Lord Xu's line is relatively simple, so he temporarily lives in an inn on Qushuiting Street. Although it is an inn where people come and go, but Brother Meng and Brother Miao are in a proper manner, please send the post to the family of Lord Xu, the three of us are drinking tea in the front shop, the owner is a native of Wande in Changqing, and he admires several of our big dealers, so he put down the accounts in his hand and accompanied us to drink tea and chat. After a while, an old family member with white hair turned out of the backyard and bowed his hand to the three of us, "A few officials have been invited, and my lord has invited you to meet in the back hall." ”

Following the footsteps of the old man, when he came to the backyard, the curtain of the door of the Shenzi room had been raised, and a middle-aged man with a medium figure and a rather dignified face was sitting on the Taishi chair in the hall. Neither side wore official uniforms, so they simply hugged their fists and saluted.

"Brother Luo Chuan, you are all wealthy businessmen and tycoons in Jinan Mansion, I don't know if you are visiting together today, what do you have to say?"

"This time to meet Lord Xu, it is really presumptuous to be very presumptuous" Meng Luochuan has the courage of the boss, in fact, the two have dealt with each other under the command of Yuan Shikai of Chao * Xian, and they are relatively familiar with each other" I have not met for many years, I came to visit Lord Xu, and I am very happy to see that your style is better than in the past; These two to introduce the two local scholars and Lord Xu, although Luo Chuan is obsessed with the Spring and Autumn Period, but when it comes to talent and vision, far less than the two virtuous brothers, I am glad to hear that the court has agreed that Yuan Du Keri will supervise Shandong, and I will recommend it to the adult, or it can be driven by Yuan Du. ”

Second Brother Miao and I quickly stood up and said a few words modestly. Xu Shichang also waved his hand kindly, and waited for everyone to sit down again. Xu Shichang said unhurriedly: "Brother Luochuan is too modest, your talent and knowledge, Yuan Dou is very appreciative, and he often says that he can't see Brother Tai early, otherwise you and I will definitely be able to serve Yuan Dou's subordinates." Since Brother Miao and Brother Wu are people respected by Brother Luochuan, they must have talents in the world, but I don't know where the two brothers come from now? ”

"Hey, Fifth Brother Bu" Meng Luochuan is a shrewd person, looking at this situation, it is obvious that Xu Shichang has already moved his mind to recruit talents, how to do it if he doesn't strike while the iron is hot. "To tell you the truth, my two brothers are self-made and have created a great business in Jinan Mansion, especially Brother Wu has returned from overseas for less than a year, and it is already the largest business in Jinan Mansion. It's just that the two virtuous brothers are busy with business and have no time to study sage learning, and now some Diao people and slippery officials harass merchants from time to time, so the two virtuous brothers want to serve the court and donate an official and a half-job, so that they can avoid some trouble in the future. ”

"Hehe, Brother Luochuan is all wearing the third grade, I'm afraid it's not here to let my seven-grade sesame official run the hall for you. It seems that your brother is really well-informed, and he is the one I am serving now. Xu Shichang understood as soon as he heard it, "It's not impossible to take the path of the inner minister, but it may not be able to save money compared to the household department." ”

"This is nothing, the key is to take this opportunity to quickly ask the two virtuous brothers for a blue top." Meng Luochuan also said bluntly: "The silver is quite rich in our family, I just hope that this Manager Liu can do it smoothly." ”

"The reputation of this internal minister may not be very good, but the matter of donating officials must be a little faster than the old men of the sixth department." Xu Shichang also nodded in approval, "That's it, the day after tomorrow, the housekeeper Liu will go to Jinan, and I will hand over the film to help you make an appointment, about three or five days of space, you can always meet." ”

"Then there is labor" Meng Luochuan "In addition, Yuan Governor Luochuan has not visited for many years, please apologize to the fifth brother Bu, this is a little Cheng Yi presented by me and the two virtuous brothers, and the elders of Shandong hope that Yuan Governor will supervise Shandong as soon as possible. ”

"Okay, Brother Luo Chuan has a heart, I thank you on behalf of Governor Yuan." One of the purposes of Xu Shichang's visit to Shandong was to contact the local gentry and create a good social foundation for Yuan Shikai to serve as governor. "Brother Luochuan, Governor Yuan has come to Shandong to take up his post this time, what tricks do you have to teach me? Please also ask Brother Luo Chuan to speak freely. ”

"Good. Then I'll just talk about it. The businessmen just hoped that Yuan Du would come to Shandong to govern leniently, and Shandong had been relatively smooth in recent years, and there was little famine among the people. On the contrary, some gentry united with the township to protect themselves, and some regimental exercises were mastered by the White Lotus cult, which gave rise to many incidents. By the way, Brother Chenxuan, if you have any plans, you might as well refer to it together. ”

"Thanks to Lord Xu and Brother Luochuan, I can afford to talk nonsense in front of the two adults, please forgive me." I saw that the situation was harmonious, and I couldn't help but think about how much I said, "Qilu's agriculture is not backward, and if the Yellow River River works are renovated smoothly in the near future, there will not be much risk to the food supply." Shandong's folk customs are simple, but industry and commerce are not developed, if you just prepare grain and grass, it should not be too difficult, but in terms of ordnance and ammunition, I am afraid it will not be of much help. In Luokou, there is a government-run Shandong Repair Institute a few years ago, due to the frequent change of officials, there has been little output in recent days. Yuan supervised the tiger and wolf division of the new army, but if the guns and ammunition were subject to foreign companies, I am afraid it was not a foolproof strategy. If the repair institute is completely governmental, I am afraid that in the end, it will only be possible to fatten up a cadre, and it will be difficult to make a difference. So I suggest that Yuan Governor can change the Shandong Machinery Repair Institute into a joint venture between government and business, and offer shares to the outside world, and the majority of the factory will naturally belong to the governor's yamen, but release four out of nine shares, let professional people manage, and set the rules for material procurement and labor management by both the government and business, and then take the essence to go to its dross, and then organize production and operation in accordance with the regulations. The introduction of foreign and Chinese technicians, on the one hand, to guide production, on the other hand, according to the quality and quantity of the professors and technicians, but also to divide a three, six, nine, etc., teaching well may as well also give a heavy reward in silver, and let him get out of the house as soon as possible. After such a transformation, it may be possible for the repair institute to provide Yuan Du with sufficient and cheap self-produced guns and ammunition. It is difficult to train a strong soldier by buying weapons alone, and you need to have the supply of ordnance at your own disposal so that you can walk on two legs and not be wasted. Ahem,"

"Oh, Brother Wu is really a hero and a young man, this insight is unusual." Xu Shichang originally didn't pay much attention to us, but only talked with us for a long time to give the face of Meng Da's shopkeeper, and when he heard my analysis of ordnance production, he was greatly impressed, "There is no shortage of arrogant soldiers and fierce generals under the command of Yuan Du, but in terms of industry and commerce, Sheng Gong and I can make a little plan for Yuan Du. Just heard Brother Wu's high-minded remarks, and the foolish brother suddenly opened up. The ancients were honest and did not deceive me, and they really specialized in the art industry. ”

Next, Miao Lao Er was not stage frightened, and Xu Shichang sighed greatly in a few words, Qilu Kongsheng's hometown is really an outstanding spiritual artifact Hua Tianbao. We talked about entering the alley, the old family came in to light the lamp, we felt that the sky was getting dark, so under the strong invitation of the shopkeeper of Mengda, the four of them went to Huiquan Building to have a dinner together, and the wine table pushed the glass to change the lamp, and the conversation was stronger, and the meal was eaten for two hours, until the time of the child was dispersed. The next day, Xu Shichang sent someone to pass on the message, and the day after tomorrow, Liu Gonggong went to the South Mansion of the Economy, and then set up another table in Huiquan Building, and asked for the blue top for the two of us on the wine table.

When it came to the day of inviting Father-in-law Liu, I came to Huiquan Tower with curiosity about the last generation of eunuchs in history, and Miao Lao Er had already arrived. The two of us were sitting in the private room on the second floor drinking tea and chatting, suddenly the door was pushed open, Xu Shichang came in first, I was just about to say hello, I was choked by a strong jasmine aroma wafting in behind me, almost made me breathless. At this time, an official wearing a stone blue official robe, with no patches on his chest, and a few gold threads embroidered on his sleeves, came in, with a turmeric face, pacing the official steps, coming in with his hands behind his back, scanning his nostrils and waiting for someone to greet him. It turns out that this fragrance comes from this person, I don't know if it is hanging dozens of sachets or sprinkling half a catty of perfume, anyway, there are mosquitoes around him, and all evils retreat. Meng Luochuan also came in, and seeing that I and Second Brother Miao were stunned, he hurriedly stepped forward to introduce: "This is the chief steward of the palace, Father-in-law Liu." Why don't you come and give a salute to Gonggong Liu. "There's no way, I don't care about taking a closer look, hurry up and make a thousand salutes." Hmph, excuse me. Our family was ordered to supervise the tribute embroidery in Jiangnan, and it is not good not to disturb one or two when passing through your realm. This table is exempt, don't let the Yushitai give Mr. Li the eye medicine of our family before the old man drives. ”

For a while, a few of us were not hands and feet, and when we were embarrassed, Xu Shichang, who was just smiling on the side, spoke, "These are all old acquaintances of the lower officials, and they are also the leaders of the business community in Jinan Mansion. They all admire their father-in-law's self-denial and devotion to the public, be diligent in the king's affairs, and prepare a little wine, which is not a respect. It's good to ask your father-in-law to appreciate your face. ”

A few words about the scene, it can be regarded as a round over this scene. Seeing Xu Shichang nodding and smiling, the shopkeeper Meng Da had a good heart, and as soon as a dozen thick silver tickets were stuffed in the envelope, he handed them to the sleeve of the father-in-law Liu. was about to be very satisfied with the thickness of the silver ticket, and Gonggong Liu's face immediately changed to a warm tone, and the horizontal eyebrows just now disappeared. After three rounds of wine and five flavors, this father-in-law Liu also let go of the amount, and kept complaining, as if the palace was not full of food and clothing, and even Guangxu had to drink porridge and eat pickles to survive. Through the words, Xu Shichang revealed the meaning of our donation of officials. Father-in-law Liu is a cool person, "It's okay." Wrapped in the master, the left and right are just two glass eggs, why those clear streams while standing the archway while counting the silver, let the minions in front of Lafayette fight famine, the face of the Ministry of Households, he does not give us is not rare. Hurry up and send me over, and go back to Beijing to take the film of the chief manager and throw it at the official department to see which one dares to save face for our family. ”

Looking at this virtue who slipped under the table, Second Brother Miao and I were a little bit drumming about the role of this silver, this little bit of caution made Xu Shichang see it, he smiled and waved his hand, don't worry, the gentlemen in the capital haven't made a denial of the wine account, and these people in the palace want to save face, and they will handle it for you tomorrow. Sure enough, after lunch the next day, a little guy in Tsing Yi and a small hat sent over two sets of blank official certificates, that is to say, fill in the name and hometown, as long as it is not a rebel family, deaf and dumb, it is considered an official of the Qing Dynasty. This civil servant qualification is also too easy to get, which is like the national examination in later generations, you have to get some radish pits to sit down, and several joints are dredged in place, in order to get a small official position that does not enter the stream, if you want to buy a deputy department-level official position, the difficulty of operation can almost challenge the Guinness record. Therefore, Second Brother Miao is right: "This ** also has to be effective and credible." "You have to prepare your own official uniforms or something, and the idea of wanting to show off in the Minghu Club was poured cold by Meng Luochuan's words, "If you two dare to wear official uniforms and enter the club, just wait to stand at the door and serve tea and water, the old man's red top has to accompany the second seat, and there are seven or eight red tops left, where is it your turn to have a stool to sit on." ”

Damn, these fat-headed and big-eared guys who usually hook up their shoulders and backs are actually bigger than us, and they deceive people too much.