Jingshi, Qianqing Palace, Xinuan Pavilion.

Xianfeng put down the telegram in his hand, glanced at Peng Yunzhang who was kneeling below, and muttered silently, the telegram was sent by Zaiyuan from Tianjin, during this time, Zaiyuan and Guiliang had been discussing with the British and French envoys about the opening of Tianjin's port, but when it came to the end, he was a little undecided.

Tianjin as the gateway of Beijing, only more than 200 miles away from Beijing, and there is a Tianjin-Beijing railway connection, it only takes an hour and a half to go back and forth, Tianjin opens the port, not only has a great impact on Beijing, but also has a huge impact on the entire Qing Dynasty, so he can't be careless.

In order to promote the opening of the port of Tianjin, Britain and France showed great enthusiasm and promised to provide huge low-interest loans to assist the imperial court in building a series of factories in Tianjin, including the Machinery Bureau, the Gun Bureau, and the Ammunition Bureau, which were most important to the imperial court, and opened Western-style schools and Western-style naval and army academies to train Western-style technical and military talents for the imperial court.

Seeing Xianfeng was silent for a long time, Peng Yunzhang kowtowed lightly, and said slowly: "Your Majesty, the opening of Tianjin port will inevitably have advantages and disadvantages, but there are priorities and priorities........ now the biggest internal trouble in the Qing Dynasty is Yuanqi, only by working closely with Britain and France, opening Tianjin, and developing industry, can the imperial court have the possibility of countering Yuanqi." ”

One must build on a firm foundation? Xianfeng showed a wry smile and said, "Allowed, Zaiyuan signed a contract with Britain and France." ”

"Your Majesty." Peng Yunzhang hurriedly kowtowed.

A eunuch on duty cautiously poked his head at the door, and when he saw that it was a crack, he hurriedly reported: "Your Majesty, Su Shun handed over a sign outside to ask for a meeting." ”

Su Shun is back in Beijing again? Xianfeng reacted as soon as he thought about it, he must have come for the reward, and he ordered: "Let him in." As he spoke, he picked up the telegram again, read it carefully, and said: "I still miss a little bit, Western Medical Center, I heard that the battlefield rescue measures of the Yuanqi New Army are very perfect, and there are a large number of medical soldiers in the army, which can minimize casualties. ”

"Wechen obeys."

After a slight sigh, Xianfeng said: "Where is the mission to Europe now?" Send a telegram to ask. ”

"Wechen obeys." Peng Yunzhang knew that Xianfeng was because Tianjin needed a group of knowledgeable officials who were familiar with the Western situation to open the port, and it was time to recall the mission to Europe after a few years.

Su Shun walked into the warm stock quickly, and when he caught a glimpse of Peng Yunzhang, he felt a little tired in his heart, and after greeting Sheng An, he came to Xianfeng and knelt down, and was hesitating how to speak, Xianfeng had already asked directly: "This time I came back to Beijing for the reward?" ”

"Back to the Emperor's ——。" Su Shun hesitated and didn't say anything further.

Xianfeng said: "It's okay to say it directly. ”

Is it okay to say it directly? If you really want to say it bluntly, I am afraid that it will inevitably be a thunderous rage, Su Shun really didn't dare to repeat Yi Zhi's original words, and immediately said euphemistically: "Yi Zhizhi returned to Beijing with his servants to report it, the rebellion of the three feudatories was very harmful, this reward, I implore the emperor to follow the ancestral system." ”

The rebellion of the three feudatories, following the ancestral system? Xianfeng glanced at him lightly, it seemed that Yi Zhizhi had guessed his intentions, and he didn't even want his own prince, he snorted coldly, "Even the prince doesn't care about it, what does he want?" ”

Peng Yunzhang's heart moved, and he hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, the new army of Yuanqi has made outstanding achievements, and the world knows it, if you can't reward it exceptionally, the government and the opposition will inevitably cause criticism, and it will damage the emperor's holy reputation and the prestige ......of the court." ”

Seeing that he still insisted on awarding an exceptional reward, Su Shun secretly scolded and said, "Your Majesty, time has changed, and now the border powers of the Qing Dynasty are around, and the trouble of the vassal king must not be buried again." ”

Peng Yunzhang said unhurriedly: "The frontier guarded by the feudal domain was originally not the territory ......of the Qing Dynasty. ”

"Unconscious!" Su Shun raised his head fiercely, glared at him angrily and said: "The Nanyang Navy, the Marine Corps, and the Northwest New Army are all the divisions of my Great Qing Dynasty, and Yi Zhizhi is my Duke of the Great Qing Dynasty, and the land occupied by the conquest can be said to be not the territory of my Great Qing Dynasty?" ”

"Be careful before the monarch loses his manners." Peng Yunzhang said in a deep voice: "Nanyang, Annam, Burma, and the newly occupied places in the northwest were all subject states of my Great Qing Dynasty before, and they were not within the territory of my Great Qing Dynasty. ”

Xianfeng's face was also a little gloomy, the monarch and the ministers were right, Su Shun was so presumptuous, at best, it was said that he was ungentlemanly, and if he was small, it was also a loss of honor in front of the king, but he quickly reacted, although Su Shun was a little arrogant, but he never dared to be presumptuous in front of him, he immediately said in a deep voice: "What did Yi Zhishu say?" ”

Su Shun was originally afraid of Xianfeng Longyan's anger, and wanted to express it tactfully, but seeing that Peng Yunzhang was obsessed, he simply didn't bother to cover it up, and immediately took off his crown, kowtowed, and said: "Back to the emperor, it is easy to be content with the original words - don't force Yuan Qi to rebel, with Yuan Qi's existing strength, to attack the Beijing division and overthrow the imperial court, it is easy to take a chance, what conspiracy is not worth mentioning in the face of absolute strength." ”

After repeating it in one breath, Su Shun lay on the ground and waited quietly for Xianfeng's thunderous anger, after all, Yi Zhi's words were not enough to describe even the great rebellion, and the words revealed not only threats but also undisguised contempt.

Xianfeng didn't get angry, but his face was gloomy and scared, Peng Yunzhang also bowed down and didn't know what he was thinking, the room was quiet, and Su Shun was even more worried, for fear that this was the calm before the storm.

After a long time, Xianfeng sighed, and said in a dull voice: "What is he worried about?" Or are you waiting for the right moment? ”

This he, obviously refers to Yi Zhicontent, this is asking Yi Zhifen why he has not rebelled, this question is not easy to answer, but the emperor asked, but he couldn't help but answer, Peng Yunzhang who saw it was silent, and Su Shun only stubbornly said: "Yi Zhifen doesn't seem to have the intention of raising troops to make trouble....... ”

Yuan Qi has no intention of raising troops to make trouble? Are you kidding! Peng Yunzhang suddenly had an idea in his mind, and he groaned slightly, and then he pondered and said: "Last time, Lord Su mentioned that it was Yi Zhizhi who hoped that the imperial court would reform the law in order to improve itself, and suggested that the imperial court organize a large-scale mission to Europe to investigate Western countries, which was a rainy day. ”

What does that mean? Could it be that Yuanqi didn't rebel for a long time, and it had something to do with it? Su Shun couldn't guess what the other party meant for a while, so he only said in a deep voice: "This is indeed the case." ”

Hearing this, Xianfeng suddenly brightened, glanced at Su Shun, and said: "The reason why Yuanqi has been able to rise rapidly in just twenty years is that it follows the example of Western countries, and if the imperial court wants to contend with Yuanqi, it must follow the example of Britain and France and change the law to strengthen itself, otherwise the gap with Yuanqi will become bigger and bigger." However, the reform and reform of the law involved a great deal of caution, and it was necessary to be extremely cautious and wait for the return of the missions to Western countries and then carefully deliberate. ”

Speaking of this, he paused, and then continued: "Since Yi Zhishu is unwilling to break the rules and be promoted, there is no need to be reluctant, reward him with a first-class Zhenhai Gong, hereditary replacement, reward the three-eyed flowers, paint the Purple Light Pavilion, eat double money, and have a son ....... Mengmeng." ”

Peng Yunzhang and Su Shun both listened to a stunned, first-class hereditary replacement, this is a real reward, calculated up, no worse than the king, the three-eyed flower feather is also an extremely rare honor, the honorable official wears the flower feather, divided into one eye, two eyes, three eyes, three eyes are the most noble.

The emperors of the Qing Dynasty were cautious and cautious about the reward of the three-eyed dazzling feather, and since Qianlong, the courtiers who were rewarded with the three-eyed dazzling feathers were only Fu Heng, Fukangan, He Lin, and Changling.

However, with Yi Zhi's contentment merits, these honors are also worthy, but Su Shun faintly felt that it was inappropriate, and hurriedly kowtowed: "Your Majesty, the conquest of Goryeo is imminent, and it is inevitable that you will be rewarded ...... after the war." What he means is that the reward is too full now, and there is no reward after pacifying Goryeo, after all, he can't be promoted to the title of king.

Xianfeng glanced at him and said, "With such a reward, I also feel that I owe too much, and I will talk about it after calming Goryeo." After a pause, he continued: "Inform Yi Zhixin of my reward first, and in addition, the reward of the generals of Yuanqi is temporarily below the earl, you kneel down first." ”

"The minions obey." Su Shun secretly breathed a sigh of relief in his heart, and first telegraphed Yi Zhi, which was actually to ask Yi Zhixiang's opinion.

Su Shunxing, who was waiting, retreated, Xianfeng secretly breathed a sigh of relief, raised his hand and said, "No courtesy, give me a seat." Peng Yunzhang, who was waiting, sat down with thanks, and then he said slowly: "What does Yong mean, Yuan Qi is waiting for the imperial court to implement the reform of the law, and then take advantage of the situation?" ”

"The Emperor Mingjian." Peng Yunzhang said calmly: "Historically, the law has been changed, and the court has changed the law, which will inevitably touch the interests of the gentry.

Although Yuanqi is wealthy, but the rise is too fast, the foundation is shallow, and there are countless enemies, a Yuanqi bank squeezed out countless ticket numbers Qian Zhuang Yinhao, advocated Western learning, set up Western-style schools, offended countless gentry, set up factories, developed industry, and touched the interests of the local gentry, monopolized foreign trade, cut off countless merchants' financial routes, built railways, and caused hundreds of people to lose their livelihood ........

In Weichen's humble opinion, the reason why Yuan Qi did not dare to raise troops to make trouble was because he knew his own advantages and disadvantages, such as today's people's desires, all in the imperial court, if Yuan Qi dared to advocate chaos, it must be pointed out by thousands of people, the whole country is the enemy, and the world will discuss it.

However, if the imperial court implements a change in the law and touches the interests of the gentry, Yuan Qi will inevitably take the opportunity to stir up trouble, create incidents, and incite the local gentry to be dissatisfied with the imperial court, so as to win the hearts of the people. ”

After a slight groan, Xianfeng said: "As far as I know, Yuanqi is quite popular in the southeastern provinces. ”

"The wealth of the world is not infinite, but a fixed number, and the wealth of the southeast alone will inevitably lead to dissatisfaction in other places." Peng Yunzhang said slowly: "Yuanqi only has the hearts of the people in the southeast, how dare he covet the world?" ”

Xianfeng said: "But if the law is not changed, how can the court improve itself?" How to fight Yuanqi? ”

"It's not immutable." Peng Yunzhang said: "The Qing Dynasty is to rule the world with the gentry, and the gentry are the foundation of the Qing Dynasty. ”

Tianjin, the new city camp, the Chinese army tent.

After reading the telegram sent by Su Shun from Jingshi, Yi Zhizu handed it to Zhao Wenlie casually, he was very satisfied with Xianfeng's attitude, as for the reward for himself, he really didn't take it seriously, three-eyed dazzle, this thing is precious, extremely rare glory, but he will not enter Beijing at all, nor do he wear court clothes, no matter how good this thing is, but it is not even a decoration, the biggest use is to press the bottom of the box to keep it well, and it can be sold at a good price after a hundred years.

First-class Zhenhai Gong, hereditary replacement, if this is the beginning of the Qing Dynasty, it is really rare, a hereditary repudiation does not know how many people to envy, but now the Qing Dynasty is barely able to breathe for a few years, what is the use of this hereditary replacement?

The only thing that is a little useful is the most inconspicuous food double, which is a real benefit, the imperial court has not cut off his Zhenhai Gong's wealth, and he can get hundreds of taels of silver a year, although with his net worth, he can't look down on that bit at all, but no matter how small the fly is, it is meat.

Putting down the telegram, Zhao Wenlie arched his hand and smiled: "Congratulations to the big shopkeeper for being promoted to the first class." ”

Yi Zhi's content face didn't matter, "What's the congratulations, from the third-class public to the first-class public, it's only forty taels of silver added in a year, and it's not enough to plug the teeth." ”

"Isn't there a double eater?" Zhao Wenlie quipped.

"Seven hundred and forty taels of silver a year, which is not a small amount." Yi Zhizhi said with a smile, and as he spoke, he turned his head around, "This is a rare opportunity to be promoted, does Huifu plan to stay with me, or let him out as an official?" ”

Zhao Wenlie smiled when he heard this, "The big shopkeeper is in charge of the land of the ten provinces, if the student wants to be released as an official, why should he wait for the promotion?" Shouldn't the big shopkeeper be an eyesore for the students? ”

"I'm afraid that Huifu will look at others as officials." Yi Zhishu said with a smile: "However, this opportunity is really rare, let's first guarantee a three-grade false title, so that it can also attract more scholars to vote." ”

Three products? Zhao Wenlie hurriedly stood up and said respectfully: "Student Xie Da shopkeeper promoted." ”

Before the words fell, Cao Gensheng walked in quickly again, handed over a telegram, Yi Zhishu glanced twice, and sneered: "Britain and France lost the war this time, but won at the negotiation table, and the imperial court took the initiative to open Tianjin as a port. ”

Has Tianjin become a treaty port? Zhao Wenlie took the telegram and read it, frowned and said: "Tianjin is open to the port, and the ministers of various countries are allowed to stay in Beijing for a long time, the imperial court obviously wants to collude with Britain and France to fight against Yuan Qi, and the big shopkeeper does not intend to interfere?" ”

Yi Zhizhi said: "The court is willing, how can Yuan Qi interfere?" ”

"Public opinion interference!" Zhao Wenlie said: "Guide public opinion in the newspaper to boycott. ”

"There's no need." Yi Zhishu shook his head slowly, "The opening of Tianjin is a good thing, and public opinion should not only not oppose it, but should actively support it." ”

Zhao Wenlie reacted very quickly, "What does the big shopkeeper mean that the opening of Tianjin is conducive to promoting the spread of Western ideas?" ”

"Not bad." Yi Zhizhi said: "Tianjin is adjacent to Beijing, and the opening of Tianjin will have a great impact on Beijing, and it can even be said that the impact on the entire Qing Dynasty is quite large, which is conducive to the spread of Western ideas.

After sweeping Goryeo, the Qing Dynasty will usher in a period of peace, which is rare and precious, if we can not grasp this opportunity, we will miss a series of opportunities to rise, the next few decades are a group of heroes, strong countries emerge one after another, the situation changes, creating countless glorious eras. ”