Chapter 1151 Return to Changshan Islands

In addition to several warships, this fleet that left Zhifu Port and headed north also had more than twenty passenger and cargo sailing ships with a displacement of about 200 tons. Its destination was not along the coast of the Jiaodong Peninsula, but across Zhifu Island.

Phi Island facing the sea.

The person leading this fleet is still Navy Commander Wang Tom. He has already led the team to Pi Island once before, so he is familiar with it. There are three purposes for going there this time. One is to deliver relief supplies to Dongjiang Town.

The second is to hold face-to-face talks with the top management of Dongjiang Town, and the third is to assist Dongjiang Town in returning to the Changshan Islands adjacent to the Liaodong Peninsula.

Since the last contact with Dongjiang Town, Haihan has shipped tens of thousands of taels of silver worth of grain, cloth and other living materials to Pidao, and as part of the exchange conditions and rewards, Pidao has also exported to Haihan.

More than 2,000 healthy young laborers, some of whom, after a short stay on Zhifu Island, have been transferred to Zhoushan Dinghai Port in the south, where they will be distributed and resettled to various colonial sites along the southeast coast. In the next day,

In the middle of the year, tens of thousands of refugees from Liaodong will be transferred to other places in the south through the immigration camps on Zhifu Island. The two sides will use this method to gradually solve the refugee crisis on Phi Island.

For Haihan, Dongjiang Town is not just a down-and-out Ming army that is not valued by the court. As long as it is used properly, not only can it harvest a large amount of cheap labor from the jurisdiction of Dongjiang Town, but it can also serve as Haihan's entry into Liaodong.

Lead the way and reduce the difficulty of carrying out combat missions in the local area. The Ming Dynasty is now unable to retake Liaodong, but Haihan has always been very interested in this choke point that controls the northern sea frontier, especially the Jinzhou area at the southernmost tip of the Liaodong Peninsula.

, has been included in the list of regions that must be controlled by the Executive Committee a few years ago.

This area used to be under the jurisdiction of Dongjiang Town, and what Haihan wants to do now is to use the name of Dongjiang Town to carry out armed occupation of the area. Of course, the Ming army generals in Dongjiang Town may not be willing to accept Haihan's plan, so

Tom Wang must go to Pidao in person to discuss the details of future cooperation face-to-face with the other party.

Prior to this, General Shen Zhixiang of Dongjiang Town had visited Zhifu Island and witnessed Haihan's military strength with his own eyes. Haihan also specially arranged measures to instill in him some information about the changes in the situation in the Northeast, so that he could realize Haihan's intervention.

The benefits of this region to Ming Dynasty, especially to Dongjiang Town, and the bright prospects for a win-win situation after cooperation between the two parties.

Judging from the reaction of Dongjiang Town after Shen Zhixiang returned to Pidao, the other party should be relatively able to accept the cooperation conditions proposed by Haihan. This also provides the possibility for the two parties to explore more in-depth cooperation in the future. However, there is still one step to go.

Taking one step at a time, this time Haihan will help Dongjiang Town return to the Changshan Islands. After the spring, the local area can start cultivating food as soon as possible. Part of the food problem will be solved by the end of next year, and Haihan's material transportation pressure will also be reduced.

Of course, the food problem is only part of the reason. Haihan hopes that through such means, Dongjiang Town can maintain sufficient pressure on the east coastline of the Liaodong Peninsula throughout the winter. This is because after this operation, the main force of the northward fleet

He will leave Southeast Shandong and return to Dinghai Port in Zhoushan for the winter. He will also perform maintenance on the warships. There is no way to continue to exert pressure on the Houjin control area. Before that, Wang Tom must discuss future cooperation with Dongjiang Town.

way to reach a preliminary agreement.

Two days later, the Haihan fleet arrived safely in the waters near Pi Island, and then sent a small boat to the island to inform the Ming army of its intention. Then the Ming army also sent people to the fleet's flagship and agreed with Wang Tom on a time for the meeting between the two parties.

Place.

The next morning, Wang Tom met with Shen Shikui, the current commander-in-chief of Dongjiang Town, on an uninhabited island less than one mile in diameter and adjacent to the main island to the west of Pi Island. This island is less than a hundred feet away from Pi Island.

There are no hidden places on the island. After landing on the island, you can have a panoramic view of the island's conditions. Both parties landed on the island in small boats, so that each other could feel more at ease.

However, Haihan has always been very thorough in preparing details, so after landing on the island, he immediately found a flat place on the island, set up a large awning, and then placed folding tables and chairs.

, and a camp stove for making tea was set up next to it. The whole process took only a few minutes, which made Shen Shikui and his party who landed on the island almost at the same time stunned. It was Wang Tom who took the initiative to say hello first, and then the two sides greeted each other.

Then we went to sit down together under the awning.

"I heard from Zhixiang that all the masters of Haihan are people who are good at enjoying themselves. When I saw them today, they are indeed well-deserved!" After Shen Shikui sat down, he looked at these utensils. He was a businessman, so he naturally has an eye for materials and workmanship.

More carefully, although the Ming army also had equipment such as field tents and folding tables and chairs, the quality was not as good as the things used by the Haihan people. In particular, the stove for boiling water was extremely small and neither burned wood nor coal.

, but the flames were burning quite brightly. If it wasn't in front of the Haihan people, Shen Shikui would probably be amazed by this.

Tom Wang responded with a smile: "In this life, we work very hard, just to make ourselves live more comfortably. People like us who wander outside all year round can only try our best to eat well and wear good clothes to comfort ourselves.

Make Master Shen laugh!"

Shen Shikui sighed: "I thought that when I was doing business in Liaodong, I lived a life of fine clothing and fine food. But I didn't expect that the situation changed and Liaodong changed its flag. By some mistake, I became the commander-in-chief of Dongjiang Town. Now,

I can only live a frugal life on this desert island, and I don’t know if there is still a chance to change the situation!"

"Yes! Of course there is!" Wang Tom followed these words and talked about his purpose of coming this time: "Liaodong has always been the territory of our Han people, how could we let the gold thieves and these wild boar skins outside the customs take over! Shen

If you, sir, are willing to regain Liaodong, we Haihan will be happy to help."

Wang Tom's words "We Han people" warmed Shen Shikui's heart. Although he also knew that these people in front of him were actually not Ming people, since they considered themselves of Han descent, of course he was happy to see it happen. Shen Shikui did not expect that Haihan people would appear.

The money used to help Dongjiang Town has other purposes, but judging from the current situation, at least the Haihan people have not made any excessive demands, and they also regard the Hou Jin regime as an enemy, and are in conflict with Ming Dynasty in terms of political stance.

The assistance provided by Haihan is an irresistible temptation for Dongjiang Town, which is in trouble.

However, Shen Shikui is also very clear-headed. He knows that with the existing armed forces in Dongjiang Town, counterattacking Liaodong and defeating Hou Jin is almost tantamount to wishful thinking. Even if Haihan is willing to provide military support, he is not willing to let his men easily

His troops went to serve as cannon fodder on the battlefield of the Liaodong Peninsula. Therefore, Shen Shikui still kept a relatively calm mind regarding Wang Tom's remarks: "General Wang, Dongjiang Town is currently short of major generals and lacks food and clothing. It is difficult to confront the Jiannu slaves head-on. I thought

, it is better to take back the Changshan Islands first and solve the problem of food. It will not be too late to make other plans after our Dongjiang Town recovers some strength."

Shen Shikui's answer was basically as expected by Wang Tom. Before his departure, the Zhifu Island Command had already made a rough assessment of Dongjiang Town's armed strength and believed that the number of troops it could devote to combat missions in the short term was insufficient.

There will be more than 3,000 people, and such a small number of people is simply a drop in the bucket for the vast territory of Liaodong. Not to mention defeating Hou Jin, it would be good to occupy one or two strongholds. Therefore, Haihan did not place too high hopes on it.

, the rhythm and progress of the next march into Liaodong must be controlled by oneself.

"The Changshan Islands must be brought back. This is also the purpose of my coming to Pidao this time." Wang Tom first gave Shen Shikui a reassurance, and then extended the topic: "But our ultimate goal is to start from

Hou Jin recaptured Liaodong from the hands of Hou Jin, so whether it is the Changshan Islands or other places in Liaodong, it is just a springboard for us to march into Liaodong and defeat Hou Jin. I hope that both of us can form a strategic alliance and form a joint force to fight in Liaodong.

The region will launch operations. Of course, considering the current situation in Dongjiang Town, we will also provide you with certain assistance in terms of personnel, weapons, training and transportation."

Shen Shikui was not overjoyed because of the favorable conditions offered by Wang Tom. After all, he was a merchant. His first reaction to this situation was to consider what the other party wanted from him. The Haihan people were not religious men and women. They lived in Dengzhou and Lushun.

The measures taken by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have fully proved this point. Before understanding Haihan's true intention, Shen Shikui still did not dare to agree to Wang Tom's alliance proposal.

Shen Shikui coughed dryly and said: "I would like to ask, if your country wants to start from Dongjiang Town... no, it should be the Liaodong area, what benefits does your country want to get from here? Can General Wang please tell me clearly, so as not to

It would be inappropriate for me to make random guesses and create misunderstandings."

Wang Tom did not rush to answer his question, but asked his men to bring the freshly brewed hot tea: "This is Longjing tea produced in Hangzhou Prefecture, Zhejiang Province. It is a new tea picked at the beginning of this year. It must be difficult to buy here in Dongjiang Town."

It's here. Mr. Shen can have a taste. If you like the taste, I'll ask someone to leave a few kilograms of tea later."

Shen Shikui smiled bitterly and said: "Dongjiang Town can't even buy food, how can we get the good tea from the south! Let alone tea, if it weren't for your country's help, many people would not even be able to drink rice soup this winter. General Wang

If you are interested, I will thank you in advance!"

Wang Tom took a sip of tea, slowly put down the cup, and then raised his hand to reject the soldiers and entourage around him. Seeing this, Shen Shikui knew that Wang Tom might be getting to the point, and immediately followed suit, including Shen Zhixiang.

All his men retreated several feet away.

"Since Mr. Shen asked me about it, it would be unreasonable for me not to be honest." Wang Tom said unhurriedly: "We don't really want much, we just want a port to stay on the Liaodong Peninsula.

, just like the Zhifu Port we are building in Dengzhou."

Shen Shikui narrowed his eyes slightly and continued to ask: "Then I want to ask, will this port belong to Haihan from now on, or will it still be under the jurisdiction of Ming Dynasty?"

"The right to use belongs to our country, and the ownership rights can be slowly negotiated." Seeing Shen Shikui's puzzled expression, Wang Tom explained to him: "Just like Zhifu Port in Dengzhou, nominally the place still belongs to the Ming Dynasty, but in fact

The management and use authority of

Provide certain subsidies to local governments in the form of material assistance or rent."

Shen Shikui was noncommittal, and then asked Tom Wang: "Since General Wang has considered it so carefully, he must have chosen a good place?"

Tom Wang nodded and replied: "Lushunkou."

"Good vision!" Shen Shikui praised: "Back in the Ming Dynasty, when I crossed the sea from Shandong and entered Liaodong to destroy the remnants of the previous dynasty, I landed at Lushunkou. The natural harbor there is indeed a rare and good place!"

Tom Wang continued: "The harbor belongs to us, and the military glory goes to Dongjiang Town. What do you think, Mr. Shen?"

Shen Shikui thought for a moment, nodded and said: "I think it is feasible. However, this transaction is limited to Lushunkou. General Wang, don't forget it."

Tom Wang smiled and said, "I understand what Mr. Shen means. It's easy to talk about."

Pan Yan, the former commander-in-chief of the Dengzhou Navy who was captured by Haihan at Lushunkou last time, returned to Pidao from Zhifu Port with Shen Zhixiang and told Shen Shikui in detail about the combat methods of the Haihan fleet, so he did not doubt the Haihan army.

He had the strength to seize Lushun Pass. However, Shen Shikui was worried that Haihan was greedy and would continue to get involved elsewhere after taking Lushun, so he put the ugly words up front to avoid being exploited by Haihan in the future.

However, Wang Tom is not worried about this agreement. In Haihan's plan, Dongjiang Town is actually the target of annexation in the future. Most of these thousands of Ming army soldiers fought against Hou Jin in Liaodong, and many of them

Even a small number of people can be recruited as a source of troops for the Haihan Army. As long as time is given, this corner will definitely be dug down slowly. By then, Dongjiang Town will become an empty shell, and the previous promises will naturally lose their binding effect.

Of course, these exchange conditions are currently just verbal commitments, and it is impossible for both parties to sign a written agreement for this, so there are still certain variables. What is currently feasible is that Haihan

The fleet assisted the soldiers and civilians of Phi Island in returning to Chang Son Islands.

According to the general plan agreed between Shen Zhixiang and Haihan at Zhifu Port, Haihan will provide some food and living materials for the approximately 5,000 soldiers and civilians returning to the Changshan Islands, and will provide them with grain seeds and supplies in the spring of next year.

Farm tools so that the area can successfully resume agricultural production. Many of the details still need to be finalized by Wang Tom and Shen Shikui.
Chapter completed!