If it weren't for Liu Lichuan getting drunk and making a fuss, Wu Chaoyue led Wu Jun to retreat to Shanghai to rest and recuperate, and it could be regarded as nothing to say all the way.

It's not too big, dissatisfied with Wu Chaoyue's revocation of Liu Jiajun's number, and there are other hidden things in his heart, plus he drank more Shaoxing Huang, Liu Lichuan scolded on the boat with the strength of wine, scolded Cangtian for being unfair to him, scolded the food for not good, scolded the boat he sat on was too bad, and also pointed out that Sang scolded Huai for scolding Wu Chaoyue for being ungrateful and depriving him of military power, and reusing Zhao Liewen and Zhou Tenghu, who could only read a few sentences of sour poems, and no one could persuade them.

When Wu Chaoyue appeared on the deck with a gloomy face, Liu Lichuan was still not satisfied and refused to shut up, forcing Wu Chaoyue to order him to be tied to the mast to sober up, and let the river wind blow him all night. After this incident, Wu Chaoyue and Liu Lichuan also completely tore their faces, and Wu Chaoyue began to plan to drive Liu Lichuan to the green camp as the boss, and take the opportunity to drive him out of Shanghai; Liu Lichuan upgraded his dissatisfaction with Wu Chaoyue into hatred, thinking about how to take revenge.

Two days after leaving Jiangyin, Wu's fleet arrived in Shanghai and docked at the civilian wharf on the Wu River last time. On the contrary, there are many Shanghai civil and military officials and wealthy businessmen and gentry who came to the dock under the leadership of Hui Zheng to greet Wu Chaoyue, congratulating Wu Chaoyue on his triumphant class again, and once again resisting the enemy outside Songjiang, so that they can sit back and enjoy life in Shanghai.

There were also some foreign foreigners who came to greet Wu Chaoyue, and the old acquaintance Mai Dusi shouted regret to Wu Chaoyue as soon as they met. It is said that the British Minister Dr. Wen Han only returned to Hong Kong a few days ago, and he regretted that he could not meet Wu Chaoyue when he left. Wu Chaoyue didn't mind much about this. Just whispered to Maddox to inquire about the results of Wenhan's contact with the Taiping Army, and Maddox replied in a low voice: "There is nothing practical to negotiate." Although the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom promised to allow us British to trade freely, they demanded that we British pay tribute to them, which Dr. Wenhan flatly refused. ”

"Tribute?" Wu Chaoyue almost didn't laugh out loud, and asked, "Father, aren't you too joking?" The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom wants you to pay tribute to them? ”

"I also think that the people of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom are joking, but it is true." Maddox spread his hands helplessly and said with a smile: "Also, I heard from the missionaries who accompanied Dr. Wen Han to visit Nanjing, that the so-called worship of God religion that the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom believes in is also very strange. It is completely different from all our denominations in the West...... ”

Wu Chaoyue and Maddow's whispering was interrupted by the American Brown, and as usual, the tall Brown gave Wu Chaoyue a bear hug as soon as they met, and said in a loud voice: "Dear Wu, it seems that my prayer to God has worked, and you have returned victoriously and safely!" What do you think? Is the carbine I sold you better than the Prussian enema gun? ”

"Let's have their own strengths." Wu Chaoyue replied with a wry smile: "In this Jiangyin battle, the carbine you sold me did play a big role, but my friend. I'm sorry, but I don't need to buy any more carbines for the time being, but I would like to buy some more. ”

"It's okay, Wu. Now, even if you want to buy a carbine, I can't get it in stock for the time being. Brown's expression was very smug and he said, "Wu." Your friend has more insight than you do, and he has bought all the carbines I managed to get from General Perry yesterday. ”

"My friend bought all your carbines?" Wu surpassed a flute. Puzzled, he asked, "My friend, how come I don't know?" ”

"Yuan Du Lee. To use the Chinese name, it is Li Yuandu. ”

Brown casually explained, saying that he was worried that Wu Beyond needed guns in the Jiangyin War, so he got two hundred carbines and matching ammunition bayonets from the American fleet led by Perry in advance, so that Wu Beyond who was fighting in the war could respond at any time, who knew that a few days ago suddenly a Chinese named Li Yuandu found Brown, saying that he was a friend of Wu Beyond and wanted to buy a carbine used by Wu Jun Lianyong, at first Brown still wanted to keep it for Wu Transcendence, but after receiving the news that Wu Beyond had finished fighting and had begun to withdraw to Shanghai, Brown sold all the 200 carbines and the matching ammunition bayonets to Li Yuandu.

After listening to Brown's explanation, of course, Wu Chaoyue became more and more confused, and he couldn't remember when he met a person named Li Yuandu when he broke his head, and at the same time, Wu Chaoyue was inevitably a little uncomfortable in his heart -! Foreign friends can also think about Lao Tzu and prepare emergency ammunition and weapons for Lao Tzu in advance, your name Li Yuandu knows that I am fighting with the Taiping Army, and you must buy all these weapons, what if I am really in a hurry to replenish weapons for emergency?

Secretly dissatisfied in his heart, Wu Chaoyue also looked at the crowd next to him casually, wanting to see who that Li Yuandu was, but he inadvertently saw a familiar figure appear in the crowd, Wu Chaoyue's heart also jumped immediately, and he subconsciously wanted to open his mouth and shout, but fortunately he forcibly held back, and the man obviously found that Wu Chaoyue had seen her, so he quickly lowered the hat on his head, and turned around and went to the fishing boat gathering place in the distance.

Wu Jianzhang, who was diligent in official business, did not come to the dock to greet his precious grandson in triumph, but Wu Chaoyue knew very well in his heart that this old comprador was definitely more anxious to see him than anyone else, so he agreed with everyone to hold a celebration banquet the next day, and after settling the army in a hurry, the first thing Wu Chaoyue did was to go to the customs yamen to kowtow to Wu Lao's comprador.

picked up the baby grandson with his own hands, Wu Lao comprador's gratifying smile came from the bottom of his heart, patted the shoulder of the baby grandson and only praised the grandson for his own strength, and couldn't wait to ask what official the Manchu court promoted Wu Chaoyue this time, and when he learned that Wu Chaoyue did not want an official position, only two rewards of salt instead of salary and self-minted silver dollars, Wu Lao comprador also lost his temper and scolded: "Confused! Is our Wu family short of money? You are short of money, the old man will find a way for you, what hand do you want the court to reach? If you want an official, you must have an official! The higher your official, the happier the old man will be! Remember, if you win any battles in the future, you must try your best to take the opportunity to be promoted, and you will lack money in the capital, just find the old man to speak! ”

Scolding is scolding, the baby grandson is so angry. Of course, the old comprador Wu was reluctant to scold more, and ordered the servants to go home early and arrange a banquet for their baby grandson. also explained in advance that he was not allowed to invite anyone, and planned to only get together with his baby grandson for one night. And then it's not time to get off work. Wu Lao comprador was rarely lazy, handed over the business to his subordinates, and led his baby grandson home for dinner.

Knowing that the ancestors and grandchildren of the Wu family must have a good time together, even Zhao Liewen stayed in the camp with knowledge and did not follow, and Hui Zheng, who also lives in Shanghai City, did not come to join in the fun, but some people just like not to have long eyes, the ancestors and grandchildren of the Wu family have just returned home and have not even sat down on their buttocks, and Wu Chaoyue has not had time to finish saluting the seven young and beautiful grandmothers, and someone outside the door suddenly handed over a sticker. Said that someone wanted to see it. Wu Jianzhang lost his temper when he heard this, and shouted: "No, the old man's grandson came back with great difficulty, and the old man is not seeing anyone today!" ”

"Master, I'm not here to see you, I'm here to see Young Master Sun." Menzi cringed and said: "He said that his name is Li Yuandu, the word is Qing, and he is the same junior brother of Young Master Sun, and he wants to meet Young Master Sun, the same senior brother." ”

"Li Yuandu? My fellow disciple? "Wu Chaoyue, who heard this name for the second time today, is another flute. Then Wu Chaoyue quickly came to his senses and said, "Could it be the new students that the teacher accepted in Hunan?" Let him in. ”

In the dissatisfied eyes of Wu Lao's compradors, Li Yuandu, who had bought all the carbines first, was finally led in front of Wu Chaoyue, and what made Wu Chaoyue cry and laugh was the result. Li Yuandu, who was obviously in his thirties, actually called himself a junior brother and called Wu Chaoyue a senior brother when he saluted him. also frankly admitted that he was indeed Zeng Guofan's new protégé after returning to Hunan Ding Wei. Wu Chaoyue hurriedly corrected his salutation, and said with a wry smile: "Brother, don't call it that." You're much older than I am, so I should call you brother. ”

"The first to enter the school is the longest." Li Yuandu is very well-behaved in this regard. Said respectfully: "Master Wu entered the master first, naturally he is a senior brother, although Xiaosheng has a slightly longer tooth, but when he enters the master later, he can only be a junior brother." ”

Unable to reverse Li Yuandu's insistence, Wu Chaoyue, who was only eighteen years old, had no choice but to regard himself as a senior brother, and asked Li Yuandu to sit down and ask him about his intentions, Li Yuandu told him frankly, saying that he came to Shanghai to purchase weapons on Zeng Guofan's orders, and also bought the foreign guns that Wu Jun Lianyong is now equipped with in accordance with Zeng Guofan's requirements, and at the same time, Zeng Guofan also had a letter to Li Yuandu to present to Wu Chaoyue in person, so after hearing that Wu Chaoyue returned to Shanghai in triumph, Li Yuandu immediately ran to meet Wu Chaoyue.

The content of Zeng Guofan's letter is not nutritious, in addition to reminiscing about the old days and congratulating the students for their repeated miraculous achievements, there is also the hope that he can join forces with Wu Chaoyue's master and apprentice as soon as possible to break the long hair, and then the rest is to teach the students to be loyal to the country and be a good slave to the Manchu Eight Banners and other nonsense. Wu Chaoyue looked bored, and seeing that Li Yuandu didn't mean to take the initiative to leave, he could only ask casually: "Ciqing, how is the situation when you came to Shanghai to purchase weapons this time?" ”

"I only bought some foreign guns from the United States, and there were samples of foreign guns from other Western countries." Li Yuandu replied very frankly and said: "Originally, the teacher planned for me to purchase foreign guns to arm a battalion, but the foreign guns in the concession were almost bought by you, senior brother, and the remaining foreigners had to stay for self-defense, so the junior brother didn't even buy half a battalion of weapons." At this point, I would like to ask you to help me a lot. ”

Hearing the overtones in Li Yuandu's words, Wu Chaoyue frowned and pondered for a moment, and then said: "Ciqing, it's not that I don't want to help you, it's that I'm also short of ammunition now, and I can't beat Wuxi and am forced to withdraw to Shanghai to rest, just because of lack of ammunition." In this case, I will give you a hundred foreign guns and matching bayonets from the United States, and I ask you to take them back and give them to my teacher, and count my little heart, and please do not dislike him. ”

After that, Wu Chaoyue hurriedly added: "But Ciqing, in front of the ugly words, I can't get a single bullet, this Jiangyin battle, my bullets are almost all gone, even if there is a little left, I must stay to prevent it." ”

Although he was not very satisfied with Wu Chaoyue's disciple gift to Zeng Guofan, it was not a trip in vain, so Li Yuandu hurriedly thanked Wu Chaoyue, and then asked Wu Chaoyue to allow the twenty Xiangyong he brought to live in the Wu army camp and learn the operation and use of foreign guns, and Wu Chaoyue agreed again.

The banquet was ready, but Li Yuandu still had no intention of saying goodbye, and Wu Lao Comprador and Wu Chaoyue were embarrassed to order the eviction of guests, so they could only invite Li Yuandu to the banquet with unhappiness. As a result, Li Yuandu unceremoniously rubbed a meal of delicacies from the mountains and seas at Lao Wu's house, but after finally sending away this short-sighted villain, the old comprador Wu lost his temper. "This one is called Li Yuandu, why doesn't he even have a little look? I don't want to think about how you just came back. Our grandparents have a lot to say at home, but they just don't leave? ”

Wu Chaoyue was also a little dissatisfied with Li Yuandu's dead face. But there is no way, you have to be a bit of a senior brother to be a senior brother, so Wu Chaoyue didn't say much, just hurriedly put Wu Lao comprador into the back room, and said goodbye to this comprador grandfather who was too good to be good to him, and personally waited for him to change clothes and wash, during which he also took the opportunity to put forward the idea of driving Liu Lichuan, who couldn't hold up the mud on the wall, out of Shanghai, and Wu Lao comprador was furious when he heard that the lackey dared to bark his teeth at his baby grandson. immediately agreed to Wu Chaoyue's request, and Zusun Xu talked about the dispersal in the middle of the night.

Wu Chaoyue, who returned to Shanghai, was actually busier than on the front line, ushering in and sending off, pacifying the soldiers, replenishing the troops, purchasing ammunition, developing weapons, handling industries and paying pensions to visit the families of the fallen soldiers, all kinds of things piled up, and during the period, he had to start to deal with the two major economic events of salt substitution and self-minting silver dollars, and he was so busy all day and night for several days that he couldn't even find the time and opportunity to contact the virgin widow Fu Shanxiang.

But even so, the short-sighted junior brother Li Yuandu still came to find Wu Chaoyue's trouble again - he wanted to ask for some grenades from Wu Chaoyue. Wu Chaoyue, who was already seriously short of grenades, wanted to refuse, but it was difficult to refute it. As a last resort, Wu Chaoyue had no choice but to agree to give Zeng Guofan a hundred grenades - of course, black powder grenades, or grenades produced by the Shanghai Arsenal in charge of Huang Sheng. The debris produced after the explosion was far less than that produced in the UK.

Wu Chaoyue was relieved, and Li Yuandu, who had succeeded in blackmailing again, was satisfied, and said to Wu Chaoyue by the way: "Comfort Pavilion." By the way, I'm going to leave tomorrow. I know you're busy, so you don't have to send me. Our brothers and sisters will be reunited in the future. ”

"You're leaving tomorrow?" Wu Chaoyue asked casually, "Why don't you stay for a few more days?" I've just come back and I'm too busy to have a chance to get together with you, so stay a few more days, and I'll try to find time to talk to you. ”

"Thank you for your kindness, but you don't have to." Li Yuandu replied: "I have already hired the ship, and it will be departing tomorrow morning, and the weapons and ammunition bought from the foreigners have also been loaded onto the ship. ”

"By boat?" Wu Chaoyue was stunned and hurriedly asked, "You want to go back to Hunan by water?" Changmao now controls the river from Jiujiang to Zhenjiang, how can your boat get by? ”

"Thank you for your concern, but of course my junior brother doesn't dare to take the Yangtze River." Li Yuandu thanked him, and said casually: "The younger brother plans to take the waterway of the Wusong River to Suzhou first, then pass through Taihu Lake to Yixing to land, and then take the land route to send the weapon back to Hunan." ”

Wu Chaoyue breathed a sigh of relief, first told Li Yuandu to be careful on the road, and then promised to send someone to send the grenade to Wu Lijiang Wharf before midnight tomorrow morning to hand it over to Li Yuandu. However, looking at the back of Li Yuandu's departure, Wu Chaoyue felt a little uncomfortable in his heart, not only unhappy that Li Yuandu took away a lot of arms from his hands under the banner of Zeng Guofan, but also worried about one thing, and said secretly in his heart: "I remember that the Hunan army that had shaved his head seemed to be not very good in terms of weapons and equipment, and the carbine was rotten and rotten, and the bullet was also a fixed load, and the rate of fire was far higher than that of the arquebus. ”

There is no way to worry about it, even if Wu Chaoyue regrets not sending grenades and carbines, Li Yuandu has already bought a carbine from the Americans, so Wu Chaoyue has to leave this matter behind for the time being, and concentrate on other things. And coincidentally, a newly picked up official document happened to be an official document about Wu Jun Lianyong's purchase of whale meat, and when he saw the fish word Wu Chaoyue, he immediately remembered a person, and a thought immediately came to his heart, and he secretly said: "Will she still be there?" ”

The long-hidden thoughts in his heart suddenly came to his heart, stirring up a big mess in Wu Chaoyue's heart, and he was completely uneasy. After agreeing to the purchase budget of whale meat, Wu Chaoyue simply excused himself for holding back for too long, changed into civilian clothes, and only led Wu Dadao to wander on the docks of Wu Zhenjiang alone, not only to take a walk to relieve boredom, but also to hope that a miracle would appear, so that he could meet the person he had missed for a long time.

With the influx of a large number of refugees, the liveliness of Wu Jinjiang Wharf has long been incomparable, several wharves are crowded, and it is difficult to get on the wharf. During this period, Wu Dadao did not instigate Wu Chaoyue to go to the brothel and board the flower boat as usual, and he also took the initiative to express some opinions on military affairs, assuming that if there was a war in Shanghai, what kind of defense should be arranged in a certain place.

Paying attention to the large and small fishing boats on the shore, he was talking with Wu Dadao unintentionally, and just when he was about to be disappointed, the familiar figure wearing a hat suddenly appeared on the bank of the Wu Yan River, Wu Chaoyue thought at first that he was thinking too much about it, but after seeing that the person quickly retreated to a small fishing boat with a canopy, Wu Chaoyue finally confirmed that he was not wrong!

Excited, Wu Chaoyue rushed directly towards the fishing boat, although the Wu Contest behind him was a little inexplicable, but he was also quite well-behaved and shouted loudly, just quietly held the revolver on his waist and followed closely. And Wu Chaoyue was quite sensible, no matter how excited he was, he never called out the person's name, just jumped on the small fishing boat, and said to the tarpaulin-covered cabin: "Is there anyone?" I'm going to buy fish. ”

Seeing that the situation was wrong, Wu Dadao forcibly pulled Wu Chaoyue to the side and protected Wu Chaoyue with his body, Wu Chaoyue repeated the question just now, and after a while, a familiar voice finally sounded in the cabin, "What fish do you want to buy?" ”

"Ahh What is this sound ......? ”

Wu Chaoyue, who was also very familiar with this voice, almost didn't shout, Wu Chaoyue was so excited that he couldn't wait to open the curtain covering the cabin and rush in, and then Wu Chaoyue was immediately dumbfounded, and a sharp knife was already pointed at Wu Chaoyue's chest. At the same time, the familiar voice also whispered: "Don't move, or I will kill you!" (To be continued.) )