Sure enough, the fingers of the devil six really pointed at Wu Chaoyue, he just wanted to hide behind his back and give advice to the comprador grandfather, and he didn't want to recite the infamy, let alone accompany the devil who ceded the outer Xing'an Mountains to carry the infamy through the ages, Wu Chaoyue of course was polite, using the excuse that he was too young to have no knowledge, no ability, and no eloquence, for fear of missing the major events of the court, and he was unwilling to accept the kindness of the devil six.

It's a pity that Wu Chaoyue can't deceive people anymore, in fact, even Emperor Xianfeng knows very well in his heart that Wu Chaoyue's insult to Song Jin with a fake letter is likely to be a complete prank, and the so-called traitor is also a far-fetched crooked theory - it's just that no one can refute Wu Chaoyue, who can speak well. Therefore, Emperor Xianfeng ignored Wu Chaoyue's repeated excuses, and directly nodded in agreement with the devil's plea, and said to Wu Chaoyue: "Wu Chaoyue, you don't need to be modest, whether your eloquence is outstanding I have seen it with my own eyes, I hope you can speak so well in front of foreigners." With the Sixth Princes and your grandfather going to Dagukou and helping them get their errands done, I will not only forgive your previous sins, but also consider giving you an official position. ”

"The grass people thank the emperor."

After Wu Chaoyue said this wrong sentence with a sad face, and then with the sound of Emperor Xianfeng, this long early dynasty finally came to an end, and the civil and military Baiguan Mountain, whose legs were numb, shouted long live, and couldn't wait to go home from work, Wu Chaoyue also quickly picked up the tired and hungry comprador grandfather. Seeing that the comprador grandfather was kneeling on the ground for too long, his legs and feet were numb and it was difficult to walk, Wu Chaoyue, who was barely filial, forcibly carried the comprador grandfather, and moved Wu Jianzhang to tears, and kept patting Wu Chaoyue's head and said, "Sensible, really sensible, and more capable than grandpa hopes, grandpa can really rest assured this time." ”

After leaving the Jinluan Palace, Devil Six came to the ancestors of the Wu family again, and asked the ancestors of the Wu family to go to his palace of Prince Gong in the afternoon to discuss and negotiate with the ancestors of the Wu family. Wu Jianzhang, who was obsessed with officials, of course agreed happily when he heard this, and immediately calculated how much silver he should give to the devil six, but Wu Chaoyue, who had never had a good impression of the wild boar skin family, was full of unhappiness, knowing that he would definitely have to humiliate the devil six elements again.

Knowing that the comprador grandfather was tired enough, Wu Chaoyue planned to go back to the Guangdong Hall immediately after leaving the Forbidden City, but when he just left the noon gate, Wu Chaoyue saw that Li Hongzhang was still waiting outside the palace gate, so he had to carry Wu Jianzhang over to greet Li Hongzhang. Li Hongzhang was not polite, and asked directly: "Wu Gongzi, how is it?" ”

"It's fine." Wu Chaoyue replied with a wry smile: "Fortunately, Long live the emperor is a reasonable and reasonable Holy Monarch, and after listening to my explanation, he didn't care about my slightest mistakes." ”

"You are making false letters to tease the court officials, and you are going to the Hanlin Courtyard to make trouble, and you are calling it a little negligence?"

Li Hongzhang was full of suspicion, and just wanted to continue to ask for details, but he saw an official who happened to walk behind the ancestor of the Wu family, hurriedly bowed his hand, and said respectfully: "Student Li Hongzhang, I have seen the teacher. ”

Seeing Li Hongzhang salute like this, Wu Chaoyue of course glanced back, and saw that the object of Li Hongzhang's salute was a middle-aged civil official in his early forties. Then Wu Chaoyue was not allowed to think about it, Wu Jianzhang had already struggled down from Wu Chaoyue's back, and he also bowed to the middle-aged official, and said more respectfully: "Xiaguan Wu Jianzhang, I have seen Master Zeng." ”

"It's all free of courtesy, this is the noon gate, so you don't need so many courtesies." The middle-aged civil official smiled and waved his hand, and asked Li Hongzhang very curiously, "Shaoquan, why are you here?" ”

"Back to the teacher, the students are here ......."

Li Hongzhang's answer was interrupted by Wu Chaoyue, looking at the middle-aged civil official directly, Wu Chaoyue's eyes were bigger than eggs, and blurted out: "Li Hongzhang's teacher? Last name Zeng? This lord, are you the famous Zeng Guofan? ”

knocked on his precious grandson's head, and of course Wu Jianzhang immediately scolded his grandson for not being rude, saying that Zeng Guofan was the right attendant of the military department who led him to the military plane yesterday. Zeng Guofan and Li Hongzhang were both taken aback, and then Zeng Guofan asked Wu Chaoyue suspiciously, "What?" Do you know me? ”

"There are really not many people in China who don't know you." Wu Chaoyue muttered in his heart, but said respectfully: "Lord Zeng is famous all over the world, Confucian scholars, who doesn't know?" Who doesn't know? Although the younger generation is not Shilin, but they have already heard of the name of the adult, such as thunder, today I am lucky to see the majesty of the adult, and the younger generation is fortunate to have three lives. ”

"Hahaha......!" Zeng Guofan laughed heartily and said: "Sure enough, you can speak, no wonder the emperor likes you so much, the sixth prince also named you to be his interpreter, he is so eloquent at a young age, he is outstanding, rare, really rare!" ”

When Wu Chaoyue smiled modestly, Li Hongzhang next to him had already widened his eyes and asked in surprise: "Teacher, does the emperor appreciate Wu Gongzi?" The sixth prince also named Wu Gongzi to be his interpreter? Really? ”

Zeng Guofan smiled and nodded to admit that when Li Hongzhang, who had been a poor Hanlin for five years, looked at Wu Chaoyue again, of course, there was no longer the contempt and disdain in his eyes when they first met, but instead of surprise and envy, Wu Chaoyue said with a wry smile: "Brother Shaoquan, you don't need to look at me like this, I'm just lucky." Also, being an interpreter for the sixth prince is to accompany him to negotiate in Dagukou, and it is not a good errand, if possible, I am willing to give you this opportunity. ”

Li Hongzhang smiled awkwardly, and didn't even dare to say anything, but Zeng Guofan on the side said: "Okay, don't stand here, I've been in the court for most of the day, I'm so hungry that my chest is almost close to my back, let's disperse, I'll talk about it later." ”

Hearing this, Wu Jianzhang of course immediately said that he wanted to invite Zeng Guofan to dinner, thanks to Zeng Guofan for his introduction yesterday, Zeng Guofan didn't want to accept this feeling, but Li Hongzhang was also on the side to help persuade him, and then Zeng Guofan was quite interested in Wu Chaoyue, and finally nodded and agreed to give Wu Jianzhang this face. When Wu Jianzhang heard this, he was overjoyed, and hurriedly asked Li Hongzhang about what good restaurants were in the capital, and respectfully invited Zeng Guofan and Li Hongzhang to go to dinner.

Li Hongzhang introduced a good restaurant in the adjacent front gate of Dashilar, to the restaurant is good, Wu Jianzhang is instructed to choose the best and most expensive wine and food, Li Hongzhang can't wait to ask Zeng Guofan and Wu Chaoyue about what happened in the Jinluan Palace, Wu Chaoyue said the truth, Li Hongzhang of course Wu Chaoyue is more admiration and envy, said from the bottom of his heart: "Brother Xian, foolish brother really admires you so much, such a thing, Leng is can make your words become a great thing, so that the emperor and the six princes are favored by you, When he enters the official career, he will inevitably have a bright future. ”

Wu Chaoyue smiled bitterly and modestly, but Zeng Guofan next to him suddenly said: "Wu Gongzi, listening to your words in the Jinluan Palace, it seems that you know all the countries in the world very well, what books about overseas are you reading?" The Hundred Years' War between Britain and France that you mentioned in the Jinluan Palace doesn't seem to be recorded in that Qing Dynasty book? ”

"This ......." Wu Chaoyue's biggest headache was to answer this question, and he thought about it for a while before answering: "Back to Lord Zeng, the younger generation has read a lot of books, but the younger generation has read all the books of foreigners, and the younger generation has not read any of the books about overseas in the Qing Dynasty." ”

"Are you reading foreigners' books directly?" Zeng Guofan was a little surprised, and hurriedly asked, "What is it?" ”

Helpless, Wu Chaoyue had no choice but to reply as he replied to Li Hongzhang yesterday: "Lord Zeng, the younger generation is studying Western physics, chemistry, geography, astronomy, law and politics, philosophy and biology, medical mathematics and calculus. Although he is not proficient, he can barely understand some fur. ”

Like Li Hongzhang, Zeng Guofan immediately decided that Wu Chaoyue was bragging, but Zeng Guofan decided to give Wu Chaoyue a chance to prove whether he was bragging, and said with a smile: "I didn't expect Wu Gongzi to be so knowledgeable and talented, okay, then the official will test you today, you can pick an overseas country at random and introduce me to the general situation of this overseas country." ”

"Then the junior will be ugly." Wu Chaoyue was not polite, and said: "The younger generation will say that I am more familiar with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the full name of the United Kingdom is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and there is also a common name called the Empire on which the sun never sets, which means that his colonies are all over the world, and the sun shines on his land all the time." ”

"Britain's mainland is located in the northwest corner of Europe, consisting of three large islands, the main ethnic group is the Anglo-Saxons, attaches great importance to maritime interests and overseas trade, after defeating the Spanish Invincible Armada, the naval strength became the first in the world, and the world's maritime hegemony is mastered."

"The political system is a constitutional monarchy, state affairs are decided by parliament, and the current king is Queen Victoria, who attaches great importance to science and technology, and the steam engine is promoted by her, which has developed rapidly in Britain and laid the foundation for the industrial revolution. In addition, Britain's diplomacy is a typical island diplomacy, and it will never allow European unity, so whenever a European country becomes strong, Britain will immediately stand on the side of the country's enemies and provoke a war to weaken the country's ....... ”

Wu Chaoyue's introduction was chaotic and sketchy, not at all organized, but this point was enough, every time Wu Chaoyue said a word, Zeng Guofan and Li Hongzhang's eyes widened, and their mouths opened a little wider. Finally, after Wu Chaoyue finished speaking, Zeng Guofan fell into a long silence, and after a long time, he suddenly asked, "How many continents are there on the earth?" How many oceans? ”

Wu Chaoyue almost didn't laugh out loud when he heard it, and he recited the names of the seven continents and the four oceans with his hands, dipped his hands in wine, and casually drew a brief world map on the table, pointing out the locations of the seven states and the four oceans one by one, and also pointed out the Mediterranean Sea, Malacca, the Cape of Good Hope and the Suez Canal, and roughly introduced the importance of the Strait of Malacca and the Suez Canal, as well as the origin of the name Cape of Good Hope.

After listening to Wu Chaoyue's teasing, Zeng Guofan asked about the difference between iron and steel, and it turned out that this happened to meet Wu Chaoyue's strengths, and probably explained that the difference between steel and iron is the difference in carbon content, Wu Chaoyue said casually: "Although our iron ore in the Qing Dynasty is still sufficient, there are too many impurities in the ore, especially too much phosphorus, so the qualified steel output is very small." If we want to increase the steel production of our Qing Dynasty, we must first solve the problem of dephosphorization of ore, and the Martin steelmaking furnace in Europe can solve this problem. ”

After looking at Wu Chaoyue for a long time in disbelief, Zeng Guofan asked another question that was quite difficult in this era, "Why does the candle that is inserted in the water at the bottom go out after lighting it and closing the cup?" ”

"That's because the oxygen in the air has burned out." Wu Chaoyue replied easily, and said: "If Lord Zeng wants to ask what is in the air, nitrogen is the most, accounting for about 78%, oxygen is the second, accounting for about 21%, and the remaining 1% is mainly carbon dioxide. ”

"If Zeng-sama wants to ask us what the main gas we breathe is, the answer is oxygen, but too much oxygen is not a good thing, especially for newborns, if they breathe too much pure oxygen, it will lead to blindness in newborns."

With a bang, Zeng Guofan suddenly slapped his palm on the table, shaking the chopsticks of wine and food, and when everyone was taken aback, Zeng Guofan said loudly: "Tianzhong Genius!" Wu Gongzi, I can't imagine that you are so knowledgeable and talented at such a young age, except for the four words Tianzhong Wizard, this official really can't think of any words to evaluate you! ”

"The adults have won awards, and the younger generations dare not be ashamed." Wu Chaoyue blushed a little, pointed at Li Hongzhang again, and said sincerely: "Speaking of Tianzong wizards, Brother Shaoquan is the real Tianzong genius, and the younger generation is really too far behind him. ”

"This student is indeed a rare talent in the world, and his attainments will never be below this official in the future." Zeng Guofan was not humble for the student, nodded and admitted that the student Li Hongzhang was also a rare genius, and then said: "But Wu Gongzi, your talent is still above him!" Just now, the official has asked Master Wu about your studies, and knows that you have only studied in a private school for less than half a year, and then you have relied on self-study. No one to guide education, read and study by yourself, to be able to do such a step, the old man is not only unseen, but also unheard of! ”

Wu Chaoyue, who was a little self-aware, smiled bitterly, he really didn't have the face to make this comment, but Wu Jianzhang, who had been listening to the side, suddenly got up and left his seat, and pulled Wu Chaoyue up from the chair, and then pressed Wu Chaoyue to kneel down in front of Zeng Guofan, when Zeng Guofan asked the reason, Wu Jianzhang actually knelt down to Zeng Guofan, and said respectfully: "Lord Zeng, the lower officials are bold, I want you to accept my grandson as a student and let him study under your door." ”

Wu Chaoyue, who was still inexplicable just now, came to his senses, glanced at the comprador grandfather and said in his heart that your old man is ruthless enough, I really think my reputation is not stinky enough, I shaved my head as a student, and Li Hongzhang as a brother, and in the future on the genealogy of the old Wu family, I am afraid that my name is destined to be listed alongside Wu Sangui. However, Wu Chaoyue also knew very well in his heart that the comprador grandfather did this for his own good, so even if he was not very willing to shave his head as a student, he did not say anything.

To understand the reason why Wu Jianzhang asked his grandson to kneel, Zeng Guofan was a little hesitant, Zeng Guofan admired Wu Chaoyue's cleverness, but Wu Chaoyue's family background made Zeng Guofan look down on him a little. But Wu Jianzhang pleaded: "Lord Zeng, the lower officials know that you are a well-known erudite Confucian in the world, and my grandson will inevitably tarnish your reputation a little when he worships under your door." But Xiaguan still has to beg you, Xiaguan's grandson is smart, but there has been no famous teacher to guide him, and it will definitely be difficult to become a great weapon in the future if he is delayed like this, it is rare for you to praise my grandson so much, and please be sure to receive him under your door, so that he can ponder under your door, Xiaguan begs you. ”

After that, Wu Jianzhang, who looked forward to Sun Jackie Chan, kowtowed again and again, and forced Wu Chaoyue to salute Zeng Guofan. And Zeng Guofan really likes Wu Chaoyue's cleverness and erudition very much, after thinking about it again, Zeng Guofan gritted his teeth, and finally took a chopstick dish, and said with a smile: "The shredded pork in the Beijing sauce here tastes good, but it's a little salty." ”

Hearing Zeng Guofan's words, Wu Jianzhang and Wu Chaoyue, who didn't understand these doorways, were of course confused, and Li Hongzhang next to him smiled and said: "Brother Xian, the food is too salty, and the teacher is thirsty, why don't you hurry up and serve tea to the master?" ”

Suddenly realized, quietly scolded the rotten Confucianism of this era is to break the rules, Wu Chaoyue obediently held a cup of tea and respectfully invited the teacher to use tea, Zeng Guofan nodded and agreed, took the tea and took a sip, smiled and asked: "Beyond, do you have any words?" ”

"Nope." Wu Chaoyue shook his head, and said in his heart that my cheap dad now is a large Wu Xiaoping, such a broken name, what words can you give me? Then, Wu Chaoyue probably guessed the reason why Zeng Guofan asked, so he saluted again: "Student courage, please give the teacher words." ”

"Okay, as a teacher, I'll give you a word, which can be regarded as a meeting gift for you." Zeng Guofan smiled and nodded, then pondered, and said to himself: "What word do you have?" This official is often proud of having Shaoquan, a talented student, and now he has accepted you, an even more talented student, which is enough to mascuss...... his life. Well, you can use a consolation word. The next word, the reason why the teacher does not choose his background and makes an exception to accept you as a student is to cherish talents for the country, and the great talents of the country are the buildings, the pillars of the pavilions, the comforting buildings, the comforting beams, the comforting pavilions, and the ....... ”

Hearing this word, Wu Chaoyue's thin face turned a little pale, but unfortunately, Zeng Guofan nodded violently at this time and said, "Okay!" As a teacher, I will send you the word 'comfort pavilion', for your words! I hope that you will study diligently for the teacher, and you will be the pillar of the court in the future, and you will be comforted by the wishes of the teachers and students! ”

"Comfort Pavilion?!"

Wu Chaoyue almost didn't cry when he heard it, and said in his heart that he had shaved his head, did you deliberately trap me, and give you this murderous butcher as a student, and my reputation will definitely not be any better in the future, and you still give me this name, and want my name to be forever engraved on the pillar of shame in history?

Wu Chaoyue complained bitterly in his heart, secretly hating how Zeng shaved his head and just gave himself such a broken word, but Wu Jianzhang was smiling, while constantly thanking Zeng for shaving his head for giving his precious grandson the word, and at the same time couldn't wait to say that he would send someone to send the apprenticeship to Zeng Guofan's mansion when he went back, Zeng Guofan smiled and nodded, knowing that with the assets of the old Wu family, this apprenticeship would inevitably not be less.

Finally finished the apprenticeship process, Wu Chaoyue helped Wu Jianzhang to get up, and Li Hongzhang next to him immediately bowed his hand to Wu Chaoyue, and said with a smile: "Weiting, from now on, we are brothers in the same school, and in the future, you will have to give Brother Yu more guidance on Western knowledge, learn from each other, and support each other." ”

"Definitely, definitely." Wu Chaoyue nodded again and again, and his heart moved, holding the idea of replacing the dead ghost, and said with a smile: "Brother Shaoquan, when it comes to supporting each other, there is just an opportunity, the sixth prince wants me and grandpa to visit his mansion for a while, or you go with us, and ask the sixth prince to take you to Dagukou to help with the paperwork." If you can succeed, maybe it will be an opportunity for you to soar, brother. ”

Li Hongzhang pursed his lips, his heart moved, although he knew that if he accompanied the devil to negotiate in Dagukou, it would be easy to fall into the name of traitor -- but would Li Hongzhang be afraid of this infamy?