As the Governor of Hong Kong, it can be said that he has administrative, law enforcement, and judicial powers, and is far away from London and has inconvenient communications.

But he never thought that a Gao Heer case made him anxious, and his reputation fell to an all-time low.

A Chinese-British mixed-race who came to Hong Kong with the British Army during the First Sino-British War from Singapore Kapo, he began to work as a translator because of his proficiency in Chinese, and was later promoted to Deputy Superintendent of Police , and was appointed Chief Registrar and Fu Wah Road last year. The two governors of Hong Kong before and after were extremely important to him. Kenn had a close friendship with him. Who knew that a few months ago, Gao Heer was involved in a corruption case, and it was found that he had financial dealings with pirates, Chinese spies, triad leaders, etc.

The Chief Prosecutor of the Department of Justice, Mr. Aindi, impeached Gao Heer for 19 counts, including insulting the gentry, self-employed prostitution, harboring bandits, fornicating with the party, and taking bribes in public office.

Not only that, but it is reported that Anshidi has reported to London to complain about the Hong Kong Governor's cover-up.

The British businessman Delun even began to criticize Hong Kong government officials and belittle the Hong Kong government's policies in two newspapers he controlled, "Friends of China" and "Hong Kong Gazette".

It is reported that because the machinery of the Guangfu shipyard was seized in Xinjiapo, the general Wang Jingxiang was furious, and he was ready to lodge a solemn protest against the British political axe, and to cancel a series of British investment projects in China, and to impose additional taxes on British merchant ships.

The British Consul General in Canton returned to China last month to report on his work, and as a result, the position has now become extremely important, and the country often makes a big deal about changing generals in the hope of appointing a shrewd and capable official who can truly safeguard the interests of the British in China.

Now this position is temporarily represented by Bao Ling, so these troubles have also been found by Bao Ling.

In the past few days, the merchants who have come to accuse him with arrogance and arrogance, or the merchants who have begged him with a sad face not to lose all their money, have broken through the threshold of his governor's palace and disturbed him all night.

Soaking in the red lacquered bathtub, Bao Ling closed his eyes, looking tired, pondering the young magnate who had impressed him, this person, unlike all the Chinese officials he had seen before, knew the world outside the Qing Dynasty very well. Behind those clear eyes, it always felt like there was some secret hidden, as if any development was in his calculations.

Bao Ling has studied his history more than 100 times, and each time he will have different feelings. In the eyes of the Chinese, his various measures in Guangzhou seem to be nothing more than "mastering and improving one's skills to improve oneself," and he is learning many practices of the West; this nation, under the strong guns of the Europa countries, is surging with various trends of thought, learning from the West, and I heard that the capital is also preparing to carry out the campaign of self-improvement in foreign affairs, and in the eyes of many Chinese, the new policy of Guangdong is just a self-improvement in foreign affairs. However, the shock brought by Guangdong's new policy to businessmen from all over the world, including Bao Ling, is unprecedented, especially the emergence of laws and regulations in all walks of life, many British businessmen feel that Chinese regulations seem to be more conducive to the development of industry and commerce than British local regulations, and there are not a few people who submit the content of the regulations back to China and ask the House for reference.

In Guangdong, although these laws and regulations are only used as local regulations, and the development of industry and commercial banks has just started, and because Jingxiang and the Yamen of the legislation are extremely careful in their wording, they are trying their best to make the traditional moral laws of the Chinese and their new laws and regulations little by little, little by little, to avoid causing ideological confusion, and it will take time to truly implement these laws and regulations, but the rudiments of these laws have already made Bao Ling, who is familiar with the history of domestic legal development, extremely embarrassed and shocked.

It is even conceivable that Jingxiang will really gain momentum in the future, and it will inevitably be able to quickly set up a legal framework for all walks of life, although it is a very difficult road to think of it, but for this ancient country, it is really incredible that there will be such a person in power.

And this young magnate who was just in his early twenties unconsciously jumped to the most powerful and influential figure in the southeast half, and it was not only the soldiers who followed him from birth to death who supported him, although this was his biggest capital.

It can be said that the three traditional merchant groups that gradually formed in this ancient land of China are more or less inextricably linked with his new policy. These people are not only businessmen, but also landlords, because in China, businessmen make money, and most of them end up buying land and buying real estate.

The industrialists who set up factories and mines with compradors and enlightened gentry as the main body are another booming emerging capital force, and this force is undoubtedly the staunchest supporter behind Jingxiang As for the vast majority of the people in Guangdong, the prestige of the general Wang is like Zhongtian, and the folk songs can almost be carved and published in a collection of poems, even if those conservative forces who are afraid of change and scold the new policy in Guangdong often spray saliva on the scapegoats such as Baigui Li Xiaocun, and the general Wang Shengming is the people below who are doing nonsense. In Jiangxi, the great general Wang was praised by the population as a savior, rescuing them from the miserable situation.

It is both fortunate and unfortunate to deal with such a powerful person, who is willing to contact you and negotiate with you according to the practice of dealing with various countries; Unfortunately, it is even more difficult to make a profit on him.

The shipyard, Bao Ling, did not want it to run smoothly, although it was hardly worth mentioning to the naval power of the British Empire, and even if it continued to build ships day and night, it would take hundreds of years to build a fleet equal to the current naval power of the British Empire. But the appearance of the first factory representing the world's most advanced shipbuilding technology in the Far East, especially in his hands, is always unsettling.

And it is not difficult to imagine how much he attaches importance to this shipyard, in order to punish the behavior of the Xinjiapo authorities, for the smooth implementation of his shipyard plan, Bao Ling believes that he may really do whatever it takes, just like these rumors, to carry out large-scale revenge punishment against British businessmen.

And if he did? How will the British Empire react? Do you want to provoke a war between China and Britain again? It's just that at this time and then, it is difficult to get the support of merchants trading in China at this time, and with the equipment level of the Cantonese army, if you want to capture the city of Guangzhou, you will have to mobilize at least tens of thousands of troops from the British mainland, and it will be an extremely cruel war, and Her Majesty will probably not easily approve such a war.

Bao Ling sighed softly, and his fat and white body slowly stood up from the bathtub and wrapped a bath towel around his hand.

What was he thinking? Who would have guessed? Tomorrow's meeting with him can only be done at the right time.

…… Lotus House listens to Yuxuan.

The huge room that can accommodate hundreds of people, covered with a thick red French carpet, only a sofa and coffee table in front of the crystal blue glass floor-to-ceiling doors and windows, and the majestic ink paintings of thousands of miles of rivers hanging on the east wall, standing in this extremely empty hall, the coercion of power comes to the face, which makes people feel awe-inspired.

Obviously, Rong'er, who was sitting on the sofa, had long been accustomed to using this hall as a playground, sitting in a large golden sofa with a small body, and her small arms and legs were even more cute.

She was wearing sapphire blue satin pajamas and pajamas, the silk was soft and smooth, she was not honest when she sat on the sofa, and after a few moves, the pajama pants were rubbed up, revealing half of the crystal cute calves, plus the yellow satin embroidered slippers on the little feet, proudly bumped and bumped, and the cute yellow pompoms decorated with embroidered slippers jumped and jumped, and Ye Zhao was amused for a while.

No wonder she was proud, she got a perfect score in the arithmetic class yesterday.

Ye Zhao flipped through the newspaper, thinking about going to Hong Kong tomorrow, the matchmaker had already returned to Wuzhou, and when the rocket was completed, someone would contact her.

Speaking of which, the matchmaker is in a corner of Guangxi, facing the powerful army of Yungui and the monk king, and even nailing the monk king firmly to Wuzhou so that he cannot take a step forward.

In other words, the same people and horses and the same armament, I am afraid that I will be defeated a long time ago, and I am a little embarrassed to think about it.

Looking at Rong'er who was smug and smackling pastries, Ye Zhao smiled again, when he encountered troubles, when he saw Rong'er, his mood would naturally become cheerful.

"Xianggong, the professor is going to visit his home tomorrow, what should I do?" Rong'er suddenly remembered what she was worried about, tried to swallow the pastry, and asked with a frown.

Because of her education since childhood, Rong'er doesn't like to lie, and her family information is all falsely reported by the public, so there is no way, but if she wants to take the initiative to tell a female professor a lie such as "no one in the family" to prevaricate, she can't do it.

Ye Zhao was slightly stunned and said, "Oh, I'm going to Hong Kong tomorrow, it's not a coincidence." He sighed and shook his head.

Rong'er saw Xianggong's regretful face, so she persuaded her: "That's no way, Xianggong does big things, and you can't despise state affairs for Rong'er." She didn't know that Ye Zhao regretted missing a good show, and it was extremely interesting to talk to the female professor about Rong'er's performance as a primary school student at school.

If Rong'er knew what he really thought in the heart of his unspeakable Xianggong, she was afraid that she would want to bite him hard with her little shell teeth.

Ye Zhao said: "Then call it Jin ......" hurriedly paused, and almost said that he called Jin Feng to pretend to be your mother, and shouted in his heart that it was dangerous, to say that Rong'er was late, Jin Feng was rich and noble again, saying that Rong'er's mother wanted to be believed, but don't really pretend to be it, it's too unreasonable to say it, no matter how much you don't cover it, you can't lose your dignity.

changed his words: "Ask Jin Feng to accompany you to Taihexing, your parents are not there, just say that Xianggong Ru and his wife can tell the situation at home." ”

It's funny to think about it, the current home visit system is really helpful, you can understand the student's family situation is one thing, the most important thing is to use the home visit to influence his family, and strengthen his family's heart to help the student study.

But think about it, my house sent a second lady to listen to the female professor about the situation of the eldest lady, the second lady is cautious and does not mention it, if the female professor says the slightest bad thing about the eldest lady, I am afraid that the second lady will be the first to be angry.

It's laughing to think about this scene, this Rong'er's teacher, I don't know if I think this family is crazy.

It's a pity that I can't see such a fun thing.

How can Rong'er know Xianggong's dirty thoughts, nod her little head, and can only do what Xianggong says, she can't invite her sister here, I'm afraid that if she doesn't say a word, her sister will cut off the professor's head. looked at Xianggong and asked with concern: "Do you want to get up early?" ”

"yes." Ye Zhao's face was bitter, and now in front of Rong'er, he can pretend to be afraid of hardship, so that Xiao Rong'er pities herself.

Sure enough, Rong'er was also worried, Xianggong's first hobby was to sleep lazy.

"Then, let's go to bed early today, let's go to sleep." Rong'er jumped down from the sofa with her small body, grabbed Ye Zhao's hand, and said, "You take a bath today, and Rong'er will wash later." ”

Yes? Ye Zhao is really bitter this time, this, where can he fall asleep so early? This, this is really going to be painful!

…… This year marks the 20th anniversary of Queen Victoria's accession to the throne, and Hong Kong has held a grand celebration like a colony of the Empire around the world.

Although months have passed, the streets of Hong Kong are still full of festivities, Sai Ying Pun South Street is a gathering place for foreign companies, and under the curtains of the balconies on both sides of the houses, beautifully illuminated above the main entrance. Flags with coats of arms representing foreign companies are hung and embroidered on brocade with gold threads, with patterns ranging from the crown of the Queen of England to the mighty sea lions to the sailing ships of the Chinese trade, each showing off the achievements of the overseas economy.

And Bao Ling also attached great importance to Ye Zhao's visit, his dress was full of shining medals, wearing a top hat with feathers, and Ye Zhao rode in the same carriage, went straight to the military parade at the entrance of the garden road, held a military parade, and then with the brass horn band as the lead, the luxury carriage drawn by four white horses went through the streets and alleys, and went straight to the governor's palace.

And Ye Zhao's negotiations with Bao Ling kicked off early the next morning.

In a simple conference room in the Governor's Palace, looking out of the window, you can faintly see Kowloon across Victoria Harbour.

The bricks on the floor of the conference room are very pale in red color, and the green paint windows are mottled and peeling, slightly dilapidated, and there is no way, the British authorities in Hong Kong have just maintained a balance of payments, and they simply do not have the financial resources to renovate the Governor's Palace.

Bao Ling has always been conflicted about the development of Guangzhou, and the prosperity of Guangzhou will benefit from the trade of Hong Kong and even the British Empire. But the boom in Guangdong under his rule is unsettling.

Across the long hollow round table, Bao Ling and several officials sat in turn, this time it was not to talk about the wind and the moon to enhance friendship, the Chinese officials came to a note of protest, it was a Hong Kong powerhouse, and only Bao Ling was present.

Bao Ling looked at Ye Zhao quietly, and in his heart, he was thinking about the countermeasures.

An official stood up beside Ye Zhao, solemnly took out a piece of paper from the document bag, cleared his throat, and said in a high-pitched voice: "The Prime Minister's note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland is the political axe: The Governor of your country, Xinjiapo, detains the machinery and equipment of the Guangfu Shipyard, and we express our strongest protest......

The official who protested in a high-pitched voice was Zou Kaizhi, Minister of Nanyang International Trade of the Prime Minister's Yamen for Foreign Affairs, and although he was known as the Minister of Nanyang International Affairs, he was actually equivalent to the deputy of the Prime Minister's Yamen, Zhong Ye Zhao, and together with Li Xiaocun, he negotiated various matters with the consuls of various countries.

This note is concise and clear, not the usual crepe of the past.

Listening to the same high-pitched translator, Bao Ling's face was expressionless, and he was only ready to listen to the retaliatory measures taken by the Guangzhou side after the protest.

After Zou Kaizhi finished reading the note and sent the letter to the British officials, Bao Ling knew that the topic was coming, and slowly took the coffee.

Zou Kaizhi sat down, Ye Zhao whispered a few words in his ear, and then Zou Kaizhi cleared his throat and said loudly: "Your Excellency Governor, due to the unfriendly behavior of your country's territory, we will temporarily suspend all friendly exchanges with your country's officials, set up a gate in Xin'an County, and prohibit all personnel from illegally entering Hong Kong Island. ”

Bao Ling's face became more and more serious, he didn't expect that Guangzhou did not retaliate from commercial trade, but did more desperately.

Nowadays, Hong Kong Island does not have a strict household registration system, and the Chinese on the island can actually be said to be still the children of the Qing Dynasty, and most of them are just coming to Hong Kong Island to do business or ask for a living, after all, there are a few people who are willing to live permanently, and what are the Chinese most afraid of? Five generations are not allowed to participate in the imperial examination? I'm afraid these people will be gone soon.

What would Hong Kong Island become without the Chinese?

Bao Ling looked at Ye Zhao, but saw that Ye Zhao smiled slightly, had already gotten up, bowed his hand, and a group of officials rushed out.

…… After the dinner, in the lounge on the second floor of the South Building of the Governor's Palace, Bao Lingcai and Ye Zhao started a real negotiation.

In the room, the kerosene lamp was dim and uncertain, as if it was in the mood of Bao Ling.

Ye Zhao smiled: "I heard that the Governor is planning to start the gaslighting plan within three years, and I will definitely give my full support to it then." ”

Bao Ling put down his pipe, smiled, and said, "Thank you, Your Royal Highness." In fact, he was very aware of the difference between the prince of the county in Chinese, and he deliberately did it to be a slight compliment. He also said: "It is a great honor for His Royal Highness the Prince to come to Hong Kong. ”

Ye Zhao smiled: "I have long wanted to come to Hong Kong to have a look, but I bothered me." Instead, he asked, "Does the Governor know why the fears of your merchants have not happened?" ”

Bao Ling was indeed a little puzzled, "I would like to hear about it." ”

Ye Zhao Zhengse said: "Prime Minister Yamen does not want to set this precedent, and if it is not necessary, he does not want to transfer the likes and dislikes of the relationship between the two countries to the trade merchants. ”

Bao Ling looked at Ye Zhao in surprise, this young magnate can always surprise people.

Ye Zhao said again: "Of course, Prime Minister Yamen reserves the right to punish merchants of your country for surname trade. ”

Today's solemn protest in Hong Kong reminded Ye Zhao of later generations, in fact, there is a lot of helplessness about diplomatic activities that are not in the mainstream power club, and the future generations are, and the current Qing Dynasty is too, but he is pinching the throat of Hong Kong Island, and there are many cards to play.

(To be continued)