Sun Tzu said: "Where the law of war is used, thousands of cars are galloped, thousands of leather cars are carried, 100,000 armor is taken, and thousands of miles of food are fed." Pen × fun × Pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 info is the internal and external expenses, the use of guests, the materials of glue paint, the dedication of car armor, the daily cost of thousands of gold, and then the 100,000 divisions..."Although it has been a thousand years, the money and food consumed in the war are still huge, and logistics support is still important.

Li Zhun thought deeply, in his opinion, the bandits were crisscrossing Qiongnan, destroying the state and destroying the county, the grain and grass materials would inevitably be looted, and the Qing army wanted to solve the logistics problem on the spot, and there seemed to be no other way than to loot again. If you rely on remote transshipment, it is very difficult and the cost is too high. Therefore, the best place to use troops in Qiongnan is Yazhou, where the treasury and the people's grain and grass materials are relatively sufficient.

But Chen Wenqiang politely refused, Li Zhun naturally knew his roots and influence in Yazhou, and there were rapidly expanding business groups and militia groups, and the tough orders might be useful, but the implementation would definitely be greatly reduced. Therefore, Li Zhun hoped that it would be best to get Chen Wenqiang's cooperation, and even hoped that he could bear part of the military expenditure.

And Chen Wenqiang's toughness has its own confidence, and Li Zhun also knows it and does not dare to excuse himself easily. The so-called people in the DPRK are good officials, and Chen Wenqiang's confidence comes from Cen Chunxuan's regaining power, not only began to launch a blow against Prince Qing and Yuan Shikai, but also regarded the "skilled in foreign affairs" Chen Wenqiang as a banner, hoping that he would make some achievements and add prestige and reputation to the Cen Qu Alliance.

When it comes to playing politics, Yi Xuan, Yuan Shikai, Qu Hongzhen, Cen Chunxuan and others can be described as old treacherous and slick, and their methods are flexible and changeable. First of all, Yixuan and Yuan Shikai made a trick and transferred Cen Chunxuan to the governor of Yunnan and Guizhou, and "there is no need to come to Beijing for training". And Cen Chunxuan was obviously unwilling to go to a poor place like Yungui to be a governor, because it would keep him away from the center of power.

Therefore, Cen Chunxuan began to say that he was sick in Shanghai, and then under Qu Hongzhen's secret operation. Cen Chunxuan pretended to set off from Shanghai and headed for Hankou. Halfway through, Cen Chunxuan suddenly took a big turn and took the train to "turn north, and insist on getting in".

Cen Chunxuan's sudden arrival made the already tense atmosphere of the cardinal court even more explosive. Everyone is speculating about how the opponent's next move will develop. Not surprisingly, with the help of Qu Hongzhen, the Empress Dowager Cixi quickly summoned Cen Chunxuan.

The old queen mother and Cen Chunxuan met each other, and when they talked about the hardships of the year, they couldn't help but sigh for a while. The Empress Dowager Cixi remembered the past when Cen Chunxuan personally stood at the gate of the broken temple and guarded her all night, and she was also quite emotional. She pointed to Guangxu and said: "I often tell the emperor, if there is no Cen Chunxuan in the year of Gengzi, where would our mother and son come from today?" So Cen Chunxuan took the opportunity to express his "love for dogs and horses" to the Queen Mother, and asked to go to the governor of Yunnan and Guizhou to stay in the capital to serve. After the Empress Dowager Cixi listened. immediately said: "I know your affairs, I will not fail you!" ”

Soon, Cen Chunxuan was appointed as the secretary of the Ministry of Posts and Communications, which also marked the formal establishment of the Qucen Alliance. Before Cen Chunxuan took office, he made a big move, and he pointed the finger at his first subordinate, Zhu Baokui, a waiter of the Ministry of Posts and Communications. The dismissal of a deputy by an unarrived chief is a rarity in the history of Chinese officialdom. But Zhu Baokui was fired. The first battle was successful, and Cen and Qu were very popular. There is a vague meaning of monopolizing the government.

After learning that Cen Chunxuan had regained power, Chen Wenqiang immediately wrote a personal letter, asking him to speak on his behalf, and he would take over the long-term loss-making Hanyang Iron Works. In the letter, Chen Wenqiang vowed to raise 500,000 yuan to renovate and expand the Hanyang Iron Works, and promised to turn it into a profit within a year.

For Hanyang Iron Works. Chen Wenqiang did not come up temporarily, and the Hanyang Iron Works was not his only target.

Whether the revolution was more beneficial to the development of the Pearl River valley or the Yangtze River valley was debated within the Renaissance Association. Although Chen Wenqiang found a wedge point in Qiongzhou. And it did quite well, but the penetration and development of the Fuxing Society was not limited to Qiongzhou, but was comprehensively spread throughout the country. Provincial branches were established one after another, first in the Huxiang area, which was favored by Song Jiaoren and others.

Chen Wenqiang naturally has no opinion on this, after all, the revolution broke out in one place, and it still needs to respond everywhere in order to form a momentum. However, what he adheres to is to take industry and commerce as the foundation and develop steadily, just like in Shanghai, choose the opportunity to set up factories and enterprises, and then vigorously expand on this basis. For example, the power plant and electric light company jointly established by Wang Hongtu in Kunming, the textile company jointly established by Zhang Jian in Nantong, and the distribution outlets that monopolize drugs in various places are the foundation for the expansion of Fuxing.

From the beginning of the sole and sole proprietorship, Chen Wenqiang has turned to joint ventures, shareholdings, acquisitions, mergers and acquisitions and other ways. Naturally, he was also aiming for representative factories and enterprises in various parts of the country, including the Hanyang Iron Works that was second to none in Asia at the time.

If he can take over the Hanyang Iron Works, it means that with Chen Wenqiang's economic expansion, the power of the Fuxing Society will also enter the land of Huxiang in a big way, which means that the affairs of Qiongzhou are falling behind for a while, and Huxiang may become the focus of the next stage of work. This is something that Song Jiaoren and other people in Huxiang are looking forward to. For Chen Wenqiang, mastering the Hanyang Iron Works is a big step towards his rapid development of heavy industry. In comparison, the ironworks in Yazhou can only be regarded as an initial attempt.

Regarding Chen Wenqiang's request and assurance, Cen Chunxuan not only took into account the personal friendship between the two, but also the growth of his own power. Yuan Shikai, the minister of Beiyang, Sheng Xuanhuai, the head of the Ministry of Works, who now manages the Hanyang Iron Works, was once Li Hongzhang's right-hand man. Later, one inherited Lee's military career, and the other inherited Lee's economic career. But Yuan Shikai was very ambitious, in order to expand his personal power, taking advantage of Sheng Xuanhuai's worries, he sent his cronies Tang Shaoyi and Liang Shiyi to take over the railway and telegraph business, snatched these two fat shortages from Sheng Xuanhuai's hands, and stared at the remaining industries in Sheng Xuanhuai's hands.

In such a situation, Cen Chunxuan certainly hoped that his own people would take over the Hanyang Iron Works, rather than being snatched away by Yuan Datou. Therefore, he soon asked the Empress Dowager Cixi to appoint Chen Wenqiang as the head of the Ministry of Works to take over the Hanyang Iron Works on the grounds of poor quality, waste of money, and long-term losses.

In the center of the imperial court, Qu Cen was in flames, and Chen Wenqiang was also rising, so Li Zhun didn't dare to offend Chen Wenqiang, who was good friends with Cen Chunxuan. Obviously, Chen Wenqiang's attitude also seems to prove that his waist is stiff, and the business group and the militia group have expanded greatly. None of these large-scale arms purchases were submitted to the Governor for approval, and they were entirely on their own. Although there is a reason for the Wanning riots, this is also a big crime if you have to dig deeper. But Chen Wenqiang's next words made Li Zhun see clearly the treacherous nature of Chen Wenqiang.

"Expand your armament. I have written to inform the Governor of all these things. Chen Wenqiang smiled faintly and looked at Li Zhun meaningfully, "The Governor has replied, saying that the matter is urgent and the power is not lost, it is a merit, and the provisions can be submitted to make up for it later." ”

There's a deal, and it's not as simple as a letter. Li Zhun smiled and nodded. is muttering in his heart, but Chen Wenqiang does it well, what can he do?

Sitting in the carriage with Chen Wenqiang, he said as he walked that Li Zhun was taken to the training ground by Chen Wenqiang, and hundreds of people were conducting various drills, and the instructors were all foreign devils, and there were so many of them. This surprised Li Zhun and was very dissatisfied.

"Brother Chen. Why don't foreigners be used to train merchant groups and militia groups? Is it impossible to recruit suitable candidates in China? Li Zhun frowned and said his thoughts, "I have long heard that Brother Chen is very close to Germany, but now that I see it, the rumors are true." ”

"Germany is a new European power, and its army is very strong. There are also many originalities in military affairs, and for our country, it has little to do with it, and it can be said that it is very light compared to Britain, France, and Japan. Chen Wenqiang said nonchalantly: "Furthermore, I appreciate the rigor and seriousness of the Germans. This is exactly what the Chinese people lack. ”

Li Zhun shook his head more than once, noncommittal to Chen Wenqiang's explanation, but he disapproved of his expression.

"Master Li is a little worried." Chen Wenqiang was relieved and said, "Okay, I listen to Master Li's persuasion, then the matter of inviting foreign soldiers will be stopped for the time being, this is always okay, right?" ”

Li Zhun smiled bitterly and said helplessly: "Foreign soldiers can't be recruited no matter what, and foreign teachers can barely accept it." Brother Chen, do you think you can rely on this merchant group and militia group to resist the attack of the bandits? ”

Chen Wenqiang thought for a while and said: "If the riot starts, I don't think I can resist it; But for now, it's still between the two. ”

"Oh, why is that?" Li Zhun asked puzzledly: "At the beginning, there were few people and weak people, but now although the bandits are not strong and strong, they are also many people, why does Brother Chen say that they are between the two?" ”

Chen Wenqiang thought about it, and seemed to be uncertain and said: "Recently, there are one or two businessmen in Yazhou who have started to do business related to silk, antiques, and soft things. ”

"Bandits selling stolen goods?" Li Zhun's eyes flashed, guessing.

"I guess so." Chen Wenqiang smiled faintly and said, "In my opinion, this is a sign that the bandits are about to collapse. Imagine a person, when he is so poor that he has nothing, he will regard his life as cheap as grass, which can be said to be fearless of death. But when he has a net worth and is developed, he enjoys a good life with money, he may be afraid of death and begin to cherish life. In this way......"

Li Zhun nodded lightly and agreed with Chen Wenqiang's analysis, "It makes sense, it makes sense." This reminds me of the Jiashen Revolution in history, when Li Zicheng led the army to occupy the city of Beijing, and his generals were both rich and promoted, and they also robbed countless women, so they lost their original combat strength, and after the first battle of Shanhaiguan, they were even more depressed. The same is true for the bandits, what are the rebels for, they are not rich women, they have naturally spared their lives and slackened, and it is difficult to regain the courage of the day. That is to say, they usually avoid the strong and the weak, pick up the troubles in the places where they are well fought and robbed, and avoid the officers and soldiers or the places where the defense is strong. ”

Chen Wenqiang stared at Li Zhun, he didn't expect this guy to be so rich in associations, even Li Zicheng was involved, showing that he was knowledgeable?

"Brother Li thinks so far-reachingly, and even connects with the events of hundreds of years ago, and my brother admires it." Chen Wenqiang smiled meaningfully, he felt that Li Zhun's train of thought was guided by him to the path he hoped for.

Li Zhun smiled a little proudly, and then thought about it and said: "Murder and arson are recruited, Brother Chen, do you say that there are any guys among the bandits who think like this?" After making a fortune, mixing with an official, and enjoying happiness in peace and stability, this is also human nature, who wants to do it with their heads all day long? ”

"I can't say it, I guess there is!" Chen Wenqiang asked tentatively: "Does Brother Li want to caress or use both soothing?" ”

"Suppression must be suppressed, and the bandits must not be self-righteous and too arrogant." Li Zhun groaned, "Fu, it is also to be proposed, so that the bandits can divide themselves." Well, it is a safe way to use both soothing and appeasement, and to give both grace and power. ”

"Brother Li, I see you." Chen Wenqiang pretended to stretch out his thumb and said in a matter-of-fact manner: "There are also successful examples of this caressing. It is said that in the past, Xu Baoshan, the salt lord in the south of the Yangtze River, was difficult to control, but after appeasing the imperial court, he slashed and killed the former green forest colleagues, and he had accumulated merit to the Jiangnan patrol battalion to help the commander. ”

"Xu Baoshan, well, abandon the darkness and turn to the light, but he is loyal to the court." Li Zhun nodded, he had also heard of this person, and after listening to Chen Wenqiang's detailed explanation, he felt more and more that this combination of suppression and appeasement was the best way to eliminate the bandits.

"By the way, since Brother Chen has an old relationship with the bandit leader Xu Chunshan, can you send someone to test one or two?" Li Zhun turned to Chen Wenqiang, with some expectation.

"This-" Chen Wenqiang shook his head, speechless after a long thought.

"Whether it works or not, it doesn't hurt to try!" Li Zhun cheered up Chen Wenqiang, "Of course, this official will go back to Guangzhou and send a notice to the governor to make a forgiveness to share the hearts of the bandits." ”

"That's it." Chen Wenqiang seemed to be very embarrassed and made up his mind, "Please ask Lord Li to transfer one or two battalions of officers and soldiers, to have strict military discipline, and to be able to recruit and fight well, so that I can rest assured!" ”

"That's easy to say." Li Zhun smiled heartily, he refused mercilessly just now, but now he took the initiative to ask, he felt that he had the upper hand and outperformed Chen Wenqiang in wisdom.

"The matter of exempting immigrants from paying taxes for two years still requires Brother Li to say something, so as not to boil over the people's resentment and affect Brother Li's strategy of suppressing and appeasing him!" Chen Wenqiang smiled like a fox in his heart, but his face was sincerely expecting, "The development of Qiongzhou requires the population to move in, and this matter is not small. If Brother Li can facilitate this-" After a pause, Chen Wenqiang grinned as if he was very painful, and said: "If Brother Li can persuade the Governor to hand over the Huangpu Shipyard to me, I will pay to buy an ironclad cruiser from Germany and send it to the Guangdong Naval Division, how about it?" ”

"The displacement is at least more than three thousand tons." Li Zhun seized the opportunity, bargained, and looked at Chen Wenqiang aggressively.

"Okay, deal." Chen Wenqiang almost gritted his teeth and agreed, which made Li Zhun happy in his heart, and the bamboo pole was knocking loudly, cool.

…………… (To be continued.) )