The British announced that they would blockade the port of Guangzhou and the mouth of the Pearl River from 11 December, which made a lot of American merchant shipowners anxious, and Consul Snow was even more anxious.

Moreover, there must have been a steady stream of merchant ships arriving in Canton during this time, and in the event of a conflict with the British, perhaps the United States would be forced into this war, which was the last thing he wanted to see.

Yuan Qi, Rong Yuan, Wu Changqing, who listened to the news, Yi Zhixiang smoked his cigar and said nothing, Yilu's move was intended to provoke a bigger incident and further expand the situation, it seems that he was worried that London would not rush to war, so he took advantage of the topic.

Seeing that Yi Zhizhi was silent, Wu Changqing secretly wondered, how could this guy be so self-contained? After a little hesitation, he spoke: "Yilu's move is too deceitful, once the Guangzhou port and the Pearl River estuary are blocked, all sea ships will not be able to enter and exit, and the Citi merchants, merchants, salt merchants, tea merchants, sugar merchants, cloth merchants, and so on will all have to close their businesses?" That's a lot of loss. ”

Yi Zhizu said lightly: "The skills are not as good as others, and others bully them, so they can only pinch their noses and endure it." ”

"Brother contentment really plans to endure?"

"What else could it be?"

"Yilu only has four small warships on hand now, and we have four big warships in the eight, we can completely kill his arrogance?"

"What does the old man mean? Or do you mean it? ”

Wu Changqing said with a smile: "Brother Contentment, why do you knowingly ask, you are so calm, let alone the old man?" ”

"Four against four, we may not be opponents." Yi Zhizu said slowly: "Besides, the war hasn't started yet, and Changqing plans to show the hole cards first?" Besides. At this time, we will expose our strength, but we will not please both ends, and the government and Yingyi will suppress us. ”

"Is it just watching the English warships blockade the mouth of the Pearl River?"

Yi Zhizu rolled his eyes and said, "Changqing has a way?" ”

"Citigroup has more than 20 merchant ships in Whampoa."

"Don't even think about it, Citigroup will not, and will not dare to provoke England."

Listen to this. Wu Changqing was greatly frustrated and muttered: "This doesn't work, that doesn't work, it's really a nest!" ”

"It's the court's nest!" Yi Zhicontent glanced at him and said, "What are you doing?" ”

Li Wang took a probing glance at the door, and said cautiously: "Young Master, Xu Gongzi and Jin Gongzi are asking to see each other outside." As he spoke, he blinked deliberately.

Seeing him blink, Yi Zhishu immediately understood that it was Xu Yixuan and Jin Lanxiang, two tomboys dressed as men, who came. But he hadn't seen the second daughter for some days, but it was really not the right time for them to come, at this time, he really didn't have the heart to see them, and it was not appropriate to refuse to see them, so he groaned slightly, and then he said, "Please let them in." ”

See this. Wu Changqing's reaction was not slow, and he immediately guessed that it was Xu Yixuan and Jin Lanxiang. Immediately said in a muffled voice: "Do you want me to avoid it?" ”

"What's there to dodge?" Yi Zhixiang said, following the previous topic: "The British blockade of the Pearl River Estuary has a great impact, and the repercussions are bound to be not small, the government does not dare to sit idly by, we don't need to rush forward." Let's see how they react. ”

The reaction from all sides? Wu Changqing raised his eyebrows, "Can you take this opportunity to find a way to pull Citigroup into the water?" ”

"Pulling them into the water won't help." Yi Zhizhi said without thinking: "The Citigroup Navy is too weak, and it is not an opponent of the English Navy at all, and if you pull them into the water, the situation will be even more chaotic." The gains outweigh the losses, we only need them to provide machinery and equipment and technical personnel. ”

While the two were talking, Xu Yixuan and Jin Lanxiang walked in slowly, and Wu Changqing, who saw her, was also there, and Jin Lanxiang smiled decently: "Yida shopkeeper, Wu Gongzi, don't come to harm?" ”

Yi Zhisuff returned the salute with a smile before saying, "What kind of wind blew the two of you here today?" ”

"Western-style." Xu Yixuan said lightly.

Hearing this, Yi Zhifen was quite surprised, and said: "The two of you are also here because of the British blockade of the Pearl River Estuary? ”

"Not really." Jin Lanxiang said: "Guangdong salt marketing seven provinces, second only to Huai salt, Guangdong salt field twenty two, all rely on sea ships for transshipment, Yingyi blockade Haikou, salt ships can not enter and exit, salt merchants lose a lot, can not be estimated. ”

Wu Changqing smiled when he heard this, "This matter should go to the Yanzheng Yamen or the Governor Yamen." ”

Xu Yixuan said slowly: "We came here in the hope that the "Xiguan Daily" can vigorously appeal, unite all walks of life, and contribute money and efforts to break the blockade of Yingyi. ”

"As soon as something happens, you can think of "Xiguan Daily", and it seems that "Xiguan Daily" has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people." Yi Zhisuff said with a smile: "This proposal is good, but the stakes are very high, and we need to obtain the consent of the government, and later, I will visit the governor." ”

Before the words fell, Li Wang reported outside the door: "Young Master, Yan Gongzi is here, in addition, the Consul of Citi and several owners of Citi Firm are asking to see outside. ”

"It's not a coincidence." Yi Zhi said apologetically.

Xu Yixuan naturally didn't want to see foreigners, so she immediately got up and said, "Then let's say goodbye first." ”

Jin Lanxiang glanced at Yi Zhixiang, she hadn't seen each other for more than half a year, and she was about to leave after the two words she said when she met, she was quite unwilling, but thinking that Yi Zhixiang was afraid that she would be busy today, she could only get up and arch her hand: "Then let's visit again tomorrow." ”

"Okay." Yi Zhicontent said with a smile: "Let the maid lead the two out of the back door." ”

As soon as the two girls left, Yan Shikuan walked in with a smile and said triumphantly: "It's done, 80,000 oceans." ”

"Eighty thousand?" Wu Changqing said in surprise: "Shikuan is really good, and he cut down 20,000 at once." ”

Eighteen Fu Lei Garden, originally asked for 100,000 yuan, Yan Shikuan talked for a few days and failed to reduce much, but now it has dropped 20,000 all of a sudden, needless to say, the news of the British blockade of Haikou within a time limit has spread, and people are already panicking outside.

Yi Zhishu nodded and said, "We can't be insatiable, deal!" After the transaction, the news will be disseminated for two days. I set up a banquet in Lei Garden to inform everyone to come and be lively. ”

Wu Changqing said with a smile: "Brother contentment wants to stabilize people's hearts with this? ”

"It is not only to stabilize people's hearts, but also to receive some gifts and make up for losses." Yi Zhixiang smiled: "I'm a little tight these days. As he spoke, he pointed out and said, "Welcome them." ”

Going out to the door Snow, John. Green, Wertmore, and Olifin welcomed in. After greeting and taking his seat, Wittmore couldn't wait: "The British announced that they would blockade the Guangzhou port and the Pearl River estuary from December 11, and now there are only six days left, and our fleet will not be able to set sail before the blockade. ”

Yi Zhishu looked at Snow and said, "Why didn't Your Excellency the Consul go and discuss with Yilu?" ”

Snow shrugged his shoulders and said helplessly: "Yilu's blockade of the Pearl River Estuary is in retaliation for your Lord Qincha issuing a proclamation announcing that the trade between the two countries will be cut off forever, and he will not change his mind or delay the time because of our American merchant ships." Yilu is well aware that our fleet has just arrived, and that the deadline is set so shortly, most likely intentionally. ”

Yi Zhishu looked at him and smiled: "Your Excellency, don't you want me to come forward to talk to Yilu?" ”

"There is no point in Mr. Yi going to talk about it." Snow said: "Unless the Lord of your country comes forward to talk, however, this is obviously impossible. After a little hesitation, he said, "Mr. Yi has four fast cruisers in his hands, I wonder if he can take them?" ”

"Absolutely." Yi Zhishu did not hesitate at all, and promised with his mouth. The breaking of the British blockade of the Pearl River estuary by Citi's merchant fleet was undoubtedly a good thing for both Yuanqi and Guangzhou.

hesitated. Snow said: "Mr. Yi knows, the United States does not like war, and we do not want to have a frontal armed conflict with England, and the four fast cruisers cannot fly the American flag. ”

Before he could finish speaking, Yi Zhifen sneered and said, "Four fast cruisers, the English know at a glance that they are American battleships." Moreover, there are many sailors and gunners of your country on the battleship, even if the battle flag of the Great Qing Water Division is hoisted, the English people will not believe that it is the naval division warship of the Great Qing Dynasty, and they know the situation of the warships of the Guangdong Naval Division quite clearly. ”

Hearing this, Snowden was silent. After a while, he spoke: "There should be no problem for the fleet to leave Guangzhou empty, and there is time to do it, can Mr. Yi let us load the goods in other ports?" ”

After making trouble for a long time, the other party was the idea, Yi Zhishu groaned slightly, and then said: "The Qing Dynasty is a trade, I can't be the master of this matter, I have to ask Lord Qincha and Lord Governor for instructions, and reply to Your Excellency within two days, how about it?" ”

"Thank you." Snow bowed slightly, and thanked him sincerely.

Yi Zhizhi glanced at the three of Ovitmo, and said: "These **** will notify the thirteen lines, and they will unload and load the goods as soon as possible, do you have a purchase list?" ”

"No list." John. Green said: "Tea, no matter black tea or green tea, no matter the grade, how many are loaded, in addition to tea, raw silk, cloth, porcelain, rhubarb have what to pack, we believe in the credibility of the thirteen lines." ”

After sending Snow and his party away, Wu Changqing let out a long sigh and said: "No wonder Yilu dares to be so arrogant, with four warships, he dares to threaten to blockade Haikou, he is sure that the merchant ships of Citigroup will not dare to provoke." ”

Yi Zhixiang smiled and said: "Behind the law of righteousness is the English Navy, which is known as the 'overlord of the sea', of course he has arrogant capital, and he knows why Snow is so timid?" And I don't want the United States to get involved in the war? ”

Yan Shikuan asked with interest, "Why?" ”

"Very simply, once the United States declares war on England, although the sea is large, there is no place for American merchant ships, the British Navy will capture and plunder American merchant ships all over the world, and our trade with the United States will also be interrupted, which is not a good thing for us."

Saying that, he got up and said: "I have to go to the Governor's Palace, we will do our best to help with this busy, Shikuan, you go and hand over the affairs of Lei Yuan, I will tell them, the silver dollars will be allocated at the head counter, and Changqing will go to the Chamber of Commerce and Huangpu, urging them to unload and load as soon as possible, and try to fill them ship by ship." ”

As he spoke, he took out his pocket watch and looked at it, it was only more than ten o'clock in the morning, and he groaned slightly, and then he said: "I'm afraid it's not peaceful here today, and after that, everyone will go to Lei Garden to meet." ”

Hurriedly rushed to the governor's palace in a sedan chair, as soon as the name sticker was handed in, a door came out with a smile, and only after a neat salute did he say: "My lord has already commanded, Yi Da shopkeeper will go in with you, Yi Da shopkeeper please." ”

When he entered the signing room, Yi Zhizhi found out that not only Lin Zexu and Yiliang were there, but also Yu Kun, the superintendent of Guangdong Customs, what kind of battle was this? He hesitated for a moment, and was about to salute everyone, Lin Zexu waved his hand with a warm face and said, "No need to be polite for contentment, sit." ”

Yi Zhizhi was not polite, and Tuan Tuan said, "I have seen you all here." ”

Yiliang said with a smile: "Today is different from the past, and you can't save the gift of contentment." ”

What do you mean? Yi Zhizhi was content, and as soon as he changed his mind, he reacted and blurted out: "Lord Deng has been transferred to Liangjiang?" ”

As soon as these words came out, several people present were all in one place, and they all looked at him, and Lin Zexu took the lead in asking: "How did contentment know?" ”

"Lord Deng was transferred to Liangjiang, so Lord Lin thought that he would be transferred to Liangguang." Yi Zhizhi said with a smile and arched his hand: "Congratulations to Lord Deng, congratulations to Lord Lin." ”

Lin Zexu said: "The headquarters hall was transferred from Liangjiang to Liangguang, how can I be happy?" ”

"Seek benevolence and be benevolent, but do you not like it?"

"Sit." Lin Zexu stroked his long beard as he spoke, and said, "How did contentment know?" ”

smiled, Yi Zhizhi said: "It's not difficult to guess, Lin Butang moved to Liangjiang, but he didn't go to the post for a long time, naturally he couldn't rest assured about the situation in Guangzhou, Liangjiang is the world's wealthy, and it is one of the targets of Yingyi's attack, how can the position of governor be vacant for a long time?" Looking around today, in addition to Lin Butang, the only one who can be qualified as the governor of Liangjiang is Deng Butang.

In the room that he entered below, Deng Butang didn't speak, but Lin Butang spoke first, and the host and guest were transposed, so obvious, and they had to be reminded by Lord Futai, if they didn't understand it below, wouldn't they be confused? ”

"With a careful mind and a subtle understanding, it is no wonder that Yuanqi can rise so quickly." Deng Tingzhen said with a smile: "However, the old man was transferred to the governor of Liangjiang, and if he is content, he will send him off with a word of congratulations?" ”

Hearing this, Yi Zhizhi smiled, got up, and said solemnly: "Without the support of Lord Deng, there would be no Yuanqi today, the grace of the adult, the kid will never dare to forget, one day, Lord Deng is in trouble, Yuanqi will definitely help each other desperately." ”

What are these words? How did you say this? Yiliang and Yu Kun looked at each other, Lin Zexu was silent, Deng Tingzhen was also stunned, he wanted to knock on a batch of Western firearms, but he didn't expect Yi Zhixin to give such a solemn promise, he immediately realized that the other party was alluding to a big war in Jiangning, he couldn't help but sink in his heart, and nodded slowly: "Okay, be content, but it's a rare gift, and the old man accepted it." ”

Lin Zexu was a little uncertain in his heart, Yi Zhi's content was not small, could it be that Yuanqi still had the ability to go out of the province to fight? The problem is that the Yuanqi group practice has not yet begun to be built, where does this kid have the confidence? (To be continued.) )