Coming out of the Daotai Yamen, the rain had stopped, Liu Guangdou glanced at Feng Yaozu, who was waiting for his soldiers to lead the horse, and was not in a hurry to get on the sedan chair, and waved his hand back to greet the subordinates, and then asked softly: "Yi Daoxian really has the ability to equip two thousand righteous soldiers with muskets?" ”

Feng Yaozu burped, turned around and said, "It seems that Lord Liu not only doesn't understand Yuanqi Tuanlian, but also doesn't understand our new Daoxian. Saying that, he lowered his voice and said: "The Yuanqi regiment trained 10,000 regiments of bravery, all of which are equipped with Western muskets, otherwise how can they recover Dinghai in a battle?" In addition, more than 400 Western artillery pieces of the Humen Fort were also purchased by Yi Daoxian. ”

Yuanqi group training is actually all equipped with Western muskets? Liu Guangdou heard it for the first time, and he couldn't help but suddenly realize that Yuan Qi's group training could be so powerful after only half a year of training, it turned out that he relied on Western firearms, and it was no wonder that Yi Zhizhi wanted to avoid suspicion, and he sighed for a long time and said: "Yuan Qi is really rich." ”

"Of course, the No. 1 money village in the Qing Dynasty can still lack silver?" Feng Yaozu said: "If Lord Liu wants to be promoted and make a fortune, he has to take advantage of the opportunity. ”

Who doesn't want to be promoted and get rich? Liu Guangdou's heart was hot, and he immediately arched his hand and said: "Recruit and train volunteers, and rely on General Feng more." ”

"Why should Lord Liu be polite." Feng Yaozu said with a smile: "Didn't Daoxian say it, we are all grasshoppers on a rope now, we can't fly me, and we can't burst you, so we should be in the same boat and cooperate sincerely." ”

Inside the small east gate, Changsheng Bridge.

After Yan Shikuan came out of the Daoya, he went straight back to a house on Mayao Street at the north end of Changsheng Bridge, which was a house he had built after coming to Shanghai, which was convenient and quiet to enter and exit, and not far from Fukang Sheng Qian Zhuang on Tianguan Archway Street.

As soon as she entered the courtyard, Yan Xiaomei couldn't wait to greet her, and said, "Why did you come back in such a heavy rain, and the big shopkeeper didn't leave food?" ”

"His entertainment for those officials in Shanghai." Yan Shikuan said, "Hurry up, get some food, I'm starving." ”

"Go get some snacks and make a pot of hot tea." After Yan Xiaomei finished speaking, she asked, "Has the big shopkeeper changed?" ”

"There has been a big change." Yan Shikuan said and took a cigar and put it in his mouth, unwilling to say more, today I see that I am content, the two of them have been chatting for a long time, but the other party did not mention the little sister, which made him feel a little uneasy, this is four years, the little sister is twenty years old, how can he be a brother without hurry.

The only consolation is that Yi Zhishu has never been engaged, and I don't know what that guy thinks in his heart? It's not a matter of taking the time to probe the wind, and the old man will always mention it every time he writes a letter, and he doesn't know how to reply to the letter.

Seeing that he seemed to be sullen, Yan Xiaomei said with concern: "Won't it be that he was reprimanded by the big shopkeeper as soon as they met?" ”

Yan Shikuan glanced at her, waved his hand to retreat the maid's little maid, and then said: "My father wrote last time, saying that you haven't been back to Guangzhou for a year, and you miss it very much, do you want to go back to Guangzhou?" Just in time for a fast boat. ”

What do you mean? Yan Xiaomei's pretty face sank immediately, as soon as Yi Zhishu came to Shanghai, she asked her to go back to Guangzhou, did she not want the two of them to meet? Don't? Thinking of this, she said in a flat tone: "The big shopkeeper is married?" ”

"What do you think?" Yan Shikuan said: "The marriage of the big shopkeeper will inevitably be a sensation, who can you hide?" ”

"What do you mean by the fifth brother?"

"The big shopkeeper is no longer the three young men of the Yi family in Xiguan in the past, nor is he just the big shopkeeper of Yuanqi, but now he is a serious eight-hundred-grade Taoist priest, and he is also a third-class light car captain." Yan Shikuan said slowly: "If nothing else, it will be promoted, and it is not uncommon for a second-grade or even a first-grade member." ”

"I don't want to be famous." Yan Xiaomei blurted out without thinking about it: "When I returned to Guangzhou last year, I figured it out, I don't care about fame." ”

Yan Shikuan said in a deep voice: "But my father cares, I also care, and the big shopkeeper is also very embarrassed." ”

"What's the big shopkeeper embarrassed?" Yan Xiaomei said puzzledly: "I don't care about the reputation, what's the embarrassment of the big shopkeeper?" ”

"The big shopkeeper has a great favor to our Yan family." Yan Shikuan said in a deep voice: "Accepting you as a concubine, how do people look at the big shopkeeper, coerce favors and repay them, and take advantage of people's danger?" Besides, your fifth brother and I have been close friends with the big shopkeeper since childhood. ”

"What is this Fifth Brother doing?" Yan Xiaomei said: "Who doesn't know your friendship with the big shopkeeper, it's hard to say that there will be people who gossip about the fifth brother behind this matter." After a pause, he continued: "Besides, being a concubine is not a glorious thing, who will not be able to publicize it?" ”

Seeing her iron-hearted posture, Yan Shikuan was speechless for a while, and only sighed for a while: "Fifth brother will help you find out the wind tomorrow." ”

"I don't need the help of the fifth brother, I'll go by myself." Yan Xiaomei said: "It's not that I can't find the Daotai Yamen. ”

"Don't mess around." Yan Shikuan scolded softly: "The big shopkeeper is busy handing over these days. ”

Shanghai County Ya.

As soon as he entered the study, Liu Guangdou ordered: "Please come over Mr. Dong." Then he said, "Make a pot of tea." ”

The waiting subordinate brought a brazier to serve hot tea, Dong Qianqiu came slowly, and when he entered the room, he first glanced at Liu Guangdou's face, and then stepped forward to salute, and said with a smile: "Dong Weng has tried the result?" ”

"Sir, please be seated." Liu Guangdou said very affectionately: "Yuanqi didn't come to the group training, but Master Yi was willing to go out to help recruit and form two thousand volunteers." After briefly explaining the situation, he said, "This is a surprise." ”

Dong Qianqiu listened very carefully, and groaned slightly, before he slowly spoke: "Although Master Yi is not very old, he has been in charge of Yuanqi for four years, and he is so generous, I am afraid that it is more likely that Yingyi will invade Shanghai, and Dong Weng needs to weigh it carefully. ”

Hearing this, Liu Guangdou nodded slowly, this makes sense, Yi Zhixin is from a businessman's background, obviously he will not be generous for no reason, he must have expected that Yingyi would have the possibility of invading Shanghai again, otherwise he would not be so generous.

Seeing that he was silent, Dong Qianqiu continued: "The risk is not small, but the opportunity is greater. If he can rely on these 2,000 volunteers to defend the county seat of Shanghai, Dong Weng will definitely rise. ”

"Can 2,000 well-trained volunteers, armed with Western muskets, hold Shanghai?" Liu Guangdou muttered, as if asking, and as if asking himself.

The room was quiet for a long time, and Dong Qianqiu said slowly: "If these two thousand volunteers can match the combat power of Yuan Qi's group training, the chance is greater than the risk." After a slight pause, he continued: "Shanghai is not a place where soldiers must fight, Yingyi has already sacked once, even if it attacks again, most of it is to raise grain and grass, and will not attack in a big way, so these 2,000 volunteers and brave soldiers with the green battalion can fully defend the county seat of Shanghai, which is a great achievement for Dong Weng."

Take 10,000 steps back and say, Yingyi will attack again, or he can resist stubbornly with righteousness, the disparity in troops, and the bloody battle will not be defeated, even if the county town falls, the court will not be condemned, besides, there is still Lord Yi in this city, Lin Butang will definitely not sit idly by and watch Shanghai, and Lord Yi himself will not sit still.

Moreover, what Lord Yi said is right, Shanghai is actively preparing for war, and the British may not come to attack, and there are many empty coastal cities, so there is no need for the British to increase casualties. In general, in the next theft, the opportunities far outweigh the risks, Dong Weng can give it a go, after all, the opportunity is rare. ”

Liu Guangdou nodded, settled down, and groaned slightly, before he said: "Master Yi lacks manpower to handle the handover, and I am also bothered that Mr. Yi will go to the Taoist office tomorrow to assist one or two, on the other hand, Lord Yi has high requirements for volunteers, and there are certain requirements for age, height, background, etc., and he has to draft a notice to recruit volunteers, and this matter should be sooner rather than later." ”

Early the next morning, the three shifts of officials on leave ended their vacations one after another and rushed to the county government office, where a notice covering the bright red seal of the city was posted on all the wharves, streets, and intersections of Shanghai, causing quite a stir.

The county government recruited volunteers with great fanfare? Naturally, Yingyi may make a comeback, the quiet and peaceful atmosphere of the Spring Festival was immediately disturbed by this paper notice, and the gentry and merchants in the city discussed it a lot, and some of them enthusiastically went to the countryside to avoid the limelight at the beginning of the year, and the big and small businessmen in the city were even more flustered, and the most afraid of doing business was the chaos of the world.

In the Dao Yali, Yi Zhizu was busy directing his subordinates to change the arrangement of the signing room, and the handover of things, he just went through the motions, checked the accounts, checked the copywriting and other specific matters were handled by the master and the scribes below, he only needed to draw the final charge, if he did it himself, because he was not familiar, he might have an accident.

was busy, Li Wang came in to report: "Shopkeeper Yan is here." ”

"He's been courteous." Yi Zhizhi said: "Take him to the study." So saying, he paced out.

Yan Shikuan walked into the study quickly, and said with a smile as soon as they met: "The big shopkeeper is really vigorous and resolute., he arrived yesterday, and today this notice to recruit volunteers and brave people came out, is it possible, Yingyi will really invade Shanghai again?" ”

A notice to recruit volunteers was posted? Yi Zhishu was also a little surprised, he really didn't expect this Liu Guangdou to be so efficient, he said last night, this morning posted a recruitment notice for volunteers, he smiled, handed over a cigar, and said: "People are panicking, it's not just convenient for you to act." ”

"Well, taking advantage of this opportunity, the Shanghai branch can quickly seize the market." Yan Shikuan lit his cigar as he spoke, took a puff, and then said, "It's not entirely for the sake of the branch, right?" ”

Yi Zhizhi was content not to accept this stubble, but said: "The branch will be opened as soon as possible, and at the same time, the matter of my appointment will be disseminated in order to stabilize people's hearts." ”

Yan Shikuan frowned and said, "Stabilizing people's hearts is not conducive to our branch." ”

"Which is more important, you can't weigh it clearly?" Yi Zhisuff glanced at him and said, "Last time Yingyi broke the city, you didn't annex enough?" ”

"There are still more than 30 powerful money banks that are still holding on." Yan Shikuan said tentatively: "Can you delay for a few days?" ”

"It will be listed and opened in three days." Yi Zhizhi said: "In the future, Yuanqi's strength will not be difficult to unify Shanghai's money industry, don't lose big because of small things." ”

Yan Shikuan said solemnly: "I respectfully respect the decree of the treasurer, and it will be listed and opened within three days. ”

With a slight sigh, Yi Zhizhi said: "What do you think about the recruitment of volunteers?" ”

Yan Shikuan said disapprerovingly: "Only recruit 2,000 volunteers, it is estimated that it is unlikely that Yingyi will come again, and the big shopkeeper should take precautions." ”

Yi Zhishu knocked the cigarette ash and said, "Don't talk nonsense. ”

Nonsense? Yan Shikuan pondered for a while before he said tentatively: "The recruitment of volunteers is the county government, and the big shopkeeper wants to mix sand?" ”

Yi Zhishu smiled and said, "We don't have the habit of making wedding dresses for others, so we will select some qualified apprentices and send them in." ”

"What if the news leaks?"

"Leaking the news?" Yi Zhizu stared at him and said, "The first requirement of Yuanqi's apprentice is to keep his mouth tight, how did you choose the apprentice?" Also, Yuanqi is so unattractive in Shanghai? Apprentices are not proud of entering Yuanqi? Or is it too easy to get into the Shanghai branch of Yuanqi? ”

"Don't worry, the big shopkeeper, I'll just say it in the future." Yan Shikuan smiled and said, "Don't worry, the big shopkeeper, this matter is guaranteed to be handled properly." ”

"That's pretty much it." Yi Zhishu stood up as he spoke, and said, "Let's go get busy first." ”

Yan Shikuan stood up but didn't move, seeing this situation, Yi Zhizhi said: "If you have something, just say, when did you become a mother-in-law?" ”

After a little hesitation, Yan Shikuan said with some embarrassment: "Little sister is clamoring to come to see you, I was going to pick you up yesterday, and I stopped you alive and dead." ”

Yi Zhizhi smiled contentedly, "Choose a place, and I'll invite her to dinner in the evening." ”

Seeing him so refreshing, Yan Shikuan's heart was relieved, and he said: "Where else to choose, I bought a house near Changsheng Bridge, which is not small, or I will have a family banquet." ”

"Okay." Yi Zhicontent said indifferently: "Come and pick me up at four o'clock in the afternoon." ”

At four o'clock in the afternoon, Yan Shikuan arrived at the Taoist office on time, Yi Zhizu changed into civilian clothes and came out, Yan Shikuan looked left and right, and then said: "I didn't pay attention to it yesterday, when did your braids become so thick?" ”

"Fake." Yi Zhixiang said with a smile, "Let's go." ”

Out of the yamen, Yan Shikuan said: "Near the small east gate, there is a distance, do you want to take a sedan chair or a boat?" ”

Yi Zhizu waved his hand and said, "It's still early, let's take a walk and take a look at this Shanghai City by the way." ”

The county seat of Shanghai is far less than Guangzhou, there are almost no thoroughfares in the city, most of the streets are not wide, Yan Shiwan walked through the streets and alleys, and said while walking: "Changsheng Bridge is on the Fangbang, Shanghai is a typical Jiangnan water town pattern, the river in the city is dense, a major feature is that there are many rivers, many bridges, there are sixty or seventy bridges of all sizes, the traffic in the city, it is the majority of boats, known as "there are boats and no cars". ”

All the way through several rivers, see the river water turbidity, the river surface from time to time can also see some filth, easy to be content can't help but secretly shake his head, obviously, the city did not repair the sewer, the water drainage is directly discharged into the river, this is really bad enough, in the future to open the port, the cost of reconstruction is not less than the construction of a new city. (To be continued.) )