At the same time that "Yazuan" became famous in the magic capital and spread rapidly to various places, Gong Zhaoyu, the general office of the Jiangnan Manufacturing Bureau, also sent someone to send an invitation to invite Su Can to the Jiangnan Manufacturing Situation to talk.

This should be the letter that Gong Zhaoyu forwarded to Li Hongzhang before, and there is a reply.

Su Can took Huang Feihong and Dadao Wang Wu and rushed directly to the Jiangnan Manufacturing Bureau.

Unexpectedly, Gong Zhaoyu himself was at the door to greet him, and personally brought Su Can into a living room in the backyard.

In the living room, there is an old man in his sixties, who is sitting on the main seat, drinking tea slowly.

"Li Hongzhang!"

Su Can's heart tightened slightly.

Meng Chen had already sent him all the information about Li Hongzhang, including old photos handed down from the late Qing Dynasty.

The old man in front of him has a white beard, wears cyan civilian clothes, and is slightly fat, just looking at his body and appearance, he is not much different from the little old man in the countryside of the modern earth, and even looks older.

However, Li Hongzhang's eyes were very bright, and the expression on his face was not angry and arrogant, with a natural aura of a person who had been in the top position for a long time.

The governor of Zhili, the minister of Beiyang, a proper first-class officer, and a long-term high-ranking person.

Behind Li Hongzhang are two men with waist knives, who should be bodyguards.

"Su Can has seen Li Zhongtang!"

Without waiting for Gong Zhaoyi's introduction, Su Can hurriedly took two steps forward and bowed to Li Hongzhang.

"Sit down, I inspected the Beiyang Navy Division this time, and I received a letter forwarded by Zhaoyu, so I came by the way to take a look. ”

Li Hongzhang put down the tea bowl and said lightly.

"Thank you, Li Zhongtang. ”

Su Can sat down on a chair on the side of the living room.

After sitting down, he remembered Meng Chen's explanation, hurriedly stood up again, and then took two boxes, one large and one small, from the hands of the Great Sword King Wu and Huang Feihong.

Meng Chen explained that if he saw Li Hongzhang himself, he would have to give a gift first, and then talk about other things.

Many people are not to blame.

Give the gift first, and it will definitely be easier to talk later.

"Li Zhongtang, this is a small meeting gift, and please Li Zhongtang smile. ”

Su Can first opened the small box and let Li Hongzhang see the contents inside.

Diamond.

That's for sure.

However, this diamond is a processed Yuanneng stone slag, which will not easily change its properties.

Seeing this diamond, Gong Zhaoyu's complexion on the side changed slightly.

Even Li Hongzhang himself squinted his eyes slightly.

Of course he knew this thing, and he had just learned from Gong Zhaoyu that the Canxing Auction House established by Su Can was the main auction of diamonds and "sub-diamonds." ”

"This is a fine diamond, not a 'sub-diamond'. ”

Su Can then explained.

Li Hongzhang and Gong Zhaoyu were even more surprised.

This diamond is the size of a walnut, and as soon as they meet, they will take out a gift of this level, even Li Hongzhang himself has never seen it.

Su Can put down the diamond, opened another large box, and took out a bottle about a catty.

"Li Zhongtang, this is my family's ancestral fruit wine, and now there is only this bottle left. Take a small sip every day, the effect can prolong life, which is very magical. It is also a small gift to Li Zhongtang. ”

Su Can saw that the diamond had suppressed the other party, and his heart was suddenly relieved, and he continued with a smile.

This is actually the "Yuan Spirit Water" left over from his previous cultivation, which has been diluted ten times.

It is definitely impossible for ordinary people to prolong their lives after drinking, but at Li Hongzhang's age, if he takes a small sip every day, he can indeed make him lose weight and be healthy for a period of time, as if he is more than ten years younger.

Li Hongzhang's eyes lit up.

His health is not very good, and generally people with some status, at his age, will have a special desire for things that can "prolong life".

If someone else said it, Li Hongzhang might just smile casually and wouldn't take it seriously.

But since Su Can has already taken out such a big diamond, there is no need to exaggerate too much on this "fruit wine", since it is said to prolong life, then it must have some effect.

Without waiting for Li Hongzhang's command, a guard standing behind him immediately walked out, picked up two boxes, one large and one small, and sent them to the table next to Li Hongzhang to put down.

Li Hongzhang didn't move the diamond, but looked at the bottle of "fruit wine" first. ”

The guard immediately understood, carefully removed the wine, and uncorked the bottle.

A pleasant, sweet scent immediately emerged from the bottle and spread around.

"Adult ......"

The guard had a look of surprise on his face, and handed the bottle to Li Hongzhang with both hands.

Yuan Lingshui is not an item that belongs to this world at all, and this fresh breath of Yuan Li makes people feel that it is different when they smell it at will.

"Good wine!"

Li Hongzhang didn't reach out to pick it up, this distance was enough for him to feel the breath of Yuan Li.

When the guard heard this, he immediately re-corked the bottle and carefully placed it back in the box.

"Su Can, what is the purpose of you giving me these gifts? Do you want me to give you some preferential conditions in the matter of your shareholding in the 'Steamship China Merchants Bureau' and the 'Machine Weaving Layout'?"

Li Hongzhang withdrew his gaze from the box and looked at Su Candao.

Li Zhongtang misunderstood! These are just small greeting gifts from Su Can's admiration for adults. As for the matter of taking a stake in the steamship China Merchants Bureau and the layout of machine weaving, it is natural to do what should be done, and everything is according to the rules. ”

Su Can hurriedly said.

According to Meng Chen's explanation to him, the currencies of various countries obtained from the sale of Asian diamonds should be taken out and invested in the benchmark industry in the Westernization movement.

Su Can had already talked to Gong Zhaoyu before, and it is now impossible for the Jiangnan Manufacturing Bureau to let private capital become shareholder, but the steamship China Merchants Bureau and the machine weaving layout that has not yet been completed and put into production can.

However, this kind of investment is still not available to everyone, after investing in the steamship China Merchants Bureau and the layout of machine weaving, it is equivalent to climbing the big tree of Li Hongzhang, which is very important for Su Can's early development in the late Qing Dynasty.

In fact, Su Can's wanton sale of diamonds in the Demon Capital has aroused the red eyes of many people, and just a few days ago, the Yamen of the Demon Capital has sent someone over, saying that he wants to go to Qingyang Mountain to re-survey the ore vein.

Under Meng Chen's instructions, Su Can did not object, and was very cooperative with letting them go up the mountain to search at will.

As a result, the yamen side sent 1,000 big-headed soldiers and some prospectors to search the mountains for five days and five nights, but found nothing.

The beggars just lived there, and they didn't open mines or anything at all.

But this is certainly just the beginning, and where there are interests, there will inevitably be disputes. Su Can is making money too fast, and there will inevitably be various forces ready to move in private.

Therefore, many things need to be prepared for a rainy day and nip the trouble in the bud in advance.

However, the reputation of the Qing court was extremely poor, and industries like these two were also owned by the government and the private sector, and few private capital was willing to invest in such industries.

......

"Hmm. There's something I'd like to ask you...... Su Can, I heard that you exchanged a batch of weapons from the Russians and Germans, what do you want to do here?"

Li Hongzhang nodded, and then asked with a twist.

“...... Fortunately, my cousin was prepared. ”

Su Can said secretly in his heart.

"Li Zhongtang, I have some friends who went to the Republic of Lanfang in Borneo before...... Does Li Zhongtang know that Lan Fangguo is being attacked by the Dutch?"

Su Can said to Li Hongzhang.

"Yes. Lan Fangguo had asked us for help before, but at that time, the war between the imperial court and France was tight, and there was no time to take care of this matter. ”

Li Hongzhang looked at Su Can quietly.

Could he not have known about this?

"I bought weapons this time to send them to Lan Fangguo. ”

Su Can said.

“...... Not bad. ”

Li Hongzhang was silent for a moment before nodding again.

In fact, in the magic capital, there are really not many things that can be hidden from Li Hongzhang.

This time he came to the magic capital, he mainly inspected the Jiangnan Manufacturing Bureau, the Steamship Merchants Bureau, the machine weaving layout in preparation and other industries, and met Su Can just by the way.

Moreover, Su Can was looking for a guide in the magic capital and preparing to hire a ship to go to the South Seas, and someone reported to him.

If it weren't for this, he might not want to see Su Can's side.

"It's rare that you're willing to support this...... In this way, this time you will go to Nanyang, and the Jiangnan Manufacturing Bureau will provide you with eight breech guns. ”

After a slight pause, Li Hongzhang suddenly smiled slightly.

"Ah......h

Su Can almost thought he had misheard.

"The matter of taking a stake in the steamship China Merchants Bureau and the layout of the machine weaving, you can talk to them later. ”

Li Hongzhang picked up the tea bowl.

That's what it's time to send off.

......

Back in his yard, Su Can still felt a little dizzy and completely confused.

Li Hongzhang would actually provide him with eight cannons?

Soon, Su Can contacted Meng Chen.

After knowing this, Meng Chen only thought about it briefly and understood Li Hongzhang's general intentions.

Li Hongzhang is really exquisite, and he does not leak.

There are many benefits to him, but there is basically no harm in doing so.

First, Li Hongzhang's move is tantamount to doing a business for the Jiangnan Manufacturing Bureau.

When it is said to be "providing", it is actually selling.

If Lan Fangguo wins, he will naturally have to take out the silver of these eight cannons. If Lan Fangguo fails, the silver of these eight cannons will definitely fall on Su Can.

Second, in any case, the Lanfang Republic has always been willing to invest in the Qing Kingdom, if Su Can can really help the Lanfang Kingdom defeat the Dutch this time, then after Lanfang is incorporated into the territory of the Qing Kingdom, he will definitely benefit from the hero who provided eight artillery pieces, and the credit for opening up the territory and leaving it in history will inevitably have his share.

Thirdly, the sale of weapons is now being done among the great powers. It's just eight guns, and even if Lan Fangguo is defeated, there will be no diplomatic trouble with the Dutch.

Fourth, although Su Can is a small person, what's wrong with selling personal favors with his hands?

......

Meng Chen could only think of these points for a while, and as for whether Li Hongzhang had other deep meanings, he couldn't figure it out for the time being.

However, being able to have eight more artillery pieces will help Lan Fangguo defeat the invasion of the Dutch after all.

......

With Li Hongzhang's tacit approval, the plan, which had been roughly prepared, progressed more rapidly.

At noon the next day, led by Huang Feihong, three nationals of the Lanfang Republic, and six Qing people who were familiar with the Lanfang Kingdom as guides, and a thousand beggar disciples selected by Su Can followed, and set off from the port of Modu on two ocean-going ships, carrying eight cannons, hundreds of shells, ten Golov machine guns, as well as 1,500 rifles and a large number of bullets, all the way to the Lanfang Republic of Nanyang Borneo to escort arms.

The amount of these arms is not very large, but the Dutch army that invaded the Republic of Lanfang totaled seven or eight thousand, less than ten thousand.

The war has been going on for two years, and Meng Chen doesn't know what the situation is now, but if these arms are used well, it is possible to help Lan Fangguo turn defeat into victory.