Yilu was not only worried that France would return to the Far East forcefully at the invitation of Vietnam, but also worried that Yuan Qi would reach an agreement with France for the sake of Vietnam, so as to damage the interests of England in the East, and at the same time, he did not want the Qing court to increase its control over the vassal states through Yuan Qi, after all, the countries in Southeast Asia were basically vassal states of the Qing State, which would affect the interests of England in Southeast Asia. Pen % fun % Pavilion www.biquge.info

Hearing this, he smiled reluctantly and said: "Your Excellency should know that Europe pursues a continental balance of power policy, and although the relationship between China and France has always been bad, it will not weaken France's strength too much, which is not conducive to peace in Europe. ”

"This is not a time of peace." Yi Zhixiang didn't want to talk about it along this topic, in order to strengthen the strength of Yuanqi's group training, Annan, he was determined to fight.

After a pause, he smiled and said: "Let's change the topic to a relaxed topic, according to the "Jiangning Treaty", China opened four treaty ports, and allowed your country to open factories in the treaty ports. The government vigorously promoted in the country to encourage businessmen to set up factories in China, and we welcome any factory. ”

Yilu looked at him and said, "The same is true for France and the United States?" ”

Yi Zhi said with a heartfelt head: "France and the United States have a strong interest in the Treaty of Jiangning, and His Majesty the Emperor of our country is not willing to go to war with the two countries, so they naturally treat them equally. As he spoke, he smiled, "Your Excellency should know that there are many Americans in Canton, and they have a great interest and willingness to set up factories in Canton, and the same is true for France.

However, in today's world, on the development of industry, your country should be the first to recommend, machine manufacturing, metallurgy, mining, textile, railway, shipbuilding and other technologies are in the leading position in the world, Yuanqi attaches great importance to cooperation with your country. ”

Yilu was speechless, Western countries have begun to implement the industrial revolution, if Britain blocks these technologies to the East, it will undoubtedly cheapen the United States and France, if it spares no effort to support the East to implement the industrial revolution, the huge market of the East will also be lost.

This is a difficult and headache choice, but thinking of the current situation in Guangzhou, as well as the relationship between Yuan Qi and the United States and France, the Qing industrial revolution is unstoppable, and after a little muttering, Yilu spoke: "As your country's trading partner for two hundred years, for the long-term development of trade between the two countries, I think Her Majesty the Queen and the dignitaries in London will be very happy to help your country develop industry." ”

"It would definitely be the right decision." Yi Zhicontent smiled.

Yilu changed his head and said, "A few days ago, I officially informed your Governor in Guangzhou in writing that I hope to follow the example of Shanghai and open up a concession ....... in Guangzhou. ”

"No problem." Yi Zhixin said cheerfully: "I will support it as much as possible." As he spoke, he glanced at Liang Xingyuan and said, "This time, I came mainly at the invitation of Lord Liang of Xin'anzhi County to talk about the rent and management of Hong Kong Island. ”

After some arguing, the two sides finally reached a preliminary draft agreement, whereby the British side would pay a rent of 1,000 silver dollars a year, the Chinese side would set up a government office on Hong Kong Island and station officials, and the British side would set up a deliberative bureau on Hong Kong Island, establish a guard force, declare Hong Kong a free trade port, and the strength of the guard force, including the naval and land forces, should not exceed 3,000 people, and allow the British fleet to be temporarily stationed.

It wasn't until he left by boat that Guan Tianpei was puzzled and said: "Hong Kong Island is only a big place, why did the lord allow Yingyi's guards to be as high as 3,000 people." ”

Yi Zhizhi said in a sullen voice: "It's better than letting Yingyi openly garrison troops on Hong Kong Island." ”

"It's nothing more than covering your ears and stealing the bell, what's the difference?" Liang Xingyuan muttered softly.

"It doesn't mean the same." Yi Zhixiang didn't bother with him, but patiently explained: "No matter how many people there are in the guards, they are still guards, and the nature of the army is different, which is the same as the British side paying rent, what is a thousand silver dollars?" But with this 1,000 silver dollars, it means that Hong Kong Island is still in the Qing Dynasty, which is a declaration of sovereignty. ”

Guan Tianpei said in a deep voice: "Say a thousand, say 10,000, or our Qing Dynasty is too weak, whether it is ceded or forcibly concessioned, it is essentially a loss of power and humiliation of the country!" ”

"That's right!" Yi Zhishu agreed: "As long as we are strong enough, whether we are forcibly leased or ceded, we can take it back, and we can even go to other countries to cede and forcibly lease land." ”

Early the next morning, Yi Zhishu rushed back to Guangzhou, went to the Changzhou Shipyard, for the Guangdong Navy Division to implement the order of coal ships, for the Guangdong Navy Division to form a fleet, this matter is urgent, he not only plans to let the Changzhou Shipyard shipbuilding, but also plans to buy a batch of ocean-going merchant ships directly from Citigroup, the fleet will be formed first.

The Guangdong Navy Division is stationed in the coastal counties and towns of Guangdong, with a total strength of 20,000, and it is stationed in Humen with heavy troops to hold Haikou, which is not only a barrier in Guangzhou, but also a major threat to Yuanqi.

With the help of the coal fleet and the families of the sailors and soldiers working in the Hongji Coal Mine, in a few years, Yuanqi will be able to control the entire Guangdong Naval Division, even if the senior generals such as the Admiral of the Naval Division and the General Soldier are replaced, they will not be able to reverse and change the situation, in addition, Yuanqi can also use this to envelop the families of up to 100,000 Guangdong Naval Divisions, it can be said that with the help of this chain of interests, Yuanqi is enough to control the entire coastal counties and towns of Guangdong.

Of course, this move will also help to promote the use of Annan coal in the coastal counties and towns of Guangdong, and increase the sales of Annan coal.

At dusk, Yi Zhizhi returned to Lei Garden, after washing and eating, he was about to go for a walk in the backyard, Li Wang hurriedly came to report, "Lord Yu, Lin Da'an is outside asking to see." ”

Lin Da'an asked to see him at this time, is there something important? Yi Zhishu immediately ordered: "Take him to the study." ”

When he entered the study, Lin Da'an respectfully saluted, Yi Zhizu sat down directly, and said, "What's the matter?" ”

"Sir, there is an abnormal situation in Huaxian." Lin Da'an said in a deep voice: "Recently, Hong Renkun, the first child in Huaxian County, has teamed up with others to create the "God Religion", also known as "Taiping Christianity", and preached in Guanlubu, Wumaling, Lianhuatang and other places in Huaxian County, recruited believers, and had rebellious actions such as knocking on the tablets of Confucian saints. ”

Hua County is the county where Yi Zhifen specially told Lin Da'an to focus on monitoring, and when he heard the report, Yi Zhizu frowned and said, "Hong Renkun? ”

Lin Da'an hurriedly said: "This person is thirty years old, slightly tall, a little fat, the government test has been named Sun Shan four times, after hearing that he fell first, he was stimulated and had a high fever for several days, and wrote a poem after sobering up." As he spoke, he handed over an envelope.

"Hold the right to kill, cut the evil and leave the right to solve the people's suspense. The eyes pass through the northwest rivers and mountains, and the sonic boom is on the southeast side of the sun and moon. The claws seem to be small, so why are you afraid of Han Cheng's deviation. The wind and thunder inspire three thousand waves, and the flying dragon is fixed in the sky. ”

This poem is anti-meaningful, but in terms of style, it can only be regarded as a fourth-rate or fifth-rate at most, Yi Zhishu slowly put down the letterhead in his hand, Hong Renkun, "worship God"? The poem is full of anti-meaning, this guy should be Hong Xiuquan!

After a slight sigh, he said, "Does this Hong Renkun have any other names?" ”

"Yes, this person is also known as Hong Huoxiu, Hong Renkun is the clan name, the big name." Lin Da'an said calmly: "This person has convex cheeks and concave eyes, a mediocre appearance, about thirty, and a slightly fat height. ”

Hong Huo Xiu? Listening to this name, Yi Zhizhi is sure that this landed child must be Hong Xiuquan who excavated the first tomb in the Qing Dynasty! Unexpectedly, it was only 23 years after Daoguang, and Hong Xiuquan had already created the "God Worship Religion".

Do you want to strangle this Hong Renkun in the cradle? Yi Zhizu hesitated, the Taiping Rebellion brought an almost extinct blow to the Qing Dynasty, especially what Yi Zhixiang could not endure was that the Taiping Rebellion caused a near-devastating blow to Jiangnan, and tens of millions of people died in this uprising!

Slowly took out a cigar and put it on the end of his nose, Yi Zhishu slowly leaned his head on the back of the chair, took a deep breath, the fragrance of cigar smoke soaked people's lungs and spleen, and after a long time, he spoke: "This person and the backbone henchmen, all portraits, send special personnel to follow, report at any time, but don't startle the snake!" ”

"The little one understands." Lin Da'an hurriedly bowed and said.

Lin Da'an retreated, Yi Zhizu sighed, the vigorous Taiping Heavenly Kingdom uprising dealt a heavy blow to the rule of the Qing court, but it also seriously damaged the economy of the Qing Dynasty, caused immeasurable economic losses to the Qing Dynasty, and also caused great casualties, just this, Yuan Qi could not tolerate the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom!

However, Yuan Qi also needs the Taiping Rebellion, which will bring unparalleled development opportunities to Yuan Qi! Of course, all this depends on the speed of Yuanqi's development, what year was the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Uprising? 1850 or 1851? From now, it is only seven or eight years, in just seven or eight years, how far can Yuanqi develop? At least, in the current situation, he can't strangle the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom in the cradle!

Thinking of this, he suddenly realized that Daoguang's era is not far from the end, if he remembers it well, Daoguang's death was still before the Taiping Rebellion, at this time, a new round of battle for the throne of Jingshi will also kick off one after another.

Does he have what it takes to be involved in the battle for the throne now? Yes! Absolutely! He is not only the treasurer of Yuanqi, but also the minister of Nanyang with heavy troops, and he has the ability to threaten the safety of the Jingshi at any time! His support is even far better than that of the Nine Gate Admirals of the Jingshi! If he has a clear attitude to support which prince, it will inevitably make Daoguang seriously consider!

But is it necessary to get involved in the battle for storage locations? Yi Zhizhi struck a match and lit a cigar, slowly exhaling a cloud of smoke, followed by Daoguang Xianfeng, that is, the fourth son of the emperor - Aixin Jueluo Yisu, which can be regarded as a succession, because the previous three sons have all died, and Yixu was born to Queen Xiao Quancheng, and his status is precious.

And the strongest contender for the throne is the sixth son of the emperor - Aixin Jueluo Yixun, of course, there is also a fifth son of the emperor, but Yi Zhishu has no impression of the fifth prince, as for the seventh son of the emperor, it is estimated that he is only two or three years old now, so it is naturally impossible to compete for the crown.

For Xianfeng, a short-lived ghost, Yi Zhicontent naturally has no good feelings, and it is precisely because of Xianfeng's short life that the Empress Dowager Cixi was created, but it is undeniable that Xianfeng's succession to the throne is tantamount to a rare good thing for Yuan Qi.

It seems that there is no need to meddle in the battle for the prince's throne, everything goes naturally, which is the most conducive to the development of Yuanqi!

The huge mixed fleet formed by the Yuanqi Tuanlian and the Guangdong Navy Division to conquer Annam not only aroused the great attention of the officials, gentry and merchants in Guangzhou, but also attracted the attention of Hong Kong Island and Macao.

For a time, all kinds of discussions arose, some said that Yuan Qi was going to set foot in Ping'an Nan in one fell swoop, and some said that Yuan Qi Tuanlian had lost the battle in Annan, so he had to increase his troops in a big way, but the dispute between the two sides quickly calmed down, because the first batch of returning coal convoys brought detailed information about Hongji's victory, and the return of the coal convoy itself is enough to explain the problem.

Yi Zhizu also received a detailed battle report from Feng Renxuan: In the face of Yuanqi Tuanlian, which occupied the advantage of geographical advantage and firearms, the 100,000-strong army of Annan adopted a passive defense in the case of frustration of the attack in turns, digging trenches and fortifications from south to north to prevent Yuanqi Tuanlian from advancing to the Red River Plain.

After reading the battle report, Yi Zhizhi was greatly pleased, Feng Renxuan, who stood out from hundreds of scholars, really lived up to expectations, and showed outstanding military talent in the first expedition to Annan.

He was relieved that Li Wang came in briskly: "Sir, Jingshi is in a hurry." ”

What Li Wang sent was not a court mail, but a secret decree from Daoguang, just four words - to report on his work in Beijing.

Yi Zhizhi couldn't help frowning, and went to Beijing to report on his work? What kind of sub-job is this, as the counselor minister of the conquest of Annan, this war in Annan has just begun, what kind of job is described? As the minister of Nanyang, the garrison of the Sitong Treaty Port has not yet been launched, the recruitment of the navy has not yet ended, and the naval academy, military factory, shipyard and so on are not at all now, so let him go to Beijing to report on his work?

Besides, it is the peak season of maritime trade, whether it is Guangzhou or Shanghai, there are complicated affairs, at this juncture, what is the reason why Baba asked him to go to Beijing to report on his work? Did the imperial court notice that the Yuanqi regiment was expanding its army in Annam? Or did the Yuanqi group practice a great victory in Annan, which caused the court to be jealous? No, Daoguang's news can't be so well-informed, and he shouldn't know that Annan's victory is really the fault of the army expansion?

For him, Jingshi is a place of unpredictable blessings and misfortunes, he really doesn't want to enter Beijing, but does he dare to resist the decree? Can't! At least not for now!