Chapter 9 Transfer to Ningbo

How could Hu Xueyan not be sad?His eye circles turned red when he received Wang Youling's neglect, and the saddest thing was that Wang Youling had lost hope.He could imagine that what Wang Youling was looking forward to was the grain ship. He was afraid that Hu Xueyan would not be able to reach Shanghai smoothly, and he was afraid that he would not be able to break through the difficulties along the way to Hangzhou.Unexpectedly, after untold hardships, the food was transported, but it was out of reach. From then on, there was no hope, and the glimmer of hope disappeared, that is, the glimmer of life was cut off. "There is nothing more sad than heart death", Wang Youling's heart turned into ice, and when he was alive, when he was waiting to die, he was in this desperate situation, which was unprecedented and sad for all ages.

However, Hu Xueyan had to look for hope from hopelessness, hoping that a miracle would happen during these three days.This is a vague hope, but it seems that it is not easy to hang on to this vague hope - the situation has become dangerous overnight, and the long-haired boats are circling around, and the position is in a place where the bullets can't reach.What it means is self-evident.Therefore, the escorting foreign soldiers have been urging, and they have already finished. "I'm afraid it will be difficult to ask them to wait for three days." Li Delong said, "If the person sent has not returned, we must have definite information before speaking. This sentence is reasonable, and they are unwilling and have nothing to do. Now Jiaji I’ve come back, and I’ve talked about the situation in Hangzhou just now, and everyone knows about it. There’s nothing to hope for, and they’re not willing to wait here and take great risks.”

"No matter what, they have to agree. After coming here, I just go back. I'm not willing to go back. Besides, it's only three days if there is any danger. No matter how dangerous it is, why do you care about these three days?" "Then tell them clearly." Li Delong said, "The Shachuan Gang doesn't seem to agree." "As long as the foreign soldiers agree, they will have someone to protect them. Naturally, there is nothing to say. This matter has to be done in two ways. With a heavy reward, there must be a brave man." Hu Xueyan said, "Please tell the contact person: I am There are two ways, let them choose."

Hu Xueyan wondered whether the two methods were enough, and whether there was a third way to take care of both.After thinking for a long time, there are only two ways. "The first way is to ask them to help fight if you can fight a bloody road in the city. I will pay the 20,000 silver rewarded by Wang Futai as soon as I arrive in Shanghai, and I will send another 10,000. Their camp regulations are doubled. After waiting like this for three full days and nights, if there is no movement, sail to Ningbo, and I will give you three thousand silver." "This is considered a great reward. They can sell their lives." Li Delong asked again, "However, people's hearts are different. If they refuse, do they have to sail?"

"That's my second method. They push me in the Qiantang River before sailing." When Hu Xueyan said this, his face was so pale that there was no trace of blood. Li Delong and Xiao Jiaji were shocked and looked at each other, speechless for a long time. "I didn't scare them! I never tell lies. If they still refuse to agree to it, think about it, what else can I do besides death?" Because of Hu Xueyan's resolute attitude of not hesitating to sacrifice his life, on the one hand, the foreign soldiers were moved, and on the other hand, they were also frightened. However, through the liaison officer, he put forward a condition, asking Hu Xueyan to keep his word, and after three days passed, he would not go out again. Tricks, no delays.

"'Do your best and obey the destiny.'" Hu Xueyan said, "Staying for these three days is just doing your best, and I know it's useless." Having said that, Hu Xueyan forgot to sleep and eat, thinking that the swan was coming, staring at the bow day and night.Jiang Chao whimpered, although he drowned out his swallowed sobs, but the wind in the river was like shears, and the winter night was very cold, which caused him to cough violently, which could be heard even in the cabin. "Mr. Hu," Xiao Jiaji persuaded him, "Wang Futai's life and death are all on your shoulders, and the family in the family are all looking forward to it. How can you not know how to cherish the body of a thousand gold?"

The younger generation has words of reproach, and his affection is particularly ardent, Hu Xueyan had to listen to persuasion.But sleeping on the bunk, he just pricked up his ears, and occasionally heard a gunshot from the patrolling foreign soldiers, so he had to go out to see clearly. Even though the days felt like years, three days passed in the end.Foreigners are not accommodating at all when doing things, and when the full three days and nights are over, it is exactly eight o'clock in the evening, but they have to sail. Hu Xueyan had no choice but to pay his respects to the north for a few obeisances.Then he wept bitterly and left.

When we arrived near Zhenhai at the mouth of the Yongjiang River, we learned that the Taiping Army Huang Chengzhong and Fan Ruzeng had attacked from Cixi and Fenghua in separate lanes. Ningbo had already fallen two days ago on the eighth day of November.However, there is a concession in Ningbo, there are British and American consuls and British and French warships, and the British and American consuls have designated a "foreigner residence and trade zone", and are negotiating with Huang Chengzhong and Fan Ruzeng to prevent the Taiping Army from invading. "Then what should we do?" Hu Xueyan said weakly, "Shall we go back to Shanghai?"

"How can there be such a reason? Mr. Hu, you are not in good spirits. Leave this matter to me." So Xiao Jiaji hired a small boat, sailed close to a British warship, and talked to each other across the boat.He was allowed to board the warship, and at the same time saw the captain, Kao Butuo. His purpose of coming was to contact Yang Fang's firm in Ningbo, and asked the warship to send someone to escort him.At the same time, it shows that there is a large amount of grain that can be sent to Ningbo. This is a very popular thing. "There are as many as 70,000 Chinese who have taken refuge in the 'neutral zone'. Food supply has become a huge problem. You and your food came at the right time. However, I am very sorry "Caubert shrugged and said, "I have no way to fulfill your wish. Can you stay on my boat for two or three days?"

"why?" "The consular corps is negotiating with the occupying forces. I hope that the occupying forces will not violate the neutral zone and at the same time maintain the market. After the negotiations are completed, your food can be imported openly, but at present, we need to abide by the agreement and cannot protect any Chinese people from going ashore." "So, can you send me a letter?" Kaobett thought for a while and replied: "You can write a letter, and I will ask the consulate to deliver it. At the same time, I will tell our consul the good news."

Xiao Jiaji did as he said.Cobert's handling was also exceptionally quick. He sent a low-ranking officer to land in a small boat to deliver a letter, and at the same time ordered him to meet with the British consul in Ningbo, Xia Fuli, and report the good news that a large amount of food had arrived. In order to wait for the reply letter, Xiao Jiaji wanted to accept Kao Butuo's invitation and live on his warship, but he was worried about his own ship. Although there were dozens of foreign soldiers protecting it, if there was a conflict with the Taiping Army, it would be very troublesome .If you asked Cobbett to hang a British flag, it would be an excellent security guarantee, but he was afraid that Wall's subordinates who belonged to the United States would consider it insulting and refused. After thinking about it, I can only go back to the boat and wait for it.When he got up to leave, Kao Baituo just received a report that he knew that Hua Er's soldiers were there and would like to get in touch, so he asked Xiao Jiaji to introduce him. This virtually solved his problem, and he was overjoyed and promised repeatedly.So a lifeboat was lowered from the warship and accompanied by a British officer back to his own ship.As a result of dealing with foreign soldiers, Wall's subordinates accepted the British suggestion that the grain ships fly the British flag and be placed under the protection of Cobbett. At this point, it is really safe.Xiao Jiaji felt that this negotiation was extremely successful, and excitedly wanted to tell Hu Xueyan.When I got to the cabin, I saw Hu Xueyan's expression was abnormal, and his complexion was very ugly. "Mr. Hu," he asked in shock, "what's the matter with you?" "I'm going to be sick." Xiao Jiaji reached out to touch his forehead, it was extremely hot, "I'm already sick!" he said, "Lie down quickly."