In the late autumn of September, the weather in the south of the Yangtze River turned cooler, but the northwest was frost in the four fields, and the wild geese returned to the south, a scene of slaughter. Pen × fun × Pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 ｉｎｆｏ

On the post road from Dihua to Yili, camel bells are melodious, and a camel team composed of more than 200 camels and horses is moving forward slowly, all of which are carrying large bags of goods on their backs, attracting the attention of many immigrants along the way.

For such a camel caravan, the locals of Xinjiang are no strangers at all, and they all know that this is a northern set of visitors from the north - Shanxi Jin merchants.

Before Yuanqi carried out large-scale immigration, Beitaoke was the largest merchant group in Xinjiang, monopolizing Xinjiang's commerce and trade.

There are two main ways to Xinjiang from the mainland, one is to enter Xinjiang from the ancient silk road, that is, through Xi'an, Lanzhou, Hexi corridor, out of Jiayuguan to Hami, Turpan, the other is the big grassland road, with Shanxi, Beijing and Tianjin as the hub, through the naturalization city, northwest out of the Mongolian grassland, through Uriya Sutai, Kobdo, and then south to the ancient city of Tianshan North Road.

When the Jin merchants entered Xinjiang, they took the big grassland road, and continuously transported the silk, cloth, tea, tobacco, grain, seafood, salt, iron and other goods from the interior into Xinjiang, and then transported the livestock, furs, medicinal materials, and fruits of Xinjiang to the interior.

In Gucheng, Dihua, Zhenxi, Yili, Tarbagatai, Yarkand and other large and small towns in Xinjiang, there are merchants, shops, pawnshops, money villages, account houses, ticket numbers, etc.

However, with the large-scale immigration of Yuanqi organization, the monopoly position of Jin merchants in Xinjiang began to shake, as Yuanqi Bank spread out in the northwest, Jin merchants' pawnshops, money villages, and account houses have closed down, and the ticket number is still struggling to support, but with the influx of a large number of immigrants into Xinjiang, it has also brought huge business opportunities to Jin merchants, and the trade of silk, cloth, tea, tobacco, and grain has increased sharply.

Although the monopoly of Xinjiang's commerce and trade was broken, the business of the Jin merchants was becoming more and more prosperous, and the number of Jin merchants coming to Xinjiang not only did not decrease, but increased, and the scale of the camel caravan became larger and larger.

Hou Congyuan rode on a camel and shook drowsy, he was in his early thirties, he was the nephew of Hou Yinchang, the owner of the Wei family of the Hou family in Jiexiu, Shanxi, and was quite respected in the clan, this was his first time in Xinjiang, the long trek and the monotonous repetition of the surrounding scenery seemed to be immutable, he had long lost his interest, and now he only hoped to rush to Ili as soon as possible.

When the camel team was waiting for the tip halfway, Hou Yousheng, the leader of the camel team, rushed over, handed over a wine bag, and said: "The weather is cold, Shaodong has a few sips to drive away the cold." ”

It was indeed a little cold, and the wind blew on his face like a knife, Hou Congyuan took the wine bag and poured it twice, before he said with a sigh of wine: "It's snowing, right?" ”

"Almost, the snow in northern Xinjiang came early." Hou Yousheng said with a smile, "Don't worry, don't worry, even if it snows, we won't be afraid, in two days, we will be able to go to Huiyuan City." ”

Hearing this, Hou Congyuan breathed a sigh of relief, he had walked for more than three months all the way, and he had walked for two months from naturalization to Dihua, and for him who had walked so far for the first time, he had really suffered enough.

Glancing at him, Hou Yousheng said cautiously: "The young owner came to Yili in person this time, is it to cooperate with Yuan Qi?" ”

"I don't know what's going on." Hou Congyuan said in a sullen voice, he didn't want to talk about this topic, he didn't have a good impression of Yuan Qi, with Yuan Qi's large-scale opening of branches in the northern provinces, the Hou family's ticket number business in various places plummeted, and had to shrink significantly.

He came to Yili this time at the invitation of Yuan Qi, and Hou Yinchang originally wanted to come in person, but considering that it took too long to come and go, he was allowed to make a trip, and he really didn't know what the specific situation was.

"In the past two years, Yuan Qi has recruited troops in the northwest." Hou Yousheng hesitated and said, "Could it be that we Jin merchants will donate and lose?" ”

Hou Congyuan glanced at him and said, "You are too underestimated to look at Yuan Qi, our Jin Shang can't get into Yuan Qi's eyes at all." Saying that, he waved his hand, "Go ahead, I don't need to say hello here." ”

Hou Yousheng left, he poured another sip of wine, he estimated that this time Yuan Qi invited their Hou family to come to Yili, it was related to the business pattern of Xinjiang, it may be that Yuan Qi wanted to use Jin merchants to vigorously develop Xinjiang's commerce, after all, his third uncle Hou Yinchang and Yuan Qi's big shopkeeper Yi Zhizhi still have a bit of affection.

Two days later, the camel team finally arrived in Huiyuan City, as soon as they entered the city, they found that the prosperity of Yili was not under Dihua at all, although it was not the peak season of commerce, but the city was still lively, the shops along the street were lined up one after another, people came and went on the street, Han people, Uyghur people, Mongolian people, Hui people, Russians, he was dazzled by the various costumes.

'An Ji Inn' is the largest time-honored inn in Huiyuan City, waiting to meet an acquaintance from the far inn, it can also be said to be a fellow countryman, Fan Lusheng of the Fan family, can't help but be surprised and happy.

After a pleasant conversation, Hou Congyuan learned that there were really a lot of Jin merchants who came to Huiyuan City, in addition to the Hou family and the Fan family in Jiexiu, as well as the Chang family in Yuci, the Shi family in Qi County, and the Sun family and Wu family in Taigu, which confirmed his thoughts before.

After settling down, Hou Congyuan did not rest, after taking a bath and changing clothes, he picked a gift and went to the Ili General's Mansion to visit the counselor Feng Renxuan, and when he arrived outside the General's Mansion, he handed over the post, but was told by the porter that Lord Feng was busy with government affairs, so he asked him to go back to the inn and wait.

Hearing this, Hou Congyuan was dumbfounded, and Baba walked from Shanxi for a few months to come to Ili, but he didn't see it, let them wait, what kind of medicine is sold in this gourd? It looks like it's going to snow.

General's Mansion, Signing Room.

"Look at this, it will snow in a few days, and the Russians are afraid that they will not come, right?" Chang Kunning took a sip of hot tea and said slowly: "Now that all the invited Jin merchants have arrived, why don't you talk .......to them first?" ”

"What's the hurry?" Feng Renxuan pulled the charcoal fire with tongs, and said casually: "Now that the Crimean War may end at any time, we can't let the Russians suspect it, if the Russians suspect that we will expand in the northwest, maybe the war in Crimea will end early."

Nowadays, there are many Russian merchants in Ili, and there will be no less meticulous work, and once those Shanxi merchants are not strict-mouthed, it may arouse the vigilance of the Russians. ”

Chang Kunning smiled when he heard this, "I'm worried that the Russians won't come, it's been two months since the truce, and if they are coming, they should arrive!" ”

"If the shopkeeper says he will come, he will come." Feng Renxuan said in a deep voice: "Wait patiently!" ”

As the days passed, the weather became colder day by day, and the Ili River Valley finally ushered in the first heavy snowfall, and the goose-feather-like snow flying in the sky announced the arrival of a long winter.

Could it be that the big shopkeeper made a mistake this time? Feng Renxuan stood under the eaves and looked at the heavy snow, and his heart gradually became cold, if the Crimean War ended hastily, if Russia did not lose much strength in this war, it would not be a matter of increasing the difficulty of sending troops to the northwest, it is very likely that the big treasurer will give up the plan of northwest expansion!

Thinking of this, he sighed, in the past few years in Ili, he has a more and more thorough understanding of Russia's strength, if Russia does not suffer heavy losses in Crimea, not to mention that Yi Zhizhi does not want to give up the plan of northwest expansion, he will also try his best to dissuade it, if Russia invests hundreds of thousands or even a million troops in the northwest, it is simply unimaginable!

"Brother Shaorong!" Chang Kunning walked into the courtyard quickly with an excited face, "Here, the Russians are here!" ”

Here it comes! Feng Renxuan was overjoyed, but the expression on his face was unfazed, and he said slowly: "Who is here?" ”

"I don't know the identity, but I was accompanied by Kovalevsky." Chang Kunning smiled: "Just entered the city!" ”

In the heavy snow, a Russian caravan slowly entered Huiyuan City, and in the early fifties, some thin Putiatin looked around, carefully looking at the important town in the northwest that he had been famous for a long time.

Lieutenant Colonel Kovalevsky urged him forward and asked: "Your Excellency, do you want to go directly to the General's Mansion or .......?" ”

Putiyatin said without hesitation: "Find an inn first." ”

The lobby of the 'An Ji Inn' is lively, there are Jin merchants here every day, Feng Renxuan does not see them, left and right are idle, and a group of Jin merchants take this rare free opportunity to establish friendship with local businessmen.

When a group of Russians came in, they were somewhat surprised to see such a lively scene, but both sides didn't pay much attention to it, and Kovalevsky chartered a single courtyard and led the group to rest directly.

After a hot bath and a hearty lunch, Putiyatin reclined comfortably on the thick fur-covered kang, having come to Ili in person to negotiate the arms trade with Yuan Qi.

Not only did Austria and Prussia declare their neutrality and secretly form a defensive alliance, but Austria deployed 80,000 troops on Hungary's borders with Wallachia and Moldavia, and issued an ultimatum demanding that Russia immediately withdraw its troops from the two principalities.

The shameless betrayal left Russia alone on the battlefield in Crimea, with 700,000 troops alone against the million-strong coalition of Britain, France and Turkey.

In just half a year, the Russian army was defeated again and again, and began to retreat in a comprehensive way, until it completely withdrew from Wallachia and Moldavia, so far, the Russian army has retreated to the starting point a year ago.

In August, Vienna put forward a four-point proposal to end the war. 1. The Russian protection of Wallachia and Moldavia was collectively protected by the nations. 2. Freedom of navigation on the Danube. 3. The Straits Convention of 1841 was changed to read: "The presence of the Ottoman Empire will be linked to Europe, ending Russia's superiority in the Black Sea." 4. Russia renounced the exclusive right of protection of Orthodox Christians in the territory of the Ottoman Empire.

Thinking of this, Putiyatin's heart was cold, the four points of Vienna were completely a treaty of surrender! Accepting this treaty would mean the loss of all the benefits that Russia had spent thirty years in Turkey, which was absolutely unacceptable to Russia!

Kovalevsky came in with a tea tray and said, "Your Excellency, this is the best black tea ......." ”

Taking the teacup, Putiyatin asked, "Did you send someone to the General's Palace?" ”

"Someone has been sent." Kovalevsky hesitated as he spoke, and said: "Your Excellency, Crimea is a trap, why continue?" ”

After taking a shallow sip of hot tea, Putiyatin said: "Crimea is the gateway to the Black Sea, and whoever occupies Crimea controls the Black Sea." We know this, and so do the countries of Europe and the Ottomans. Even if we want to end this war with dignity, the enemy will not agree, especially the British! ”

General's Mansion, Signing Room.

Feng Renxuan raised the post in his hand and said with a smile: "Rear Admiral of the Russian Imperial Navy and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yevfimi Vasilyevich Putyatin, it seems that the Russians attach great importance to this arms deal. ”

"That's not a small story." Tang Bingcan smiled: "In other words, we can knock hard this time." ”

"Didn't you think too much?" Chang Kunning flicked the cigarette ash and said, "The big shopkeeper has already explained, and you can't lose a big one because of a small one." Saying that, he hesitated and said, "The other party's status is not low, do you want to welcome it?" ”

"There's no need." Feng Renxuan said: "It's not a business to catch up, just wait for them to come to the door, and in addition, the price should also be increased, otherwise, it will make the Russians suspicious." ”

The next morning, Putiyatin took Kovalevsky to visit, and after a courtesy greeting, the two sides sat down, and Putiyatin said directly: "I heard that Ili has opened a cable telegraph? ”

Feng Renxuan now understands Russian, but he still waits for a translator before he says, "The telegram from Shanghai to Ili has been opened. ”

"We want to buy 100,000 mini guns." Kovalevsky said directly that for most of the past half a year, he has been intermittently discussing with Chang Kunning and Tang Bingcan about the purchase of Mini guns, so there is no need to go around in circles at all.

100,000 branches! Tang Bingcan was secretly speechless, and only after a slight groan did he speak: "100,000 branches are no problem, but we can't ** goods at once..... We can make 120,000 Minnie guns a year, at least in three years. ”

"Three years? We can't afford to wait. Before Kovalevsky finished speaking, Putiyatin asked: "How much can you deliver at the beginning of next spring?" ”

Tang Bingcan said without thinking: "Thirty thousand guns, one million rounds of ammunition." ”

Putiatin's heart jumped when he heard this, this number was really too unexpected for him, with these 30,000 mini guns and 1 million rounds of ammunition, it was enough to change the outcome of a medium-sized battle, and they had enough of the British and French mini guns on the Crimean battlefield.

After a slight groan, he said suspiciously: "You have already prepared?" ”

"To be exact, we've been preparing since the year before." Tang Bingcan smiled and said: "For the war that happened in Turkey, our big shopkeeper has been actively paying attention to it, and we have calculated that you need this batch of guns. ”

Thinking of the year before last in Shanghai, before the Crimean War broke out, Yi Zhishu sold Mini guns to Russia, Putiyatin's heart was shocked, and he couldn't help but say: "Why? ”

Tang Bingcan said slowly: "The reason is very simple, our big shopkeeper expects Britain and France to participate in the war, and we know that the British and French armies are equipped with a large number of mini guns. ”