Chapter 283: Longyan Battle Record (VI)

After the Heipi Gully Mining Company was established, the major households within the designated area rushed over to join the righteous cause — if they didn't come, their fortified villages would be broken, their men conscripted, and their back taxes collected. Only a fool wouldn't come.

This was precisely why the Transmigrators were so determined to strike the Chen Family Fortified Village: once their fearsome reputation was established, mass mobilization work became much easier. And these shareholders who had been "coerced" into joining the mining company would soon discover that the so-called company shares were actually worth a great deal of money!

The Transmigrators held the coordinates of all the coal shafts in the Longyan area. Of course, these coal mines, which in later generations would require deep-shaft mining, were basically useless now: in the 17th century, coal seams were exposed at the surface.

Under the command of professional surveyors, the newly established mining company would quickly pinpoint several open-pit coal sites. Then, from downstream, large quantities of high-quality tools, rails, mine carts, and most importantly, gunpowder and nitro oil would be shipped in. Once the overburden was stripped from these open-pit coal mines, the company's profits would soon come rolling in.

By that point, the Transmigrators would have a massive allied force in the locality: once the shareholders earned grain and salt, they would naturally become utterly devoted to the new company and support every single policy of the Transmigrators.

The local government would also benefit: not only could they sell off wasteland, they could also collect taxes from the coal mines. Furthermore, the grain arrears these bastards had accumulated over the years would now have a way to be settled: with the Transmigrators backing them, the major households agreed that for every 100 jin of grain they received, they would repay 10 jin toward their outstanding debts.

In short, everyone was happy — a community of shared interests had been formed.

This model would be continuously replicated nearby. One must know, this place had not only coal mines, but also iron mines and high-quality calcium oxide. Apart from the gold and copper mine at Zijin Mountain, which would temporarily be "state-owned," all other mineral deposits would in the future be jointly developed by the natives.

Developing in this way, the future Longyan would grow increasingly prosperous, and outsiders would come in ever greater numbers: the meager resources of the local natives alone could not sustain so many mining companies.

The Transmigrators would guide large numbers of wealthy merchants from Zhangzhou and Xiamen to settle in this impoverished mountainous county, pooling their resources into one mining company after another. In the process, they would round up and package the nearby mountain folk — those who needed to be shipped out would be shipped out. Urbanization, after all, was just like this.

Half a month after arriving in Longyan, the civil and military team led by Ding Liqiu and Wei Yuan, using a mix of soft and hard tactics, had finally set up the framework for several companies and gathered together a group of local interest groups.

Only at this point could the outsiders be considered to have a preliminary mass base, allowing them to begin the next phase of work.

Xiancheng, Qiao Family Inn, private room. Ding Liqiu was hosting a guest — the visitor was County Yamen Chief Wang Zhubao Yuanzai.

Wang Yuanzai was a local, a clerk by background, in his forties, with a lean face and a wispy goatee. His appearance was very much that of a clerk, and his attire was equally so.

Ever since the troops had arrived in Longyan, Chief Wang Zhubao, whether it was requisitioning corvée labor or handling the contractual procedures for the mining companies, had been utterly dedicated. He was a native model of army support, actively aligning himself with the Organization and vigorously assisting and backing the Transmigrators' work.

"For all those previous matters, Mr. Wang spared no effort, rushing about and toiling. I, Shi — Ding Liqiu gave his own courtesy name — today, with these few cups of humble wine, hereby express my gratitude to you, sir."

"Not at all, not at all. Since your esteemed unit came to Longyan, you have neither disturbed the people nor stirred up trouble. On the contrary, you have built bridges and paved roads, bringing blessings to the homeland. I, Wang, have seen all this with my own eyes." The smiling Chief Wang Zhubao raised his cup with both hands, clinked it with Ding Liqiu's, and after setting it down, continued: "Though I, Wang, am but a lowly clerk, I am still a native of this place. For such good deeds, I am naturally willing to lend a hand."

"Mm, it benefits both public and private interests." Ding Liqiu picked up a bite of five-step snake stewed with tiger penis and, while eating, said: "New mines will be established in increasing numbers. This little token of respect we offer now is nothing much. That group of Dong Daxing's are all seasoned businessmen who understand the rules. In the future, every one of you county gentlemen will see your family fortunes flourish."

"Haha, then I, Wang, shall borrow your auspicious words, Mr. Ding!" With that, the two of them drank another two cups in perfect harmony.

After three rounds of drinks, Ding Liqiu finally began steering the conversation toward serious matters: "I wonder, Mr. Wang, what is your view on this bandit suppression campaign?"

"Ah, to be frank with you, sir, the people of the entire county have long suffered bitterly from bandits." Wang Yuanzai's expression darkened at this point: "Longyan has been plagued by frequent banditry since ancient times; countless common folk have been its victims. To be honest with you, sir, my own nephew was abducted by bandits ten years ago... Ah, by the time he was ransomed back, he was already a corpse."

"Your esteemed group's desire to rid Longyan of this scourge is a cause for great public rejoicing." At this, Wang Yuanzai's eyes reddened slightly, but then his expression hardened: "Though I, Wang, am of little talent, I am willing to be at your command this time. Whatever task you entrust to me, I shall not disappoint you, sir."

"Excellent, excellent, excellent! Those were the very words I was waiting for, old brother." Ding Liqiu was overjoyed upon hearing this: "My unit has now been in Longyan for over half a month, yet the bandit suppression campaign has made no progress. Why? Precisely because we lack an old hand like Brother Wang, who knows the county and the bandit situation inside out!"

At this, Ding Liqiu leaned in and said quietly to Wang Yuanzai: "To be frank, old brother, my general has already pressed me on this matter several times. He boasted about it to the Grand Minister, the Fuzhou Governor."

Hearing this, Wang Yuanzai couldn't help but worry for Ding Liqiu: "In that case, you must act with urgency."

"Who says otherwise?" Ding Liqiu was somewhat vexed at this moment: "The general has already given the order that, no matter what, we must wipe out at least one bandit gang before the month's end. Ah, these past two days I've had no peace, running around everywhere gathering intelligence on the bandit gangs."

"Oh, I, Wang, also have some intelligence on the bandits here. Allow me to share it with you, sir."

"Excellent, excellent. I, Zaishi, am all ears."

To catch the bandits, first catch their leader. The Transmigrators had come here to suppress bandits, so naturally they would pick the strongest and most notorious gangs to strike. Currently, the two most powerful groups in the vicinity were these.

The one with the greatest momentum was the Lin Shiwan Bandit Gang.

Lin Shiwan was a native of Shuangyang. A cunning and treacherous man, he led his followers to occupy the area around Duima Ridge in Shuangyang Town, north of Longyan County. He had over 400 hardened desperadoes under his command, and his notorious reputation made him a great terror to traveling merchants and local villagers alike.

The other force was the troops of Yantou Stronghold. Yantou Stronghold was located southwest of Xiancheng, and its leader was named Ma Shixia. It was said that this man was of Border Army origin, highly skilled in martial arts, and adept at wielding a nine-ring great blade. He had 200 brothers under his command.

These two groups were basically the most powerful bandit gangs in the locality.

After listening to Chief Wang Zhubao's brief introduction, Ding Liqiu was not particularly surprised: this was all essentially public information and did not differ much from what he had already gathered.

However, Old Wang then gave him a pleasant surprise: Old Wang's wife's family had a clan nephew named Su Tieqiang. In his early years, this man had accidentally killed someone and was thrown into prison. Later, Old Wang pulled strings and smoothed things over with the complainant, allowing Su Tieqiang to escape a death sentence.

After his release, since his entire family fortune had been swallowed up by the yamen, Su Tieqiang turned around and joined a bandit gang — Lin Shiwan's bandit gang. Recently, due to an injury, he had conveniently returned home and become a stay-at-home bandit.

Chief Wang Zhubao's plan was simple: he, as Su Tieqiang's savior, would step forward to turn him. That way, the Transmigrators would have an inside man within Lin Shiwan's bandit gang.

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