The deception allowed Wu Chaoyue to avoid continuing to confront the Taiping army head-on, and also gave Wu Chaoyue an excuse not to attack Hushu Pass, and at the same time, Zeng Lichang, who was a little self-aware, did not dare to send troops to find trouble with Wu Chaoyue, and during the negative confrontation, in a blink of an eye, Wu Chaoyue's wedding date was about to arrive.

Of course, the marriage event can't be a child's play, although he was very hesitant to really overthrow Yang Yuru, but Wu Chaoyue still ran to Xu Naizhao to take leave, and decided to leave four battalions under the command of Zhao Liewen and Deng Siyuan and other cronies to help He Chun and Xu Naizhao prevent the Taiping Army from counterattacking Suzhou, and led three battalions to escort some of the wounded back to Shanghai to complete the marriage and food, and reduce the burden of money and food on the Suzhou side. Xu Naizhao agreed, and he and He Chun both sent Wu Chaoyue a valuable gift, so that Wu Chaoyue chose a small bargain.

By the way, Nie Shicheng and Feng Sanbao both declined Wu Chaoyue's kindness to bring them back to Shanghai to recuperate, and both said that they would seize the time to familiarize themselves with the military, so that they could be better and more effective accomplices to Wu Chaoyue in the future. Although Wu Chaoyue was not reluctant, he was also worried that these two rectums would be fooled by He Chun and Xu Naizhao to storm Hushu Pass, so he repeatedly told his right-hand man Zhao Liewen in private, telling him not to be stupid and run to fight a tough battle with the Taiping Army. Zhao Liewen said with a smile: "Don't worry, foolish brother, I can't do anything else, I can only take advantage of it and not suffer losses." ”

Knowing how shrewd Zhao Liewen was, Wu Chaoyue was relieved to take three battalions of Lian Yong to set off on the first day of the ninth lunar month, return to Shanghai by the Wu Lijiang waterway, and successfully arrived at the Wulijiang Wharf three days later. As a result, what made Wu Chaoyue quite guilty was that his cheap grandmother and Wu Xiaoping and his wife actually went to the dock to greet him in turn, Wu Chaoyue did not dare to slack off, and just got off the boat, he knelt down to the cheap grandma and his parents, kowtowed and said: "Grandma, grandchildren are not filial, fathers, mothers, children are not filial, when you came to Shanghai, I didn't go to greet you, and I asked you to ...... in turn." ”

Before the words were finished, Wu Chaoyue had already been hugged into the arms of the cheap grandmother, and the old lady cried loudly, while stuffing a food box to Wu Chaoyue, crying and saying: "Chaoyue, you want to die grandma." Quick, this is your favorite macaroon, grandma made it for you in Xiangshan, you haven't eaten the macaroons made by grandma for you for almost six years, right? It's all because of that old immortal, I must bring you to Shanghai to discipline you personally, you see how thin you have become...... ”

Hearing the words of the cheap grandmother, even though he knew that she was not his own grandmother, Wu Chaoyue was still moved to tears, hugging and crying with the cheap grandmother. Wu's mother was also wiping her tears beside her, but Wu Xiaoping was swaggering her father next to her and scolded: "Transcendence, you are all a third-grade official of the imperial court, and you are still so out of shape in public?" Hurry up, if you have anything to say, I'll talk about ...... when I get home. ”

Still didn't finish speaking, the cheap dad Wu Xiaoping had already been slapped by the cheap grandmother, scolding while beating, "Shut up!" When a mother talks to her grandson, what qualifications do you have as a son to interject? Get out of the way, you unassuming thing! Don't bother your mother! ”

After scolding her son, the cheap grandmother took her baby grandson in her arms and continued to cry bitterly, Wu Xiaoping obediently retreated with an embarrassed face, and Wu Chaoyue quietly rolled his eyes, finally understanding why the real Wu Chaoyue was used to being so unsuccessful, and finally understood why the comprador grandfather resolutely refused to bring his wife to Shanghai.

In the end, it was a group of foreign friends who rescued Wu Chaoyue from the old lady's arms, and after saying hello to Wu Chaoyue together, the British missionary Maddox also said to Wu Chaoyue: "Wu, tonight, please come to the British Consulate in the concession, there are a few very distinguished guests who want to see you." ”

"Honored guests? Who? Wu Chaoyue asked suspiciously.

"Our new British Minister to China, Sir Palling." "His son, Mr. Bowling, your old friend, Mr. Bourblon, the Minister of France, and the Minister of the United States to China, Mr. Maillin," replied truthfully. ”

"They're all in Shanghai?" Wu Chaoyue was taken aback. Mai Dusi nodded, and said that he was entrusted by Bao Ling's father and son to invite Wu Chaoyue, Wu Chaoyue saw Mai Dusi's serious expression, and knew that the identities of these foreign devils were extraordinary, so he also agreed to meet these foreign devils in the evening.

After letting Huang Dasha take the army to the camp and station, Wu Chaoyue followed Wu Xiaoping and others back to Shanghai City to ask the comprador grandfather for guilt, but before Wu Chaoyue could speak, Wu Lao Comprador had already slipped his baby grandson to the side and asked in a low voice: "I heard that you were injured in Suzhou, where did you get injured?" Better? ”

Honestly explained that his injury was not serious, but Wu Lao comprador was still not at ease, and forced Wu Chaoyue to take off his clothes to check his injury, but after seeing that the wound on Wu Chaoyue's arm had scarred, Wu Lao comprador was relieved, but the old lady Wu, who had long felt that something was wrong, pounced up, and when she saw that her baby grandson was injured, the old lady was so distressed that she cried loudly, and grabbed Wu Lao comprador's white braid and beat him indiscriminately, "Old immortal, Chaoyue is injured, you actually didn't tell me, you even hid it from me, If there are three long and two short, the old lady will fight with you! Fight! ”

"Oh, ma'am, I won't tell you, aren't you afraid of worrying? With your temper, if you know that Chaoyue was injured in Suzhou, you still have to rush to Suzhou immediately? There is a war going on in Suzhou, didn't you go to cause chaos for me and transcendence? ”

"Messing up? The old lady loves my grandson, is she causing trouble for you? You old immortal, your only grandson is injured, and you still think I am causing trouble for you? The old lady beat you to death! Shoot you! ”

The explanation of the old comprador Wu was exchanged for more punches and kicks from the old lady Wu, and the Wu family, who rarely got together, cried and laughed, beat and scolded, and the family affection was harmonious, and it also made Wu Chaoyue, who had suffered from the military, enjoy the treatment of the little emperor of the Wu family very much.

In the evening, after a lot of words, Wu Chaoyue went to the concession to attend the welcome banquet held by the foreigners for himself as agreed, and sure enough, he saw foreign dignitaries such as Bao Ling and his son, Bourblon and Mai Lian in the British Consulate, as well as old acquaintances such as Ali Guo, Laurio and Ah Huawei.

The banquet unfolded in a very warm atmosphere, originally Wu Chaoyue thought that today he would have to have a night with the hypocrisy and politeness of these foreigners, but after the courtesy of each other, Lao Bao Ling said to Wu Chaoyue directly: "Wu, I invite you here tonight, first of all, I want to have good news to tell you, after consultation, Mr. Bourblon and I have decided to form a joint fleet and go north to Heilongjiang to help the Qing resist the barbaric invasion of the Russians. Also, both Bourblon and I have written to the country, asking for pressure on Russia to return all the land they have taken from your country. ”

Wu Chaoyue was overjoyed when he heard this, and hurriedly raised his glass to thank Lao Bao Ling and Bourblon, and expressed his belief in the official commitment of Britain and France to hand over the formula of the new gunpowder in advance. Lao Bao Ling and Bourblon also appreciated Wu Chaoyue's cheerfulness very much, and immediately took out a treaty drawn up in advance and asked Wu Chaoyue to sign it after looking at it. However, after carefully reading the treaty written in English, French and Chinese, Wu Yue smiled bitterly, because the Chinese side of the treaty was the Qing court.

After smiling bitterly, Wu Chaoyue could only hand the treaty back to Lao Bao Ling, and said: "Dear Sir Bao Ling, I'm very sorry, this treaty is a formal diplomatic treaty, and it must be signed by the Qing Emperor and the ministers appointed by the imperial court to take effect, I am not a Qin Cha, and I am not qualified to sign this treaty." I can only enter into a private agreement with you in my personal capacity. ”

"Wu, didn't you report this matter to your court?" Lao Baoling asked in surprise.

Wu Chaoyue nodded, and said with a wry smile: "It's useless to report, as soon as our imperial court encounters something about diplomacy, it will only talk about it, and it will not agree soon, and it is basically impossible to agree." But fortunately, the new gunpowder was developed by me personally, and I can make my own decisions. ”

Although he had not been in China for a long time, Lao Bao Ling knew very well about the ignorance and conservatism of the Manchu court, and he was not very surprised after listening to Wu Chaoyue's explanation, but he hurriedly discussed with Bourblon for a while, and then quickly agreed to Wu Chaoyue's request and agreed to sign an agreement with Wu Chaoyue in his private capacity - Britain and France were already working in the Crimea and the Russians, and at this time, the new Far East battlefield could not only share the pressure on the European theater, but also prevent Russia from getting involved in the Chinese market, which Britain and France had long regarded as a bag. The start of war is beneficial to both Britain and France, and the secret of the new gunpowder can be obtained, and Lao Bao Ling and Bourblon certainly do not mind what kind of agreement they signed with Wu Chaoyue.

After finalizing this matter, the banquet officially began, according to the custom of foreigners, each served wine and discussed some of their interests with acquaintances, as a result, Wu Beyond once again became the focus of the banquet, Lao Bao Ling, Burbulon and Mai Lian The three distinguished guests have been pestering Wu Beyond and asking Wu Beyond to come forward, the only Chinese who understand Europe and the United States, and try to promote their request for a treaty amendment to the Manchu court.

In all fairness, Britain, France, and other countries did not put forward harsh demands for amending the treaty, and apart from allowing the legalization of the opium trade, which Wu Chaoyue could not accept, the opening of the national market, the opening of the Yangtze River route, and the permission for foreigners to invest freely in China were actually helping China introduce modern science and technology and develop industry and commerce, and the advantages far outweighed the disadvantages. However, it is a pity that Wu Chaoyue knows too well what the current Manchu court is of virtue, and he knows that if he mixes these things, he will only provoke fire, so Wu Chaoyue can only shake his head and refuse, and calmly told several foreign ministers the reason, and asked Lao Baoling and others to forgive their troubles.

Fortunately, except for Mai Lian, a cowboy from the United States, who didn't quite understand why Wu Chaoyue was so embarrassed, the old Bao Ling and Bourbulon, who were already very familiar with China, accepted Wu Chaoyue's explanation, and did not force Wu Chaoyue to mix with this matter, and at the same time helped Wu Chaoyue patiently explain to Mai Lian. And after finally understanding what Wu Chaoyue meant, Mai Lian was surprised and said: "It's also a crime to help us in diplomatic liaison between European and American countries and the Qing court?" God, on the neck of the Qing Emperor, does it look like a human head or a pig's head? ”

"It's a boar's head." Wu Chaoyue replied in his heart, and he didn't mind the insult of the Americans to Wild Boar Skin IX.

Old Bao Ling and Bourblon laughed together, and both invited Mai Lian to go north with their combined fleet to see for themselves how stupid and stupid the Manchu court was. And after Mai Lian shook her head and made another remark that still felt incredible, she suddenly said to Wu Chaoyue: "Wu, if you are the emperor of the Qing Kingdom, then we will definitely avoid countless unnecessary conflicts, and we will definitely become the most friendly country." ”

Even in the concession, at a banquet where almost all foreigners were present, Wu Chaoyue's face couldn't help but change when he heard Mai Lian's words, but what made Wu Chaoyue even more weak was that the two old foxes, Lao Baoling and Burbulon, not only laughed loudly, but also looked at themselves together and watched their expressions react. Wu Chaoyue didn't dare to slack off, so he laughed out loud and said, "Dear Mr. Mai Lian, this joke is not very funny, if it spreads, it may make my head fall to the ground." ”

"Wu, I'm serious." Mai Lian said with a serious expression: "The U.S. government sent me to China, not to start a war, but to develop the Qing market, sell our American industrial products, and obtain the supply of raw materials from the Qing State, but because of the stupidity of your Qing Emperor and the imperial court, I have hardly made any progress." Wu, you are the only Qing person who understands the West, and if you can become the ruler of the Qing Kingdom, then my diplomatic mission will definitely be successful. ”

Wu Chaoyue still shook his head again and again, quickly changed the topic and exchanged a few polite words with Mai Lian and the others, and then under the pretext of discussing the treatment of the wounded Wu Jun with Luo Weilin, he took the opportunity to get out and blend in with the priest's crowd, and did not dare to discuss those sensitive issues with the outspoken Mai Lian. Lao Bao Ling, Burbulon and other foreign ministers continued to discuss in a low voice, and peeked at Wu Chaoyue from time to time, and the appearance of a ghost in his heart was overflowing.

Near the end of the banquet, Xiao Bao Ling suddenly came forward and invited Wu Beyond to sit in Lao Bao Ling's office, Wu Beyond also said that Old Bao Ling wanted to discuss the agreement with him and gladly obeyed, but after entering the office, Lao Bao Ling handed a document written in Chinese to Wu Beyond and said: "Wu, there are thirty questions on this, please be sure to answer them one by one." ”

Confused, he took the document, and what made Wu Chaoyue even more puzzled was that the thirty issues listed in the document had nothing to do with him personally, and were all about religion, politics, and military strategy. Puzzled, Wu Chaoyue could only ask the old Bao Ling: "Dear Sir Bao Ling, what does this mean?" ”

"Wu, you don't have to ask more, just ask you to answer." Lao Bao Ling replied: "There is no right or wrong in these questions, as long as you answer your personal opinion." ”

Knowing that Lao Baoling's move must have a deep meaning, Wu Chaoyue nodded and said, "No problem, but there are too many questions, I need some time, and when I write the answers one by one on paper, I will send them to you." ”

Lao Bao Ling agreed, and said quite anxiously: "Wu, can you answer one or two questions verbally now, I really want to know what your worldview is." ”

Wu Chaoyue looked at those questions carefully, pointed to one of them and said: "Dear Sir Bao Ling, then let me answer this one, this one is to ask what kind of national system I think is most suitable for China, for the sake of prudence, I can't leave a text, now I will answer you verbally." ”

Lao Baoling was very happy, and hurriedly asked Wu Chaoyue to speak freely. Wu Chaoyue first cleared his throat, and then said in English with great caution: "Dear Sir Bao Ling, in my opinion, no matter what kind of state system, as long as it can be beneficial to China, to the Chinese people, and to friendly countries that are willing to live in peace with China, then it is the best system." If possible, I can accept a constitutional monarchy similar to yours, a democracy similar to France, a democratic federalism in the United States, but I prefer a constitutional monarchy in your country. ”

"Why?" Lao Bao Ling asked with a happy expression.

"I think a constitutional monarchy is the most suitable for China at the moment." Wu Chaoyue replied: "China's centralized monarchy has been in place for 2,000 years, and both the gentry, intellectuals, and ordinary people have become accustomed to having a monarch take on the responsibility of leading the country. If we want to reverse this habit of enslavement and oppression, it is by no means possible in one or two years, ten or eight years. ”

"So in my opinion, if you want the current Chinese to accept the new political system and accept the advanced system and technology from the West, the best way is to implement a constitutional monarchy, limit the monarch's power to expand the people's rights, gradually hand over state power to the parliament, and gradually open up the people's wisdom and introduce advanced knowledge from the West." In addition, the rash implementation of democracy and federalism will not only be difficult to succeed, but will inevitably lead to a counterattack of the monarchy and a return to the country. ”

When Wu Beyond said these words, Old Bao Ling kept listening and never interjected, or waited for Wu Beyond to finish speaking, and was silent for a long time, Old Bao Ling shook his head and said: "Wu, if I hadn't personally heard your words, I would never have believed that there could be an enlightened Chinese like you in conservative and closed China." ”

Sighing again, Lao Bao Ling said, "Wu, I'm looking forward to your answer to the remaining twenty-nine questions, please do it as soon as possible." By the way, tomorrow is your wedding day, I wonder if you can I go to your wedding? ”

"Dear Sir Bouling, it is my highest honor that such a noble British nobleman as you can attend my wedding."

Wu Chaoyue replied pretendedly, Lao Bao Ling laughed when he heard it, got up and shook hands with Wu Chaoyue, Wu Chaoyue knew that he was a guest, so he also honestly proposed his farewell. Lao Bao Ling didn't keep it, but politely sent Wu Chaoyue out of the door, and then returned to his desk, took out a thick stack of official documents to watch-it was the official document of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom brought back from Nanjing by Lao Bao Ling's precious son Xiao Bao Ling, which was written with thirty answers from the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom to the British, and the questions were exactly the same as the thirty questions submitted by Lao Bao Ling to Wu Chaoyue.

"The co-lord of the king, the decree of the lord, or life, or death, or giving, or taking, and the military division executes according to the order, it is the system.

Unify the **** world, and the mountains and rivers will be renew. The people are happy, and they are happy to celebrate the peaceful spring.

The noble and the low should be divided into the upper and lower, and the system will judge the inferior. Obey the official position to make and wear, no official people, only allowed red head, their sweat robes, mosquito nets, foot fur is especially not allowed to use, in order to judge the humble, if there is no custom, that is, beheading without leaving ....... ”

Throwing down the frighteningly thick official document, Lao Baoling shook his head and smiled bitterly, and muttered: "Stupid, stupid, I hope Hong Xiuquan can help us spread Western culture and open up the Chinese market, those members of the parliament are really stupid." It's Wu ......, I don't know what it means to be domestic, and what is the attitude of Wu himself. (To be continued.) )