Chapter 25: Against the Current (Part 1)

“The small fleet of Cochinchina?” Liu Yu almost jumped onto the dock to take charge.
Cochinchina referred to what is now Indochina, namely Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. This “small fleet” was actually a regular French naval unit—far beyond their capability to match.
“It’s just some merchant ships they hired to deliver supplies to the defenders in Hanoi, stopping by Hai Phong on the way back.” The effeminate man couldn’t contain his pride. “There won’t be any problems. Just a few steamships—nothing special.”
Liu, however, gave a thumbs up. These two were quite bold, even coming up with such a tactic. Deng Cunyu quickly introduced him, “This is Mr. Liu, the purchasing agent for the French Bank of East Asia’s branch in Hai Phong.”
Mr. Liu also smiled satisfactorily. “As for payment, our bank has agreed to grant a loan to Mr. Deng Cunyu. Fifteen thousand franc banknotes will arrive in Hai Phong soon.”
“If you accept acceptance bills, there’s even more,” Mr. Liu offered, promoting the Bank of East Asia’s services to Liu Yu. “But I believe you’re more interested in franc banknotes.”
Of course, he would accept franc banknotes. Compared to gold and silver, carrying fifteen thousand francs alone was much easier. “Very good. If paid in francs, I’ll give you an additional discount.”
Yet neither he nor the two Polish merchants understood how Deng Cunyu could have such influence. Deng Cunyu enjoyed this feeling as well. “I’ve given a shipment as a gift to Mr. Liu.”
What he didn’t mention was that although Mr. Liu got the largest share of the shipment, every colonial official and officer in Hai Phong also received a satisfactory portion. Even the consul was pleased. “Let Mr. Liu tell you some good news…”
Mr. Liu smiled mysteriously, lowering his voice. “Given the emergence of several bands of bandits near Hai Phong, posing a serious threat to its security, the colony suggests delaying action against Hai Phong. As for the exact timing…”
He smiled like a fox stealing chickens. “I’ll inform you in advance. Of course…”
“Ten percent commission,” Liu Yu said bluntly. “But I can’t pay in cash. How about settling it with goods?”
The two Polish merchants whispered to each other for a while before offering their own price. “We’re also willing to pay ten percent commission, as long as we can do business safely and legally.”
“I’ll let you know if there’s any news,” Mr. Liu said, having considerable influence in Hai Phong Port. “The Bank of East Asia will take care of your business needs.”
A ten percent commission was quite generous, and the two Polish merchants were satisfied. Just the acceptance bills would cover their costs. “We’ll apply for a loan as soon as we return.”
“We’ll handle it specially,” Mr. Liu said, pleased with the results of this trip. “How about going for a drink?”
Everyone was satisfied—having established connections, they could now do business safely and without worries. “OK!”
Liu Yu also breathed a sigh of relief. The gains from this deal were enormous, but people’s desires were never satisfied. “I have an idea. We can discuss it over drinks.”
“What idea?” Mr. Liu never refused a profitable deal. “No problem!”
……

“Guang’an? Are you crazy? Or am I crazy?” Liu the merchant made a mistake, failing to hold his glass steady, but he ignored the glass shards on the ground. “I really think you’re crazy.”
“I’ve always been crazy.” Under the sunlight, Liu Yu seemed very relaxed. “I can use sixty soldiers for this deal, and I can also present an official order from Governor Fan Fushu.”
Haiyang was a large province. According to the Vietnamese system, large provinces had governors while smaller ones had provincial administrators, with a large province overseeing several smaller ones. Guang’an fell under the jurisdiction of the Haiyang governor. But Liu the merchant almost bit his tongue. “That’s not an unprepared Haiyang.”
“Haiyang usually has only five hundred troops stationed there,” Liu Yu continued with his plan. “And many of Guang’an’s troops have already been lost in Haiyang.”
“Only sixty…”
“That’s why… I hope the Cochinchina fleet can provide some assistance. At least they should stay neutral.”
“This…”
It was only then that Liu the merchant understood what it meant to be audaciously bold.
Meanwhile, Deng Cunyu and the two Polish merchants were extremely excited, gripping Liu the merchant tightly. “It’s safe. We’ll provide all the necessary support. But for trade in Guangnan, we hope the distribution ratio won’t remain the same as before.”
“I want fifty percent,” Liu Yu bluntly stated his bottom line. “I’m sending sixty infantrymen after all.”
Now, Liu the merchant stopped playing the delicate role—he grabbed his hair tightly with both hands before asking after a while, “You can’t stay long.”
The deal was done. According to French official records, this group of bandits raided Haiyang first and then Guang’an Province.
“Of course I won’t stay long.”
Liu Yu knew well that staying in Haiyang after a robbery would be suicide. He had to flee before the French realized what had happened.
“We’ve already started preparing the animals.”
“No!” Liu the merchant pointed at the Polish merchants. “Have them get two steam cargo ships to take you away.”
Liu Yu was also stuck. “To get to Hanoi, there are two companies of French marines, along with customs officials and the Cochinchina fleet.”
If it weren’t for the Hanoi customs and the Cochinchina fleet, Liu Yu would have chosen the water route. After all, with such a large group, the land route would be problematic. Liu the merchant also laughed. “If you can take down Haiyang and Guang’an, a small checkpoint won’t stop you. Just fly the Russian flag and the French flag, and storm through. They won’t dare do anything.”
“How much does it cost?” Liu Yu was quite clever. “Money isn’t an issue, but it has to be paid properly.”
“For Hanoi customs, they only inspect ships going downstream. Flying the French flag will scare them off. You don’t need to pay much—just a small bribe. For the Cochinchina fleet, you need to grease the palms. Don’t try to use fake goods. Bring out eight thousand eagle dollars. I don’t believe any colonial official is completely incorruptible. Of course, this is just once.”
“I need guarantees.” Liu Yu was still worried. “You all must come with me on the ship.”
“Understood. Where do you want to go?”
“We want to go to Shanxi.”
“Shanxi? Do you want to join the Black Flag?”
“That’s right. In such a vast country as Vietnam, there’s no place left for us except under the Black Flag.”