"There is one thing that I have been pondering for a long time, but I have never understood it. Pen Fun Pavilion www.biquge.info" Zhao Wenlie pondered and said: "Central Asia is very barren, it can be called a wild land, not to mention the sparse population, the distance is too far, why does the big shopkeeper expand to Central Asia at any cost?" ”

"It's not profitable, it's not early." Wei Yuan said with a smile: "It must have huge benefits if it is worthy of such a big move by the lord, didn't the lord say before that there is black gold in the Persian Gulf?" ”

"The big shopkeeper also said that the northwest expansion should not be too big, otherwise it will cause unease in European countries, and if you need it, you will accept it." Zhao Wenlie said tentatively: "The big shopkeeper plans to take a few steps?" ”

"Swallowing Central Asia in one bite is really unrealistic at the moment." Yi Zhizu said slowly: "We don't have this strength at the moment, and if we eat too fast, we will choke, so we must take a few steps, and the Northwest Army will divide into two routes, all the way to the southwest into the rich land around Brut (Kyrgyz), and all the way to the west, into Dayuz (eastern Kazakhstan).

After solving the threat from Britain and France, we will continue to expand to the southwest and west, and gradually control Central Asia. ”

After a pause, he continued: "Central Asia is not only rich in resources, but also a strategic place - a world-class strategic location, and some people once compared Central Asia to the heart of the world, and whoever controls Central Asia can control the world.

Of course, this is a slight exaggeration, the strategic position of Central Asia has not been so important, and now it is no longer the era of land power, but the era of sea power, and the importance of Central Asia has been greatly reduced.

From the geographical point of view, Central Asia is the connecting zone of the Eurasian continent, is the junction of the Eurasian continent, is the Silk Road must pass through, the geographical location is very important, since ancient times, Central Asia is the prey of the surrounding powers, the Xiongnu, Turkic, China, Arabia, Tsarist Russia have successively controlled Central Asia. ”

Speaking of this, he smiled, "As the saying goes, thirty years in Hedong and thirty years in Hexi, the era of sea power will eventually return to the era of land power, and now it is transitioning to the era of sea power, no one pays attention to the strategic places in the era of land power, and Russia is also in a weakening stage, let's just pick up a bargain." ”

After a slight sigh, Wei Yuancai said: "I'm afraid it's not easy to pick up this bargain, since Central Asia is a strategic location, once Russia eases up, it will definitely not ......give up." ”

"Russia is our worst enemy, it is, and it will be!" Yi Zhizhi said in a deep voice: "We can't let go of any opportunity to weaken Russia, don't be afraid of war, this is simply unavoidable, in my opinion, every three or five dozen is conducive to ensuring the combat strength of the army, but also conducive to stimulating the development of the military industry, born in sorrow, died in peace." ”

Before the words fell, Lin Meilian came in and reported: "The big shopkeeper, Wu Junmen is here." ”

Yi Zhishu looked at his watch, stood up and said, "The two gentlemen will go first, I have to go to Baoshan." ”

Outside the courtyard gate, Wu Yundong, the governor of Jiangsu in military uniform, was waiting in a straight posture, the governor of Jiangsu was specially added by the imperial court at the request of Yi Zhi, Wu Yundong was promoted from Wu Song's general army to the governor of Jiangsu, and simply set up the governor's office in Shanghai New Town, not far from the prime minister's yamen.

Seeing Yi Zhizhi come out, he hurriedly saluted: "Big shopkeeper." ”

"Let's go, don't make a mistake." Yi Zhizhi kept talking, he was not polite to Wu Yundong, among the children of the merchants, Wu Yundong was one of his henchmen, and he had been in charge of the defense of Shanghai all these years, and he was very respected and trusted.

The two went out and got into the four-wheeled carriage and rushed to the train station, their trip was to Baoshan, Yi Zhizhi was content to do the train naturally not in an ordinary carriage, he had his own private carriage, boarded the carriage, and after taking a seat, Wu Yundong tentatively said: "Can the new artillery be installed before the outbreak of war?" ”

Yi Zhizhi lit a cigarette before saying, "No problem, from this month onwards, you can replace the new artillery one after another." ”

Hearing this, Wu Yundong couldn't help but be very excited, he had seen the power of the new artillery in Lianyungang, and immediately looked like he was gearing up, "If it is a new type of artillery, regardless of the alliance of several countries, they will definitely have no return." ”

"Don't be too happy." Yi Zhizhi said: "I don't want the war to spread to Wusongkou, after all, the area around Baoshan is full of factories, this time the rectification of Wusong Fort and the replacement of new artillery are focused on deterrence ......." ”

Wu Yundong was a little deflated, and muttered, "No play? If you continue to be so comfortable, those bunnies can be regarded as waste. ”

"That would make them useless." Yi Zhixiang said with a smile: "Send half of the troops to Manila, where artillery is urgently needed." ”

As soon as he heard this, Wu Yundong was anxious, is the co-author training for others? He hurriedly said: "Big treasurer, Wusong Fort is the strongest barrier in Shanghai...... If the enemy is allowed to take advantage of the situation, the consequences will be unimaginable. ”

"For the vacant number of soldiers, you can transfer elites from all over the country to replenish them, and recruit new soldiers." Yi Zhizhi said: "The artillery training base in Lianyungang has been expanded, and the old has brought the new, and more than a year is enough. ”

"More than a year?" Wu Yundong said: "Didn't the big shopkeeper say that there is a possibility of war this year? ”

Yi Zhishu said in a relaxed tone: "After the outbreak of the war, there must be a process, a large-scale invasion, at least until next year." ”

The layout of Wusong Fort has now changed greatly, from the original scattered fort to three major fort groups - East Fort, West Fort, and Lion Forest Fort, which is still the main fort of the West Fort at the mouth of Yangjiazui.

Since last year, the Baoshan Cement Plant was officially put into operation, the Wusong Fort began to carry out large-scale reconstruction in an all-round way, all the forts are made of reinforced concrete to form a fully enclosed or semi-enclosed fort, the headquarters, the ammunition depot, the small warehouse, the assembly ammunition room, the barracks, trenches, bunkers and other facilities are all built with reinforced cement or boulders, blue bricks, etc., and even the road surface is hardened with cement.

The fully enclosed or semi-enclosed fort built with reinforced concrete has super defensive power, even if it is bombarded by a 64-pound gun, it will not collapse, unless it is bombarded by heavy artillery for more than ten cannons in a row, but this situation is basically impossible!

The accompanying engineer gave a detailed introduction to various facilities while walking, walked up and down, carefully checked it, Yi Zhishu was very satisfied, and sighed slightly, he said: "The engineering team repaired for two days, and then divided into two teams, one team went to Humen, and the other team went to Manila. ”

Wu Yundong advised: "When rebuilding forts and replacing artillery, we must pay attention to secrecy, and during this time, Western countries will inevitably collect a large amount of intelligence and spy on military intelligence ......." ”

Yi Zhizhi glanced at him, there are many foreigners in Baoshan, and there are frequent exchanges of merchant ships from various countries, with such a big movement, what secrets can be guaranteed, Humen estimates that it can't be kept secret, and it is Manila that can really be kept secret.

While Yi Zhizhi was busy making preparations before the war, the Forbidden City of Beijing was celebrating, and Yi Concubine - Yehenara Xingzhen gave birth to the emperor's eldest son - Zaichun.

Although Xianfeng has accepted concubines, and has been working hard, but there is very little, until last year Concubine Li gave birth to a daughter, Zaichun is the first son - the eldest son of the emperor, ordinary people are still unfilial piety, let alone the king of a country, for Xianfeng, the importance of the heir, is in the first place.

Daoguang got married in the twenty-seventh year, and it took eight years to get a son, not to mention Xianfeng was overjoyed, and the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty were all happy, and the whole city of Beijing was festive.

Yi Zhishu received the telegram, but he was speechless for a long time, Xianfeng's life was thin, and there were only three children, and the son who died before he was a year old, this Zaichun was Xianfeng's only son, that is, the later Tongzhi Emperor, but he was a short-lived ghost, and died before he was twenty years old.

Zaichun's birth actually means that Emperor Xianfeng's time is running out, and Emperor Tongzhi ascended the throne at the age of six, that is to say, six years later, the actual ruler of the Qing Dynasty is Emperor Tongzhi's biological mother Yehenara - Empress Dowager Cixi.

What would happen if this Jae-chun also died? Yi Zhizhi was stunned with a jade cigarette holder, if Xianfeng died without an heir, would the Qing Dynasty be chaotic? Will Yixun ascend to the throne with the support of Yuan Qi? Perhaps, Yixun is not a good choice, what about the old Qiyixun? What about the old Bayi? There is also Lao Jiuyi.

It's better to support a puppet than to put Cixi in power, right? Thinking of this, he was quite moved, there are many ways to compete for favor in the harem, it won't be difficult to let a newborn prince die, right? However, he has no ability to do this, no matter how long his hand is, he can't reach the harem.

This method doesn't work, how about retreating to the next best? Yi Zhixiang was silent for a long time before he instructed the outside world: "Come here, go and invite Prince Hui." ”

Prince Hui Mianyu lives on Zhenhai Road, but it took a long time to come over, as soon as he entered the door, he said with a smile: "It's okay to be idle, I went shopping in micro-clothes, there is nothing urgent." ”

"It's not urgent." Yi Zhishu smiled and got up to salute, then stretched out his hand to salute, and after sitting down, he said: "Recently, I read some idle books, saying that it is He Shen's masterpiece poem - fifty years of dreamy truth, now I am leaving Xie Hongchen, he is full of water and dragon day, and he recognizes the cigarette as the back." This dying poem seems to be a ballad, and it is not very incomprehensible, what is the prince's opinion? ”

Baba called him over and said this? Mianyu was confused and confused, He Shen knew it, but if He Shen was dying, he didn't know if there was this dying poem, besides, even if there were, no one would dare to spread it, right?

Furthermore, what does it mean for Yi Zhizu to mention this poem to him? Who is this guy? It's impossible to be bored to read any idle books, besides, even if this guy is curious, he can't ask him, the prince of the clan, to inquire about it, that is, Yi Zhicontent, if he changes someone else, he will directly let people send him to the official!

Seeing that he was silent, Yi Zhizhi smiled and said: "What does the water mean by the dragon, does the prince know?" ”

Mianyu shook her head, "This king has never heard of this deathbed poem. ”

"The water flood containing the dragon should be an allusion from the summer queen dragon concubine, the dragon concubine refers to the woman calamity to the country, and the water flood contains the dragon day, which should be the day of the birth of the dragon concubine." Yi Zhizu said slowly: "The straightforward explanation is that the flood is flooding, and I think this sentence should contain two meanings. ”

Mianyu's brows jumped when he heard this, hearing this, where could he not understand? This is for Concubine Yi, who just gave birth to the emperor's eldest son, where does he dare to get involved in this kind of thing, and immediately said with a wry smile: "How can He Shen leave any dying poems before he dies, he was given to commit suicide, even if he can leave any dying poems, it is impossible to pass them on, right?" Who of the eunuchs on errands would dare to chew this tongue? Most of them are false, or simply fabricated. ”

Hearing him say this, Yi Zhizhi said slowly: "Maybe you can check whether you were born in the year of the flood." ”

Mianyu said with a smiling face: "Now that the war is going on everywhere, the country still has idle psychology?" Besides, we can't control these idle things. ”

"It's no idle thing." Yi Zhizhi said: "It is related to the fortune of the Qing Dynasty, and it is also related to the luck of Yuanqi, I will leave my words here today, and the prince may wish to ponder carefully." ”

Mianyu left the Zhenhai Mansion in a daze, did He Shen have a dying poem before he died? He felt that with his easy contentment temperament, if he really had something to say, it was impossible to hide it, and he used Heshen's dying poem as a reason, this guy didn't care about it at all!

Could it be that there really is such a thing? There are quite a lot of legends of He Shen, and Shen is a boy and a girl, handsome and extraordinary, and there is a birthmark behind the ear that is the reincarnation of Qianlong's deceased concubine.

Yi Concubine's birthday, he didn't dare to ask, no one dared to say in detail, but the year of birth was not in violation, and soon, Jingshi had a reply, Yi Concubine was born in the fifteenth year of Daoguang, as for He Shen's deathbed poem, the time is too long, and it will be impossible to find out for a while.

After receiving the reply, Mianyu planned to send a report to check whether there was a flood in the fifteenth year of Daoguang, but after hesitating, he did not send a report, the territory of the Qing Dynasty is so wide from south to north, which year has no flood? From Daoguang to Xianfeng, it has been peaceful in a few years!

He also calmed down at this time, regardless of whether there was such a thing as Heshen's dying poem or not, Yi Zhixiang's words must not be taken lightly, but not long after the birth of the emperor's eldest son Zaichun, Yi Zhixiang said these words, what did he mean? It is impossible for this guy to have an enmity with Concubine Yi, nor can he have an enmity with his father Hui Zheng, with his current status, it is completely trivial to impeach an official.

The water is full of dragons, this he checked, it is indeed an allusion from the Xia Hou Long, the meaning is also very clear, it is an allusion to the Yi concubine to bring disaster to the country, but the problem is that although Xianfeng is lustful, but the Qing Dynasty has an ancestral system, and the concubine is not allowed to interfere in politics! Xianfeng is so bold that he doesn't dare to let Concubine Yi interfere in politics!

Just when he was puzzled, a thought suddenly popped up in his mind, could it be the ...... of Xianfeng's dragon body? I can't even say anything about it, I don't even dare to think about it! However, for the situation of Yi Concubine, you should investigate it carefully!