Chapter 376: Warm-hearted and Righteous

After clarifying the background of the official dispatch, Xiong Wencan immediately summoned Cao Chuan to the Grand Coordinator's Office, and then, almost impatiently, he gave his own views on the matter.

Yes, impatiently — Cao Chuan had just asked, "This humble general does not know whether he should go or not," and right after, Xiong Wencan, without delay, without posturing, without analyzing the situation, first set the tone: "It would be best for the General to make the arduous trip."

Actually, in the Transmigrators' plan to enter Guangdong, there was another person who stood to gain enormous hidden benefits: Xiong Wencan.

The reasoning here is simple: as soon as Cao Chuan leads troops into Guangdong territory, then in the imperial court, Xiong Wencan's policy of Summon Pacification will achieve total victory and affirmation — after all, even Wang Zunde has backed down.

This kind of victory is certain to bring political rewards: once Wang Zunde steps down in the future, Xiong Wencan's promotion from Grand Coordinator of Fujian, a Central Committee-level post, to Governor-General of Liangguang, a Bureau-level post, will become the preset consensus in court and the Emperor's first choice.

In the original history, Wang Zunde would die of overwork in office next year, in 1630.

At that time, because Xiong Wencan was busy presiding over the overall Bandit Suppression Campaign — after recruitment and amnesty, Zheng Zhilong, Li Kuiqi, Zhong Bin, and others were fighting into a chaotic mess in the Min Sea, and Xiong Wencan could not get away. So the court appointed Wang Yehao, a man from Yuyao and the great-great-grandson of Wang Shouwen, younger brother of Wang Yangming, to serve as Governor-General of Liangguang.

Even so, just two years later in 1632, once Zheng Zhilong had dealt with his surface-level brothers, the court immediately promoted Xiong Wencan to Governor-General of Liangguang concurrently overseeing Fujian.

Yes, that's right, Xiong Wencan initially took over the entire military affairs of Liangguang and Fujian, three provinces. The court's purpose in this arrangement was very clear: to let Lao Xiong integrate the military strength of Guangdong and Fujian and deal with the last great pirate, Liu Xiang, who was marauding everywhere along the Fujian-Guangdong Coast.

Later, if not for Liu Xiang's treachery in kidnapping a group of officials Xiong Wencan had sent to negotiate Summon Pacification, the court would not have punitively sent Zou Weilian to take over Xiong Wencan's post as Fujian Governor.

In short, even though it was bumpy and often met with reversals and setbacks, Xiong Wencan's Summon Pacification policy was, after all, the only practical method the weakened Ming government had at the time to stabilize the coastal frontiers. So in this regard, Lao Xiong gained profound political rewards: the Guangdong Governor post was the peak of his life.

And in the Transmigrators' timeline, Xiong Wencan's situation was ten times better than in history. The shock effect that Fujian's overnight great governance brought to the court officials and the Emperor far exceeded that of the "same period in history."

Under these circumstances, Lao Xiong, who had long since freed his hands and was just waiting for promotion, could completely rely on his great merit in pacifying the seas to succeed Comrade Wang Zunde, who would die of overwork next year, and conveniently reorganize Guangdong's disorderly pirates and the various foreigners... No one was more suited for the Guangdong Governor post than Lao Xiong; this timeline did not need Wang Yehao as a transition.

Regarding this aspect, the Transmigrators, well-versed in history, would certainly make arrangements in advance. Although they did not tell Lao Xiong the historical truth, everyone's covert goals were equally in sync: the Transmigrators had now turned Fujian into "cultivated land," and the next step was to pioneer the "virgin land" of Liangguang; if Lao Xiong became Governor-General, then everyone could happily cooperate again.

All of the above was precisely why Xiong Wencan impatiently demanded Cao Chuan go to Guangdong to eliminate Liu Xiang. Lao Xiong saw at the first moment the enormous hidden benefits that dispatch brought him: now, as long as Cao Chuan went to Guangdong and dealt with Liu Xiang, everything would be perfect.

Chongzhen and the court officials were no fools. The merit of destroying Liu Xiang in the future would be tacitly attributed to Xiong Wencan by everyone — Lao Xiong was Cao Chuan's "patron"; without his nod, Cao Chuan would not go to Guangdong for the bandit suppression.

As for Wang Zunde... if he had advocated for Summon Pacification from the start like Xiong Wencan, then there would still be room to maneuver with Liu Xiang.

However, the mistaken policy of rigid suppression and the earlier delays had created Wang Zunde's current total passivity: now it was impossible for him to turn around and reconsider Summon Pacification for Liu Xiang, because the officials and gentry of Guangdong were seething with righteous indignation, the memorials impeaching him were already on their way, and no one would give him the time to slowly negotiate with pirates anymore.

In fact, the moment Old Wang could not withstand the pressure and convened the General Assembly, he had already slapped his own face and ruled himself out. The initiative regarding the Liu Xiang matter had already fallen into the hands of other Guangdong bigwigs and those major merchants eager to restore trade routes and obtain the agency rights for the Transmigrators' commodities.

Unlike Governor-General Wang, who was stubborn, conservative, and dragging his feet, the rest of the officials in Guangdong and the merchants they supported were all normal people. So, at the same time that dispatch arrived at the Fujian Grand Inspector's Office, guests arrived at the Transmigrators' old nest, Dayuan Island.

The first moment the Duke of Wellington defeated Napoleon at Waterloo, Rothschild obtained the accurate news. Then this family used their investment banks established in various countries to exploit the time difference and make a historically famous fortune in the foreign exchange market — politics and military are merely means; ultimately, they will certainly feed back into commerce.

Although the Ming merchants of this era did not yet possess a capitalist mindset, methods like laying out plans in advance, preparing for a rainy day, and currying favor were all tricks their ancestors had long mastered. So, just like Rothschild, the first moment Wang Zunde's General Assembly ended, some well-informed major merchants swiftly dispatched envoys.

After these envoys took fast ships and raced to Dayuan, they immediately reported the intelligence from the Guangdong side to the Transmigrators, and some even brought out schematic maps of the Liu Xiang Gang's base... At the same time, the envoys also announced their affiliations one after another; unsurprisingly, these people all had the backing of some "powerful figure" in officialdom.

After selling the goodwill, it was time to ask for compensation. Fujian was right next to Guangdong, reachable by fast horse in no time; the tricks the Transmigrators had played in Fujian had long been crystal clear to the major Guangdong merchants.

So the envoys, very professionally at this point, all applied for the agency rights of a certain commodity they had long coveted — silver and distribution channels had long been prepared by their masters in Guangzhou, and now they were just waiting for General Daren to dispatch troops, deal with Liu Xiang, and open the trade route so everyone could partner up and make a fortune.

... What could the Transmigrators say at this moment? Although telegraphs existed, these people had, after all, rushed over at the first moment to provide intelligence on many details. Besides, agency rights were originally meant to win over local powers and the Guide Party; this first group that could come to Dayuan to report was undoubtedly the most powerful local powers.

So after the first secret discussion, Cao Chuan (fake), having received a summary of information from all sides, subsequently held a second and third secret discussion with Lao Xiong.

At the same time, the Imperial Navy port next to the Chikan shipyard in Taijiang also began a lockdown: warships successively returned from outside to their home port for a series of pre-battle preparations including maintenance and supply; large numbers of soldiers wearing navy striped shirts and some soldiers wearing green Army uniforms also poured from the barracks into the naval port.

Then the transport boats on the Taijiang River became busy: military personnel in officers' uniforms hurried towards the Imperial City; one look told you they were going to a meeting.

To be honest, the Transmigrators had not actually anticipated today's situation. In the Intelligence Bureau's report to the Cabinet, the most optimistic estimate was that it would be half a year later before the Guangdong side, unable to withstand Liu Xiang's pressure, would issue an invitation.

Now that it was suddenly settled in four months, it actually left everyone a bit flustered.

But fortunately, the Transmigrators' information advantage was vastly ahead of the era. So once intelligence from all sides was gathered, the Cabinet, the Intelligence Bureau, the Military, and the Business Department quickly convened a special meeting and devised a response plan.

Thus, ten days after the Fujian Grand Inspector's Office received the dispatch, personnel sent by the Ministry of Commerce and the Intelligence Bureau first jointly met with those several envoys.

To these envoys, the Transmigrators' side first granted the commodity agency rights they had dreamed of, and then put forward a demand: the bigwigs behind these envoys must, as quickly as possible, persuade Governor-General Wang Zunde to submit a memorial to the court, jointly recommending Cao Chuan with Xiong Wencan for the post of Nan'ao Deputy Commander.

This condition was not harsh at all: historically, after Zheng Zhilong fought several battles with Liu Xiang, he was likewise appointed to this official post by the court.

Of course, Cao Jiangjun was warm-hearted and righteous, and in all his dealings, he never made things difficult for friends: regarding this matter, Cao Jiangjun would personally lead an elite force to the Pearl River Estuary ahead of schedule to demonstrate his strength to the friends in Guangzhou City. How to proceed next would depend on you gentlemen.

After hearing these benefits and conditions, the several envoys agreed profusely on the spot, and then one after another took fast ships back to Guangzhou City to start maneuvering.

After the envoys left, the "Fast Fleet," composed of two Youguang-class Battleships and four Taijiang-class Frigates, surged out of Taijiang with formidable momentum and headed straight for Fuzhou City.

The preparations did not stop there: a slow Support Fleet, mainly composed of Transport Ships, was also being organized. This Support Fleet would set sail soon after and ultimately anchor at the Guangzhou Wharf to provide supplies for the Fast Fleet.

That night, the Fast Fleet arrived at the Official Dock outside Fuzhou City.

In the final plan Cao Chuan and Xiong Wencan had agreed upon, the Fast Fleet responsible for causing trouble in Guangdong was to depart from Fuzhou City. This was political theater and a declaration: Lao Xiong needed this ceremony to emphasize his achievements.

After two days of rest and reorganization in Fuzhou, early that morning, the familiar farewell scene appeared again: warships arrayed in formation, Lao Xiong leading the officials out of the city, Cao Jiangjun stepping forward to receive final instructions, then drinking the wine of heroic departure: "My lord, this humble general now takes his leave!"

"Go, go, and return in triumph soon."

The actual Commander of the Fast Fleet was Wang Bo, a professional dispatched by the Military; the Deputy Commander was Sha Zhengming, Sha Heshang, whose fame resounded throughout Fujian. Additionally, there was a group of Intelligence Bureau and business personnel on board. As for Comrade Zhang Dongdong the actor... once the fleet departed, there was nothing for him to do; before the fleet anchored at White Goose Pond outside Guangzhou City, he was just a tourist.

After departing from Fuzhou, the murderous Fast Fleet sailed southward along the coastline. Although the July southeast wind direction was uncooperative, with the assistance of the Coal Gas Power System, the fleet still raced all the way to Xiamen Port at a high speed averaging twelve knots.

After stopping for one night at Xiamen Port to replenish fuel, the fleet hoisted its sails and continued sailing towards Guangzhou.