When Ye Zhao saw that his own soldiers went to order a ceasefire to pick up the people, he suddenly realized, occupied the Jianghai Customs Yamen and resisted the attack of the foreign gun team for two hours, in addition to Han Jinchun, Bakshi and Alhatu, there was a fourth person, it was Su Hongniang, who was very handsome in a tuxedo, exuding a different kind of seductive and charming.

Next to the fountain in front of the courtyard gate, Ye Zhao smiled when he saw Su Hongniang: "Wife, you scared me to death, you weren't hurt, right?" ”

In front of these many people, Su Hongniang's face couldn't help but be hot, and she felt that this little ghost didn't know how to win people's hearts, why didn't she ask your subordinates first? But inexplicably, it is quite sweet to be distressed.

"I'm fine." Su Hongniang replied lightly, turned around and walked to the western-style building, and wanted to go back to the room to wash up first.

Han Jinchun was shocked and frightened at this time, he really couldn't imagine that it was the wife of the little prince who suddenly came out to save him and others, and he thought just now, whose little brother is so handsome, it can be said to be charming, and that kung fu is called a handsome, ten or eight big men can't get to her at all, but he took a short musket, and his target made Han Jinchun even more frightened. Western firearms, if done properly, are so sharp.

But I never expected that this life-saving benefactor turned out to be a young grandmother, Han Jinchun was stunned for a long time, knelt down suddenly, and said loudly: "Humble duty deserves death, lowly and tired lady is in danger, it is difficult to atone for her death, the crime of despicability is unforgivable, please punish the adult!" ”

As for Bakshi and Alhatu, they had already knelt there and slapped their mouths, they really didn't recognize that the master of rescuing the three people was actually the master's concubine, usually they would never have any chance to meet Su Hongniang, even if they met, they would have already said a thousand greetings, how dare they sneak a glance?

Ye Zhao was in a good mood at this time, and said with a smile: "She likes to dance with knives and guns, but she can't complain about you." After a pause, the smile gradually faded, "But you don't take me seriously!" In your eyes, are there rules? ”

Han Jinchun lowered his head, not daring to answer, and the two Goshha only cared about their own palms.

After sweeping his gaze, Ye Zhao said: "Okay, you guys also stop, who is it for this season?" With that, he shook his hand and entered the hospital.

Baksh and Alkhatu stopped talking, their faces were already red and swollen, and the three of them stared at each other with big eyes, so they could only obediently kneel in front of the courtyard gate and wait for the hair to fall.

Half an hour later, a group of Qing troops arrived in a hurry, and the Qin Mission Office was on the edge of the concession, and the merchant group did not stop this group of Qing troops. The leader of the team was a guerrilla, surnamed Chen, who said that Lord Fuyuan and Lord Fantai went to Suzhou last night, and the military camp was arranged cumbersomely, so it was too late for reinforcements to come.

Ye Zhao will not be embarrassed for these pawns, the old official Youzi has always been wise to protect himself, even if Xu Naizhao does not rush to help, it is expected, as for whether he went to Suzhou, there is no need to delve into it.

Speaking of which, he can be regarded as a blessing in disguise, Han Jinchun and the others acted recklessly, but they inadvertently did themselves a great favor, thinking that Ali Guo and others would have to re-estimate the strength of the Qing army.

……

At dinnertime, Ye Zhaocai asked Rui Si to pass the message to the three kneeling people to get up and eat, "If you commit it again in the future, you will be punished for both crimes." ”

The handyman had already carried the red sandalwood food box and delivered the meal to the restaurant on the second floor.

Western oil paintings, snow-white lace curtains, a long dining table covered with white and green checkered cloths, two wooden chairs with plum blossom hollow backs, the restaurant has a Western style.

When Su Hongniang saw a plate of meat and vegetables with distinct food, her pretty face was slightly surprised, but she didn't say anything, but saw Ye Zhao smile and move the wooden chair she was used to sitting on a square back, and said, "Wife, please take a seat." ”

Su Hongniang was numb to the title of "wife", but Ye Zhao's movements surprised her a lot, Lianbu swayed lightly to the wooden chair, but felt that her back moved, and the chair touched the crook of her legs, but it was Ye Zhao who pushed the wooden chair forward slightly again.

"What are you doing?" Su Hongniang sat down and looked at Ye Zhao in surprise.

Ye Zhao returned to his position and sat down, and said with a smile: "Men's demeanor, alas, I almost forgot, these days when I met you, I remembered how men should hurt women." ”

Su Hongniang couldn't help but laugh: "What kind of demeanor is this?" ”

Ye Zhao said: "I love a woman's demeanor, a man should let a woman." ”

Su Hongniang chuckled and said, "Only the rabbit minister pays attention to this kind of demeanor? If you want me to say, a man's husband should be like a man's man's husband, galloping across the field and making contributions, that is a big hero and a hero, no matter how bad it is, there should be a majesty at home, right? What kind of man is going around around women all day long, serving tea and pouring water to women? ”

Ye Zhao's heart flashed, no matter what, he was a bright moon shining on the ditch, the women in this world had strange thoughts, even if they were women like Su Hongniang, they were used to machismo.

"Alright, let's eat." Anyway, Ye Zhao couldn't help but feel a little bored, and he didn't have the energy to introduce various dishes, so he only said lightly: "Western food, the taste of foreign devils, I don't know if it suits your appetite." ”

"What, angry?" Su Hongniang looked at him with a smile.

"Don't dare." Ye Zhao was indeed a little angry, and then he was funny, no wonder Su Hongniang looked down on herself, she was too childish.

"Okay, here's this, don't be angry." Although Su Hongniang didn't know how to use a knife and fork, it was naturally easy to cut off a slice of foie gras, and forked it into Ye Zhao's eating plate with a shiny little fork.

Ye Zhao snorted and said, "This is to atone for your sins?" I'm afraid it's almost hard, right? ”

"What else do you want?" Su Hongniang looked at him funny, this guy, let's say he is childish, but the insight and bearing of some words can make people think deeply for a long time, and dealing with Western countries and those court ministers is sophisticated. But if you want to talk about his ability, he just hasn't been in shape all day.

Ye Zhao looked at Su Hongniang's coquettish and seductive demeanor, his heart beat violently again, and he said, "Shout husband, then I won't be angry!" ”

Su Hongniang took a bite at him, "Think beautiful!" "After saying that, I froze, what's wrong with me? Why does it seem that he is flirting with this guy, why is he so shameless, and how can he deal with Brother Xue under Jiuquan?

Ye Zhao didn't know what Su Hongniang was thinking, but he smiled and held a knife in one hand and a fork in the other, and said, "Come, I'll teach you how to use a knife and fork, it's convenient to learn from me to use it like this." ”

Su Hongniang glanced at Ye Zhao, she didn't know what it tasted like, lowered her head, and silently cut the black barbecue meat on the plate. Myself, I have long been sorry for Brother Xue, from the day I became a nominal couple with this guy by accident, I betrayed Brother Xue.

Perhaps, she is a cheap woman, not worthy of the title of Mrs. Xue. But when he returned to Guixi, how did he face Brother Xue's relatives?

"Matchmaker, why did you think of saving Han Jinchun and the others? They are all the food and wages of the Great Qing Dynasty. It can be seen that Su Hongniang's mood is suddenly low, and Ye Zhao will no longer open his mouth and shut his wife.

Su Hongniang cut the meat on the plate, and said without showing the slightest emotion: "You have helped me so many times, I will always help you once." It's nothing. ”

Ye Zhao glanced at her a few times, but he really didn't know why she suddenly became cold, scratched his head, and had to bow his head to eat the half-cooked steak on his plate.

……

In the next half month, Ye Zhao's errand went smoothly, if the only regret is that he feels that Su Hongniang has been avoiding him, even if he enters the restaurant half an hour later than himself when he eats.

In the past ten days, they stumbled and negotiated the regulations with the consuls of various countries, and the other party gave in again, and the affairs of the Jiangxi Customs Yamen were still handled by officials of the Qing Dynasty, but the Yamen set up three advisers, who were respectively served by overseas nationals from Britain, France, and the United States. ”

Thinking about it, because of the occupation of the customs yamen by the "four pro-soldiers of the Qin Mission", the consuls of various countries also felt a sense of urgency, and this skirmish can be said to be the defeat of the merchant group, and the four pro-soldiers of the Great Qing Dynasty Qin Cha suppressed the more than 30 musketeers of the merchant group to death, and finally had to let the people leave unscathed.

The consuls of various countries are naturally worried that there will be more such conflicts, and they are afraid that the safety of the concession will not be guaranteed. After all, the Shanghai Concession was not protected by the regular garrisons of Western countries, and on the side of the concession was the Qing army camp with the banner covering the sky.

The prestige of "the four relatives and soldiers of the Qin Dynasty made the Qing army camp bluffing.

The drafting of the charter seems to have won a lot of face than in history, but how can it be called a victory when the customs affairs of a major country have to be debated and negotiated with other countries for more than a month? Not to mention the need to add nondescript so-called consultants.

However, Ye Zhaoke did not rashly sign the new customs terms, but drew up a trial treaty with Ali Guo and others, that is, from now on, the customs duties will be officially collected on the goods entering and leaving the Shanghai wharf, but it is only for the probation period, and the formal signing will be until the excerpt he sent to the capital receives the letter of approval.

In the history of the late Qing Dynasty, dealing with foreigners was the most dangerous, and signing contracts with foreigners was even worse. As for those who were scolded as traitors by later generations, they are even more unknown.

Ye Zhao didn't want to repeat the mistakes of these adults, so he negotiated with Ali Guo and others to make such a trial clause, that is, he could start collecting customs duties soon, so as not to let the silver flow away in vain, and there was room for maneuver.

Ali Guo and the others understood Lord Qincha's concerns, although they were helpless, they also wanted this matter to settle down as soon as possible, so they agreed to Ye Zhao's request.

And Ye Zhao's hand is obviously much more clever than Wu Jianzhang's means of deceiving and concealing his superiors and subordinates, even if Jiangsu Governor Xu Naizhao, the master of the Fuyuan, is ashamed of himself, and he said in his heart that this little brother is not very old, but he does things without leakage, but he is much spicier than us. Why didn't I know how to sign a contract before, but I could still sign a draft contract, and what kind of "temporary period" could I have?

At the banquet where officials of all sizes in Jiangsu invited Ye Zhao, Xu Naizhao couldn't help mentioning this matter, praising Ye Zhao as a "young countryman", and he will rely on the important ministers of the Qing Dynasty in the future. And the big and small officials echoed themselves in unison, and the rhetoric was like a tide.

This is the Suzhou Lingering Garden Hanbi Mountain House, entertaining the Lord Qincha, and the owner of the garden is happy to be full of brilliance. The scenery of the lingering garden is excellent, countless leaky windows, cave doors, lakes and mountains looming, and from the second floor of the Hanbi mountain house, the beautiful scenery in the garden is breathtaking, a pool of clear water next to the attic, the mountains and forests are reflected in the pool, it is a water square Hanbi, and the thousand forests have turned red.

The dishes on the banquet table are exquisite, and the golden cups and jade cups are luxurious.

Jiangsu officials, big and small, from the governor Xu Naizhao to sit in turn, what Fuyuan Daotai Futai, what the feudal division of the county master, there are always thirty or forty officials at the three-table banquet.

Listening to the flattery in his ears, Ye Zhao just smiled and tasted the wine, although it was not easy to notice, Ye Zhao knew that Xu Naizhao's attitude towards himself was different from before.

Thinking about it, Brother Straw Bag, who once had an empty belly in his eyes, has become a powerful child with a promising future.

After the banquet, all the officials said goodbye, and Ye Zhao stayed in the Hanbi Mountain House and returned to Shanghai tomorrow.

The bedroom is filled with a luxurious atmosphere, behind the splendid screen painted with the singing branches of the yellow warbler, there is a brocade quilt with a thin curtain, and the layers of wooden beds with strange structures are even more amazing to future generations.

"Master, do you want to rest or go for a walk?" Rui Si sent clean water, waited for Ye Zhao to rinse his mouth and brought a towel from the basin, and after serving Ye Zhao to wash, Rui Si asked.

"Rest for a while, drink some wine, and your body will be tired." Ye Zhao dried his hands, threw the towel to Ruisi, and said, "Don't wait outside, go to the next room to sleep." ”

"Yes, yes, the master is really better than the slave's biological parents are better than the slave, and with the master, Rui Si'er has also become a slave of great blessing." Rui Si'er looked grateful, but was gently kicked on the ass by Ye Zhao, and said with a smile: "Sycophant, fuck off!" ”

This kick was a comfortable kick for Rui Si'er, and he said continuously: "Minion, get out, get out!" He hunched and stepped backwards.

……

Lying on the soft big bed, the fragrance lingered in his nose, Ye Zhao couldn't help but think of Su Hongniang, seeing that this errand was finished, and the separation from her was getting closer and closer, when he returned to Beijing, it was the time to break up with her, right?

From now on, we don't know when we will see each other again.

In the haze, Ye Zhao seemed to hear someone making noise outside, and couldn't help but slowly open his eyes, not a dream, there was indeed a noise outside the window.

"Rui Si'er, Rui Si'er." Ye Zhao screamed twice, and then remembered that he had just asked Ruisi to rest, and he couldn't help but feel that he was used to him being around.

Who knew that the door was pushed open with a creak, and Ruisi's monkey face came out of the crack in the door, "Master, I just went to see it, it's a crazy old woman, saying that she wants to sue something, crazy and crazy, I asked someone to drive her away!" ”

Ye Zhao nodded slightly, this Rui Si'er is smarter than anyone else.

Seeing that Rui Si was about to retract his body, Ye Zhao beckoned: "Si'er, come in and talk to the master." ”

"Okay!" Rui Si'er entered the house and covered the door, although Ye Zhao was awake, he still took his steps lightly, tiptoed to the edge of the bed, and half-knelt down, lest the master want to look up at him.

"Master, what do you want to talk to the minion? Otherwise, the slave will sing a little song to the master. Rui Si'er looked cautious.

Ye Zhao scolded with a smile: "You can still sing songs, then Ming'er will send you to Dongtai Ban Lao Yang, and come back after leaving the teacher." ”

Rui Si'er kowtowed, "What does the master tell the slave to do, the slave does what, the master thinks that the slave is the material for the horns, that is the grace of the master, even if the master asks the slave to do a lifetime of play, the slave will all obey the master's orders!" ”

Ye Zhao stared at him and said lightly: "Sincerely?" ”

Rui Si'er was startled, occasionally the little master would show this look, which made him feel cold down his spine, and made him know that the little master was by no means as simple as it seemed.

"Bang bang bang" Rui Si'er kowtowed again and again, "The slave's loyalty to his master can be seen by God!" ”

Ye Zhao sat up halfway up, leaned against the head of the dark sandalwood bed, and said, "You get up." ”

"Yes." Rui Si'er also got up slowly, but she still hunched her waist, and when she saw Ye Zhao's posture, she hurriedly took a soft pillow to help Ye Zhao put it on her back.

"Si'er, you know what it's like to like a woman, right?" After asking, Ye Zhao shook his head, isn't this playing the piano to the cow? But there is really no friend around me who can speak considerately.

"Do you have a sweetheart?" Rui Si was stunned, but when he saw the appearance of his master, he also knew that he had never succeeded, so he gritted his teeth and said, "Master, whose girl is it that makes you so worried about it?" You hand it over to the minion, even if it is a registered show girl, the slave will also keep it for the master! "There is a woman who is worried about the master who can't get it, Rui Si'er is ruthless, is this worth it? If the master wants to hurt lovesickness for women, then why do you want me to be a slave?

Ye Zhao couldn't cry or laugh, and reprimanded: "The two are happy with each other, and they are out of affection and stop at courtesy, so don't mess around here!" ”

"Yes, yes, Ye is right." Rui Si smiled dryly, but he paid attention, and he was sure to find out whose girl the master had a crush on, and help the master make his wish.

"Master, take a look at today's income." Rui Si took out a thin piece of paper from his bosom, on which he recorded the filial piety of today's officials.

Ye Zhao glanced at it, ho, good guy, it is more than 10,000 taels, of which the first place is Xu Naizhao, 2,000 taels, and then the number of official positions of large and small officials is clearly remembered.

No wonder the Beijing officials like to release it, their own Qincha is just a Qincha who runs customs affairs, and it hasn't happened yet, more than 10,000 taels of silver will be in hand, which is faster than any business to make money.

Of course, Ye Zhao also knew that if he hadn't taken on the name of a prince and elder brother, he would definitely not have made them so expensive.

"Take it." Ye Zhao waved his hand, and was about to say something more, when the noise outside the window that had been silent sounded again, and the reprimand of Bing Yong became louder and louder.

Ye Zhao frowned slightly: "Go, see what's going on." ”

Rui Si'er also got angry, and said in his heart, don't you want to give face? Xu Naizhao is too, why did he choose such a broken place to settle my master. said yes, and quickly retreated.

After a while, the noise subsided, and the things handed over to Rui Si'er were always hand-to-hand.

It is estimated that after the tea time, Rui Si'er walked in lightly, the noise outside has long been gone, seeing Ye Zhao get up, Rui Si hurriedly walked a few steps to help Ye Zhao sit up, and said: "Master, that crazy woman is the aunt of the owner of this garden, and her son died, and she was arguing to sue Lord Qincha and sue Suzhou Mansion for killing her son, I took the case, and she won't be noisy." There is also the owner of the garden, surnamed Liu, who wants to kowtow to the master. ”

Ye Zhao waved his hand: "Kowtow will be spared, don't blame him for this matter today, you replied to him." Puzzled: "What the hell is going on?" And the state? ”

Rui Si inquired about it and said, "The story was written by the crazy woman to someone else, and the owner of the garden didn't know about it. Half a year ago, it is said that the crazy woman's illness is good and bad, and now I heard that the house lives in the Qincha, I don't know how to wake up, sneak over to complain. ”

Ye Zhao shook his head, and said in his heart that he couldn't manage these things at all, so what was the use of suing himself? But after all, he was curious and said, "Show me." ”

Rui Si'er felt the shape from his sleeve and offered it with both hands.

The lawsuit was filed against Qiao Songnian, the prefect of Suzhou, saying that he "corrupted the law and framed good people." Looking at it again, Ye Zhao gradually understood that the son of the daring lord was surnamed Zheng, named Jinshi, a famous gentry in Suzhou, and organized a group exercise in the Jiading area, and once exterminated the thieves who responded to the Taiping Army, Zhao Sihai, a branch of the thief party, beheaded one hundred and thirty-eight thieves, captured the thief leader Zhao Sihai, and immediately accepted Zhao Sihai for his own use, and said that Zhao Sihai's party "is not accumulating evil, please give a lenient loan".

Who knew that at the beginning of this year, the knife would cause an incident, Zhao Sihai rebelled, and Qiao Songnian, the prefect of Suzhou, immediately accused Zheng Jinshi of a crime of sneaking into the bandit party and cut off Zheng Jinshi's head.

Ye Zhao saw the last and realized that he was afraid that it was caused by personal grudges. Although it sounds like the old woman who complained is pitiful, why is his son's hands not stained with blood?

What's more, he couldn't intervene in this case himself.

"Give it back to the owner." As soon as Ye Zhao's voice fell, the voice of the soldiers came from outside the door: "Master, Suzhou Mansion asks to see you." ”

Rui Si'er muttered: "It's fast." "I think too, although the owner of the garden and the old woman are relatives, but they will definitely not help the old woman and Suzhou Mansion go against it, and if something like this happens, why don't you send someone to tell Suzhou Mansion? So as not to eat the old woman and hang up, and afterwards I don't know how much money I will spend to appease the Suzhou Mansion.

"Ask him to speak in the hall." When Ye Zhao got out of bed, Rui Si hurriedly knelt down to help the master change his shoes, and went to fetch water to wash the master.

Qiao Song was less than forty years old, and he was born with a square face and thick eyebrows, but he was a loyal and upright person. However, when talking to Ye Zhao, Qiao Songnian was not as calm as he appeared. But no, after the extermination of the Little Knife Society, Qiao Songnian, as the prefect of Suzhou, also has to make a big mention in the merit book, seeing that the addition of officials to the knighthood is imminent, who knows that such a thing will be made, at this juncture, if Lord Qincha returns to Beijing to criticize a few words, then a good future will be in vain.

When chatting with Ye Zhao, Qiao Songnian did not mention Zheng Jinshi, but only asked Ye Zhao about the situation of Western countries, and during the banquet, Xu Naizhao praised Ye Zhao for "collaborating with the enemy", so that officials of Jiangsu knew that this Lord Qincha knew very well about Western countries.

It doesn't matter if Qiao Songnian likes this topic or not, but he thinks that the young magnate must like to show off, and he talks about it as he likes.

Who knew that Ye Zhao only said a few words briefly, and then smiled: "Master Qiao, I'm tired!" With that, he served tea and sent it off.

Qiao Songnian was surprised, but he didn't dare to bother anymore, so he hurriedly bowed down and said, "The next official retires." ”

Not long after Ye Zhao returned to the bedroom, Rui Si'er knocked on the door with a smile and came in, "Master, Qiao Songnian sent five thousand taels of silver, do you accept it?" Otherwise, the slave will give him back? ”

Ye Zhao smiled: "Why are you going back?" They are in the local area, and there is a way to make money, and we should also subsidize us. ”

"Yes, yes, Ye is willing to accept their money, that is their blessing." Rui Si'er said again: "The master of this garden is filial to two thousand taels, and the slave is also bold to help the master collect it." ”

Ye Zhao nodded slightly and said with a smile: "This trip to Suzhou was not in vain. ”

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

There is something to do at night, and we will change it together, or that sentence, the ticket ......