Yi Zhixiang solemnly promised just an empty favor, he knew very well that Lin Zexu and Deng Tingzhen were in the crow. The fate of the war, Deng Tingzhen was transferred to the governor of Liangjiang, and before he went to Liangjiang, he was reappointed as the governor of Fujian and Zhejiang, and the governor's palace of Fujian and Zhejiang was in Fuzhou, which was not affected by the war at all.

He said this not only to arouse the attention of these two governors to Nanjing, but also to block Deng Tingzhen's mouth, he knew very well that Deng Tingzhen needed Western artillery and muskets, this, he really could not be satisfied, it is the nature of all merchants to seek advantages and avoid disadvantages, the Qing Dynasty cut off trade with England, English warships blockaded the Guangzhou port and the Pearl River estuary, and the war between the two countries was about to break out.

In this case, no American merchant ships were willing to continue to trade in Guangzhou, and as for the Changle Machine Factory's independent production of Hall M1819, he had no bottom in his heart, otherwise he would not have ordered another 3,000 barrels.

Although Lin Zexu was puzzled in his heart, he also knew that this was not the time to ask carefully, so he groaned slightly, coughed lightly, and said, "Contentment is here for England's threat to blockade Haikou?" ”

"Exactly." Yi Zhizu bowed slightly and said, "The news has spread, and now the people of Xiguan are panicked and complaining, Citi merchants, merchants, salt merchants, tea merchants, sugar merchants and other various industries related to maritime trade are convening business meetings, and the Citigroup merchant fleet is like ants on a hot pot." ”

"We've already discussed this matter." Lin Zexu said slowly: "England wants to blockade Haikou, we can't show weakness, we will drive it away with sailors and warships during the day, and organize Shui Yong to attack with fireships at night." ”

"Lord Ministry." Yi Zhizhi said in a deep voice: "The Yingyi ships are fast and the artillery fire is fierce, but there are not many of them. It may not be a head-to-head confrontation with the sailor. They will follow fleets of ships out to sea to attack or plunder. ”

Listen to this. Lin Zexu's face was a little ugly, he didn't expect this, but it was impossible for the sailor warship to go to sea to escort the ship, and it was impossible to go to sea to pursue the Yingyi warship, it was purely a meat bun beating a dog - there is no return, at the moment, the measures he can take can only be these two. He also knows that this is actually just covering his ears and stealing the bell, making a gesture.

"With the strength of the water master, this is already the best thing to do." Yiliang said slowly: "Is there a good way to be content? ”

Yi Zhishu glanced at a few people, and said with a smile: "Yuan Qicai has only encountered a run, and the wind has been tight in the past few days, and there are signs of a run, but I can't get any money." ”

Is there really a way? Lin Zexu couldn't help but be overjoyed, and hurriedly said: "As the content Fang just said, Yingyi blocked Haikou. However, all industries related to maritime trade have suffered heavy losses, and it is not difficult to raise some silver. What is the best way to be content, though. ”

"There are more than 20 Citi merchant ships in Whampoa." Yi Zhicontent said with a smile: "Buy a part of the Citi merchant ships, convert them into warships, recruit Citi crew sailors to maneuver, and pursue the Yingyi ships!" ”

Yiliang hurriedly asked, "Citi merchants are willing to sell ships?" ”

Yi Zhizhi said: "With the war, many Citi merchant ships will not come to Guangzhou to trade, selling ships is a good choice for them, of course, the main thing is that the price is right, this move can not only lift the danger of blockading Haikou, but also strengthen the strength of the sailors." ”

"Killing two birds with one stone, it's really a good idea." Deng Tingzhen said with a smile: "Jiangning is far more prosperous than Guangzhou, contentment and time, and I hope to come to Jiangning as a guest, the old man will definitely welcome him." ”

Yi Zhishu hurriedly arched his hand and said: "Jiangning is prosperous, and I have been admiring it for a long time. ”

Lin Zexu said: "Yuanqi's foundation is in Guangzhou, Brother Wei Zhou don't bother in vain. As he spoke, he looked at Yi Zhizhi and said, "What is the approximate price of Citi merchant ships?" ”

"Western merchant ships are priced according to the tonnage of displacement, and the new ship is one ton per hundred oceans." Yi Zhisuff opened his mouth and said: "The old ship is depreciated according to the length of time it has been launched, it should be between fifty and ninety, a thousand-ton ship, with the guns on board, is only seventy or eighty thousand oceans, and it is only seven or eight hundred thousand to buy ten ships, with artillery and modifications, one million is enough." ”

"A million is enough! This kid is so big, Lin Zexu smiled, and then said: "There are generally only five or six guns on Citi merchant ships, and they are converted into warships, and at least twenty or thirty guns are needed for each one, where does the artillery come from?" ”

This question, Yi Zhishu naturally thought about it, and even said: "The artillery cast by the Yantang and Foshan Artillery Bureaus is rough and bulky, small in caliber, and weak in power, so it is not suitable for Citi merchant ships.

As for the Humen Fort, if it can be purchased, it will be purchased as much as possible, and if it cannot be purchased, then the Yantang and Foshan Artillery Bureaus will be calmly cast to fill it. ”

Yiliang said: "In this way, isn't the defensive strength of the Humen Fort greatly weakened?" ”

"It's hard to have it both ways." Yi Zhizhi said: "Which is better or worse, it has to be weighed by all the magnates, and it is quite difficult to buy artillery nowadays, whether it is Portuguese merchants in Macao or Citigroup merchants, those who dare to take risks to trade are rare." ”

With a slight groan, Lin Zexu said: "It is not easy to maneuver a Western sailboat, have you ever considered this matter?" ”

"It's not that hard." Yi Zhicontent said: "It should not be difficult to recruit Portuguese or Citigroup sailors for training at a high price. ”

"These warships can also help defend the Humen Fort." Lin Zexu said slowly: "The warships of the Guangdong Navy Division are all old, small and weak, and sooner or later they will have to change to Western warships, this is a rare opportunity." As he spoke, he looked at Deng Tingzhen and said, "Brother Wei Zhou has been in Guangdong for several years, is it feasible to raise one million in Guangzhou?" ”

Deng Tingzhen smiled and said, "Guangdong merchants, salt merchants, tea merchants, silk merchants, and sugar merchants are all rich, and this time it is for their own interests, one million is nothing." Saying that, he looked at Yi Zhizhi and said, "Although Yuan Qi is difficult, he won't be untouched, right?" ”

Lin Zexu took office, the first time to raise, Yuan Qi naturally can't pull out a dime, and Yi Zhixin has already falsely reported thirty percent of the quotation of the merchant ship, he naturally is not to make this kind of money, and immediately smiled: "Yuan Qi is willing to throw bricks and donate 200,000 yuan!" In addition, Yuanqi has a shipyard in Changzhou and can be responsible for the refit of merchant ships. ”

"Good!" Lin Zexu said excitedly: "With Yuanqi taking the lead, I don't have to worry about raising one million." He said. He looked at Yiliang and Yu Kun. "Without further ado," he commanded. The two of them immediately sent someone to inform the industry association related to maritime trade in Guangzhou, and tomorrow morning they will meet at the Xiguan Thirteen Lines Business Office, and the headquarters will personally solicit donations from them! ”

Yiliang and Yu Kun hurriedly got up and said, "Obey the orders of the Ministry Hall." ”

Lin Zexu, who saw it, looked at it, smiled contentedly, and said, "Go down and discuss with Citi Merchants." After a pause, he continued: "The British blockade of Haikou is within a time limit, and the Citi merchant fleet cannot set sail before the deadline, and they implore the empty ships to leave Canton. Loading goods at other ports. ”

"No." Lin Zexu refused without thinking about it: "England also asked for goods to be loaded and unloaded in Macao before, but the headquarters refused. Besides, how can the imperial court decree be changed without permission? After a pause, he slowed down his tone and said: "Contentment to appease them well, assist the sailors in training and sailing, and the blockade of England is not a concern." After saying that, he served tea and sent it off.

Yiliang, Yu Kun, and Yi Zhishu hurriedly got up and retired. Out of the courtyard, Yi Liangcai said with a smile: "This time can be regarded as seeing the true color of contentment." It's no wonder that both ministers favored contentment. ”

Yu Kun also unabashedly praised: "Although he is young at a young age, he is good at Western learning, proficient in Yi language, thoughtful and sensitive, and courageous, and will become a great weapon in the future." ”

Yi Zhixiang heard Yu Kun praise him so much for the first time, and hurriedly said humbly: "The two adults are so ridiculous, how dare the kid be?" ”

"There is no need to be humble." Yiliang waved his hand and said: "Contentment is outstanding, but it can be of great use, stooping to be a businessman, it is really too wronged, this time Yingyi is attacking, contentment can take advantage of the opportunity, but there is merit, this court must vigorously protect it." ”

"Lord Xie Futai." Yi Zhixiang thanked him dryly, he didn't have the heart to be an official.

Thirteen Merchant Pavilion District, American Merchant Pavilion, Snow Office.

"Buy our merchant ships in Whampoa?" Snow said with a surprised face, reacting, he hurriedly said, "Lord Qincha refuses us to load goods in other ports?" ”

"There's no more Chincha-sama." Yi Zhizhi said: "Now Lord Lin Zexu Lin is no longer a Qincha, but the governor of Liangguang, and he is the governor. ”

"That's great news." Werthmore said merrily, "Those English crows. The filmmakers must not want to hear the news. ”

The guy was clearly gloating, and Yi Zhicontent smiled, and the Americans gave up on the crow. piece trade, they naturally did not want to see the British continue to smuggle crows in large quantities. Slice.

Snow chased after him and asked, "The Governor refused?" ”

"Refused." Yi Zhicontent affirmed: "I refused without hesitation." ”

There was silence in the room, and after a while, Yi Zhizhi said: "The eight merchant ships sold to us to be converted into warships, and we can completely break the blockade of the English." ”

"What if they bite our fleet?"

"I'll have those four fast cruisers take over the escort until it's safe."

"Good!" Snow said briskly: "I'll ask the shipowners for their opinions and see if anyone is willing to sell." ”

"We can eat ten, plus." Yi Zhizu said slowly: "It is possible that the English will blockade the Guangzhou port and the Pearl River estuary for a long time, and I hope to be able to order four or six more thousand-ton fast cruisers." ”

Hearing this, Olifer said with a look of embarrassment: "The three fast cruisers that Mr. Yi ordered last summer are estimated to be delivered as soon as this summer, and now four to six more ships are ordered, and they will not be delivered until next summer at the earliest. ”

"Perhaps." Wertmo interjected: "You can purchase from France, fast cruisers countries do not attach great importance to it, and the management is not strict, you can buy active fast cruisers from the French Navy." ”

Hearing this, Yi Zhicontent's heart moved, the French Navy has always been in confrontation with the English Navy, and the ability to build sail warships is naturally undoubted, and it is not impossible to purchase the French Navy's active fast cruisers, after a little thought, he still gave up this idea, very simply, his strength cannot keep up, the navy is not as good as the army, and it is not something that can be trained in a few months.

After a slight hesitation, he spoke: "The territory of the Great Qing Dynasty is vast, once the war breaks out, it will not end soon, there is no problem with the delivery next summer, order six!" ”

"As you wish." Olifin nodded: "We will arrange for the clipper to return home and try to buy time." ”

Half an hour later, Yi Zhizhi came out of the American Pavilion satisfied, the world economic crisis, the sea trade business was not easy to do, the only profitable East-West trade, but also because the Qing Dynasty and England were about to start a war and cut off, and this time because Britain blocked the Pearl River estuary and wanted to return empty, so more than half of the American merchant shipowners were willing to sell the merchant ships.

As for recruiting sailors and gunners at a high price, Snow can't do anything, all he can do is not stop it, the crew and sailors on American merchant ships are hired from all over the world, and the sources are very complicated, neither Snow nor the shipowners can make decisions for them, in this regard, Yi Zhishu is not worried, the American merchant shipowner can hire it, but he can't hire it?

As for ordering fast cruisers, he was really stimulated by the British blockade of the Pearl River Estuary this time, the Opium War lasted for more than two years, and he may try to delay time to gain enough time to lay out in the two rivers, and he could not tolerate the British blockade of the Pearl River Estuary for two or three years.

Once the British Navy fleet arrives, the ten Western warships are estimated to be hiding back in Huangpu Port, and the modified warships are against the battleships, and the hastily trained sailors are against the well-trained British Navy, what is the result, fools know, how can Lin Zexu and Guan Tianpei not know? How would you force an egg to touch a stone?

Eighteen Fu Lei Garden is not far from the Yuan Qi General Number, only three streets apart, Yi Zhizhi got off the sedan chair outside the gate, glanced at the elegant and decorated gate, and then looked at the street outside the door, most of the streets in Xiguan are narrow and curved, but the area of the Eighteen Fu Lei Garden is rich and noble, the street is not only spacious and straight, the street is paved with a color of cyan slate, and the bustling commercial block is no different.

Lei Garden covers a vast area, and the blue brick fence more than one person high extends from both sides of the gate, and each side is roughly estimated to be fifty or sixty meters, Li Wang said excitedly: "The young master bought here?" ”

As soon as the corner door opened, a fifteen or sixteen-year-old young man with clear eyebrows looked at Yi Zhicontent, and said, "Is it Yi Da's shopkeeper?" ”

Yi Zhishu nodded and said, "What about Yan Shikuan?" ”

Seeing him nodding, the little guy hurriedly took a few steps forward and knelt down and said, "Little Song Xi knocks on the young master." ”

Yi Zhizhi said: "You are from the Yan family? ”

"Back to the young master." Song Xi said: "The small one was bought by Yan Gongzi in the human market the day before yesterday. ”

"Get up and talk back."

"Yes, young master." Song Xi got up and said, "Young Master Yan and Miss Yan are in the inner courtyard, and the little one will take the young master forward." (To be continued.) )