Located near the mouth of the Sancha River, the Sankou Trade Yamen is famous in Tianjin. Because Li Zhongtang, the governor of Zhili, who is the head of the governor of the world, works here.

Since it is the governor's yamen, it is bound to be very lively, not to mention the governor of Zhili, who is also a diplomatic errand. Moreover, the western scenery here is the most in Tianjin, and many people who are brave and love to watch the excitement like to stay here.

The officials queuing at the gate of the dog days were still waiting at the door on a hot day, dressed neatly, and were about to get prickly heat. There is also the thirty-nine days, frozen like the third grandson, and still dare not leave to hide for a while.

Of course, the best thing is the training of the guards, shouting the passwords that are said to be taught by the British foreigners, doing all kinds of actions one by one, and this is the most comfortable time for the idlers, because they can applaud loudly unscrupulously, and they are not afraid of the people in the yamen taking sticks to whip people.

But what they like the most is when foreigners appear, these foreigners are different from the waiting officials, and they often don't need to wait to go in directly. At this time, there are often those who are bold enough to spit on the foreigners who go in and scold again. "These foreigners, what are they proud of."

Immediately get a round of applause and a thumbs up. At this time, the scolder was very proud, as if he had done a big thing to make Tianjin famous. At the same time, you can also take the opportunity to despise those officials who are struggling at the door.

However, this is not without risks, and last month Xiaoshandong, west of the city, suffered a big loss because of this, and was severely beaten by the people of the Yamen on the grounds of insulting the French minister. It's miserable, when I lifted it out, my ass was already a blur of flesh and blood, and I'm still lying on the bed. According to the doctor, within three months, he couldn't even get out of bed.

In the following period, the entrance of the three-mouth trade yamen stopped a lot, but in the end, the lord who couldn't be idle, and after that gust of limelight, he surrounded it again.

Today, another foreigner came to the yamen, which immediately made a group of people look forward to it again, to see that good man dare to stand up and poke at the arrogance of foreigners.

The old and young masters who stayed outside the yamen, you looked at me, I looked at you, and it seemed that they were all waiting for the good man to come forward, but they all waited until the foreigners entered the gate, and no one stood up.

Faced with such a situation, many people secretly spat out, "Who are they?" ”

The scene outside the door, the Howard who had just entered the door had no idea. It's just that he was led by an official to an antique room.

"Mr. Howard, you wait here, Lord Zhongtang is a little busy at the moment, he will invite Your Excellency in a moment."

Faced with the official's proficiency in Italian, Howard thanked him in Chinese, which he was still proficient in, "Thank you." ”

As he spoke, he took out a silver ticket from his pocket and skillfully handed it to the official. And the official was surprised for a moment, and skillfully pocketed the silver ticket.

He was surprised because he should have confiscated the foreigner's silver tickets, but his skillful technique seemed to have collected a lot.

And after Howard handed over the red envelope, he waited for Li Zhongtang's summons with peace of mind.

In the study, Li Zhongtang, then Minister of Beiyang Trade and Governor of Zhili, was discussing his concerns with his confidant Zhou Fu, who was then the chief of the Tianjin Customs Road and the Tianjin Military Preparation Road.

"Yushan, the affairs of the fleet need to be hurried, the French are also coming more and more restless, according to the news that Shoushan came back from Europe, the French are bound to win Vietnam, and Liangguang and Yungui are in an eventful situation."

The founder of Beiyang, Li Zhongtang, who was known as a famous minister of the late Qing Dynasty, couldn't help but sigh about the recent actions of the French.

Although Li Zhongtang is known for signing unequal treaties in history, he has to admit that this is not his fault, and the country's lack of strength is in vain, of course, these feelings did not help the Qing Dynasty to reach an agreement with France on the Vietnamese issue. Don't think that Li Zhongtang is not well-informed about Europe, as the most popular Chinese official in Europe, Li Zhongtang has his own channels to get news.

Of course, I also know about France's various moves in Vietnam, and of course, these things mainly need to be decided by Zeng Laojiu and other Hunan military figures. But the current situation in the Qing Dynasty is still very grim, not to mention France, Britain, the United States, Russia and other countries are not easy to get along with, even the juniors of Dongying are also acting stupidly when they see the situation faced by the Qing Dynasty, and the state affairs are difficult.

Just as Li Zhongtang was discussing with his confidant Zhou Fu, there was a sound of announcement outside the door. "Lord Nakado, the Italian businessman Howard has come to pay a visit?"

"Italian?"

After Li Zhongtang heard the report outside the door, he was a little surprised, because the people in the Governor's Mansion knew that he had a lot of opportunities, how to allow businessmen to enter the Governor's Palace, and he actually reported it in a grand manner.

Therefore, after Lord Zhongtang and the staff glanced at each other, Zhou Fu, who was a confidant, asked what was in his heart for him.

"I don't know how things are going on in the middle hall, why did you let the merchant enter the governor's palace, what kind of system is this."

After being reprimanded by Zhou Fu, the official who felt that the silver ticket in his arms was a little hot immediately replied. "Because this businessman has the business card of the Italian minister Jia Liwen, and said that he was introduced by the Italian minister, so the villain didn't dare to slack off, so he could only lure him in."

The answer outside the door surprised Li Zhongtang and Zhou Fu, an Italian businessman was recommended by the minister to him, although the Italian people had no sense of existence in the Qing Dynasty, but suddenly appeared at this time, then it must be abnormal. So in the face of this abnormal situation, Lord Zhongtang must take a good look.

"Then what's that name?"

"Howard."

Faced with the situation that the boss didn't remember his name, the lower-level officials took the opportunity to remind him.

"yes, let that Howard in, I'd like to see what the Italian wants to do."

After a while, under the leadership of the subordinate officer, Howard met Li Zhongtang who was sitting in the main hall.

"I have seen the Deputy Prime Minister of the Qing Dynasty and His Excellency the Governor-General."

Faced with the situation that the Italian businessman did not know his official position and spoke indiscriminately, of course, Lord Zhongtang would not have the same knowledge as him.

"I don't know Huo ...... Mr. Huo wants to see the official, but is there anything important? ”

Although Li Zhongtang met this Howard, the impatience in his words could be heard by anyone. If there is nothing to interest Howard, then sweeping the floor will be a high probability.

And Howard is not stupid, of course he heard Li Zhongtang clearly, but he opened his mouth unhurriedly, bringing a shocking news to Lord Zhongtang. "Your Excellency the Governor, the contemptible person has a little connection with Europe, and as a greeting gift, I would like to bring a message to your lordship."

Howard's words surprised Lord Nakado, a message as a meeting gift, this is rare. "Then let the official weigh whether your news is enough as a meeting gift."

"Yes, Your Excellency the Governor. The news I brought is that the Germans have agreed that in the event of war between your country and France, then, in accordance with the principle of neutrality, they will cease the shipment of weapons to your country, even if it has been ordered. ”

Howard's words made Li Zhongtang stand up suddenly. "Is that true?"

Li Zhongtang couldn't help but lose his temper, because he understood what this Howard meant. As long as there is a war with France, then Germany will not let the second ship return home. Thinking of this, how could he not be in a hurry, you must know that the core of Beiyang is these two giant ships, and if they delay the time, then the formation time of the Beiyang Naval Division will also be retreated. This is not good news for Li Zhongtang, who led the construction of the water division.

"Don't dare to deceive Your Excellency the Deputy Prime Minister, this is the news that my friends in Europe have confirmed."

Li Zhongtang, who felt that he was out of shape, sat back at this time, and finally came up with a sentence. "It seems that Mr. Huo has a wide range of friends."

"I can't afford the praise of His Excellency the Governor, and the contemptible is just well-informed."

"So, what else does Mr. Huo have to tell this official?"

"No, I am not an intelligence merchant, I sell all kinds of machinery and equipment, of course, if His Excellency the Governor is willing to make friends with you, then I can also bring some small arms or warships to Your Excellency, but you need to pay a considerable amount of money."

"Is that true?"

"Yes, Your Excellency the Governor, as long as you have the money, even if it is a first-class armored ship that is much more powerful than the Calm II ship, I can provide you with it and can also provide it in stock. However, the cost is relatively high. ”

Howard's words, Li Zhongtang understood, and wanted to calm down the two ships that cost a huge amount of money in Beiyang, and if they wanted to buy more powerful warships, then the silver needed would go to the sea. With his current family background, he can't take it out.

But although he couldn't take it out, Howard's words made his heart move. "Anyway, Mr. Huo is also hand-eyed, and he doesn't seem to be an ordinary person."

"Your Excellency the Governor has been overwhelmed, I am just a small Italian merchant, as long as your country can pay enough money, then I can still call up retired officers and soldiers to operate warships for your country to fight the enemy."

The second half of Howard's sentence, Li Zhongtang seems to be just boasting, but the first half of the sentence let him know the origin of this businessman, and it seems that the next step is to study what grievances the Italians and French have.

"Tea, please."

Li Zhongtang picked up the teacup and gestured to Howard.

As a businessman in China for many years, Howard could not know the purpose of this move, but his purpose had been achieved, so he stood up and said. "Excuse me, Your Excellency, this is my address in Shanghai. If the Governor has a need, he can come to me at this address. ”

After saying that, Howard left, leaving Li Zhongtang alone in the lobby.

"Dong Weng, this Howard is not an ordinary businessman at first glance."

After Howard left, Zhou Fu walked out from behind the screen.

Facing the staff who have been confidants for many years, Li Zhongtang stopped pretending and said with a wry smile. "Of course I know that this Howard is not simple, how can it be so simple to find me with the recommendation of the Italian minister."

"So what is Dong Weng going to do with this Italian?"

"Let's take a step at a time, if what Howard said is true, we must let Zixiang and Ji Qian, who are in Germany, drive the second ship back as soon as possible."

Now Li Zhongtang is most concerned about his second ship in Germany, if it is detained, there is really no good way.

Li Zhongtang's worries were of no importance to Howard, because he needed to meet with several governors next, such as Zeng Guoquan, the governor of Liangguang, Zuo Zongtang, the governor of Liangjiang, and He Jing, the governor of Fujian and Zhejiang, so he was short of time and could not continue to wait.

Of course, he now needs to let these old-fashioned Qing governors know him first, and as for the future, he needs orders from Rome.