When we came out again, the warehouses, stations, and tracks in the port area in the distance were all visible to everyone. Instead of the bustle and bustle of the past, it was in a state of depression. Only the soldiers of the Han Navy Marine Corps patrolled back and forth, which seemed to be in the misty rain.
Lonely, this is not a normal important port.
There are some homeless camps nearby, which are arranged in small square blocks, just like pastures. Some people are stepping inside and looking up at the guard of honor. There are noisy sounds.
Someone should have recognized his identity, and some father-in-laws were even asking: "Is it Mr. Hou..."
Ye Qing waved to them, delayed for some time, and then didn't go there. Besides, to be honest, it didn't mean much, and it wasn't pretentious.
On the way up to the Xishan Fort, Ye Qing's eyes once again turned to the long river covered in white mist, as if he could see through the fog and see into the distance: "I heard that Da Cai has blocked the Qianjing River, and soldiers and civilians are not allowed to travel between the north and the south?"
Zhou Yu knew his lord's concern, so Yu Jian said: "It's true. The Royal Navy's First Fleet arrived yesterday, and together with the Xiangzhou Navy, they blocked the entire three counties in northern Hunan."
"In order to prevent foreign magicians from pretending to be scurrying around, not only the civilian ships flying our flag are not allowed, but even the ships flying the flags of other states must undergo strict inspections to make it difficult for them to get past..."
"Perhaps the Lord's reaction is that the waterway accident was not done again, but the ship was seized and sent back... He said that we were allowed to bid farewell to each other properly."
Zhou Yu smiled bitterly when he said this.
After walking up the mountain path, visiting various forts, and meeting with the gunners who had made great contributions, Ye Qing finally stood on the hill and watched.
From a high position, you can have an unobstructed view of the entire port. Although it looks desolate and lonely against the backdrop of the mighty white mist of the long river, there is a kind of orderliness in the desolation. It is divided into blocks according to water depth, military, passenger transport, freight...
The sunken black giant ships are moored quietly in the port area, rising and falling with the gentle waves of the white river on the shore, and the rows of black and white keys on the piano rise and fall. This is the unique regular beauty of the navy.
“The port is well maintained.”
Ye Qing couldn't help but praise him. Knowing that he was not only a handsome man, but also had some insights on politics and grand strategy, he nodded and asked, "What do you think? Just tell me."
Since the lord asked, Zhou Yu was not a pretentious person, so he got straight to the point and said: "Based on the current situation, I feel that the Cai Dynasty is not ready to start a large-scale war with us...My lord, look at them, they are still covered by the water spirit mist in the middle of the river.
, In fact, I haven’t shown up these days, it’s just friction and blockade.”
"However, that doesn't mean it's not fatal."
"The former friction is due to the last fleet bombardment. Knowing the superiority of our Xishan Fort, the enemy fleet does not dare to approach King's Landing easily. Unless a war is decided, military security is not a problem for the time being."
Ye Qing nodded slightly in agreement, and then heard him say: "The latter's blockade will be very troublesome, and the population migration in civil affairs has completely stopped..."
"Yingzhou sent a letter saying that the replanting season for sweet potato is almost over. Workshops in various places are busy paying orders and can't spare any manpower. The refugees must be sent across the river to various places within half a month at the latest. Otherwise, if they can't catch up with the replanting, they will have to
Consuming strategic grain reserves... I think this is very dangerous, or it may be the enemy's purpose, and my lord must be on guard against it."
Qianqian and Henyun looked at each other in shock. They knew how important food was in troubled times, and they couldn't help but feel a sense of crisis in their hearts. They both looked at their husbands.
"Strategic reserve grain cannot be touched lightly, it is the lifeblood..."
"There is also population transfer, which disconnects the population of Xiangzhou and the workshop industry of Yingzhou... The enemy is pinching our lifeblood, defeating the two major reliances we mentioned on the negotiating table, draining the bottom of the cauldron, and forcing us to make concessions step by step.
, finally gave in and returned to the negotiating table, but then there was no good fruit left to eat.”
Ye Qing sneered: "It is really a blockade and pressure policy. Fortunately, I had expected it."
"In the three counties of northern Hunan alone, this blockade will definitely make people's livelihood difficult and they will not be able to hold on for a long time."
"But I immediately issued an order to clean up central Hunan and occupied three more counties. The six counties now form one area. They can be self-sufficient, at least in general. There is no problem, and there are land trade routes that cannot be cut off."
Ye Qing's eyes were cold and serene, and he made an in-depth judgment. He looked at the misty and dangerous river for the third time, feeling the breath of the warship inside: "The golden energy penetrates the blades, and the river locks the dragon...
Forget it, I will personally lead the team and hang up the main flag to see if anyone dares to stop me from crossing the river..."
Zhou Yu's spirit perked up, and he immediately looked back and ordered the people to go: "Hang the main flag while you are away."
"Hang the main flag——"
The sound spread in the port, and many soldiers and civilians looked over. The port area occupies a large area, and the news of Ye Qing's arrival was not publicized. Most of them were so surprised that they didn't understand what was going on, until a green dragon with a red background
The flag is rising slowly on the Yingzhou Navy flagship.
Suddenly there were many exclamations. The soldiers were familiar with the flag and reacted immediately: "It's Lord Marquis"
"Ah, could it be that the Marquis of Han is here?" Farther away, some refugees looked at each other, wondering if the Marquis of Han was negotiating peace with the imperial court on the Xiang River?
"I just saw it and said yes, you still don't believe it..."
After all kinds of evidence, more people cheered up: "It must be that he has not forgotten us -"
"Yes, beat those bastards... The Xiangzhou Navy, if they even kill their own countrymen, what kind of Xiangzhou Navy is this?"
In fact, the leadership of the blockade has been transferred to the hands of the Royal First Fleet. Those soldiers from the six states in Xiaxi have nothing to do with Xiangzhou. However, the Han army will not remind them of this kind of thing, and the people's hatred will naturally return.
In the midst of such shouting, Ye Qing and his party went directly down the mountain and boarded the flagship. At this time, they saw that the guards and soldiers were standing there, and they all saluted.
Ye Qing only said, "Get up without any courtesy," then went up to the deck, sat down on a chair, looked at the courtiers filing in, and smiled: "No courtesy at all, sit down and serve tea."
As he said that, he saw Lu Su.
Lu Su, named Zijing, was born in Dongcheng County, Linhuai County. He lost his father when he was young and was raised by his grandmother. He was tall in appearance and bold in character. He loved reading, riding and shooting.
Ye Qing said with a smile: "Lu Qing, I haven't seen you for some time."
"I'm here." Lu Su heard Ye Qing ask him, and hurriedly took a step forward, bowed and said: "The Lord is busy with everything, I took a look at it, I feel a little relieved, and my spirit is still good, so I feel relieved."
Ye Qing smiled: "You're not bad. You are in charge of the refugees this time. I don't know what to do?"
"Youku has transferred 30,000 shi of brown rice to me. I think the relief is enough. This is a blessing from the Lord. At present, it is just difficult for ships to cross the river."
"I know." Ye Qing looked into the distance and sneered: "Just go and get the people on board, I will see later who dares to intercept."
Also ordered: "Raise the flag"
"Yes", the dragon flag immediately rose, and all the pro-army soldiers knelt down and worshiped: "Wan Sheng"
With this signal, the ships that had been prepared immediately arrived in an orderly manner, and the suspended migration project was restarted.
From the nearest refugee camps, refugees were led out and lined up to board the ship at the civilian dock. Many people stretched their heads to look at the flagship in the military dock area.
The flagship is far away, and there are dense guards and troops.
Nearby, there were also densely packed warships, forming a large formation with continuous flags. Seeing this power, the refugees let out heavy gasps.
"The Marquis is a thousand years old"
There was a sudden roar of kneeling sounds, and as the people knelt down, a canopy was raised high. Ye Qing, supported by his own soldiers, came to the bow of the ship in front of the deck and signaled to the soldiers and civilians.
Many people saw this and cheered: "The Marquis of Han is a thousand years old"
In fact, this was over the top, but no one cared. After a few cheers, the atmosphere became more intense.
When it comes to one's own property and life, looking at the rain and white mist penetrating the long river, the worried voice on the boat always says: "Will the boat capsize again?"
People living in water towns are good at water, but also most afraid of water. They are not even allowed to turn over when eating fish, and they are even more taboo about capsizing a boat. Some people glared: "Don't be a crow..."
"Ha, I'm not afraid... With the old man Hanhou here this time, who dares to stop him? Isn't that asking for death..."
"Also... the immortals will bless you and prevent disasters from happening."
"Alas..." someone sighed and said, "So what if crossing the river is dangerous?"
"Xiangzhou is very short of food, and Yingzhou has been unable to transport food recently. If we don't cross the river, we will starve to death. If we try our luck to get across, it will be a way to survive."
These words made everyone silent. In addition to worrying about the safety of crossing the river, some people have a longer-term perspective and worry about arriving in Yingzhou... We have always known that Yingzhou is a poor mountainous area. In the past disaster years, we still needed Xiangzhou to support food relief, but now it is short-term.
Has it really become rich in just five years and can it accommodate so many refugees to make a living?
Seeing is not believing, and no one dares to believe everything. At present, there is no way out, so we can only place our hope on a hero...
Or you may forget it later, but at least your attitude is true at this moment.
Looking at these, Ye Qing smiled slightly.
Under normal circumstances, Yingzhou cannot support such a large number of people, but now there are a large number of workshops and factories that urgently need a large number of workers to join them, and these refugees are suitable.
In northern Hunan and central Hunan, after the destruction and ravages of foreign fleets and the relocation of these refugees, several percent of arable land can be vacated. As long as it is properly distributed, production can be restored in a very short time and people can be relatively wealthy.
In the midst of such anxiety and mutual comfort, the transport ship swayed under the feet of the refugees, and the iron chain creaked as it weighed the anchor.
The sail is rising, adjusting the wind direction. This southeast wind... is just suitable for crossing the river.
But one step faster than civilian ships, a warship with a smooth and strong hull slid across the water ahead. Compared with the mainstream ships currently driven by sails, rudders and magic arrays, this kind of early industrial hybrid sailboat should not be underestimated. The Huoling Steam Engine
The pilotage started with the roar of metal and the sound of propeller churning water.
The whistle sounded from the Xishan Fort to see off the fleet.
Under everyone's expectant gaze, above the standing figure of the man at the front of the flagship ship, the eye-catching red flag fluttered fiercely, and the green dragon rose, piercing the cold white fog of the long river, as if breaking free from the blockade.