The battle reports of the Battle of Piercing Nose and the Battle of Guanyong reached Xu Wen, and Yi Zhizhi and Wu Changqing, who were inspecting the sugar industry, immediately set off and returned directly to Guangzhou.

On October 22, Yi Zhifen arrived at Shajiao Fort, and after hearing the news, Guan Tianpei personally greeted him to the dock, and as soon as he met, he smiled heartily: "Contentment went to Changhua, and after half a year, he missed a good show." ”

Yi Zhizu arched his hand and smiled: "This is not a good show, but it is just a prelude." ”

Prelude? Guan Tianpei said disapprerovitically: "I'm afraid that contentment will miscalculate this time, and British businessmen are mercenary, but they are scattered, so don't be afraid." ”

Yi Zhixiang smiled and didn't say anything, the British merchants had more than 40 merchant ships in the Tsim Sha Tsui Ocean, all of which were armed merchant ships, and when they were concentrated, there were at least four or five hundred artillery pieces.

After a slight greeting, the three of them entered the barracks all the way, and after sitting down to serve tea, Guan Tianpei immediately said with concern: "How is the situation in Changhua?" ”

"Iron ore reserves are abundant, and it is easy to mine, but it is difficult to transport." Yi Zhifu paused, and then said: "Yuan Qi is going to build a hundred-mile-long railway to transport iron ore out of Changhua, which will take a long time, and it is estimated that it will take as soon as the year after next to develop Shilu iron ore on a large scale. ”

And to build a hundred miles of railway? Guan Tianpei was speechless for a while, and then said, "It's cost-effective?" ”

"It doesn't matter if it's a good deal or not." Yi Zhizhi said with a smile: "Even if it is not cost-effective, Guangzhou must build a steel plant." Improve the steelmaking and ironmaking process, and strive to be able to produce rails independently. He didn't want to talk about it too much, so he immediately changed his mind. "Has the imperial court's attitude towards the smoking ban in Guangzhou changed?" ”

"How can there be no change?" Guan Tianpei smiled and said: "After the battle of Kowloon, the emperor immediately issued an order, focusing on Yingyi's authority before virtue, not to be afraid to show weakness, and said that if Yingyi has repeatedly, he should show his military might." Large-scale tart felling, and never allowed to trade. After a pause, he said, "Lord Lin has already announced it yesterday. Cut off trade with England. ”

Cutting off trade with England? Wu Changqing's face was a little ugly, and he glanced at Yi Zhicontentment, but he didn't dare to speak rashly.

Yi Zhishu was also stunned, he didn't expect it. Lin Zexu will move so fast. And the attitude will be so resolute, seeing the expressions of the two people, Guan Tianpei said slowly: "Lord Lin gave up again and again, and gave Yilu several chances, but Yilu turned a deaf ear, repeatedly provoked, and cut off trade with England, and Lord Lin was also helpless." It is to do what is done. ”

After a pause, he continued, "Even if you cut off trade with England. There are still Citigroup and Portugal, and the foreign trade of the thirteen banks is not affected. ”

Hearing this, Yi Zhizhi and the two of them could only smile bitterly, England is the largest trading country in Guangzhou's foreign trade, accounting for at least sixty percent or more, and suddenly cut off trade with England, how can the thirteen lines not be affected? The entire East-West trade will be greatly affected!

After being silent for a long time, Yi Zhizhi sighed lightly: "The matter has come to this point, there is no room for mediation, and we should actively reorganize the armament for war." ”

Guan Tianpei said in a deep voice: "Will England really start a large-scale war? ”

"There is no doubt about the battle." Yi Zhizhi said in a deep voice: "Armed conflict, severance of trade, war with England is inevitable, and the time is next summer!" Don't report any more fantasies or flukes! ”

Seeing what he said categorically, Guan Tianpei hesitated a little before saying: "Lord Lin is in Humen, and the old man will accompany Contentment to see Lord Lin." ”

Yi Zhishu stood up and said, "Lord Lin has revealed, when will you go to Liangjiang to take up your post?" ”

"Not really." Guan Tianpei shook his head slightly and said: "At present, Yingyi is still entrenched in the Tongguyang area, I heard that there are large warships in the future, and Yilu has changed more than ten merchant ships into warships, now in this situation, I am afraid that there is still a war, how can Lord Lin leave easily?" ”

To be honest, Yi Zhixin doesn't know if there will be an armed conflict behind, after all, the distance crow. There is still more than half a year before the outbreak of the war, and the power in the hands of Yilu is not weak, although the warships converted by armed merchant ships are not comparable to the warships, but for the warships of the Guangdong Naval Division, they have an overwhelming advantage.

After getting on the ship, Wu Changqing said worriedly: "Will the severance of trade with England affect the purchase of high-quality iron from England?" ”

It is no wonder that Wu Changqing has this concern, the high-quality iron of England they buy from Citi merchants is 40 yuan a ton, which is 100 yuan cheaper than the domestic iron price, 10,000 tons is a profit of one million yuan, and now Yuanqi's demand for high-quality iron is not generally large, the consumption of high-quality iron by Foshan Guangzhou Railway and the Eight Railways and Changle Machinery Factory is particularly large, if it is not possible to purchase high-quality iron from England, Yuanqi's loss can be described as quite large.

With a slight groan, Yi Zhizhi said, "No." It was already considered that the outbreak of war would affect the trade between Guangzhou and England, so American merchants were allowed to buy and sell. ”

"War is imminent, and England will allow Citi merchants to resell high-quality iron to us?"

"Don't worry." Yi Zhizhi said with a smile: "There is an economic crisis in England, it is impossible to ban the export of high-quality iron, besides, they are afraid that they have not yet made up their minds whether to declare war on us, and by next year, we have accumulated enough high-quality iron." ”

Still not up set up to declare war? Wu Changqing glanced at him suspiciously, and said, "Why does Brother Contentment dare to conclude that England will definitely declare war?" ”

"Trade!" Yi Zhizhi said: "It's just that crows are strictly forbidden. Film, England will have some scruples, and may not be able to make up its mind, but cutting off trade between Britain and Britain will definitely not tolerate it! ”

Humen Village, the General Mansion of the Chinese Army, Lin Zexu was looking at the large Humen coastal defense map hanging on the wall and pondering, and when he heard that Guan Tianpei, Yi Zhicontent, and Wu Changqing were outside asking to see him, he turned around and ordered: "Let them in." ”

After the three of them came in to greet him, he waved his hand and said, "You don't need to be formal, sit." As he spoke, he glanced at Wu Changqing, then looked at Yi Zhicontentment, and said, "Contentment is here to cut off English trade?" ”

"Your Excellency is acting according to orders, and you dare not speak falsely." Yi Zhishu paused slightly, and then said: "Before coming down, I implore your Excellency to play the imperial court and strengthen the coastal defense of Xiamen, Fuzhou, Ningbo, Dinghai, Nanjing, Tianjin and other places to prevent a large-scale invasion by England." ”

Lin Zexu frowned, and said in a deep voice: "Will England go north along the coast?" ”

"It's inevitable." Yi Zhi said confidently: "There is no gap in Guangzhou, and the British army will inevitably go north along the coast." (To be continued.) )