In the first year of the Great Guang Dynasty, on the 14th day of the fourth month of the lunar calendar. Pen @ fun @ pavilion wWw. ｂｉｑUｇE。 ｉｎｆｏ

On this day, in the bustling city of Beiping, a group of people walked on the lively streets, looking at the clothes and appearance of these people, very similar to the southerners, yes, the leader is Shi Mingzhi, the people on the side of the luxurious clothes, the dress of the businessman, is the famous Wu Bingjian of the thirteen lines of Guangzhou, the president of the Guangzhou Chamber of Commerce.

At this moment, walking in Beiping City, everyone is curious, looking left and right, looking at the ancient capital of the three dynasties.

The numerous shops and the endless stream of people rushing to the market caused Wu Bingjian to sigh: "Master Shi, if it weren't for your light this time, I, Wu Bingjian, don't know when I will be able to come to the capital..."

Wu Bingjian's voice stopped abruptly, and he immediately realized his gaffe, and hurriedly changed his words: "Look at my mouth, it should be Beiping." In other words, Master Shi, this Beiping City is worthy of being the imperial capital, the place where the emperor lives, just the houses and restaurants here, are much more magnificent than Guangdong~! ”

Shi Mingzhi was also full of interest, indescribable joy, looking left and right, everything in the novelty of Beiping City. Even if it is something sold by a stall on the road, Guangzhou Mansion has it, and Shi Mingzhi is also curious, looking like Grandma Liu entering the Grand View Garden.

"Hehe, President Wu, I don't dare to do this! You are a famous rich businessman, how can you use me to give someone's light? As long as you want, you can go to this Beiping City at any time. ”

Wu Bingjian smiled slightly, noncommittal, and then showed a worried look on his face, and said softly: "Master Shi, this time I entered Beiping City and asked to see the emperor, and I don't know if the emperor will receive me, a businessman, hey~." If I can't see the emperor, how can I go back and explain to those colleagues? ”

Shi Mingzhi was still looking at the stalls on both sides of the street, his interest did not diminish at all, he waved his hand, and said loudly: "President Wu, what is there to worry about?" The Great Guang Dynasty is different from the former Qing Dynasty, and the emperor attaches great importance to you businessmen. What's more, you brought so many things this time, and you originally intended to donate two million taels to the imperial court, as well as 8,000 stone of grain, and the emperor will definitely receive you! Don't worry, after I attack in a while, after I finish reporting on military affairs, I will mention your matter to the emperor, and what someone Shi promised must be true to his word! ”

Hearing this, Wu Bingjian knew that Shi Mingzhi had not forgotten what he was asking for, and his heart was suddenly relieved, knowing that the purpose of his trip was half successful, and the other half had to rely on eloquence, could he convince the new emperor?

However, Wu Bingjian was full of confidence that in the former Qing Dynasty, the annual trade volume of the 13 banks in Guangzhou accounted for a quarter of the Qing court's fiscal revenue. With such a huge amount of silver income, it is impossible for any imperial court to ignore nothing? Is it impossible not to pay attention?

Therefore, Wu Bingjian had a great deal of confidence in convincing the emperor of the Great Guang Dynasty.

Thinking of this, Wu Bingjian couldn't help but think of some things before departure, and the request of the agent of the British East India Company couldn't help but be a little difficult.

At this time, the Daguang Dynasty has only been founded for more than two months, as a businessman, Wu Bingjian is not only shrewd in the business field, good at franchise, but also has his own unique views on the general trend of the world.

Wu Bingjian understood that although the Great Guang Dynasty overthrew the Qing court and quelled the rebellion in the southwest, it was also an eventful time, and a stable governing environment was very needed. If those foreigners are allowed to set off for their return home, no one can be sure that these foreigners will bring any trouble?

Long-term dealings with foreigners, whether they are Americans in the Americas, Portuguese, French, British, or Swiss, these foreigners all have bad intentions. Especially in the pre-Qing Dynasty, the navy of these foreigners openly entered the coastal waters of Guangdong, and once there was any ill-intentioned attempt and suddenly landed on the shore, it would be disastrous, and it was not unheard of such a thing before.

Therefore, Wu Bingjian was apprehensive and hesitated about the things entrusted by Westerners. However, if there were no foreigners who traveled between the East and the West, these merchants would be equivalent to existing in name only, and those goods such as silk, tea, and porcelain would have been hoarded in large quantities and could not be sold, which would have been a great loss.

Whether it is he, Wu Bingjian, or other merchants of the Thirteen Lines, they will not be able to afford it.

Just when Wu Bingjian was thinking about these things, Shi Mingzhi suddenly stopped, turned his head sideways and said, "President Wu, you can find an inn to live in first." I went to the palace, met with the emperor, and reported the task of this trip. ”

As soon as his spirit was shocked, Wu Bingjian immediately sobered up, and said again and again: "Uh~um~ Okay, Master Shi, you can go to do things first, I will go to the Yuelai Inn in front of me to stay, if you have anything to do with me, just send someone to summon it!" ”

As he spoke, Wu Bingjian pointed to an inn not far away, and the four big characters on the lantern were particularly dazzling, and they could be found when he looked up. Shi Mingzhi looked in the direction of his finger, and after seeing it clearly, he said politely: "Okay, after reporting the matter, I will definitely mention your matter to the emperor, and if the emperor summons you, I will send someone to inform you in advance." ”

"Hehe, then please ask Master Shi, there are more kind words in front of the emperor!" Wu Bingjian made a gesture.

"Then~ President Wu, let's stop here, before entering the palace, I still have to arrange these soldiers and entourage to the post station." Shi Mingzhi also arched his hand and said.

"Okay, Master Shi, then let's separate here."

Along the way, Wu Bingjian knew that no matter how sincere his invitation was, Shi Mingzhi and the others would not stay at the guest house with him. Because, he has learned a discipline of the Daguang army, if it is not for special reasons, up to the generals and commanders, down to the soldiers and ordinary soldiers, can only stay in the post station. Otherwise, penalties will be imposed.

After a while, Wu Bingjian understood why there was such a rule in the army of the Great Guangzhou Army, that is, to prevent soldiers from harassing the people. Because, when he lived in a former inn, he remembered that the Qing soldiers were making trouble in the inn, getting drunk and making trouble, and beating the innkeeper's man.

However, what Wu Bingjian didn't know was that the reason why there was such a provision also meant to protect soldiers. Once the soldiers go out to do business, almost all of them have a mission to do, and not only can they be kept safe in the post station, but the secrets of their conversations will not be eavesdropped.

Looking at Shi Mingzhi and the others who were gradually moving away, until they disappeared above the lively street market, Wu Bingjian walked with a group of people and went to the Yuelai Inn not far away, with a complicated look on his face, and his heart was even more distracted, and he muttered secretly.

"Hey~ I don't know if the emperor is still the president who managed the thirteen lines at the beginning? Or is it not the one who values businessmen so much? ”