By the 15th of September, everything was ready, and the Matsue Corps began to board the ship.

Guan Zhuofan used Zuihou's time to go to the "upper and lower Gaochang" by the Huangpu River and took a good turn.

This is what he thinks of as a "free trade zone" and an "industrial park".

The plot has been carved out, the garrison of the Xuan army has also been in place, the former desolate land, the newly recruited people have begun to work, and the new plant of the Qiji Iron Factory has taken shape. The entire Gaochang Temple neighborhood looks like it is in full swing.

"Brother Zhu," he said to Zhao Jingxian with a smile on his face, "the people who do things here are really competent. ”

In addition to the "five-member committee," he also brought Ding Ruchang and Rong Hong with him today.

"Since it is the order of the marshal, it is natural to rush it vigorously." Zhao Jingxian said with a smile, "What's more, when the first-class marshal returns from going to the United States and asks for a decree, then this place still has to be built in a big way, so you can't help but do it in advance." ”

Now everyone has understood that Guan Zhuofan Weishenme said that he would apply for a decree in a year - as long as he returns victoriously in the United States, then the future affairs of foreign affairs will naturally be what he says.

"Ding Ruchang."

"Mark it in!"

"You went to Portsmouth, England, to inspect the shipyards and learn about the navy, and I have already played it." Guan Zhuofan pointed to the dock of the Qiji Iron Factory by the river and said, "You have to be really attentive, not limited to one year or two years, you and these subordinates in your sailor's yamen, as well as the dozen or so people sent to you by Mr. Chunfu, must be attentive and must learn the real things back." ”

"Yes!" Ding Ruchang replied. Look at Guan Zhuofan's complexion. Said tentatively: "Boss." You said that the two ships of Jintai and Baiyue, can you ......?"

"Don't be stingy!" Guan Zhuofan smiled, "As soon as the propeller ship comes out, the days of the paddle gunboat are numbered. If you take it and return it to Li Taitai, how much can you get back some of the ship's price, how good? It's Edward, big and small, and those Englishmen who are willing to stay in the Xuan Army, you have to be good at it. When you come back, it would be best if you could bring them back with you. ”

"Yes. These days, the people I picked are also stepping up their preparations," Ding Ruchang bowed and said, "It's just that some people don't know much and don't learn foreign languages very well." ”

Guan Zhuofan thought to herself, Wan'er is smart, and she doesn't know much. But I don't learn foreign words badly.

"Sir, Ding Junmen said that he could read and write. Rong Chunfu had a proposal, which I thought was quite interesting. Zhao Jingxian pointed to Rong Hong next to him and said with a smile.

"Oh?" Guan Zhuofan turned his head to look at Rong Hong, and said with great interest, "Chunfu, listen to your high opinions." ”

"Sir, I'm not referring specifically to the Sailor Yamen, and I don't dare to say that it is a high opinion, but if the country wants to be rich and strong, if there are no more people who can read and write, it will not be possible." Rong Hong said, "Now that Jiangsu's foreign affairs have a little bit of appearance, I immediately feel that there is a shortage of people, and those who can't read big characters, even if they are skilled enough to learn foreigners' things, are also very difficult." I wondered if we could set up dozens or hundreds of schools in Jiangsu like the West, so that children from poor families could read and write......

"Well, it's a good idea, and it's a matter of time." Guan Zhuofan first approved, and then continued, "It's just that sooner or later, it's very particular." ”

"Ask the marshal, what are the particulars?"

"It's nothing more than how to give people a way out—"

Guan Zhuofan knew that Rong Hong was right, but the timing was particularly crucial. During this period, China's literacy rate was very low, but even at such a low level of literacy, there was already a relative surplus of talents.

The reason for the surplus lies in the fact that China's traditional education is not an education that enriches the country and benefits the people, but an education that produces officials. The way out for scholars lies in the number of exams a year, and the fight is to learn and excel, and those who are involved in it, once they can't be officials, they can't do anything, and they don't want to do it anymore!

Another one, education also has a cost, not to mention how much it costs a poor family to support a scholar, even if it doesn't cost money, it is a sacrifice of a strong laborer, once you can't learn, or can't become an official, it is tantamount to a huge failure for a family. Who wouldn't think twice about such a thing?

"Sir, do you mean to say that when the foreign affairs here are done......"

"Not bad!" Guan Zhuofan nodded and said, "It's not that you have to do it all, but you always have to have a rough appearance, so that others can see and touch it." At that time, the dozens or hundreds of schools you mentioned will be set up with great fanfare, and the common people will be willing to send their children to study. ”

However, the reason why he didn't agree to Rong Hong was actually more than that, but this reason was not willing to say it explicitly - as soon as he left, he handed over Jiangsu Province to Zhao Jingxian and the "Committee of Five". Now there are many new policies in Jiangsu, and if they are ingenious and make any accidents in the imperial court, he may not be able to take care of them if he is far away in the United States, and then he will be in big trouble.

"Brother Zhu, I handed over Jiangsu to you." He solemnly said to Zhao Jingxian, "In military affairs, there is Ding Shijie, in government affairs, there is Liu Songyan, in foreign affairs, there are Qi Weng and Mr. Li to do it with you, plus you are in charge of the overall situation, I have nothing to worry about, just one sentence, please pay attention to Brother Zhu." ”

"Yes, please command."

"Silence always comes first."

At Wusongkou, it took two days for people and equipment to board the ship. On September 17, this Songjiang Army was finally about to be officially launched.

The passenger ships of the Qichang Company were also all called, and the "Pujiang" was used as the ship of the minister. In the suite on the second deck, he lived in one of the rooms, and Wan'er lived in the small suites for the servants in the outer room. And Túrin's entire Guards Regiment was stuffed into this big ship.

Among the two American gunboats in Shanghai, Admiral Singleton personally commanded the "Brave" and escorted the convoy all the way to Jinshan on the west coast of the United States.

On the dock, naturally, it was crowded with officials and crowds of people seeing them off. With a long whistle, Guan Zhuofan's Pujiang slowly sailed away from Wusong Port, announcing the departure of the entire fleet.

Guan Zhuofan stood at the bow of the ship, looking at the huge fleet behind him, and the officers and soldiers who were standing on the deck, elated, with a lot of thoughts.

In the end, it has come to this point, he thought with emotion.

More than 20,000 Chinese officers and soldiers are about to embark on a completely strange journey, and in the face of the fear of the unknown, they will not only become closer to each other, but also need their own spiritual leaders even more.

From the moment the ship sailed, all their lives and loyalties were entrusted to their own hands.

*

*

On the first day, the wind was calm, but on the second day there was a wind on the sea, and although the waves were not too big, most of the soldiers who went to sea for the first time still suffered from seasickness.

Guan Zhuofan was not spared. He was talking about military affairs with Wall Daniel Zhang on the deck, but he only felt disgusted, swallowing spit one by one, and couldn't help but be distracted.

"Boss, look at your face, it's a little wrong." Daniel Zhang asked pretendedly, "It's really not easy to take a sea boat, if you are uncomfortable, don't hold on hard, just vomit." ”

"your ......"

Before he finished speaking, Guan Zhuofan had already rushed to the side and vomited.

Holy shit, he's fine. Guan Zhuofan looked at the gloating Daniel Zhang and thought hatefully.

At this time, he did not dare to stay on the deck, returned to his cabin, and lay listlessly on the bunk.

Seasickness, it's not that you can resist it, Yu is a strong person, and he often makes Yu is powerful. So not only did he lose his appetite for eating, but he also vomited again from time to time. At this time, he saw the benefits of having Wan'er by his side, not only cleaned up the filth for him, but also wrung a hot towel to wipe his face every once in a while, and sat on the bed at his feet, fanned for him, and took care of him meticulously.

Although Wan'er is not an outsider, she is a big man, not as good as a little girl, which makes Guan Zhuofan a little embarrassed. looked at Wan'er's free movement, and couldn't help but ask, "Wan'er, don't you feel dizzy at all?" ”

"What is this, I'm not a weak little girl." Wan'er pursed her lips and smiled, "I can fight six heels in a row on the rope, and it's not like nothing to come down?" ”

Guan Daren, who was weak and couldn't help the wind, stopped talking.

After lying in bed like this for two days, I finally felt better. I was wondering if I could get up and move, when I suddenly heard cheers from outside, and then I saw Wan'er running in.

"Master, see the shore!"

Guan Zhuofan was in good spirits, got up and took Wan'er to the deck, looked up, and sure enough, the lush land and the huge fleet were heading there.

"Sir, are we going to the United States?" Wan'er asked in surprise, "It turns out that it's not far away!" ”

Guan Zhuofan looked at the bright smile on Wan'er's face, and couldn't help but be infected by her happiness: "It's here, but it's not the United States." ”

"Oh?" Wan'er asked in surprise, "What kind of place is that?" ”

"It's called Japan," Guan Zhuofan looked thoughtfully ahead, "Nagasaki, Japan." ”

*

(Tomorrow is a business trip, come back on Saturday, these three days will give priority to ensure a shift in the evening, please forgive me.) ）

*(To be continued......)