mage in the late qing dynasty

Chapter 809: Zhao Chuanxin’s incompetence caused public resentment to boil

That's not a side effect of the vitality spring water, it's just the rapid flow of particles in the body.

Zhao Chuanxin can control the absorption of most of it, but there are still a few left to cause trouble.

What he was supposed to do had been completed, leaving Bayar with a pale forehead and empty eyes. It was unclear whether he was trying his best to resist the pain or whether he had died.

So Zhao Chuanxin stretched out his hand to test his breathing: "Is Lao Deng going?"

As soon as his hand reached over, Bayar's forehead hit it in one breath: "Drink... I'm not dead yet."

It turned out that Zhao Chuanxin was not lying, and he really almost killed him.

Fortunately, the feeling comes and goes quickly.

"Ha." Zhao Chuanxin stopped in embarrassment: "How do you feel?"

"I feel like I'm dying for the first time." Bayar stood up and felt that his body was much lighter: "It seems that the Sun God has not taken away my soul yet."

The more Bayar's forehead moves, the more comfortable he feels.

The vitality spring water had no analgesic effect, and the rheumatism still hurt, but it made him feel energetic and several years younger.

"It's okay. The school is just about to be closed. I've left a bedroom for you. You can move there when the time comes. I'm afraid it won't freeze to death here in the winter."

……

Cixi's health was deteriorating, but she was still able to handle government affairs and still had some energy, making it difficult for people to see that she was going to die this year.

At the same time, Guangxu, a sick man, was not in good health either.

Cixi asked Chinese doctors and Western doctors to consult Guangxu separately, and the final conclusion was that he had kidney disease.

But the doctors said it was nothing serious.

At this time, some people are proud of the spring breeze, while others are anxious all day long.

This person is Yuan Xiangcheng.

A few days ago, the imperial censor Jiang Chunlin, who is known as an upright censor, impeached Yuan Xiangcheng, saying that when he celebrated his fiftieth birthday last month, he formed a clique for personal gain, had evil intentions, and was a threat to the imperial court.

Cixi and Guangxu didn't take it seriously.

But Yuan Xiangcheng noticed something was wrong.

Jiang Chunlin is a mad dog. Prince Qing, Yuan Xiangcheng, Xu Shichang and Sun Baoqi have all been impeached by him.

But recently, Yuan Xiangcheng has been impeached too frequently.

In the court, even a small unusual thing is a sign.

In addition, both Cixi and Guangxu were not in good health, so Yuan Xiangcheng felt that Aixinjueluo Zaifeng might be targeting him.

He has always been on good terms with the great powers, especially the ministers of Britain and the United States.

Even though they are foreigners, sometimes when they stand up and say something, they are very powerful and can even influence the court's policies.

However, one of them, the British Minister Plenipotentiary to China, Zhu Erdian, was killed in the capital in full view of Zhao Chuanxin and under the heavy protection of his bodyguards.

When a person dies, all debts are wiped out, and past friendships are useless.

The steward and confidant Yuan Naikuan said to Yuan Xiangcheng: "We must prepare as early as possible, and we cannot sit back and wait for death."

Yuan Xiangcheng sat in a chair in a daze: "How to prepare? If something goes wrong, flee to the apartment in Tianjin Wei Concession?"

"Actually, there is a way out."

Yuan Xiangcheng's eyes became more alert and he turned to look at Yuan Naikuan: "What's the way out?"

"Lubin Mansion."

"..." Yuan Xiangcheng laughed dumbly: "That will completely lose the hearts of the people."

It offended the princes in the DPRK and also offended the foreigners.

He wouldn't be that stupid.

But then I thought about it, if things get to the point of no return and he must die, other than fleeing abroad, the only option left is to seek asylum from Zhao Chuanxin.

Because he and the young faction of the Manchu nobles tried to reconcile several times, but the other party refused to give up.

He waved his hand: "I heard that Zhao Tangong and the Russians have become sworn enemies. He is unpopular in the local area. He has an enmity with Song Xiaolian, the military commander, and seems to have offended Heilongjiang Governor Zhou Shumo. He has made enemies on all sides, and I'm afraid it won't be long before he is defeated. Leave in despair. As for me, just take it one step at a time."

If Zhao Chuanxin knew that he was working hard to run the Lubin Mansion and it was spread like this outside, he didn't know how he would feel.

Cixi also heard similar statements.

Recently, she has been close to several senior officials in the court, such as Zhang Zhidong, Wenhuadian University Scholar Shixu, and Military and Aircraft Minister Lu Chuanlin.

Cixi asked: "Do you know how Zhao Chuanxin is doing?"

Shixu said: "According to reports reported by Zhou Shumo and Xu Shichang, Zhao Chuanxin was evil to the Russians, and Song Xiaolian did not want to see him when he was preparing for the Hulun army. This man acted perversely, hindered the livelihood of the local people, wantonly disrupted order, and caused public resentment. I heard that he It's...it's hard to imagine that being a parent could be so bad."

Lu Chuanlin said: "Zhou Shumo claimed that Zhao Chuanxin was not familiar with government affairs, and used the Bureau of Official Commodity and Commodity to issue tax invoices and let the Patrol Bureau be responsible for collection and management. The General Tax Bureau was not under the jurisdiction of the Negotiation Bureau, but was managed by the Accounting Office. . Since he took office, he has completely banned the trade of wood and stone between the people and the Russians, and increased the tax on tobacco and alcohol from foreigners. There is no respect for inferiority, no priorities, and confusion between superiors and subordinates. Such actions may lead to catastrophe..."

In the past, wood and stone taxes and fees were managed by the Wood and Stone Company. Later, the Qing government changed the management to the General Administration of Negotiation. The General Administration of Negotiation also had jurisdiction over the General Administration of Wood and Stone Taxes and local branches, which had dedicated personnel to manage taxation and audit matters.

Zhang Shouzeng was clearly sent to establish the Negotiation Bureau, but Zhao Chuanxin found another way and handed this power into the hands of the Bureau of Government and Goods.

The inspection was actually handed over to the patrol police.

Shixu was disdainful and added: "I heard that his accounting office is headed by a foreign woman, and the staff of the Bureau of Government and Commodity mostly use the prompting and writing style requisitioned by local cattle. Those people are only fluent in writing and calligraphy. You can imagine how chaotic government affairs are!”

Lu Chuanlin added fuel to the fire: "The Qiqi-Har Negotiation Bureau said that Zhao Chuanxin prevented the local people's livelihood, stopped fishing, logging, salt mining, and mining, and put an end to it. It is expected that they will exploit it in a big way, and the people will be dissatisfied." . This is a report submitted by the local negotiation branch in person and will not be false."

Shixu added: "The most abominable thing is that Zhao Chuanxin used force to seize the power of taxation, but the taxes were not paid. Public funds for the military and military training must be decentralized with his consent. Lubin Mansion is carrying out large-scale construction projects, but the land reclamation is not confiscated. He was depleted of money, spending money like water and could no longer make ends meet. He also massacred and persecuted Russian citizens. The Russian consul in Hailar, Usadi, had reported to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs many times to protest."

As the two people exchanged words and words, Zhao Chuanxin's reputation was ruined.

Ci Xi felt happy, but her face showed a look of compassion: "Hey, for the sake of the stability of the current situation, the local people have suffered."

Only Zhang Zhidong remained silent.

Cixi glanced at him and asked, "Does Xiaoda have something to say?"

Zhang Zhidong hesitated for a moment and said: "If you say that Zhao Chuanxin is not familiar with government affairs, I think it is true. But he knows how to employ people and has many capable people under his command. Li Ziyu from Ao Island is not well-known. He was originally only a member of Hong Kong Island. A small detective from the British police station, but he manages Macao Island in an orderly manner. He also has a man named Li Guangzong, who is engaged in industry in both Hong Kong Island and the Han-Kou Concession. He knows how to run schools. I heard that Han-Kou student, built the engine of a foreign car. I don’t think he would be so miserable, maybe he has some hidden agenda?”

Because Cixi was concerned and always discussed with him how to deal with Zhao Chuanxin, Zhang Zhidong collected information from all parties and learned about Zhao Chuanxin in detail. So he even remembers the car engine.

The more I read this information, the more frightened I became.

Zhao Chuanxin's behavior seems reckless, but there is a secret hidden in it. For example, Macao Island has a very different and special position. Because it is related to Portugal, it was occupied by Zhao Chuanxin, and the Qing government did not dare to ask for it. Looking at Hong Kong Island, it is still a British territory. Zhao Chuanxin has simply created a country. country; and then Han-kou, Zhao Chuanxin did not expand elsewhere, but chose the concession; in the Jiandao area, the backwater troops who fought with the Japanese every day and the resistance forces in South Korea had thousands of connections with Zhao Chuanxin Inextricably linked.

Zhao Chuanxin's forces all occupied the invader's territory and occupied the great righteousness. The people were happy to see the success and strongly supported it. The surrounding officials also became friends with each other in high spirits. Xu Shichang is the best example. I heard that he and Zhao Chuanxin had a close personal relationship, and Zhang Renjun, the former governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, seemed to have a good relationship with Zhao Chuanxin, simply because Zhao Chuanxin shared their hatred.

He originally thought that the trouble would be diverted to the east, but looking at what Zhao Chuanxin had done in the past few years, Zhang Zhidong felt that it was inappropriate to place Zhao Chuanxin on the Russian-Mongolian border.

Tsarist Russia was so screwed that they deployed their troops along the entire railway north of the Pass, leaving the Qing government helpless. But Zhao Chuanxin forcibly cut off a piece of their flesh. Wouldn't it be the next Xuantian Sect of Hong Kong Island, Aodao, Hankou Concession and Jiandao?

The only difference is that this time Zhao Chuanxin did not get the support of local officials, which made it more difficult.

It seems that Zhao Chuanxin does not have talents like Li Ziyu and Li Guangzong available this time.

But is there really no one available for Zhao Chuanxin?

Cixi didn't like to hear Zhang Zhidong's words.

You see how good Lu Chuanlin and Shi Xu said it, but you have to sing the opposite tune.

I have never heard of any car engine, it is just a trail.

So she immediately lost interest and waved her hand: "That's it for today, let's break up..."

……

Zhang Shouzeng is capable. Although he is still a little awkward at present, he has actually been gradually persuaded by Yao Jia and Zhao Chuanxin and no longer helps the Qing court. He is still kind and naive.

The five-wing general manager assisted in the management of each banner and obeyed Zhao Chuanxin unconditionally.

Rebecca Levi, a foreign woman, used to sell sandwiches in New York. Now she only knows how to keep her head down and work. She is stubborn and has obsessive-compulsive disorder. There is no room for flaws and sloppiness in her work. Accounting and taxation work must always be meticulous. There is no room for any omissions in the dossier.

Yao Jia, who wears the same pants as Zhao Chuanxin, is equally ambitious and even speeds up Zhao Chuanxin's "conquer" of Hailar and the surrounding grasslands. Both Hu Da and Hu Er were once outstanding figures in the army. They are now conscientious, cautious and hardworking.

Even Yang Sangdaxi, apart from being too fond of money, is also very smart and handles things properly. He can understand what Zhao Chuanxin told him once and for all that he did it in an orderly manner.

Yang Sang'a, who writes in writing, may not recognize a basket of words, but at this time, he is about to become a "pentathlon" civil servant.

The others all receive reminders and write notes, and their abilities are somewhat lacking, but they can't help but have a good leader. Practice makes perfect by following the rules. They are busy every day and have no time to think.

It is said that Zhao Chuanxin can't help but treat his enemies. In fact, he is very tolerant of his own people, and all kinds of people can realize their potential under him.

As a result, there has gradually been a tendency to let go of being the shopkeeper. On weekdays, most of them just come up with ideas, help use their abilities to "slip in" in various things, and put a seal on major events.

Help here, deal with it there, it seems inconspicuous, but in fact it speeds up the development of Lubin Mansion.

"These glasses are very expensive. They are the masterpieces of the magistrate's uncanny workmanship. They must not be broken or cut." Yang Sang'a directed the craftsmen to work.

At this time, flat glass could be produced domestically, and the glass produced in the north was mainly centered in Bo-Shanyan-Shenzhen, Shandong.

Transportation is difficult, so the price is high.

In addition, we have to import from foreigners.

If Zhao Chuanxin did not provide glass, he would have to go to Tsarist Russia to buy it.

Zhao Chuanxin is right to consider people's livelihood, but the meat can only rot in the pot. A positive trade balance cannot be achieved, but the balance must be reduced.

He provided the glass.

There are no large floor-to-ceiling windows here. Firstly, the climate is too cold and the heat preservation effect is not good. Secondly, it is inconvenient to open and close the windows and the ventilation is not smooth.

It is necessary to cut the glass and insert the lattice window.

With more people, the construction of bungalows is faster. Several main buildings of the government office have been built, and all that is left is to put up the frame and make the doors and windows.

Zhao Chuanxin is working with the workers on erecting the roof frame.

The frame was to be put up upside down. Zhao Chuanxin stood on the wall on one side and directed, "You go to that end and lift it up first."

After the corner of the triangle on the other side is lifted up and set up, a few people move the frame to this side and put the rope on it.

Zhao Chuanxin shouted: "Get up!"

Then he lifted the rope lightly, leaned over and lifted one side, and used force with the people on the other side. The people below used wooden poles to support the top of the triangle, and straightened the frame into a right triangle.

The people standing on the two beams in the center quickly took off the nails in their mouths and nailed them with tile strips to fix them.

Zhao Chuanxin was very strong, supporting the three of them. He was not only responsible for holding up the frame, but also helping to nail the tiles. Nails and hammers were readily available, and no one knew where he hid them.

Craftsmen from other places looked at them curiously while working. Do you know that you have never seen a prefect who worked hard to build a house?

Zhao Chuanxin had been helping to put up all the frames, and then he jumped and landed as light as a swallow.

There was applause all around.

The prefect is really awesome!

He can fight when he mounts a horse, he can govern the people when he dismounts, he can build houses, and he can raise tall buildings from the ground. He is often seen cooking on the outdoor stove. He occasionally gathers a group of children to teach them how to read, make ice cream and push them around. hoop.

It had not yet completely frozen, so these children were on the smooth rocky ground of the platform over the church, using small whips to crack the ice, and pushing iron hoops on the trodden dirt road next to the construction site. There were squeaking sounds of metal friction everywhere. .

The prefect is simply omnipotent and omniscient.

He doesn't look like a high official at all, but the people and public officials treat him with respect.

Zhang Shouzeng felt a little dazed when he looked at Zhao Chuanxin who was smiling and mingling with the workers.

In just a few months, it is unimaginable that the prefect could do this.

No child dared to laugh at Yao Bing's half-ear, because all their toys were made by Yao Bing's master.

Yao Bing's strength is greater and longer than other children of the same age because he has to practice balancing skills every day.

Children have soft bones and light bodies, so they are actually easier to practice than adults.

He pushed the hoop and ran as fast as he could. He could also talk to others: "My master said that he would make a sledge for me in winter."

"Yao Bing, please make a sledge for us, Lord Magistrate."

Both the iron hoop and the ice are made, and the sledge is not missing either.

"Yes, I want a sledge too."

“What is a sledge?”

Yao Bing dug the iron hook downwards hard, and the iron ring jumped up. After falling, he could still push forward steadily.

He said proudly: "Let's talk about it. My master said that as long as I don't talk about going back to see my grandpa and my milk, he will do whatever I want."

A group of children's eyes were red with envy.

"I don't have to visit my grandparents. Can the prefect make a sledge for me?"

"I can too."

"I can not……"

These children whizzed past Zhang Shouzeng.

Zhang Shouzeng knew that Huang Shifu of Bingbeidao was behind the scenes, and tried his best to slander Zhao Chuanxin, saying that Zhao Chuanxin was rebellious and neglectful of human affairs, causing public resentment to boil.

He also knew what was going on with the letter from the Qiqihar Negotiation Bureau some time ago.

But he didn't say it.

He was a little confused now and couldn't figure out where he stood.

However, is this boiling public resentment?

Is this what people call a miserable life?

The herdsmen have ample pasture, the workers have jobs, the morale of the army is high, and the Lubin government officials are loyal to their duties and work hard without complaint. Is this called unreasonable government affairs?

Zhang Shouzeng shook his head.

He went to find Zhao Chuanxin who was washing his face.

After Zhao Chuanxin wiped his face and the water stains dried, he raised his head and asked, "What's the matter?"

Zhang Shouzeng hesitantly said: "Well, elsewhere there is the Negotiation Bureau and the General Administration of Mushi Tax and Fees, which is the old branch office. Although it is an accounting office now, I heard that the Russian tariff will be set up, and there is a shortage of manpower. I know that the prefect is not willing Resources such as wood and stone gave Tsarist Russia an advantage, but processed products were different. Wood could be used to make furniture and could still be exported. In addition, imported goods such as tobacco and alcohol, and bulk goods from south to north were transported by rail, and merchants were unable to bargain with the China Eastern Railway Bureau. , if the commercial tax valuation, guidance on the import and export of materials and goods, and the negotiation with the China Eastern Railway are all handled by the Negotiation Bureau, it will also relieve the shortage of manpower in the General Office of Levi and the General Office of Yao."

Zhao Chuanxin dipped his hair in water and wiped it to straighten out his unkempt hair that had not been cut for a long time. He acted on purpose and said, "Your butt is always crooked, which really makes me afraid to trust you."

Others' words of embarrassment were tactful, but Zhao Chuanxin's troubled expression coupled with his ruthless words was completely inconsistent.

"..." Zhang Shouzeng was so idle that he almost got maggots. The people under him had nothing to do. They couldn't listen to the complaints and protests from the people in the Tsarist Russian Consulate every day, right? He smiled bitterly and said: "Master Magistrate, maybe I don't agree with some of your actions, but you should believe in my determination to do things and do things well."

"You have to do this on your own, I didn't force you, right?" Zhao Chuanxin lit up his cigarette and asked him with a bared teeth smile.

"Yes." Whenever Zhao Chuanxin showed this expression, Zhang Shouzeng felt like he was being cheated, but he could only answer bravely.

"Okay, let's start with the ugly talk. I can hold you responsible, but if you go against the rules and go so far as to steal everything and secretly follow the music of those who are against me, then I won't let you go."

Yao Jia and Rebecca Levi are indeed short-staffed, and Zhang Shouzeng and the people in his department are indeed very idle.

What Zhang Shouzeng said was actually very important. Zhao Chuanxin felt that this old boy was proficient in Russian and familiar with all kinds of government affairs, so it was a pity not to use him.

Zhang Shouzeng was startled, then suddenly lowered his head and said, "I can do it. Besides, I know what happened to the call from the Qiqihar Negotiation Bureau some time ago."

That thing can be big or small.

Zhao Chuanxin thought it was related to Zhu Laoba and the others, but later found out it was not.

This is not a big deal, but in this small world, there are always a few flies who want to hit the wall and do not bite people.

He asked: "What's going on?"

Zhang Shouzeng said: "It was Huang Shifu from the Bureau of Reclamation. The negotiation branch he contacted made up two names. He also slandered the prefect, saying that the prefect was ignorant and incompetent and had no knowledge of government affairs, making the people of Hailar area miserable..."

Zhao Chuanxin: "..."

(End of this chapter)