"Yes, Your Majesty. I have no shortage of people in the Qing Dynasty, and this replacement of ships and the construction of ports, and the establishment of sailors are nothing more than the need for one thing, that is: money! So, Chen is thinking about how to make money! …… How to make a lot of money in a short period of time! Seeing everyone's questions, Gao Shiqi bowed to Kangxi and replied seriously.

"Then I don't know, Lord Gao, have you ever figured out a way?" Tong Guowei stared at Gao Shiqi and asked. Among the four ministers in the study, although he is the first assistant, Gao Shiqi is still only ranked third, but Kangxi's reliance on Gao Shiqi and Gao Shiqi's own ability always make him feel a threat.

"Came up with a little ...... This method, when it comes to making money, will definitely make a lot of money! I just don't know how to say it, and I don't ...... say it," Gao Shiqi replied.

"Hehe, it seems that you Gao Shiqi has thought of some bad ideas again, let's say it! I'd like to hear what you have in mind this time. Kangxi said with a smile.

"Obey the order!" As soon as he bowed down, Gao Shiqi immediately raised his head, looked at his colleagues on both sides and smiled, and said: "When it comes to making money, the fastest way is naturally to fight." In the war, the money is not only the fastest, but also the most! Therefore, Gao's method of making money is to recruit troops and form a team to fight in Europa according to what the eldest brother said just now......"

……

"Gao Xiang, what are you kidding? When did Big Brother say that he was going to recruit soldiers? What he said was to let a general, with the young and strong men in the army, go to Europa to try the war, not to help anyone to fight......" Feeling unbelievable and unprepared by Gao Shiqi's suggestion to recruit troops to fight, Ma Qi hurriedly retorted. And when he spoke, he also felt that Gao Shiqi seemed to be a little abnormal.

"These two points are actually pretty much the same! However, how can watching others fight can compare to the battles that you have personally experienced? How can my soldiers of the Qing Dynasty be the same as those of the West? Therefore, it is still necessary to recruit people to go out to fight, this is the right way! Gao Shiqi said.

"Gao Xiang, have you been too tired lately and have a seizure? How can it be so whimsical? Why did I go to Europa to fight? Tong Guowei scoffed at Gao Shiqi's words.

"Not bad! Moreover, Gao Xiang, I can ignore the conquest of other countries in the Qing Dynasty, but how can I join in? …… What you just said is against the golden mean of the saints! Lee also spoke out against it.

"I don't understand, Gao Xiang, why do you think so? ......" Chen Tingjing looked at Gao Shiqi, as if he didn't know him all of a sudden.

"......" Zhang Tingyu was speechless, as if he was still thinking about the candidates for the governor of Anhui and the political envoy.

Shi Lang had already hid to the side, for fear that others would see him!

As for Prince Yinren, his eyes are a little blue! …… Gao Shiqi actually agreed with his big brother! Wouldn't that say, the big brother's subordinates are all civil and military? This does not bode well.

……

I don't know if I ever thought that because of such a sentence, in a short period of time, I was classified as "stroke" and "hypothesis". However, for the words of his colleagues, Gao Shiqi just smiled and didn't say a word.

Until Kangxi came back to his senses.

"Gao Shiqi, there must be a limit to joking. Didn't I say that I would not accede to the request of the Russians? A look of displeasure appeared on Kangxi's face.

"Please forgive the emperor. Actually, that's just what the minister said. …… It's just that I didn't expect your lords to be so intense, this, it's really a little beyond expectations......" Hearing Kangxi's question, Gao Shiqi immediately put away his smiling face and looked a little embarrassed.

"Oh? According to you, it's someone else making a fuss, right? Gao Shiqi, you have to explain it clearly, otherwise, I'm afraid I won't be able to protect you! Kangxi smiled slightly.

"Obey the order!" seemed to have some kind of guarantee, after listening to Kangxi's words, Gao Shiqi immediately bowed his hand to Kangxi, and then made a circle, and then said to everyone present: "Your Majesty, and your lords, in fact, Gao Shiqi said that just now, but because he knew a little bit about the market of Europa." ”

"Quotes? Gao Xiang, have you changed your career to business? Tong Guowei teased.

"Hehe, Tong Xiang laughed." glanced at Tong Guowei with a deep meaning, Gao Shiqi didn't care, but continued: "This so-called 'market' is certainly not the 'market' that does business and buys things. …… However, speaking of this Europa, although it is not like my China, there are virtues of 'loyalty, filial piety, courtesy, righteousness, and faithfulness' that have been passed down for thousands of years, but there are still some things. …… It's a pity that the people there are so heavy on profit that in recent years, nay, it should be said that in the last few hundred years, they have not hesitated to travel thousands of miles to the ocean, and they have not hesitated to kill people and set fires for the sake of profit......"

"...... a knife on the head of the word 'li', hmph, these people will suffer the consequences sooner or later!" Tong Guowei said disdainfully.

"Huh? Ah......, what Tong Xiang said is very true! Gao Shiqi glanced at Tong Guowei strangely, and didn't tell him, in fact, what he said should be a knife on the head of the word "forbearance".

"Gao Xiang, what exactly are you trying to say?" Li Guangdi said impatiently. He and Gao Shiqi are old enemies. More than ten years ago, he had the hope of entering the upper study as a phase, but unfortunately, because he was Suo Etu's protégé, Kangxi was afraid that he would greatly increase Suo Etu's power after entering the upper study, so he did not agree. As a result, he missed the opportunity, but he never thought that his frustration would make Gao Shiqi, a guy with no foundation, take advantage of the loophole, enter the cabinet in vain, and climb the dragon gate in one day. After that, Gao Shiqi was in the center most of the time, although he was withdrawn once in the middle, but he was reinstated within two years. This made him die of jealousy, who had been staring at the phase with dry eyes! Therefore, although he knew that Gao Shiqi was also a very talented person, Li Guangdi always looked at this guy unpleasantly.

"Master Li, don't worry!" Responding to Li Guangdi with a smile, Gao Shiqi still said to himself: "For hundreds of years, because I only seek the word 'profit'. Therefore, the wealth of Europa can be called rare. However, compared to Europa, Naturqi is even more incredible. Back then, the Turks were raiding and plundering, and after moving to the west, there was no country to match, so these Turks not only built a big country, but also destroyed dozens of states in the west, and gathered their rich people into one body. Moreover, because Turkey has cut off the east and west for hundreds of years, many of the eastern and western property has been concentrated in its territory; In addition, its land is rich in gold and precious stones, so Turkey is even richer than Europa. Therefore, if our Qing Dynasty can use the settlement of the old feud and Turks as an excuse to send troops to help the Russians fight and invade Turkey, we will definitely be able to gain a lot. ……”

"It's ridiculous!" Li Guangdi burst out these four words from between his teeth.

Gao Shiqi ignored him, just scanned the surroundings again with his eyes, but the eyes of the people present looked at him, except for Zhang Tingyu's little change, there was some mockery or contempt, of course, more puzzled. …… What happened to the always shrewd Gao Shiqi today? How can you say all the nonsense that doesn't make sense?

……

"Gao Shiqi, you went to Europe once, why did you have so many messy whimsical ideas?" In the end, seeing that others didn't ask again, Kangxi asked with some frowns.

"Your Majesty, the minister knows that what he just said is indeed inappropriate. However, the minister only said...... Let's talk about it! It's not your ......" Tightening his tongue, Gao Shiqi became a little distracted again.

"Humph!" Dragged into the water? Twisting his face and snorting coldly, Kangxi glared at Gao Shiqi again with an unhappy expression, and finally stood up and brushed his sleeves away, only leaving a sentence behind him: "Gao Shiqi is a little 'tired', he is allowed to go back to his home for a 'vacation' for three days, and the others will go to eat with me!" ”

"The minister (minion) obeys!" Hearing Kangxi's words, everyone hurriedly shouted in unison. …… Zhang Tingyu's eyes were sharp, and when he squinted, he saw that Gao Shiqi was still smiling when he lowered his head.

*********

"Gao Xiang, what are you for?"

I didn't eat much good food with Kangxi. That is, a small bowl of rice, and after that, several first-class ministers of the Qing court left the Qianqing Palace with a full stomach and left the Forbidden City. Tong Guowei pulled Ma Qi and said that he was going to drink some tea together, Li Guangdi left by himself, Chen Tingjing and Zhang Tingyu stopped by and accompanied Shi Lang, a general, to add some more, and as a result, they met Gao Shiqi, who was eating in the restaurant, and the four of them got together. During the banquet, Chen Tingjing looked at Gao Shiqi and couldn't help but ask.

"What, why?" Gao Shiqi looked dazed, obviously pretending to be stupid.

"Gao Xiang, why do you say that you want to send troops west? You know that this matter is impossible to ......" Regarding Gao Shiqi's attitude, Chen Tingjing looked serious, and he was a little questioning.

"Impossible? Really? ......," Gao Shiqi asked with a grin.

What does that mean? Gao Xiang, what other mysteries have you made? Looking at the other party's expression, Chen Tingjing felt a trace of doubt. So, naturally, he turned his head to look at Zhang Tingyu, but this Zhang Xiangye was counting the clouds in the sky through the window of the private room; Looking at Shi Lang again, Shi Dahou Ye was looking down, trying to find some ants from the floor......

"Hehe, Master Chen, there are no absolutes. Do you think the emperor is really unmoved by the words of the eldest brother? Gao Shiqi smiled.

"Hmph, that's nothing. What the eldest brother said is very reasonable, and what he plans is indeed beneficial to our dynasty, even Chen is also very tempted. However, I am a ...... of China" Chen Tingjing wanted to continue, but was unceremoniously interrupted by Gao Shiqi.

"For the sake of face, I lost my lining! …… Lord Chen, it's only been less than ten years! You see: Tuhai went, Zhou Peigong went, Daniel Zhang (begging Wu Sangui for merit, Feng Jing went against the wait), Zhao Liangdong (pacified Yunnan, Guanzhi Governor of Yunnan and Guizhou) went, Cai Yurong (a famous general in the early Qing Dynasty, Korean, Guanzhi Governor of Huguang, Governor of Yunnan and Guizhou) was convicted and lost his office, and Feiyanggu is getting older and older...... How many generals are there who can fight in the Qing Dynasty? Who can succeed these veterans? How many more? …… Moreover, my soldiers of the Qing Dynasty said something rebellious: how different is it from bandits? …… Today they still have some that can go to war, but what about tomorrow? ”

"Why didn't you mention me?" Shi Lang listened a little depressed beside him.

"What does Gao Xiang mean that the emperor also intends to send people to the West to participate in the war? …… But this is too incredible! Chen Tingjing listened to Gao Shiqi's analysis and pondered.

"The emperor would never mean this. At most, it's just a move, and then, like no one! ......," Gao Shiqi replied.

"Then Gao Xiang, are you still doing this in front of you?" Chen Tingjing was puzzled.

"Who said I was going to say it to the emperor? ......" Gao Shiqi smiled.

"......: "Who is this guy calculating?" After thinking about it for a while, Chen Tingjing and Shi Lang both felt their hearts skip a beat.

"What the hell is this Gao Shiqi trying to do?" Zhang Tingyu frowned, glanced at Gao Shiqi several times, and then couldn't help but ask what was going on.

***********

"Xianggong, why did you say those words?" Back at the mansion, Mrs. Gao, that is, Fang Lan, couldn't help but question after listening to Gao Shiqi relay the things in the court.

"Madame!" Holding Fang Lan's hand in his hand and patting it gently, Gao Shiqi sighed and said, "I'm planning to retreat!" ”

"The step of retreat? …… Xianggong, if you want to retire, why don't you ask the emperor for your resignation? Why bother...... Run off at the mouth? Fang Lan was silent for a moment, but couldn't help but ask.

"Oh, ma'am!" Pulling Fang Lan to his lap and sitting down, Gao Shiqi smiled: "The emperor will not abandon me because of my guilt, and once again favor the position of prime minister, such a great favor, if I resign now, I am afraid that people will say that it is 'in vain for the grace of the saint', and besides, the emperor has only been restored to my position for a short time, how can he agree to let me go?" ”

"Then with your intelligence, you shouldn't say things like 'send troops to fight thousands of miles away'?" Fang Lan put her hand on Gao Shiqi's shoulder and asked.

"Madame, you really misunderstood! …… It's not that my husband has to say this, but I have to say it......" Gao Shiqi sighed.

"Must? Xianggong, you ......" Fang Lan looked puzzled. Gao Shiqi is the prime minister, except for Kangxi, who is the prince, and he can't make Gao Shiqi "have to" bow his head.

"Now in the court, Tong Guowei's family is dominant, his behavior is rampant, he doesn't know how to restrain, and he is still in power, he can still suppress him, but unfortunately, if he goes up today, for the peace of the court, he will inevitably escape a glass of poisoned wine or a knife to cut his head; Zhang Tingyu is clean and impartial, but young people still don't understand that this person in the court can completely not take sides with others? With his kind of character, if he meets a sensible king in the future, it will be fine, but if he is unlucky, I am afraid that he will only have to resign and return to his hometown; Ma Qi has a strong personality, but he is a little sloppy, and he is so good at offending people, so, if he is lucky, he can still keep his official position, if he is unlucky, he may not be able to escape his death! …… As for me, Gao Shiqi, I have been in office for a long time, and I am not holding my body properly, if I don't plan early, the end will be better and I will lose my official position, and if it is worse, I am afraid it will be ......."

"Xianggong, don't scare me...... Fang Lan hurriedly blocked Gao Shiqi's mouth and shouted.

"Madam, don't worry!" Gently taking Fang Lan's hand away, Gao Shiqi smiled and patted the back of his wife's hand, and said: "A few days ago, Xu Qianxue, Yu Guozhu, and Wang Hongxu instructed their protégés and officials to submit a letter, asking the emperor to appoint me as the young master of the crown prince. …… Hmph, these people were members of the Mingzhu Party before, and then suppressed by Tong Guowei, Zhang Tingyu didn't come out with them, and when he saw me re-enter the study, he tried his best to push me up to fight against Tong Guowei, at that time, I was not afraid that I, a powerless person, would not go to them. …… It's a pity that they forgot that I was removed from the study by the emperor because of the crime of forming a party for personal gain...... But so what? Am I, Gorskey, the one who is easily manipulated by others? ”

"Could it be that what you said in the court today, Xianggong, ......?"

"Yes! Xu Qianxue and others were invited last time, but they were temporarily suppressed by the emperor with excuses. It's a pity that tomorrow is the time of the court meeting, and at that time, Xu Qianxue and others will definitely mention this matter again, and the emperor will not refuse again because of his face and my past achievements. But in that case, Xu Qianxue and the others will be equivalent to taking the first step, and in the future, their second and third steps will follow one after another, until I am forced to join them. Moreover, even if I don't join them, they are not afraid, because, if it goes on like this, Tong Guowei will not be able to stand it, and he will definitely deal with me then. Although I'm not afraid, I'm also very irritable, and it's not good to offend these people, these people have a solid foundation in the court, and they are all real villains! …… What's more, the one on the dragon throne today may not really believe in my person, he restored me at the beginning, just to warn and contain Tong Guowei, but he didn't want to make two more friends in the court. If Xu Qianxue and others are endless, it is difficult to guarantee that I will not be blamed in the future. Therefore, instead of waiting for the future, it is better to cut off the first move. Today, the DPRK and China have been 'talking nonsense' and have been sent home for three days of 'vacation', and tomorrow Xu Qianxue and others will mention this matter again, and the emperor will have an excuse to suppress this matter...... In that case, it will be difficult for them to raise the matter again for a few years, and I will have enough time to find a way to withdraw from the court. …… In fact, if Xu Qianxue is smart enough to hear what I said in front of the emperor today, he should know what to do! ”

"It turns out that Xianggong, you are turning a corner, warn Xu Qianxue, those people don't want to recruit you again! But, Xianggong, do you really plan to retire again? Fang Lan asked.

"yes. Although the DPRK and China are not as fierce as the Suo Etu and Mingzhu fighting methods in the past, the undercurrent has been surging, and this is the most troublesome. Rather than stay on it and be scared, it's better to retire early. Moreover, it has to be a big retreat...... Then you will have a comfortable life in the future! Gao Shiqi first sighed, then smiled.

"That's fine, it's just, Xianggong, why do I think you still have unfinished business......" Fang Lan looked at Gao Shiqi and asked again.

"Is there one?" Gao Shiqi was stunned.

"Yes! I think your words in front of the emperor are probably not as simple as you want to warn others......"

"This ...... Hehe, madam, you are really smart, since you have seen it, you have no choice but to confess......" Gao Shiqi said with a smile, and then hugged Fang Lan into his arms......

*************

"Everyone says that I am a fortunate minister, but I can only get a high position by pleasing the emperor, but who else dares to say that today?"

More than 20 years later, Gao Shiqi said this in his own home, facing the juniors and Qing court officials who came to give him a birthday. …… Just a few days after his "nonsense", rumors began to rise one after another, coupled with the "someone" to add fuel to the fire and secretly manipulate, finally, more than a year later, the first batch of lawless and reckless people who "do not know the height of the sky" and "do not follow etiquette" embarked on the road of "treasure hunting" with their "entourage" to the west...... Another year later, the first group of strongmen returned, bringing back a great deal of treasure! So, the second and third batches ...... until the Qing court noticed this undercurrent! Although the Qing court objected to this, the energy of these people made the Qing court's ban eventually become a waste of paper. …… And for this consequence, people with a heart remembered Gao Shiqi, and unceremoniously attributed the "crime" of the initiator to Gao Shiqi's head, thinking that with his intelligence, he had the intention to do it, but at that time, Gao Shiqi had already returned to his hometown to retire, and naturally he could not be blamed on others because of a little inference. …… Later, after years of precipitation, the crime was changed to "far-sighted". In the absence of anyone else to take responsibility, Gao Shiqi finally accepted this good compliment.

However, for this "honor", Gao Shiqi's real heart is: "How could I have thought about it so much? At that time, I just felt a little bored, I didn't want to go to court, I just wanted to go home and make love to my wife. …… We didn't have a son at the time! ”