Due to the threat of war, there are few ships in sight on the docks of Jinmen, and the occasional merchant ship is also a Swire company freighter flying the flag of Albiang. The once prosperous land and water wharves were a bit depressed. When people see it, they are embarrassed.

By the time the ship arrived in Texas, the scene changed. Outside the Xiguan wharf, large and small cargo ships are waiting to enter the wharf to unload, thousands of sails, bustling and extraordinary, in stark contrast to Jinmen. On the deck, Zhao Guanhou and Yuqing stood side by side, admiring this prosperous scene, and felt a little proud in their hearts.

Especially Yuqing, with an irrepressible smile on her face, "Compared with Gyeonggi, this place is a paradise, if Ama and the others also move to Shandong, they can be out of sight." Let them toss it in Beijing, and we don't care what it looks like if it is loved. ”。

Wang Wu stood at the other end of the deck, not saying a word, not knowing what to think. He originally watched the families of these dart guys get on the boat, turned around and wanted to leave, but the dart masters of the Yuanshun Dart Bureau all respected Wang Wu like gods, and they would definitely follow wherever the dart head went. In this way, if Wang Wu returns to Beijing, these subordinates must follow.

But now there is a pit of right and wrong in the capital, the Flying Tiger Regiment, the Tiger God Camp and even the foreigners, there is no good class, and it is not easy to get out of danger, and they should not go back to die. What's more, when these children and their families first arrived in Shandong, everything was not harmonious, and they left the pillars of the family and did not know how to live. After several trade-offs, he could only go to Shandong for a while for the sake of his subordinates who shared life and death.

The other one who went up to the deck was Aunt Jin from Siheng. She looked at these merchant ships and couldn't help but praise: "Texas is worthy of being a thoroughfare in all directions, it is really a lively place, and Jinmen Wharf can't compare to here." When Yu Zuochen ruled Shandong, I also came to Shandong, and Dezhou was far less lively at that time. Only a capable person like Lord Zhao can govern Texas so prosperous, you say that the foreign goods in Texas are better than Jinmen, I want to believe it. ”

Siheng's female dependents were a little scared when they heard that they wanted to rent a foreign boat, foreigners have red beards and green eyes, and there is a difference between men and women, if they are stigmatized, there is only one way to die. After getting on the ship, everyone basically stayed in the cabin, and they didn't dare to go out. Whether it's seasickness and vomiting, or suffocating discomfort, there is only forbearance. If Yuqing's mother didn't control it, she didn't even want her daughter to leave her sight, for fear that something would happen.

Only this Aunt Jin didn't care, not only did she enjoy the scenery on the deck, but she could also talk and laugh with the captain and first mate, but she was a rare civilized person. Born to fit in Texas now.

Zhao Guanhou listened to her praise, and smiled and arched his hand, "Madame has won the award, I don't dare to take this as a word." I am just a military general, and the management of local affairs is mainly due to the prefect and our Yuan Futai, and I am a worker. If you take credit for this, you're wrong. ”

"That's not it, I've seen a lot of talented people in Daikin, but there are not many people who can do business so well with foreigners. Originally, Siheng's semicolon wanted to be opened in Jinan, but now I want to think about it, the first semicolon should be located in Texas. ”

Of course, Yuqing supports this arrangement, which is very beneficial to her lover, but she is a little worried, "Lafayette declared war on the great powers, how should Shandong deal with itself?" If you also start a war with foreigners, I am afraid that these things will not be maintained. ”

"The situation in Shandong is hard to fight, how can it be said that it will be destroyed, Lafayette declares war, it is Lafayette's business, what Shandong does, it also depends on the reality of our Shandong." Zhao Guanhou pointed to the countless merchant ships flying the flags of Taixi countries outside the port, "So many foreign ships have gone to fight, whose money are we going to make?" Who will invest in Shandong? Anyway, in Shandong, I will not take the initiative to provoke foreigners. ”

When everyone was talking, a small boat in the waves rushed out of the port, and there was a person standing on it, dressed as a horse, but when he got closer, he recognized that it was Tang Tianxi. When he came to the big ship, Tang Tianxi first greeted Shigege, and then said to Zhao Guanhou: "The palace guard has arrived in Texas, there is important business, please talk about it." You come with me to see the palace guard first, and take care of the rest slowly. ”

Yuan Weiting left Jinan and went to Dezhou in person, but the situation was not trivial, no one dared to stop the laziness, and when he arrived at the Yamen of the Dezhou prefect, he saw that this place had become a temporary residence for the governor. Outside the yamen, a large number of officers and soldiers lined up and waited, bows and swords out of their sheaths, as if facing a great enemy. Zhao Guanhou muttered in his heart, "Could it be that Gong Baozhen is sick, and he wants to listen to Lafayette's words and fight with foreigners?" ”

With a belly full of suspicions, he went all the way to the West Flower Hall of the Yamen, where Yuan Weiting sat on the top, and there was no one else, obviously there were some confidential things to discuss. Tang Tianxi retired with interest, and took the door with him, Zhao Guanhou stepped forward to kowtow, and Yuan Weiting had already grabbed it

"When there are no outsiders, these customs can be dispensed with, come, sit down and talk."

As soon as Zhao Guanhou sat down, Yuan Weiting spoke: "I have already seen what you asked Huo Qiu to bring back." Those fast guns, but Beiyang's family background, have been looted by you. Not to mention, the Feng army worked hard and worked hard, and in the end you got cheap. If he knows the truth in the future, do you think he can spare you? ”

"Brother-in-law, we are a family, Feng Zhijun is an outsider, I naturally help relatives, not Shangguan. Feng Zhijun wants to make a fortune, of course I can't watch the fertilizer water flow into the fields of outsiders, and I always take care of his family for him, and I have to reap some benefits, right? Besides, bringing so many people from Jinmen will cost money to settle down, and he is the governor of Zhili, so he should also contribute something to his people. ”

Yuan Weiting laughed: "Just your flower head." However, this is also true, the families of the army, I have sent people to properly protect them, so that they do not lack food and clothing. As for that sum, in addition to settling the Jinmen refugees, what is more important is that it can be used as our military expenses. Lafayette declared war on the great powers this time, and Shandong had the righteousness of King Qin, the mobilization of troops, and the payment of food and salary came out of this money. ”

Zhao Guanhou asked: "Brother-in-law, do you mean that you plan to listen to Lafayette's words and fight with foreigners?" If we start a war with foreigners, the foreigners in the jurisdiction will inevitably avoid Weihai and Jiaozhou. Our previous efforts to suppress the group and settle the people, and build a nest to attract phoenixes were all in vain. If we talk about King Qin, our four battalions are in the capital, and Shandong's own defense is also very important. After all, there were Prussian troops in Jiaozhou, and everyone restrained each other and restrained each other. With our troops, the Prussians could not draw a large army to attack the capital, which was also for the sake of the imperial court. If we want to draw troops again, our own defense is also very tight. ”

He leaned forward and said, "Brother-in-law, there are no outsiders here, so I'll say a few words to you." If the Queen Mother wants us to fight the fist, it is our duty to beat the former enemy. If you fight foreigners, then you have to think twice, it is not easy for us to accumulate this bit of family foundation, if you fight with foreigners, the younger brother thinks, it is worth the loss. The edict declaring war was simply a chaotic fate, provoking the world with a weak country, and the outcome was uncertain. It's a fire pit, so why should we jump into it and bother ourselves? Today's ministers of the main battle, whether the leaders of other days are complete, I think, are also in two discussions. ”

"That's right." Yuan Weiting nodded, "However, some things cannot only be about right and wrong, but about the righteousness of a monarch and a minister." We are courtiers, we must listen to the will of the king, otherwise we will become rebellious ministers? Since the Queen Mother has an edict, we can't stay still, no matter what, this king always has to be diligent, and soldiers always have to be sent. Besides, now with the countries, I'm afraid that it won't work if you don't fight, you have been on the ship these days, and the news is not clear, and there is something you may not know, Clinder is dead. ”

Zhao Guanhou was stunned: "Clint is dead?" This...... When was this happening. When the younger brother arrived in Beijing, he also captured several Flying Tiger regiments and shot them in the legation. Could it be that the Flying Tiger Regiment has entered Dongjiaomin Lane? ”

"That's not it, it wasn't the Flying Tiger Regiment that killed him, but the Martial Guard Rear Army." Yuan Weiting shook his head, and his expression was also a little embarrassed. After all, the two countries are at war and do not kill pedestrians, which is a morality that has existed since the Spring and Autumn Period.

Killing the envoys of other countries casually is legally untenable, not to mention that as soon as Clinder dies, the hope of making peace with the nations will almost be shattered. I am afraid that the absurd thing of using a weak country to fight against the world is really going to happen. He knew that Zhao Guanhou didn't have this part of the information, so he specially told him about it

"Lafayette gave an order to the foreigners, asking them to leave the capital within twelve hours. It is not uncommon for the two countries to exchange troops and expel pedestrians. However, the embassy has existed for many years, and there are many items, and how to carry it cleanly for twelve hours. Moreover, there are flying tiger regiments everywhere in Beijing, let alone outside Beijing, the imperial court does not send troops to protect them, how did these foreigners go? Clinder went to negotiate with the imperial court in this regard and left Dongjiaomin Lane. The sedan chair went to the mouth of the Dongdan archway Zongbu Hutong, and saw that it was to the yamen of the general office, and met a team of soldiers from the Shenji battalion. Somehow, the Divine Machine Battalion opened fire, killing Clint on the spot and looting all his belongings. The entourage was shot and wounded and fled in disarray. Tell me, is there still a fight in this battle? ”

Zhao Guanhou naturally has no good impression of this former rival in love, but he also knows that killing a diplomatic envoy is not a trivial matter. Before the Albiang and Capet coalition burned the Old Summer Palace, wasn't it also the monk who imprisoned and tortured the diplomatic mission? Unexpectedly, decades later, the old thing happened again, and the Jin Imperial Court fell twice in the same place.

"We are in Prussia, and we also have ministers, if this is revenge from the Prussians, I think Lu Haihuan Lord Lu, don't want to come back alive."

"Fortunately, I got the news from the Marquis of Liman that Lord Lu was not killed by the ordinary people. However, the Emperor of Prussia was furious, and had already issued a very strong order, this time not only to declare war on our country, but also to take the most radical measures. The situation on the ground in Shandong is also very complicated, and Marquis Li Man and I have talked several times, and our current views are relatively consistent, and the two sides do not offend each other, and do not attack each other. ”

As he spoke, he took out a telegram from the brocade box on the side: "Look at this." ”

Zhao Guanhou took the telegram and came out, only to see that it was written:

"Twenty-three signed documents, restricting all envoys from leaving Beijing, so far there is no letter, and all countries have come to inquire. With one enemy, the reason is poor. Tiele has taken Yuguan, Fuso Hiroshima Zhentai Division has been defended, and the countries of Albion will also send troops. Disintegration means that at present, there is no way to save it. After the tenth day of the first month, the government and government are all controlled by boxers and bandits, and the proclamation is afraid that there are people who are not from the two palaces, and the future will be like the story of Xianfeng Nian, which can be done. Now it is the plan of the Xinjiang ministers, and the provinces will gather the righteous regiment to resist the insults, and they will all die together. If you want to protect the sect in the southeast, the commanders must respond with expediency, in order to determine the hearts of all countries, and still do not betray the twenty-four decrees, and the governors should contact each other to protect the territory. Begging for instructions, quick solutions"

"What is this?"

"Songjiang Sheng Xingsun, take a telegram to the two Guang Zhang Jue Xiang, and Zhang Jue Xiang will transfer it to me again." Yuan Weiting said: "Now Zhang Juexiang, Liangjiang, Huguangxian, and Xiangshuai have negotiated a treaty of "Southeast Mutual Protection" with the consuls of various countries in Songjiang. Although the imperial court declared war, the southeastern provinces did not send troops to the foreigners, and exterminated the Flying Tiger Regiment, and did not allow the boxers to cause chaos in the territory, and the foreigners did not increase troops in the provinces. What Zhang Juexiang means is that let's Shandong also participate in it. ”

Zhao Guanhou read the telegram several times and already understood the meaning here, Sheng Xingsun did not dare to openly say the words of resistance to the decree, and could only say that the edict of declaration of war was from the hands of the boxers and bandits, not from the two palaces, so as to find a reason for his own resistance. This excuse is not clever, but it is in line with the interests of the governors of the southeastern provinces, and I think it will be supported by some people.

Zhang Tong did not move for a long time, most likely because he was affected by the southeast mutual insurance, and he didn't want to put his old life in, but he was afraid that if he left, the southeast mutual insurance would be stopped. After all, everyone knows that they are suffering from a fever and are unwilling to contribute, which is also reasonable.

He asked: "I don't know what the imperial court thinks about the mutual protection of the southeast?" ”

"This is a telegram sent by Han Zhongtang not long ago, and there is also a lot of article here." Yuan Weiting took out a second telegram

"The governors of all provinces, all of whom have been favored by the country, and are in solidarity with each other, and the situation has come to this, and those who are all trying to report should make overall plans for the situation of their own provinces, and how to protect their territories so that outsiders do not occupy them; How to receive the Beijing division and not make the court sleepy? Be realistic in everything. In the coastal provinces along the Yangtze River, it is particularly important for outsiders to covet it for a long time; if we hesitate to wait and see, and take the opportunity to miss the incident, we will surely see the state affairs become more and more destructive, and the overall situation can not be imagined? It is to exhort each other in the governors, contact each other, and save the situation together. The times are urgent, and the hope is coming. ”

Yuan Weiting was afraid that Zhao Guanhou would not understand, so he deliberately knocked on it with his hand, "You take a closer look, you should make a comprehensive plan according to the situation in your province, that is, it implies that you don't have to take the measures of the imperial court as the standard." Seeking reality in everything tells everyone that as long as it is beneficial to the actual situation of the country, not only is it not remote, but there is no need to even pay attention to the declaration in the edict. Even guarding the territory from being invaded by outsiders, it was published before receiving the Beijing division and not making the imperial court trapped, and it also clearly pointed out the importance and urgency. The superintendents exhorted each other, liaised as one, and saved the situation together. It is to recognize the Southeast Mutual Insurance, Han Zhongtang, and endorse it for everyone. ”

Although Zhao Guanhou is not a veteran of officialdom, he may not be ignorant of these doorways. It's just that pretending to be stupid at this time is obviously the most appropriate, and then he pretended to be suddenly understood, "Brother-in-law, I know what Zhongtang means, I am planning for the future, brother-in-law, we Shandong is your decision, whether we participate in mutual insurance, or fight with foreigners, all at your command." ”

Yuan Weiting said: "This is also the reason why I came to Dezhou from Jinan, I have a plan, not only to protect Shandong, but also to resist the holy decree." We are in Shandong, no more than the ministers in the southeast, and we have to leave room for doing things. It's just that you have to suffer some grievances. (To be continued.) )