The Australian Revolution of 1828

Han Qingyun stayed until about 5 p.m. and selected 21 women and 15 men from the immigrants to be taken to the governor’s mansion for training.

As for the Director of the Population Bureau, who was running over, Han Qingyun couldn't wait any longer.

After the immigrants boarded another riverboat, Han Qingyun suddenly remembered the immigration fees and said, "Bingzhong, I've taken these people back. Their immigration fees will be paid by the Governor's Office. I'll have someone send them to you later."

Luo Bingzhong wasn't short of money from these people, so he quickly refused, saying, "Chief Censor, this is inappropriate. How can the Governor-General's Office pay for this? I'll have the local government advance the money."

If the money is advanced, the rules will be broken, especially since Han Qingyun is still rectifying various bad habits in Hanyang Prefecture. If we accept the Immigration Bureau's advance payment now, who knows how many loopholes will be opened in the future!

Han Qingyun quickly waved his hand, declining Luo Bingzhong's offer, before slowly saying, "Bingzhong, I understand your good intentions."

"But you must remember that you are the head of the Immigration Agency. If you always show favoritism, the Immigration Agency will run out of funding and won't be able to make up for it."

"I'm entrusting you with this responsibility at the Immigration Agency not so you can flatter me, but because I hope you can do more and make outstanding contributions to the development of Hanyang!"

Before he could finish his parting words, a gunshot shattered the silence in the distance.

Han Shiwei, who had been in charge of guard duty, disregarded his own safety and personally led his guards to escort Han Qingyun onto the ship, saying nervously, "Chief Censor, I'll notify them to set sail immediately!"

Before succeeding as governor, Han Qingyun was just the son of Old Master Han, so there was no need to be so nervous.

Now that he has succeeded to the position of governor, things are different. Han Qingyun's safety is not only related to the stability of Hanyang, but also to the lives and careers of Han Shiwei and his close associates.

Naturally, Han Shiwei couldn't afford to take it lightly!

At this moment, Han Qingyun was also puzzled as to what caused the gunshots at the scene.

If someone were plotting a mutiny, they wouldn't be so foolish as to fire a single shot and then fall silent. If the soldier accidentally discharged the weapon, what circumstances caused it?

After pondering for half a minute, Han Qingyun made his final decision and said, "Send someone to see what happened immediately!"

Normally, in the event of such an incident, Han Qingyun could choose to leave the port directly, and then the Immigration Agency, together with the Imperial Guard, would investigate the cause of the incident.

Now that Han Qingyun has sent people directly to inquire about the matter, it is clear that he does not believe that anyone is plotting a rebellion, nor does he believe that anyone at the port is planning a murder.

As the captain of the entourage, Han Shiwei understood his responsibilities, so he sent someone down to inquire about the matter, and at the same time instructed the crew to fire cannons and set sail at any time.

On the shore, things were also extremely busy. Luo Bingzhong stood outside the boat, not daring to leave without permission, and personally directed the police station, saying, "Go and find out what happened immediately."

The port police station is directly under the police department, but also subordinate to the port immigration department. Knowing the weight of their responsibilities, especially with Han Qingyun present, they understood the gravity of the situation.

Within moments, the police chief in charge of port security learned the basic facts of the incident and personally came to report the details to Luo Bingzhong, saying, "Chief, we've found out that seven foreigners sneaked into the port. It was the soldiers on guard who gave the warning."

"The two sides are currently in a gun standoff, what should we do?"

With the cause clarified, Luo Bingzhong breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Go to the scene and keep an eye on these people. I'll report the matter to the Chief Censor now."

He then said to the attendant who had inquired about the matter, "You heard what I just said; the foreigners have reached the port. I need to see the governor now; please convey my request."

Only after receiving the servant's report did Han Qingyun feel relieved. It wasn't that he was afraid, but rather worried about causing internal chaos, especially at this crucial moment.

Once Luo Bingzhong boarded the ship, Han Qingyun made no attempt to conceal his raging anger, berating him: "How is the port managed? How could foreigners be allowed to sneak in! If the Immigration Department can't handle this, I'll find someone else!"

In reality, the population of Hanyang Prefecture was too small, so the various government offices acted as both players and referees, wielding immense power.

Consequently, a sense of complacency has also arisen.

Knowing the gravity of the situation, especially since foreigners had infiltrated the area, Luo Bingzhong confessed his guilt, saying, "I know my fault, and I beg the Chief Justice for punishment!"

Han Qingyun knew that it was better to make mistakes than to make merits, and he understood the implications of this.

He severely criticized this incident, saying, "Foreigners have already infiltrated; the next time might be war! If the immigration office remains so negligent, the enemy could completely seize the port without firing a single shot!"

"Bingzhong, you have too much to do, so much so that your desk is piled high with official documents and you don't have time to look at them. I don't blame you for that, but you must be more vigilant, especially at the police station."

Han Qingyun both reprimanded and tried his best to win him over, but it was unclear whether this would have a positive effect.

Perhaps he was too moved, so much so that Luo Bingzhong felt a little ashamed. He straightened his body and said, "Chief Censor, I'll go and chop down these foreigners right now."

If one knows shame and then strives to improve, there's still hope!

However, this was not what Han Qingyun wanted. He glared at Luo Bingzhong before saying, "What's the use of killing them? Do you know what these foreigners' purpose is?"

"Remember, I want to live!"

Having received Han Qingyun's latest instructions, Luo Bingzhong became more methodical in his actions, directly mobilizing a platoon of troops to surround the seven men at the port.

The foreigners' leader was a middle-aged man in his thirties. Seeing the army surrounding them, he panicked and apologized repeatedly, saying, "Sir, I didn't mean to come here. Please let us leave."

Upon realizing that the other party was speaking English, Luo Bingzhong immediately called over an English-speaking translator and clearly told them, "Put down your weapons and surrender immediately."

The translator told them everything, but the other side was clearly still uneasy and said, "No, we will not surrender. Please let us leave."

Although Luo Bingzhong always behaved obediently, that was only in front of Han Qingyun.

At this moment, facing a group of unidentified armed thugs, Luo Bingzhong had no more mercy. He warned them again, using very harsh words, saying, "If you refuse to surrender, you will be executed on the spot."

Despite being faced with dozens of guns, the foreigners still refused to budge.

Luo Bingzhong had no intention of waiting any longer and directly gave orders to the port garrison and police officers, saying, "Disarm them. If they resist, you can tamper with their hands and feet."

Subsequently, the garrison took charge of the standoff, and the police rushed in to disarm them.

Perhaps the foreigners were also afraid of death, as they hesitated and neither dared to fire nor put up a fight, and readily surrendered their weapons.

Foreigners without guns are no different from ordinary people.

Eager to know the foreigners' purpose, Luo Bingzhong immediately separated the seven men for interrogation and asked the foreigners' leader the first question: "Name!"

The foreigner behaved very obediently, neither arguing nor getting angry, and responded to the interrogation room's questions submissively, saying, "Henry Holt!"

Everything was going smoothly until Henry Holt was asked about his purpose. He then began to lie, saying, "Sir, I'm just a businessman passing through who wants to replenish my food and water."

"As soon as we got ashore, your people discovered us, which led to the unpleasant scene."

Foreigners are eloquent and speak as if it were the truth.

However, Luo Bingzhong had experience in trade and knew that the other party was not a merchant. He questioned the other party's identity and said, "Since you are a merchant, why don't you have any goods or cargo ships, and only a small boat of 300 tons?"

Henry Holt, with his silver tongue, continued to deny it, saying, "Our cargo ship sank, and seven men escaped to this place in this small boat. There is absolutely no deception."

I was hoping to ask him properly, but Henry Holt wasn't cooperating at all.

Time was short and the task was heavy; Luo Bingzhong had lost his patience and directly handed over the interrogation to the police station, saying, "I just want the results!"

However, Han Qingyun was anxious and didn't want to wait any longer. He ordered his servants to bring the foreigners onto the ship, intending to interrogate them once they arrived in Hanyang.

Seven uninvited guests may be the source of trouble!