Kim Neng-hyung is different from Hurd. As an American businessman, he had not been in China long enough, so he could not understand the actions of the Chinese officers on the ship: those fourth- or fifth-rank officers, Weishenme, would show a respectful attitude in front of a seventh-rank magistrate?

In his eyes, Guan Zhuofan is the newly appointed magistrate of Shanghai, and the officers and soldiers of this ship are going to strengthen Shanghai's defense, and between the two, he still can't see where the equal sign should be drawn.

However, there is something special about this magistrate, it is certain. Although he still looks young, maybe he is a champion and the most knowledgeable person in China who has been tested this year. Anyway, except for Daotai Wu Xi, he has the final say in Shanghai County, so this opportunity to make friends with him should not be missed.

The place where he feasted Guan Zhuofan was in the small dining room on the ship. The table was covered with snow-white openwork tablecloths, beautiful silver cutlery, and an Indian waiter stood upright.

"Mr. Gan, I'm ...... It's an honor to eat...... With you. Jin Nengheng, who had a beard, his dress was meticulously buttoned, raised the wine glass in his hand and said in clumsy Chinese.

, Guan Zhuofan sighed in his heart.

"It's okay, you can speak English." Guan Zhuofan tried his best to maintain the smile on his face, shook the wine glass in his hand slightly, and said in English, "Just call me 'Yixuan'." ”

No wonder he came to be the magistrate of Shanghai! Kim Neng-hyung suddenly realized, and the surprise on his face quickly turned into a warm smile. It was much easier to talk in English, and I immediately became fluent: "It's great that you can speak English." Yat Xuan ...... Yat Xuan ...... OK, my name is Edward–Cunningham, you can call me Eddie. ”

Eddie is a nickname, and Yixuan, to some extent, is also a nickname, both of which can be regarded as a sign of closeness.

Guan Zhuofan had no memory of Jin Nengheng in his mind, so he listened to him very attentively, telling how he came to Shanghai, how he rented the once brand-new "William Matt" from Guangzhou, how he was willing to take risks, went up the Shuojiang River, transported a shipload of goods to Wuchang, and finally opened up this "Shenhan Line", and how the Qichang Steamship Company developed to the scale of three ships today.

"Yixuan, I also have an honorary vice consul of the United States, and I have a certain amount of influence in the concession." Jin Nengheng's statement is appropriate, not only pointing out his status, but not exaggerating himself too much, "If there is anything I can help with, please let me know." ”

"Excellent." Guan Zhuofan carefully considered the words, "I am sure that there will be not only a real friendship between us, but also a very good opportunity to cooperate. ”

The words "cooperation opportunity" are what Kim Neng-hyung is most willing to hear. According to his consistent understanding of Chinese officialdom, he told Guan Zhuofan very seriously that he would give full consideration to the interests of "Yixuan" in any possible cooperation in the future.

This Eddie is really informed-Guan Zhuofan thought as he smiled and nodded. In fact, in his Jihua, he does need an American, but this is a later story, and he will have to wait until he arrives in Shanghai to find out the details of this guy before making a decision.

This dinner was very enjoyable for both the guests and the hosts. Jin Nengheng politely sent Guan Zhuofan back to the first class on the second deck before leaving. When he left, Guan Zhuofan went out of the hatch again, went down to the cabin below the deck, and watched Ding Shijie and the officers give the soldiers a light under the dim light of the kerosene lamp.

"Boss, this foreigner's pocket watch is really easy to use." After the order was completed, Ding Shijie wiped the pocket watch in his hand with the placket of his coat again, and then carefully put it away. The officers who were promoted together this time, with more than seven grades, each received a foreign watch from Guan Zhuofan. On the battlefield, time is life, so although it cost a lot of money, Guan Zhuofan is not heartbroken.

Ixan and Ding Xianda, both following Ding Shijie's example, put away their pocket watches. Daniel Zhang was not concerned about this, approached Guan Zhuofan, and asked mysteriously: "Boss, what good things have foreigners invited you to eat?" "The food on the ship, although it can't be said how bad it is, but it's all those things that are turned over and over, and he is tired of eating.

"Hmm...... I ate a few slices of greens, then a piece of fish, and then a piece of dim sam. Guan Zhuofan groaned and reported the salad, main course and dessert one by one.

"What else?" Daniel Zhang looked salivating and continued to ask.

"And?" Guan Zhuofan spread his hands, "It's gone." ”

"Gone?!" Daniel Zhang's eyes widened, his hand pressed the handle of the knife, Huo Di stood up, and cursed: "I fuck his mother's foreign devil, dare to look down on our boss Guan!" ”

"The foreign devil's rice is called a fancai, everyone eats their own food, it's like this," Guan Zhuofan laughed, "This Jin Nengheng, the person is not bad, what are you doing with such a big temper." ”

"Oh, oh," Daniel Zhang knew that he was showing timidity, sat down, and muttered to himself: "I fuck his mother's foreign devil, and I am so cruel to myself." ”

*

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When the ship arrived in Jiangning, it was twilight. This is the "Tianjing" of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, the Taiping military ships berthed on both sides of the strait, heavy sails, clearly visible, sometimes there are large sampans rowing the river. From here down, most of the waterways controlled by the Taiping army, in order not to be discovered the identity of the passengers on the steamer, the atmosphere on the ship became tense, and the ban on the cabin was once again implemented, except for a few officers of five grades or above, who could watch on the deck in casual clothes, and the rest of the officers and soldiers were not allowed to go out of the cabin during the day.

"Xianda, please come here." Guan Zhuofan stood on the right side of the bow of the ship, and called Ding Xianda to his side in a deep voice.

"Boss." Ding Xianda came to Guan Zhuofan's side respectfully. Although he is a five-rank official, after all, he is a new member of the horse team, and he doesn't talk much on weekdays, and in front of Guan Zhuofan, he doesn't dare to be as casual as Daniel Zhang and them.

"I look at the long-haired navy, and the lineup is also very prosperous," Guan Zhuofan asked while looking around, "You have been to the navy on both sides, in your opinion, if the Hunan army's navy attacks Jiangning, what will be the outcome or defeat?" ”

"Back to the boss's words, I thought that the long-haired navy would definitely be defeated." Ding Xianda still spoke in a respectful tone.

"Xianda, you don't have to be so restrained, you can say whatever you want." Guan Zhuofan said with a smile, "After entering the camp, we are the same brothers, and I treat you as a good friend." You don't have to claim to be labeled, in the end, I'm just ......" He wanted to say that I was just the magistrate of the seventh grade, but it was useless to say it, and none of them were willing to listen carefully - they asked to be demoted to the seventh grade, and as a result, it brought such trouble in the ceremony, which he did not expect. So he waved his hand and motioned for Ding Xianda to speak.

"Yes, there are a few superficial views on the humble position, please advise the boss." Ding Xianda studied private school for a few years when he was a child, and after joining the army, his biggest hobby was reading, so he was not rude when he spoke, "First, the long-haired navy likes to use big ships, and it does not distinguish between warships and baggage ships, even military and civilian, not only bulky, but also bloated; The ships of the Hunan army were light and flexible, and they had the upper hand in both fire attacks and artillery battles. ”

"Well, that makes sense. Second? Guan Zhuofan didn't know anything about the navy, and while looking at the ships of the Taiping Army on both sides of the strait, he listened to Ding Xianda's words with relish.

Second, Peng Xueshuai is a good soldier, his battalion of sailors only has 600 people, and when it comes to fighting, each battalion has its own responsibilities and understands the division of labor. The long-haired naval army, an army is tens of thousands of people, relying on a military commander, where can it be controlled, not to mention that there is a general system above, generals, and supervising the army, everyone can speak, so when it comes to fighting, it depends on a rush to the top, there is no tactics, and the loss is confused, even if it wins, it is also a win. ”

Peng Xueshuai refers to Peng Yulin, the commander of the Hunan Army's naval division, who "came with a scholar laughing at the warship". Guan Zhuofan nodded and encouraged Ding Xianda to continue.

"Third, although there are many ships in the long-haired navy, the equipment is not good, they are all earthen cannons carrying guns, and most of the people in the navy cannot learn the method of guns. The artillery of the Hunan Army's naval division is a foreign village bought by Zeng Daren from Guangdong, and the fight is accurate and ruthless, and the long-haired naval army is difficult to resist. ”

"What is a foreign village?"

"It's the old Western cannon."

Western cannons are good, I know this, Guan Zhuofan thought to himself, if the original cannon of Bali Bridge hadn't relied on the Huang Husa to block it, I am afraid that I would not have had the opportunity to guide the country here today.

"Fourth, although the Hunan Army Naval Division is also controlled by Lord Zeng, he has a great right to act independently. And the long-haired navy is only a vassal of the land division, and it is controlled everywhere, even if it has a skill, it can't be used, so it dares to say that the long-haired navy will be defeated. Speaking of this, Ding Xianda actually had a look of regret on his face, paused for a moment, and couldn't help but add softly: "Boss, the sailor can become an independent army." ”

Ding Xianda has such insight, which is quite unexpected by Guan Zhuofan. His heart moved, glanced at Ding Xianda, and muttered: "In your opinion, if the British and American fleets enter the inland river and fight against Peng Xueshuai's Hunan army and sailors, what will be the outcome or defeat?" ”

"Humble ...... I dare not say it. Ding Xianda snorted.

"Out of your mouth, into my ears, it doesn't hurt to speak."

Ding Xianda lowered his head and whispered after a moment: "No fleet, just two gunboats, from Shanghai to Wuchang, are enough to sweep." ”

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(xiexie Tan Tan, candy, ycbh's tips, xiexiej1621's evaluation votes.) ）