"Lin Zhitai's transfer to Liangjiang is conducive to Yuan Qi's rapid opening up of the situation in Liangjiang." Xie Xiuyuan said with a smile: "Come to the inferior class to congratulate the big shopkeeper." ”

Yi Zhishu nodded and said, "Guarding the door early in the morning, just to congratulate?" ”

"Lin Zhitai's transfer to Liangjiang is a joy." Kong Jian'an said: "The transfer of Liangguang is worrying that the New Year is approaching, and in this big change, the big shopkeeper will inevitably have some arrangements." ”

This is worried that Qi Shan's taking over as the governor of Liangguang will be detrimental to Yuan Qi, Yi Zhixiang stretched out his hand and said, "Let's go, go into the garden and say." ”

The three of them entered the garden, Xie Xiuyuan sighed lightly: "Yuan Qi was founded for four years, three changes in the system, the first two Deng Zhitai and Lin Zhitai were all strong support to Yuan Qi, but this one Qi Zhitai is difficult to say. ”

Yi Zhizhi said: "Because Qi Zhitai is full of people? Or is it because the Qi system is not the main battle? ”

"It's both." Xie Xiuyuan said: "Yuan Qi has developed to this point, the imperial court has a heart of prevention, and if the main Fu is not the main battle, it is possible to suppress Yuan Qi's group training, and then suppress Yuan Qi." ”

"No matter what Qi Zhitai advocates to England, as the governor of Liangguang, he has the responsibility to defend the territory, he must first ensure the safety of Guangzhou, and suppressing Yuan Qi's group training is tantamount to cutting his own wings, such a stupid thing, with the shrewdness of Qi to control Taiwan, how can he do it?" Yi Zhishu slowed down and said slowly: "The battle between the imperial court and England is in the ascendant, and the war will not end day by day, and the imperial court will not deal with Yuan Qi for a day. ”

Kong Jian'an said in astonishment: "There is still a big war with England? ”

The British army has increased its troops on a large scale, only a few officials in Guangzhou know, no one dares to leak the news, for fear of causing panic, Yi Zhishu is also tight-lipped about this, and now he is about to leave Guangzhou and go to Shanghai, and he must not disclose a little news in advance, but he still does not dare to reveal the slightest thing about the mobilization of 5,000 troops to Jiangning by Yuan Qi's regimental training.

Nodding slightly, he said: "In this battle, the imperial court is unwilling, and England is not reconciled, naturally there will be a fight, Qi Zhitai is a person in the bureau, you don't have to worry about him being unfavorable to Yuanqi." ”

The three of them talked for a few rooms, and after beckoning the two to sit down, he opened the window, and then lit a cigar, waiting for Jin Ying to come in and serve tea, Xie Xiuyuan said: "Big shopkeeper, how many years can you fight with England?" What about after the war? ”

"The British fleet is on an expedition across the ocean, and there is an economic crisis in England, the war will not be protracted, two or three years is the limit, as for the truce," Yi Zhizhi said and slowly took a puff of his cigar, before he smiled: "It will be a completely new situation, no longer have to worry about the suppression of the imperial court, and there is no need to worry about the endless exploitation of the imperial court, Yuanqi will usher in the first wave of rapid development of the golden age." ”

Is it possible to have a completely new situation, not to be suppressed and exploited by the imperial court? What kind of situation is that - rebellion? Separatist? It seems unlikely, it is impossible with Yuanqi's current strength, and besides, it is impossible for the imperial court to tolerate it!

Yuanqi has developed to this scale in just a few years, and in the eyes of Yi Zhicontent, it is not considered rapid development? What will happen to the first wave of rapid development? Although Kong Jian'an and Xie Xiuyuan admired Yi Zhi's talent and eyesight incredibly, they were still a little skeptical about these words.

After waiting for a while, seeing that Yi Zhizhi did not take the initiative to explain, the two of them simply did not ask, anyway, it was in vain to ask, both of them knew Yi Zhi's contented temperament, if he had the heart to say, he would explain if he didn't ask, since he didn't say it, he wouldn't say it if he asked, and after hesitating, Xie Xiuyuan said: "Two or three years, in a flash, what do we need to do?" ”

"Accumulation." Yi Zhizhi said: "The accumulation of funds, the accumulation of talents." ”

After sending Kong Jian'an and the others away, Yi Zhishu was about to go to the railway company to inquire about the situation, but Li Wang came in and reported: "Wu Gongzi and Pan Gongzi are here." ”

As soon as he stepped into the door, Pan Shiming smiled and said: "Lord Lin has been transferred to Liangjiang, and our newspaper has a foothold in Jiangning, so there is no need to worry." ”

Yi Zhishu got up and handed a cigar to the two, and then said: "This is indeed a rare opportunity, Liangjiang governs Jiangsu, Anhui, Jiangxi three provinces, Fujian and Zhejiang Governor is Deng Tingzhen Deng, so that Guangdong, Fujian, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Jiangsu, Anhui, the six southeastern provinces have all been without obstacles, then Brother Cheng can take advantage of this rare opportunity, plan in detail, and strive to cover the southeast within two years." ”

"That's not a small difficulty, mainly because of the inconvenience of transportation." Pan Shiming said: "It would be nice if the six southeastern provinces could be connected to trains. ”

"Sooner or later, it will work. However, you have to take it step by step, and you can't become a big fat man in one go. Yi Zhizhi said: "The speed of the express shop is not slow, and three hundred per day can be guaranteed, and it will be done first." The opening of the Foshan-Guangzhou Railway has been reported in a rich and colorful manner, which has strengthened the understanding of the Chinese people about the railway trains, and in this way, it has also made it easier for me to agitate for the construction of the railway in Liangjiang. ”

"Why don't you tell me about this?" Pan Shiming said with a smile: "I have made proper arrangements for the opening ceremony of the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, and I am ready to spread the publicity. ”

"Okay." Yi Zhizu said and looked at Wu Changqing, and said, "Changqing rushed over early in the morning, but the old man is not at ease with the newly appointed Qi Zhitai?" ”

Wu Changqing nodded and said, "Brother Si Fu has a lot of contact with Qi Zhitai, and Grandpa came with me to find out the details." ”

After a slight sigh, Yi Zhizhi said: "Qi Zhitai has been in the place for a long time, is good at weighing, and is quite familiar with current affairs, and in a short period of time, it should not be hindered." ”

"If that's the case, then I'm relieved." Wu Changqing secretly breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Brother Si Yu went to Shanghai and changed to an unfamiliar new platform, I really don't know the bottom of my heart." ”

Hearing this, Yi Zhi couldn't help but smile, "Yuan Qi is not something that local officials can handle casually if they want to, but the relationship with local officials must also be handled well to avoid unnecessary troubles. ”

Selling Ma Street, the Governor's Palace, Signing Houses.

Qi Shan politely poured a cup of tea for Lin Zexu, stretched out his hand and said, "Brother Shaomu, please." Of course, the specific handover matters are naturally the responsibility of the following staff, and there is no need for the two of them to handle it personally, what they need to hand over is just the big seal.

After taking a few sips of tea, Qi Shancai said: "Brother Shao Mu has been in Guangzhou for two years, and the smoking ban has achieved remarkable results. ”

Lin Zexu smiled, put down the teacup, and said: "Brother Jing'an, don't put gold on your face, the smoking ban is very effective, but it provokes a side provocation, acting two Guang, it is nothing more than a step-by-step process, as for fighting against Yingyi, it can only be said to be a bold." ”

"Daring?" Qi Shan said with some surprise.

Lin Zexu nodded and said: "In fact, it is also forced to be helpless, the ban on smoking provokes side provocations, the emperor is strict and harsh, Yingyi is arrogant and arrogant, shelling Macau, out of helplessness, he took a risk, Fang has a great victory in sharpening the knife and the victory in Dinghai, speaking of which, it is the credit of Yi Zhixiang and Yuan Qi's group practice, and it is just bold to adopt his suggestions." ”

Qi Shan said: "That is, Brother Shaomu, he changed someone else, but he didn't have the courage." ”

changed to someone else, really didn't have the courage, Lin Zexu was quite useful to this words, sharpening the knife and winning the ocean, he had already turned the danger into peace, fought in Dinghai, and did not follow the order to cross the province and send troops across the sea, this is to clear his name, career and even his life have been handed over to Yi Zhi, to his position, there are indeed very few people who dare to take such risks.

Glancing at Qi Shan, he said with a smile: "Brother Jing'an is not too much, negotiate with Yingyi, dare to cut first and then play, if you want to say bold, we are each other." ”

Hearing this, Qi Shan smiled, "That's all because of easy contentment." ”

Seeing that he mentioned Yi Zhicontentment, Lin Zexu said smoothly: "Although this son is young, he is really extraordinary, acting unconventionally, he seems to like to take risks, but in fact he is thoughtful. ”

Yi Zhixiang has something to let him take care of, this is to let him take care of Yuan Qi, Qi Shan said with a slight chin and said: "The emperor is also extremely concerned about Yuan Qi, Brother Shao Mu rest assured." After a slight pause, he then asked, "When will Brother Shao Mu leave?" ”

Is this to be done for him? Lin Zexu waved his hand and said: "It's rare to have a few days of leisure, Brother Jing'an doesn't need to toss, as for the departure, the Fozhou-Guangzhou Railway is opened to traffic on the fifth day of the first month, you always have to see it with your own eyes, or even make a train, experience it, and then go to work with peace of mind." ”

"Okay, then let's take the train together and experience it for ourselves." Qi Shan smiled: "Let's see if it's as magical as Yi Zhi's contentment said." ”

On the fifth day of the first lunar month, on the south bank of the Pearl River, Shiweitang Wharf.

The starting point of the Fozhou-Guangzhou railway, Shiweitang railway station is not far from the wharf, because the "Xiguan Daily" has been publicized since the beginning of the year, many people in Guangzhou and nearby prefectures and counties know that the Foshan-Guangzhou railway was opened to traffic on the fifth day of the first month, the New Year is leisure, and it is a rare novelty of the West, early in the morning, there are many people from all directions rushed over, all want to see with their own eyes what this can pull millions of catties, but also run fast machine is what it looks like.

Yi Zhishu also rushed over early in the morning, and as soon as Anderson of the Yili Railway Company, who was responsible for the construction of the Fozhou-Guangzhou Railway, saw him, he hurriedly said: "Mr. Yi, there are too many people coming, and order needs to be maintained." ”

"Don't worry." Yi Zhisuff said with a smile: "Yuan Qi has been dispatched to maintain order, and we can arrive before eight o'clock." ”

Entering the station, Yi Zhifen saw the train parked on the tracks at a glance, the style was ancient beyond his imagination, and the locomotive did not seem to be very large, more than a lap smaller than the steam locomotive he had seen, and he doubted whether this locomotive had enough power.

He pointed to the train and said, "Have you tested it?" ”

"Of course." Anderson looked at him dissatisfiedly and said, "It has been tested repeatedly in the United States, and after it has been assembled in Guangzhou, it has also been tested repeatedly. ”

Yi Zhishu nodded and said, "Today's opening ceremony, Lord Qincha and the two governors are very likely to take the train, which is very important for the expansion of railway construction in the Qing Dynasty, and I don't want to make even the slightest mistake." ”

Hearing this, Anderson was excited, and hurriedly said: "Mr. Yi, I dare to guarantee that there will be absolutely no problems." ”

"How much horsepower is this locomotive?"

"Two thousand." Anderson hurriedly said: "This is the most stable and mature locomotive model at present, which can pull a 600-ton train on a flat straight road, and the speed can reach 35 kilometers per hour. ”

Thirty-five kilometers in one hour, less than seventeen kilometers of the railway from Guangzhou to Foshan, that is to say, half an hour to Foshan, Yi Zhizhi nodded, this speed is used to boating, walking, sedan chair, donkey, horse, carriage travel people, tantamount to extremely fast, not to mention, this train can also carry a weight of 600 tons, which can be 1.2 million catties.

After eight o'clock, with the arrival of the group of Huadi Daying at the station, a group of gentry and merchants in Guangzhou City also arrived one after another, and soon, the station was crowded.

At 10 o'clock in the morning, the minister of the Qin Mission, Fu Guo Gongmian, the governor of Liangguang Qi Shan, the governor of Liangjiang Lin Zexu, the left servant of the household department Wu Qijun, the governor of Guangdong, the governor of Guangdong, the general Deke Jinbu, the admiral of the navy Guan Tianpei, the superintendent of the Guangdong Customs Yu Kun and other officials of all sizes arrived at the railway station.

A group of officials of all sizes were welcomed into the station, boarded the temporary high platform, and as soon as they saw the train, they asked: "Can this iron lump pull millions of catties?" ”

"Lord Huiqincha." Yi Zhizu said loudly: "This is the most commonly used train locomotive in the West, which can pull 600 tons, that is, 1.2 million catties, and the speed can reach 70 miles per hour, that is, it can run 140 miles in an hour, from Guangzhou to Foshan, two quarters of an hour." ”

As soon as the words fell, a group of officials, big and small, exchanged their heads and ears, which was really beyond everyone's imagination, pulling 1.2 million catties, can you still run so fast? Yu Baochun, the prefect of Guangzhou, said with a smile: "Lord Yi, what does this machine eat?" ”

"Burn coal." Yi Zhizhi said: "You still need water, and you generally need to add coal and water to run a hundred miles." ”

Mian said: "How much coal does it take?" ”

"Lord Huiqincha." Yi Zhizhi said with a smile: "This machine has a small belly and doesn't eat much." ”

"The people have arrived." Mian said: "Let's start." He couldn't wait to see what this train was all about, and he was eager to get on the train to experience it himself.

Yi Zhizhi smiled contentedly, stretched out his hand and said, "Please Lord Qincha preside over the opening ceremony of the Focan-Guangzhou Railway." ”

After a while, he waved his hand and said: "This is not appropriate, it is still suitable for Qi Zhongtang." ”

Qi Shan smiled, "This was built during Lord Lin's tenure, and it should be presided over by Lord Lin is the most suitable." ”

Lin Zexu hurriedly humbly conceded: "Qi Zhongtang is now the governor of Liangguang, and this matter is none other than Qi Zhongtang. (To be continued.) )