After a period of time in Hunan, Nie's mother, Yang Yuru and others returned to Wuhan by boat, bringing Wu Chaoyue the cordial greetings of Chong'en and Li Hongzhang, who had already led the governor of Hunan, and also brought Wu Chaoyue the only condition for his great-mother to agree to marry her daughter - to marry Zeng Jijing with the gift of marrying a wife. Pen | fun | pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 ｉｎｆｏ

Of course, the request made by the great-mother is definitely not excessive, and the wife Yang Yuru is so virtuous, Wu Chaoyue naturally has no problem with a promise, but after agreeing, Wu Chaoyue just wrote a letter to Wu Xiaoping, a cheap father who was moving from Zhang Luo's hometown in Xiangshan to Hong Kong, asking him to come forward to handle this matter, and then he never cared about this matter again.

It's not that Wu Chaoyue is ruthless and doesn't pay attention to Zeng Jijing, it's that Wu Chaoyue really doesn't have this time, Hua Lao Fox died of illness, Wu Chaoyue, who has received the great grace of Hua Lao Fox, has to personally handle his funeral, and then there is to provoke the two heavy burdens of the Governor of Huguang and the Governor of Hubei at the same time, and take the opportunity of the two major powers of military and internal affairs at the same time to strengthen and consolidate control over Hubei, and also take the opportunity to strengthen the control of the Hunan army, every day is so busy that his feet do not touch the ground, and he can't sleep on the pillow, of course, there is no extra time to care about the affairs of the harem.

In addition, Wu Chaoyue is of course most concerned about the major event of the Anglo-French alliance invading again, although Wu Chaoyue has long known that this day will inevitably come, and also regards this event as the best opportunity for him to get rid of the control of the Manchu court and even raise troops against the Qing Dynasty, but when this day really comes, Wu Chaoyue is still inevitably conflicted, not only wanting to take advantage of this opportunity, but also not wanting the innocent Han people in Hebei and Tianjin to suffer the disaster of war, let alone seeing the British and French forces really burn down the Old Summer Palace. All I was thinking about in my heart was how to persuade the British and French forces to kill less, and don't burn down the Old Summer Palace.

Fortunately, the British and French forces also attached great importance to Wu Chaoyue's position and attitude, and the British and French forces had just arrived in Guangzhou, and the British Minister Plenipotentiary Purus and the French Minister Plenipotentiary Bourblon respectively submitted diplomatic notes to Wu Chaoyue, demanding that Wu Chaoyue promise to ensure the safety of the lives and property of the British and French expatriates in Hankow, and to protect the freedom of trade between the British and French expatriates, in exchange for not launching an armed attack on the territory controlled by Wu Chaoyue, and promising that the commercial and trade contracts signed with Wu Chaoyue before would still have legal effect. There was also a promise to maintain trade with Wu Chaoyue's controlled territory.

Wu Chaoyue agreed to the quid pro quo proposed by the British and French ministers, and added a clause that the British and French fleets should not attack Hubei merchant ships and civilian ships holding official documents from the Hubei Governor's Yamen in any waters, and the quid pro quo was that he could come forward at any time upon invitation to mediate the armed conflict between the Manchu court and the Anglo-French forces.

Wu Chaoyue knew very well that his request was pure nonsense, first of all, if the British and French forces really wanted to attack the merchant ships and civilian ships in Hubei, Wu Chaoyue had neither the strength to stop it, nor the strength to retaliate. The second is that the Anglo-French alliance will not let itself intervene to mediate the war unless its head is in water, and even if the Anglo-French alliance agrees, the Manchu court and the Xianfeng Emperor will never agree. Wu Chaoyue insisted on making this request, but he wanted to tell the British and French forces that he was a choice that could understand and communicate with each other, so as to facilitate further contact in the future.

Wu Chaoyue still underestimated his weight in the eyes of the British and French forces, and replied to the British and French ministers in the form of an official letterNot long after, Wu Chaoyue's old friend, Xiao Bao Ling, the precious son of Hong Kong Governor Bao Ling, once again came to Hankou to meet Wu Chaoyue in person, and was very well-informed as soon as they met, they congratulated Wu Chaoyue on serving as the governor of Huguang and mastering more military power.

Knowing that Xiao Bao Ling, who had tested his rebellious attitude, was a night owl entering the house and coming for nothing, Wu Chaoyue did not dare to be negligent, and immediately invited Xiao Bao Ling to the back hall to talk alone, and very cautiously asked Xiao Bao Ling to talk in English. Although Xiao Baoling also accepted Wu Chaoyue's request, he still complained: "Wu, you are too careful, this is your governor's office, what secrets are you afraid of divulging?" ”

"Dear Mr. Bao Ling, there is an old Chinese saying that you must be careful to sail a ship for ten thousand years, and the governments of your two countries are engaged in an armed conflict, so I have to be careful." Wu Chaoyue replied with a smile, and asked casually: "Mr. Bao Ling, I ordered those three medium-sized steam gunboats from you, when will they arrive?" ”

"I've already arrived in India, and I can arrive in Hong Kong next month at most." Xiao Baoling replied very happily: "But Wu, just like you said, the governments of your two countries are in an armed conflict, and of course we have the right to suspect that your government will requisition those three steam paddle steamer warships to participate in the battle, so even if those three ships arrive in Hong Kong, they cannot be handed over to you for the time being, and we must wait until the armed conflict between our two countries is over." ”

Wu Chaoyue of the three steam gunboats only paid the deposit, of course, he didn't have to worry about Xiao Baoling's tricks, but just advised: "Then Mr. Baoling, you have to do a good job in the maintenance of the three steam gunboats, don't rust or something." ”

"Our British Royal Navy's technology, do you need to worry about it?" Xiao Baoling asked confidently, and then said: "Wu, let's get down to business, the main purpose of my visit to you this time is to ask you a question, are you interested in becoming the monarch of China?" ”

Although he was somewhat mentally prepared, after hearing Xiao Bao Ling's direct question, Wu Chaoyue was still a little dumbfounded, and only after a while did he ask rhetorically: "Dear Mr. Xiao Bao Ling, why did you suddenly ask me this question?" ”

"Because our British government has had enough of the stupidity and ignorance of the Manchu court, and is very interested in helping the Chinese to re-establish a new regime under the leadership of a Chinese strongman."

Xiao Bao Ling replied very directly, and said: "Wu, you are one of our choices, and it is also the best choice that my father and I personally think, if you are willing, my father and I will do our best to help you get in touch with the government of our country, and persuade our government to help you establish a new regime, a new regime recognized by our British government." ”

Speaking of this, Xiao Baoling paused and said: "Of course, we will not work in vain, you and the new regime you have established will definitely have to pay a certain price, but I can guarantee that the price you pay is definitely very small compared to the gains you have obtained. ”

Wu Chaoyue was silent for a while before asking: "Dear Mr. Bao Ling, you just said that I am just one of your government's choices, so who are your other choices?" ”

"A lot." Xiao Baoling replied more directly, "Our other ideal choice is Mr. Hong and Mr. Yang in Nanjing City, I don't have to hide it from you, in fact, this time, I first visited Mr. Yang Xiuqing in Nanjing City, and then came to Hubei to meet you." ”

"And, Wu." Xiao Baoling added: "Mr. Yang Xiuqing is very interested in our proposal, and has given a very sincere reply, clearly expressing his willingness to cooperate with us and form an alliance. Although the specific cooperation negotiations have not yet been officially launched, Wu, if you reject the cooperation conditions we have proposed, once a formal alliance is signed between us and Yang, we may become enemies. ”

After that, Xiao Baoling also took out an official document, presented it to Wu Chaoyue with both hands, and said with a smile: "Wu, you can take a look, this is the cooperation plan drawn up by my father, although it has not yet been approved by our British Parliament, but the problem should not be big, even if the Congress has to add a few articles, it can also be communicated through negotiations." ”

His hands trembled a little and he took the official document, hesitated for a moment, Wu Chaoyue finally didn't resist the temptation and curiosity, and couldn't help but open the official document written in English to watch, and what made Wu Chaoyue smile bitterly was that the old Bao Ling, who was born as a doctor of law, was completely different from his legendary gentle image in terms of cooperation conditions, ceding land, opium trade, expanding concessions, building railways and opening mines, paying military expenses, opening up territories and allowing British troops to be stationed, etc. In addition to the introduction of Western advanced technology, systems and education, other conditions are acceptable to Wu Chaoyue, even if he agrees to one casually, Wu Chaoyue's name will have to be tied with Wu Sangui with the same surname in the future.

"Wu, how's it going? My father's conditions weren't too harsh, were they? ”

Xiao Baoling smiled very easily and shamelessly, and said: "Mr. Yang is basically able to accept these conditions, and the reason why I came to Hankou to visit you again is also for the sake of friendship between us, otherwise, in fact, I have completed the mission entrusted by my father just by visiting Mr. Yang." ”

"Will Yang Xiuqing agree to these conditions?"

Wu Chaoyue was a little skeptical, but because of the sparse history, he did not know the true relationship between the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and the Western powers, so he could not confirm whether Xiao Bao Ling was lying and deceiving, and at the same time, Wu Chaoyue also seriously doubted that the relationship between himself and Xiao Bao Ling could be friendly to this point, so that Xiao Bao Ling could come to Hankou for friendship. Under the suspicion, Wu Chaoyue's mind couldn't help but flash such an idiom, "Sandpiper and clam compete, fisherman profit?" ”

"It must be so, I can't be sure otherwise, just by allowing the opium trade to be legalized, Yang Xiuqing's kid will definitely not agree, that kid's position in this regard is firmer than mine. Xiaobao made this kid a nose of dust at Yang Xiuqing, at least Yang Xiuqing's conditions could not satisfy him, so he came here to consult my attitude, and let me and Yang Xiuqing compete for glory by betraying the country! ”

After basically affirming the true purpose of Xiao Bao Ling, Wu Chaoyue made up his mind, and after quickly thinking about it for a while, Wu Chaoyue replied calmly: "Dear Mr. Bao Ling, your father's conditions are too harsh for me to accept. ”

"Wu, do you think such lenient conditions are harsh?"

Xiao Bao Ling asked exaggeratedly, and at the same time, Xiao Bao Ling was also overjoyed, knowing that Wu Chaoyue had finally expressed his attitude, and he also knew that there was hope that Yang Xiuqing and Wu Chaoyue would rush to make concessions to win British support. Seeing that Wu Chaoyue nodded again and said that the conditions were harsh, Xiao Baoling spread his hand and said: "Wu, then there is no way, the conditions proposed by my father are the most relaxed basis for cooperation, and the slightest concession must not be allowed." ”

"If this is the case, then it is a great pity, dear Mr. Bao Ling, it seems that we can only continue to be friendly friends and business partners in the future, and cannot be military allies." Wu Chaoyue replied firmly.

It was Xiao Bao Ling's turn to be silent, and after a long time, Xiao Bao Ling said with a threatening tone: "Wu, if we sign an alliance treaty with Mr. Yang Xiuqing, then we may not even be able to continue our friendship in the future, and the commercial cooperation relationship may also be greatly affected by the alliance signed between us and Mr. Yang." ”

"If that's the case, of course I'll be very sorry, disappointed and sad." Wu Chaoyue replied solemnly: "But I believe, dear Mr. Bao Ling, no matter what time comes, you will definitely be reluctant to abandon me as a friend." After all, I am the Chinese who know and respect the West the most, and I will always be a friend you can work with. ”

After all, he is a career diplomat, although the blackmail failed, Xiao Baoling still accepted the official document returned by Wu Chaoyue with a smile, and happily accepted Wu Chaoyue's dinner invitation, and never mentioned a thing about the covenant during the period. However, to Xiao Baoling's surprise, the dinner that Wu Chaoyue invited him to eat turned out to be an authentic French meal, and the main course was also a seven-ripe black pepper steak that was almost impossible to appear on the Chinese table in this era. Xiao Baoling was surprised, but couldn't help but ask more, "Wu, the French chef you invited there?" ”

"Borrowed from the French merchant ship Nice, the captain of the Nice treated me to a French dinner yesterday." Wu Chaoyue replied truthfully, "After receiving the news of your visit, I immediately sent someone to the Hankou Wharf to borrow their chef from the Nice, hoping that his cooking will satisfy you." ”

"Thank you, dear Wu, you are such an attentive friend."

Xiaobaoling nodded in satisfaction, politely cut off a piece of steak and chewed it in his mouth, and politely praised the chef's craftsmanship. Wu Chaoyue took the opportunity to say: "It is good that you are satisfied, dear Mr. Bao Ling, and it is fortunate that I have invited the French to cooperate with me in the construction of the railway, otherwise, the captain of the Nice may not have lent me his favorite chef and sacrificed him a good dinner." ”

"Partnership to build a railroad?" Xiao Bao Ling shook his head, then raised his head sharply, and asked in surprise: "Wu, you build a railway, why don't you look for us?" ”

"Isn't that just trying to talk to you?" Wu Chaoyue replied with a smile: "Dear Mr. Bao Ling, the Daye Industrial Base I personally established, because the distance between the iron mine and the coal mine is a little far, and the transportation problem has seriously restricted the development of the industry, so I am determined to build China's first railway, Daye Railway, between Yuanxiang Coal Mine and Tieshan, and I hope that the businessmen of your country will participate in the bidding and jointly build the Daye Railway with me." ”

Xiao Baoling was silent again, and only said after a while: "Wu, you cunning guy, are you reminding me that you still have France to cooperate, right?" ”

"Not only France?" Wu Chaoyue smiled and said: "The United States, Prussia, Belgium, Spain, and even Italy and the Netherlands, except for the insatiable polar bears, can be my partners. ”

After that, Wu Chaoyue added: "Of course, dear Mr. Bao Ling, whether it is out of friendship or reality, I most hope to cooperate with Britain, the most powerful country on the earth, and cooperate with the empire on which the sun never sets, so that it is the safest and most certain." Mr. Bao Ling, if you wish, we can talk about the railway issue, the banking issue, and the bilateral trade issue now, and I am very sincere. ”

Xiao Bao Ling understood what Wu Chaoyue meant, and after thinking about it for a long time, Xiao Bao Ling said: "Wu, tell me your conditions, I am also very sincere." ”

"Dear Mr. Bao Ling, I will give you a sincere reply as soon as possible." Wu Chaoyue poured a glass of Rémy Martin champagne for Xiao Bao Ling, then raised his wine glass to invite Xiao Bao Ling, and said in English with a smile: "But before that, I have to wait and see the situation for a while, after all, the current ruling foundation of my court is still very solid, and I can't take risks casually." ”

"Of course, during this period, I will never mind if you and Yang Xiuqing start formal negotiations." Wu Chaoyue smiled and said, "But I believe that the negotiations between you will not go very well, because Yang Xiuqing is also a stupid and conservative ruler who will not understand your kindness." Come, cheers, dear friend. ”

"Cheers, dear friend."

Xiao Bao Ling readily accepted Wu Chaoyue's invitation and raised his glass, but when he clinked glasses, Xiao Bao Ling whispered with a serious expression: "Wu, I swear in the honor of a nobleman, I didn't lie to you, Yang really agreed to negotiate an alliance with us, don't miss this opportunity." ”

"Mr. Bao Ling, I swear in the honor of the descendants of Yan and Huang, I will definitely consider it carefully and strive to seize this opportunity."

Wu Chaoyue replied with a more serious expression, Xiao Baoling nodded, and then drank the champagne with Wu Chaoyue.

The matter was not over yet, after putting down the wine glass, Wu Chaoyue suddenly asked again, "By the way, dear Mr. Bao Ling, did the South African exploration team that I jointly invested in with you find the cute little lamb in the Boers?" ”

"Not yet." Xiao Baoling shrugged his shoulders and asked with some confusion: "Dear Wu, are you sure that ghost place where birds don't poop really has a large gold mine?" ”

"Rest assured, dear friend." Wu Chaoyue replied with a smile: "As long as you are patient and look for it, that cute little lamb will definitely appear in front of us, and the fatness of that little lamb will definitely surprise you to the point of unbelievable." ”

After that, Wu Chaoyue added in his stomach, "I found it, your empire will be over, and eleven countries will join forces to pit you!" Also, my stake in that gold mine can come in handy! ”

After muttering, Wu Chaoyue couldn't help but glance at Xiao Baoling again, and said secretly in his heart: "Listening to the tone of this foreign devil, it seems that Yang Xiuqing's side really agreed to negotiate an alliance with the British, can it be negotiated?" Will Yang Xiuqing be a traitor? (To be continued.) )