Cutting over the end of the Ming Dynasty: a dog-leg knife at the beginning

Chapter 663 Big stick and sweet dates

"My mother, the weather in Guangdong is simply anti-human!"

It is also late August, the Datong Basin has been covered with frost, and the winter is approaching. However, Guangdong, thousands of miles away, is still scorching hot. of.Someone said: "I like the summer in Guangdong the most, because you don't like summer in Guangdong, and there are only a few days in the year that you like!" Of course, Yang Menglong doesn't like the summer in Guangdong at all. He is so hot that the tip of his nose is red now. up!Now he is riding a horse, leading Zhaji Chongweng and Shi Tianbao, the two generals, into the city of Guangzhou. Because he didn't open an umbrella, the sun made his face red, like a big persimmon... If it is red If the lady was there, she would definitely have to reach out and pinch it a couple of times.

The history of Guangzhou can be traced back to the Qin Dynasty. It is an ancient city with a history of 2000 years. It has always been the main port of the Maritime Silk Road, and its business is quite prosperous.Of course, this kind of prosperity is relative. Everyone knows that the Huguang area has not been a prosperous place since ancient times. Until the Song Dynasty, Lingnan was still a barren land where ruthless people drink blood. .Guangzhou had to wait until the late Qing Dynasty to truly develop, and it is still early.The Huguang Rebel Army captured Guangzhou in July. After cleaning out all the local tyrants and evil gentry in Guangzhou, the Heluo New Army "recovered" Guangzhou. Yang Menglong, the governor of Huguang, naturally wanted to come and see this ancient city.

As a result, he was overheated to death...

Not only him, but the Heluo New Army from the north were very unaccustomed to the scorching hot weather. What a hell!" Regarding this, Yang Menglong said that in two months, you will miss this scorching hot weather, winter in Guangdong is no joke!

"This Guangzhou city is really big, but it's not as prosperous as our Nanyang!" Zhaji Chongweng looked at the large brick houses and made a comment honestly.

Shi Tianbao said: "Isn't it? There is not even a running water, so it must be very inconvenient to live here!"

Like most cities, the residents of Guangzhou also rely on wells to solve the problem of draft water. In the Song Dynasty, an official once paved several bamboo canals with bamboo to bring the spring water from Baiyun Mountain into the urban area, which improved the water supply of Guangzhou City. , but now this facility has been scrapped, and no one has rebuilt it, so everyone still has to drink well water, which is naturally very inconvenient in the eyes of Second General Heng Ha, who is used to tap water.

Yang Menglong turned his head and glared at the two of them, and said: "I said, can you calm down a little? I brought you to be bodyguards, not to open map guns to spread hatred!"

Zhaji was puzzled by Monk Weng Zhanger: "My lord, what is a map cannon? Why can't I understand what you are saying?"

Shi Tianbao said honestly, "I don't understand either!"

Yang Menglong said: "It doesn't matter if you don't understand, just keep in mind, don't point fingers at everything in Guangzhou... Keep your mouth shut, and when things are done, I invite you to eat Cantonese food!"

The two bodyguards shrugged at the same time, and they shut their mouths.

A group of three riders braved the scorching sun to arrive at the magistrate's yamen. Before entering, they heard fierce quarrels coming from inside. They were all in Cantonese, and everyone couldn't understand a word.Yang Menglong sighed, alas, it is really too troublesome if Mandarin is not popularized, let alone a province, even a city is separated, it is very difficult to communicate, no, he is so knowledgeable, The extraordinary person who is wise, wise, well-informed, and has traveled more bridges than others has only understood one sentence:
"your mom!"

When it comes to swearing, Cantonese is more ruthless, and three sentences can make people angry.Yang Menglong muttered: "We must promote Putonghua in the future!" Throwing the horsewhip to the servant who came to greet him, he strode in.

The prefect's Yamen was bustling with activity. A dozen representatives of Guangzhou City, a dozen foreigners with red hair and green eyes, and several high-ranking officials from Guangzhou City gathered together. They were talking about something that was no different from the aliens to the Heluo New Army from the north. The Cantonese of the language was fiercely debated.Of course, most of the time it was the deputies who were arguing, with the foreigners and officials wiping their sweat on the side. The Guangzhou prefect smiled bitterly as he listened. The string of foul words that came out made him quite embarrassed. He wanted to stop it but was choked. I couldn't speak, so I could only watch people spraying each other.

The dozen or so representatives are all heavyweights, and they all own a fleet. They have been traveling abroad for many years, and have traveled all over Japan, Vietnam, and Southeast Asia. The gold and silver were shipped back.After foreign missionaries came to Guangzhou to preach, they established a good personal relationship with the missionaries, and the business grew even bigger, and there was another item in the goods exported to Europe, that is, longan, a specialty of Guangdong.It is impossible to export fresh fruit abroad. They are all dried and exported, but the supply is still in short supply. After being transported to Europe by Portuguese merchants, they are sold at sky-high prices immediately, bringing huge profits to the Portuguese.Although the wealth background of these sea merchants is not as terrifying as that of Shanxi merchants, when it comes to potential, they rank first in the country, because they won at the starting line from the very beginning, which is why Yang Menglong summoned them to the magistrate's office .But these guys don’t seem to have a very good temper, and Guangdong is a relatively backward area. Many sea merchants have read little books and haven’t learned the ability of northern merchants to hide their emotions. If they didn't come, they quarreled because of some business conflicts, and "your mother" yelled loudly.

The quarrel was raging, and someone yelled: "Your Majesty is here!" The fierce quarrel came to an abrupt end, and all the representatives stood up in awe, and even specially arranged their clothes so as not to be rude. The language is simply different.It's a pity that Yang Menglong didn't appreciate it. He strode in, looked at the sea merchants coldly, and said, "Arguing, keep arguing, I'm so excited, why don't you stop arguing?"

The representatives lowered their heads and did not dare to say anything.This group of guys is a typical bully and shy of the tough. They are naturally very fierce in front of guys who are similar to or inferior to themselves. But in front of Yang Menglong, their first reaction is to tuck their tails, because standing in front of them is a great God of Wealth. , if they make him even slightly dissatisfied, countless wealth will say goodbye to them!

Yang Menglong sat down on the seat reserved for himself in advance, punched the table, and said angrily: "How many times have I told you, I have to use my energy to find ways to earn money from foreigners and earn money from myself." People’s money is not worth it, you are capable only if you can empty out foreigners’ wallets, why can’t you listen, huh? Are your ears blocked? If so, I’m happy to help you with a musket !"

Those sea merchants who are old enough to be Yang Menglong's father or even grandpa made this brat shiver, and he didn't dare to breathe.A fair-looking sea merchant said with a smile on his face, "Master Hou, don't get angry. We're just used to arguing like this. No one takes it seriously. If you want us to do something, we'll definitely do it." Make it in one place, and it will never be ambiguous!"

Yang Menglong snorted and said, "I believe your nonsense!" He sat down and said, "Tell me, why were you arguing just now?"

All the merchants bowed their heads to look for the ants, but the innocent merchant bit the bullet and said: "Some small conflicts in business are not worth mentioning, not worth mentioning!"

Yang Menglong snorted again and said, "I hope so!" He cleared his throat and said, "I called you here today. I have a few things to discuss with you."

The merchants immediately pricked up their ears.

Yang Menglong said: "First: I hope you can jointly build an institution of higher learning in Guangzhou."

The merchants slapped their chests fiercely: "No problem! Isn't it just to build an institution of higher learning? Guaranteed to do it!"

Yang Menglong said: "This institution of higher learning must be able to accommodate at least [-] teachers and students, and it must be a building with a reinforced concrete structure. As for the teachers and courses, I will decide!"

The sea merchants looked at each other and nodded at each other.Yang Menglong is a school-running maniac. Whenever he goes to a place, the first thing he does is to ask the local businessmen to raise funds to start a school, and the first thing he does is to make the other party bleed.Of course, if he doesn't want to spend the money, he won't force it, but he won't have anything to do with you in the future.They said in unison: "How much money is needed and how much land is needed, Lord Hou just ask and promise to do it!"

Yang Menglong was quite satisfied with the cooperative attitude of these guys and said: "My engineers are selecting the site and designing. The exact price has not yet been determined. Anyway, just prepare the money. The second thing is, I've had enough." Regarding the terrible road conditions in Guangzhou City, I hope that the government and you will jointly fund the construction of a cement road. It is best to re-plan the city of Guangzhou and replace all streets with cement roads. By the way, the sewers will also be repaired to save the rain. There’s just standing water everywhere.”

The facial muscles of the sea merchants visibly twitched... This is a big project, and it will cost a lot of money, this brat, I really can't save them money!But they still nodded and agreed with a sad face. After all, the quality of the cement road is obvious to all. It will not be muddy in rainy days, and it will not be billowing in sand and dust when the wind is high and dry. It is very important to make Yang Menglong happy!When Yang Menglong is happy, it means that they have a chance to make a fortune!
Sure enough, Yang Menglong was very happy to see everyone cooperating so much, and began to give out benefits: "Don't make a sad face, I won't let you spend money for nothing! I promise, every penny you spend will be returned ten times! "

The sea merchants said in unison: "We can trust Lord Hou!" Nonsense, with so many living examples put there, it would be too stupid for them not to know what to do.

Yang Menglong said quickly: "I want to cooperate with foreigners to increase the import of copper, tin, sulfur, guano, wood and other resources. I need some fleets to help transport them. Which of you is interested in taking over this business?"

With a swipe, more than a dozen hands were raised up like lightning.

PS: Gingivitis is really tormenting. My mouth feels as painful as holding a lotus root all day long. When I wake up, my mouth is full of blood, which is uncomfortable!
(End of this chapter)