Traveling through the late Ming Dynasty to promote Chinese civilization

Chapter 150 Re-entering Guangzhou

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South Garden.

"The newly arrived Governor Xiong believes that the Qiongzhou Camp is too unruly and disobeys orders, so he submitted a memorial to the court and even wants to send someone to investigate the true strength of the Qiongzhou Camp," Li Fu said to Liu Ye, bowing slightly, based on information he had received from Guangzhou.

He tapped his fingers on the armrest of the chair and pondered, "Does the fact that the Governor-General is so concerned about me mean that the entire Guangdong and Guangxi officialdom will follow his lead and exclude my Qiongzhou Camp?" Although he was not afraid of the government because of his overwhelming military advantage, his business was in Guangzhou and Hangzhou. It was easy to dodge open attacks but hard to guard against hidden arrows. It would only take a moment for the government to make trouble for him.

Li Fu continued, "That's not the case. Ever since the previous Governor Wang insisted on suppressing the bandits, officials from the Three Departments down have become disloyal to him. Although the new Governor Xiong is not as tough as his predecessor, the Guangdong officialdom will not be peaceful after His Majesty decided to re-establish the governorship. Officials will all choose sides again, and the days when the governor's word was law are gone forever."

"Really?" Liu Ye's spirits lifted. Having Li Fu by his side was always a good thing; he was always well-informed. "So, besides Xiong Wencan, the governor is another reliable patron in Guangdong's officialdom?"

"Exactly. Although Governor Xiong is the Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi, he is an outsider after all, and much of his power has been taken away by the Governor. The new Governor, Lord Mu, has served in Guangzhou for many years and has deep roots. He is enough to challenge Governor Xiong."

Liu Ye asked, "If I want to befriend a big shot in Guangdong's officialdom to protect my business in Guangzhou and prevent all sorts of shady characters from causing trouble, would Governor Mu be a good choice?"

Li Fu thought for a moment: "We have placed spies among the high-ranking officials in Guangzhou. As far as I know, Governor Mu has opposed the campaign against Bo Fu since he took office as the Provincial Administration Commissioner. After the Qiongzhou garrison besieged and bombarded the city, he strongly advocated for pacification. It seems that he even considered recruiting the Qiongzhou garrison as the governor's banner, but he gave up because Inspector Gao obstructed him. Judging from this, it should be feasible to befriend Governor Mu."

Liu Ye gasped, surprised that Li Fu was actually quite capable; he was a good talent.

He said to Li Fu, "Your intelligence is very useful to me. You've done a good job."

"This is thanks to your guidance, sir. I am but a humble servant." Li Fu knew how to do his duty.

"Well, don't be modest. Go and rest for a couple of days, then come with me to Guangzhou. I have some things to take care of, and I'll also like to meet this Governor Mu."

"I will obey your orders, sir."

A few days later, Liu Ye finally boarded the ship back to Guangzhou, and Liang Xiaoming also traveled with him.

One of Liu Ye's purposes in returning to Guangzhou was to gather enough craftsmen and tailors to meet the needs of the expanding arsenal and newly established clothing factory, so as to equip the army, which had doubled in size.

"Is there any other purpose? Is it enough to just find some craftsmen and tailors? You don't need to personally come along?" Liang Xiaoming asked Liu Ye at the bow of the Far Voyage.

"Hehe, you're truly a great partner; nothing can be hidden from you."