On the eighth day of the second month, two clippers arrived in Shanghai, one of which was the "Feiyan". Pen "Fun" Pavilion www.biquge.info

The two clippers slowly docked, and Xiao Mingliang, who heard the news, led the two teams to practice and quickly put the dock under martial law. ”

Yi Zhishu nodded and said, "Are you okay?" ”

"Everything works." Xiao Mingliang said softly: "How is the situation in Annan? ”

Yi Zhishu didn't know what he was thinking, and said angrily: "Annan doesn't have your share.... As he spoke, he turned around, raised his chin towards the northeast and west, and said, "Hurry up and train, there will be opportunities in the future!" ”

In which direction is there a fight? Wa Kingdom? Xiao Mingming's heart was full of joy, and he hurriedly saluted: "My subordinates understand." ”

Yi Zhizhi didn't stay at the dock, and quickly got into a small sedan chair and rushed to the West Garden, Yuan Qi Tuanlian sent troops to Annan without authorization, it was not a small matter, it had been a month for a while, and he didn't know what the reaction of the imperial court was, he was anxious to go back to the West Garden to see if there was a report or an urgent letter, to be honest, he was also a little uneasy in his heart.

Sending troops to Annam without authorization is not only to forcibly occupy the Hongji Coal Mine, but also a test of the imperial court, to test how much the imperial court can tolerate Yuan Qi? He was anxious to know the reaction of the imperial court, so that he could make corresponding adjustments, and now that the Yuanqi regiment had nearly 10,000 troops on land and sea, Annan Hongji, was waiting for his next order, how could he not be in a hurry?

In the final analysis, he didn't dare to go too far, Yuan Qi now has a big family, how dare he do things without leaving any room for it? Occupy Hongji, Yuanqi regimental training can advance or retreat, if the imperial court does not react strongly, he does not mind expanding the war, with the combat power of Yuanqi's regimental training, to deal with Annan, which is not devastating!

got off the sedan chair at the gate of the West Garden, he hurried all the way to the 'Tingtao Pavilion', and as soon as he entered the courtyard, he raised his eyes and saw Bao Shichen greet him, and immediately arched his hand and said: "Mr. Bao." ”

After returning the gift, Bao Shichen smiled and said: "The lord is not afraid to poke a hole in the sky?" ”

Yi Zhizhi smiled: "It's just that the thunder is loud and the rain is small, so it doesn't matter." ”

"Such a big battle, it's ready to start, right?"

Yi Zhixiang smiled and said, "What is the reaction of the imperial court?" ”

"There is no one on the surface, but there are secret folds, and there are some letters from the Beijing Division, all of which are six hundred miles expedited."

Yi Zhizhi nodded, and said as he walked: "I will not be in Shanghai in the future, the official letters and private messages from Jingshi include secret folds, Mr. will dismantle them, don't scruples, I will leave a clipper ship in Shanghai at any time." ”

Hearing this, although Bao Shichen felt that something was wrong, he thought that this was also the only way to quickly deliver emergency news, so he immediately did not shirk and said, "The old man obeys the order." ”

Without waiting for Yi Zhifu to walk into the study, Li Wang quickly caught up and reported: "Lord Yu, Lord Qi is here to visit." ”

Yi Zhizhi was content, and then reacted, it seems that it is a matter of preparing for the construction of the navy, and the court has replied, otherwise he would not have entered the house with his front foot, and Qiying followed with his back foot, he immediately turned back to the front yard and went to greet Qiying, after all, Qiying, who is the minister of Nanyang, is his top boss, and the etiquette that should be there must be.

Qiying didn't have an official robe, a robe and a horse coat dressed like a gentleman, and when he saw Yi Zhizhi coming out, he smiled and said, "Master Yi is back." ”

Yi Zhizhi smiled and said: "There are some things in Guangzhou that have been delayed, and I have been late for a few days...... As he spoke, he stretched out his hand and said, "Senior, please." ”

"Lord Yi, please." Qi Ying said politely before he took a step, and said as he walked: "Can Annan fight easily?" ”

Seeing him open his mouth and ask about the war in Annan, Yi Zhixiang was secretly happy in his heart, is this the attitude of the imperial court towards Yuan Qi sending troops to Annan? This was a bit surprising, and he immediately smiled and said, "It's just a small punishment, it doesn't matter if it's easy or not." ”

Qi Ying smiled when she heard this, "Send 10,000 troops, just to punish Xiaoshi?" ”

"You can't destroy Annan." Yi Zhizhi said: "After all, Annan is a vassal state of my Qing Dynasty, and as a member of the imperial court, the lower officials must always take care of the face of the imperial court, and they can't go too far and make the imperial court embarrassed." ”

These words are said beautifully, but Qiying is disdainful in his heart, when he sent troops to Annan without authorization, he didn't see you take care of the face of the imperial court? However, the phrase 'Annan cannot be destroyed.'" Let his heart skip a beat, it seems that Yuan Qi Tuanlian really had the intention to destroy Annan, he didn't say anything all the way, the two entered the hall and sat down, and he said with a solemn expression: "Yuan Qi really has the ability to destroy Annan?" ”

What do you mean? Did the imperial court really have the heart to destroy Annan with the help of Yuan Qi's group training? After a slight groan, Yi Zhizhi shook his head and said, "Yuan Qi Tuan doesn't have this ability. ”

No? Qi Ying looked at him with some surprise, the other party is the big shopkeeper of Yuanqi, and he single-handedly created the Yuanqi group practice, not to mention, the Yuanqi team practice every big battle, the other party also participates in it personally, to say that the person who knows the most about the Yuanqi team practice, it must be this person, however, the combat power of the Yuanqi team practice is obvious to all, I don't know if the other party has any scruples?

lit a cigar, Yi Zhizu said slowly: "The Yuanqi regiment is not enough to defeat the Annan army, but to destroy Annan, it is beyond its strength, unless the imperial court sends an additional army to assist." This is the same as the British invasion, the British army was able to defeat the Qing army, but could not occupy the Qing Dynasty, and the troops were insufficient. ”

Qi Ying nodded, this is true, how many troops did the Yuan Qi group practice? However, in the early 10,000s, it was no different from sprinkling pepper noodles in various prefectures and counties of Annan, and he groaned slightly, and then he said: "To destroy Annan, how many additional troops does the imperial court need?" ”

Yi Zhisuff didn't answer, but asked, "Does the imperial court have the heart to destroy Annan?" ”

After hesitating, Qi Yingcai said: "The Sacred Virtue Divine Monument, can Master Yi know?" ”

Sacred Virtue Monument! What's that? Something to do with Annan? Shaking his head, Yi Zhizhi said: "The lower official is lonely and unheard......." ”

Qi Ying said softly: "According to the ancestral system of the Qing Dynasty, those who have lost an inch of the country are not allowed to erect a monument of sacred virtue. ”

Hearing this, Yi Zhishu understood that this thing was sung for the emperor after his death, Daoguang was worried that he would not see the ancestors of the Qing Dynasty after his death because of the "Jiangning Treaty", and he groaned slightly, and then he said tentatively: "The imperial court has agreed to include Poluozhou in the territory?" ”

Qi Ying said: "Po Luozhou is in the South Seas, far away from the mainland, how can it be compared with Annam? ”

Yi Zhishu shook his head and said: "The land of the four provinces of Poluozhou is vast and sparsely populated, and there is a heart of attachment, which is at your fingertips, how can it be compared with Annan?" ”

Qi Ying didn't argue with him, and said straightforwardly: "The imperial court agrees to annex Po Luo Zhou, and the court agrees to all the regulations proposed by Lord Yi to prepare for the construction of the navy, but compared to Po Luo Zhou, the emperor may be more interested in Annan." ”

"Beat Annan for silver." Yi Zhixiang poured a basin of cold water on his head, "The imperial court can still take out the silver to make a large-scale expedition to Annam?" ”

How can the imperial court still take out the silver and go on a large-scale expedition? Qiying sighed secretly, his heart was full of disappointment, if Yuan Qi really could destroy Annan, he, the minister of Nanyang, would definitely be able to follow the light, and it was possible to seal the prince and marquis, but he didn't expect it to be empty joy.

Seeing the loss on his face, Yi Zhizhi said with a smile: "There is a way to play with silver, and there is a way to play without silver." ”

"Does Master Yi have a good way?"

"Nibble." Yi Zhizhi said: "Yuan Qi now occupies Hongji, let the court negotiate with Annan, and assign all the east of Hongji to the Qing Dynasty, and after 5678 years, the navy will form a scale and combat power, and when the Western powers invade Annan, they will send troops to gradually encroach until the entire annexation of Annan, so that there is no need to consume much silver." As he spoke, he smiled, "If the imperial court can negotiate, Hongji Coal Mine and Yuan Qi will pay taxes as usual." ”

It has to be said that this method of encroachment is the most secure and feasible, and Qiying has also studied the situation of Annan a lot in the past few days, and the territory of Annan is long and narrow, all along the coast, and the depth is not long, and the use of the navy to attack can indeed receive twice the result with half the effort, and this suggestion will inevitably be favored by Daoguang as soon as it is played.

As for the Hongji Coal Mine's tax payment, he doesn't care, how much tax can a coal mine pay in a year? This is just a gesture of Yuan Qi, of course, no matter how thick-skinned he is, he doesn't dare to covet all this credit, after all, Yi Zhishu also has the right to play secretly, after a little thought, he said: "The emperor is quite concerned about the war in Annan, Lord Yi might as well sort out these words, and Ben Qin will be named as soon as possible." ”

Yi Zhixiang didn't care about letting the other party get naked, after all, he had the identity of the big shopkeeper of Yuanqi, and these things made the other party come out much better, so he said: "The lower official obeys the order." ”

This matter is an unexpected joy for Qi Ying, the purpose of his coming today is to urge Yi Zhixiang to implement the preparation for the navy as soon as possible, this is the main errand of his Nanyang minister, lightly fanned the smoke in front of him, and then he spoke: "The matter of preparing for the construction of the navy, the emperor is extremely concerned, and the emperor has all agreed to the request of contentment, when is the preparation for the construction of the navy?" ”

"The naval academies in Guangzhou and Shanghai can be established at the same time, and cadets and gentlemen can also be recruited at the same time, so as to find another place to study first." Yi Zhizu groaned and said: "To prepare for the construction of the navy, you must choose the naval base, tentatively Dinghai and Xiamen, and the third one is to choose between Qiongzhou Mansion and Leizhou Mansion in Guangdong, I intend to set the naval headquarters in Dinghai, which is closer to the Beijing Division, what do you think?" ”

Qi Ying nodded, Dinghai was originally an important coastal defense town, and it was occupied by the British army twice, and it was close to Beijing, it was indeed more suitable than Xiamen, seeing him nodded, Yi Zhizhi asked: "The navy's salary, the imperial court will not allocate it, right?" ”

Qiying glanced at him and said, "Navy salary, how much do you plan to drive?" ”

"The navy is a technical branch, and the risk is also high, if it is according to the salary ratio of the Eight Banners Green Battalion, I am afraid that no one will want to come." Yi Zhizhi said: "On land, two oceans a month, get on a ship and go to sea, four a month, including food and accommodation, military uniforms, weapons, and full-time training." In addition to Yuan Qi's existing 3,000 officers and soldiers, another 7,000 people were recruited, making up 10,000 whole numbers. ”

Qi Ying said disapprovingly: "It's only 40,000 silver dollars in January, and the court is out." ”

"It's more than 40,000 silver dollars a month." Yi Zhizhi said with a smile: "At least 120,000 silver dollars, at least 1,000 officers in the navy for one night, as well as food and military uniforms, etc., and the imperial court must allocate at least 3 million silver dollars to build the Dinghai Naval Base - including port docks, barracks, training grounds, sports venues, medical halls and other supporting facilities." ”

So much? Qi Ying sighed in his heart, the navy is not ordinarily expensive, this is simply burning silver, not including the most important warships and artillery muskets, he shook his head and said: "Contentment is not that you don't know the current situation of the imperial court...... ”

"Don't worry, sir." Yi Zhizhi said: "The lower officials will draw up a detailed plan for the construction of the navy as soon as possible, including the plan for the expansion of the navy, and ask someone to type out all the budgets, and then submit them to the imperial court." ”

"The emperor is extremely concerned about the preparation for the construction of the navy, and hopes that he will come up with a practical plan as soon as possible." Qiying said and got up to say goodbye.

Sending Qiying away, Yi Zhizhi turned back to the study, and looked at the secret fold of Daoguang's return, and the Zhu batch of Daoguang on the fold was very simple - I know, report the situation of Annan in time.

There was no expected reprimand, and the tone was flat as if it was a trivial matter, if it weren't for Qi Ying's previous mention of the Holy Virtue Divine Monument, he was afraid that he would have pondered Daoguang's thoughts. It can be said that the Shengde Shengong Monument can be said to be the final conclusion of the coffin, and it is to summarize the great achievements of the emperor's life, and it can be said that it is a huge shame that the Shengde Shengong Monument cannot be erected after his death, and it is no wonder that Daoguang is so concerned about Po Luozhou and Annam, which is obviously an attempt to cover up Hong Kong's lease by expanding the territory.

After concentrating for a long time, he wrote a secret fold to Daoguang, reporting that Yuan Qi Tuanlian had occupied the surroundings of Hongji Port, but did not expand westward, waiting for the imperial court order, and then, he briefly analyzed that France would inevitably expand to Southeast Asia after completing the Industrial Revolution, and Annam was the first choice for France's expansion to Southeast Asia, and suggested annexing Annam before France invaded Annam.

After that, he briefly mentioned some ideas and plans for the construction of the navy, and these things were to be folded, and he didn't want to be verbose.

After writing the secret fold, he wrote a letter to the "Xiguan Daily", "Jiangning Daily" and "Lin'an Daily" respectively, and just put down his pen, Li Wang came to the newspaper, and Wu Changqing, Xie Xiuyuan, and He Shutaishi came to visit.

The three people who were waiting came in to greet him, Yi Zhizhi smiled and stretched out his hand to give up his seat, and then looked at He Shutai and asked, "How is the situation of the machine reeling silk?" ”

"The big shopkeeper expected it well." He Shutai said: "Jiangnan silk merchants are not as enthusiastic as Guangdong to join Donghuang, and in two months, only more than 30 households have signed a franchise contract, totaling 21,000 silk reeling machines. ”

"That's a good number." Yi Zhizhi said: "Yuanqi must vigorously support them, so that the silk merchants in Jiangnan can see the amazing profits brought by machine silk reeling, which is enough to attract more people to join in." Saying that, he glanced at the three of them, and said: "Set up cards on land and water, strictly prohibit Jiangnan silk merchants from contacting foreign businessmen, and the translators from Guangzhou must also be strictly controlled, and give Donghuang another year to buy time, tea, we are still difficult to monopolize, but raw silk, must be monopolized." (To be continued.) )