Bo Jia was a missionary and a doctor before he became a diplomat, and he was not good at economics, although the domestic railway construction has been vigorous in recent years, he does not know that most of the domestic locomotives, rails, pig iron, etc. are imported from Britain, but he knows one thing, Yi Zhixiang will not talk to him, after all, this matter is known as soon as he asks. Tomato ○☆△ net ☆ -'-.'xf'q-x-s'-.-com

In his opinion, the Qing Dynasty has also been keen on building railways over the years, Yuan Qi divided the construction of railways into two parts, north and south, respectively, in cooperation with Britain and the United States, and now the war with Britain, it is a great opportunity for the United States to seize, or even monopolize the construction of the Qing railway, even if it is less money, it should seize the market first, and the United States is now the most important thing is the railway company!

Seeing that Yi Zhixiang did not close the door to death, and left a lot of leeway, he was secretly happy in his heart, and hurriedly said: "Now that there are many railway companies in my country, and the competition is relatively fierce, Yuan Qi might as well go to New York for public bidding, maybe there will be surprises." ”

Yi Zhizhi smiled and nodded, in fact, the railway from Xuzhou to Xi'an, he has no idea of cooperating with the American railroad, Yuanqi has also cultivated a large number of railway construction talents over the years, even locomotives and rails, Yuanqi can now manufacture it by himself, he wants to try to build the Xuzhou to Xi'an section of the railway independently, after all, the railway from Xi'an to Yili is inconvenient for outsiders in the future.

After talking about the matter, Bo Jia changed his mind, "Britain, France, Spain and the Netherlands declared war on your country at the same time, and the scale of the war is probably no less than the Crimean War. Before the war officially broke out, if Yuan Qi had any needs, even if he opened his mouth, my country would definitely do its best to help. ”

"Your country's strict neutrality is already the greatest help." Yi Zhizu said slowly, he knew that the other party was just a kind word, and war had been declared, at this time, it was impossible for the United States to offend Britain, France and other countries for the sake of the Qing Dynasty, and if it really wanted to make a request, both sides would be embarrassed.

After continuing to talk for a while, Uncle drove away and left, Yi Zhizhi got up and sent him to the gate of the courtyard to stop his steps, Cao Gensheng hurriedly greeted him, and reported: "The big shopkeeper, the New York branch called, the stock market continued to fall sharply, which has caused panic." ”

Yi Zhishu nodded, he didn't care too much, he estimated that it should be a stock market panic caused by the war factor, now Yuanqi's stock has been sold out, the New York stock market has nothing to do with Yuanqi, even if it falls sharply, it has nothing to do with Yuanqi, he is now concerned about the domestic stock market.

Because British and French businessmen, scholars, and technicians were anxious to return to China, and sold their stocks at all costs, coupled with the panic caused by the declaration of war by Britain and France, the stock market in Guangzhou and Shanghai, which had stopped falling and stabilized, fell like a cliff again, and the new ** decline was uncontrollable.

He was about to go back to the study, but he caught a glimpse of Wu Changqing, Yan Shikuan, and Huo Qizheng coming together, the three of them should have come a long time ago, waiting outside, he should stop and wait.

As soon as he got closer, Yan Shikuan arched his hand and said: "The big shopkeeper, the stock market has plummeted, the market is pessimistic and depressed about the war, the exchange is angry, and the spearhead is pointed at the British and French, and there have been several brawls ......... ”

"Arrest all those who fight!" Yi Zhizhi said in a deep voice: "Send more manpower, strengthen the security patrol of the new city and the old city, the two countries are at war, the crime is not as good as the people, they are also innocent, the loss is also not small, we must be well protected, the war is over, we must also open the door to welcome people to come to trade, to open a factory, can not cause a bad impact." ”

"Are they going to be welcomed in the future?" Yan Shikuan's face was stunned.

"What do you think? Otherwise, do you still imagine that the country is closed off like the Japanese state? Yi Zhisuff glanced at him, "Sensei is poor, hurry up and make arrangements, don't let the situation spread and expand." As he spoke, he looked at Cao Gensheng, "Send electricity to Guangzhou, Xiamen, and Ningbo, and order to strengthen public security patrols to properly protect the personal safety and property safety of foreign citizens at treaty ports. ”

Before the two left, Wei Yuan and Zhao Wenlie hurried over, Yi Zhizhi glanced at a few people, and said, "Let's go into the house." ”

Entering the house and sitting down, Huo Qizheng hurriedly said: "Big shopkeeper, the stock market has plummeted, it is urgent and ruthless, and the current decline has generally exceeded 3.......0%, if it cannot be stopped in time, the panic will spread further, and the consequences are unimaginable." ”

"The stock market crash was not caused by the stock market's own rise and fall patterns, but by the panic of the war and the sell-off by a large number of foreigners." Yi Zhixiang lit a cigarette unhurriedly, "Now is not the time to save the market, we must wait for the panic to be released....... ”

"You can't just watch the stock market plummet, it's a market that has been cultivated with great difficulty." Huo Qizheng said tentatively: "Can you make a statement and guide?" ”

Yi Zhizhi smoked a cigarette and was silent, he knew very well in his heart that now is the time when the market panic broke out, and it was difficult for any measures to be effective, and after a while, he said: "The exchange can issue a statement to stabilize the market, calling on shareholders to remain rational, and at the same time, announce an appropriate reduction in transaction taxes and fees...... and clearly tell shareholders not to easily cut meat and sell their stocks because of panic!" ”

Hearing this, Wei Yuan spoke: "As long as the big shopkeeper writes in the newspaper, Yuan Qi is confident that he can win this battle, which is more effective than any measure!" ”

Zhao Wenlie continued: "Since the continuous reporting of the Crimean War, the Qing officials and gentlemen know a lot about the situation of Britain and France....... There is a lot of criticism, and it would be a good thing if the big shopkeeper could motivate him. ”

"Even if I write publicly, how many people believe it? Moreover, the current Qing Dynasty is not ignorant of Britain ....... France. Yi Zhizhi said with a smile, "I don't believe in others, war is full of infinite variables, who dares to guarantee victory?" What's more, now the enemy is strong and I am weak! ”

"You can't let this pessimism and panic run wild, can you?" Wei Yuan said slowly: "Newspapers must have the responsibility to give correct guidance. ”

"There's no hurry." Yi Zhizhi said: "The war will not break out for a while and a half, let them vent, this is the same as writing an article, let's suppress it first and then promote it!" ”

Seeing that it was a slit in the words, Wu Changqing said: "Big shopkeeper, the two countries declared war and expelled embassy personnel, but is it a common practice?" ”

Yi Zhishu turned his head and said, "What is Prime Minister Yamen worried about?" ”

Seeing that he asked directly, Wu Changqing said with a smile: "No one in the Prime Minister's Yamen is optimistic about this war, and they are worried that they will expel the personnel of the British and French embassies, and there will be no chance of peace talks in the future." ”

"They are not worried that there will be no chance of peace talks, but that they are worried that this move will annoy Britain and France!" Yi Zhizhi said angrily: "Let them put their hearts in their stomachs, it is an international practice for the two countries to declare war and expel embassy personnel." ”

Sent a group of people away, Yi Zhiman thought that he could be quiet for a while, but unexpectedly Prince Hui Mianyu came again, as soon as he entered the study, Mianyu smiled and said: "The national city can be described as a divine calculation, and it is really a joint attack by Britain, France, Spain and the Netherlands." ”

Yi Zhizhi said with a smile: "The emperor has already decreed to declare war on the other three kingdoms?" ”

"The decree has been issued, and I am afraid that it will take two days for the Di Bao to arrive." Mianyu turned her head as she spoke, "The four countries jointly send troops, can the national city be sure?" ”

Yi Zhishu stretched out his hand to give up his seat and said: "Don't say it's the Four-Nation Alliance, it's the Eight-Nation Alliance, as long as they dare to go to Beijing and Tianjin, they can let them have no return." ”

"Guocheng is so sure?" Mianyu said worriedly: "Tianjin is different from Jiangning, the sea outside Tianjin is open, and the British and French fleets are not ....... the Nanyang Navy can compete with. ”

"The fleet is not an opponent, and there is the Arthur battery." Yi Zhizhi said: "The fleet cooperates with the battery, which is enough to severely damage the coalition fleet, the prince does not need to worry, Yuan Qi never fights uncertain battles, and dares to put the battlefield in Beijing and Tianjin, so he is naturally fearless." ”

Mianyu came to test his tone, and when he saw that he was full of confidence, he asked directly: "The war is about to start, but the Jingshi is not moving, how is the national city deployed?" ”

"It's still early to start the war, don't rush." Yi Zhicontent smiled and said, "Where is the monk king now?" Let him come to Shanghai in micro-service. ”

"It should be almost to Xi'an." Mianyu said: "I can come in half a month at most." ”

Calcutta, British India.

The 50,000 troops of the Qing army entered Calcutta, and after the initial chaos, they quickly restored normal order, and the people in the city were originally frightened and panicked, but they soon found that the Qing army was strict in discipline and did not harass the people, even if they bought grain, fruits and vegetables, meat, etc., they were paid according to the price, and the factories that were taken over gradually resumed operation, and all the rules remained the same, and the whole city seemed to have just changed its owner, and nothing else had changed.

After feeling the friendliness of the Qing army, the people of the city could not help but rejoice, and the working class, the merchant class, and religious groups rushed to organize donations and actively collect donations to win the approval of the new masters, and strive for the rights and interests of their respective classes as much as possible.

As the commander of the Qing army, Chen Hongming cordially met with representatives of all strata, encouraged and called on them to unite to overthrow the colonial rule of the British, fight for the independence of India, and fight for the autonomy of Calcutta, and made it clear that Britain was also an enemy of the Qing Dynasty and was willing to work with the Indian people to drive the British back to Europe.

Looking at the tens of thousands of Qing troops in good order, at the dense warships moored on the wide Hooghly River, and at the hasty scene of the British army fleeing when they heard the news, the people of Calcutta burst into tears, as if they had seen a savior, and various organizations sprung up like mushrooms after a rain, and almost every day you could see all kinds of processions on the streets of the city, holding high slogans and chanting slogans.

The Qing army did not pay lip service either, but also actively assisted Calcutta in forming an armed force, and sent people to conduct military training for them, and also gave a large number of muskets, of course, all old-fashioned muskets in the hands of Tibetan soldiers.

Just when Chen Hong was bored, Lu Kun, the head of the intelligence station in Calcutta, brought a surprising news that the British troops retreating from Calcutta had infighting and the Sipa soldiers had rebelled!

The Sipa soldiers are the mercenaries of the British, this Chen Hongming knows, and he knows that the number of mercenaries evacuated from Calcutta is quite large, more than 10,000 people, he hurriedly asked: "Is this news true?" ”

"It's not clear whether the news is true or not." Lu Kun said: "However, there should be news in the next few days. ”

Chen Hongming lit a cigarette, looked at him and said, "Is it that your intelligence station has done something?" ”

"We're just spreading some news." Lu Kun laughed.

"What's the news?"

"It's nothing." Lu Kun said: "It is to spread the news that the lubricating oil of the newly issued paper bullets issued by the British army is lard and butter. ”

Chen Hongming was confused when he heard it, the fixed paper bullets do need to use lubricating oil in order to be waterproof and moisture-proof, and the bullets are also easier to load, is there a difference between lard and butter?

Looking at his expression, Lu Kun knew that he didn't understand the reason, and explained: "This kind of bullet has to bite open the outer layer of paper shells with teeth before loading, and these mercenaries in India all believe in Hinduism or Islam, and beef and pork are taboo for them. ”

"Since it is taboo, it is ...... to refuse to use it." Before he finished speaking, Chen Hongming reacted, it was not like that at all, how many mercenaries did the British have in India? 200,000 people! So many bullets are scrapped, which is not a trivial matter!

"Just a few days before the army pressed on Calcutta, some mercenaries had a fuss because they refused to use new bullets, but they were quickly suppressed." Lu Kun explained slowly: "In fact, the mercenaries and the British army have accumulated a lot of contradictions and grievances on weekdays.

Mercenaries have a low monthly salary, an underground status, and no room for promotion, and can only be promoted to sergeant, which is very different from the treatment of the regular British army, and the mercenaries are also very resistant to entering Burma to fight, and they seem to be particularly afraid of entering the Burma ....... ”

In the days that followed, news came one after another, and it was soon confirmed that the mercenaries evacuated from Calcutta had indeed rebelled!

It turned out that the British army had not gone far after withdrawing from Calcutta, but had settled in a small town called Midnapur, two hundred miles from Calcutta, and the Governor of Calcutta, Governor Durskann, was convinced that it was impossible for the Qing army to stay in Calcutta for a long time, and it was impossible to pursue them, so he was reluctant to travel far.

The army was evacuated in a hurry, all kinds of material shortages, and with the British army there were a large number of officials, merchants, factory owners, and their families, and a large number of mercenaries were arbitrarily withheld of food, and there were endless drudgery, and some thorns revisited the old story, and once again offered to refuse to use bullets coated with lard and butter.

As a result, all the mercenaries who were making trouble were tied up and refused to use bullets directly into their mouths.

The mercenaries, whose religious beliefs were seriously insulted, launched an uprising overnight and killed the British officers of their respective units, but unfortunately, due to confusion and lack of organization, the mercenaries of the uprising failed to capture the British positions on the opposite side, allowing the British troops to calmly cross the Herdi River and evacuate.