Tuqing: My first love was Cixi

Chapter 159 Zeng Guofan worships! Conquers the British Prince!

(It was reviewed again, I went to find the editor)

After hearing Shen Baozhen's words, Su Yi couldn't help but be slightly shocked.

Because Shen Baoer is slightly different after all.

After weighing the two, Su Yi said: "Of course I don't have a problem, but the key is my daughter. Is she willing? Have I wronged her?"

Shen Baozhen said: "There used to be fate but fate played a trick on people. Now it has gone back and forth, which is a good thing."

For some reason, Su Yi somehow thought of Xu Jie marrying his granddaughter to Yan Song's grandson as a concubine.

But quickly put this ridiculous feeling behind, the two things are not the same after all. Moreover, the fact that Xu Jie married his granddaughter was also written in Ming Dynasty's notes, which may not be true.

Su Yi said: "Okay, I will immediately ask my sister-in-law to handle the relevant etiquette and try to give my daughter a complete and decent etiquette."

Then, Su Yi said: "Mr. Youdan, the population of Jiujiang City will become larger and larger, and management will become more and more difficult. You are a great talent in internal affairs. Next, all internal affairs in Jiujiang will be dealt with, including fighting with the Hunan Army." I’ll leave all the trouble to you for the handover.”

Shen Baozhen bowed and said, "I have my wish, but I don't dare to ask for your ear."

This person's internal affairs abilities are absolutely top-notch, and Su Yi really needs him now.

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Next, Su Yi found her sister-in-law Bai Feifei.

She had just arrived in Jiujiang and had just showered and changed clothes.

Hearing Su Yi's words, Bai Feifei couldn't help being shocked and said, "You want to take Miss Shen as your concubine?"

Su Yi said: "Yes."

It took a long time for her to accept and digest the news.

Bai Feifei couldn't help but sigh, it was fate that played a trick on people, and then said: "Okay, I'll do it immediately. It's just that there are no people with enough weight in Jiujiang City to act as matchmakers. After thinking about it for a while, I have to find someone with a high enough status and official position. . Being a concubine is already a bit aggrieved, so all aspects of etiquette must be more in place."

Next, Bai Feifei went out directly.

She also has many things going on, and she can't stop for a moment.

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Hong Renli found Su Yi.

"You need a woman?" she asked bluntly.

Then, she corrected: "I mean, you need a lot of women, hundreds of thousands?"

Su Yi said: "Yes."

Hong Renli said: "What do you need them for?"

Su Yi said: "Both the two factories I run need a large number of women."

Hong Renli said: "This is difficult."

It is indeed difficult, because the current trend is for women to stay in the factory. It is still difficult for women to enter factories.

Because of the current war, many women have lost their families, their land, and are left alone.

There are many in Hubei and Jiangxi.

Therefore, Su Yi asked the Hunan Army to do this and send a large number of women over.

First, because women do many jobs better than men, or even much better.

Secondly, give these miserable women a good way to survive.

There are still many single young adults on Su Yi's side. After many women come, they can start a family.

Hong Renli said: "Actually, there are some women who are the most suitable. They are highly obedient and disciplined. They are also fierce and quick in doing things."

Of course Su Yi knew that it was the female camp of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.

The perverted policy of the Kingdom of Heaven is that men and women are separated into separate camps, and even husband and wife cannot live together.

Therefore, the women of the Taiping Rebellion had a very rich collective life experience.

However, most of these female camps are in Tianjing, so it should be difficult to get them here.

Hong Renli said: "These sisters in the female camp are actually living a very hard life, and many of them want to escape from Tianjing. How about we think of a way, whether it is a trade or something else, to exchange them?"

She also has her own selfish motives and cannot bear to see the sisters in the female camp continue to live in that twisted environment and wants to save them.

Su Yi said: "Hong Xiuquan has a terrible possessive desire for women. It is difficult for him to let these poor women go."

Hong Renli said: "It is not necessary to go through Hong Xiuquan. He actually doesn't care about many things. Just negotiate with the people below. The key is what are we willing to pay? They don't lack gold and silver, they even have a lot. But they lack food. , we still lack weapons, are you willing to use food or even some weapons in exchange?"

Food and weapons were both precious to Su Yi.

However, he purchased an astonishing amount of food during this period.

Once a full-scale war breaks out, food prices will definitely rise, and they will skyrocket.

However, Su Yi had never thought about reselling the grain. He was well prepared for this to ensure the entire Jiujiang's grain reserves in the next few years.

Although he occupied a lot of land, only part of it was used to grow food, and the rest was used to grow cash crops as raw materials for factories.

Moreover, his farmland cultivation is not enough.

Therefore, he also needs to go to other provinces to purchase a large amount of raw materials.

The talks between the Governor of Liangjiang and the Chief Secretary of Jiangsu were good, but not very smooth.

Su Yi needs a lot of silkworm cocoons and a lot of cotton.

But there are a lot of cotton spinning and silk spinning in Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang.

The Qing court also had three major weaving bureaus in Jiangnan. After Nanjing was occupied, Hangzhou Weaving and Suzhou Weaving still held a considerable share of power.

It can be said that the textile industry is the prototype of the entire Jiangnan industry.

The interests here are so intertwined that even if Su Yi and Wang Youling have a certain relationship, it doesn't matter. It is difficult for outsiders to break an already stable chain of interests.

Therefore, Su Yi's negotiations with He Guiqing and Wang Youling were not considered successful.

Even, they were not optimistic about the factory run by Su Yi.

Because the entire Jiangnan textile industry has become extremely rich and fully competitive.

Su Yi rushed in at this time, it was already too late.

But they didn't know that the weaving factory Su Yi was going to build was a giant.

Although the workshops in Jiangnan are numerous and strong enough.

But in front of Su Yi's giant factory, he was completely vulnerable. Just like a small sampan versus a battleship.

This was also the case in history. After the market of the Qing Dynasty was completely opened to foreigners, the domestic textile industry retreated steadily and went bankrupt on a large scale.

Not to mention the Western powers, they were finally beaten to the ground by Japan's textile industry.

Silk and cloth, which were once China's export advantages, and Chinese cloth, which was once popular in the Western world, gradually disappeared. Instead, the Chinese market became a dumping ground for cotton textiles by Western powers.

China is different from Japan. The market is too big, so foreigners are coveting it, and their attacks on the Chinese market are particularly fierce.

Therefore, it does not matter that Japan is a little late in developing the textile industry.

But for Su Yi, the sooner the better.

Even in Su Yi's idea, if the domestic market was too competitive and too saturated, he would even have to unite with the British army to open up the Japanese market.

Not only did it completely kill Japan's textile industry, but it also completely turned it into a dumping ground.

In the most important Jiangnan, Su Yi didn't get what she wanted.

Therefore, Su Yi still has to go to Hubei and talk to Zeng Guofan. Because Hubei was another major cotton-growing province in the Qing Dynasty, Hankou Town was also one of the major cotton distribution centers of the Qing Dynasty.

Moreover, after years of war, order has been restored to a certain extent in Hubei, and the original chain of interests has been completely broken.

Sometimes I am really helpless. I had a life-and-death fight with the Hunan Army before, but now I have to find someone to cooperate with me.

However, the Hunan Army should be happy.

No one can have trouble with money.

Nowadays, there should be no bigger buyer than Su Yi in the entire country.

In fact, the cotton is not mature yet, and even more exaggeratedly, the cotton has not been planted in some places, so Su Yi needs to take people to purchase it.

These things will be left to Hu Xueyan, Bai Yan, Bai Feifei and others to do next.

But the key negotiations still need to be carried out by Su Yi.

Back to the topic of women.

For Su Yi, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom's female camp was indeed the perfect choice for female workers.

Hong Renli said: "Tell me, are you willing to give up food and even weapons in exchange for these poor women?"

Su Yi thought for a while.

Su Yi was also very lacking in weapons.

However, there is indeed a batch of weapons that are due to be replaced. Because these rifles have a service life, once the service life is exceeded, the rifling is smoothed, and the lethality of the gun will be greatly reduced.

The guns of Su Yi's new army are used very frequently. They use them desperately during battles and training.

Su Yi said: "Okay, you go and talk. I can exchange food and weapons for those women's camps in Tianjing!"

"That's great..." Hong Renli rushed up, sat on Su Yi's lap, and kissed him hard.

Su Yi asked: "Are you healed?"

Hong Renli said in a magnetic voice: "Okay."

"Then shall I enter?"

Hong Renli said hoarsely: "Come here."

This time Hong Renli was gentler and more passive.

Because her figure is so good and her coordination is very high, it not only increases her attack speed and critical hit, but also reduces her durability.

The key is, in the surging moment.

The door to the room was suddenly opened.

"Mother, mother, look, what did I find?" Lin Chang'er rushed in, happily showing off what she had in her hands.

Then, she looked at the two of them blankly.

Then, she desperately covered her eyes and said, "Oh my god, I'm going to be blind again."

However, the little girl covered her eyes and spread her fingers to look secretly.

Because seeing this scene in front of her really had a huge impact on her.

Mom, are you crying?

Su Yi is too ugly and scary.

Pound like this.

Well, that mother must die in pain.

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next day!

Su Yi brought Hu Xueyan to Wuchang.

"Lord Su Yi, we agree to the deal you proposed last time." Zeng Guofan said.

There is no need for the two parties to sign a contract, just verbally will suffice.

In Su Yi's opinion, this was a very good deal.

For Zeng Guofan and Hu Linyi, this is a more cost-effective deal.

Both parties felt that they had made a lot of money.

In the eyes of Zeng Guofan and Hu Xueyan, what is more important than political power and military power?

The Hunan Army got the entire Jiangxi except Jiujiang as they wished.

Su Yi said: "Okay, then let's talk about our second cooperation."

Zeng Guofan was slightly shocked.

Second cooperation?

What other collaborations are there?

Su Yi said: "I looked along the way and found that all the cotton in Hubei has been planted. It will be harvested in more than two months. It is growing well this year. How is the planting area this year compared to previous years?"

Zeng Guofan said: "After the war, it was difficult to recuperate, so the planting area was only about half of what it was during its heyday."

Su Yi said: "Then I will harvest all the cotton in your province this year."

For a moment, Zeng Guofan and Hu Linyi were completely stunned.

You want them all?

Do you know how much this costs?

Your Su Yi factory hasn't even been set up yet, so you're in a hurry to purchase cotton?

Su Yi had to be anxious.

Because within two and a half years, his Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone will definitely see fruitful results.

It was not because of the pressure to share money with the British side in the secret agreement.

Rather, he needs to use this result to convince the British royal family to continue pursuing another Sino-British diplomatic route.

It needs to be proved by sufficiently large interests that the interests of cooperation between China and Britain are greater than the interests of war.

At the critical moment, Su Yi needed to use huge economic and political interests to prove the superiority of another diplomatic route.

Two and a half years later, it is a critical node.

The gains from Su Yi's route were to suppress the gains from the British war route for the first time.

In this way, he can turn the tide at the most critical moment. Otherwise, wait slowly for the secret contract to be signed, then invest in building the factory, then transport the machinery, and then purchase raw materials?

I don't know how many years it will take.

Time waits for no one, Su Yi needs to combine several steps into one.

There are a lot of immigrants and a lot of training here.

Raw materials are purchased in large quantities here.

And after the Hunan Army organizes a large number of immigrants, they will start building factories.

Everything is accelerating.

We must let factories wait for machines and workers wait for machines, not the other way around.

Zeng Guofan was silent for a while and said: "Master Su Yi, first of all, I apologize for my previous prejudice against you."

Now he really fully understood what Su Yi said. I have never regarded the Hunan Army as an enemy.

Zeng Guofan continued: "Generally speaking, after our cotton is planted in Hubei, weaving merchants from the south of the Yangtze River will come to negotiate. In fact, they have already come to negotiate. Of course, they are very scattered, and many of them negotiate with large landowners. . Pay a part of the deposit first, then wait until maturity, negotiate a price, and finally pay all the funds when the acquisition is completed."

"In business, if you want to acquire, it means that we have to completely eliminate those businessmen from Jiangnan. He is our God of Wealth and will make us sin against the businessmen from Jiangnan."

"Secondly, if I agree to you, you will have to pay a large amount of deposit now. If I am not wrong, you have already spent a lot of money."

Su Yi had two million silver on hand, plus a one million pound loan, which added up to more than five million taels.

A lot has indeed been used.

Su Yi said: "In business, since I want to purchase, I will naturally follow the going price and pay a deposit. And I have a huge advantage over those merchants, as my purchase volume is huge."

Zeng Guofan was silent for a while and said: "Sir Su Yi, let me say one more thing. What if your relationship in London fails? Your factory will probably not be able to open. By then, all your astronomical investments will have to be paid off." Of flowing water.”

"There are no secrets in this world, because we just made a large-scale transaction with the British in Shanghai not long ago. In the entire upper level of the Shanghai Consulate, you have become a crazy adventurer, the craziest adventurer in the Far East in history. , they call you...Don something."

Su Yi said: "Don Quixote."

Zeng Guofan said: "Yes, the entire Shanghai Consulate's senior management is very unfavorable about the success of your relationship in London. They all think that your crazy adventure will fail, and they will see a classic case of business and political failure."

"You should also know that Wade and Sir Henry originally had a better relationship with you and ignored us." Zeng Guofan continued: "But now, he has become enthusiastic with us recently and resumed many transactions with us. A big arms deal. Because they are not optimistic about your risk-taking and your success in London, they choose to stay away from you as a source of risk."

There is another core reason. The newly appointed British minister, Count Elgin, the supreme commander of the Far East, does not like Su Yi.

He was even hostile to Su Yi.

Therefore, all the senior officials of the British Empire in the Qing Dynasty followed Count Elgin's baton and chose to ignore Su Yi.

Including Su Yi's former friend Witoma and Sir Henry.

Of course, although Count Elgin was hostile, he disdained to regard Su Yi as a political opponent. He also did not think that Su Yi's so-called other Sino-British diplomatic route might be launched.

He felt that Bao Ling and Ba Xiali's actions in London were bound to fail.

Zeng Guofan said: "Master Su Yi, I originally thought that what I did was crazy enough. But compared with you today, it pales into insignificance. Although I don't understand your actions, I was greatly touched."

More than a huge touch?

Even Zeng Guofan admired him very much in his heart.

He, Zeng Guofan, had offended the entire Hunan officialdom in order to train troops. He went forward without any regard for the consequences, and he felt that he was cruel enough.

But he really couldn't imagine Su Yi's grand gesture.

A mere governor of China dares to manipulate the diplomatic line of the world's most powerful country.

Zeng Guofan said: "Master Su Yi, you have paid so much, but have you ever thought about the consequences of failure?"

Su Yi shook his head and said, "No, it's just burning the boat."

Zeng Guofan said: "At that time, I was training in Hunan. When a mutiny broke out and they were chasing me, I thought about giving up. But if I had given up, I would not be where I am today. Of course, if I gave up then, I could still be a rich man. And if Mr. Su Yi gives up, he will be doomed."

Then, Zeng Guofan said: "Your proposal is very important, related to the future relationship between the Hunan Army and the Jiangnan Consortium. We need to discuss it, but it will be soon."

Then, Zeng Guofan suddenly said: "Sir Su Yi, for the large amount of cotton raw materials, can you find a replacement place of origin?"

Jiangnan and Hubei are major cotton growing areas.

Jiangxi is full of wars this year and there is no planting at all.

Jiangsu, Zhejiang is the headquarters of the Jiangnan Consortium, and Su Yi can't get involved at all.

There was also transportation to consider, so Hubei was almost Su Yi’s only choice.

Su Yi said: "There is no replacement, Hubei is the only choice."

This is not a secret. Even if Su Yi doesn't tell it, Zeng Guofan also knows it.

"Okay, I understand." Zeng Guofan said: "I will go to Changsha immediately, and we will give you the answer within five days."

Of course he wanted to discuss with Luo Bingzhang and Zuo Zongtang.

"In terms of business, Mr. Su Yi, although your actions are of great importance, even related to the fate of our Qing Dynasty, we will not give in to the benefits we deserve. The price and payment method cannot be lower than those of the Jiangnan Consortium. ." Zeng Guofan emphasized.

Su Yi said: "That's natural, I'll wait for the good news!"

"Mr. Di, I say goodbye, junior!"

Zeng Guofan said: "I will send it to you."

Next, Zeng Guofan personally sent Su Yi directly out of the governor's office and even directly to the Yangtze River Wharf.

Zeng Guofan was extremely arrogant, and this was a rare courtesy for him.

Before boarding the ship, Zeng Guofan couldn't help but ask: "Master Su Yi, are you going back to Jiujiang?"

Su Yi said: "Go to Sichuan, go to Yunnan."

Zeng Guofan asked: "Is Sichuan important? Or Yunnan?"

Su Yi said: "Yunnan is important."

Zeng Guofan said: "I have no friendship with Sang Chunrong, the governor of Yunnan, or Wu Zhenpeng, the governor of Yunnan and Guizhou. But Zhang Liangji, the inspector, is an old friend of mine. I will write a letter and ask Mr. Su to deliver it to me."

Su Yi immediately bowed and said, "Thank you so much, Mr. Zeng."

Sang Chunrong and Zeng Guofan were not only strangers, they would even be political enemies in the future. In the future, this person would preside over the case between Yang Naiwu and Xiao Baicai, and he would become Cixi's sword, stabbing the forces of the Hunan Army in the south of the Yangtze River.

Zhang Liangji once served as the governor of Hunan and had a deep relationship with Zeng Guofan. Although there were some back and forth in the process, this person can be called Zeng Guofan's benefactor. It's just that this man recently memorized characters and was demoted to Yunnan, and his official rank was demoted several levels.

But he will rise soon, and he will become the governor of Yunnan and Guizhou in a few years.

Zeng Guofan soon wrote a letter and gave it to Su Yi.

Su Yi thanked him again, then boarded the boat and left.

Zeng Guofan stood on the shore and watched Su Yi's boat leave.

Hu Linyi came over and said, "Sir, why are you helping him?"

Zeng Guofan said: "He is doing something huge, related to the fate of the country. He is putting all his efforts into it. Our past grudges and grudges will be nothing at all."

Hu Linyi said: "Can he make it?"

Zeng Guofan shook his head and said: "It probably won't work. Everyone in the Shanghai Consulate said that this is a crazy and childish adventure. Facing the British Parliament, facing the power of Count Elgin, Su Yi and his few British allies, It’s too weak.”

"But even if it fails, it is still a vigorous act of saving the country and will go down in history in the future."

Hu Linyi said: "Does the imperial court know?"

Zeng Guofan sneered disdainfully: "They know nothing."

The court still knew nothing about many things and was still immersed in its huge diplomatic victory.

Zeng Guofan even developed a tacit understanding with the British Consulate in Shanghai.

Not only is this the case now, but this situation will happen again and again in the next few decades.

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London, England, Buckingham Palace, Room 1844.

Sir Basharley and Lord Bowring sat quietly, waiting for the arrival of Prince Albert.

No words can describe their nervousness.

By now, they have spent too much, most of their savings, and all of their political future.

This meeting with Prince Albert directly determined his political destiny, and even his life destiny.

Once they fail, they will no longer be able to become rich because they have even mortgaged the gold mine in Malay.

Even Bao Ling and Ba Xiali didn't know how they had become such political gamblers.

I bet little by little, but in the end I found that I had made a desperate move, and there was no room for recovery, so I could only go one way to the end.

But as long as they think of Su Yi, they will feel that this is nothing.

Compared to Su Yi's investment, what do they mean?

Su Yi was the real one who risked his own life and the fate of the Qing Dynasty.

Bao Ling looked at his pocket watch over and over again, even every minute, and kept drinking water.

Sir Basiali chose to close his eyes and rest his mind, reviewing it over and over again in his mind. He had already become familiar with what he was going to say next, even though it was almost entirely a diplomatic strategy written by Su Yi.

But he was still disturbed by Bao Ling's actions.

"Sir Baoling, there is a clock in front of you. You don't have to take out your pocket watch again and again. The sound of opening it is too harsh." Bashar said politely: "In addition, the prince is very punctual. You'd better not drink too much." Plenty of water, otherwise the next trip to the bathroom will interrupt our rhythm."

Next, he couldn't help but reach out and touch a box next to him.

This was a gift that Su Yi asked him to bring to London after traveling thousands of miles to give to Prince Albert.

He also said that this gift is a trump card that will bring a huge touch to Prince Albert and greatly increase the probability of success.

12:58 PM!

Several officers entered and inspected the entire interior.

"His Royal Highness is here!"

Suddenly, Bao Ling and Sir Basialli stood up suddenly.

After a while, Prince Albert entered the room.

"Good afternoon, gentlemen!"

"Good afternoon, Your Royal Highness, please convey our infinite respect to Her Majesty the Queen."

Prince Albert smiled gently and said: "Don't be nervous. I canceled all the schedule this afternoon, so we have a full half day. If it is not enough, we can continue in the evening."

"First of all, I want to thank you and Sir Su Yi who is thousands of miles away. The medicine he gave me is very magical and very effective!"

"However, personal friendship cannot override national interests, so I need something more convincing."

Sir Basari said: "Your Highness, first of all, let's get straight to the point. Do you agree that the future of this world is technology and industry?"

Prince Albert said: "Yes, this is precisely my biggest worry. Beautiful flowers cannot grow in the desert, and the Qing Dynasty is a decayed, ancient desert. Flowers of technology and industry cannot grow in that decayed desert." The country really can’t see the hope of technology.”

Sir Basialli said: "The items in this box were assembled and manufactured by Sir Su Yi himself. It is a gift to you. It perfectly interprets the light of technology and industry."

"Can I take it out now and show it to you?"

Albert was suddenly full of expectations. He was someone who had hosted the World Expo. What new thing hadn't he seen before? What advanced technology have you not seen before?

The Qing knight thousands of miles away is still trying to conquer him with technology?

Basial opened the box and took out a box with a large speaker on it.

Then he began to twist the spring.

After tightening the spring, he took out a disk and placed it on it.

This disc is a purely natural product, the resin secreted by the lac bug. Su Ye successively used many different materials, including paper shells, wax, etc.

In the end, we took a historical shortcut and sent people to Guangdong and Guangxi to collect a large amount of lac insect secretions.

This disc is the most technological and difficult part of this device.

The rest can be made by future generations of high school students as long as they know the principles.

phonograph!

A gift that Su Yi used to conquer and shock Prince Albert.

Su Yi, under the guidance of the most detailed drawings, used dozens of craftsmen to create the world's first phonograph.

Because it stands on the shoulders of historical giants, this phonograph is many years earlier than Edison, and it is also much more advanced than Edison's one.

After Basiali finished twisting the clockwork, he directly pressed the button.

Then... the whole person held his breath, waiting for a miracle to happen.

Prince Albert also stared in anticipation.

The scene that happened next made him completely open his eyes and feel an unprecedented shock.

Because, from the speaker of this machine, Su Yi's voice actually came out.

Very standard English.

"Dear Prince Albert, I am Marquis Su Yi from China. I would like to extend my high respect and sincere greetings to you!"

It wasn't just Prince Albert who was stunned.

Next to him, Sir Baoling and the prince's entourage were also completely stunned.

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Note: The second update is here, and the update is still 15,000 today.

My benefactor, do you still have monthly passes in your pocket? Give pastries? I kowtow to you.

(End of this chapter)