Zhang Yinheng The former in the Three Kingdoms Intervention and Liao Incident, like Zhang Hefei, got the benefits of the Tiele people, and the 200,000 rubles were divided into two folds and stored in the Sino-Russian Daosheng Bank. He had been engaged in foreign affairs for a long time, and knew that the Albion pound was a hard currency, and the price was even more stable than that of silver, so he exchanged a part of his property for pounds as an investment. The 40,000 yuan in these two passbooks were all Albion pounds that he had deposited with HSBC.

At this time, one Albion pound was almost converted into ten rubles, and this share of fertilizer was a big loss for Cui Yugui. The two were happy for a while, and Zhao Guanhou suggested: "Go back and tell your father-in-law that if you have money at home, you can also secretly deposit a little money in the foreigner's bank for insurance." It is better to change pounds and feel more at ease than silver. ”

"This can be done or not, even if Zhang Yinheng has nothing else to do, he only saves so many foreign banknotes, it is still bad. He is the Minister of National Affairs of the General Office, and he has saved so many foreign bills, isn't he in contact with foreign countries? Besides, that small pistol is easy to carry and not easy to search, but he can bring it into the palace......"

Speaking of which, Zhao Guanhou also understands that under the calculation of people with intentions, this gift gun similar to a toy will become a very terrible evidence of crime, and it seems that the Empress Dowager Cixi also hates Zhang Yinheng to the extreme. King Qing is in full swing, but there is no need to think about these, Rao is so, and the matter of depositing money into a foreign bank must also be guarded against being known, otherwise it will also be a problem.

On the side of the Yamen, the commander of the infantry army, during the search of Fang Cai, a lot of small items were also collected, and if they were searched by the eunuchs, it would be terrible. Zhao Guanhou made up the matter for them, and also said. Zhan Ying shoved a few scrolls towards Hensmeiri and said, "These things that don't have long eyes, even take the tatters, if you hand them over, isn't it a joke?" You're tired and throw it away. ”

The two sat in the car, looking at a few mink coats, big wool clothes, more than a dozen pieces of precious jewelry, and a few "rags" with a history of more than 1,000 years, and discussed which foreign thrift dealer to buy. After a long morning, I drove to the eastern suburbs to visit the legation.

It is said that when a courtier sees a foreign envoy, he must be accompanied by Zhang Jing, but this time's diplomacy is to spy on Cixi, and the matter involves the abolition of the establishment and must be kept secret.

The legation composed of ministers from various countries is represented by ministers in turn, and when negotiating with Daikin on behalf of the great powers, the ministers will communicate with each other. After Zhao Guanhou explained his intention to the legation, he was in charge of receiving him by a handsome man in his thirties. It was the Prussian minister Klinder, who had recently been frantically pursuing Ten Gege, forcing her to leave the Six Nations Hotel and go home to live.

This man, who had begun as a translator, was now a baron, became the Prussian minister in China, and was now the representative of the legation, and he was responsible for the reception of the golden envoy. He was a young man, extremely strong-headed, and a leader among the ministers of various countries. The two are opposites, and Zhao Guanhou also feels that the passing years are unfavorable, and he has no confidence in this negotiation.

"Zhao Guanhou?" After hearing this name, Clindrin recalled a little, and suddenly smiled, "The person who frequents and frequents with Shigege in the Six Nations Hotel is Your Excellency, right?" ”

Although he started as a translator, he still used Mandarin to talk at this time, and Zhao Guanhou also responded in Mandarin, "Your Excellency Baron is right, that man is me." However, I personally think that my relationship with Shigege and our negotiation today are two different things. ”

"No, I think that's the same thing." Clint smiled and lit his pipe, "My country is very concerned about the changes that have occurred in your country. We are very satisfied with the fact that your Emperor has shown a willingness to change and a willingness to take the initiative to integrate into the civilized world when he receives our country, Prince Henry. Also, the series of reforms introduced by the Great Emperor are also considered correct and in accordance with the rules of the civilized world. Therefore, we hope that your emperor will always be in power, which will be more conducive to the development of friendship between our two countries. ”

He paused, "I know that you are familiar with the public law of all nations, and you can use the public law of all nations to refute the prohibition of interfering in the internal affairs of other countries. However, I would like to remind you that we are not interfering in your internal affairs, but are concerned about the safety of the persons and property of our nationals. In this regard, your country is not doing well. In Shandong, a large number of missionaries and parishioners have been attacked, and our expatriates and workers have often disappeared. My country has always attached great importance to its friendship with your country, and has always dealt with such issues in a peaceful manner. However, this does not mean that we do not have our own bottom line, and if your country cannot guarantee the safety and interests of our overseas Chinese in China, then we must rely on our own strength to protect the safety of our overseas Chinese. ”

Zhao Guanhou also knew that the Shandong issue was becoming more and more thorny, and Yuxian, the governor of Shandong, seemed to be attacking Kan Li with two blows, not only did he suppress but helped, which was inevitably caught by foreigners and attacked. But on the surface, he still smiled, "Your Excellency Clinde, I will definitely reply to our emperor and queen mother for the question you said, but this should have nothing to do with the relationship between the lower and the ten grids." ”

"It doesn't matter, it can also be said it does, doesn't it?" Clinder also showed great grace and did not take out the arrogant style to suppress it, but the coercion and disdain in his bones made the parties fully feel it.

"I know that there are your ministers hiding in the Fuso Legation, and I can help you get people or expel them from the Embassy. In addition, on the Shandong issue, I can also report to our Kaiser Wilhelm and say that you are capable of handling it yourself. As for the change of the emperor of your country, I am the emperor of my country, but as a minister, I still have the right to suggest. I can give advice in this direction or in a different direction. ”

He picked up the coffee on the table and took a sip, "I have learned about you, like me, you have your own spouse, and Shigege is a nobleman of your country, it is impossible to accept the special marriage model of your country and be your underground wife." And I am different from you, as long as she agrees, I can divorce my wife at any time and marry her. That's my strength. The reason why she refuses to accept my kindness now is only because of your intervention in it, and if you withdraw from this competition, I believe that I can fulfill my wish, marry Shigege, and take her to Berlin, I think, it will be good for both of us. ”

Clinder said as he pulled out a photograph that was blurry and long, with some yellowing edges. "This is what I took five years ago, when I first met Shigege. Believe me, from the first time I saw her, I was captivated by her. I have had many opportunities to leave the embassy and return to my country, where there is a better job for me and a better future. But I gave it all up, because I could not part with such a beautiful girl, and I swore that I would marry her. Believe me, compared to you, I can give her true happiness. ”

His demeanor is very sincere, but he doesn't see much deception, but a feeling of course. Zhao Guanhou sneered, "Your Excellency, why are you so sure that Shigege will be willing to marry you?" ”

"Because I'm good enough, isn't I? I must say bluntly that your country is on the brink of danger. The rebellious people in Shandong, the coup d'état in the palace, will push the country to the brink of death. A beautiful woman like Shigege should enjoy the warm sunshine and sit in a carriage to enjoy the concert, not be frightened, let alone be your underground lady. So I hope you can think about it, quit all this, be a human being, and shouldn't be too selfish. Now that you have a wife, you shouldn't pester another good woman. ”

"Your Excellency Clinde, can I understand that you are talking to me about a deal? If I agree to your terms, you agree to mine, otherwise, it will adversely affect our diplomatic relations? ”

"No, I didn't mean that." Clint smiled slightly, "I am a minister, and all my words and deeds are in line with my status as a diplomat." What I just made is just a suggestion, or some of our private talks, and if you can say yes, I will be very satisfied, and if you don't, that's okay. We will hold foreign talks as two ambassadors, but with all due respect, if it is a foreign meeting, you are not enough. Your official status is only a Zhang Jing, and you can only talk to the secretary of the embassy, and only your minister in charge can come to negotiate with me on other issues. ”

"Well, I can answer your question clearly, and I will not give up the ten grids. Compared with her, the negotiation or the Shandong issue is not important, if you don't want to talk, then I won't accompany you. ”

Zhao Guanhou's face turned cold, and he took the case, "Your Excellency Clinde, the moment you put love as a transaction on the negotiation table, you have actually lost the qualification to chase her. Because in my heart, Shigege is a non-tradable person, and her choice depends on her personal will, and in your heart, you still regard her as an accessory. That's where the gap between the two of us lies. ”

Clinder has always boasted of being handsome, and there is no disadvantage in pursuing women, and he suffered a big loss in front of Shigege, and he has regarded it as his own shame, and today he was ridiculed by Zhao Guanhou, and he felt even more angry. He also stood up at the moment, "Your Excellency, are you criticizing a Prussian nobleman?" You should know that offending a Prussian nobleman at will comes at a price. ”

"The price? Whatever you want. ”

"I demand...... Duel with you! The loser will never be able to appear next to the Ten Grids. Clint took off a glove and threw it to the ground, but before the glove could hit the ground, it was firmly caught by Zhao Guanhou. I agree to the duel, but before that, I need to explain one thing to you, in Jixian County, I once killed more than twenty people in a battle. ”

Clinder's face was as usual, but he also took a deep breath: "It seems that Your Excellency is an excellent soldier. But that doesn't stop me from challenging you, just because you can kill twenty people doesn't mean you can defeat me. ”

"Of course, I am only reminding you of the fairness of the fact that it is very unwise to engage in a fight with me with bare hands or cold weapons. Next, let's talk about firearms. Please provide me with two revolvers and bullets, and I will show you my marksmanship in person. ”

Of course, Clinder did not think that the other party would shoot him in the embassy, so he immediately ordered two loaded revolvers to come over. At that time, the Taixi countries still had the legacy of dueling, and it was not uncommon for them to kill each other in duels. Clint only thought that the other party was going to fight with a revolver, but he didn't want Zhao Guanhou to turn the two guns in his hand first, and then took out a handful of Jin Yang from his body, threw it into the sky in the way of a heavenly maiden scattering flowers, and shouted "Attention!" ”

"Bang"

A gunshot rang out, and Jin Yang, who was hit by a bullet, flew sideways from mid-air, followed by a second gunshot, a third shot, and a fourth shot ....... After all the Jinyang landed, an embassy officer stepped forward to check and found that exactly 12 Jinyang were thrown out, and each Jinyang was hit by bullets in the same position.

This marksmanship, even in Prussia, can be counted as a sharpshooter. Whether it is the accuracy or the rate of fire, it is beyond the reach of Klinde, Zhao Guanhou handed back the two guns, and sneered: "If you want to duel, I will accompany you at any time." Whether it's guns, boxing, or sword fighting, I don't have a problem with that. But a duel between gentlemen requires a notary, and I look forward to your ability to find a suitable person to serve as a notary as soon as possible. Then he bowed and walked out of the legation, no longer communicating with Clinder.

This pistol technique was revealed, and as long as Klinder's brain was not broken, he would no longer ask himself for a duel. Of course, if he insisted on competing, he would have to find an opportunity to blow off his head with a Minnie gun. As for the consequences of the failure of the negotiations, he did not think about it at all. Whether it is Jiangshan Sheji, or some other high-sounding reason, he can't let him exchange his own woman, this is the bottom line. As for the consequences of this, let him be.

He had no place to live now, so he had to spend the night in the guest room of King Qing's mansion, and as soon as the sun set, King Qing came back from the yamen, and then he went to find Zhao Guanhou. King Qing's face was very gloomy, and when he met, he reprimanded:

"Nonsense! It's just confused! How can there be a conflict with the Minister of the Commonwealth? The last errand to welcome Prince Henry was good, why is it so bad this time? I heard that there was a great unpleasantness with the representative of the foreign minister, and he even used a gun. What the hell did you do, let the foreigner come out with a gun, and quickly explain, this king can also make preparations. ”

"Back to the prince's words, in fact...... I fired the gun......"

When King Qing heard this, his face became even worse, and he pointed at "you...... You are simply lawless, how dare you take a gun in the legation? ”

"It was Clinder who was a matchmaker with a lowly position, and he was not talented in his position, and he won a game. As for the guilty minister, not really, foreigners have always been arrogant, and this time is no exception. ”

"You beat the gun and won the foreigner?" King Qing looked unbelieving, and finally flicked his sleeves, "You are confused!" This kind of gambling game, you can only lose, you can't win, why don't you understand this! It seems that after all, it is a lack of experience, and this matter has been done poorly. Hurry up and ask a merciful saint, this king can't cover it up for you. ”

"I don't dare. Foreigners refuse all our demands, which is the responsibility of the lowly position, and the lowly duty should be punished. ”

When he returned to the guest room where he was resting, as soon as Zhao Guanhou pushed open the door, he felt that there was someone in the room, so he waited to retreat to observe, but he smelled a fragrant wind in his nose, and Shigege boldly turned out from behind the door, grabbed his hand, dragged him to the room, and then hugged him and put his back against the door.

"Yuqing, are you crazy? Come over this night, the prince knows that he has to eat you. ”

"That's right, I'm just crazy, I don't care for you. I've heard that you fought with Clint for me, and you used a foreign gun, for such a man, even if it is death, I will admit it! ”

King Qing, who drove away Zhao Guanhou, had the anger on his face, but after he withdrew, it completely dissipated and was replaced by a relieved expression. The attitude of the foreigners is so resolute, Lafayette can not be abolished, as long as it is not easy for the Son of Heaven, then Dajin will not be in a mess, and this world can still be maintained. With such a stunned young man to do diplomacy, it is better to do it right, and next, it depends on how to use him to top the pot, and don't let the board fall on your head.

If you cause such a catastrophe, you can't escape the punishment, and the lightest is to be handed over to the ministry. But in the second half of the night, the Prussian legation in Beijing received an urgent telegram from Shandong.

A robbery occurred on the Tianjin-Pudong Railway, and a train carrying nationals from various countries was attacked by bandits, and hundreds of Thai-Western business and politicians on board, including sixty-five Prussian citizens, were hijacked. Among the kidnappees were Andrew, the Catholic bishop of Shandong, and Hannah, the beloved daughter of Bassens, the son of the Marquis of Liman, the consul of Qingdao, and the counselor of the right army of the Great Golden Guard. Feng? Basens. (To be continued.) )