"Knock knock—"

When the victorious returning fleet sailed into Guangzhou Bay, nine salutes lined up on the pier thundered at the same time. Nine, the largest number of singular numbers, is also the pole number of yang numbers, and is mostly used to attach to the emperor. Therefore, each cannon fired nine shots in total, a total of eighty-one sounds, which is the specification to welcome the Son of Heaven. And Li Ming also stood on the bow of the Baiqi in court clothes, and drove in first.

"Your Majesty, it's Your Majesty." The sharp-eyed people saw the emperor on the bow of the Baiqi from a distance, and the court was strict. The majesty of the two-thousand-year-old imperial power made the crowd on both sides of the waterway involuntarily bow their heads and bow down.

"Let's all stand up and take a look, look at this army that has never yielded in the smoke of gunfire, it is they who guard the tranquility of this sea and frontier with their blood, it is they who defend the majesty of the country with their lives, and it is their artillery fire that tells the most ferocious enemy, we Chinese, will never give in, never." With Li Ming's speech, the people on both sides of the strait quieted down. All they heard was the emperor continuing: "Stand up, all stand up, straighten your backs." Remember, from today onwards, the Chinese have stood up—"

"Hooray, hooray, hooray—" The crowd on both sides of the waterway erupted in a tremor of cheers, waving hats, branches, and everything else they could hold in their hands, and even some young people took off their clothes and picked them up and waved them.

The captured two battleships, Alexander III and the Eagle, began to enter the port, this is a 14,000-ton battleship, the battleship that the Russian Maozi chose the most, such a big guy was captured. In the face of the huge battleship, everyone was excited, and when it was announced that the battleship would be opened for the people to visit, people's emotions were completely ignited.

"Master, slow down." The young man hurriedly helped the old lady who was slumped by the surging crowd. A lot of people are old and crowded here to join in the fun. What if there are three long and two short. His own father is too, and he throws the responsibility of taking care of his grandfather to him. But he squeezed to the front...... The young man looked unhappy.

"Slow, slow." The old lady who was squeezed and could only move with the crowd did not notice the face of his juniors. just kept saying: "I heard that the imperial court's fleet will stop in Guangzhou for three days and leave." No matter how slow it is, I'm afraid I won't have a chance to go up in this life. ”

The old lady had never felt that he was still so strong, he squeezed forward like everyone else, only the young people around him tried their best to stop the crowd around him, and protected the old lady as much as possible.

Even if the Guangzhou government had already considered in advance that it might be crowded with people, even if all the officials were mobilized to maintain order, it still could not make the entire wharf orderly, and the tide of the people could not be stopped. Fortunately, there were armed police and local garrisons, and as soon as the Guangzhou prefect saw that the situation might get out of control, he immediately invited the armed police to participate in maintaining order. At the same time, the Liangguang General Army also sent troops in. But there are still too many people, and the entire city of Guangzhou is empty at the moment, just to be able to board the ship to take a look, touch it with your own hands, and all the young and old people are here...... There are really too many Chinese.

In the end, the young people in the crowd could not hold the old lady, and they were almost scattered by the crowd. The old lady who had lost her crutches was already unsteady on her feet, and if she fell to the ground by a mistake, the crowd might step on her feet. The young man tried his best to support the old lady who could only hum, and nothing could happen at this time. OK. Several soldiers of five big and three thick squeezed into the crowd and supported the old lady.

"Old man, please come here." Then he squeezed out in a circle, glaring at the dazed young man and telling him to follow.

"It's old, it's really old—" The old lady who finally squeezed out let out a long breath. Hurriedly thanked all the military masters.

"Old man, you don't have to squeeze with the young people, you can go up from that side." The leader of the servicemen pointed to another road behind. He saluted and squeezed into the crowd again. There are also a lot of people on this road, and there are old people who are being supported. There are women holding dolls, and more are students from the school. Everyone lined up in an orderly manner.

The old lady trembled and walked across the gangway. Finally on the deck of the White Rise, the first thing he saw when he looked up was the towering bridge. The old lady shook off the young man's hand, touched here and there, and said happily: "This is our own warship, well, it's really thick." When he saw the steel plate of the ship's hull torn by the explosion, he stomped his feet angrily and scolded: "These Russian Maozi are not dead to my Chinese heart, they really deserve to die." ”

"Old man, be careful, these are artillery wounds that have not been repaired by the Russians during the battle, and they are still sharp." A calm voice came from behind him.

"It's okay, it's okay." The old man turned around and found that it was the emperor who was talking to him, and he was there on the spot. The emperor just arched his hand, and without saying anything else, he walked forward, and the sergeants behind him all had golden stars shining on their shoulders.

At this time, a group of children came shouting from the side of the fort, and some of them hit the emperor, and the emperor just smiled and helped them to tell them to be careful. Finally, the old lady looked at the emperor and pointed to the child who was running happily and said, "All the sides of the ship and the places that are easy to hurt people must be guarded by people." These children are the future of China, and I can't afford to lose them. ”

"Master, was that the emperor just now? Why are those warships parked in the open sea and not sailing in, these are the ships that have made the first contribution in naval warfare, and they should be open to the people of the country to boost the country's prestige, right? Why just drive this one? The young man asked.

"It's the emperor, of course it's the emperor. I didn't expect that the old decay would be able to see the face of heaven when he was about to die, and he had no regrets in this life. The old lady who had just come with a happy face turned her hand and slapped the young man on the head: "You are stupid to read, you look at these people below, if you let them all come up, what if there are foreign devils in it?" How can the heavy weapons of the country be shown lightly! ”

When the old lady looked back for the emperor again, he couldn't see the emperor, he wandered around the ship and even ate lunch on the ship, but he couldn't see the emperor again. In the end, I had to leave the ship in the afternoon with the regret that I couldn't talk to the emperor. It's just that he didn't know that Li Ming just turned around on the boat, showed his face, and then changed into civilian clothes and went ashore.

At this moment, Li Ming was standing in front of a gate, and the plaque on the door said Anfu. This is Annesy's home, the home of Anne who he once loved but disappeared from his life.

He was standing here eight years ago. Here he affectionately called his former lover, and eight years ago he vaguely heard the helpless cry of his lover inside the door. But the scarlet door was not opened for him. Now, eight years later, he is here again. The door is open. But the beauty is no more. Eight years have passed, and it has long been a matter of time. It is in response to that ancient poem: The human face does not know where to go, and the peach blossoms are still smiling in the spring breeze.

"Uncle An, please get up, I will not be a gentleman if I come in plain clothes." Li Ming held it in the air and said with a smile: "It's a pity that I didn't meet my uncle eight years ago. ”

"The grass people don't dare. It is a great honor for the grass people to be able to come after the emperor has every opportunity, and he also invites the emperor to rest in the cold house for a while. Father An replied respectfully, he didn't dare to mention Anqian, because he didn't know what the emperor meant by coming here.

Li Ming did not give in. Striding into a place that was not accessible eight years ago. The monarchs and ministers each sat down and exchanged a few words of greeting on the tea. Li Ming is not that kind of womanizer, now that Anqian is married to a wife, Li Ming has no intention and will not forcibly win people's love. The reason why I came to Anfu this time is to make up for the regret of not being able to set foot in eight years ago, and it is also with a purpose.

"When I arrived in Canton, I heard that Uncle An's business was becoming increasingly difficult, as if a local merchant was deliberately avoiding him. If this is the case, then I am afraid that the problem lies with the little nephew. Uncle don't have to hang his head on this. The little nephew has already informed the following, and there are several places that are useful to Uncle An in the imperial court order, and he will give priority to purchasing Uncle An's products first. Uncle Ann should take care of his health, and Ann Qian, who is so far away in the United States, can rest assured. ”

"Business ups and downs are normal. The grass people do not dare to work on the emperor's trivialities. It's just that the little girl hasn't heard from her for two years—" Father Ann sighed.

"Oh—Ancy hasn't written back in two years?" Li Ming said with a smile on his face: "Although people are far away in the United States, although the correspondence is long, it should not be like this. That's what Annsy is not. But from time to time, there will be some news from the United States, and sometimes there will be news from Ancis. At the beginning of the month, I received a message mentioning Anxi. Although life is not rich, it is also worry-free. Your grandson, Huang Gonghe, is also in good health. Please rest assured. ”

Father An suddenly knelt down and kowtowed, but he didn't say a word. In his opinion, the emperor still cares about his daughter, otherwise how could the emperor care about an insignificant other person's wife on the other side of the earth, with the emperor's concern, presumably Anqian can always live a hard life. He could only kowtow and thank him, but he couldn't say the word thanks.

If Li Ming welcomed Yang Zao'er as the queen, he still had the idea of accepting An Qian as a concubine, but after learning that An Qian was married, Li Ming actually had no idea about An Qian. But it is impossible to say that he does not have some concern for Anxi, after all, Anqian is his first love in this world. But as an emperor, he will not be so mediocre as to use the power of the state to care about a former lover, Li Ming is concerned about Huang Xing, who is the largest anti-court "traitor" in the United States, and his every move may affect the view of the imperial court of the Zhigongtang, the largest Chinese organization in the United States, and then affect the strategic layout of the imperial court in North America, then it will not work. Huang Xing is different from Sun Wen who only has ideals and slogans, Huang Xing is a person who does things really and has rules, if it weren't for Huang Xing's insistence on joining the revolution to overthrow him Li Ming, Li Ming would have wanted to take him under his command, such a person can be reused. It's just that Huang Xing's revolutionary will is very firm, and countless attempts to win him over have failed. Of course, Li Ming could eradicate Huang Xing, but no, in the final analysis, it was because of An Qian.

"It is said that Chinese cuisine is sweet in the south and salty in the west, and the top dishes in Guangdong are given to northerners to eat, and people will say that they must be delicious? Vice versa. In the same way, the United States is a country of immigrants, and the history of the whole country is more than 100 years, but China is a country with a history of 5,000 years. Is the political system that suits the United States necessarily suitable for China? After speaking, Li Ming took out a note and put it on the table: "This is their address in the United States, let's talk to your son-in-law, my patience also has a limit." ”

After speaking, Li Ming got up and left. Father An knelt down and saw him off, but this time Li Ming didn't let him get up, and left without saying a word. Li Ming did not return to the palace, but turned around and came to the Huang Mansion after leaving the Anfu.

Father Huang didn't expect the emperor to come to visit, so he hurriedly greeted him. Li in the Huang Mansion was obviously much more relaxed, and when he entered the door, he took Huang's father's hand and complained to him that his daughter, Huang Ling, who was also the eldest princess of the Chinese royal family, actually came back from abroad and did not bring gifts to his nephews and nieces. This makes him, a father, very faceless in front of his children. Maybe it's because the Huang family has completely gotten rid of their relationship with Huang Xing, and they no longer have to worry about being a rebellious family member. The Huang family warmly entertained the emperor. Li Ming also chatted with Huang's father about his parents. Let's talk about major events at home and abroad, and talk about the policies of the imperial court. He also took advantage of the great victory in this naval battle to look forward to the future. After that, Li Ming had lunch in the Huang Mansion, and during the banquet, he was even more happy with wine.

But when Li Ming returned to the palace from the Huangfu with a little alcohol to rest, Father An was still sitting on the chair in a daze, looking at the sky outside the door with empty eyes.

After Yang Zao'er entered the palace, the news of An Qian's marriage in the United States came, and all the merchants who had business dealings with the An family stopped doing business for a while, and the An family's business plummeted like a kite with a broken string. If it weren't for the orders of the Huang family from time to time and the persistence of the old book saved in the early years, the An family would have withered a long time ago. The Huang family. did not raid the house because of a rebellious son, but because of a princess, he soared. And his own family is because he has a daughter who is married to a rebellious one. This son's and daughter's family has been reduced to an ordinary businessman, who only has contacts during the New Year's holidays. However, he finally has more friendship than others, and he can always hear more from the Huang family about the inside story of the court, but the Huang family regretfully told him a lot of things about the queen.

He is also not an old-fashioned father, he has paid attention to cultivating his daughter's independence since he was a child, so he also respects his daughter's choice. Back then, he knew that his daughter and the generals of the DPRK and China loved each other, and he was also happy for his daughter. But when he knew that the general of the court turned out to be the current emperor. His attitude changed immediately. It's not that he doesn't know the dignity of being the ruler of the country, he just simply hopes that his daughter can be happy, instead of ending up alone like many queens in the past.

It is said that the palace maid gossip about the emperor, and they all say that the harem battle is bloody and rainy. Thousands of years of imperial history have proved that the emperor's harem has always been like this, but this is not the case here in the emperor today. There are only three concubines in the emperor's harem, and they get along well with each other. Today's queen is not just a canary in a cage as the history books say. On the contrary, he often inspects the surrounding schools, not to mention that he can often return to his hometown to save his relatives. All this is very different from the queens of history.

If it weren't for his strong tone of opposition. If the daughter can open the door strongly, then everything about the current queen is his daughter's. He will also become the ruler of the country and be respected, and the life of the family will not be as stretched as it is today. But there is no if, and the difference between inside and outside the door is worlds apart. If he never regretted it, it didn't exist, but he never showed it, even in front of his old wife......

Mother An didn't know what her husband talked about with the emperor, she only knew that after the emperor left, her husband looked into the distance so distractedly, she didn't dare to disturb her husband's thoughts, for fear of delaying the business, so that when it was cold at lunch, she carefully pushed her husband.

"Pack up, let's go to the United States in two days." Father An came back to his senses, took Mother An's hand and said, "I'll go to Huang's house after dinner in a while." Our An family's business is already so bleak, we can simply buy it from the Huang family and get a good price. After you married into the An family, you were busy worrying, and you never went out of Guangzhou City, let alone hiking. It's been a hard time for you all these years. I just took the opportunity to visit my daughter in the United States this time, let's take a good look around, and thank you for your hard work for the family over the years——"

After speaking, Father An gently hugged his old wife into his arms, and there was a smile on his frozen face. Mother An didn't speak, just leaned on her husband's arms like this, enjoying this moment of warmth.

The negotiations to the Huang family went smoothly, and the Huang family gave An's father a good price. On the third day, Huang's father took his old wife, who had never been far away, to the United States on an ocean-going steamer. That is, on the same day, the Chinese Navy, which had completed the handover of prisoners, also ended its three-day naval opening, and in the cheers of the people, they dragged or pulled the Russian warships that had all been taken over by the Chinese Navy to the north, and they will continue the victorious parade belonging to the Chinese Navy in Fuzhou, Xiamen, Quanzhou, Ningbo, Hangzhou, Shanghai, and other coastal cities along the way. On the same day, the emperor ended his inspection of Guangzhou and quietly took the train north.

Internationally, however, the outcome of the Sino-Russian naval battle caused an uproar. The Russian expeditionary fleet, which had a total displacement of nearly 500,000 tons, including auxiliary vessels, and which made the hearts of all countries around the world tremble, was completely wiped out after the first and only major battle after five months of sailing. Of the 18 battleships, 10 were sunk and 8 were captured, 7 of the 14 cruisers were sunk and 4 were captured, two of the three that escaped the battlefield were finally captured in Bandazia, the three commanders died in battle, died of illness and surrendered, and the huge Russian navy finally had only one cruiser fleeing towards Europe. However, the Chinese Navy, which has a displacement of just over 200,000 tons, has announced the rise of the Chinese Navy to the world with the record of an unsinkable ship.

The world is looking forward to the change in the situation brought about by the Chinese Navy's huge record, but China's military actions of occupying Bandazia and proposing international waterways have once again plunged the world into worries and contention about the situation in the Far East. Diplomatic negotiations are raging in the capitals of the world, and the interests and political demands of the countries are being carefully expressed and contested. Only China, like Erlenzi, did not listen to the mediation of either side, continued the war in Bandazia, and had the intention of controlling the Strait of Malacca in one fell swoop. But after five days, the war was over, and the 3,000 officers and men of the Russian Navy and Army who remained behind all surrendered, and with the guarantee of food and health, they were engaged in the expansion and improvement of the port of Bandazia by the Chinese Navy. The situation in the South Seas became dangerous again because of China's actions, and the British Far East Fleet had begun preparations for war.

Are the Chinese crazy? The countries of the world did not understand what China was doing, only Kaiser Wilhelm II said lightly: China, like Germany, is fighting for a position in the sun, but their luck is much better than Germany.

As the weather in Siberia began to warm up, and as all the crops were planted, the horn of the Chinese Navy just stopped, and the horn of the Army continued to sound. On April 26, the Chinese government issued a recruitment order, and the local reserves began to assemble and move north, and the Sino-Russian land war was about to begin. (To be continued.) )