Xie Tao took the gift list, but didn't look at it, but put it on the coffee table next to him, and said: "Master Lu is too polite, we help you transport food because this batch of food is used for disaster relief, so we help you transport it, and we don't want your gifts, otherwise we wouldn't even charge the freight, so your kindness, even if we understand it, but please bring back the things you bring back and use them for disaster relief." ”

Chang Qingde and Lu Chengping glanced at each other, obviously they were a little surprised, the subordinates did not accept money, the officials were so frugal, and they didn't even accept legitimate thank-you gifts, this seems to be something that only exists in the books of sages, but it really happened in front of his eyes, Chang Qingde even thought, could it be that this overseas Chinese is really destined to return, so he has such an act?

At this time, Lu Chengping said again: "Since Chief Xie is so generous, the whole Luzhou Mansion will be grateful." ”

Xie Tao waved his hand and said: "Mr. Lu, there is no need to say these polite words, let's talk straight, I think you will definitely be strange, now we and the Qing court are basically hostile relations, and this time we rushed to the disaster relief, why is this, will it be planned to take the opportunity to occupy Anhui!"

Lu Chengping and Chang Qingde were also a little embarrassed, because what Xie Tao said was too straightforward, not tactful at all, but it was really to the point, so the two did not plan to play Tai Chi again, Chang Qingde said: "I can't hide it, we are indeed very grateful for your help, and your help is also very timely, just like sending carbon in the snow, our Luzhou Mansion is indeed welcome, but there is a platform in this Luzhou Mansion, The governor is not able to completely call the shots, and the identity of the nobles is really difficult to explain to the above, so the prefect is also very difficult. ”

Xie Tao said: "We really don't have any other meaning here, we just want to rescue the disaster and save people, just wait for the disaster to end, the victims have been resettled, we will leave, there is no intention to take advantage of the fire to rob, so you can rest assured." ”

Zhu Nanzhen also said: "Yes, we are originally descendants of China, and the people affected by this disaster are all our compatriots, how can we stand idly by when our compatriots are in trouble!" Although we have a hostile relationship with the Qing court, at this time, we want to put aside the hostile relationship and political differences, and everything should be based on disaster relief and people-saving people, and everything should be people-oriented, so we have set up refugee camps here and other places to accommodate the victims. ”

In fact, the goal of East China this time is to take the opportunity of disaster relief, on the one hand, it is to establish the image of East China's people-oriented, benevolent, righteous and loving people; on the other hand, it is also to take root in Anhui, Jiangsu, Hubei and other places, and launch a war against the Qing court in the future, so it can take the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River basin lightly, so even if the disaster is over, it will not go, of course, now it is just to say that, after all, we must first occupy the highest point of morality, anyway, after the disaster is over, we can find any excuse and not leave.

Lu Chengping and Chang Qingde are also shrewd people, of course they won't believe what the two of them say, but now morality is indeed occupied by East China, and it's not easy to say anything, Chang Qingde said: "Your benevolence and righteousness are admired below, but if you really have the heart to help the people, why not negotiate with the imperial court, if you can get the permission of the imperial court, wouldn't it be better? ”

Xie Tao said with a smile: "Mr. Chang thinks that if we negotiate with the Qing court, the Qing court will agree to let us come to the disaster relief?"

Chang Qingde listened, and also smiled bitterly, he also knew in his heart that the Qing court would never agree to East China ** into Anhui, Jiangsu and other provinces for disaster relief, of course, the Qing court will not refuse on the surface, but find all kinds of excuses to prevaricate and delay, anyway, the flood will automatically end in September and October, that is, 4 or 5 months, the Qing court has no other ability, but if you want to talk about delay, it is a good job.

Xie Tao said: "Just now the two of you also saw that we set up a refugee camp here to accommodate and resettle the people affected by the disaster, I hope that the Luzhou government can support and cooperate to provide us with favorable conditions for emergency rescue and disaster relief, and now what the Luzhou government has helped us do, we will all remember, and there will be rewards in the future." ”

Chang Qingde's heart paused for a moment, it seems that overseas Chinese are not only able to speak straightforwardly, but what they said just now is something in their words! The help provided by the Luzhou Mansion will be remembered by East China and will be rewarded in the future, so if the Luzhou Government does not provide help, it will even set up obstacles? I am afraid that it will be waiting for the retaliation of East China.

Zhu Nanzhen said: "Of course, how to deal with it on the side of the Qing court, I think Governor Lu has more ways than us." But where we need to cooperate, we will do our best to cooperate. ”

Chang Qingde nodded, when it came to this, everything that should be said was said, and the attitude towards East China ** was basically clear, so he said: "Okay, these words of your nobles, we will truthfully report to the prefect, and the prefect will decide." ”

Xie Tao said: "Okay, but the stakes are at stake, please ask Mr. Chang to explain it clearly to Governor Lu." I hope that Governor Lu can do it well. ”

So Chang Qingde and Lu Chengping also got up to say goodbye, and Xie Tao ordered the soldiers to take them out, and the gifts they brought were all pulled back to Feicheng.

After returning to Hefei, the two immediately met with the prefect Lu Chengxiang and told Lu Chengxiang in detail about what happened this time, what they saw and heard in the camp, and their meetings and conversations with Xie Tao and Zhu Nanzhen.

After listening to what the two of them said, Lu Chengxiang frowned and said worriedly: "It seems that overseas Chinese are planning to stay in Thirty Gang, how can this be good." ”

Chang Qingde nodded and said, "Listening to what they said, not only in my Luzhou, but also in other places to set up refugee camps to accommodate disaster victims. ”

Lu Chengxiang listened, his eyes suddenly lit up, if East China ** not only set up refugee camps in Luzhou, but also set up refugee camps in other places, then his responsibility will be much smaller, and the more refugee camps set up in East China**, then the responsibility of Luzhou Government will be smaller, because the law does not blame the public, so he said: "Then according to Mr. Chang's intentions, we should deal with it?"

Chang Qingde said: "Dong Weng, according to the student's opinion, now disaster relief and the people are the top priority, in case the disaster relief is not handled properly, causing a civil uprising is a big disaster, and other things are trivial, so at this time, it is not possible to create branches and put the cart before the horse." ”

When Lu Chengxiang heard this, he sighed for a while before he said, "Then what about the governor's office, should I report it?"

Chang Qingde shook his head and said, "Dong Weng, at this extraordinary time, there is not much to do. What's more, the matter of overseas China's entry into Anhui for disaster relief, with such fanfare and momentum, how can it be concealed, the governor will know sooner or later, why bother Dong Weng to come out of this!"

Lu Chengxiang nodded, understanding what Chang Qingde meant, that is, to hide it as much as possible, as long as the news is not transmitted from himself, then it can be regarded as worthy of East China**.

Chang Qingde then said: "What's more, overseas Chinese in Luzhou to shelter the victims, is not all bad, now the danger of the flood is better than last year, and the imperial court, the governor of the yamen are powerless, only relying on the power of the Luzhou government, that can cope with such a disaster, although Chengping bought back 600 stone grain, can temporarily solve the urgent need, but this 600 stone grain, can support a few days? And now there are overseas Chinese who have set up camps here to shelter the victims, which can just solve the crisis of our Luzhou capital, and the overseas Chinese have food, boats and people, only talking about the ability to relieve the disaster victims, it is indeed far above our Luzhou capital, so there are overseas Chinese here, so there is no need to worry about the danger of the disaster victims. ”

Lu Chengxiang smiled bitterly and said, "Mr. Chang, I don't know what you said, but have you thought about it, if overseas Chinese can gather the victims of the disaster in Longlong and win the hearts of the victims, it will be an endless disaster." ”

Chang Qingde said: "Dong Weng, why don't the students know these truths, but with the power of the Luzhou Mansion, can they prevent overseas Chinese from setting up camps here to shelter the victims?"

Lu Chengxiang shook his head and said, "No." ”

Chang Qingde said again: "If Dong Weng reports this matter to the governor, how will the governor deal with it?"

Lu Chengxiang thought about it seriously before he said, "I'm afraid I'll try to stop it." ”

Anhui Governor Enming, among the officials of the Qing court, is a relatively capable person, and can also accept new affairs, support the new policy of the Qing court, during his tenure in Anhui, he also did some practical things, and implemented some new policies, but Enming is a Manchurian, so he will never allow East China ** to set up camp in Anhui for disaster relief, once he knows, he will definitely find a way to stop it, and it is even possible to take some radical measures.

Chang Qingde nodded and said, "In this way, didn't Dong Weng offend the overseas Chinese again? The overseas Chinese are not good, not to mention that they are in the limelight now, so they must not be easily offended." ”

Lu Chengxiang's body was shocked, and he understood what Chang Qingde meant, East China had already publicly announced that it would replace the Qing court, and now people who have a little understanding of the general trend are also clear that the Qing court is definitely not the opponent of East China, and now the reason why East China has not launched an attack on the Qing court is mainly because the Far East War has just ended, and East China still needs a certain amount of time to recover and digest the benefits of the Far East War.

Of course, most Manchus like Enming want to try their best to maintain the rule of the Qing court, but most Han officials like Lu Chengxiang do not have the idea of being martyred for the Qing court, so they must consider leaving a way back for themselves, but Lu Chengxiang has no contact with East China**, and he can't be rash to contact, and this time Huadong** set up a camp in Luzhou to accommodate the victims, which is actually a great opportunity, which can be justified and East China** Communication and collusion may not mean betraying the Qing court now, but it is completely necessary to form a little incense and find a way back.

So Lu Chengxiang pondered for a long time, and finally said: "It can only be like this." ”