Now is the nineteenth year of Daoguang, but the Western calendar is January 1840, easy to be content with the Western calendar, Lin Zexu is based on the lunar calendar, listen to the Foguang railway will be completed next year, he can't help but move, although the Foguang railway is Daoguang concern, but compared to the war with England, which is more important, but it is clear at a glance, and furthermore, the Fozhou-Guangzhou railway is a year and a half delay, it does not matter.

Lin Zexu didn't know much about the railway, but he heard Deng Tingzhen mention that the railway was expensive, and the section of the railway from Foshan to Guangzhou that was only a hundred miles would cost three or four million taels of silver.

After a slight groan, he tentatively said: "Can the Focan-Guangzhou Railway be postponed for a while?" ”

Slow down? Yi Zhizhi shook his head without thinking, the Fozhou-Guangzhou Railway, he originally planned to complete it in the summer of 1840, before the outbreak of war, but he was afraid that the war would break out, the imperial court would change its hexagrams, and the Fozhou-Guangzhou Railway would be abandoned halfway, so he did not hesitate to decide that all the rails would be imported from Citigroup.

However, the reality is very cruel, although there are a lot of sail merchant ships in the United States, but there are very few suitable for transporting rails, and there is no way to transport a large number of rails across the ocean to Guangzhou, for this reason, Yili Railway Company can only transport machines to over, build a factory in Guangzhou to manufacture rails, and the progress will naturally slow down.

Seeing that Yi Zhixin shook his head and refused without hesitation, Lin Zexu was puzzled and said: "There are priorities, is contentment not clear?" ”

"Don't hide it from you." Yi Zhizu said bluntly: "I think that there is nothing more urgent and heavy than the construction of the Foshan-Guangzhou Railway. ”

Lin Zexu was slightly stunned, stroked the long beard under his chin, and then said: "The imperial court has always had the most important military merits. ”

"The construction of the Foshan-Guangzhou Railway is not to ask for merit from the imperial court." Yi Zhishu said slowly: "In my eyes, railway construction is far more important than winning or losing one or two wars. ”

"Oh?" Lin Zexu laughed and said, "What's the high opinion of contentment? The main hall listens. ”

Slightly groaned. Yi Zhizhi said slowly: "Right now, Guangzhou is in urgent need of artillery, let's take artillery as an example, English artillery, especially iron artillery, is not a little better than our Qing artillery." Why? One is that the iron of the casting cannon is better than ours, and the other is that the process of casting the cannon is better than ours.

Let's talk about iron first, the iron produced in England, whether it is cast iron or wrought iron, is better than ours, not only because their iron ore is better than ours, but also because their ironmaking technology is better than ours, coking coal blast furnace ironmaking, the emergence of steam engine blast technology. It has greatly promoted the rapid development of the ironmaking industry in England, not only improving the quality of iron, but also increasing the output of iron.

According to preliminary estimates, England now produces at least two million tons of iron a year, and how many tens of thousands of tons can we produce in Daqing? The most intuitive embodiment is the price, in England, the price of a ton of iron is about 80 silver dollars, how much is the Qing Dynasty? One hundred and forty silver dollars. The quality is not as good as in England.

Speaking of cannon casting technology, the Qing Dynasty has been a clay mold cannon for hundreds of years. Nowadays, clay mold casting cannons are still used, while England has begun to use sand casting cannons as early as forty or fifty years ago, their guns are first cast into solid guns, cut off the loose layer on the surface, and then use a bore machine to drill out the breech, and then use the cutting lathe bore to scrape and correct the breech.

That's why English artillery is so smooth both in its body and in its breech. And the reason why I am not afraid of blowing up the bore, because it is a machine-cast cannon, the specifications of the English artillery are unified, the same caliber artillery is the same standard, and all kinds of data are highly unified. The error is very small, unlike the artillery cast in our Qing Dynasty, the caliber error is large, and each artillery must be equipped with special shells. ”

Lin Zexu stayed in Humen for more than half a year, but he did not inspect the various forts in Humen, and he was naturally clear about the advantages of Western artillery, but for the Western cannon casting technology, he heard it for the first time, and he listened to it with relish.

Speaking of this, Yi Zhizu paused for a moment, and then continued: "Yingli's cannon casting technology is completely based on machine operation, and the extensive use of machines is based on a strong industrial foundation.

The emergence of the train railway, with epoch-making significance, is indispensable for land transportation, but also indispensable for the development of industry, the industrial development of the Qing Dynasty has lagged behind the West for nearly a hundred years, and then slow down, but even the opportunity to catch up is gone. ”

Speaking, he sighed lightly: "Industrial backwardness means backwardness everywhere, economic, technological, military, and cultural culture, especially the military, is the most intuitive. ”

Lin Zexu nodded slightly, the British warship artillery is indeed not comparable to the warship artillery of the Guangdong Navy Division, he can't buy Western artillery if he wants to buy it now, he really didn't expect the development of the railway to be of such significance, after thinking about it, he said: "Contentment doesn't seem to mention this in the "Eighteen Articles of Railway Rejuvenation"? ”

Yi Zhizhi smiled contentedly, "Lin Butang understands these words, who among the princes of the imperial court understands it?" Look at the attitude of the imperial court towards foreign businessmen, and still regard itself as a **** country, but in fact, England has long not taken the Qing Dynasty in its eyes, otherwise a commercial director in China, a big official in Yilu, would dare to be so presumptuous and rebellious. ”

This is not unreasonable, if England has a little awe of the Qing Dynasty, how dare Yilu be so presumptuous? After a little hesitation, Lin Zexu said: "I heard that Yuanqi vigorously introduced Citigroup's machinery and equipment and technical craftsmen, and now it may imitate Western firearms?" ”

Yi Zhixiang smiled and said, "Didn't Lord Ministries laugh, how could Citigroup sell us the machinery and equipment for manufacturing firearms?" For these technologies, whether it is England or Citigroup, will carry out a technical blockade, easy will not be leaked, now the introduction of machinery and equipment is silk reeling, sugar extraction, coinage, printing, papermaking, flour processing and other livelihood machinery and equipment, Yuanqi wants to buy spinning, weaving machinery and equipment, Citi merchants do not sell, afraid of our competition. ”

Lin Zexu looked at him and said, "But the headquarters heard that Yuan Qi set up a Navy Division Ammunition Bureau to buy machines from the West to produce Western gunpowder?" ”

"It is true." Yi Zhizhi said: "That's because our gunpowder is not much different from the West, and the consumption of gunpowder is very large, so it is impossible to buy it from the West." There was a pause. He said in a mocking tone: "How can Citi merchants do a loss-making business? The machinery and equipment sold to us to make gunpowder was just a little sweetness for us, and they wished that the Qing Dynasty would sever trade relations with England, and they were also happy to see the Qing Dynasty go to war with England, and they would lose both, so that they could benefit from it. ”

"Everyone is willing to sit on the mountain and watch the tiger fight." Lin Zexu said with a long sigh, and then took out his pocket watch and looked at it. Then he stood up and said, "The hour is not early." ”

Yi Zhishu hurriedly got up and said: "Lord Ministry, I made an appointment with the Citi merchant to go to Huangpu to negotiate the price of the merchant ship, and the shopkeeper of the merchant office went to the second shopkeeper of Yuan Qi, and the 200,000 donation has been prepared in cash." ”

Lin Zexu said: "Cheng, this matter must be grasped quickly." ”

Yi Zhixiang smiled and said, "Can the ministry send a few officials or translators to participate in the negotiation of ship prices with Citi merchants?" ”

"Why bother?" Lin Zexu said with a smile, turned around and walked out of the room. The official doesn't know Yiwen, and he goes to the decoration, the translator - the translator around him is either recommended by the Thirteen Lines, or a student of Yuan Qiyi, what role can he play in participating in the negotiation? He's happy to be generous.

Huangpu Port - Guangzhou's one-stop trade port and designated as the only port for foreign ships to berth.

Here in the peak season of maritime trade, its prosperity and liveliness are no less than Xiguan, but. It's off-season, and there are only about two dozen Citi merchant ships moored in the harbor. Due to the British announcement of a deadline for the blockade of Haikou, the atmosphere in Huangpu was also a little tense, large and small barges were full of all kinds of goods in and out, and they were busy, as were the tax offices, razor offices, and comprador offices in the village.

Taverns, large and small, were full of sailors and sailors on Citi merchant ships. While drinking, they inquired about each other's news, not concerned about the movements of the English, but inquired about the news of the Qing officials' recruitment of sailors, and the Qing sailors were going to buy merchant ships to be converted into warships, and the news of recruiting personnel opened early in the morning on the Whampoa ship. Of course, they are interested in high-priced recruitment.

At the port wharf, a clipper slowly approached the wharf, not waiting for the ship to set up a springboard, Yi Zhizhi stepped ashore with an arrow step, as soon as he appeared, a large group of Citi merchant shipowners greeted one after another, and a group of Chinese and foreign craftsmen from Changzhou Shipyard also followed to greet him, a mess of greetings, Yi Zhizhi smiled and raised his hand, and said loudly in English: "Everyone, the assessment of merchant ships, I specially invited the experienced Chinese and foreign craftsmen of Changzhou Shipyard to evaluate together, and the shipowner is not allowed to intervene in the assessment, thank you for your cooperation." ”

After speaking, he called the two directors of the shipyard aside, explained the contents of the assessment, and then shook his hands and entered Huangpu Village, and entered the largest tavern in Huangpu Village, Henry's Tavern.

The tavern was full of people and noisy, and the crew and sailors were already loud, and after drinking some wine, they naturally spoke louder, Yi Zhizhi glanced at the situation inside, sat down directly in front of the counter and said, "A glass of brandy, thank you." ”

The bartender was a white guy, and he was a little surprised to see him speak fluent English, and accosted him while pouring wine: "Mr. is from Guangzhou?" ”

Yi Zhixiang smiled, ignored him, felt out a piece of ocean and said, "No need to look for it." After taking a sip of his wine, he walked around the tavern with his glass in hand, and listened to them talk mostly about buying ships and recruiting, and when he boarded, he knew that the news had spread

After learning about their wages by the way, Yi Zhizhi turned back to the counter, drank the wine in the cup in one gulp, and said to the bartender: "I am the treasurer of Yuanqi - Yi Zhizhi, tell the crew and sailors here that the Guangdong sailors will send out twelve oceans to recruit foreign sailors in a month, and if you are willing, you will go to the Changzhou Shipyard to sign up within ten days." ”

"Mr. Yi of Yuanqi?" The bartender was surprised, who has not heard of the name of Yi Zhizhi who does business in Huangpu Port?

Yi Zhishu smiled and nodded, "Later, I will have someone post a notice at the pier." With that, he walked quickly out of the tavern.

"Hi-gentlemen!" The bartender shouted loudly: "That young Oriental man is Mr. Yi of Yuanqi, and he asked me to tell you that the Guangdong sailor will recruit you with a monthly salary of twelve silver dollars." ”

A group of sailors rushed to the counter as soon as they boarded, and there was a mess of inquiries about the specific situation, and some people rushed out of the tavern to find Yi Zhi, but there were people on the street, and there was no way to tell where to go.

Staying in Huangpu until dusk, Yi Zhishu left by speedboat, but did not return to Xiguan, but went to the flower field - Rongqing Garden.

Hearing that the maid was ready to report that Yi Zhizhi was coming, Su Mengdie almost couldn't believe her ears, since the identity of her three o'clock meeting was revealed, the one who had no conscience had not been to Rong Qingyuan for more than half a year, she quickly asked, "Did you read that right?" ”

The maid Daiqing hurriedly said: "Le Gongzi's clipper, how could the people below be mistaken?" ”

"Help me see, do you want to touch up your makeup?" Su Mengdie was a little flustered, got up and looked in the mirror, and said, "That guy likes white, go and get that white jacket." ”

Dai Qing pursed her lips and smiled: "Miss, it's too late, the ship is almost at the dock." ”

"Quick, call Bai Xue and Ling Xuan, and go to the dock together."

The clipper docked at the dock, Yi Zhishu walked out of the cabin and saw a few lanterns coming up, and couldn't help but show a smile, stepping onto the dock, Su Mengdie and his party squatted down and said, "The slave family has seen Le Gongzi." ”

Yi Zhizu stepped forward and helped him, looked at the women again, and said, "All are exempt." ”

Bai Xue and Ling Xuan took the lantern from the maid's hand with a happy face, and said, "The slave and maid hold the lantern for Le Gongzi." ”

"Don't make such a fuss." Yi Zhishu smiled and said, "I haven't eaten yet, so I'll have a few dishes." ”

Hearing this, Ling Xuan hurriedly smiled and said, "Le Gongzi will sit down for a while, and the slave will cook." Among the three daughters, she has the best cooking skills, and she makes fresh and elegant Jiangnan dishes, which are highly praised by Yi Zhicontent.

In the backyard, after the maid brought tea and snacks and retreated, Su Mengdie said: "I heard that San Lang bought the Lei Garden of the Eighteenth Fu. ”

Yi Zhixin took a piece of dim sum and said, "You are well-informed, and you only bought it yesterday." ”

"San Lang bought Lei Yuan, I'm afraid it will spread all over Guangzhou." Su Mengdie said with a smile, "San Lang might as well take Bai Xue and Ling Xuan to Lei Yuan, the two of them were only bought by the slave family, not from the Three Points Society." ”

Hearing this, Yi Zhicontent's heart moved, Bai Xue and Ling Xuan had already taken the house and took them into Lei Garden, but it was nothing, swallowed a snack, and then he said: "She both went to Lei Garden, aren't you afraid that I won't come to Rong Qingyuan?" ”

"The slave family really didn't think about that." Su Mengdie laughed coquettishly: "If San Lang doesn't come, the slave family won't go to Lei Garden?" (To be continued.) )