Hearing this, Wu Changqing was taken aback and said, "Will it affect the whole of Europe?" Not really, right? ”

"Evergreen, don't underestimate the economic energy of the United Kingdom." Yi Zhizhi said as he walked: "Britain is the well-deserved hegemon of the world, the world's factory, overseas colonies all over the world, the total economic output accounts for at least more than 20% of the whole world, or even 30%, in layman's terms, Britain sneezes, and it will rain in Europe."

The economic crisis in the United States and Britain at the same time is definitely a disaster for the economy of the whole world, not to mention that various countries in Europe will be affected, and we will also be greatly affected by tens of thousands of miles away. The slice trade will be even crazier. ”

"If there is a real economic crisis in the UK, this matter will definitely not be hidden, and I will inquire later."

"This is very important, find out in detail." Yi Zhizhi said: "If this is really the case, it is called the Tea Association to drastically reduce orders, and it is just the opportunity to let the Tea Association form a monopoly on tea, and our Tianbao watch factory should also adjust its sales strategy, focusing on the domestic market, so that Tianbao watch will not be sold in Guangzhou, and will be shipped directly to other provinces for sale." ”

"I think Tianbao has a bigger market in China." Wu Changqing said: "After all, Europe is a watch producer, and it is difficult for Tianbao to compete in Europe. ”

"I don't think so." Yi Zhicontent said with a smile: "If there is no economic crisis, there are more middle classes in European countries and the United States than us, and the consumption power of luxury goods such as pocket watches is stronger than that of our country, and a pocket watch of 30 yuan can meet the needs of the foreign middle class." ”

"The Americans are coming." Wu Changqing said and stood up.

"So soon, it must have run into the law of righteousness." Yi Zhishu said and got up.

"Worried that the Americans have ideas?"

"It doesn't matter, it's good for us that they're under pressure."

It was not only Olifin and Wetmore who came, but also Snow and Anderson of the U.S. Consul in Guangzhou. Oliphyn explained: "This is the U.S. Consul in Guangzhou, Peter Snow. ”

"It's nice to meet Mr. Yi, just call me Snow." Snow reached out very easily.

Yi Zhixiang was really not interested in the US consul in Guangzhou, as far as he knew, the so-called US consul in Guangzhou at this time. Basically, it is a name, and most of them are employees or partners of American commercial firms, not like the United Kingdom, which is sent to a formal government. The diplomatic officer, however, shook hands with him and said, "It is my honor to meet His Excellency the Consul." ”

As he spoke, he looked at Anderson and said, "I'm sorry, something has been delayed in Humen for a few days." The exploration route for your personnel is ready and will take place tomorrow. ”

"Thank you very much." Anderson smiled and stepped forward to shake his hand.

Yi Zhizhi said with a smile: "In order to express my apologies, I will hold a banquet on Henan Island tonight to invite all the personnel of your company, please be sure to enjoy it." ”

"Oh, thank you very much." Anderson hurriedly bowed slightly and said, "On behalf of all the company personnel who came to Guangzhou, I would like to thank Mr. Yi for his generosity. After speaking, he said very interestingly: "Then don't disturb you, I will tell everyone the good news." With that, he bowed again and said, "Farewell." ”

After Anderson left, several people entered the house and sat down. Yi Zhicontent said straight to the point: "I invited a few people to come here to order a batch of artillery." ”

As soon as they heard about it, they had to buy arms. Wittmo couldn't wait to say, "May I ask Mr. Yi, what specifications of artillery do you need?" How many doors do you want? ”

"Shore defense artillery." Yi Zhishu said with a smile: "Forty sixty-four-pounder guns, sixty forty-eight-pounder cannons, two hundred thirty-two-pounder cannons and twenty-four pounder cannons, and another hundred Caron short cannons of various specifications are needed." ”

Hearing that he wanted such a large number of artillery, Wittmore couldn't help but be stunned, and Snow said tentatively: "Mr. Yi, is this going to replace the artillery for the Humen Fort?" ”

Nodding slightly. Yi Zhizhi said: "Yes, this batch of artillery is indeed purchased for the Humen Fort. ”

After a slight hesitation, Wittmo said, "Mr. Yi, the thirty-two-pounder cannon and the twenty-four-pounder cannon are fine, let alone four hundred." Double it again, it's no problem, but sixty-four-pounder guns and forty-eight-pounder guns, it is difficult to procure, especially sixty-four-pounder guns, it is barely possible to purchase a few, forty guns, it is really difficult, the larger the caliber of the artillery, the more difficult it is to produce. ”

Yi Zhifen glanced at him and said, "Didn't the United States learn the technique of the English people to cast cannons solidly?" ”

"This—." Wertmore sneered, "I don't seem to have heard that the naval gun factory of the Navy Commission can cast guns solidly. ”

Yi Zhizu turned his head to look at Olifin, he shrugged with a smile and said, "I'm very sorry, I don't know. ”

With a slight groan, Yi Zhizhi looked at Snow and said, "I heard that British warships once blocked the Pearl River estuary to capture your country's merchant ships, but is there such a thing?" ”

"It is so." Snow said slowly: "Those hateful British claimed to have the right to search in the world's waters, wantonly searched for 'smuggling ships' in Guangzhou, and seized our merchant ships several times, which caused many conflicts, and once almost caused a large-scale conflict. Saying that, he smiled and said, "The thirteen lines are not less mediated among them. ”

Speaking of this, he reacted, Yi Zhixiang asked the meaning of this, if the Humen Fort was all replaced with Western large-caliber artillery, it would have a real ability to control the Pearl River Estuary, and the British warships would no longer dare to trouble them at the Pearl River Estuary, at least, as long as they entered the Pearl River Estuary, their merchant ships would be completely safe.

Thinking of this, he looked at Wetmo and said, "I really can't help it?" After the Humen Fort replaces its artillery, it will become the protector of our merchant ships. ”

"It's really hard to buy large-caliber heavy artillery." Wittmore said: "Whether it is England or France, the large-caliber heavy artillery is very tightly controlled, and the number is small, and it is impossible to think of a way to do it, such a large number." Speaking of this, he thought of the righteous law he had just encountered, and couldn't help but say, "Why didn't Mr. Yi directly purchase sixty-four-pound guns from the British?" ”

"If you can't eat this order." Yi Zhixiang glanced at a few people as he spoke, and said, "I don't mind buying from the British." ”

Before he finished speaking, Snow spoke: "Mr. Yi, don't worry, even if you remove all the large-caliber naval guns on the battleships of the American Navy, the United States will try its best to meet your needs." After a pause, he continued: "When Qi Changxing's clipper ship returns to Guangzhou, I will send people to Europe to procure, and at the same time send people back to China to ask for help from the Navy Commission." (To be continued.) )