"Fengtian carrier, the emperor edict said: Su Song Taibing Beidao, Jiang Customs Supervisor Wu Jianzhang, Jiu Mu Tianen, progressive salary, but do not think of returning, without the permission of the imperial court, even if his Sun Wu surpassed privately helped foreigners to preach and buy land, he should be handed over to the ministry for discussion. Gu Nian is loyal to his duties, diligent, during the suspension of the court still to pay taxes to the court, did not miss his duty, seems to be able to save, now there are Yangyi soldiers Dagukou, send a book to beg for peace, Wu Jianzhang rushed to Beijing to assist the minister of the Qincha and Yangyi countries to negotiate peace matters, will be atonement. Chin this! ”

After kneeling and listening to Emperor Xianfeng's brazen will, Wu Jianzhang was of course dumbfounded as if in a dream, and it took him a long time to come back to his senses and ask Su Shun, who was reciting the holy decree, "Lord Su, the lower officials heard it right, right?" The diplomatic note submitted by the foreigner this time involved the lower officials, why did the emperor ask the lower officials to assist in the negotiations? ”

"It's because it involves you that the emperor named you to go to the capital to assist in the negotiations." Su Shun also saw some clues, and said to Wu Jianzhang bluntly: "Your Majesty, this is an opportunity for you to make meritorious service and atone for your sins, you have done a good job of the mission, not to mention Weng's slander against you, your grandson will also give you exemption from helping foreigners preach and buy land without the permission of the imperial court." ”

Wu Jianzhang nodded sluggishly, still a little unable to believe that this was true, and Su Shun urged impatiently: "Lord Wu, it's time to receive the decree and thank you." Then arrange your other errands below, and leave for the capital as soon as possible to assist the minister and the foreigners in negotiating, don't let the emperor wait in a hurry. ”

After coming back to his senses and kowtowing to thank him, according to Su Shun's request, Wu Jianzhang hurriedly began to arrange for entering Beijing, and sent someone to the concession to tell the situation to his precious grandson who is still hiding in the concession, and let Wu Chaoyue stay in Shanghai to preside over family affairs. As a result, Wu Chaoyue was taken aback when he heard the news, and hurriedly returned to the city to meet Wu Jianzhang, and as soon as they met, he asked if the matter was true or false, and Wu Jianzhang handed the holy decree directly to Wu Chaoyue, and said with a smile: "The holy purpose is here, see for yourself." It's a pity that the time is too tight, otherwise grandpa will definitely take you to the capital to open your eyes. ”

Hurriedly took the cheeky decree and looked at it carefully, Wu Chaoyue's brows immediately wrinkled into a Sichuan character, and said, "Grandpa, do you think this matter is a little strange?" The foreigner's fleet stationed at Dagukou threatened to start a war, and the root cause was because of us, and the note submitted by the foreigner also clearly mentioned the matter of our ancestors and grandchildren, and asked the court to admit our innocence. We are so deeply involved in this matter, why did the imperial court and the emperor still ask you to come to Beijing by name to participate in this negotiation? ”

"The emperor and the court, that is an opportunity for me to make meritorious service and atone for my sins." Wu Jianzhang said truthfully: "Lord Su made it very clear when he announced the decree, this errand is done, and the emperor will no longer pursue you for helping foreigners preach and build factories." ”

"What if the errand is messed up, or not done?" Wu Chaoyue asked, "Is that the punishment for two crimes combined, and the new account and the old account are counted together?" ”

Wu Jianzhang was stunned for a moment, and then shook his head and said, "Master Su didn't say anything." ”

"He didn't say it because he didn't want to explain it." Wu Chaoyue snorted coldly, and then raised the rather cheeky holy decree of Emperor Xianfeng, pointed to one of them and said: "Grandpa, you see, the holy decree actually has this meaning, this sentence 'seems to be savable', it clearly means that the emperor and the court still think that our ancestors and grandchildren are guilty, but there is still the possibility of saving, such as grandpa, you go to Beijing to participate in the negotiation is to give you a chance to make meritorious service and atone for your crimes, but if the errand is smashed, then the new account and the old account will be counted together!" ”

Wu Jianzhang took the holy decree in surprise and looked at it carefully, chewing the true meaning of that sentence with his heart, and Wu Chaoyue poured cold water on the side and said: "If the grandson is not wrong, the emperor should have this idea - call grandpa you into Beijing to participate in the negotiations, talk about merit and reward for meritorious deeds, and logically no longer pursue the matter of me helping foreigners preach, so as not to let outsiders feel that the court and the emperor are forced by foreigners to pardon us." If you don't talk well, or if you find out that grandpa you are secretly colluding with foreigners to betray the Qing Dynasty court to curry favor with foreigners, then the emperor and the court will cut us down with one sword, and the new and old accounts will be counted together, and the foreigners will not be able to continue to entangle us because of our affairs. ”

Wu Jianzhang's face changed a little, and he pondered for a while before saying, "So, unless I go to Beijing this time to do a good job, I will be in danger?" ”

Wu Chaoyue nodded, and then said: "But it's not so easy to do the errand well, the so-called doing the errand well is actually to make the emperor satisfied, the emperor is not satisfied, grandpa, it is useless for you to fight for the interests of the Qing court at the negotiation table, and the emperor still can't spare us." As for how to satisfy the emperor, I'm afraid it's the answer that no one knows. ”

After receiving a few basins of cold water from his baby grandson, Wu Jianzhang, who was full of longing for the first time in Beijing to meet Emperor Xianfeng, completely calmed down, sat back in his chair and thought silently. Wu Chaoyue felt sorry for this cheap grandfather who was very good to him, so he said again: "Grandpa, in my opinion, you'd better not go to the capital and push this errand to others." ”

"Nonsense." Wu Jianzhang scolded and said, "This is the emperor's will, how can you disobey it?" ”

"It's the emperor's will, and it's also your will to deliberately cheat." Wu Chaoyue retorted very facelessly: "Grandpa, think about it, all the ministers of the court who have negotiated and signed treaties with foreigners over the years, which one can have a good end?" Which one can satisfy the court and the emperor? The one who was not scolded by the common people and was settled by the imperial court? ”

Thinking about the fate of Qi Shan, Mu Zhang'a and Qi Ying and others, Wu Jianzhang quietly shivered, and suddenly shook a little, Wu Chaoyue lowered his voice and said: "If you want to push off this errand, it's actually very simple, grandpa, you just pretend to be sick, anyway, you are so old, it is reasonable to fall ill suddenly, even if Su Shun is suspicious, you can also eat some croton and diarrhea, and then ask Su Shun to ask Lang Zhong to treat you, and let Lang Zhong prove that you are really sick." ”

"This ......." Wu Jianzhang was a little tempted and a little hesitant.

"Grandpa, you can't hesitate, negotiating and signing a traitorous treaty with foreigners is a matter that will be left behind for 10,000 years, and this black pot must not be carried back. And once the result of the negotiation is not satisfactory to the court, the end will only be worse. Wu Chaoyue persuaded him: "Don't want this opportunity to make meritorious service and atone for your sins, the big deal is to lose your official position and resign, and go home to support your old age, it's better than leaving a stench for 10,000 years or being robbed and killed." ”

Wu Jianzhang was even more shaken when he heard this, and after thinking about it for a long time, Wu Jianzhang said: "Then let me think about it, and then decide whether to pretend to be sick when I think about it." ”

With the experience of Yuan Zubi last time, Wu Chaoyue did not dare to take it lightly this time, and repeatedly persuaded Wu Jianzhang to lie down on the bed and pretend to be sick, but Wu Jianzhang was slow to make up his mind. However, at this time, someone suddenly came to report outside the door, saying that Su Shun came to visit, Wu Jianzhang hurriedly got up and prepared to greet him, but Wu Chaoyue, who was so anxious that he jumped to his feet, pulled Wu Jianzhang to the bed and fell asleep, whispered to his grandfather how to pretend to be sick, and then went to the door to greet Su Shun by himself.

As Wu Chaoyue expected, seeing that it was Wu Chaoyue who went out to greet him, Su Shun immediately asked about Wu Chaoyue's situation, and Wu Chaoyue replied with a sad face: "Lord Qincha, my grandfather suddenly felt a little unwell and was resting on the bed, so he asked the junior to go out to greet Lord Qincha on his behalf. ”

"Lord Wu is sick?" Su Shun was a little surprised, then glanced at Wu Chaoyue and said, "A few hours ago, when I met Lord Wu, wasn't he okay?" Why did you suddenly fall ill? ”

"The sky is unpredictable." Wu Chaoyue said with a sad face: "My grandfather's health is not very good, and he is so old, I heard that the emperor summoned him to Beijing to listen to it, and he was too happy and excited, so he suddenly fell ill." ”

Su Shun blinked his eyes, didn't question it anymore, just proposed to see Wu Jianzhang, Wu Chaoyue hurriedly led Su Shun into the back hall, and Wu Jianzhang was forced by his baby grandson to lie down on the bed and pretend to be sick, this will finally make up his mind, according to Wu Chaoyue's instructions on the bed moaning constantly, seeing Su Shun get up with difficulty, and pretending to be exhausted and wanting to fall. When Wu Chaoyue hurriedly stepped forward to help, Su Shun quickly grabbed Wu Jianzhang with his eyes and hands, and said with concern: "Lord Wu, be careful." How's it going? Uncomfortable there? ”

"Thank you, Lord Su." Wu Jianzhang groaned and thanked him, and said with a painful expression: "The dizziness is terrible, my heart is pounding rapidly, my hands and feet are numb, and it is difficult to move." ”

After that, Wu Jianzhang also covered his chest and moaned in pain, pretending to be half-dead very vividly, and Wu Chaoyue on the other side hurriedly comforted: "Grandpa, it's okay, your disease is called high blood pressure in the foreigner hospital, as long as you rest more, it won't be a big problem." ”

Wu Jianzhang nodded weakly, turned to Su Shun and said, "Lord Su, it's okay, the lower officials should be fine if they take a rest, and when they are old, they will be sick, so that Lord Su will laugh." ”

Su Shun was suspicious and polite to Wu Jianzhang, and at the same time carefully observed Wu Jianzhang's expression, Wu Chaoyue next to him saw that Su Shun was already suspicious, so he pleaded with Su Shun: "Lord Qincha, you are from the capital, you know many famous doctors, can you point out one or two famous doctors, and the grass people will go and ask them to come to see my grandfather." ”

After that, Wu Chaoyue sneered in his heart again: "Although it seems that Lang Zhong does not have a blood pressure monitor, I think that Chinese medicine doctor can find out whether high blood pressure is true or false." ”

Hearing Wu Chaoyue's words, Su Shun, who originally wanted to call Lang Zhong to check whether Wu Jianzhang was pretending to be sick, immediately dispelled this idea, knowing that Wu Jianzhang was either a real illness, or he was sure that Lang Zhong would not be able to find out whether it was a real illness or a fake illness - otherwise Wu Chaoyue would not be so fearless. So after thinking about it for a while, Su Shun shook his head and said: "I didn't bring the imperial doctor this time, and I am not familiar with the situation in Shanghai, so I can't help with this matter. ”

Wu Chaoyue agreed with a disappointed expression, and Su Shun said to Wu Jianzhang again: "Lord Wu, just rest assured, I came here to see how you are preparing to go to the capital, there is nothing else important, if you feel uncomfortable, just lie down and rest." Oh, by the way, Lord Wu, are you ready for your trip? Do you plan to enter Beijing by land or by water? ”

"Prepare to take the waterway, and the boat is ready." Wu Jianzhang replied weakly, and groaned again: "Please rest assured, Lord Su, as long as the lower officials can move tomorrow, they will definitely set off on time, and they will never miss the important affairs of the imperial court." ”

After that, Wu Jianzhang also added in his heart, and said secretly: "If I still can't move and pull my stomach again, then I can't be blamed." ”

Su Shun nodded, blinked his eyes, and suddenly smiled and said: "Of course I don't worry about this, Lord Wu, you are the person recommended by Wen Zhonggong to the imperial court, and with Wen Zhonggong's example in front of you, I still have to worry about Lord Wu, you can't leave for Beijing due to illness?" ”

Hearing this, Wu Jianzhang's pretended moan suddenly stopped, and he asked Su Shun in great surprise: "Lord Su, do you know about Xiaguan and Wen Zhonggong?" ”

"Lin Ruzhou, the eldest son of Duke Wen Zhong, serves as a cabinet attendant in the capital, I am a cabinet scholar, I often meet, and the relationship is quite good, so I heard him say that Lord Wu and you and Duke Wen Zhong."

Su Shun replied with a smile, and said with a smile: "Lord Wu, I won't hide it from you, when I came to Shanghai, the members of the Hui Party you organized besieged the official mission of Weng Xincun to send out the city, and your grandson took Weng Xincun's son hostage, the reason why I didn't report these things to the imperial court is actually for the sake of the face of Duke Wen Zhong and Brother Jingfeng (Lin Ruzhou's character). ”

Wu Jianzhang opened his mouth and stammered, and Wu Chaoyue on the other side was both surprised and curious, and quickly interjected and asked, "Grandpa, Lord Su, who is Duke Wen Zhong?" ”

"Even Wen Zhonggong doesn't know, the book has been read in the dog's belly?" Su Shun scolded Wu Chaoyue.

"I really don't know." Wu Chaoyue replied truthfully, and added: "My grandfather didn't tell me either. ”

Su Shun was also a little surprised to look at Wu Jianzhang, but saw that Wu Jianzhang hung his head and didn't say a word, and guessed some reasons in his heart, so he hummed: "Lord Wu, you didn't tell your grandson about you and Wen Zhonggong, why don't I want to know and am not interested in knowing." I just want to remind you, if it weren't for the patronage and support of Wen Zhonggong, how could you be where you are today? After the Opium War, the merchants of the Thirteen Lines in Guangdong either went bankrupt or went bankrupt, and there were several who were forced to commit suicide. ”

Wu Jianzhang was even more silent, and he didn't dare to look at Su Shun, Su Shun stood up and said lightly: "Lord Wu, I'm leaving, I'll see you off tomorrow, last year Wen Zhonggong was seriously ill, but he resolutely went to Guangxi to take office, unfortunately died of illness in Chaozhou, I see that your body Wen Zhonggong is much better, just a minor illness, it will definitely not affect your departure to Beijing." This matter started because of you, and because you made a big fuss, I hope it will be up to you to end it. ”

After that, Su Shun turned around and left, and although Wu Chaoyue had already heard from Su Shun's extraneous meaning that he had seen through his grandfather was pretending to be sick, he no longer cared about this matter first, and just asked Wu Jianzhang who that Wen Zhonggong was? Wu Jianzhang's expression was gloomy, and it took a long time before he replied weakly: "Wen Zhonggong is Lin Zexu, the famous Lin Zexu." ”

"Lin ......, Lin Zexu?" Wu Chaoyue was completely dumbfounded, and only after a long time did he exclaim and ask, "Grandpa, do you know Lin Zexu?" ”

"Do you know more than that?" Wu Jianzhang smiled bitterly and said: "During the Opium War, I have always been Wen Zhonggong's interpreter, Guangzhou smoking ban, Humen tobacco sales, Guangzhou defense war, I have always followed Wen Zhonggong's side, can be regarded as Wen Zhonggong's assistant at that time, and also helped Wen Zhonggong a little. ”

Wu Chaoyue's triangular eyes turned into bronze eyes, and he exclaimed and asked, "Is there such a thing?" Help Lin Zexu to ban smoking in Guangzhou! Humen sells cigarettes! How glorious is that? Grandpa, why didn't you tell me before? ”

"Because ......, I don't have that face."

Wu Jianzhang looked depressed, recalled the past, and muttered: "When Wen Zhonggong went to Guangzhou to ban opium, the merchants of the Thirteen Lines rushed to be his interpreter in order to hug his thigh, Wen Zhonggong didn't look down on anyone, but he picked me, and later in the Opium War, the rich businessmen of the Thirteen Lines were forced to donate huge sums of money as military salaries, Wu Bingjian, the richest man in Guangdong, was also arrested and imprisoned by Wen Zhonggong, escorted to parade on the street, but I stayed out of the matter, these are because of the ......, all because of the ....... ”

"Because of what?" Wu Chaoyue asked in an itchy and unbearable way.

"Because of the Thirteen Lines in Guangzhou at that time, I was the only Thirteen Merchants who did not do opium business."

Wu Jianzhang told the truth, and then hung his head weakly, and said in a choked voice: "I didn't keep the evening, and I didn't have the face to see Wen Zhonggong." ”

Wu Chaoyue was silent, and finally understood why the comprador grandfather never mentioned the relationship between him and Lin Zexu, the grandfather and grandson were relatively speechless, and no one said a word for a long time.

I don't know how long it took, Wu Jianzhang wiped the corners of his eyes, got up and said: "Grandson, I know you have good intentions, but since Su Shun deliberately mentioned Lin Wenzhong Gong in front of me, and mentioned the old things of Wen Zhonggong and me, it means that he has seen that I am pretending to be sick, and deliberately gave me a warning, and he also gave me a warning with good intentions, so I have to go to the capital no matter what, try to fight, and do something worthy of Wen Zhonggong." Now that you are still free, go back to the concession quickly, if the situation is not right, you will go to Hong Kong to find your father, and you don't need to worry about me. ”

Wu Chaoyue's lips moved, and he hesitated again, Wu Chaoyue gritted his teeth and said, "Grandpa, I'll go to Beijing with you to help you negotiate with foreigners!" ”