With regard to Russian Foreign Minister Gorchakov's visit, Yi Zhizhi attached great importance to it, and received him with a high-standard reception at the Prime Minister's Yamen, and formally met with him at the Prime Minister's Yamen on the same day; of course, on the occasion of the official meeting, the two sides talked about some high-sounding topics, such as promoting the peaceful development of the two countries, economic and trade cooperation, and cooperation in the construction of the Eurasian Railway.

Early the next morning, Gorchakov came to visit accompanied by Putiyatin, and Yi Zhishu met the two in Chunhui Garden. ”

In order to suppress the large-scale uprising in Poland, Russia mobilized more than 300,000 troops, which also benefited from Yuanqi's loan of 20 million silver dollars and the promise to provide loans for the subsequent large-scale use of troops. ”

After a pause, he continued: "The situation in Poland is very complicated, and the intention of Britain and France and other countries to weaken our country's power in Europe with the help of Poland is very obvious. ”

This is tantamount to making it clear that because of the large-scale garrison in Poland, he will not be able to repay Yuanqi's loan in a short time. Yi Zhi's contentment actually did not expect Russia to repay the money in time, this is unrealistic, the current Russia is eager to break a silver dollar in half, and it is not able to repay Yuan Qi's loan at all.

Listening to the translator, Yi Zhizu said slowly: "Britain pursues a policy of continental equilibrium, France is bent on dominating Europe, both countries are trying their best to contain your country's power in Europe, and your country's opportunity to expand from the southwest to Europe is very small, and this Polish riot is the best proof of this." ”

Hearing this, Gorchakov had already guessed what the other party wanted to say, so he simply broke it directly, "What do you mean that our country should continue to look for its old rival, Ottoman Turkey, and expand in the direction of the Black Sea?" ”

Yi Zhizhi smiled contentedly, "Does your country have any other choice?" ”

After Russia's expansion in the east and west directions was blocked, it was indeed only possible to expand to the south, to Turkey, which was the only option for Russia's external expansion, although Russia was not able to expand on a large scale at present, but the ambitious Alexander II never gave up the idea of seeking an outlet to the sea.

The defeat of the Crimea, the loss of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, and the loss of control of the Black Sea, let alone the construction of a navy in the Black Sea, is undoubtedly an insignificant pain for Russia, and Russia really hopes to control the Black Sea again and reinvigorate the empire.

Listening to the translation, Gorchakov was silent, and the other party hinted or encouraged Russian expansion into Turkey, for what purpose? After a little hesitation, he said slowly: "With the current situation of our country, we still have the power to expand externally. After a pause, he continued: "His Majesty the Emperor hopes to demarcate the boundary between the two countries in Kazakhstan as soon as possible. ”

"The border line between Kazakhstan and Kazakhstan should indeed be surveyed as soon as possible, otherwise this will not be conducive to the long-term friendly and peaceful development of our two countries." Yi Zhizu said slowly: "China has appointed Zuo Zongtang, the governor of Xinjiang, to be responsible for the border survey between the two countries, and I believe that the survey can be completed by the end of next year." ”

There was a preliminary agreement between the Qing and Russia that the direct line between the eastern end of Lake Balkhash and the northern end of the Aral Sea would be the dividing line between the two countries, with Russia in the north, Qing in the south, and the Aral Sea in the west. Gorchakov came to implement this matter, and when he heard that the Qing State had already sent someone to survey the boundary, he groaned before he said: "Since it is the border between the two countries, I think it should be that the two countries should jointly send personnel to survey it." ”

"As it should be." Yi Zhi nodded and said, "Your country is welcome to send personnel to participate in the border survey." After a pause, he continued: "After the boundary survey and the signing of the agreement, I hope that the two countries will sign another non-aggression pact to promote peaceful coexistence between the two countries." ”

Non-aggression pact? Gorchakov was overjoyed and said with a smile: "This is a very good proposal, and I think His Majesty the Emperor of our country should approve of it very much." ”

The alliance between the Qing and Russia and the signing of a non-aggression pact are also the proper meaning of the question, and it is impossible for Russia to oppose it, Gorchakov's reaction was already expected by Yi Zhizhi, and he deliberately paused before he spoke: "If your country intends to expand to Turkey, I think we have more room for cooperation....... ”

What do you mean? Gorchakov said, "Your country is also interested in Turkey?" ”

"To be exact, interested in the Persian Gulf." Yi Zhishu said slowly: "Our country wants to occupy a place in the Persian Gulf. ”

Listening to the translation, Gorchakov couldn't help but be surprised and delighted, surprised that the Qing State was ambitious, and actually tried to fight all the way to the Persian Gulf, such an ambitious neighbor is not a good thing for Russia, and the good thing is that with the threat of the Qing State to block the British, Russia can expand to Turkey unscrupulously.

He knows very well that Britain has been actively infiltrating the Persian Gulf, and also intends to turn the Persian Empire into a British colony, Russia does not dare to expand to the Persian Gulf after stabilizing the Caucasus, for fear of a big conflict with Britain, and now that the Qing State is involved, the situation in West Asia will inevitably change dramatically!

Russian Foreign Minister Gorchakov's visit, Yuan Qi's newspaper did not report, but as the chief military aircraft Su Shun still learned the news as soon as possible, which made him really surprised, he really didn't expect the Russians to come so quickly, this time busy with the implementation of the 375 rent reduction, he has long forgotten about the alliance between the United States and Russia, the Russian foreign minister's visit, let him realize that this matter can not be delayed any longer, and it is not clear whether Yi Zhixiang and Gong Wang Yixun have communicated.

After getting off duty, he returned to the mansion, and only after it was dark did he change into his clothes, and went straight to Prince Gong's mansion in a sedan chair. ”

Deliberately delaying the tea time, Yixun slowly walked into the study, and when he saw Su Shun, he got up to salute, and waved his hand, "No need to be polite." Then he continued: "The rent reduction of Zhili is quite smooth, which is beneficial to the country and the people, and it is really a blessing for the imperial court." ”

Su Shun heard a sour taste from these words, and couldn't help but secretly laugh, but also secretly rejoiced for the trip to Shanghai, he didn't dare to lose his manners, and after bowing down to see the salute, he said: "Although the rent reduction in 375 is beneficial to the country and the people, it is not conducive to officials and gentlemen. ”

"How could Yi Guocheng let Yuting be shattered?" Yi Xun said and stretched out his hand to give up his seat, and after sitting down, he said: "The rent reduction will offend the officials and gentlemen, is it possible that it is also to promote the constitution?" ”

Seeing that he was quite disgusted with rent reduction, Su Shun didn't care at all, and said slowly: "It depends on what the prince thinks, rent reduction is conducive to alleviating the contradiction between business and tenants, stabilizing the place, and winning the hearts of the people, which is obviously conducive to promoting the constitution.

On the other hand, Yi Guocheng said that enriching the people is conducive to the formation of a broad domestic market in the Qing Dynasty and the development of industry in the Qing Dynasty. ”

Seeing him take a bite of Yi Guocheng, Yi Xun was quite depressed in his heart, and asked directly: "Yuting came here today, also because of Yi Guocheng?" ”

It seems that the other party still doesn't know about the alliance of the three times, Su Shun groaned, and then said: "It is indeed related to Yi Guocheng, Russian Foreign Minister Gorchakov arrived in Shanghai, the prince should have heard about it?" ”

Yixin is in charge of foreign affairs, and the visit of Russian Foreign Minister Gorchakov is not a trivial matter, he naturally heard about it, and when he said with his head: "We are close neighbors with Russia, and there was a lot of friction in the past, which can promote the normal diplomacy of the two countries, which is a good thing for the Qing Dynasty." ”

"It's not just Russia, the U.S. Secretary of State is coming soon." Su Shun said: "....... Yi Guocheng is ready to conclude a Triple Alliance with the two countries?" ”

"Yuan Qi?" Yixun's heart sank, and he hurriedly asked.

"It's Daqing." Su Shun said: "It was the Qing Dynasty, the United States and Russia that concluded an alliance. ”

Yixun's face became gloomy, and the relationship between the imperial court and Britain and France was easy to be content, but he made an alliance between the Qing and the United States and Russia for no reason, which was a deliberate attempt to leave home The relationship between the imperial court and Britain and France?

Seeing that he was silent, Su Shun could roughly guess his thoughts, and when he heard it at first glance, he reacted like this, and immediately said slowly: "Yi Guocheng said that forming an alliance with the United States and Russia is conducive to improving the international status of the Qing Dynasty, the long-term and stable development of the Qing Dynasty, and the expansion of Yuanqi in the northwest, and he also intends to sign a non-aggression pact with Russia." ”

Is it necessary for the Northwest to continue to expand? Yi Xun secretly slandered himself, but he didn't ask too much, he knew that such a big matter, and it was still a foreign affair, it was absolutely impossible for Yi Zhixiang to bypass him, and he groaned slightly, and then he asked: "Yuting agrees to the alliance of the three kingdoms?" ”

Su Shun glanced at him and said: "If the imperial court does not agree, Yi Zhishu will inevitably conclude an alliance with the United States and Russia in the name of Yuan Qi, which will prompt Yuan Qi to gradually move towards secession, or even self-reliance, and this is not a trivial matter, with the freedom of the press in the southeast, the newspapers will definitely report it publicly, at that time, how will the imperial court deal with itself?" ”

Yixun nodded, this matter is indeed a bit tricky, the imperial court can't turn against Yuan Qi now, that is, he also wants to win Yuan Qi's support, however, the impact of this matter on the imperial court is not small, Tianjin opened the port, and the imperial court also relied on Britain and France to help build a military factory to achieve arms self-sufficiency and get rid of dependence on Yuan Qi, how can it be good now?

After being silent for a long time, he spoke: "I am afraid that the Queen Mother may not agree to this matter, Yi Guocheng has created a problem for us." ”

Su Shun came to discuss with Yixun, worried that the Empress Dowager Ci'an did not agree, listening to this, she couldn't help but sigh lightly, the Empress Dowager Ci'an was dedicated to the sake of the little emperor, the imperial court with the assistance of Britain and France to establish a military industry to strengthen itself is the only way for the imperial court to fight against Yuan Qi, how could she agree to form an alliance with the United States and Russia and offend Britain and France, so that the hope of the imperial court to run its own military industry is in vain?

The two were relatively speechless, and after a long time, Su Shun spoke: "Why don't you try to persuade you, Chen Ming is very powerful." ”

"I won't agree." Yixun shook his head slowly, "The reason for preparing for the constitution is that there is a nine-year preparatory period, and the rent reduction in 375 is indeed conducive to the continuation of the Qing Dynasty, and it is also conducive to boosting the emperor's reputation, and the alliance of these three countries is not good for the imperial court, how can she agree?"

Moreover, after experiencing the preparation of the constitution and rent reduction, her precaution against Yuan Qi has become more and more serious, even if Chen Ming is very powerful, she will definitely not agree. ”

"How's that okay?" Su Shun looked worried, although this matter is mainly based on Yixun, but he is worried that the fire at the city gate will affect the pond fish, if the imperial court bites not to form an alliance with the United States and Russia, Yi Zhizhi will definitely form an alliance in the name of Yuan Qi, in this way, Yuan Qi and the imperial court will form an obvious opposition, and Britain, France, the United States and Russia will also be involved, he does not want the Qing Dynasty to become a battlefield for Western countries to wrestle, that is not good for the Qing Dynasty and the imperial court.

"Worried about what?" Yi Xun glanced at him, "The bell must be tied to the bell, and if this matter is to be properly resolved, it has to fall on Yi Guocheng." ”

Sending Su Shun away, Yixun turned around and instructed the housekeeper, "Arrange it, and tomorrow this Wang Weifu will go to Shanghai." He knew very well that this matter could not be explained clearly by telegram and letter, and it was impossible for Yi Zhishu to come to Beijing, so he had to go to Shanghai again.

Shanghai, Zhennan Wangfu, Chunhui Garden.

Gorchakov, who spent two days in Shanghai, said with a smile on his face: "Shanghai is a miracle for the whole world, it's hard to believe, this is definitely one of the most dynamic and civilized cities I have ever seen." ”

"Since ancient times, we Chinese have been good at creating miracles." Yi Zhishu said without humility: "Your Excellency can find an opportunity to see the Great Wall when you go to Jingshi, that is the real wonder of the world." ”

"I'll definitely go check it out." Gorchakov said with a hearty smile: In the past two days, accompanied by Putiyatin and other diplomatic officials stationed in Shanghai, he has inspected the old city of Shanghai New Town and the industrial city of Baoshan, and he is full of praise for the speed of Shanghai's development.

After entering the room and sitting down, Gorchakov said straightforwardly: "His Majesty the Emperor of our country has always attached great importance to the construction process of the Trans-Eurasian Great Railway, and has repeatedly stated that all Russian manpower, material and financial resources will be concentrated to repair this railway as soon as possible, which will not only become a pioneering achievement in the history of the railway, but will also greatly prosper the commerce and trade between the two countries and promote exchanges between the two countries." ”

Hearing this, Yi Zhi couldn't help but secretly laugh, Russia now has the rich financial resources to build this large railway across Europe and Asia, which is nothing more than a show that Alexander II attaches great importance to this railway.

Unexpectedly, Gorchakov's words changed, "Your Excellency is also very clear about the situation in our country, at present, our country is unable to allocate a huge amount of money to invest in the construction of this big railway, whether Yuan Qi can borrow a sum of money at low interest for the construction of the railway in Russia, and my country can use the right to operate as collateral." ”