On the deep blue sea, a huge battleship was in front and a steamer was behind, splitting out the rolling white waves and moving slowly.

The forward battleship was draped in red and green, the pale yellow unicorn flag fluttered in the wind, and two long golden bells were erected higher and higher, respectively with the words "Greeting the Queen Mother and the Queen Mother on the Patrol of the Two Cantonese" and "Greeting the Queen Mother of the Mother and the Lady of the Blessed Canton".

The lounge on the second floor of the stern of the second steamer Yongbo, at this time, it was a golden cloud, Ye Zhao came in to meet the two queen mothers, when Niu Co Lu and Lan Guiren were sitting on the soft couch of the soft yellow satin pavement, talking, seeing Ye Zhao about to kneel down again, Niu Co Lu sighed and said: "You really take my words as the wind in your ears, from now on, you are allowed not to worship or worship, can you write it down?" ”

A female guard had already moved over to the soft pier, and Ye Zhao had no choice but to bow down and salute: "Brother obeys." Then he sat down respectfully.

Waving his hand to signal not to make tea, Ye Zhao said slowly: "Imperial sister-in-law, the first half of the journey is to Shanghai, and the younger brother has sent the Bo to inform the Governor of Liangjiang, the governor of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, the political envoy, the assistant of the Suzhou camp and other civil and military officials to come to the audience, and ask the Queen Mother of the Two Palaces to give some strategies. ”

Niu Colu and Lan Guiren were both stunned, and the two of them looked at each other without making a sound.

Ye Zhao knew their concerns, and before he arrived in Guangzhou, he was afraid that the empress dowager of the two palaces would not be at peace. After all, the six kings are now the Ninety-Five Supreme who is destined for heaven.

Ye Zhao didn't look directly at the empress dowager of the two palaces, and said slowly: "Imperial sister-in-law, please relax, the younger brother is not boasting, as long as it is on this sea frontier, there is no small night to compete with the sailor under the command of the younger brother." It is said that the two imperial sisters-in-law Shengming originally allowed their ministers to buy the Dinghai number, and now the Dinghai number is a weapon to protect the two imperial sisters-in-law. ”

Niu Colu sighed softly, and said in his heart that it seems to be really the will of God, if he hadn't approved this child's proposal at the beginning, and he didn't say that he should leave the Jingshi fruit today, there must be a cause for the effect, how unpredictable is the will of heaven?

"Okay, just do as you say." Niu Colu bowed his head slightly.

"Yes!" Ye Zhao respectfully agreed, and said: "The courtier brother has an idea now, and I will ask the two imperial sisters-in-law to consider it." Looking at today's world, Europa is menacing, how strong it is, all because of its naval ships and guns, not to mention others, if my Daqing Water Division has ten huge ships in Dinghai, 10,000 cannons roaring, and the broken bandits in Nanjing are like exploring the bag to take things, it is to the younger brother who is thinking, why not set up a machine shipyard in Guangzhou? If the time comes, don't talk about banditry, even if the Europa group is destroyed, they will definitely be intimidated by the benefits of our Great Clear Water Master, and they will no longer dare to show off their might. ”

Lan Guiren listened quietly, and Niu Colu said: "I don't understand what you said, but if you listen to it, you can do it." ”

"Yes!" Ye Zhao got up, bowed down and said, "Please rest the two imperial sisters-in-law, and the younger brother will retire." In fact, Ye Zhao had already sent a letter to Wells about running a shipyard, asking him to help buy the machine, and as for the silver, he naturally had to borrow from the Guangfu Bank, and then the Guangdong Customs would slowly pay off the principal and interest every year.

However, the time difference between the two queen mothers will not know, and even if the shipyard can be done without hindrance, it will take a year or two, and as for the launch of the warship, I am afraid it will be two or three or even three or four years later.

Since last year, the first economic crisis in Europe and the United States has appeared, with banks going bankrupt and enterprises failing, and a lot of capital fleeing to China through the opening up of Guangzhou has become more and more intense.

If you invest in Europe and the United States now, there is nothing that can make you look at the return, but it is better to invest in Guangdong infrastructure first, eat the principal and interest of the loan, and wait for the opportunity to go to Europe and the United States to roll up money.

Looking at Ye Zhao's back as he withdrew, Niu Colu's face became more and more gentle, and after thinking for a while, he picked up the teacup and tasted the tea gently.

…… Shanghai Port 16 Pu Wharf is a brick and wood structure step simple wharf, which can dock ships, get on and off passengers, and load goods, which is built by four Chinese merchant ships.

Today, a steamer with black smoke suddenly docked next to the pier, and a huge battleship full of artillery cruised on the blue sea not far away.

On both sides of the brick platform of the wharf, two rows of soldiers with glittering bayonets and rifles stood majestically, and on the simple bridge supported by wooden stakes, several python-robed officials were cautiously boarding the ship under the guidance of people.

He Guiqing, the governor of Liangjiang, Wu Jianzhang, the acting political envoy of Jiangsu, Qiao Songnian, the Taoist of Tonghaidao in Changzhen, Jiangsu, the squire of the Ministry of Works, Lu Xianji, the military minister of the Suzhou battalion, and other officials came to pay a visit.

The Jiangnan camp was broken by the bandits, and the soldiers from all walks of life bravely gathered in Suzhou and Hefei, and they were still attacking Nanjing, but since there was no Jiangnan camp tightly besieging Nanjing, the bandits were like a fish in the throat, and it also made the bandits from all walks of life attack more and more fiercely in the southeast half of the wall, if it were not for Li Xiucheng and Chen Yucheng's troops being pinned down by Jing Shuai's Guangdong army in Jiangxi, I am afraid that the bandits would have attacked Suzhou with all their might.

When the Empress Dowager of the Two Palaces arrived in Shanghai, He Guiqing, the governor of Liangjiang, came to Shanghai to urge the military salary, and he had to board a ship to meet him.

Ye Zhao didn't care what these officials thought, this move was originally to announce the queen mother's southern tour of the world with great fanfare.

And when the queen mother of the two palaces talked to the officials after watching the yellow curtain, she was obviously in a good mood, and she probably got back the feeling of the mother's world.

Today, most of the people summoned by the Empress Dowager on the Yongbo are acquaintances, such as Wu Jianzhang and Qiao Songnian, all of whom Ye Zhao met when he was in charge of Shanghai customs affairs.

The first announcement of the Empress Dowager of the Two Palaces was naturally He Guiqing, the governor of Liangjiang, and Ye Zhao invited Qiao Songnian into the reception room at the far left end of the stern, talking about old gossip, but also chatting speculatively, and when Qiao Songnian retired, Ye Zhao ordered someone to invite Wu Jianzhang, which was the main event.

Wu Jianzhang is the acting political secretary of Jiangsu, and also serves as the superintendent of Jiangxi Customs, the official position is not very high, but he is really one of the best gods of wealth in the Qing Dynasty.

Seeing Jing Shuai, Wu Jianzhang secretly complained in his heart, his relationship with Jing Shuai is not close, but there is no way, and expecting Jing Shuai to be able to help him in the eyes of the knots is naturally promising.

It is because Jing Shuai is in the north of Xinjiang and in the south that the prestige is getting louder and louder, Wu Jianzhang is also extremely proud, he did not press the wrong treasure, but who knows that suddenly the six kings inherited the unification, Wu Jianzhang's heart was cold, Jing Shuai was in the capital and forced the palace Everyone could see that he was going to the six kings, but now it is good, suddenly the sky has changed, the closer he and Jing Shuai are, I am afraid that his own black yarn and even his head are not so stable.

was privately summoned by Jing Shuai, Wu Jianzhang didn't dare not come, and turned around with people into a spacious cabin, glass windows, metal tables and chairs, Jing Shuai smiled and sat on a silver chair, Wu Jianzhang knelt down respectfully and kowtowed: "Xiaguan Wu Jianzhang has seen grandpa." "The look on your face is as respectful as you are.

Ye Zhao looked at him with a smile and said with a smile: "I thought that my door was too small to fit your true god!" ”

Wu Jianzhang's heart trembled, he really thought about pretending to be sick and not coming, the closer he had a relationship with Jing Shuai, the more he had to avoid suspicion at this time, who knows what happened to the Queen Mother of the Two Palaces suddenly visiting Guangzhou, if you think about it in the worst, it will be chilling.

But suddenly hearing Jing Shuai's smile, Wu Jianzhang's heart trembled, and he said urgently: "Grandpa is kind to Xiaguan and recreates, although Xiaguan is blessed, but he has always been a grandfather's disciple in his heart, and Xiaguan really doesn't know what Grandpa means, Grandpa Mingjian, Mingjian!" ”

Ye Zhao shook the folding fan with a smile and said, "You don't understand what I mean?" Just rush this sentence, you know everything! ”

Wu Jianzhang was stunned, knowing that he couldn't hide any careful thoughts in front of this demonic grandfather, he stayed for a long time, kowtowed, and sighed: "Grandpa, grandpa, but there is a dispatch, and the lower officials have no words, but, but if the grandfather wants to be small and can serve the grandfather safely, or, or ......" The heart said that it is better not to have a private meeting alone, but this sentence is not daring to say it.

Ye Zhao smiled silently, facing the pressure brought by the imperial power, and couldn't help but sigh. Wu Jianzhang is such a grasshopper who has long tied a rope to himself, but because of the change of imperial power in the capital, he immediately started to think about it, in this era, the throne of the Forbidden City is really terrifying.

"Don't worry, I'm not here to ask you for money! You, Jiang Customs, won't be able to catch up with my Guangdong Customs next year! Ye Zhao was leisurely, but he was not talking big, he was very sure in his heart.

"Yes, under the rule of my grandfather, my grandfather has abundant taxes and taxes, and my grandfather is both civil and military, and this way of financial management is also unique in the world, and I admire him for his humble duties!" Wu Jianzhang is a little sincere in what he said, listening to the new things in Guangzhou, Wu Jianzhang often sighs in his heart, if he is on an errand under Jing Gong, he must be like a fish in water.

Ye Zhao smiled slightly: "Get up!" I don't have anything else to do today, just to talk to you, but since you mentioned the sentence of Entong recreation, I can't help but sigh, how many ungrateful people in the world, and how many of them have good results? ”

Wu Jianzhang was slowly getting up, but when he heard Ye Zhao's second half of the sentence, his legs weakened in fright, and he knelt down again, sweating profusely for a while.

Ye Zhao shook the folding fan: "Daopu, don't think I'm embarrassed for you, who can say for sure that there are major events in this world?" ”

Wu Jianzhang felt bitter in his heart, isn't this embarrassing for me? But what do you mean by that? Do you really want to fight against the emperor? This, how is this possible?

Ye Zhao said lightly: "Daoguang Ye's bloodline, the little brother Zailian is also on the boat, you, go and help me find a wet nurse, he passed on to Xianfeng Ye, with the teaching of the Queen Mother of the Two Palaces, he must be a great figure in the future." ”

Wu Jianzhang was stunned, and then sweat rolled out even more, this Jing Shuai is really ambitious, but think about it again, such a stunning character, if he really obeys the six kings like this, it would be a strange thing.

"Okay, you go down, there are some things you can think about yourself!" Ye Zhao picked up the teacup, looked at Wu Jianzhang's depressed appearance, smiled in his heart, thinking that he was also quite bad, and put himself in Wu Jianzhang's shoes, he was afraid that he would suffer all night in the future, but now he had to beat him.

And when He Guiqing, the governor of Liangjiang, met with Ye Zhao, it was extremely natural, he had no personal relationship with Ye Zhao, but he was determined in his heart, it is good for your royal family to compete for the throne, I just need to do my errand, as for which one is in charge of Yanjing City, I don't care, and I don't have to worry about it.

Seeing Ye Zhao for the first time, He Guiqing wanted to take a closer look at this newly promoted magnate who had a good reputation, beautiful and beautiful, especially good-looking, slender and slender, with jasper wrenches, that graceful and luxurious bearing, but it was really raised since childhood, and he couldn't learn it.

The two talked a few words and chatted about the military situation in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and He Guiqing sighed: "The bandits are becoming more and more rampant, and I just hope that the grandfather Yue army will soon pacify Jiangxi, enter Hubei and Anhui, and then finish his work in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and level the thief party to clear the world." ”

He Guiqing was in his early forties, when he was in the prime of life, and his speech was also extremely decent, and Ye Zhao's astonishing words about the bandit party also made He Guiqing open his mouth, such as Ye Zhaoyan's "class", the needs of the gentry, peasants, businessmen, etc., the thirst for life and even the right to speak in society, and why a class would be dissatisfied with the society, etc., really made He Guiqing amazed and admired, and only felt that he had heard the sages preach.

The two chatted about speculation, and the thirteen who were waiting on the side added tea a few times, He Guiqing was reluctant to get up and say goodbye, and said sincerely before going out: "The lower official has been taught, if it can be often mentioned by the grandfather, it can be described as a great blessing." ”

Ye Zhao smiled and took a few humble steps and sent He Guiqing out.

Thirteen walked a few steps quickly, pushed open the metal door of the cabin, but saw that there was a commotion outside, it turned out to be He Guiqing's long-term follower He Si, because he had been standing outside for a long time, so he went to make it convenient, who knew that when he came back, he saw a person standing sneakily in front of the cabin door, and He Si immediately went over to grab him and interrogate him.

He Si was caught by a middle-aged man in his early thirties, dressed as a scribe, with thick eyebrows and a long face, and his eyes were quite upright.

But He Si was entangled with him and got angry, and he slapped his hand and scolded: "Dog thing!" Blind your dog's eyes! Is this the land where you sow the wilderness? ”

The scribe was beaten, blood oozed from the corners of his mouth, and at this time it was Ye Zhao and He Guiqing who walked out of the cabin door.

He Guiqing frowned, what kind of system did he become, but he would not be laughed at by others for having no rules in his family, so he said with a calm face: "What are you doing?!" ”

When He Si saw the master coming out, he hurriedly ran over to call the grandfather and the master, and said: "This dog thing doesn't know who he got on the boat with, sneakily eavesdropping here!" ”

The scribe was beaten by the vicious slap and his ear drums buzzed, and he didn't relax for a long time, and when he heard He Si's words, he argued: "I want to add to the crime!" Desire to add sin! ”

He Guiqing looked at him: "Who are you?" ”

Seeing He Guiqing wearing a python suit and a jewel, the scribe hurriedly came over to salute, although he was humiliated and beaten for no reason, he was still neither humble nor arrogant: "Student Li Hongzhang saw the Governor, the student was helping to handle military affairs under Lu Shuai's account, and he was not a villain. ”

Ye Zhao was stunned, and couldn't help but look at the scribe carefully.

He Guiqing heard that he was the shogunate master of Lu Xianji, the squire of the Ministry of Industry and the assistant of the military minister of the Suzhou battalion, his face sank slightly, he and Lu Xianji have always been at odds, but I don't know if this sour scholar is at the instigation of Lu Xianji.

He Guiqing waved his hand: "It's coming!" Take it for me, sneaky, what a good thing it can be! ”

He Si didn't know where to find the rope, so he went over to tie Li Hongzhang, Li Hongzhang didn't resist, and said in a deep voice: "The student is the eighteenth year of Daoguang Ye, the Hanlin Academy repaired, and assisted in Suzhou military affairs, and he is definitely not a villain!" ”

He Guiqing's heart was sunny, and he said that the six-grade petty official is also quite stylish.

At this time, a group of people hurriedly walked from the corner of the railing of the corridor in the stern, and the white and chubby official in the front was Lu Xianji, who obviously heard the noise and came to take a look, and saw that it was his own shogunate master who was tied up, Lu Xianji smiled with a smile on his face, strode over, and was seven or eight steps away, so he laughed and said: "Lord Governor, what kind of nameless fire is this?" ”

When he got closer, he bowed down to Ye Zhao and He Guiqing, and said to Ye Zhao with a smile: "Grandpa, you don't know how to discipline your subordinates, it's rude!" His posture was very low, seeing such a situation, he was so angry in his heart, and said that you Li Shaoquan can't help but get into trouble? I don't know what this Jing Gong and He Guiqing are secretly discussing, you suddenly appeared, don't bother me!

turned around and glared at Li Hongzhang: "Bold Li Hongzhang, can't you come and kowtow to the governor and the grandfather of the country to make amends?!" ”

He Guiqing saw Lu Xianji pretending, and he was even more suspicious in his heart, waved his hand and said: "Don't worry, whether you are wronged or not, you will know when I take it back for investigation." ”

Li Hongzhang was full of anger, and his father led a group to fight fiercely with the bandits, and died tragically at the hands of the bandits. And because of the loss of his hometown and the difficulty of national affairs, he endured the pain and did not report his worries, saying that he would drain his blood to seek advice for the Suzhou camp, and only hoped to repay the hatred of his family and the country. But Lu Xianji is incompetent and cowardly, so that he has no way to serve the country, thinking of the spirit and elegance when he entered Beijing to take the exam, Li Hongzhang can only sigh emptyly.

Today, he was humiliated for no reason, Li Hongzhang was so angry that he wanted to explode, but he knew that if he couldn't bear it, he would make a big plan, so he bit the tip of his tongue hard to make himself clear and calm, and after walking a few steps, he wanted to apologize to several powerful people.

Ye Zhao smiled and waved his hand at this time, "Slow down." He looked at Li Hongzhang with a smile and said, "My husband only holds Wu Hook with one hand, and his spirit is higher than that of a hundred-foot building." Who has written history for 10,000 years, and wants to be a marquis 3,000 miles away. After a pause: "This poem, but you wrote it?" I can't remember the following sentences! ”

Li Hongzhang was taken aback, glanced at this graceful and luxurious young magnate, and then lowered his head and said: "The young man doesn't know what it's like to be sad, he is arrogant, and his grandfather is smiling!" ”

Lu Xianji laughed: "It's really arrogant, and I still dream of being a marquis, haha, haha!" There was a lot of ridicule in the laughter.

Li Hongzhang's face was pale, but he didn't make a sound.

Ye Zhao said with a smile: "This young man, he must always have ambition, and it is good to have ambition!" ”

Li Hongzhang's face showed gratitude, and he bowed down and said, "Grandpa Xie!" ”

I met Li Hongzhang by chance, but what I didn't want to see was not the important minister who carried the weight, but the down-and-out scribe who was ridiculed and oppressed by a few unpopular officials, and he was even more old-fashioned to judge and encourage him, it felt really weird.

Ye Zhao turned to Lu Xianji and said with a smile: "Lord Zuotang, this official has a reluctant request. The fan nodded at Li Hongzhang, "I hit it off with this son at first sight, and I also asked Lord Zuotang to cut his love, how about giving his love to the official?" ”

(To be continued)