Chapter 8: Duke Zhou Fears Rumors

  In the fourth year of Xianfeng, in May, an imperial edict arrived in Guangzhou: "Edict to the Grand Councilors and others: Previously, Jingxiang memorialized requesting permission to train a gun and cannon brigade. This is hereby approved for immediate implementation. However, while firearms troops should prioritize guns and cannons, they must also practice archery. Order Jingxiang to lead a contingent of crack troops to discipline the various Guangdong militias. Select several officials from among the Green Standard Army and naval vice-generals in Guangdong, and order them to report to Jingxiang's military camp in Guangzhou for deployment and to assist in commanding the new army. Do not delay even slightly. You are not allowed to claim that there are no personnel available and use this as an excuse to shirk your duties. Make sure to clearly inform all relevant parties within a radius of 600 li."

  It is also decreed, "There are also people who have reported that Guangdong currently has more than 100 Yue merchant ships, which hire guests and specialize in escorting cargo ships. If they can be hired to enter the capital from Chongming, they can defend against bandits lurking upstream and downstream. However, the sailors are all from Macau and wear barbarian attire, so it is necessary to carefully consider whether they can be hired without causing other problems. The original memorial is hereby excerpted for your review."

  Two imperial edicts were issued. The first imperial edict gladly agreed to Ye Zhao's request for military training, but also added a sentence "should still prioritize guns and cannons, while also practicing archery". The second imperial edict expressed concern over the appearance of Chinese workers wearing Western-style clothing on Qing merchant ships in places like Macau and Hong Kong, but only ordered them to "make arrangements quickly", without explicitly opposing it.

  Sitting in the study of the Gongguan, Ye Zhaohad a letter from Lao Fuzi in his hand. The letter said that he had already recruited more than 400 local braves outside the pass and that the money and grain donated by the gentry were barely usable. At the time of writing this letter, Lao Fuzi was taking silver to Shanghai to purchase military supplies.

  The Guanwai Liao army finally set out, but he himself was at a loss as to how to proceed. The newly formed three battalions of riflemen, including the purchase of firearms, were all in order, but how to train them was a headache for Ye Zhao. As for military affairs, the great deeds and battle examples that he had been familiar with since childhood could only be used as stories, perhaps inspiring Hong Niang's innate talent, but when it came to personally commanding troops, what did he know? How to train and form an army was even more bewildering.

  It seems that the only option for now is to negotiate with the British and select an officer from the British garrison in Hong Kong as an advisor to help train troops. This is not because of blind faith in Western doctrines, but rather a matter of necessity. The new army is an infantry battalion equipped with firearms, so it naturally suits Western military systems and training methods. It would be ideal to have a British officer enlighten us. As for whether the new army can become a powerful fighting force, that depends on its own leaders. They should absorb Western military theories without being dogmatic, and gradually develop their own set of rules in the Eastern battlefield. However, this will likely require testing in actual combat.

  But instead of using British military advisers, they had to find a way to get Muttern's support, lest they be stabbed in the back.

  While pondering this matter, the study door was lightly knocked, and Rui Si's monkey face appeared. "Master, Chen Jiao, the master of San Hengtai class, has come with his disciples to thank you. Master, should I lead him to the main hall for a bow?"

  Ye Zhaowu nodded slightly.

  He took a look at several documents of Taihehao's "clients", and had already lent over ten taels of silver, almost all of whom were intentionally trading with foreign merchants. Ye Zhao couldn't help but smile wryly in his heart, thinking that he was clearly cultivating and supporting the comprador bourgeoisie. He only hoped that these compradors would not disappoint him in the future, and that a few of them could make a contribution to the rise of national enterprises.

  Putting down the documents, Ye Zhaowen walked out of the study room, through the hall and into the front courtyard of the yamen. Bakshi and Alhatu followed closely behind him.

  The yamen's courtyard was a tranquil scene with green cypresses and pines, and the ground paved with blue bricks. However, today it was somewhat disordered, as seven or eight theater troupe accountants carried several loads of gifts, which appeared to include fabrics and gift boxes, all tightly wrapped in red silk cloth.

  Ye Zhaowu slightly furrowed her brow and entered the main hall's side chamber from the side door, while Bakshi and Alhatu stood guard outside.

  In the side hall, Yu Si and Chen Jiao stood with their hands hanging down, serving as attendants. Chen Jiao was over 40 years old, tall and majestic in build, with a heroic air about him, truly worthy of being a martial arts actor.

  When Ye Zhaoyi came in, Chen Jiao's eyes suddenly flashed with a hint of unusual color. Ye Zhaoyi was slightly stunned, but saw that Chen Jiao had already knelt down and kowtowed: "Humble subject Chen Jiao pays respects to the Commander-in-Chief!"

  Ye Zhaohad just sat down beside the case table and had not yet spoken when he heard a commotion in the courtyard. "What's going on? Halt!" "Halt!"

  Just as Ye Zhaoyu was about to send Ruo Si to investigate, Bakshi and Alhatu suddenly retreated into the hall, with Bakshi shouting: "Master be careful!"

  Ye Zhao was stunned, while Chen Jiao, who was kneeling on the ground, knew that things had gone wrong and no longer hesitated. His body stretched out, a dagger appeared in his hand, and he pounced towards Ye Zhao.

  "With a bang, Chen Qiao stumbled to the right and took several steps back, his right arm covered in blood. Bakshi had already blocked Ye Zhao's path, firing two shots that hit Chen Jue in the chest. Chen Qiao fell backwards."

  "Master, hurry up!" Alhatu suddenly blocked the corridor, "Puff puff puff", almost every word he spat out was accompanied by a knife wound. Outside the hall, seven or eight bandits with cruel faces and icy steel knives hacked at Alhatu's body, almost instantly turning him into a bloody man. Yet his iron-tower-like body firmly blocked the entrance, not allowing the bandits to move forward one step.

  "Go!" Bakshi grabbed Ye Zhaos arm and shouted at Rui Si, who was stunned like a wooden chicken. He finally came to his senses, quickly stepped forward to protect Ye Zhao, and ran towards the left side door. From the left side door, they could enter the main hall and then retreat into the backyard.

  A dagger flew past Ye Zhao's head, almost scraping his scalp, and landed on the windowsill with a "ding", quivering slightly.

  Turning around, Chen Jiao, with a large patch of fresh blood on his chest, propped himself up, his resolute and ferocious eyes filled with unwillingness. "Qing dog! I may die without regret! One day I'll become a ghost to claim your dog life!"

  "Bang", Bakshi fired another shot, Chen dodged his body sideways and fell silent.

  "Ah!" On that side, Alhatu suddenly let out a loud roar, and the two door pillars he was holding onto tightly were pushed outward by several thieves in front of him. His body was constantly being stabbed, even with knife tips protruding from his back, blood spraying wildly, but he continued to charge forward, taking five consecutive steps before finally falling, yet still not collapsing. The several knife-wielding thugs were so frightened that they forgot to rush into the flower hall to kill Ye Zhao.

  Ye Zhao almost bit her teeth and held back tears as she retreated to the second courtyard under the protection of Bakshi and Rui Si, while the guards rushed to the front yard. Bakshi and Rui Si did not stop their footsteps, protecting Ye Zhao all the way to the rear mansion. In front of the crescent gate, Ye Zhao broke free from Bakshi and Rui Si's arms and said: "It's here."

  A few rebels should be purged soon, Ye Zhao didn't want to scare Rong Er.

  Ba Ke Shi also knew Ye Zhao's thoughts and stopped talking, silently loading his gun.

  "You go and take a look at Alhatu." Ye Zhao felt inexplicable sorrow in his heart, and he also knew that Bakshi and Alhatu were sworn brothers, Bakshi this iron man, just didn't show it.

  Baqi clenched his teeth, almost biting out blood, but only shook his head. Ye Zhaolong let out a long sigh and gently patted Baqi's shoulder. "I understand what you mean, I know you're thinking of my safety, it's just... Alhatu..." He finally couldn't hold back tears as he spoke, "How did he... how did he die?"

  Although reborn in a chaotic world, Ye Zhao has always been pampered and never experienced life's hardships or the pain of losing loved ones. He had never seen his loyal servants being brutally killed before his eyes. In two lifetimes, it was almost the first time Ye Zhao shed tears.

  Upon seeing Ye Zhaolu's tears, Bakshi suddenly knelt down and kowtowed heavily: "Master, Master, don't be sad, don't hurt yourself! Alhatu can die for the master, he...he died well! I am also willing to die for the master! We slaves meeting the master is a great blessing from heaven!"

  Rui Si couldn't help but feel his heart racing, and he knelt down to kowtow: "Master, Ah Lao Hu Tu, Ah Lao Hu Tu is willing to serve you in the next life!" As he spoke, he too couldn't hold back tears.

  Ye Zhaowiped away the tears from the corner of her eyes and remained silent.

  A team of shield-bearing soldiers and bird gun teams arrived, naturally to guard the inner house.

  Before long, Sailing came hastily in his armor and saluted from a distance: "Your Excellency, there were sixteen rebels. Fifteen of them were killed on the spot, and one was captured. The city is in chaos. I, your humble servant, dare to issue orders in your name to each camp to be on guard, and also order the soldiers of the Red and Blue Banners to enter Guangzhou City to assist the Green Camp in suppressing the riot."

  Ye Zhaowu nodded slightly and said: "You're right." Turning his head to look at Bakshi, he said: "Let's go, let's go take a look at the front yard."

  "Master, master don't go!" Bakshi and Rui Si both advised.

  Ye Zhaomo silently shook his head and walked towards the front yard.

  In the front and back of the hall, flag-bearing soldiers were carrying in and out of corpses covered in blood, while Alhatu was bent over beside a flowerbed, his body covered in wounds of all sizes, as if he had been tortured.

  Ye Zhaowu felt a pang in her heart, turned her body around, and gently closed her eyes.

  "Your Excellency, the thief has just confessed that Chen Jiao is the younger brother of Chen Kai, the leader of the Guangzhou gang. Chen Kai colluded with the rebels and planned to start a riot in Guangzhou today. The assassination attempt on you was just a diversionary tactic."

  Will the bandits come? That's another branch of the Hongmen, stabbing themselves is also a sudden idea, just in time to take the opportunity to thank San Hengtai, and those who stabbed themselves naturally had their minds set on dying, without thinking of living to go back.

  Only a dozen or so people can secretly carry weapons and openly enter the Banner City, entering the Deputy Commander's Mansion, even if it is in the name of giving gifts to the Deputy Commander, but it can also be seen that the military discipline of the Banner Army is slack.

  Ye Zhao furrowed his brow, and after a good while, the three deputy commanders and four assistant commanders hurried over. The other three assistant commanders had led the flag-bearing soldiers into the city to suppress the bandits.

  Ye Zhaoxin's mind was not here at all, but in the capital city enjoying wealth and luxury. Even if caught by Su Hongniang, she would only think it's fun, but today, the bloody scene suddenly awakened Ye Zhao.

  Long sleeves are good at dancing? Hong Fu is as prosperous as heaven? You can really make the world's affairs look simple! Which time of changing dynasties, isn't it built up with countless lives? So-called one general's achievement is made by the withering of ten thousand bones. The road you're taking now, who knows how many people will lose their heads in the future, how many people will shed blood and sacrifice for you, and how many people will hate to eat your flesh. Are you all prepared for these?

  And those who yearn to restore the Han regime, how many people will misunderstand themselves before they show their true colors? Even in the end, for the sake of power or because of deep-seated hatred, one's enemies will never be few.

  I'm afraid that as I gain more power, I'll make even more enemies.

  Are you all ready?

  It's still that one sentence, from the moment you prepare to change the world, personal gains and losses are no longer placed in your heart.

  I hope that Alhatu and Chen Jue, the blood of these people will not be shed in vain. One day, they will see China become their ideal country, and their children and grandchildren will no longer have to take the road they once took.

  Ye Zhaoming silently took the incense from Rui Si's hand, but his words could only be prayed to heaven.

  ……

  In the Guangzhou General's Yamen, Ye Mingchen, Mu Zhen and Ye Zhao were discussing matters.

  Ye Zhao, although only the deputy commander-in-chief, was fully in charge of organizing the new army and thus became one of the most powerful officials in Guangzhou, ranking third after Muirhead and Ye Mingchen.

  Yesterday, the Guangzhou uprising was quelled. Except for many shops being burned down, there wasn't too much turmoil. After investigation, it was found that yesterday's rebellion was a joint action of the Triad and other bandits, with Chen Kai and Li Wenmao as the leaders.

  Chen Kai doesn't need to be mentioned, he is a notorious leader of the Triad who has long been wanted by the Guangzhou government. Li Wenmao, on the other hand, was originally a renowned artist in Guangzhou, but secretly formed an alliance at the Qunghua Guild Hall in Foshan, organizing his disciples into three armies: Wenhutu, Menghutu and Feihutu, with the intention of rebelling.

  No wonder Ye Mingchen coldly threw out the words "kill without pardon", he has always been extremely tough on bandits, it seems he is determined to stir up a bloody storm in Guangzhou.

  Li Wenmao had never heard of Ye Zhao, but since it was such a big deal, he thought there must be records in the history books. Just as he was pondering this, Ye Mingchen frowned and said: "Cantonese opera performers are often lawless, they should be strictly investigated. All those registered with the Qionghua Guild will be imprisoned and interrogated."

  Ye Zhao knew that severe punishment and interrogation would only lead to more people being implicated, so he thought for a moment and smiled: "Your Excellency, I think it's better to prioritize pacification. Except for the main culprits and those who have committed murder, others can be pardoned and reformed. Guangzhou is a prosperous commercial city, and our Qing dynasty relies heavily on its grain supplies. Severe punishment and interrogation will only make everyone fearful, causing soldiers and officials to become restless and scholars to become anxious. Moreover, the people of Guangdong are known for their loyalty to the emperor and respect for authority, so we cannot let temporary anger disturb the people's hearts." Maintaining social stability is the best way to eliminate the gang.

  Ye Mingchen did not expect Ye Zhaotian's lengthy argument, and listened silently with a nod.

  Mutern smiled and said, "Let the Governor's Office, the General's Office, and the Deputy Commander-in-Chief's Office jointly post a notice to reassure the people. This matter is feared to be like ten people becoming tigers, we are all unstable, and if it spreads to the capital, it will alarm the Emperor even more."

  In Guangzhou City, the thieves rose up, and Ye Mingchen and Muteng were somewhat related. Muteng didn't want to make a big deal out of it and be reprimanded by the Emperor.

  Muerte also agreed with Ye Zhao's statement, and Ye Mingchen only nodded. He had always been loyal to the emperor and was not afraid of rumors or gossip. His loyalty was truly admirable. However, neither of the two Manchu nobles wanted to make a big show of searching for and executing suspects, so he didn't insist on his own views either.

  ……

  At the time when Ye Zhao was discussing matters with Zhi Tai and Jiang Jun, he couldn't have imagined that by the Pearl River, a young man with a white cloth wrapped around his head was kneeling facing the river water, making a vow that one day he would reorganize the army, return to Guangzhou City, and kill Jing Xiang to avenge his brother!

  ………………………………

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