Li Hongzhang is indeed a pity. He once tried to recruit Hu Xueyan, but on the one hand, he was blocked by Sheng Xuanhuai, and on the other hand, it was also because Zuo Zongtang did not let go.

Hu Xueyan's ability to make money can be said to be unparalleled in the world at that time. If Zuo Zongtang lacked Hu Xueyan, it would be impossible for him to achieve his status as the God of War Middle Hall. The money needed for the war can torture Zuo Zongtang to death.

And if Li Hongzhang gets Hu Xueyan, he can use Hu Xueyan's wealth to build the Beiyang Fleet into the real first navy in Asia. No matter how hard Japan tried, it would not be possible to defeat the Beiyang Naval Division.

Modern warfare is like comprehensive national strength, and in the final analysis, it is the word "money."

In the combat record of the Beiyang Naval Division, there is such a big joke as "many hits, but several misses". It's really pathetic.

Zuo Zongtang died of illness in 1885, the year Hu Xueyan died.

Li Hongzhang looked at Hu Xiaoyan, envious and jealous of his old opponent Zuo Zongtang.

Old opponent, you spread your hands, throw away everything in the world, and enjoy peace. And I'm still between ups and downs and earthly life.

Hu and Li each fell into their own thoughts. No one was in the mood to speak.

An hour later, the two were awakened by a knock on the door.

It was the little boy who came in.

"Father, it's not too early." The little boy said respectfully.

Li Hongzhang realized that a long time had passed.

"When you're old, it's easy to sink into the memories of the past." Li Hongzhang stroked the rise of the great powers.

"You go back first, sort out the various strips, and come to me at this time tomorrow." As long as it's not too difficult to do. I agreed. Although Li Hongzhang is old, he has long seen through the sophistication of human feelings. As soon as Hu Xiaoyan arrived in Beijing on the first day, he came to deliver the post. It would be ridiculous to say that there is nothing to ask for. As for the Hu family and Hu Xiaoyan himself, Li Hongzhang has a good impression. And Hu Xiaoyan is obviously not a person who does not know how to advance and retreat. Otherwise, it would not be possible to write such a flattering article as "the reformers are all opportunists".

Although Li Hongzhang wants a lot of Hu Xiaoyan, he is also happy to see it come true. He is old, but he does not have a successor. None of his sons received the true biography. It's not that they don't teach, but they are limited by qualifications. As for Yuan Shikai, Li Hongzhang can't look down on him. With his old and spicy eyes, he can naturally see Yuan Shikai's details. But there was nothing he could do unless he wanted to rebel.

With Huo Yuanjia's support, Hu Xiaoyan was about to go out. Suddenly stopped: "Lord Zhongtang, Yan has something to ask for. ”

Hu Xiaoyan is also a dish just remembered. He asked Liu Zhensheng to find Sun Lutang and Li Shuwen. I don't know when these two people will come. If it was tomorrow, he wouldn't be able to get anything. Sun Lutang may be a little better, at most he will throw his hands away. But Li Shuwen is afraid that he will be stabbed with a shot and pierced him.

"Say."

"Ask Lord Nakado to write a note." Hu Xiaoyan smiled flatteringly and said, "Look, I was assassinated, so I want to find a few martial arts masters to be bodyguards." But I was afraid that they would not come. ”

Li Hongzhang glared: "Martial arts masters, there are a few!" Is the old man really old? ”

"Two! Just two. Hu Xiaoyan hurriedly explained: "It can't be any less, you see, the villain is still lame." ”

Li Hongzhang looked at his leg and sighed helplessly: "Okay." What is your name. ”

As he spoke, he casually picked up the brush and dipped it in ink and began to write.

"Sun Lutang and Li Shuwen."

Li Hongzhang paused, but soon continued to write. After writing, pick up the private seal and cover it gently. The little boy picked up the slip and handed it over.

Liu Min quickly stepped forward to take it.

"Thank you, Nakado. The villain retired. Hu Xiaoyan couldn't help but smile and withdrew.

Then under the leadership of the housekeeper, he went out of the Li Mansion.

The little boy looked at Hu Xiaoyan who was far away and suddenly smiled: "This human Cao Cao." ”

Li Hongzhang sat on the chair and squinted: "So what?" He is from Huizhou. I'm old, and so is Huaijun. It's time to leave a way back for the people of Anhui. ”

Although Li Hongzhang's voice was soft, the little boy heard it clearly. He couldn't help but smile wryly.

Since Li Hongzhang started his army, he has received the support of Hui merchants and literati families from all over Anhui. If you want people to pay for people, you want money to pay for money. These people have also received some compensation from him over the years. But ordinary Huaijun soldiers are all 100,000 dead. The vitality of the people in Anhui has also been greatly damaged. Later, on the battlefield of resistance against Japan, the Sichuan Army, Hunan, Guangdong, and all over the country had local anti-Japanese armed forces active, but Anhui did not have regular anti-Japanese armed forces. The biggest armed forces in the Jianghuai land are bandits.

At this time, Anhui had not yet recovered from the battle for Tianjing of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and the losses of the Huai army in thousands of miles. In many places, there are only orphans and widows. Zhuangding died on the battlefield in batches, and the court did not pay a penny of bereavement benefits. All parts of Anhui showed no interest in the reconstruction of the Huai Army. Therefore, in the end, only Nie Shicheng's Wu Yi Army was replenished.

Because of this, Li Hongzhang's control of the imperial court has become extremely weak, and therefore the rise of Yuan Shikai's small station training.

The little boy has no choice about this, he has no interest in being an official at all. But Hu Xiaoyan's "The Supremacy of Science and Technology" and "The Wealth of Nations" are very much to his appetite. He didn't let go of the book after he got it last night, until the housekeeper reported back to Li Hongzhang. Li Hongzhang asked casually. He reluctantly handed over "The Rise of Great Powers" and "The Theory of Sea Power". As for the supremacy of science and technology and the Wealth of Nations, how he did not pay.

Li Hongzhang didn't expect that his little son, who is usually honest like a cat, would actually contradict him for the first time, so he was more interested in "Science and Technology First" and "The Wealth of Nations". After a fire, the youngest son unwillingly took out the two books. Father and son read one by one in the study all night.

The reason why Li Hongzhang is so easy to speak and writes notes casually is also due to these books. If anyone else wants Li Hongzhang to write a note. That's a lot of difficulty. He was the most powerful man in the Qing Dynasty.

The next day, Hu Xiaoyan compiled a copy of his plan and handed it to Li Hongzhang.

The second time was still in the study. This time I was not troubled. As soon as Hu Xiaoyan entered the door, he was ordered to sit down.

The proposal is nothing. It is only mentioned that the development of coal mines in Huaibei is unplanned, and it is a spontaneous move by some enlightened people in the local area. Huainan and Huaibei not only have coal mines, but also iron ore and gold mines. It's just that mining is not easy. There are also iron mines in Ma'anshan and copper mines in Tongling. The latter two, this era has not yet begun to be mined in large quantities.

Hu Xiaoyan suggested that the mines in these three places should be exploited in a planned manner. At the same time, a private steel plant was opened. The private steel plant will be funded by local businessmen and families in Anhui. The coal mines needed are available locally.

When coal mines and iron ore factories were built one after another, profits could be distributed by building railroads. To make the local big merchants and workers rich first. When workers have money in their hands, they have a market. These businessmen then had the motivation and capital to develop light industry.

At the same time, in order to ensure that the coal mine and iron ore plant will not have the quality of Hanyang Iron and Steel Plant. It is necessary to build a special institute of materials and chemistry near Ma'anshan or Huaibei. Specific assays and studies were carried out on local coal and iron ore mines.

And in order to meet the requirements of the steel mill of the future for skilled workers. In addition, a specialized technical school must be established in the vicinity of Ma On Shan.

It's a huge plan, starting with the school. Then there is the planned mining of coal mines. At the same time is the construction of a steel plant. Finally, the establishment of light industry in various places. Through the construction of two factories and railways near Huaibei and Ma'anshan in Anhui, Anhui's light industry was revitalized. The development of private heavy industry is not inferior to that of the Hanyang Iron and Steel Plant. At the same time, it is also building a heavy industry school with Anhui characteristics.

The total amount involved in the project is as high as 20 million taels of silver.

Hu Xiaoyan doesn't have that much money. He handed over such a plan, which was intended to deduct money from Li Hongzhang.

It's a pity that Li Hongzhang was only surprised for a moment after reading it. gave an evaluation: "Unrealistic, too pompous." ”

Hu Xiaoyan was not disappointed: "In this case, the villain does not expect adults to allocate funds, but only hopes that adults can give policy support and a start-up fund." ”

"Policy support?" Li Hongzhang was puzzled. The concept of a special zone was not yet available in this era.

"It is the support of key projects, I am working hard in Anhui, and you have no money. You can't just let me go into battle shirtless. Please give the villain a certain errand, at least let the villain in Anhui not be constrained by anyone. It is safe to develop Anhui's industry. Hu Xiaoyan withdrew the plan.

Li Hongzhang snatched the plan back.

"Any constraints? Do you still want to be the governor of Anhui? Li Hongzhang laughed angrily.

"Thank you, sir." Hu Xiaoyan was overjoyed, if it weren't for the inconvenience of his legs and feet, he would have knelt down.

"Do you have the status of a jinshi or a lifter?" Li Hongzhang looked at Hu Xiaoyan with disdain.

"Jinshi?" Hu Xiaoyan was dumbfounded.

"The members of a province are generally from Hanlin Jinshi, at least they have to raise people." Li Hongzhang beat Hu Xiaoyan to the bottom with a single sentence.

Your sister's. Hu Xiaoyan scolded secretly. Enming, the later governor of Anhui, was just a person.

The current governor of Anhui is Deng Huaxi. This person is also only from a human background.

"Even if you sit on the governor of Anhui, the steel mill and coal mine still have the silver taels you said for the construction of the railway, and at least 20 million taels of silver. Anhui doesn't have so much money for you. Li Hongzhang squinted.

"With the prestige of an adult, I don't dare to say more, I can still make up 10 million taels in Anhui. The rest can be borrowed from Jiangsu, Zhejiang and even Jin merchants. Hu Xiaoyan replied.

The Li family's property is mainly land, and there are many shares in the factory. If Li Hongzhang is really shameless and comes forward in person, it can still be done to raise 180,000 taels of silver in Anhui. But Li Hongzhang still wants to be faced.

So he directly refused.

"But you can go to someone, and he can help you." Li Hongzhang was silent for a long time before speaking.

"Prince Alcohol Zaifeng"!