Compared with ordinary guards, Zhenhai Guard is now a city due to its special nature.
Even if it is compared to the real county seat, it is not inferior at all.
It is both a mountain city and a sea city.
There are Back Mountain, Gushan, Zhaoshan, Yaoshan, and Cangshan in the city, collectively called "Five Star Mountain". Outside the city, there are "Jiutongtou" and "Tudi Gongshan". The two mountains are collectively called "Seven Stars Landing".
There is Elephant Trunk Mountain in the south of the city, connected with Qiwei Mountain and surrounding Hongjiang Port.
The harbor is calm and calm, making it a natural haven. Whenever there is a storm, hundreds of passing ships gather here, which is quite spectacular.
In the distance, the sea and sky are vast, and the Dongding and Nanding Islands dot the sea surface, which is really beautiful.
There are wells everywhere in the city, a total of ninety-nine, which were dug by Zhou Dexing, Marquis of Jiangxia.
These wells are distributed on the side of the stone path, next to the banyan tree, and in the courtyard.
Not only are the mountains and seas beautiful inside and outside Zhenhaiwei, but there are also many shops and many members of the chamber of commerce gather here.
At this time, in Zhenhai Guard City, in the lobby of the guard station.
Seven burly and strong men were drinking wine and eating meat.
The leader is Chai Bai, the commander of the Zhenhai Guards.
Chai Bai has the word "白" in his name, but in fact he is not white at all. With his full beard and dark skin, he is comparable to Zhang Fei in the novel.
He has a tall and strong figure, which is half a head taller than ordinary people. He has a big sword, stained with countless blood, and has made great achievements.
"Brother, after hearing the news from my brothers, His Highness the Grand Sun paid a private visit incognito."
"First he went to Dantu, and then he went to Suzhou Mansion a few days ago. Will he come to our place soon?"
The man at the bottom bit off a large piece of pig head meat. After swallowing it in several mouthfuls, he asked Chai Bai above.
Although Chai Bai also looked reckless, the meat on the plate in front of him was all chopped up, and he ate it without using his hands.
What didn't match his figure was his eyes, which were a bit small and turned into slits when narrowed slightly, making it difficult to see what was real or what was empty.
Hearing this, he did not answer directly, but turned his eyes to the other side. He was a man wearing brocade clothes. Although his body was strong, he was not as exaggerated as others.
The man felt Chai Bai's gaze, put down his wine glass and said:
"I will definitely come, but I have also sent brothers to find out. His Highness Taisun's targets are all civil servants, businessmen and the like."
"We are different. We are warriors, warriors who have been injured and shed blood for the Ming Dynasty."
"The establishment of today's Ming Dynasty was the result of brothers fighting with swords and guns. Even His Majesty has never seen any guard station being attacked."
"Not to mention that we, who are following Duke Liang now, are still direct descendants of His Highness the Grand Sun. On weekdays, even the brothers of the Qunying Chamber of Commerce have never interfered."
"So there is nothing to worry about. According to my guess, His Highness Taisun's trip will be mainly in Shanghai County."
"It seems that the civil servants and businessmen in Shanghai County have suffered a lot."
After the man finished speaking, the other four people also put down their wine and meat.
Everyone understands that the eldest brother is about to speak.
Chai Bai felt quite satisfied when he saw that his brothers understood the rules so well.
He took the silk cloth next to him and wiped the oil stains around his mouth, and then said, "Sha Qianhu is right. We are considered to be His Highness the Grand Sun's people, so don't worry too much and disrupt the morale of the brothers."
"But now that His Majesty the Grand Sun has come to our side, we can't say that we have gone too far. There are some things that we should restrain ourselves from. If we really mess up something, don't blame me as the eldest brother for being unkind.
"
"We are all brothers who have shed blood on the battlefield. Now is the time for us to enjoy our blessings. You have made a lot of money over the years, and it is time to calm down."
Regarding His Highness Taisun, Chai Bai said it was easy, but he was very worried in his heart.
It can even be said to be a little scary.
The first general Chai Bai followed was Jiang Xiahou, including the Qianhu who led Zhenhaiwei, basically the same.
Jiang Xiahou died so tragically.
The dignified Marquis, so quietly, disappeared among the capital of the Ming Dynasty.
At the beginning, many warriors felt that this might be a signal for His Majesty to take action against the guards. During that time, many people began to become cautious.
Chai Bai, in particular, was so frightened that he could not sleep well all night, fearing that when he woke up one day, an edict would come and kill him.
Your Majesty's side is not easy to talk to. Killing someone is as simple as eating and drinking.
Once Chai Bai heard the news from the capital, this one was killed, that one was slaughtered, or a certain family was exterminated, or a certain clan was exterminated.
When he heard the news, he didn't have any extra thoughts, and he was no different from a theatergoer.
But if it only involves yourself, it's completely different.
During that time, in the entire Zhenhai Guard, few leaders could sleep well.
It is impossible to run.
Maybe no one cares about ordinary sergeants, but almost none of them, the officers, can escape.
Besides, before the edict comes, who would be willing to give up the glory and wealth in front of them.
All we can do is keep sending people to inquire.
Fortunately, news came from the capital that it was because Jiang Xiahou's son, Zhou Ji, caused trouble in the palace, which led to the deaths.
It may sound a bit unbelievable, but at least it is a result, which means that the matter is over and everyone can feel relieved.
It was not until later that rumors came out that it was because the son of Marquis Jiang Xia had provoked His Highness the Grand Sun, that His Majesty was so furious that he also killed Marquis Jiang Xia.
Chai Bai intuitively felt that the gossip behind was the most reliable.
Jiang Xiahou is from the same hometown of His Majesty, and Zhou Ji can be considered as His Majesty's nephew. Moreover, Jiang Xiahou is only a single child.
Ji Chaibai was familiar with that week. He was a bit of a jerk on weekdays, but he also knew how to behave appropriately.
He looks domineering, but in reality he is a tiger father and a dog son, very cowardly, who would have the courage to act wildly in the palace.
Especially when Chai Bai found out that the owner behind the Qunying Chamber of Commerce was actually His Highness the Grand Sun, he became even more frightened.
Chai Bai was no stranger to the Qunying Chamber of Commerce. Not only was he no stranger, he was also very familiar with it.
Today's Zhenhaiwei has achieved such a rapid development in recent years. It can be said that it has an inseparable connection with the Snowflake Salt of Qunying Chamber of Commerce.
As early as the first time snowflake salt appeared on the market, Chai Bai was keenly aware of the high profits involved.
Then he directly led people, almost in a semi-forced manner, to directly steal the sales rights of snowflake salt in Shanghai County and surrounding areas.
In other words, if anyone wants to buy or sell snowflake salt, Zhenhaiwei will take a share.
With the convenience of water transportation and the advantages of Zhenhaiwei, even Yanguan cannot compete with it.
The other brothers of Zhenhaiwei also had their mouths full of oil.
However, before the canonization ceremony of His Highness Taisun, after learning that he was the owner of the Qunying Chamber of Commerce, Chai Bai immediately cut off everything related to Xuehuayan without hesitation.
Afterwards, many parties made way for the Qunying Chamber of Commerce, and the same was true for the Caobang, who did not dare to fight at all.
The owner of the Qunying Chamber of Commerce is a mysterious figure.
The rumors have always been in the Western Regions, how could he suddenly arrive in the capital? Who knows.
Coupled with the later rumors about Xiaoling and his resurrection from the dead, Chai Bai was even more stunned.
At that time, Chai Bai sighed: "He is indeed a born emperor. Even if he lives in the world, he is not something ordinary people can compare to."
All kinds of news made Chai Bai have a shadow of fear in his heart towards His Highness Taisun.
The purpose of summoning all the thousands of households this time is to let everyone calm down for a while, and not to let His Highness Taisun find any evidence.
There was something he didn't say: His Majesty might not touch these meritorious soldiers who had sacrificed their lives and shed their blood for the Ming Dynasty.
But His Highness Taisun, that may not be the case.
Chai Bai didn't read much, but he still knew the laws of the Ming Dynasty clearly.
If His Highness Taisun were to take it seriously, according to the law, none of the brothers here, including him, would be able to escape. Even skinning and filling it with grass would be considered light.
"Brother, we have a batch of goods coming over from Caobang. I don't know when His Highness Taisun will come. How about we finish our trip first?"
"I guess it will only take two or three days, so it shouldn't be a problem."
The next person, Qianhu, listened to the elder brother's words, hesitated for a few times, and then asked.
The goods he mentioned in Caobang were naturally none other than smuggled goods.
How much money can be made through serious business, but only through smuggling can one make money quickly.
The establishment of Caobang is based on Xuehuayan.
Snowflake salt is now a serious commodity, but for several years before that, it was smuggled goods. Once discovered, it would be confiscated directly.
In fact, having said that, Zhenhaiwei really made a lot of contributions to the fact that snowflake salt can be distributed from Shanghai to all over the country. Without the protection of Zhenhaiwei, smuggling snowflake salt may not be able to sell so well.
Snowflake salt can no longer be made, but everyone has tasted the benefits of smuggling, especially Caobang, but there are many brothers who have retired from Zhenhai Guard.
Naturally, smuggling cannot be stopped. Without snowflake salt, other things can be done. Although the profit is less, if the channel is familiar, you can still make a lot of money.
When Chai Bai heard this, he struggled a bit in his heart, and then said with certainty: "No, let the brothers unload the goods directly on the shore, and hide the things first."
"Money is something. It doesn't matter if you earn less, but there must be no trouble with His Highness."
"We are the direct descendants of His Highness the Grand Sun. If something goes wrong, wouldn't it mean His Highness the Grand Sun is embarrassed?"
"You have lost the face of His Majesty the Great Grandson, what else do you want from me?"
"My brain is gone, no matter how much money I have, it will be of no use."
Listening to the commander's reprimand, Qianhu, who had just spoken, shrank his neck, as if he was about to be beheaded.
He felt a little scared in his heart: "Just listen to my elder brother. When I turn around, I will immediately tell my brothers that they have all stopped recently and won't do anything anymore. I will go to the brothel to play for a while first."
"Wait until His Highness Taisun stops staying with us, or doesn't come to our place, before we start."
Chai Bai praised: "You have some understanding."
Then he said to those present: "Everyone, listen up. No matter what kind of business you are doing recently, all of them have been stopped. Don't leave any one behind. They are all working for me."
"Remember, we must supervise each other. Anyone who is dishonest at this time will take my life and the lives of my brothers."
After hearing the reprimand, the burly man who spoke earlier asked again: "Brother, if the water transport has stopped here, will the sea transport also stop?"
Chai Bai thought for a while, then gritted his teeth and said: "Stop, the business at sea has also stopped, and no one is allowed to touch it."
Qianhu, who had a relatively normal body shape, said at this time: "A few days ago, Japanese maritime merchants wanted to order a batch of firearms from us."
Chai Bai frowned and said, "Didn't I refuse? Other things are OK, but firearms are not allowed now. Now the Duke of Song, as well as the King of Yan, the King of Jin, and the King of Qi are all fighting against the Japanese in the Japanese country."
"If firearms suddenly appear in the hands of Japanese people, it will definitely shock the whole country. If we conduct a strict investigation, I am afraid that none of our brothers will be able to survive."
Although Chai Bai is also greedy for money, he also knows the importance of it.
When it comes to fighting a national war, other things can be said that firearms are absolutely out of the question.
At that time, the entire Zhenhai Guard will have to be executed.
The man replied: "Brother, that's not what I meant. Of course I know about firearms."
"What I mean is, how about we arrest those Japanese businessmen first, and then if there is any news about His Highness Taisun, we can directly capture them and sacrifice them to His Highness Taisun."
"Eldest brother also knows that there are so many brothers below us, and if there is any small leakage, we may not be severely punished, but in the heart of His Majesty the Grand Sun, the impression will not be good."
"Now the imperial court is fighting against the Japanese. Let's just say it's fine work once we catch someone like this. Let's not talk about the merits. We have to leave a good impression on His Highness Taisun no matter what."
When Chai Bai heard this, his eyes lit up: "Well, Sha Hongguang, you are really smart. It seems that the private school really didn't ask you to go to the school for nothing."
"At this juncture, you can still figure out these things, a good way, a good way!"
"If there is any reward from His Highness the Grand Sun, the first prize will be yours."
Chai Bai laughed and was extremely happy.
As for morality, the black eats the black.
In the face of the future, it is a waste of money.
Besides, since they are Japanese merchants anyway, there is no need to talk about loyalty.
When the brothers at the bottom heard this, they looked gloomy at first, but they suddenly started laughing along with Chai Bai.
The other guards don't know the details of the Qunying Chamber of Commerce, but the Zhenhai guards who have cooperated with them for many years know something about it.
Now that misfortunes have been turned into blessings, not to mention how happy I am.
"Okay, now that the strategy has been decided, there is no need to say more. You have to deal with thousands of households in the Japanese country, so you should know the approximate location."
"You will lead the way, take two thousand brothers with you, surround them all, and don't let any of them escape."
"When the time comes, the future of our brothers will depend on this."
Chai Bai directly ordered the general.
Thousands of households who were called also stood up, patted their chests and replied: "Please rest assured, brother, no one can escape if I keep it."