Chapter 25: Against the Current (Part 2)

Liu the merchant was speechless, but Deng Cunyu was very enthusiastic: “I’ll go on the ship to escort you then too. Are you familiar with Liu Er?”
Liu Er was none other than the famous Liu Yongfu. Liu Yu smiled and said, “Not really.”
Deng Cunyu became even more eager: “Well, if you have some acquaintance with Liu Er, I can write a letter for you.”
“Thank you,” Liu Yu replied indifferently. “When I go to Shanxi later, I’ll need your help there too.”
His heart was filled with turmoil, but once he made the decision, he felt relieved.
Indeed, at this time, the Black Flag Army wasn’t the best choice. He had indeed offended the Vietnamese authorities and the French, making it impossible for him to stay in several coastal provinces of Vietnam. But if he hid in the mountains, he could go anywhere. Who wouldn’t welcome strong reinforcements with over a hundred breech-loading guns, like Ye Chenglin from Shizhou or Lu Zhiping from Gaoping?
The situation of the Black Flag Army wasn’t as good as outsiders imagined. This force of two to three thousand men controlled the upper reaches of the Red River and survived by charging tolls from ships passing through.
France saw opening up the Red River as another Suez Canal and couldn’t tolerate the Black Flag Army’s stronghold at Baosheng. It was pressing hard, while the Vietnamese authorities, under French pressure, demanded that the Black Flag Army withdraw from Baosheng and hand over this vital water route.
Huang Zuoyan, the governor who acted as the protector of the Black Flag Army and the most powerful figure in Northern Vietnam, was known for playing political games. He treated the Black Flag Army with both manipulation and coercion, treating them like children raised by a stepmother.
Just how dire the situation of the Black Flag Army was could be seen from the fact that this force of two to three thousand men had only about a hundred breech-loading guns, even fewer than those in Liu Yu’s camp.
If they went to Gaoping or Langson, they might be able to join Li Yangcai’s fierce battles and perhaps even gain some honor, but what good would that be? It wouldn’t help anything.
In less than five years, the Sino-French War would break out.
The Black Flag Army was one of the most notable and accomplished forces in that war. They defeated Li Weiyeh at Zhiqiao Bridge, achieved a great victory over the French at Huaidanfeng, fought hard in Shanxi, and in the final battle at Xuan Guang, they suffered a defeat but still maintained their honor. Even French historical records acknowledged that they had to pay a very high price despite attacking the exhausted Black Flag Army with twice as many troops.
Yet, despite these remarkable achievements, under pressure from the Qing government, this powerful army was forced to return home after the war and was completely disbanded, leaving only a few hundred men. But these remaining men, still under Liu Yongfu’s leadership, fought against the Japanese in Taiwan in 1895—though that was also the last glimmer of the Black Flag Army’s glory.
I will go against the current, defying the tide of history.
……
Half a month later.
The Liu Yu camp, which had occupied Haiyang for 23 days, finally set off.
Yet the local officials in Haiyang didn’t feel relieved at all. Instead, they were reluctant to see this army leave, hoping they could stay in Haiyang and Guang’an a few more days.
The local troops, originally meant to defend the region, were even more emotional. They lined up to see the Liu Yu camp off.
What an excellent army! It was like a second Yue Fei’s army.
Both officers and officials said to them, “Welcome back anytime.”

During those twenty-three days, Liu Yu caused winds of up to three feet high in both provinces. He imposed taxes urgently three times through Fan Fushu—ranging from grain and salt to fruits like bananas. There was nothing Liu Yu didn’t want, and the officials below were highly cooperative. They even volunteered to impose an additional tax, while the military officers were even more diligent than model workers, content with the bribes that seeped through Liu Yu’s fingers. He never imagined that a country’s officials and army could be so pragmatic. Within twenty-three days, he faced almost no resistance. He could even send a small team of six or seven people to roam between various counties and successfully collect whatever he wanted. The thought of having to fight alongside such “allies” in the Sino-French War made him shudder. Yet when he saw the two steam cargo ships waiting there and the foreign guns carried by Liu Yu’s troops, his face lit up. “Ayu, we’ve been waiting for you.” Jiang Ningxue wore a new outfit, with a Spencer rifle on her shoulder and a revolver at her waist—her heroic appearance immediately caught Liu Yu’s eye. “Have you gone up to take a look?” Jiang Ningxue nodded, her beauty as radiant as a flower. “Liu the broker and the Poles are under control, and all the goods have been loaded.” This time, fearing being deceived on the Red River, Liu Yu’s troops took control of the two ships from the start, having a few elders prepare accommodations in the captain’s cabin. After all, once on board, they would become easy prey—any small gunboat could reduce them to rubble with a few shots. Moreover, Haiyang could no longer be stayed in. Liu the broker personally came with a ship to urge them: “Hurry up! If you don’t leave now, the coastal Marines will send people over.” As soon as Liu Yu’s troops set off, a fast sailboat would head to Haiyang, and the coastal forces would immediately send a warship with a platoon of infantry to “reclaim” Haiyang City. It was all about power of money. Just to bribe the small fleet of Cochinchina, over twenty thousand eagle dollars flowed out of Liu Yu’s hands. So many Mexican silver coins, just to secure a route—only to end up getting a private promise: “If we see them, we’ll capture them; if not, it’s your luck.” Still, it provided a patrol schedule to help them avoid the patrol boats. But Liu Yu thought it was worth it. Time was priceless. “Roll call…” “One, two, three…” Sima Tai’s report lacked confidence: “Report… 307 scheduled, 292 present.” Those fifteen people had fled with guns! But seeing the stacks of boxes on the ship, filled with silver, gold, opium, weapons, as well as precious tools and machinery, he was satisfied. Also on board were Liu the broker and the Polish merchants acting as guarantors, with Deng Cunyu in person. They were there purely for business. Once they left, the vast amount of supplies left in Haiyang City would become a feast, and sending Liu Yu off themselves was the only ticket to enjoy that feast. “I’ll make up for the fifteen revolvers later,” said the Pole.

But Liu Yu was delighted. 292 people were already enough to make history. With a wave of his hand, he gave the order: “Get ready…”
“I won’t wait for these people left behind by the times!”
“Set sail!”
Following the rushing Red River, three steam cargo ships headed upstream against the waves.
The flag with the character “Liu” on top of Haiyang City had been taken down.