The world is far more cruel than you think. According to Murphy's Law, there is no cruelty, only more cruelty.

Hu Xiaoyan just thinks that sometimes it's so difficult to do something?

According to the standards of the Hanyang Iron Works, if a steel mill exceeds the standards of Hanyang, then the first phase of five million taels of silver is a must, not including the labor costs required for poaching. The two iron mines in Huaibei and Ma'anshan, which means 10 million taels, and the coal mines, if you want to plan them as a whole, you can't do it without 2 million. And steel mills can't do without electricity. Thermal power plants must be built. At the moment, Edison is pushing his direct current, but Hu Xiaoyan is definitely going to build alternating current. The early construction of alternating current, plus the supporting facilities such as wire factories, could not be taken without five million. Again, this is said in a small way.

When these are built, the steel plant is out of steel, and the problem is not over. Because the two steel mills were privately owned, the state was not responsible for sales, and he also faced administrative pressure from the Hanyang Iron Works. That is to say, as long as it is a national project, and the projects related to Sheng Xuanhuai, they will basically only use Hanyang's steel. So how to solve the sales channels of these two steel plants?

I had to build another railway. Only railways consume a lot of steel. The railway from Huaibei to Ma'anshan is preferred. Because Ma'anshan needs to use the best refined coal in Huaibei.

And building a railway is a big expense.

If you want to develop Anhui's heavy industry with 20 million taels of taels, the funds are actually quite tight.

Such a good thing for the benefit of the people and the country did not require a penny from the Manchu court. As a result, the Manchu bureaucracy was not enthusiastic about this. The reason is simple. They would rather have the 20 million divided among their "own people".

Just like what the future Prince of Alcohol Zaifeng said, the Qing Kingdom is almost finished, and if you don't make more money now, how should you live in the future?

So the whole country began to make money. Few court officials are doing things tightly.

If God wants it to perish, he must first make it mad.

For the first time, Hu Xiaoyan identified with God very much!

Prince Alcohol Zaifeng is still very good at doing things. After he received the money, he really put Hu Xiaoyan's plan in the court to discuss. It's just that because there is not enough money, he doesn't make comments.

From top to bottom, a large number of courtiers are very face-saving. And then came to a conclusion: who is this kid who makes the plan? It's so ignorant! Unexpectedly, no one in the court received a dime from this kid.

After Hu Xiaoyan heard the crooked remarks of the courtiers from Tao Chengzhang, he never made any more attempts. Because he was already desperate.

The Manchu officials and several members of the Li Hongzhang and Zhang Zhidong departments are still trying to do foreign affairs, but the youngest of these officials is already sixty years old! How many more years can they do it? Just like Li Hongzhang in history, he will only have two years of life! In fact, his old man's health is already very bad, but he just holds on. There is also Zhang Zhidong who is sixty-two this year. According to Li Hongzhang's lifespan, Lao Zhang can live for ten years at most. And Liu Kunyi is already sixty-nine. This big guy won't live for two years. Wait for these old ministers to die. China's Westernization will be completely finished.

During the Yuan Shikai period, he also developed the original Westernization technology and sent foreign students. But as soon as Yuan Shikai died, almost all the foreign affairs of the whole country stopped. Because the big people all over the country are rushing to expand the territory! In the following three or four decades, China's science and technology not only did not develop at all, but regressed a lot. Countless technical talents are either dying of disease and starvation, or are being pulled into battle. The achievements of the Westernization Movement for decades were ruined.

Hu Xiaoyan couldn't afford to wait, but he had to wait. Fortunately, Cai Yuanpei and others knew about the situation and raised 100,000 taels for him in Shanghai. These are the biggest benefits and borrowings they can get.

The construction of the university has begun. Countless ash factories and grain stores have been opened in Baoshan. I heard that Rong Hong has made a rough rendering of the university with the help of a foreign technician. Roads and walls are now being built on the perimeter of the site. Sewers and foundations are also being built inside.

After ten days. Or your own people are reliable! From this moment on, Hu Xiaoyan no longer trusted any Manchu officials, including Li Hongzhang.

Hu Xiaoyan completely tore the plan to shreds, leaving only the Huaibei Coal Mine and the iron mine construction plan in Ma'anshan. Then resubmit it to Prince Alcohol Zaifeng, with a ticket of 100,000 taels. The ticket was issued by the Jin Shang ticket number. Nanjing, Beijing, Shanghai and Shandong can all be exchanged in a timely manner.

Then the next day, Hu Xiaoyan was summoned by Cixi.

Because of the inconvenience of his legs and feet, Hu Xiaoyan was actually helped into the warm pavilion by the eunuchs. I met the most powerful old woman in the Qing Dynasty.

According to the rules, Hu Xiaoyan had to wear a fake braid and kneel and kowtow. Curse while knocking.

Naturally, Cixi could not hear it.

Hu Xiaoyan couldn't see her either. Cixi herself sat behind a curtain. All I heard was a cry of "Get up." ”

Li Lianying coughed on the side: "Mr. Xiao Li, get up, the Queen Mother will sit down." ”

After Hu Xiaoyan shouted long live, he finally sat down with the support of the little eunuch. Just like that, it hurts him like beads of sweat.

I only heard Li Lianying chuckle and said: "Mr. Xiao Li has a heart, look at him excited." Let's look at the tea. ”

Cixi didn't say a word, and waited for Hu Xiaoyan to take a symbolic sip of tea. Only then did he say slowly: "Mr. Li has a heart." After reading your article, only you can understand the painstaking work of the mourning family. Pity me, the Qing Dynasty is now suffering from internal and external troubles. ”

Hu Xiaoyan hurriedly surrendered his hand: "That's the duty of a courtier." ”

Cixi sighed: "Mr. Li, are you willing to serve the mourning family?" ”

"Willing to die!" Hu Xiaoyan is unusually crisp.

Cixi nodded with satisfaction, "Your plan is good, and you don't need a penny of silver from the court, the mourning family is very satisfied." You work hard, and the mourning family is here to watch. ”

Hu Xiaoyan immediately threw himself forward, lying on the ground and shouting long live.

Seeing this, Cixi stretched out her hand with satisfaction, and the maid on the side hurriedly helped Cixi away.

When the people left, Li Lianying came over and helped Hu Xiaoyan and said, "Mr. Li, the Queen Mother appointed you as the prime minister of the Yamen of the Anhui Mining General Department. Specializing in Anhui mining matters. There are also 3,000 members of the security regiment, and these people are recruited from the Beijing camp, as well as officers at all levels, you all go to Lord Rong. ”

Hu Xiaoyan immediately thanked him. Since he didn't get any benefits from Prince Zaifeng and Li Hongzhang, he began to send silver to Li Lianying every once in a while. A total of 50,000 taels were sent before and after. In comparison, Li Lianying's silver gift is still very affordable. Because Li Lianying plays a much greater role at a critical time. For example, this time, the Yamen of the General Department of Mining should be the handiwork of Prince Zaifeng, but the establishment of the security team must be the credit of Li Lianying.

Hu Xiaoyan didn't look down on this security group, but he was very happy with the establishment of the security team. The existence of an establishment means that this is an armed force openly recognized by the imperial court, and from then on, Hu Xiaoyan can recruit troops openly and honestly, without worrying about others accusing him of supporting the army and rebelling.

Li Lianying sent Hu Xiaoyan out of the door and suddenly said softly: "This security group, the Queen Mother still values it very much!" You have to show some courage, don't be compared to Lord Yuan! ”

Hu Xiaoyan nodded at Li Lianying with an unchanged expression.

Hu Xiaoyan quietly walked out of the palace. But his heart has already flown to the sky.

He thought silently. Obviously, the news that Li Lianying finally delivered is the key! Why did the Queen Mother value the Han Chinese armament of him, a foreign student?

It's very simple, Yuan Shikai is no longer credible! Cixi was already extremely dissatisfied with Yuan Shikai.

Plus Nie Shicheng in Tianjin. At least 20,000 elite modern troops have gathered around Tianjin.

Originally, Yuan Shikai's recruits were arranged in Tianjin to deal with Nie Shicheng's Wu Yi army. But Yuan Shikai also went wrong.

If these two troops come over, I am afraid that no one in Beijing City will be able to stop them. It's a threat.

Li Lianying's implication was nothing more than that Cixi deliberately arranged this even more untrustworthy Han student to warn Yuan Shikai. Don't think that you Yuan Shikai is great if you have merit in training. If you dare to be unfaithful, I will replace you.

And think deeper. Yuan Shikai has undoubtedly been carried with Li Hongzhang. But his track record in the reform of the law made Cixi a little frightened. Therefore, Hu Xiaoyan's 3,000-strong security regiment is a backhand. Although the director of the security regiment is, of course, Hu Xiaoyan, the officers and soldiers of this security regiment are all drawn from Rong Lu's Beijing camp. Cixi still trusts Jingying more in her heart.

took Liu Min and Huo Yuanjia back to the inn and waited for Tao Chengzhang.

Tao Chengzhang came back soon, and the news he got also proved it. Yuan Shikai impeached Li Hongzhang, plus Prince Alcohol Zaifeng. Li Hongzhang lay down again this time. It is said that Li Hongzhang will soon leave Beijing to go abroad. An old man in his seventies has to go to other provinces, and a careless adaptation to the water and soil may kill him.

Yuan Shikai really went into battle shirtless with Li Hongzhang for his own future.

But it doesn't matter, these have nothing to do with Hu Xiaoyan. He ran to see Li Hongzhang again. The relationship between the two is already very good, especially the relationship with the little boy has reached the point of hooking up shoulders.

This little boy's name is Li Jingmai, and he is twenty-three years old this year. Because of his age, his family is not very important, after all, there are already several sons in the family. The family didn't need him to do much more. He was not interested in being an official, but was very interested in doing business. I especially admire Hu Xiaoyan's theory of the supremacy of science and technology, and I have also studied the Wealth of Nations theory. He often asks economic questions that even Hu Xiaoyan can't answer.

Seeing Li Hongzhang, Hu Xiaoyan explained the specific content of the face in detail and asked for guidance.

Li Hongzhang was silent for a long time, but he just shook his head: "The Queen Mother is giving the old man an explanation!" It seems that it is a foregone conclusion that the old man will go out. ”

Hu Xiaoyan was surprised,

"You're from Anhui." Li Hongzhang tugged at his lips: "Recently, I have come to the Li Mansion too often. ”

Oh. Hu Xiaoyan suddenly realized. Cixi, that old lady should have thought too much. thought that Hu Xiaoyan was the heir who Li Hongzhang had cultivated for many years. So in exchange for conditions, Li Hongzhang completely left the center, in exchange for Hu Xiaoyan, who did not participate in the imperial examination, to preside over the party.

Li Hongzhang thought about it, and his heart was a little angry. Going to the local governor's office can certainly develop foreign affairs with peace of mind, but leaving the center also means leaving the center of power. It also means that he, Li Hongzhang, admits his failure.

As a pastemaker, Li Hongzhang, who has been pasting all his life, has nothing more painful for him than being abandoned by the court where he has served all his life. But he was powerless to change. Because it was Yuan Shikai who started this time. Yuan Shikai has a new army under him, and he is not afraid of his Wuyi army at all. Unless Li Hongzhang is willing to fight a war and support the new army.