Li Hongzhang stood next to Li Zhen, slightly embarrassed. When he thought that he was already in his early thirties, but he couldn't calm down, his face suddenly became hot. Li Hongzhang calmed himself down and said, "The prince is too worried, and he just feels a little uncomfortable below. ”

Li Zhen smiled slightly, did not get to the bottom of the matter, and said, "Sit!" ”

Li Zhen has high hopes for Li Hongzhang, so he will find Li Hongzhang to talk to him alone.

Li Hongzhang said: "Is there anything the prince is looking for?" ”

Li Zhen said solemnly: "After Zeng Guofan goes back, he must have told you about Zhao Liewen's appearance, and also told you about the first to recommend you to my side." It's just that I chose Zhao Liewen, so you have resentment in your heart. After all, you Li Hongzhang are talented and capable, and you will not lose to Zhao Liewen in any aspect. ”

Li Hongzhang lowered his head slightly, and he really thought so in his heart.

He doesn't understand!

I don't understand why Li Zhen chose Zhao Liewen instead of him.

Li Hongzhang is in his early thirties, but he still has achieved nothing, so he attaches more importance to fame and fortune. After all, the eldest brother Li Hanzhang and the third brother Li Yunzhang of his family have official positions and have made small achievements in officialdom. Only he is in his early thirties but has achieved nothing, and now that he sees the opportunity to get ahead flying away, his mentality will be unbalanced.

The more you care, the more susceptible you are.

Li Hongzhang believes that doing things by Li Zhen's side is a road to heaven and the best shortcut to his career. Don't you see that Liu Taiping, Ye Chengxin, and Zheng Zaoru have all become feudal officials? Zhao Liewen is out, there must be a smooth road. All he got was Li Zhen's words that were repurposed, which made Li Hongzhang think that Li Zhen was talking empty words.

Li Zhen said again: "Li Hongzhang, if I let you form an army independently, do you dare to accept it?" ”

Li Hongzhang exclaimed in surprise and was stunned for a moment.

Assemble an army!

Li Zhen actually asked him to form an army, which was too unexpected. The commander of the First Army is definitely a feudal official, and it is difficult for the people who follow Li Zhen to have the right to govern the First Army. Li Hongzhang swallowed his saliva and asked, "Lord Wang, you didn't deceive me, did you?" Why did you let me form a separate army? ”

Li Zhen said: "I believe in your ability, do you agree?" ”

Li Hongzhang's eyes lit up and said, "I approve!" ”

Li Zhen laughed and said, "Your Li Hongzhang's ability is undoubted, but you still lack enough foundation. With the foundation you have accumulated, you can form a brigade at most, which is the scale that Zuo Zongtang formed at the beginning. If you form an army in a single group, who will be the division commander of the army? Who is the brigade commander of the army, can you know it in your heart? Prepare well, and when you feel that you are strong enough, report to me, and I will approve you to form the Fourth Legion. ”

"Yes!"

Li Hongzhang's mood improved and he happily agreed. At this moment, he felt that the path he was taking was different from Zhao Liewen, and he was no longer a person of the same level.

Li Zhen said with a smile: "Brother Shaoquan, now I think what I said is not empty words!" ”

"The prince will not break his word!" Li Hongzhang said hehehe.

Li Zhen smiled slightly, waved his hand and said, "After you go back, think about what to do and how to achieve your goal." I hope that when we return home, your military structure can be built. ”

"I will live up to the trust of the prince!" Li Hongzhang said.

Li Hongzhang said goodbye and left, leaving Li Zhen alone on the deck to bask in the sun.

……

Nagasaki, Japan.

Prior to the Meiji Restoration, both Japan and the Manchus maintained a policy of seclusion.

Even after the current Emperor Hyomei was in power, he still implemented the policy of closing the country to the outside, prohibiting the people from coming into contact with foreign countries, so that the people could not come into contact with foreign countries. However, after the retreat, they always had to be beaten, and Japan, like the late Qing Dynasty, was knocked open by strong ships and cannons. Nagasaki was forced to open its door, and in the 16th century, Nagasaki served as a port of call for Portuguese ships, and later became an important point for travel between Britain and the United States.

On this day, Nagasaki comes alive. Everywhere in the streets, you can see officials running back and forth to make rounds, many samurai armed with long swords, and many people running in all directions.

The increase in the flow of people immediately put pressure on the magistrates of Nagasaki.

On the streets, the officers in charge of patrolling were on guard.

"Sakamoto Kurakatsu, how's the situation on your side?" An official dressed in a samurai uniform with two swords stuck in his waist strode over and asked as he looked at the approaching officer.

"Saburo Miyamoto, the area I'm in charge of is very good, and nothing has happened yet. It's just that more and more people are gathering in Nagasaki. Even if it's okay now, it's definitely going to be easy to get into trouble next! The officials who stood still rolled their eyes and looked around vigilantly, for fear that something would happen to them.

"Sakamoto Kurakatsu, King Zhennan of the Celestial Empire led a delegation to visit Japan, and he is about to land in Nagasaki, and there must be a lot of people coming. I got the news that the emperor had arrived in Nagasaki with his soldiers, and Takasugi Shinsaku and others had also arrived. Let's be careful and don't have an accident. Miyamoto said.

Saburo Miyamoto's news was more extensive, and he got the news early.

For Li Zhen, the Japanese officials and the people are extremely respectful. Not only because Li Zhen belonged to the king of Zhennan of the Celestial Empire and was powerful, but also because Li Zhen's sonorous and powerful letter to the country made the Japanese people enthusiastic after listening to it, so countless people gathered in Nagasaki and looked forward to Li Zhen's arrival.

"Takasugi-kun, how sure are you that you can convince Li Zhen?"

In a house, a man in his thirties with two mustaches looked at Takasugi Shinsaku and asked. This man's expression was serious, but there was a light of wisdom in his eyes. This person was Yoshida Shoin, Takasugi Shinsaku's teacher, who also rushed over to meet Li Zhen when he got the news of Li Zhen's landing in Nagasaki.

Takasugi Shinsaku said: "Back to the teacher, the disciple is not sure in detail. After all, the shogunate has the support of the imperial family, and it is justifiable and occupies the righteousness, so we must be worse. ”

Yoshida Matsu**: "We must work hard, and now winning the support of Li Zhen is victory." You have more contact with Li Zhen, this matter is planned by you, be sure to lead Li Zhen to our side. ”

Takasugi Jinsaku said: "Teacher, rest assured, disciple do his best." ”

At the same time, another residence.

There are soldiers inside and outside the door, and it is extremely tight.

In the hall, the people sitting were Emperor Komei, the minister of the clan Yasuhito, and the last envoy Yoo Noda. Emperor Xiaomei looked at Noda and said in a deep voice: "Noda-kun, Li Zhen will arrive soon, and the next is a crucial opportunity. Was it the shogunate that flourished? , or do diehards such as Yoshida Shoin continue to run rampant? It's all about your success or failure. ”

Yoo Noda said, "Please rest assured that the emperor will do his best." ”

An Ren interjected and said, "Noda-kun, be sure to complete the task. This matter is very important, and it cannot be allowed to be carried out by Yoshida Shoin. When necessary, troops can be sent to control the situation. ”

"Understood!"

Yoo Noda nodded, a look of excitement on his face.

Through Li Zhen's incident, he has been respected by the emperor and has shown himself in front of the emperor. If Li Zhen can be taken down and Li Zhen can support the shogunate, he will definitely be better and more reused, so Noda Yoo secretly made up his mind that Takasugi Jinsaku and others must not be allowed to succeed.

ps: the second shift, call it a day;