June 18 of the 18th year of Guangxu, eye.

Guangxu inspected Beiyang's Luan and drove from the capital to Tianjin on time and on time. In Tianjin, Li Hongzhang was clearing the street in Qingshui, and the loess cushioned out for ten miles, preparing for the holy drive.

After Guangxu left the capital for ten miles, he changed into a fast horse and rushed to Tianjin with Leng Jun and Liu Mei all the way. In order to reduce unnecessary suspicion, Qi Yide and Kou Liancai stayed behind and drove forward with Luan. The reason why Guangxu is in such a hurry is to meet someone.

Tianjin's most famous is the "Goubuli" bun, which was founded in 1858. The boss Gao Guiyou (nicknamed Blowing Dog) has good craftsmanship, and is very serious about doing things, never adulterated, the steamed buns made are soft in taste, fresh and fragrant, and the shape is similar to chrysanthemums, and the color, fragrance, and shape are unique, attracting people from all over the world to eat steamed buns, and the business is very prosperous, and the reputation soon sounded. Due to the increasing number of people who come to eat his steamed buns, Gao Guiyou is too busy to talk to customers, so that people who eat steamed buns jokingly call him "dogs selling steamed buns and ignoring people". Over time, people shouted smoothly and called him "Gou Buli", and the buns he operated were called "Gou Buli Buns", but the original store name was gradually forgotten by people. But what is really famous is that when Yuan Shikai was the governor of Zhili and trained the new army in Tianjin, he once sent "Goubuli" buns to Beijing as a tribute to the Empress Dowager Cixi. The Empress Dowager Cixi was delighted after tasting it, and said: "The beasts in the mountains and the geese in the clouds, the cattle and sheep on the land are fresh at the bottom of the sea, not as good as the dogs, and the longevity of the food." Since then, Goubuli Bun is the real fame. At this time, the "Gou Buli" bun can only be said to be famous in Tianjin. But Guangxu knows that the reason why he chose to meet here is because Guangxu wants to eat the most authentic "Goubuli" buns.

"Lord Lin, you invited me to come here today, and you really didn't say anything. Why is that? "Ignore the dog," a foreigner in the bun shop asked.

"Mr. Luang Wili, to be honest. I have also been commanded to bring you here, as for what. I really don't know. Lin Qizhao also wondered in his heart, let him go to Beijing to run a bank, and went to Tianjin to find Li Hongzhang to get the emperor's silver stored here. But he didn't want the emperor to let him do such a bad job.

"Lord Lin, you can always tell me who wants to see me. If you can contact me through the legation, why can't you tell me who wants to see me? You know, I've just disembarked, and I need to rest. ”

"Mr. Luang Weili, please don't be impatient. The person who wants to see you will be there in a moment. This "dog ignores" bun is good, don't you want to eat some? ”

"Mr. Luang Weili has been in Tianjin for many years, how can he not have eaten." When Guangxu entered the "Goubuli" steamed bun shop, he heard Lin Qizhao's words and responded happily: "I want to eat something, I haven't eaten enough when I come out in the morning." ”

That's right, this person is Xi Lang Weili, the former chief teacher of the Beiyang Naval Division that Guangxu wants to see, and he angrily resigned because of the flag removal incident in 1890. Now Guangxu asked Lang Weili to return to the Qing State by name through the British Embassy in China, and Guangxu promised that Lang Weili would at least be the Qing Emperor's envoy to the Beiyang Naval Division, and he would serve as the chief instructor and deputy admiral during the non-war period. As for the reason why Luang Weili didn't know about this, it was because Guangxu also said: I hope that your country will not tell Lang Weili when he returns to the Qing Kingdom, because you want to give Lang Weili a little surprise, as the Qing Dynasty to make up for the adverse impact of the flag removal incident on Luang Weili. And the British happily accepted the suggestion.

Guangxu sat down to eat and greeted Leng Jun and Liu Mei: "Come, sit down, you should be hungry after a morning of travel, no need to be formal, sit down and eat." Well, it tastes really good. ”

"Hello young master." Lin Qizhao stood up respectfully and returned the salute.

"Who are you, did you ask the legation to find me? Why not Li Hongzhang? "Luang Weili was a little unhappy about having him here.

Guangxu reached into his arms and took out a gold medal, Lang Weili has been in China for many years, and at a glance he knew that this gold medal must represent the emperor, and at this time Guangxu said: "This is mine." ”

Lang Weili stood up in surprise: "Your imperial ...... of the Qing Kingdom." ”

Guangxu hurriedly stood up and pressed Lang Weili on his seat: "You are not mistaken, but my surname is Li." When we're all had enough to eat, can we find a quieter place to talk? ”

In the Tianzi room of Yuelai Inn, Guangxu, Lang Weili, and Lin Qizhao sat at the table.

"Mr. Luang Wiley, you may wonder why I am looking for you. I'm here to explain to you, and if you have any questions, you can ask me. Then I'll tell you why I'm looking for you. ”

"'If you are not afraid of Ding Junmen, you are afraid of Deputy General Lang'. When Mr. Luang Weili was the chief instructor of Beiyang, the military appearance of the Beiyang Navy Division was very clean, which impressed all countries for a while. It is a pity that since Mr. Lang Weili left his post, the training and military discipline of the Beiyang Navy Division have been slackened, and their training has been relaxed. I intend to reorganize the Beiyang Naval Division, and the preferred person naturally brings the Beiyang Naval Division, Mr. Lang Weili. Besides, the Beiyang sailors are afraid of Vice Admiral Lang, and it is naturally best for you to do it. Moreover, I heard that you were still in the toilet and ordered to fly the flag, which shows that you have a strong sense of professional discipline and responsibility. That's why I only think of you. ”

Indeed, in 1885, the Dingyuan and Zhenyuan ships of the Beiyang Naval Division went to Nagasaki, but the sailors on the Zhenyuan ship broke out in a bloody conflict with the Ronin and the patrol after going ashore, resulting in many injuries to the Chinese sailors. This clash became known as the Zhenyuan Incident. When Luang Weili learned the news, he was indignant and even asked Ding Ruchang to use the heavy artillery on the warship to bombard Nagasaki as a warning, but Ding Ruchang refused. To us today, Luang Wiri's claims may be too drastic, but it is undeniable that as a foreigner, he is wholeheartedly doing his best for China's naval buildup.

"But Your Majesty, your Beiyang Naval Master is very disgusted with me."

"Is it a flag removal incident? Rest assured, I won't let it happen again. This time, I personally came here to inspect the Beiyang Naval Division, and I will make it clear to all the officials present during the review that you are the Qin Cha of the Beiyang Naval Division personally dispatched by me and serve as the chief instructor, and you are directly responsible to me. And there is no need to fold it directly to me through Li Hongzhang. In addition, your monthly salary will be 800 taels, which will also be paid directly by me. Not sure what else you could ask for. If not, then you can take office now. ”

Lang Weili stood up with some excitement and bowed to Guangxu: "Honorable Your Majesty, I didn't expect that I would be personally received and appointed by you when I came to China this time, and I have no problem." Although I have not been in Beiyang for the past two years, I still pay attention to the Beiyang Naval Division in the UK. Your Majesty has appointed me as the chief teacher, and as the chief teacher, I still have some opinions about the Beiyang Naval Division, can I say? ”

"You may be seated, Lang Teaching. I don't know about the sailors, and you have also brought the Beiyang sailors, so if you have anything to say, just say it. ”

Lang Weili made a lot of suggestions, and as for whether it was good or not, Guangxu couldn't say, it sounded like that. Besides, you can't say you don't agree to inviting someone here. As for the live-fire training, Lang Weili proposed that the intensity of the training was really necessary to Guangxu, and what use could a warship that had not fired a cannon really fight. But Lin Qizhao, who was on the side, hurriedly said that he disagreed. The increase in the intensity of training and the increase in the food of the soldiers are still trivial. But this live-fire training costs money for artillery shells, gun barrel replacement, and coal burning. After Lin Qizhao's estimation, a training session would cost tens of thousands of taels of silver, and he couldn't expect Daqing Bank to take it out anyway. It means that it is okay to train, and the money asks the emperor for it.

"Once a week, this is already the lowest intensity of the British Empire. The cost of training in the army, of course, is allocated from the state treasury. ”

Guangxu looked at Lin Qizhao and didn't speak, and hurriedly came out to relieve the siege: "I don't understand the affairs of the navy, what you said sounds good." But the Qing treasury is not abundant, so don't rush to achieve it in a short time. You also have to give me time to raise the costs. This matter will be discussed after the completion of this review. I give you a year to slowly implement your idea, and I would like to remind you that this is China, not the UK. The habits of the Chinese are different from yours. There are some things that cannot be done according to your habits. I can't say it, but it's just such a charter. As for the fact that you mentioned that Beiyang is now all Fujianese. Don't mention it outside. You can secretly observe, and when there is a good candidate, you can fold it up to me first. ”

"But Your Majesty ......"

Guangxu waved his hand and interrupted Lang Weili: "Beiyang has long been self-contained, and if a large-scale personnel adjustment is carried out now, the whole army will be unstable." At this time, we will discuss it later. The rectification of the military should be the first priority. Today's Beiyang is no longer what it was when you were there. ”

"In that case, then Your Majesty, let's rush to Weihaiwei as soon as possible."

"Don't you need to take a break?"

"No need, the Beiyang Sailor has poured too much effort into me, and I can't wait."

"Then please."

"Please, my majesty."

Weihaiwei is a good port without ice, surrounded by mountains on three sides, the mouth gate is to the east, Liugong Island is in front of it, forming two channels to the east and north and the import and export, the islands such as Island, Huangdao and Yashi are listed on both sides of Liugong Island, constituting a natural barrier in the port area, and the situation is dangerous. Weihaiwei at night was already quiet, Guangxu stood on the top of Tashan and looked at Liugong Island in the distance with a telescope, and there were not many lights in sight. In two more years, the Beiyang Naval Division will cease to exist. Can I really reverse this situation, Guangxu has no bottom in his heart, so he will do his best and obey the destiny of heaven.

Guangxu handed the telescope in his hand to Leng Jun: "Let's see, if you can touch Liugong Island, it is best to get on the Dingyuan ship." ”

Leng Jun looked at it and thought about it: "Yes, what does the emperor command?" ”

"Alright, let's go."

"The emperor can't, once the guards are alarmed and the holy driver is injured, it will be difficult for the slaves to die."

"Didn't you say you could?" Guangxu thought for a moment: "You said you are alone." No, you'll have to think of something for us all to go up. ”

Before Leng Jun could come up with a way, Lang Weili on the side spoke: "I am familiar with the terrain, and it is not difficult to go to Liugong Island." It's just that I can't help it if I want to get on the Dingyuan ship. Although I don't know what His Majesty wants to do. ”

"Let's talk about it then." Guangxu said firmly.

The last time in Weihai, it seems that Beiyang still didn't pay attention to it, maybe they just paid attention to the ammunition depot. When Guangxu stood in front of the Dingyuan ship, he felt a lot of emotion in his heart. The 7,000-ton ironclad ship is parked on the dock like a great wall of steel. Seeing in real life is very different from what you used to see on TV. Man is as small as an ant.

"There is no one on the emperor's ship. The minions checked the bridge and there was no one on it. You can go up. ”

"Let's all light." Guangxu and his entourage of four went on the bridge lightly.

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