Port in the west of France, inside a church on the eastern outskirts of Nantes.

Because it was not a Sunday, the church was empty, except for three people sitting quietly on the long benches of the church.

This is a new church, which was built at the expense of Guo Songtao, of course, not to worship God, but as a stronghold in Nantes, France, under the special envoy of the Chinese Empire to Europe.

Guo Songtao looked at Zeng Jize, who looked haggard, and said to Wu Chaoyue beside him: "It's hard to be strong!" Comfort Ting, after discussing important matters, he took Jie Gang to the inner house of the church to rest, where it was quieter. ”

Wu Chaoyue hurriedly agreed. He was the grandson of Wu Jianzhang, the original Manchu Shanghai Daotai, and later Wu Jianzhang was persuaded by Guo Songtao in London to surrender to the Chinese Empire, and Wu Jianzhang himself was accepted by Feng Yunshan as the special envoy of the Chinese Empire to Luzon, and governed the newly occupied Luzon Islands quite well, and cooperated with the local captives to slaughter a group of rebellious indigenous tribes on Luzon Island, so that Luzon Island was completely stabilized and became an overseas province with a majority of Chinese. Later, Wu Jianzhang left office because of old age, and recommended his grandson Wu Chaoyue to Guo Songtao, Guo Songtao remembered the old love, arranged Wu Chaoyue by his side, acted as an assistant, and concurrently served as consul in Nantes, France.

Zeng Jize said gratefully: "Thank you uncle for your care!" Ji Ze is okay and can hold on. Recalling the experience during this time, he also had a heart palpitation.

Half a month ago, the workers of London and other major industrial cities in England were forcefully suppressed by a large number of British soldiers. Seeing that Britain had mobilized more than 150,000 troops to suppress the workers' rebellion and that the workers' movement was about to fail, Zeng Jize, the head of the intelligence station of the Secret Service Department in London, immediately sent a telegram to Guo Songtao in France, and Guo Songtao also immediately gave instructions and ordered Zeng Jize to take all measures to help the workers' leaders and a group of workers' followers who were hiding and fleeing to evacuate safely, avoid being captured by the British army, and retain the seeds of the workers' movement. Rush to Ireland to join the Irish rebels against the British.

Zeng Jize immediately carried out the order. He used his position as consul of another Chinese empire in London to successfully rescue many workers, and through some arranged merchant ships from other European countries, a large number of workers were sent to Ireland through transit.

After everything was arranged, Zeng Jize let a group of people under his command at the London station lurk, and he himself, until the eve of the British government's announcement of the expulsion of all diplomatic and consular personnel of the Chinese Empire in its territory, Zeng Jize sensed that the British military and police were beginning to arrest him, so he left London through secret channels and fled to France. During this period, Zeng Jize almost didn't sleep well, and in half a month, his body lost ten pounds, and his face was sallow, so that Guo Songtao specially explained to his assistant Wu Chaoyue to arrange Zeng Jize to have a good rest.

"It should. I am like a brother to your father, but unfortunately, creation makes people! Guo Songtao naturally thought of Zeng Jize's father, Zeng Guofan, a masterpiece of a generation, just because he took the wrong path and was loyal to the Manchu Qing Dynasty, and finally ended up in defeat and suicide. He said quite emotionally: "I regret that I brought you to the West, especially agreeing to let you join the secret service department, although you did a good job. In case there are three long and two short, Guo really can't stand your father under Jiuquan. ”

Zeng Jize said: "Uncle bothered. But Ji Ze likes this kind of life, which is exciting and fulfilling. Even if there are some dangers, and even if you may die in a foreign land, as long as you can contribute to the strength of our Chinese empire and make efforts for the rise of the Chinese people, you will have nothing to fear. ”

"Good, good! Comfort Pavilion, see it, this is Zeng Jize! You're a little older than him, but you have to learn from him! Guo Songtao patted the back of the church chair and praised. However, thinking of the news he had just received, his face darkened, and he said, "The situation in Europe is very tense now. Although Britain did not declare war on our Chinese Empire on the surface, in fact, because of the specific operation of the army and police, it was no different from a declaration of war. Jie Gang, how about the losses of your secret service department on the British side? ”

"The losses are huge. Originally, there were 42 official intelligence officers and more than 200 peripheral personnel at the London station, but now there are only 13 people left, and I let them lurk around London, and all the peripheral personnel have lost news, and even those 13 people may be in danger at any time. Zeng Jize said a little sadly.

"Alas, this is also a matter of no choice, join the Secret Service Division, there will be such a day." Guo Songtao suddenly remembered something and asked eagerly: "That worker leader Mackhas has arrived safely in Ireland, right?" ”

"Yes! Mr. McCass has arrived in Collane, in the north of Ireland. There were more than 20,000 workers from all over England, because there were a few factories in Ireland, and Mr. McCas was already preparing to lead the workers to set up several large factories of his own, and was now raising funds and recruiting people to set up factories. Zeng Jize said: "Mr. McCasz is one of the few foreigners I admire. He really thought about the workers wholeheartedly, for their work and life to be better, and for the workers to be free from exploitation by those capitalists. His mind is very.... In short, he is a great good guy! We seem to be using him to deceive him in doing so. ”

"Jie Gang, of course Mr. Mackas is a great man, not to mention you and me, even our Emperor His Majesty admires him. But I always felt that he was too far beyond this era, and his thoughts were extremely terrible, if it was really that era, oh my God, there was no hierarchy, everyone was equal and free, this, this, it was unimaginable. Guo Songtao commented a few words and continued: "For Mr. McCas's career, whether it is right or wrong, we must vigorously support it, not because we want to make up for the guilt of using him before, but because Your Majesty has already explained that even if we don't understand what Mr. McChas wants to do, we must resolutely support and give the necessary financial and strength support." Therefore, I have contacted Charles in Ireland and asked him to help Mr. McCas. ”

"The general strategy is this: Ireland has ceased war with Britain, and Britain basically recognizes the independence of Ireland, but for the sake of face and interests, it claims that Ireland still belongs to British territory, but only self-government. In fact, Ireland would form their own regime, and the Charles, with our financial support, the help of a large number of Irish soldiers, and the British factor, had basically taken control of Ireland. Charles should not turn his back on our Chinese Empire, he is like a human being, of course, we can't pin our personal character, even if we change people, as long as they are smart enough, they will not betray us, but will firmly maintain a good relationship with us, only in this way, can help them Ireland resist the pressure of the British. Otherwise, with the strength of Britain, sooner or later it will have to be annexed back.

And I have asked the Charles, after taking control of Ireland, to make Ireland in the north a special administrative region at the right time, which can be regarded as an autonomous territory. Later, this region of Northern Ireland, as an autonomous place for the workers from London, England, and even from all over Europe, was headed by Mr. McCas, and practiced self-government, and eventually developed to the point of independent statehood. Of course, this is just an idea, and I have already gone to the secret letter half a year ago to report to His Majesty the Emperor, and His Majesty also agreed. His Majesty is also looking forward to what Mr. Machas will be able to muster up a name for him to carry out experiments in places where Europe is not very fast-tracked, and given the situation, Northern Ireland is a good choice. ”

Guo Songtao put his plan together, and Zeng Jize and Wu Chaoyue, who listened, were stunned. Zeng Jize admired: "This arrangement is the best, and it also saves me from feeling guilty and uneasy about Mr. Mackers and those workers." Uncle is far-sighted and strategic, no wonder His Majesty the Emperor is so important! ”

Guo Songtao waved his hand and said, "Don't talk about this yet." Now is not the time to praise. Now Britain seems to have sensed that we have some unfavorable intentions against it, and has launched retaliatory sanctions against our Chinese Empire, and the situation is very critical! I am anxious to see you this time, in addition to visiting, mainly because you have stayed in London long enough and know the British cabinet members and dignitaries very well, and I would like to ask you your views and opinions on this matter! ”

Zeng Jize thought for a moment and said: "Uncle, since Britain announced the expulsion of the consular personnel of our Chinese Empire in Britain, and claimed to seize and confiscate any illegal trade goods, and also levy 20% of all kinds of taxes and fees on ordinary goods from the Chinese Empire, although this has not declared war on our Chinese Empire, it is actually equivalent to a declaration of war!" This is a deliberate act of retaliation against our Chinese Empire, and it should have been that they discovered our actions in the workers' revolt and the Irish rebellion, and then suddenly announced an urgent action. However, as far as the little nephew knows, this matter is mainly promoted by Prime Minister Russell! If it weren't for the resolute opposition of many parliamentarians close to our Chinese Empire, the British Prime Minister and Queen would even have directly declared war on us! ”

"So those officials and parliament in Britain are not monolithic, and there are many internal differences?" Guo Songtao said: "Also, our original ones who won over some parliamentarians and gave them some promises and preferential treatment in terms of commerce and trade, or did they work?" ”

"Yes, uncle! For example, the head of the House of Commons is concerned about practical interests and tends to be friendly with our Chinese Empire. And Truss, the British cabinet member and Justice Secretary, is on good terms with us. I deliberately communicated with Toyo Company and Nanyang Company, and deliberately cooperated with their family at a preferential price, so he now has a good relationship with his little nephew, and even this time the little nephew was able to get out smoothly because of his help. ”