Wen Han came to Xiguan by boat from Hong Kong, and along the way he repeatedly saw ragged displaced people building embankments and building roads, as a minister to China, he naturally knew that the ancient empire in the Far East had suffered a rare large-scale serious natural disaster this year, but he did not expect such a large number of victims to gather near Guangzhou. Pen @ fun @ pavilion wWw. ｂｉｑUｇE。 ｉｎｆｏ

Hearing this, he naturally understood the other party's intentions, and immediately said without thinking: "We are deeply saddened that your country has suffered such a big natural disaster, and we also hope to be able to provide assistance within our ability, please rest assured, we will start construction as soon as possible." ”

As he spoke, he smiled and said, "Sir has helped us a lot this time, but do you have any other requirements?" ”

"The fact that this matter can be implemented as soon as possible is mainly due to the great attention of our Governor." Yi Zhizhi said with a smile: "They want to borrow a sum of money from the bank of your country for disaster relief, Your Excellency should know that Yuan Qi has also suffered huge losses in Jiangnan this time, and the scope of the disaster this time is very large, Yuan Qi is not able to provide relief as before." ”

Borrowing? And it was a loan from the Qing court? Wen Han couldn't help but hesitate, and Yi Zhixin continued: "Your country has had a serious economic crisis since last year, and the large amount of money in the bank should be in a hurry to find a way out. The government is in dire need of large loans, which is a good thing for both sides. ”

After a little hesitation, Wen Han said, "Can you take a step to speak?" With that, he walked down the embankment, Yi Zhishu took the umbrella from Lin Meilian and followed, and the two came to the river beach, Wen Han said slowly: "Your country did not declare war, rashly sent troops to the South Seas, and snatched Luzon and Java Islands from Spain and the Netherlands, and the whole of Europe was shaken by it.....

Sir is very familiar with the pattern of Europe, and should know that China has always adopted the principle of equilibrium on the European continent, and the overseas colonies of Spain and the Netherlands have been lost one after another, and now the loss of colonies in the Far East will inevitably greatly weaken the strength of the two countries, which will inevitably affect the pattern of Europe, which is why our navy did not seize Luzon and Java Islands. ”

After a pause, he continued: "At present, public opinion in Europe is very unfavorable to your country, if it were not for the outbreak of the economic crisis, and Europe was also turbulent last year, I am afraid that a powerful combined fleet has already been formed to carry out the ..... of the Eastern Crusade, and your country is really not a good time to propose a large loan at this time." ”

After all, the two countries have long since ceased to be the majesty of the past, and what he is most worried about is the reaction of Britain, after all, Britain has a lot of interests in the South Seas, and controls the Strait of Malacca, and Australia is not far from the Java Islands, and the Qing Dynasty occupies the Java Islands, and the threat to Britain can be said to be quite large.

It seems that Spain and the Netherlands are very unwilling to lose this rich colony in the Far East, and they are lobbying Britain to form a joint fleet to retake the South Sea Islands, and the British side seems to be a little wavering, otherwise they would not be willing to borrow.

Yi Zhishu pondered for a moment before saying: "Most of the islands in Luzon and Java have been vassal states of China since ancient times, but they were forcibly occupied by Spain and the Netherlands.

We have no intention of interfering with your country's vested interests in the South Seas, nor do we want your country to damage our country's interests in the South Seas, and we do not want to affect the trade between the East and the West because of this matter.

Moreover, I think that both France and the United States would be more than happy to see a great war break out between our two countries in the South Seas, and then reshuffle the cards. ”

Seeing that his attitude was so tough, Wen Han was also a little surprised, and said suspiciously: "The Nanyang Islands have been a vassal state of the Qing State since ancient times?" When Spain and the Netherlands occupied it, the Qing State had not yet been established, right? ”

"I'm talking about China." Yi Zhizhi said: "Today's Qing State is just a dynasty in China, and the Nanyang Islands have always been a vassal state of China before the Ming Dynasty, which is well documented. ”

After a pause, he continued: "China's population has swelled dramatically in the past 100 years, and has now reached 400 million, with many people and little land, which has reached the limit, coupled with the fact that natural disasters have been extremely frequent in recent years, and if they do not expand outward, large-scale wars will inevitably break out. ”

Compared to the total population of the world, which is more than one billion, 400 million people can be described as extremely large, exciting and depressing, this is a completely indigenous population! Wen Hanjue's lips were a little dry, it was obviously extremely unwise to start a war with a Qing country with a population of 400 million and the best musket, the Mini gun, and besides, they suffered a lot of losses in the last war.

After a slight hesitation, Wen Han spoke: "I will truthfully convey Your Majesty's meaning to the country, and Her Majesty will definitely make the wisest choice." ”

The British actually did not agree to borrow, Huang Entong, the governor of Liangguang, was depressed in his heart, and after listening to Yi Zhi's contentment to explain the reason in detail, he turned to worry about the outbreak of a war with Western countries, if this is the case, Guangdong is the first to bear the brunt, and even said: "There will be no real war, right?" ”

"Probably not." Yi Zhi said confidently: "Now that Britain has a lot of investment in our Qing Dynasty, British businessmen will not agree to war, and if it is not for the fundamental interests of their country, Britain will not be guilty of a large-scale expedition to fight a war that is uncertain." ”

After hesitating, Huang Entong said: "Then this sandbar will also build a concession for them?" ”

"Of course." Yi Zhizhi said without thinking: "British banks do not borrow, and Citigroup, and France are not, this matter, Taiwan is the initiator, deign to go to the concession to walk, first let out the news, see the reaction of the banks of various countries, now they are eager to open up our Qing market, should be very enthusiastic." ”

Huang Entong can also put down his figure, and he also knows that Yi Zhishu is now at home after all, and it is inconvenient to come forward as a court official, so he immediately said: "Cheng, I will go tomorrow." ”

Several people broke up, returned to Lei Garden, and after washing, Bao Shichen rushed over with a happy face, and as soon as they met, he smiled and said: "Congratulations to the big shopkeeper." ”

Congratulations? Yi Zhizhi smiled and said: "But the imperial court has allowed a large number of immigrants to Nanyang?" ”

"More than that." Bao Shichen smiled and handed him the newspaper that had just been delivered: "Congratulations to the chief treasurer on being promoted to a first-class marquis." ”

A Marquis of the First Rank? Daoguang finally issued an order to reward the navy for its exploits in conquering the South Seas? Yi Zhizhi was happy in his heart, took the newspaper and quickly glanced at it, Daoguang not only issued an order to reward the navy for its conquest of the South Seas, and allowed a large number of immigrants to the South Seas, but also announced the establishment of provinces in Luzon and Java, and announced a series of preferential policies to encourage the people to immigrate to the newly built provinces in the South Seas.

Putting down the Di Bao, Yi Zhizhi said with a smile: "It seems that letting the imperial court sell the Luzon fields makes the imperial court completely relieved. ”

Bao Shichen sat down opposite him, shook his folding fan and said: "What the imperial court is most worried about is that the big shopkeeper buys people's hearts and minds, seizes the South Seas, and the land in Luzon is sold to the imperial court, which really makes the imperial court suspicious. ”

The recall of the main fleet was proposed by Bao Shichen, and when he heard this, Yi Zhizhi smiled, "Sir, there is no need to blame yourself, who would have thought that the attitude of the imperial court would be so reversed, be cautious, there is no big mistake." ”

Before the words fell, Lin Da'an came quickly, and after saluting the two at the door, he stepped forward to report: "Four days ago, Li Dianyuan, deputy general of the Guangxi Xunzhou Association, led the officers and soldiers of his department to encircle and suppress the Pingnan Huazhou Worship God Association, and won a great victory!" It has been learned that Hong Xiuquan urgently convened the heads of the nearby congregations in Jintian, and it is expected that there may be a public uprising in the next few days. ”

Got started so soon? Yi Zhizhi couldn't help but be satisfied, it was still less than four months, Huang Dianyuan's movements were fast enough, and he groaned slightly, before he said: "Hong Xiuquan, but is it Hong Huoxiu?" ”

"Yes, Hong Xiuquan is the name he took later."

Nodding slightly, Yi Zhixiang ordered: "Pay close attention and report at any time." ”

After Lin Da'an retreated, Bao Shichen said suspiciously: "How can the big shopkeeper care so much about the situation in Guangxi?" Could it be that this worship of God is very unusual? ”

"It's really not ordinary, the Worship of God is not comparable to ordinary parties." Yi Zhishu said casually: "The situation in Guangxi is already extremely chaotic, with various armed conflicts intensifying, and now it is suffering from a major drought, which is really difficult to reassure, and I have been paying close attention.

There is an active force of 'boat bandits' in the Xijiang Valley, there is an armed force led by Li Yuanfa in the border area of Hunan and Guangxi, and there is an armed force headed by Chen Yagui in the heart of Guangxi.

And this God Worship Society has always been strictly neutral, accumulating strength, and its organization is also very tight, not comparable to the likes of the Heaven and Earth Society and the general local armed forces, so I have been paying close attention to it. ”

Bao Shichen slowly shook the folding fan and said: "Hong Xiuquan, this person's ambition is not small, and he is indeed not comparable to the head of the ordinary party. ”

Yi Zhizu glanced at him in some surprise and said, "Mr. knows that Hong Huoxiu?" ”

"He is the head of the Guangxi Society, how can the old man recognize him?" Bao Shichen said slowly: "The name he took himself is very mysterious, the word Xiuquan is taken apart, it is He Nai Ren King, He Tong me, I am the Human King, how can this ambition be small?" ”

"I am the king of men, and I want to be the emperor." Yi Zhizhi said with a smile, "In this way, he chose this name for Mingzhi!" ”

Bao Shichen smiled and said, "The big shopkeeper is worried that after the incident of the God Worship Society, he will enter Guangdong?" ”

"Exactly." Yi Zhi's jaw said: "Guangxi is close to Guangdong, and the Xunzhou Mansion area is down the Xijiang River, and it will be able to enter Guangdong in a few days, which is why I have been paying attention to the situation in Guangxi." ”

"The big shopkeeper is really wide enough." Bao Shichen said indifferently: "The left and right are just a group of rabble, how can they be trained by the well-trained and well-armed Yuanqi group, and those who are a little rational will definitely not come to attack Guangdong." ”

"That's what the gentleman said." Yi Zhizhi said with a smile: "The Yuanqi family has a big business, but there are some gains and losses in the future. As he spoke, he slowly lit a cigarette, and the imperial court rewarded the naval officers who conquered the South Seas, announced the establishment of a province in Luzon Java, and allowed a large number of immigrants to the South Seas, which is enough to explain Daoguang's intentions.

At this time, under his arrangement, under the persecution of the officers and soldiers in Guangxi, the God Worship Society may start up in advance, not possibly, but certainly, at this point, Hong Xiuquan is definitely going to rebel in advance, and he has already been fighting hard, and the God Worship Society that is planning to rebel will definitely start up in a hurry!

In the current situation, should he stay out of the situation and let the situation erode or should he actively assist the imperial court to exterminate the Worship of God Society? There is no doubt that worshipping God will disrupt the situation is a great opportunity for Yuanqi, but this price is not ordinarily small, I don't know how many people will die in this war, and it will also cause huge short-term irreparable losses to the local economy.

The pros and cons are also big, the two extremes make him have a headache, seeing him smoking and pondering, Bao Shichen does not disturb him, but he is faintly aware that this worship of God will be very unusual, and it can make Yi Zhixiang pay close attention to things, but it is not a trivial matter.

The two of them were relatively silent like a gourd, Lin Meilian came in with tea, and couldn't help but wonder secretly when she saw this situation, Mr. Bao didn't have a happy face when he entered the door, why was he so dull in a blink of an eye? She was hesitating to go in, but Yi Zhicontent said, "What are you doing?" ”

"I'm afraid of disturbing the big shopkeeper." Lin Meilian said and hurriedly stepped forward to make tea for the two.

Yi Zhizhi smiled, "I'm afraid of stirring, and I'm not stirring up, so why bother to make a mistake?" ”

Hearing these words in Lin Meilian's ears, he thought that Yi Zhixiang was making fun of her, but Bao Shichen guessed that he was talking about himself, and when Lin Meilian stepped back, he asked: "The big shopkeeper is worried that worshipping God will become a climate and stir up chaos in the world?" ”

Yi Zhishu nodded and said: "Guangxi has been plagued by famine for many years, and Huguang and Liangjiang have been disasters again this year....... ”

Bao Shichen said: "Since this is the case, why not tell Huang Zhitai, mobilize the green battalion of the two Guangzhous and eight banners, and exterminate it as soon as possible." ”

"It's too late." Yi Zhizu sighed lightly as he spoke, and said: "Guangxi is a common practice, and all villages and towns have local regimental training, building forts and digging trenches on weekdays, and training in leisure time, those ordinary people are comparable to veterans who have accumulated years, and when it comes to fighting experience and combat experience, it is definitely far stronger than the Eight Banners Green Battalion, which has not been trained for many years, and once something happens, it will inevitably be able to defeat the Eight Banners Green Battalion." ”

Hearing this, Bao Shichen couldn't help but open his mouth, the people of Guangxi are so strong? He said tentatively: "You can't send a navy to encircle and suppress it, right?" ”

"If you really want to take the initiative to ask for help, the imperial court and the civil and military officials of Liangguang should be suspicious again." Yi Zhifen shook his head and said, "It's going to rain, my mother is going to get married, what else can I do, and they will toss first!" ”