C71 (2/2)
Since that day onwards, all the merchants in Tanggu City had submitted to the Letian Firm's command baton and danced under it. No matter how many changes that the merchants had undergone in the following years, the legend of the Letian Firm's terror had spread far and wide. The business circles of the Tanggu had already been unified by Xiao Letian, and even until his death, there had not been a single rebellion.
After cleaning up the cavalry, everyone did not have the time to care about the Ma Bao Altar that was in shock. They went around the alley and quickly reached the pier of the Tanggu, the Lucky horn was right in front of them.
Right now, Lucky was the only merchant ship on the Tanggu Pier that could open up the dock. Captain Ke Xijia was anxiously pacing back and forth on the deck, holding onto a brass telescope that was already soaked in water.
”Look, Captain!” Isn't that Mr. Xiao Letian? ”They've finally charged out …” When lookout hand saw Xiao Letian before, the first thing he noticed was the team that broke through the encirclement, he shouted excitedly.
”Oh, God bless the respected Eastern Scholar Xiao, the Goddess of Luck is beside you. Get on the boat quickly …” Sailors, take up your weapons and disembark to welcome our guests … ”
All the sailors on the ship were now armed, and under the order of the captain, more than fifty Musketeers walked down the gangway, forming a small fire spear defense formation at the gangway's entrance.
Not long after, Xiao Letian's group finally reached the ramp. The merchants who were paralyzed with fear were the first to board the ship. On the high deck, Ke Xijia waved his hand, ”Eastern Scholar Xiao... Get on the boat, I've got the best wine for you, no thug will hurt you... ”Children, let the guests see our strength …”
As they spoke, two black cannon muzzles appeared from the battlements on both sides of the deck. Those were two 18-pound cannons, the most powerful weapon on the ship.
Xiao Letian immediately waved his hand and spoke in his fluent English, ”No no no, Captain Ke Xijia, this is the internal affairs of the Great Qing Empire. If you open fire, it will cause a diplomatic dispute, I can solve the problem here …”
But before Xiao Letian could even guarantee it, suddenly, the chaotic sound of footsteps and a few muffled gunshots came from the street outside the pier, and in addition, there were quite a few people screaming. Just as everyone was in shock, a black mass of around 600 to 700 Green Battalion suddenly rushed out from the alleys and streets.
The man with the injured leg was tied to the horse's back. His face was covered with tears and snot, and he was scared. He was trembling all over, but he was still screaming and commanding the soldiers forward.
”Brothers …” I, Ma Bao, have been pretty good to you all these years, and this time, it concerns everyone's life and death, I would rather destroy the family than reward you all, because of the many years of friendship, I will kill Xiao Letian and the bandits by his side … ”
Ma Bao couldn't care so much anymore, his family's debt of sixty thousand taels of silver, adding on to the fact that he sold off his family property and took over Elder An Dehai's position, although he had already paid off his debts, his family was still poor. If he lost his job due to the riots, he would have no other choice but to die.
The imperial government viewed this place more important than their eyeballs, afraid that there would be any problems. Here, there was also the matter of face of the heavens, if he did not handle it well and lost face in front of the foreigners, at that time, the Emperor would personally order his head to be chopped off, not to mention that he was a flagman.
There was a even more terrifying possibility that if the violence became more intense, and in the end hurt the Yankee's property, then they would have to admit that Ma Bao's life was not enough if the Yankee soldiers opened fire or if the merchant ships opened fire, even his family would have to pay for it.
”Xiao Letian, you are so vicious. It's all because of you, you bastard. Why don't you just stand there and let me kill you? ”Even if I die, I'll drag you down with me …”
”Brothers, they only have 200 people, and 30 guns. We have 400 guns, all of them are Gun s. I don't believe that I can't beat them, charge …”
The seven hundred Green Battalion fought with more than a hundred private soldiers and the four hundred Musketeers fought with more than thirty ordinary birds spear. Even a fool would be able to win the battle, adding Ma Bao had ruined his family's bounty, the bounty was raised to forty thousand silver, which was more than enough for this group of Green Battalion to fight with their lives.
”Brothers, I, Ma Bao, swear that after clearing the traitors, I will not take a single cent of the 400 thousand silver from the Letian Firm. I will give it all to everyone …” This time, Green Battalion was completely mad, and rushed forward screaming.
Captain Ke Xijia stood on top of the deck, looking down at the battlefield from a height. At that time, he was so scared that cold sweat started to pour down his back, ”Mr. Xiao, please board the ship immediately, we have to defend ourselves … Fire Cannon, musket team, prepare... ”
”Stop, Ke Xijia, stop right now! This is the internal affairs of our Great Qing, even if I have to die, I will not allow you to shoot me!” ”Put away your gangway, I won't be on your boat …”
At this time, Xiao Letian looked at Ceng Guoquan coldly, ”Jiu Shuai, the matter has already reached this point, if we were to continue this mess, it won't be as simple as going through a civil crisis. Do you really want Great Qing Dynasty to sign another humiliating treaty with the foreigners? ”If you still don't act, you'll definitely be on the historical sinner list …”
”Hiss …” Ceng Guoquan sucked in a cold breath of air. He was so sad that he knew that he had been tricked by Xiao Letian, the cunning fox.
”Xiao Letian, I really can't overestimate you, I'm convinced … Hawk, do it! ”