Morning meeting

"Ministers see the emperor, may the emperor live long live"

Li Yunzhong listened to the minister's voice singing praises of virtue, and gradually got used to it, and felt that every time he heard this sentence, he had different thoughts, and he always reflected on himself after the end, and did not become complacent.

"Flat, do you have something to do?"

Zhang Weikun said: "Your Majesty, recently there are ministers in various provinces who complain that there are too many official duties, too few officials, and they are busy dealing with official affairs from morning to night, and they can't check and fill in the gaps. ”

Li Yunzhong nodded again and again: "Aiqing is reasonable, there are too few provincial officials in various provinces, and Aiqing has a good plan." ”

Zhang Weikun had received Li Yunzhong's hint in advance, and said unhurriedly: "Weichen thinks that the governor of a province has military and political power in one body, and there are many affairs, so it is better to add the post of governor to be in charge of civil affairs, and the governor is in charge of the military. ”

This kind of big thing, why didn't the sixth brother discuss it with us! It seems that the post of provincial governor is specially set up for Hunan personnel, and even if the post of governor falls into the hands of our Guangxi people, the civil posts of procurators and political envoys must be filled by scholars. For high-ranking officials in a province, the Gui family can only occupy one seat, and they suffer a great loss.

Weichen suggested that the governor should manage the military affairs of the two provinces, and each province should have a governor, and the military commander should work part-time. It is convenient for war, please ask the emperor to decide! "Meng Sheng can't think of any good way for the time being. The powers of the governor can only be extended as much as possible.

Li Yunzhong felt good, and nodded with satisfaction: "Accurate." I will consult with the cabinet on the selection of this governor, and since the Governor of the Household Department Shangshumeng has suggested that the Governor should manage the military affairs of the two provinces, there will be four temporary posts of Governor of Fujian and Zhejiang, Governor of Liangguang, Governor of Liangjiang, and Governor of Anhui and Henan. ”

Lu Jianying asked, "How many provinces does the Governor of Liangjiang have under his jurisdiction?" ”

"Jiangsu and Jiangxi provinces."

Hubu Shangshumeng rose up to report the good news: "Your Majesty, the first phase of war bonds has been sold out, and a total of 5 million taels of silver has been raised, which is enough for the westward expedition, and 2 million taels of additional industrial bonds issued by the household department have also been sold. All the money obtained was handed over to the Ministry of Industry, as well as railway bonds, because the train tracks from Hangzhou to Shanghai and Suzhou have been opened to traffic, and China's steel foundries have also refined high-quality steel that meets the conditions for rail manufacturing, and the train tracks from Zhenjiang to Nanjing have been measured and can be started at any time. ”

Li Yunzhong asked: "How much did the railway bonds sell?" And which country is the railway technician hired? ”

Meng Shengsheng thought for a moment: "The railway bonds, including those purchased by foreign banks, have a total of 6.75 million taels, which are enough to build railways, as for foreign technicians. It consisted of seven Americans, two Dutchmen, and one Prussian, with the British and French all withdrawing halfway. ”

Li Yunzhong nodded: "This railway was built at our own expense by the Han Kingdom, and the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Household must cooperate well, and I will invite the ministers of several countries to participate in the opening ceremony." ”

"Obey the order" Chen Chengying and Meng Shengsheng immediately received the order.

After the dispersal of the dynasty. Upper study

"Weichen Li Hongzhang see the emperor."

Looking at the respectful Li Hongzhang, Li Yunzhong seemed to have a fierce horse tamed by himself, and he was quite satisfied.

"Aiqing is exempt. Shaoquan, you've been in Dahan for half a year, do you have any feelings? ”

Since Li Hongzhang surrendered to the Han. He served as a six-grade staff officer, who could go to the court, be on duty in Wenyuan Pavilion, and listen to politics in the upper study. In the past six months, he can only listen to and not speak, and he can only think but not do, but he has been suffocated, and the edges and corners have long been smoothed.

"Weichen is ashamed, he didn't know the mandate of heaven before, he was arrogant, no less than sitting in a well and watching the sky, but now he repents and understands that the emperor is the destiny of heaven." When Li Hongzhang surrendered, he still had the intention of escaping, but now he has completely convinced the Han and Li Yunzhong, and there is no second heart.

Li Yunzhong laughed: "The Shaoquan I know is not this kind of person who can only pat on the back, you can tell me what else needs to be improved in the big Han, such as your predecessor Lu Shoufu, who hinted in front of me all day that foreign affairs are not advisable and should be abolished as soon as possible, what do you think of this aspect?" ”

Li Hongzhang spelled out distracting thoughts, knowing that this is the emperor's test, and if he passes, he will soar, but he will no longer be taken seriously: "Qi Emperor, Wechen thinks that Westernization is a move to benefit the country and the people, and the Han Dynasty does not carry out Westernization Movement, and will eventually be bullied by foreigners like the Qing Dynasty, just like the emperor often says that backwardness will be beaten, and the Han can only catch up, middle school as the body, and foreign learning as the use, Wechen recently read a book called "Haiguo Tuzhi", Shiyi long skills to control the country, it is really the truth of saving the country. ”

Li Yunzhong drank a cup of tea, said 'En', and motioned for Li Hongzhang to continue.

Li Hongzhang put his mind at ease: "What foreigners rely on is nothing more than the strength of the ship and the artillery, as long as we Han learn the method of making the ship strong and the artillery sharp, we will not be afraid of the provocation of the foreigner." ”

"Do you think these decrees issued by me are all ways to learn from the strength of foreigners' ships?" Li Yunzhong asked casually, it seems that Li Hongzhang has a mind, but he lacks a real understanding of foreigners, no wonder the Huaijun group he created in his previous life was defeated by the Japanese, he only knows the surface of industrialization.

"Weichen is stupid" Li Hongzhang has an expression that I think is so.

Li Yunzhong felt a little excited: "Shaoquan, the last time the Han Dynasty held the imperial examination, you have also seen it, this time a total of 407 Jinshi were admitted, except for the champion Yang Kailin, the others did not arrange errands, let them study the books of "Atlas of the Sea Kingdom" and "European Experience" all day long, do you know what the Tao is for?" ”

The second monk Li Hongzhang was puzzled and didn't understand what the emperor meant, so he replied carefully: "The emperor is wise, and the ministers are stupid." ”

Li Yunzhong said slowly: "A few months ago, I sent a group of thirteen or fourteen-year-old teenagers to study abroad. They all went to Europe, France, England, Prussia, and the United States of America in the Americas, but I found that it would be ten years before they could succeed in their studies, and I couldn't wait that long, and the Han couldn't wait, so I sent a group of learned and old scholars to see and see! Do you understand what I mean? ”

Li Hongzhang was dumbfounded, didn't the emperor want to send me abroad!

Li Yunzhong looked at the stunned Li Hongzhang, and laughed: "Yes, I just want to send them abroad, including you, of course, as their leader, I will set a good route for you, and I will also greet the governments of various countries, what do you think?" (To be continued......)