From a son-in-law to a favorite of the empress

Chapter 800

The analysis of the war cannot be stopped.

Any arrogance will turn into the cause of failure in a situation of sudden change.

During these three and a half days, Zhou Yuan did not care about being affectionate with the Virgin Sister, nor was he in the mood to tease Kolodiya.

He kept thinking about the details of this war and constantly anticipated the direction of the war, so as not to find a response plan when unexpected situations occurred.

The bright moon fell on the sea, and the red sun rose on the sea. Time seemed to be never enough for Zhou Yuan. When he was eating, he was holding the map and thinking carefully.

On the evening of June 19, he finally arrived at the dock of Huizhou Prefecture. It was still spacious, but empty, but no one was there, and it was desolate everywhere, full of depression.

The people who rely on the sea for their livelihood are undergoing a hard endurance.

When he stepped on the land, Zhou Yuan's heart was filled with a thousand flavors. Two years ago, he went south to Fujian and Guangdong and got off the ship here.

At that time, he was carrying his personal honor and future.

At this moment, he is shouldering the fate of the nation and the future of the country.

With the pressure doubled and the heart more fettered, can people still remain absolutely sober?

The shame of two generations is playing out here, and the echo of history seems to have crossed the barriers of the dimension and is rolling here endlessly.

"I like it here."

Zhou Yuan said softly: "The land of Fujian and Guangdong has a rich and splendid culture. Tradition has given them solemnity and pragmatism, and the sea has given them free and easy and optimistic."

"The people here are a combination of movement and stillness, an interweaving of courtesy and affection, so they are tolerant and enthusiastic. If I were to choose a place to settle down, this place must be very close."

The sunset has passed, leaving only the remaining red on the earth, the heat of the sea breeze has subsided, and the surroundings look particularly desolate.

Li Yu'an lifted her long hair that was blocking her eyes, followed him closely, and whispered: "Where are we going next? Go directly to Xiangzhou, or stay in Huizhou Prefecture?"

Zhou Yuan shook his head and said: "There is no point in staying here. The Henggao and Hengfeng ships must continue to head west to the west bank dock of Dapengso and be on standby at all times."

"Shenque has sent people over. When the order is conveyed, the two battleships will immediately take action from the waters south of Hong Kong Island, through Dahao Island, and head towards Haojing."

"I will go to Xiangzhou to take charge of the home court and personally command this battle."

As soon as the voice fell, someone in front shouted.

"Prince! Prince!"

Dozens of officers and soldiers surrounded several officials and hurriedly ran from a distance, obviously just in time to get here.

The leader was wearing a red official robe, with a bulging belly, but he trotted all the way, sweating profusely.

Before he even got close, he bowed deeply: "Zhang Tao, the governor of Guangdong, I am late to welcome you, please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Looking at the dense crowd, Zhou Yuan wondered: "Why are you here?"

Zhang Tao said: "I received the pigeon letter from Your Majesty, and I dare not neglect it. I did not go to Xiangzhou immediately, but came to Huizhou Prefecture to welcome Your Majesty first."

After speaking, he couldn't help but look up and saw the two huge warships on the sea. He was stunned for a moment.

Isn't this a Portuguese warship!

It's just flying the flag of my Great Jin!

How many years have we been bullied for so many years? Finally, it is a warship, no less inferior to the opponent's warship.

Not only him, but others also looked at the battleship, and their eyes were hot for a while.

Zhou Yuan waved his hand and said, "Time is tight, there is no time for you to board the ship. Let's go first and go to Xiangzhou immediately. We will talk on the way."

The carriage was already ready. Zhou Yuan left the dock and walked into the city. Only then did he see pedestrians gradually appearing on the street.

During this period of time, the people dared not go out much. Besides, the coastline was blocked, and they could not do anything if they went out.

Zhang Tao said in a deep voice: "Your Highness came to Huizhou Prefecture two years ago and saw the situation here. It was much more lively than it is now."

"This is mainly because the sea is our foundation. Without the sea, many families have no hope."

"Some people live off their savings, some beg on the streets, and some simply move away."

Zhou Yuan nodded. Indeed, Huizhou Prefecture, including Huizhou Wharf, was extremely lively two years ago.

When he and Zhuang Xuansu got off the boat, they saw many fishermen returning and selling the freshest seafood at the dock, and buyers were endless.

Zhou Yuan looked around and sighed, "Zhang Tao, we are old acquaintances. Let's talk about the situation here."

As an old governor, Zhang Tao is well versed in personnel affairs and naturally knows what to say.

He said solemnly: "It's similar in Fujian and Guangdong. The economy has been hit hard. The people are suffering. There are many beggars on the streets. Some people ignore the strict laws in order to survive, and even commit crimes deliberately, just to have food to eat in jail, so as not to be in trouble.Starved to death."

"Foreigners are rampant, they can do almost anything here without being punished."

"Forced buying and selling, violent competition, and even simple bullying, we can't do anything about them."

"At first, the people would choose to report to the police, but later they found that they had to pay the murderer money after reporting to the police, so they chose to swallow their anger."

"This kind of tolerance gradually evolved into fear, and even felt inferior to the foreigners. It's really sad and lamentable."

Speaking of this, Zhang Tao couldn't help but raise his voice: "But recently the government and the service jointly handled the case and arrested all the foreigners. Although the people are afraid, they are also happy in their hearts."

"For so long, who hasn't suffered from the foreigners? Who doesn't hate them? The anger in my heart has long been suppressed."

Zhou Yuan said: "Where are the government? Where are the officers and soldiers?"

Zhang Tao smiled bitterly and said: "My lord, as long as you give an order, all the officers and soldiers in Guangdong dare to fight for their lives. ”

“They feel even more aggrieved. They are bullied by foreigners and stabbed in the back by the people. Who can bear this feeling?”

“As long as there is an order, as long as there is an opportunity, who doesn’t want to avenge the shame!”

He shook his head, clenched his fists, and gritted his teeth and said, “Not to mention them, even an old sly guy like me, Zhang Tao, can’t wait to cut the foreigners into pieces.”

“Last year, the autumn tax in Guangdong was only 70% of that in previous years. It’s difficult.”

Zhou Yuan asked in confusion, “But I heard from Lord Liu that Guangdong paid more silver than in previous years!”

“Because I didn’t embezzle last year.”

Zhang Tao smiled bitterly, lowered his head and whispered, “Your Majesty, you are a smart man, you must know that I, Zhang Tao, am a big corrupt official.”

“But last year I really didn’t dare to embezzle, and I really didn’t want to embezzle. Countless people had no income at all. In order to pay taxes, they almost cut their flesh and blood! Miserable! ”

“The people are poor, wronged, and oppressed, and the country needs money, and needs to build ships and raise soldiers…”

“Even if I am a beast, I dare not covet the national money for building ships and cannons, and the blood and flesh money for raising soldiers!”

Zhou Yuan was also very moved. Even people like Zhang Tao have a conscience, which shows that… the behavior of foreigners has long been unbearable.

Zhou Yuan just hasn’t been here for a long time and can’t feel the humiliation and anger.

He just said slowly: "If you say you won’t be greedy, then don’t be greedy. Can other people who follow you to eat money be convinced? Can they stop?"

Zhang Tao gritted his teeth and said: "Prince, I am not only greedy for money. If they dare to mess around and disobey, I have plenty of ways to deal with them."

As soon as the voice fell, roars rang out all around.

“Governor! Governor!”

“Help, save us!”

“I can’t live anymore, fight, kill those foreign devils! "

Zhang Tao changed color and said: "What's going on! What's going on outside!"

A guard reported: "Sir, our convoy has been recognized, and the people have surrounded us. I don't know who led them, but they are all kneeling on the ground!"

Zhou Yuan lifted the curtain and saw people kneeling everywhere on the street, men, women, old and young, with excited and angry expressions.

They shouted one after another, and their emotions were completely out of control.

"Governor, kill those foreigners!"

"Take back the ocean! We want to go out to fish!"

"Fight with them!"

Zhang Tao hurriedly urged: "Go! Go! Don't listen!"

It doesn't make any sense to respond at this moment, and Zhou Yuan is still in the car, and safety issues must also be considered.

And Zhou Yuan said: "Sir Zhang, do you know what this is?"

Zhang Tao was slightly stunned.

Zhou Yuan smiled and said: "We have ships and cannons, and the anger of the people has reached its peak. ”

“Just like a concave-convex mirror facing the scorching sun, thousands of times the light is concentrated on one point, it becomes white-hot, smokes, and has to burn. ”

“The time for a strategic decisive battle is ripe.”

The people also gave Zhou Yuan confidence and a more solid feeling.