porridge and steamed buns.

If these ministers nodded, the palace maids would bring the dishes on the trays in their hands, otherwise they would just pass by one by one.

At this moment
King Zheng Guohui of Chu said in a casual tone: "My dear ministers, I will stay here for a few days and then plan to return to the royal court in the north. It happens to be the beginning of May.

Please arrange all matters as soon as possible."

The ministers appeared and said "yes". Governor Zheng Guoguang clasped his fists and said, "Your Majesty, it is a rare opportunity for your Majesty to visit us. Would you like to stay a few days and see the scenery of our South Island?"

"What you requested, Lord Zheng, is truly from the bottom of my heart. However, the kingdom has many political affairs to attend to, and I cannot be away for long. Let's talk about it later." King Zheng Guohui of Chu waved his hand and did not accept it.

Then he turned to look at Vice Admiral Robert and asked, "How is the construction of the next two Town ironclad ships progressing?"

Lieutenant General Robert could speak fluent Chinese. He stood up respectfully, clasped his fists and saluted before answering:

"Your Majesty, please allow me to
The two subsequent ironclad ships were important construction projects that were approved at the end of last year and started construction at the beginning of this year. They were the "Zhenwei" built by the Royal Navy Manila Shipyard and the "Zhenyuan" built by the Jinsha Shipyard.

The construction of the two ships has started more than four months ago. The construction is very fast and the general appearance has been taken shape.

Based on the Royal Navy's experience in training ironclad ships, these two main ironclad ships have been improved, with their tonnage increased to more than 7200 tons and their speed reaching 15 knots, with enhancements in all aspects.

It is expected that the underwater habitats will be launched in June and July and delivered to the Royal Navy for commissioning before the end of the year."

"Well, the construction speed is quite fast." King Zheng Guohui of Chu nodded with satisfaction.

These two main ironclad ships will be based in Hawaii and become the main battleships of the Chu State's Pacific Fleet, serving as the mainstay of the Pacific shipping routes.

Combined with four Huashan-class armored cruisers, it is enough to ensure the presence of Chu's maritime power in Central America.

A brief pause
King Zheng Guohui of Chu then gave another order, saying, "On the return journey, the fleet should stop in Davao Prefecture. This is a good opportunity for me to visit the Jinsha Industrial Zone to see how it's developing."

"I will obey your Majesty's orders and make arrangements as soon as possible." Lieutenant General Robert replied fluently.

King Zheng Guohui of Chu watched as the maids who served the meal withdrew one after another. He then called out to his ministers, saying, "Alright, let's eat. Eat well and be full here. Otherwise, you will have to go back and tell the royal family that I didn't entertain you well."

"Your Majesty, we dare not do that." The ministers felt as if their bones were floating after being teased.

"Okay, let's get started."

King Zheng Guohui of Chu waved his hand casually, then picked up his chopsticks and started eating.

I ate a few bites of side dishes and drank half a bowl of white porridge.

He picked up the fragrant grilled lamb chops and started eating. The grilled lamb chops were crispy and delicious. He took a big bite and the gravy overflowed, filling his mouth with fragrance.

After finishing more than a pound of lamb chops in a blink of an eye, King Zheng Guohui of Chu threw away the bones with satisfaction, picked up the hot towel next to him to wipe his hands, and then used another hot towel to wipe his mouth.

He picked up the hot tea, took two sips, and gently placed the teacup on the table.

When he put the teacup on the table, all the ministers below took up the hot towels to wipe their mouths. Those who were quick took a sip of hot tea and then waited with bated breath for his questions.

No one continued to eat or drink, and their movements were as orderly as if they had been rehearsed.

King Zheng Guohui of Chu leaned back in his chair, looked around and said:
"During this inspection, I found that local people's livelihoods are stable, and there are many bright spots in urban and rural development. It is clear that the Governor-General's Office has put in a lot of effort and has achieved considerable results in governing the people and managing the government.

These achievements must be affirmed.

It is not advisable to travel south on this inspection tour, so as to avoid causing excessive interpretation by the Netherlands, which would lead to twists and turns and be counterproductive.

The King must point out

In the work of towns and Chinese immigrants in the southern part of the island, we must emphasize the words "peace" and "stability". There is no need to increase the number of immigrants urgently, but social stability must be maintained.

No matter what situation arises, it is advisable to strike hard and eliminate unstable factors in the bud.

Only by employing loyal people who are dedicated to the country and loyal to the king can we ensure stability and prosperity in the area.

It is hoped that the Governor's Office will work closely with the Colonial Office to continue to deepen the penetration of the Kingdom's power, gain control of grassroots villages, and fully control the situation in the south.

Among this year's retiring officers and soldiers, priority will be given to the southern region.

I have great confidence in these royal troops who have undergone years of military training. They are also an important force for maintaining stability. The Ministry of Colonies must make good arrangements for their allocation and placement.

In short, we can’t let the cooked duck run away.”

This last sentence caused a burst of laughter from the ministers, and the atmosphere became particularly relaxed and cheerful.

The State of Chu is no longer pursuing superficial victory, but rather seeking to gain tangible benefits.

The former Dutch-occupied area in southern Kalimantan, which was swallowed up by the Dutch, has undergone tremendous changes in social population and environment after the vigorous immigration and colonization over this period of time.

The Chinese in the southern district make up more than 95% of the population, and the rest are some white people who did not leave and descendants of British, French, Spanish and other countries, as well as a small number of British and Indian immigrants.

The Chu State treated this part of the population as citizens and protected their personal and property safety, but they were temporarily unable to leave the area where they lived.

If they really leave here, these descendants of white people will have nowhere to go.

Therefore, we have received good treatment from the Federation of Nationalities Autonomous Regions, and the overall social environment has remained stable.

The only ones who were suppressed were the local indigenous men, who were basically thrown into labor camps and forced to do hard labor.

These convicts were not counted in the population.

(End of this chapter)