Lin Zexu's face was a little ugly, he knew that the speed of the Western sailing ships was faster than the speed of the Qing Dynasty's sea ships, but he didn't expect it to be so fast, from Guangzhou to Beijing, the 500-mile express would take about 12 days, and the speed of the British fleet was on par with it, and Tianjin was afraid that it would not have time to deploy defenses.

The Eight Banners Green Battalion is slow to assemble and move slowly, even if the governor of Zhili, Qi Shan, receives his urgent report a few days ago and begins to mobilize troops and horses to deploy defense, I am afraid that it will be too late, but the original Yingyi fleet delays a little more along the way, and the loss of Dinghai is estimated to be inevitable, and he only hopes that Dinghai can delay the Yingyi fleet for a few more days and buy time for Tianjin to deploy defense.

Seeing that Lin Zexu's face was a little pale, Yi Zhixin knew what he was worried about, and comforted him: "Lord Ministry, don't worry, although Yingyi has already sent merchant ships to carefully survey the route northward along the coast, but it is a new route for them after all, and the speed may not be fast, plus there will be delays along the way, it will inevitably arrive in Tianjin later than the urgent report of the lord." ”

As he spoke, he turned his head, "If the railway from Guangzhou to Beijing is built and the train is opened, the urgent report will arrive in three or four days, and the mobilization of troops will be much faster, and there will be sea voyages, the two adults should have noticed that there are steamship ships in the Yingyi fleet, which are powered by steam engines, and do not need to rely on sails, and their sailing speed is faster than that of sail warships." ”

Guan Tianpei was also quite concerned about the new paddle steamer, and said: "According to the report, the speed of the steamship is fast, but they are all small boats, and there are few gun positions, so there is no need to be afraid." ”

"Steamships aren't meant to fight head-on." Yi Zhizhi said with a smile: "Although the tonnage of the steamship is small, it has a shallow draft, sufficient power, fast speed, strong maneuverability, and can sail in a straight line, without having to sail in zigzags according to the wind direction and water flow, and has the advantage of rapid advance and retreat, and the advantage may not be obvious in the open sea." But what about inland rivers? Moreover, it can also be used as a tugboat to assist the battleship in swimming against the current. ”

Guan Tianpei nodded thoughtfully, he really hadn't considered that the steamship had such a big advantage in the inland river, but in fact, he hadn't thought about it at all. When he found out that the steamship was not a threat, he didn't think much of it.

After a slight pause, Yi Zhizhi continued: "Also, don't ignore the military gate, the steam engine is currently in constant improvement, the train in England can now reach 100 miles per hour, and the steamship will be like the train, bigger and faster. Eventually, sailboats will be completely phased out. ”

Lin Zexu was attracted by his words and said, "Can the train really be so fast? ”

"At the latest, the Fozhou-Guangzhou railway will be completed early next year, and the people of the ministry will be able to witness it with their own eyes." Yi Zhixiang said with a smile: "This time, Citigroup Yili Railway Company will use the most advanced locomotive. ”

With a slight groan, Lin Zexu said: "Changzhou Shipyard, contentment but planning to build a steam ship?" ”

Yi Zhishu nodded and said, "Steam ships are the mainstream of future maritime development. European countries and Citigroup countries are actively developing improved steamships, it is reported. England and France are now secretly developing large steam ironclad ships, and our Qing Dynasty has fallen too far behind, and since we are catching up, the Changzhou shipyard will focus on building steamships and ironclad ships. ”

"Can you build?" Lin Zexu and Guan Tianpei asked in unison.

"Is that easy?" Yi Zhishu shook his head and said, "Steam ironclad ships, ironclad warships are currently the most secret military industry in European countries. Although the Changzhou shipyard hired many Citi craftsmen with high salaries, it has not even touched the threshold, let alone built it. As he spoke, he sighed lightly and said, "This has invested a huge amount of manpower, material and financial resources. ”

Hear him sigh like this. Lin Zexu didn't say anything for a long time, the current sail battleship, the Qing Dynasty has already sighed, and then there is a large steam ironclad battleship, the whole country is afraid that it does not even have the courage to fight, after a long time, he said: "The application of the machine is not as good as the clocks and watches, it is related to the quality of weapons, the safety of the imperial court, and the survival of the world, so it must be vigorously developed and developed." ”

After a pause, he continued: "Yuan Qi is not short of money, and he sighs so much, but he needs the support of the government in terms of manpower and material resources, so he doesn't have to hide it, what is the need, just say it." ”

Yi Zhizhi was not polite, and said directly: "What is most lacking today is talent, such as machinery manufacturing, mining and metallurgy, shipbuilding, chemical industry, etc., all of which are closely related to the military industry.

If we want to not be backward all the time, we must cultivate our own outstanding talents, cutting-edge talents, all aspects of talent must be cultivated, only save enough talents, the Qing Dynasty can have the opportunity to catch up, it is possible to compete with the West, to put it bluntly, talent, is the fundamental, if you want to enrich the country and strengthen the army, if you want to create a prosperous world, you must cultivate your own talents! ”

Lin Zexu glanced at him suspiciously, and said, "How is contentment going to cultivate talents?" Didn't Yuanqi build a school of righteousness? ”

"How many talents can a school cultivate?" Yi Zhizu said with a smile: "Yuan Qi is going to take out a sum of money to build a new style of Western School in various prefectures and counties, free admission, of course, Yuan Qi can't take out so much money at once, can only be built gradually, starting from the surrounding prefectures and counties to expand year by year from the surrounding prefectures and counties, and then build several universities in Guangzhou, recruit outstanding students from the new Western Academy, and carry out professional talent training in various fields." ”

The construction of a new style of Western school in various prefectures and counties, this is not a small matter, this may shake the imperial examination system, not only the imperial court, I am afraid that the local gentry will fiercely oppose, although Lin Zexu is in favor of cultivating Western scholars, but he does not dare to agree rashly, he pondered for a long time, he said: "Yuan Qi has a great influence among the gentry in several counties of Guangzhou Prefecture, you might as well try it in Guangzhou Mansion first, however, when it comes to the imperial examination, the imperial court may not allow it, and it is not appropriate to publicize it." ”

Yi Zhishu naturally understands that the Western-style school is contrary to the imperial imperial examination, and cannot be publicized with great fanfare, and he can first try to promote it in several counties of Guangzhou Prefecture, he is very satisfied, Yuanqi has a good foundation in Guangzhou Mansion, and most of the gentry in Guangzhou Mansion are shareholders of Yuanqi, so there is no need to worry about being attacked, as long as the local government does not interfere. There won't be the slightest problem.

As for the future, after the defeat of the Qing Dynasty and the reparations for the cession of land, the whole country was indignant, setting off a wave of 'mastering the skills of the master to govern the country'. Western learning will be gradually accepted, and there is no need to worry about being opposed by the government and the gentry, and the reason why we can't wait to try to promote the establishment of Western-style apprenticeships and implement free education is just to buy time.

Crow. The film war is at least two years, and there is also a process of setting off a Western learning craze, he really can't afford to wait, and basic education is naturally as early as possible. At the very least, an example and model can be erected in Guangzhou for rapid promotion in the future.

On the fourth day of June, the main fleet of the British army arrived in the sea of Xiamen, Fujian, and on the foredeck of the battleship 'Melville', George Yilu's flagship, Yilu put down the telescope in his hand and said, "This is Xiamen?" Not bad indeed! ”

Yilu glanced at his cousin and said, "Zhoushan is better than here. ”

Before the decision to declare war on the Qing state, the British cabinet ministers had already discussed it carefully. Which part of the Qing State was more in line with British interests in the Qing State, and the preliminary demarcation was Hainan, Xiamen, Taiwan, Fuzhou, and Zhoushan. In the end, the cabinet ministers chose Zhoushan.

"I prefer Hainan and Taiwan." Yilu said and pressed the tricorne hat on his head, and said, "But those ministers say that these two islands are too big to manage, and Xiamen and Fuzhou. The geographical location is a little bit off, too far away from the capital of the Qing Dynasty, Zhoushan. After a slight pause, he looked at Yilu and said, "Are you sure Zhoushan is better?" ”

Yilu shrugged. Said: "It is those businessmen who unanimously say that Zhoushan is good, and in terms of geographical location, Zhoushan is indeed more suitable as a crow than several other places. piece trade center, because the Qing Dynasty of Jiangsu and Zhejiang is the richest place, however. ”

"Is there something wrong?"

Yilu nodded slightly and said: "Because the geographical location of Zhoushan is too good, I am worried that the Qing State will not agree to cede it." ”

Yilu smiled when he heard this, and said nonchalantly: "Then try it anyway." ”

Yilu had deeply understood the stubbornness of the local officials of the Qing Dynasty, and he did not want to talk about this disappointing topic, so he immediately asked: "Is the fleet going to stay in Xiamen for a day?" ”

"There's no need." Yilu shook his head and said, "It's just to send an official letter, just send a battleship, there's no need to delay the entire fleet here for a day." After a slight groan, he said: "Pass my order, the fleet continues to go north, and the "Brondy" stays behind to deliver the official letter. ”

On the same day, the advance team of the fleet, the forward of the fleet, led by Bomai, had arrived in the waters of Dinghai.

Dinghai County, the chief soldier Zhang Chaofa with a group of heavily armed soldiers hurriedly walked into the county gate, the two men stepped forward to prepare to salute, Zhang Chaofa didn't even raise his eyelids, he walked straight in, went straight to the signing room, saw him come in, the county Yao Huai was detailed, quickly stood up, and before the polite greeting, Zhang Chaofa said in a deep voice: "A large number of Western warships have been found in the ocean of Nanjiu Mountain!" It should be Yingyi! ”

Yao Huaixian's face was pale, the new governor of Fujian and Zhejiang, Deng Tingzhen, at the beginning of his tenure, specially sent a letter to warn that the imperial court was afraid of war with Yingyi, Dinghai was in a prominent position, and it was possible that Yingyi's attack target, in this regard, he was very unimpressed, Lin Zexu banned smoking in Guangzhou, cutting off Yingyi's financial route, Yingyi wants to fight Guangzhou, how can he fight Dinghai for no reason?

Seeing his stunned expression, Zhang Chaofa said impatiently: "I have ordered, gather troops, go to sea tomorrow to intercept, Lord Yao quickly organize Qingzhuang to help defend the city, we are all grasshoppers on a rope now, Dinghai is lost, no one wants to live!" ”

Coming back to his senses, Yao Huai nodded again and again: "Zhang Zongrong rest assured, the lower officials will immediately organize the young and strong!" Saying that, he arched his hand and said: "I wish the general Rong flag a victory!" "He is like a mirror in his heart, Dinghai County is lost, he has the responsibility to defend the land as the magistrate, not to die in battle, the court will also condemn him to death!

Zhang Chaofa didn't talk nonsense, he turned around and left, he didn't have the heart to talk nonsense at the moment, the British battleships were blocked at the door, and he had to quickly mobilize the warships and soldiers.

Zhang Chaofa, who was waiting, left, Yao Huai was stunned for a long time, and then said in a loud voice: "Someone!" Come! ”

The next day, Zhang Chaofa led more than ten warships of all sizes to the sea, and after observing the situation of the British fleet a little closer, his face was also pale, his largest warship was not as good as the smallest, not to mention the number of gun positions, this battle could not be fought, especially at sea, as far as he had two or three big cats and kittens, I was afraid that it would not be enough to stuff people's teeth, so he immediately gave a decisive order, "Return to the sea." ”

When he returned to the barracks, the rebel gave orders one after another, urgently mobilizing all the warships and soldiers in various places to gather in Dinghai and prepare to defend to the death.

On the seventh day of the sixth lunar month, at three o'clock in the afternoon, five large and small warships, two armed steam ships, and 10 troop carriers of the British army began to attack, Zhang Chaofa led more than 20 large and small warships, 170 guns, and more than 1,500 soldiers to meet the battle in the harbor.

As soon as the battle began, the commander was hit and fell into the water, and he did not know whether he was alive or dead, and all the officers and soldiers were frightened by this round of volleys, and the officers and soldiers on both the warship and the land dispersed in a hurry.

On the deck of the battleship "Wellsley", Bo Mai used a telescope to look at the Qing officers and soldiers who were chaotic like a pot of porridge, and watched the British troops on the troop transport ship begin to land in an orderly manner, he shook his head slightly, there was no suspense, a very boring battle, he subconsciously took out his pocket watch and looked at it, ten minutes, nine minutes to be exact, from the firing to the end, it took only nine minutes.

Although the fight was easy, the British army still followed the plan, first seized the commanding heights - Dongyue Mountain, and then began to attack the county seat, because it was late, the British army was afraid of the ambush, did not dare to rush into the city, the next day after dawn, the British army found that the county seat of Dinghai was already an empty city.

The battle of Dinghai, which lasted nine minutes, the chief soldier Zhang Chaofa was killed in battle, Yao Huai, the county governor, and Quanfu committed suicide and martyrdom.

Five days later, Yi Zhicontent, who was far away in Guangzhou, received a detailed battle report on the battle of Dinghai, and after reading it carefully, he was speechless for a while, Dinghai is an important place for soldiers, and it is still so, it can be seen how weak the coastal defense of the southeast coast is, fortunately, the main target of the British army this time is not Nanjing, but Tianjin, if the British army directly attacks Nanjing, it is estimated that it will also be captured in one fell swoop without much effort. (To be continued.) )