After thinking about it, Hu Yulin felt that the safest way was to borrow money from HSBC, which was run by the British.

After all, he and HSBC handled the matter of borrowing foreign debts at high interest rates as collateral for the Western Expedition Cooperation, and he was very familiar with business dealings, and it was convenient to do things.

It's just that this time is different from the past, when he handled the Western Expedition in the past, he was under the banner of the government of the Great Qian's Empire, relying on the credit of the state, and no matter how big the amount of money he borrowed, HSBC would gladly do it, but this time the loan was in his own name, will HSBC still be as happy as before?

Hu Yulin had also borrowed money from HSBC in his personal name before, but the amount was less than 100,000 taels of silver, and this time the amount to borrow was 800,000 taels......

At this time, Hu Yulin, when he was entangled in himself, did not know that his fate had been destined to embark on a road of no return because of another person's betrayal.

Japan, Osaka, Satsuma Army Staff Base Camp.

In a room, Lu Qingyun sat on a chair nervously, looking at the door from time to time.

Ever since he was captured by the Satsuma army and brought to Osaka, he has been living in fear.

After the "Funing" was captured by the Satsuma warship and sailed to Osaka Port, all the Russian crew members and cadres on board were seized by the Satsuma army and imprisoned separately. Lu Qingyun thought that he would be tortured by the barbaric Satsuma, but what he didn't expect was that the Satsuma people did not abuse them, and after going ashore, Lei Wang and other injured dart bureau personnel were sent to the hospital for treatment, and he and other Qianguo people were locked up in a small building, although they were not free, but they had three meals a day. Then a Satsuma army general came to inquire about the "Funing". Lu Qingyun did not dare to divulge the secrets of the owner Hu Yulin. It was only said that he was entrusted by the Fuzhou branch of Qianguo Fukang Qianzhuang to transport cash to Tokyo, but as for the specific details, he did not know, and the general of the Satsuma army did not ask much, and after recording the confessions and signing them for him and the other servants, he left, and no one ever questioned them again.

He was imprisoned for about a week. Lei Wang and the others were sent back, the injuries on their bodies were not serious, they were all treated at this time, and they could walk around, Lei Wang was also worried that Lu Qingyun and others would be abused, but after seeing that everyone was safe and sound, he was relieved. Lu Qingyun asked about Lei Wang's situation, and Lei Wang said that after they were sent to the hospital for treatment of their injuries, some Satsuma officers came to interrogate them about the silver on the "Funing", and Lei Wang hated that the Satsuma sailors had injured him. At first, he didn't intend to answer, but when the Satsuma officers preached to him that the Satsuma Army would treat them in accordance with the "public law of the nations". After treating their injuries in accordance with the "Public Law of Nations", Lei Wang felt that the other party was not a very unreasonable person, so he first asked them why they arrested the ship, and the Satsuma officer was also very patient, and explained to him in detail the relevant provisions of the "Public Law of Nations", as well as the relevant provisions of the "Paris Maritime Treaty", the officer explained that the items transported by the "Funing" were actually contraband during the war, and General Saigo Takamori in order to protect the people's livelihood, special sugar and grain were not among the contraband, However, the silver ingots can be directly used to buy arms, which is a contraband that must be banned, and it is only the Satsuma Navy that will detain the ship, but the arrest of the ship will be attributed to the ship, and it will not hurt people, and Lei Wang's deliberate attack on the personnel of the Satsuma Navy is already an act of hostile war, and should have been executed, but for the sake of friendship with the Daqian Empire, they will not be investigated, and they will be treated for free for humanitarian reasons, and after the interrogation is over, they will be released and returned to China, and the travel expenses will be issued. After hearing this, Lei Wang's hostility suddenly subsided, and he answered the other party's question. When questioned by the other party as to why the "Funing" covered up the silver ingots with sugar and transported them to Japan, Lei Wang replied that he was only entrusted by the friends to escort the silver box to Tokyo, and he did not know why the owner of the cargo was transporting the goods, what the purpose was, and why a Russian warship came to meet him. The Satsuma officer listened to his answer, and did not ask more, but recorded the confession of Qianwen, and after showing it to Lei Wang, he signed and drew it, and never asked them again. And after their injuries healed a little, they were transferred from the hospital to the place where Lu Qingyun and others were held.

After listening to Lei Wang's story, Lu Qingyun was a little relieved, because he knew that his life in Osaka would not be in danger.

But as soon as he thought of the days after he returned to the Great Qian, his heart tightened again.

As for what the 6 million taels of silver are all about, as Hu Yulin's most trusted relative, he couldn't be more clear.

Now that things are messed up in my own hands, I know too many things, even if I return to China, there is no way to mix it up anymore, and if I don't get it right, I still have to worry about my life.

If things are done like this, Hu Yulin will never let go of himself no matter what, let alone the Zuo master behind him......

At this time, Lu Qingyun even had the idea of staying in Japan and not returning to China.

Just when Lu Qingyun was worried and uneasy, the Satsuma people suddenly announced that they had been released and could return to China.

According to Consul Hirokuni Osaka, the Satsuma kept them for the purpose of witnessing the lawsuit against the Russians, but soon the Satsuma found better witnesses -- the Flying Tiger, the customs patrol ship of the Dry Kingdom, and the French cruiser Dippeti, which happened to pass through the battlefield at that time. Tual", and they were released, and each of them was given 50 silver dollars for the journey.

The freedom came so quickly, which made Lu Qingyun feel a little difficult to adapt, while Lei Wang and the others were very happy, in their opinion, such an ending could not be better, they could not have imagined.

At that moment, everyone was ready to take a foreign merchant ship in Osaka Port to return to China, but Lu Qingyun did not leave, but chose to stay. Lei Wang and the others were puzzled by this, and Lu Qingyun's explanation was that he wanted to stay here and continue to negotiate with the Satsuma people and return the silver.

Seeing Lu Qingyun so "loyal", Lei Wang and others were very moved, and they also said that they wanted to stay and ask Lu Qingyun for the silver, Lu Qingyun thanked everyone for their kindness, insisted that everyone return to China, and asked them to bring the news to Hu Yulin or the people of the Fuzhou branch of Fukang Qianzhuang. Lei Wang and the others then returned to China with great admiration for Lu Qingyun.

Lei Wang and the others would never have thought of the true purpose of Lu Qingyun's desire to stay.

After gaining his freedom, Lu Qingyun wandered around Osaka Castle. I saw Lin Yiqing from afar. He still remembers. When I saw Lin Yiqing for the first time, I was shocked and frightened in my heart.

Isn't that Lin Yizhe?

But he knew that it was definitely not Lin Yizhe, Lin Yizhe was dead.

If he is not Lin Yizhe, he must be Lin Yizhe's sibling!

After determining this, Lu Qingyun was even more convinced that his choice was correct.

After a few sleepless nights, thinking everything through. He finally came to the staff base camp of the Satsuma Army and asked to meet Lin Yiqing and report the important situation.

He believed that Lin Yiqing would definitely see him.

A low sound of footsteps came from the door, Lu Qingyun raised his head, and his heart jumped violently for some reason.

The door opened, and a female ninja in white walked in.

Seeing the Japanese female samurai in front of her, although she was very slender, Lu Qingyun still startled her.

The eyes above the veil. The gaze was so sharp that it was like a knife. Can pierce him!

The female ninja looked at Lu Qingyun for a while, and said in a Chinese that was not very skillful, "Is it Mr. Lu Qingyun?" ”

"It's Lu." Lu Qingyun hurriedly took off his hat and got up to reply.

"Please come with me." The female ninja nodded at him and stretched out her hand to make a "please" gesture, Lu Qingyun noticed that although her fingers were as slender and soft as Sister Ayu, they were full of power. He thought of Sister Ayu who was far away in Beijing, and he couldn't help but feel a burst of regret in his heart.

I don't know if there is a chance in this life to meet Sister Ayu again......

The female ninja seemed to notice his gaze, but the expression on her face did not show the slightest abnormality, she turned around and walked out of the door, and Lu Qingyun hurriedly followed.

There were a lot of people coming and going in the staff base camp, and it seemed very busy, but when people saw the female ninja, they would make way for her, and Lu Qingyun realized that her identity was extraordinary, and he was ready to deal with the next meeting with a spirit of twelve points.

The female ninja led Lu Qingyun to Lin Yiqing's office, after she knocked on the door, she went in first, Lu Qingyun followed closely behind her, and as soon as he entered the door, Lin Yiqing in front of the desk raised his head.

The female ninja bowed slightly to Lin Yiqing: "General, Mr. Lu Qingyun is here." ”

"Thank you, Shiori, you go and rest." Lin Yiqing nodded and said to the female ninja. The female ninja then turned and left, and closed the door with her.

At this time, Lu Qingyun realized that there were only two people in the office, him and Lin Yiqing.

"These days, I have wronged Mr. Lu." Lin Yiqing looked at Lu Qingyun in front of him, and said with a smile, "I'm also sorry that Mr.'s silver boat was detained, but my duty is that I have to do this, and I ask Mr. for forgiveness." ”

Just now he asked Shiori Mochizuki to bring Lu Qingyun over, the purpose was to let Shiori Mochizuki observe whether this person was a hidden assassin, the moment Shiori Mochizuki entered the door just now, he sent him a signal of "safety", indicating that this person is not dangerous, but Lin Yiqing was not at ease, he observed it again at this moment, and determined that Shiori Mochizuki's conclusion was correct.

The person in front of him, not tall or short, his appearance is quite weekly, wearing a Qianguo-style robe, with long curly hair, wearing a turban, about 30 years old, at first glance, he is a typical Qianguo businessman.

It's just that his eyes are always erratic, as if he is preoccupied. It was Lin Yiqing's first sentence that showed him that he knew who he was, so that he did not dare to deceive.

Sure enough, hearing Lin Yiqing say his identity, Lu Qingyun's body trembled involuntarily.

"Dare to ask General Lin, did you know from the beginning that the ship under you was used by the government to transport silver?" Lu Qingyun calmed down and asked in a calm tone as much as possible.

"It's just speculation in advance, not knowledge." Of course, Lin Yiqing couldn't tell Lu Qingyun the truth, but replied vaguely, "According to the information I have obtained, the Japanese government has purchased silver from many countries and shipped it back, not only Mr. Lu's ship, but our navy captured Mr. Lu's ship that day, which can be described as a fluke." ”

"Is the general saying that the Japanese government has other silver ships?" Lu Qingyun listened to Lin Yiqing's answer, and was shocked again.

"Exactly. Mr. Lu did not know that the day before yesterday, our navy intercepted a US-flagged Japanese government silver ship carrying 8 million taels of silver ingots. Lin Yiqing wanted to comfort Lu Qingyun and said with a smile.

Hearing that there was something more unlucky than himself, Lu Qingyun's heart felt a little better. But there was still a wry smile on his face.

"The general is for the great cause of the king. To think something through. It's very touching, but the general has hurt me. Lu Qingyun sighed, "The general was kind enough to send me the travel expenses to return to my hometown, but I have no home to return to now." ”

"Oh? But why? Lin Yiqing raised his eyebrows, and a look of concern appeared in his eyes.

"The general knew that the 6 million taels of silver were lost. Even if I return to China, the host will never spare me. Lu Qingyun said with a sad face, "What's more, ......"

"It's true that I hurt Mr., but Lin Mou's job is where he has to do it," Lin Yiqing said sincerely, "What difficulties does Mr. have, Lin will definitely help him as much as he can, so as to make up for his past mistakes." Lin is willing to give Mr. a generous axe to help him go away. It's just that I want to return the 6 million taels of silver, but I can't, and I hope Mr. will forgive me. ”

"I understand the general's difficulties, the two countries fight each other, this kind of thing is inevitable, so I don't have such a thought." Lu Qingyun waved his hand and said, "Lu is here, there is something else important. ”

"Sir, please speak, Lin listens." Lin Yiqing knew that Lu Qingyun was about to say what he meant, and immediately said.

"Dare to ask General Lin, my late Wen Xianggong, but the general's brother?" Lu Qingyun asked, "After I heard that the general is Fuzhou Linmen, the general's appearance is so similar to Lin Wenxiang, and it is rumored that the general is Lin Wenxiang's twin brother, is this true?" ”

"Even if Mr. Lu asked, I won't hide it from Mr. Lu, that's true." Lin Yiqing keenly felt that Lu Qingyun's question must have a deep meaning, so he simply admitted it. "I wonder why Mr. asks this?"

"That's it." Lu Qingyun sighed and said, "No wonder the owner's silver ship fell into the hands of the general this time, in the dark, it is really providential!" ”

"Why did you say that, sir?" Lin Yiqing asked puzzled.

"Does the general know, who is Lu's owner?" Lu Qingyun said.

"The silver transported by Mr. on the ship has the stamp of Fukang Silver, and Lin inferred from this that Mr. Inn's owner should be related to Fukang Silver." Lin Yiqing guessed the approximate, but still quietly asked Lu Qingyun to give him an answer.

"What the general said is true, Lu's owner is Hu Yulin, a famous businessman." Lu Qingyun replied, "Although the owner is a businessman, he has an official status, and now he is the political envoy of Erpinbu, and the right-hand man of the governor of Shaanxi and Gansu, Zuo Jigao. ”

"It turned out to be Lord Hu's silver boat." Lin Yiqing said, "Listening to what Mr. Lu said, it seems that there is any grievance between Lin Wenxiang and Master Hu? ”

"The grievances between the two of them, could it be that the general, as Lin Wenxiang's younger brother, knows nothing?" Lu Qingyun asked with some surprise.

"My brother doesn't want to talk about this matter, I don't know much, I only know that my brother has a grudge with Lord Zuo because of the shipyard site and ship type. Since Lord Hu is only the head of the left and is not on good terms with his brother, maybe it is because of this? Lin Yiqing thought for a while and asked.

The reason why Lin Yiqing said this is not that he is guessing, but that he has his own basis.

In this historical time and space, Lin Yizhe built a steam fleet of the Great Qian Empire that he envied, because he was very interested in the history of this fleet, and specially sent people to collect a lot of relevant information, and as a result, he learned a lot of unknown information.

In fact, the appearance of this fleet was not easy, and it took a detour at the beginning and almost died, but it was only thanks to Lin Yizhe that this fleet and the development of the shipbuilding industry in Qianguo did not go astray.

In the construction plan he proposed, he not only demanded that the steamers adopt the "style of foreign warships," but also emphasized that large steamers should carry 1 million jin and small ships should carry 300,000 jin as well as soldiers.

Zuo Jigao's decision on shipbuilding and employing people at that time was actually very abrupt. Because Zuo Jigao felt a strong stimulus. In the third year of Tongzhi, Zeng Bohan and Li Shaoquan, who supervised the Liangjiang River, went to the imperial court one after another, requesting to set up a factory in Shanghai to build their own steamships, that is, the Jiangnan Machinery Manufacturing Bureau. Although he was able to ascend to the throne of officialdom step by step with the support of Zeng Bohan, Zuo Jigao was resentful of the Zeng brothers because Zeng Bohan reserved the great merit of capturing the capital of the Shengping Heavenly Kingdom to his brother Zeng Bopu, and turned against him. For Li Shaoquan, he also regarded him as a great enemy because his subordinate Huai army once crossed the border and entered Zhejiang when pursuing the Shengping army. At this moment, Zeng and Li opened a shipbuilding factory in Shanghai, and they could create the first place in Middle Earth when they saw it, which stimulated Zuo Jigao greatly. Zuo Jigao was anxious to establish the shipyard, largely because of the dispute with Zeng Li.

There is no doubt that Zuo Jigao's idea of founding a shipyard and building his own steamship should be fully affirmed, but at the same time, we must also see the limitations of the times that he cannot get rid of. Out of the consideration of saving money, Zuo Jigao positioned the function of the steamship to be built as "both a merchant and a soldier", and he did not understand the essential difference between a warship and a merchant ship. Moreover, Zuo Jigao's assumption of the maintenance expenses after the creation of the steamship is even more unrealistic. He believes that "after the ship is completed, it is advisable to load commercial goods, so as to catch thieves and protect merchants, and collect fees for the benefit of labor, and it seems that there is no other way to raise funds for repairs." That is to say, according to Zuo Jigao's idea at the beginning, there was no special maintenance fund for the ship built by the shipmaster, and the maintenance of the ship and the salaries of the personnel on the ship had to rely on loading commercial goods to make money and maintain. In fact, this idea is simply not operational. These deficiencies have had a great negative impact on the development of the Harbour Administration since then. (To be continued......)

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