Tuqing: My first love was Cixi

Chapter 214 A fatal blow to the imperial court! Too poisonous!
Xu Youren is in the Yangtze River Fleet?

Even if you have a hundred courages, you don't dare to arrest people.

However, these eunuchs who have lived in the capital for a long time do not know much about the local situation. In their hearts, the imperial power is still supreme, and their majestic posture cannot be defeated. They suddenly said in a cold voice: "Then why don't you send someone to the Yangtze River to inform him? Is it possible? Do you want to resist?"

Behind him, four palace guards and dozens of soldiers took a sudden step forward.

In particular, the four guards in yellow jackets held the handles of their swords in an intimidating manner.

Mrs. Xu Youren said: "We are all very busy and can't send anyone to inform. Otherwise, you can take me, a womanly person, and report it to the court."

The imperial envoy eunuch said: "Don't think that our family dare not, you may have committed a serious crime that will wipe out the whole family."

In his mind, who would dare to disobey as long as he has the holy decree?
As a result, he was contradicted again and again, and she was still a woman. He suddenly became angry and immediately ordered to take down the woman in front of him.

The result, the next second.

Dozens of figures appeared silently, raising their black muzzles towards them.

The imperial eunuch suddenly felt a chill running down his back and said tremblingly: "You guys, are you going to rebel? Are you rebelling?"

rebel? !
What a big joke.

Don’t you know how complicated the composition of the Qing army in Jiangnan is now?
How many of them are from the Salt Gang, the Tiandihui, or even the White Lotus Sect?
The leading man waved his hand suddenly.

"Bang bang bang bang..."

There were bursts of dense sounds.

Suddenly, the leading eunuch wailed and quickly fell to the ground.

The people behind him also quickly fell to the ground, motionless.

It turned out that no one was setting off guns at all. There was a burst of laughter from children outside. They were setting off firecrackers just now.

Mrs. Xu Youren said slowly: "Let's go, you can go!"

The eunuch who delivered the order turned green and red for a while, got up in embarrassment, and said with a stern face: "If you rebel, if you rebel, I must report it to the emperor and the court. I will never spare you."

Then, he led the team and left in a hurry, feeling extremely embarrassed.

........................

Xu Youren said when he was in Shanghai that even if he was dismissed from the post of governor of Jiangsu by the court, it would not delay him from becoming the leader of the Seven Southern Provinces Alliance.

Therefore, the key to capturing Xu Youren is not the imperial edict, but Jiangsu's military power.

To be precise, it is Zhang Guoliang and Feng Zicai.

Therefore, the person who went to declare the decree to Xu Youren was an eunuch, but the person who came to bribe Zhang Guoliang and Feng Zicai was a real official of the court.

According to history, Zhao Dezhe, the former governor of Jiangsu, was already the governor of Liangjiang at this time. However, the world has changed. At this time, he had gone to Beijing to become the Han Minister of the Ministry of War.

This is also thanks to Wang Youling. When Huai'an fell, Jiangsu Chief Minister Wang Youling proactively sent troops to rescue him, while Zhao Dezhe was more passive. The court was very dissatisfied, and his career was also frustrated. As a result, after Wang Youling joined the Seven Southern Provinces Alliance, Zhao Dezhe was also promoted.

The reason why he was asked to lobby Zhang Guoliang and Feng Zicai was because he was once their immediate boss.

"Your Majesty, you followed Xiang Rong at first, and then He Chun. You have made great achievements in battle." Zhao Dezhe said: "The emperor also talked about you and Nan Qian many times in the court, saying that you two are both mine. The pillars of the imperial court. It’s even said that Jiangnan camp can be without Xiang Rong and He Chun, but it can’t be without you two.”

Zhao Dezhe felt that there should be no problem with this errand.

Jiangnan Camp has always had nothing to do with Su Yi and always obeys the court.

"Xu Youren is making a lot of noise there, and the court is very angry." Zhao Dezhe said: "But the emperor knows that Xu Youren is Xu Youren, and you are you. Even if he makes nonsense again, you two are still loyal ministers."

"When I came, the emperor himself said that as long as Jiangsu has Zhang Guoliang and Feng Zicai, there will be no chaos."

After hearing these words, Zhang Guoliang and Feng Zicai sat quietly and motionless, appearing very respectful.

"Next, the court will remove Xu Youren, and there may be a little trouble. At this time, you two have to hold up the situation. You can make trouble, but you can't make a big one. You must stabilize the situation and ensure that after the new governor comes, everything will be stable. Transition." Zhao Dezhe said: "By the way, you fought well in the last battle in Changzhou. The court will discuss granting you knighthoods. The minister will probably be a viscount, and Nan Qian will be a baron."

The two remained silent.

Zhao Dezhe said: "In my opinion, this is not enough. As long as we get through this situation smoothly, I think Zhang Dianchen should be granted the title of Prince Shaobao."

At this time, Zhang Guoliang and Feng Zicai only felt sad and felt that they had been slighted.

Even at this time, the court was not willing to make great efforts to bribe the two of them.

A viscount, a baron, or a prince, all of them paid lip service but didn't show up.

Zhang Guoliang and Feng Zicai were indeed looked down upon by the court. And all along, whether following Xiang Rong or He Chun, they have been very obedient, and they have lost more and won less.

Zhao Dezhe said: "The imperial court sent an envoy to announce the decree to Xu Youren, but he was pointed at gunpoint. Is this how brave Xu Youren is? The emperor has an order to escort Xu Youren to Beijing. At this time, he is on the Yangtze River. General, how about you lead your troops and follow this imperial envoy?"

Zhang Guoliang said: "Master Zhao, are you asking us to lead troops to capture Xu Youren?"

Zhao Dezhe said: "To capture Xu Youren, three or two guards are enough. The key is that the court gives you two a chance to be loyal to the emperor."

Zhang Guoliang was silent for a while and said: "No!"

As soon as these words came out, Zhao Dezhe was stunned.

Feng Zicai was also standing by and said, "No."

Zhao Dezhe couldn't believe his ears and said, "You guys, will you say it again?"

Zhang Guoliang repeated again: "No."

Zhao Dezhe's expression changed and he said, "Are you two going to rebel? Are you going to resist the decree?"

Zhang Guoliang and Feng Zicai remained silent because there was no point in arguing.

Furthermore, these two people were from rebel backgrounds. They were both former generals of the Tiandihui. They both participated in the anti-Qing uprising with great vigor, but were only recruited by the Qing court.

Zhao Dezhe said in a cold voice: "Zhang Guoliang, Feng Zicai, the imperial court has been extremely kind to you, right? Where did your high-ranking officials and generous salaries come from?"

Zhang Guoliang said slowly: "Mr. Zhao, most of the food and wages for the army led by the two of us were squeezed out by the people of Jiangsu who tightened their belts, and were not allocated by the imperial court."

Zhao Dezhe suddenly became speechless.

Most of the food and wages in Jiangbei Daying depended on salt merchants in Jiangbei.

The food and salary of Jiangnan Daying apparently depended on Fujian, Zhejiang and Jiangsu, but in fact the bulk of it came from Suzhou and Shanghai.

Moreover, they often defaulted on food and wages, and mutinies broke out many times.

Zhang Guoliang said slowly: "Mr. Zhao, you were once the governor of Jiangsu. Don't you know? The army will listen to whose food it eats?"

Zhao Dezhe said angrily: "Then he didn't eat Xu Youren's food."

Zhang Guoliang said: "You may not know something. The Jiangnan camp was defeated repeatedly in the past and retreated all the way. Less than half of the army was left. Military pay has never been paid in full, and it has been in arrears for several months. But in the past year, Military pay is paid in full, and the soldiers can have enough to eat."

Zhao Dezhe said coldly: "Is it Xu Youren who supports you?"

Zhang Guoliang said: "It's the Alliance of Seven Southern Provinces!"

Because the Seven Southern Provinces Alliance is not only a military alliance, but also an economic alliance.

This alliance will certainly not be able to solve the corruption problem on a large scale, but even if it solves a part of it, it will still be very powerful.

Before, there were tax cards, tax bureaus, and suppression of commercial activities everywhere.

Now that there are fewer tax bureaus and the tax system is relatively unified, the total amount of money received has actually decreased, but the cost of corruption has also been reduced a lot.

Su Yi, Tian Yugong, Wang Youling, and Xu Youren took the lead in not making money and using the money they squeezed out.

Naturally, these people will not default on military pay, can keep the army well fed, and have enough training.

In this way, whether it is the Jiangnan camp or the green camp and regiment training troops in Zhejiang, the military strength has been partially improved.

The most important thing is that the salary of almost every officer in the seven-province coalition army in the South is in the Southern Bank.

The major shareholder of Southern Bank is Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone, the chief proprietor is Hu Xueyan, and the minority shareholders are Rishengchang and others.

These tens of thousands of soldiers were paid by Nanfang Bank, and they also saved money at Nanfang Bank.

It means that your wealth and life are in the hands of Su Yi and others, so your court just wants these troops to follow your court?

What kind of big joke are you kidding?

Sit in the well and look at the sky!

What does the army rely on, money and food.

Both of these things are in the hands of Su Yi and others. At the critical moment, do you want to turn the army around with an edict?

What are you daydreaming about?

Zhang Guoliang thought for a while and said: "At that time, during the rebellion, the imperial court couldn't come up with any money, and it didn't want to come up with any money, so it asked the people below to raise their own military pay. Didn't you think that we would be here today?"

Zhao Dezhe said angrily: "What about your official positions? They are always conferred by the imperial court, right?"

Zhang Guoliang said: "If there are no soldiers, where will the officials come from?"

Zhao Dezhe trembled all over and said in a cold voice: "Then do you want to fight the imperial court to the end?"

Zhang Guoliang was silent for a while and said: "You should thank Mr. Su Yi, Mr. Tian Yugong and Mr. Xu Youren. They desperately wanted to maintain their dignity and suppressed many voices. Otherwise, the brothers below may have rebelled earlier."

Feng Zicai said: "Master Zhao, go back and tell the princes in the court. Do you know how many of the southern army are from the Tiandi Hui, the Nian Army, or even the rebels? How many of the ordinary good family members will join the army?"

"You have to be careful, don't screw up."

"Su Yi, Xu Youren, Tian Yugong, and Wang Youling are all loyal ministers of the imperial court, and they will not rebel. But if you go to the army below, how many of them care about the imperial court?"

"If one day, the people below force these adults to rebel, it will start a prairie fire. Then something will happen to Qing Jun. Don't blame me for not warning you."

For a moment, Zhao Dezhe was so angry that he was trembling all over. He pointed at Zhang Guoliang and Feng Zicai and said, "It's a big rebellion and an injustice."

........................

Yangzhou.

After Zhao Dezhe hit a snag with Zhang Guoliang and Feng Zicai, he came to see Jiangbei Camp coach Tuo Ming'a.

This man still verbally obeyed the emperor's will.

The slave obeys the order, long live, long live, long live.

The emperor wants to remove Xu Youren, the governor of Jiangsu, and I will definitely support it.

But, you want me to lead the army to capture Xu Youren? You guys are too flattering to me, Toming.

Tuoming'a was silent for a long time and said: "Mr. Zhao, do you know that the current salary of Jiangbei Camp is only as much as that of the Seven Southern Provinces Alliance? It is less than two-thirds."

"Now the entire Yangtze River channel and even the canal channel are in Su Yi's hands."

"The imperial court asked me to support it, and I definitely support it. I dare not disobey the emperor's will."

"But, you want me to lead the army to help you capture Xu Youren? My army can't enter the Yangtze River at all."

"In fact, the reason why you can travel freely across the Yangtze River and canals is because they did not implement a real blockade."

"Otherwise, you won't be able to reach Yangzhou or cross the Yangtze River at all."

After a long while, Tuo Ming'a said: "Master Zhao, could you please tell the court that I would be relieved of my post as General Jiangning? You can just transfer me back to the capital and hold a casual position."

Zhao Dezhe said: "Is there no one in the entire south who can control Su Yi?"

Tuoming'a said: "Yes, Zeng Guofan of the Hunan Army is more powerful and has more troops."

Zhao Dezhe was speechless.

Zeng Guofan had already made a deal with the court. He got the governorship of Liangjiang and Peng Yulin got the governorship of Hubei in exchange for Zeng Guofan's neutrality.

But you want him to confront Su Yi?

Now the Hunan Army is fighting against Fa Ni in Anqing and cannot be separated at all.

Even if you can separate yourself, can your court give you any leverage?
Zhao Dezhe said: "Apart from this, is there no other way?"

Tomin'a said: "There is another way."

Zhao Dezhe said: "You say."

Tuoming'a said: "The imperial court prepared 20 million taels of silver to buy off all the armies in the four provinces of Jiangxi, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Fujian."

Are you kidding me? Where could the imperial court come up with twenty million taels of silver at once?

Suddenly, Zhao Dezhe understood that the reason why his imperial envoys were able to reach Suzhou and Yangzhou smoothly was because Su Yi deliberately let them pass unimpeded on the Yangtze River waterways and canals.

The purpose is to make the court retreat in the face of difficulties.

..............................

A few days later!

Zhao Dezhe led his team back to the capital along the canal, and first reported some details to Sushun Duhan and others.

It's not that I was disloyal and didn't report it to the emperor first, but that the situation was too bad and I didn't dare to tell the emperor directly.

Sushun, Duanhua, Zaiyuan, Duhan, Kuangyuan and others fell into deep silence after hearing this.

Du Han said: "Actually, when the Seven Southern Provinces Alliance and the Southern Economic Cooperation were established, we should do our best to dismantle them. It was still too late at that time."

At that time, as long as the court was willing to pay a huge price, there was still hope of dismantling it.

But just after its establishment, the Seven Southern Provinces Alliance directly bombarded the imperial court, exposed the Aihui Treaty, exposed the Xiamen Missionary Case, and asked Guiliang and Yishan to be killed.

Directly guiding the rhythm to lose power and humiliate the country, the court was forced to defend.

In order to regain justice, the imperial court did not hesitate to be tough on foreigners and overturned the Tianjin Treaty, which directly led to the Second Battle of Dagukou.

After finally winning the battle, I looked back.

The Seven Southern Provinces Alliance has become a true community of interests.

The coalition forces from several provinces fought several major battles and won them all, establishing a profound friendship on the battlefield.

Not to mention this, the key point is that the armies of these four provinces are paid from the same bank.

The money is in someone else’s hands, how can you still pay it back?

Unless the court spends more money, is this possible?
Zhao Dezhe said: "Su Yi has controlled the Yangtze River waterway and some canal waterways. The reason why we can travel freely this time is entirely the result of their release. He just wants us to investigate clearly and retreat when faced with difficulties. "

Du Han was silent for a long time and said: "In this case, even if Xu Youren is dismissed, it will be useless. As the leader of the alliance, he can still order the army to charge for Su Yi."

Kuang Yuan said: "At this time, unless Zeng Guofan comes forward to compete for the position of alliance leader, it will show the internal strife of the seven southern provinces alliance to the outside world."

This is certainly a good idea, but how is it possible?

Although Zeng Guofan was in the same bed as Su Yi, he was not a fool and served the imperial court in vain.

What other bargaining chips can the court give him? The governor of Liangjiang has reached his peak.

Du Han said: "Now the core has returned to Su Yi. There is no point in attacking Xu Youren. We can only attack Su Yi and the Jiujiang Economic Cooperation Zone."

"Destroy Su Yi, destroy the Jiujiang Economic Cooperation Zone, and everything will be solved."

Everyone knows this, but the purpose of deposing Xu Youren and dismantling the Seven Southern Provinces Alliance is to dismantle the Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone and to destroy Su Yi.

Now I can't even proceed to the first step.

Du Han said: "We can't do it step by step. If we do it step by step, it will be completely late."

"November 11th is Su Yi's investment conference, which is very important to Su Yi."

"We have to think about why Su Yi set the investment conference on this day?" Du Han said: "Because his money is about to run out, and he probably has to answer to the foreign shareholders. The foreigners have paid such a huge cost and have invested for two or three years. We must see benefits.”

"Su Ye can only count on November 1st if he wants to make money. As long as this investment conference is ruined and Su Ye's money is cut off, not only will he be unable to explain to foreigners, he will not even be able to explain to his allies."

"As long as his money is cut off, the Jiujiang Bank and Nanfang Bank that he leads will be completely finished."

"Tens of thousands of troops' salaries from the four provinces are deposited in the Southern Bank. After ruining the investment conference, all we need to do is spread rumors that Su Yi wants to use the savings from the Southern Bank to fill the holes in the Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone. Those few Tens of thousands of troops will run on the bank."

"And once Su Yi runs out of money and can't repay the money, then he and tens of thousands of troops will turn against each other."

"By then, the seven-province alliance in the South will collapse on its own."

"It was wrong for us to target Xu Youren and Wang Youling before."

"The root of everything lies in money. As long as Su Yi's money is destroyed, he will win without fighting."

Sushun looked at Du Han again and marveled at his talent.

It's awesome. Du Han is indeed awesome. He deserves to be a long-term manager in the Ministry of Industry. At this time, he revealed the truth in one sentence.

Although a little late.

But at this moment, everyone felt suddenly enlightened and felt that they finally saw Su Yi's plan clearly.

I always felt that the key lies in a few border officials, who are both bribed and threatened.

Now I finally see the source clearly in the dense layout, money root.

Kuang Yuan said: "Master Du Han is so talented that I have a sudden enlightenment. The only way now is to destroy the investment conference. But... we are back to the old place. Su Yi controls the armies of several southern provinces and controls the Yangtze River waterway. We It’s very difficult to ruin the investment conference!”

........................

Inside Sanxi Hall!

Du Han and Sushun fully informed the emperor of their series of analyses.

"Thanks to the wise Lord, who deposed Xu Youren and lobbied Zhang Guoliang and Feng Zicai, we discovered the roots of the Seven Southern Provinces Alliance and uncovered the tip of the iceberg," Du Han said.

The emperor frowned. This was because his ministers were praising him.

In fact, what he said before was to take five steps, but the first two steps were all messed up.

The only use is to discover that at least four southern provinces are almost monolithic.

The emperor said: "What do you mean, if you want to dismantle the alliance of the seven southern provinces, the key is to destroy the Southern Bank, the Jiujiang Bank, and cut off Su Yi's money?"

Du Han said: "Yes, as long as the money is cut off, the alliance of the seven southern provinces will collapse. And Su Yi's money will soon be unable to support it. The investment conference is the moment when he wants to earn huge amounts of gold and silver. As long as he destroys this investment conference At the conference, the money will be cut off.”

The emperor said: "Your opinion!"

Du Han said: "There is too little time. We cannot make progress step by step. November 11th is too urgent."

"So, convict first! Use the justice of the court to convict the Jiujiang Economic Pilot Zone."

"Convict first, collect evidence later, then ban and deport!"

Prince Hui said: "Time is tight. If you want to enter Jiujiang to obtain evidence, convict, and ban deportations, you need to take the waterway and the Yangtze River Channel. And the Yangtze River Channel is in Su Yi's hands."

Du Han said: "No, Prince Hui, do you know what money is most afraid of?"

Prince Hui said: "I would like to hear the details."

Du Han said: "War, turmoil, and risks."

"Most of the spies we sent to Jiujiang were arrested, but there is still a general news." Du Han continued: "Su Ye invested in five factories this time, and the amount was very huge, involving hundreds of thousands. People have spent countless amounts of money. I don’t know exactly how much foreigners have invested, but it’s probably an astronomical figure.”

"But the construction period of these factories is very long, and most of them have not really been put into full production."

"A lot of information at the investment conference is public."

"The main items sold this time are cigarettes, rickshaws, gramophones, silk, and cotton."

"And what is being sold is the share of production next year, or even the year after. In other words, it is not a physical product at all."

"So in the final analysis, what Su Yi sells in this investment conference is confidence!"

"These businessmen, and even the confidants of some powerful people in the north, rushed to Jiujiang because they saw huge benefits."

Then Du Han glanced at everyone and said: "Everyone knows the power of Toyama Haruitu cigarettes. People are snatching them up at three times the price on the black market in the capital. The businessmen themselves are reluctant to smoke them, and they are filial to high-ranking officials of the second rank or above."

"There is also a gramophone. It has been widely spread that there are only two people in the world who own it. One is the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty, and the other is the Queen of the British Empire."

"There is even a secret saying that non-first-class high-ranking officials are not allowed to buy gramophones."

"As long as the expectations of these businessmen and powerful people are broken, this investment conference can be ruined."

The summary of Du Han's words in modern language is: capital is risk-averse.

"So, we only need to create war risks and unrest in Jiujiang!"

"As long as Jiujiang falls into war, all of Su Yi's factories will cease production and they will be unable to deliver goods next year and the year after that, and their money will be completely wasted."

"The risk of war in Jiujiang first comes from rebellion." Du Han said: "But now it is impossible for rebellion to attack Jiujiang. Their main force is all contained in Anqing."

"The next risk of war in Jiujiang will come from foreign barbarians. But Earl Elgin was defeated and has left China."

"So, the only risk of war comes from...the imperial court!"

"We must directly declare the Jiujiang Pilot Economic Zone illegal, and we must expel foreigners by force."

As soon as these words came out, the emperor felt a little horrified.

"Even just slogans are not enough. We have to actually send out troops and set up battle formations. Only in this way can we create enough war risks." Du Han said.

There was silence.

This... is about to use force.

After a long while, Prince Hui said: "What if our army really enters the Yangtze River, Su Yi's fleet comes to stop it, and the two sides start a war?"

yes? ! What to do then?
Sushun said: "On that day, there will be real confrontation between the north and the south, and armed conflict will be regarded as treason."

Once the two sides really had an armed conflict in the Yangtze River.

Then the situation has really completely deteriorated.

Du Han said: "Yes, at that time the Seven Southern Provinces Alliance was rebelling. Can Su Yi bear the charge of rebellion?"

Mian Yu said: "But the person who gave the order was Xu Youren, and Su Yi has resigned from all positions, including the leader of the Seven Southern Provinces Alliance."

Du Han said: "Even if Su Yi resigns from all his posts, he will still be charged with treason. Our army is going to Jiujiang to expel foreigners, and it has great righteousness. If the alliance of the seven southern provinces stops it, it will be colluding with foreigners, fighting against the imperial court, and violating the law." Our ancestors will be cast aside by all the people.”

Of course that's what it said.

However, if an armed conflict does break out.

If Xu Youren and others couldn't bear the real rebellion, could the imperial court bear it?
Everyone present could not bear it.

The method is a good one, but the price is too high.

Now it's a typical case of fighting a wolf with a straw, fearing both sides.

The seven southern provinces cannot afford the reputation of rebellion. The imperial court could not afford to force the seven southern provinces to rebel.

Du Han thought for a while and said: "Then there is another way, hire a foreign fleet to go to Jiujiang, and we spend money to hire the foreign fleet. The foreigners are also divided into two groups, one of which is Su Yi's ally, and the other is Su Yi's We will look for Su Yi’s enemies, such as Shanghai Consul Mai Huatuo, Weitoma, and Li Taitai and others."

"Our imperial investigation team went to Jiujiang together with the foreign fleet. Because the Tianjin Treaty has not yet come into effect, foreigners are not allowed to do business in Jiujiang."

"We spent a sum of money to hire a foreign fleet to go to Jiujiang with us to enforce the law. All the properties confiscated will belong to them."

"In this way, once the alliance fleet of the seven southern provinces opens fire to obstruct it, it will be a war with the foreign fleet, and we can stay out of it."

"If they don't open fire, then we will officially land in Jiujiang, declare Jiujiang's industries illegal, and expel the foreigners there. If they open fire, it will be a huge risk of war."

"So regardless of whether the fire is fired or not, Su Yi's investment conference is destined to be destroyed." The emperor once again marveled, this Du Han's brain is so easy to use.

This killing move is truly amazing.

Kuang Yuan said: "Last time Count Elgin led a fleet into the Yangtze River, trying to destroy Su Yi's Yangtze River fleet, but he gave up halfway and even stepped down directly."

Everyone immediately looked at Kuang Yuan. You are the only honest person in the audience.

Just using the name of the foreign fleet is enough.

........................

The next day, the court was turbulent.

Countless officials impeached Shen Baozhen, the acting governor of Jiangxi, and impeached Jiujiang.

"Foreigners illegally set up properties in Jiujiang, bullied the market, and oppressed the people, making the people of Jiujiang miserable. Please investigate thoroughly and punish them severely!"

"I impeach Shen Baozhen!"

"Please investigate thoroughly!"

The emperor was shocked and angry: "The imperial court won this battle. The Treaty of Aihun will be overturned, and the Treaty of Tianjin will also be overturned. Jiujiang is not a treaty port, so why should foreigners do business in Jiujiang? Is Shen Baozhen sleepwalking? Li Si is sleepwalking ?"

"Check, get to the bottom of it!"

"We won this battle against the foreigners, but there are still foreigners sitting on top of my people and dominating them."

"Guiliang, go to Shanghai to question the foreign and foreign officials why they are doing business illegally in Jiujiang. Ask them to go to Jiujiang with their dispatchers and imperial envoys to investigate. If you find that there are indeed foreign properties, seize them immediately and expel them all!"

Guiliang came out of the queue and said: "嗻!"

Then, the imperial court ordered that elites from all levels of government offices in the capital be dispatched to join the imperial team and go to Jiujiang to investigate.

In short, it is a big move and a big blow.

Just to make it known to everyone.

It needs to be turned into a big political action.

Create a feeling of imminent storm and precarious weather, so that businessmen and powerful people will not dare to spend big money at investment fairs.

In just a few moments, the entire capital knew about this big operation.

It is true that officials were transferred from all levels of yamen, and senior officials were no longer qualified as imperial envoys.

Gui Liang, a bachelor of the cabinet, served as the chief envoy of the imperial envoy, and Qi Ling, the minister of the Ministry of War, served as the deputy envoy of the imperial envoy. Hundreds of elite officials joined the investigation team.

Moreover, the imperial court also assembled all naval ships in Zhili and thousands of troops.

An incredibly huge lineup.

However, the most important thing is to borrow the name of foreigners.

....................................

Guiliang came to Shanghai to negotiate with Mai Huatuo, Weituma, Li Taitai and others.

Several British people were shocked when they heard Guiliang's request.

Of course it's very exciting.

With two million taels of silver, he hired a British fleet and the imperial court to go to Jiujiang to investigate. All the foreign property confiscated in Jiujiang belonged to Mai Huatuo and others.

And as long as it agrees, the court is willing to make further concessions on the Tianjin Treaty.

The conditions are too generous.

Mai Huatuo, Weitoma and others can imagine that if cooperation is really reached.

That was a completely devastating blow to Su Yi's investment conference.

Because the foreigners have dispatched fleets to attack Jiujiang's industries, then there is no security at all.

Even several people can calculate how much money can be earned from this sum.

But... who dares to take it?

The Qing court doesn't know about things in London, so why can't they smell it?
Moreover, the Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone is now Prince Albert’s enemy. Who dares to touch it?

The three British giants looked at each other and said: "The only person who can command the fleet now is the Minister, but the Minister is still vacant."

Guiliang said: "It is enough for Mr. Consul to take the lead."

Mai Huatuo said: "No, I do not have the authority to command the fleet."

"I'm very sorry, there's nothing we can do about this!"

Then, the negotiations between the two parties end.

....................................

A few hours later!
Weituma and Guiliang had a secret conversation.

"Lord Guiliang, you just want to create a military conflict, plunge Jiujiang into turmoil, and ruin Su Yi's investment conference, right?"

Guiliang said: "Yes!"

Waitoma said: "In this way, there is no need for our official fleet to dispatch. Now there are many Western veterans in Hong Kong and Shanghai, from all countries. We white people all look the same. They can't tell whether they are British or French troops. .”

"You spend money to hire them, form a temporary mercenary army, and then fly the British and French flags and kill with you towards Jiujiang."

Guiliang said: "What about the battleship?"

Weitoma said: "Many Western businessmen have armed warships. As long as you are willing to spend money, you can hire them. Of course, you don't have to do all these things yourself. There is someone who can help you do it, the great pirate Jurgen count."

Guiliang said in shock: "Earl?"

Witoma said: "No, of course he is not a real count. This is a self-proclaimed count. His true identity should be the illegitimate son of a noble in Europe. He once served the imperial navy, but was expelled from the army because of smuggling charges. So he became the leader of a pirate group with two thousand men of all races and some warships."

Guiliang asked: "Where is he?"

"Hong Kong!" Weitoma wrote an address with his left hand and handed it to Guiliang.

"Lord Guiliang, you have to hurry up, because November 11th is getting closer and closer."

........................

A few days later!

On a large ship in the East China Sea, Guiliang secretly met with the great pirate Count Jurgen.

The pirate in his imagination is also different. His teeth are very clean and white, his hair is meticulously combed, he wears gorgeous clothes, and he behaves elegantly. He does look like a noble.

Even a very handsome white man.

"Three thousand people, all of them have white faces?" said the great pirate Count Jurgen: "You are making things too difficult for me. Although I have more than three thousand men, there are only three or four hundred white faces. The rest are either It’s black people, mostly yellow people.”

Guiliangdao: "We need most white faces, and we need to fly the flags of Britain and France, and preferably the flags of the United States and Russia."

The big pirate Jurgen said: "No problem, there is no problem with flying as many flags as you like, even the warships in active service in the British Empire. But if you want 3,000 white faces, I need to recruit homeless people in Shanghai and Hong Kong at a high price. Mercenaries and so on.”

Guiliang said: "Then you go and recruit. Be quick. I need to reach the mouth of the Yangtze River before November 6th."

Count Jurgen said: "Three thousand people are very expensive."

Guiliang said: "You make a price."

Count Jurgen thought for a while and said: "Two million taels of silver."

Are you kidding me? The court only gave me two million taels in total, so I needed to take care of a lot of people.

Although Mai Huatuo, Weituma and others did not dare to touch Jiujiang, as Su Yi's political opponents, they would turn a blind eye.

But if the court wants them to acquiesce, it also needs money.

Hiring armed cargo ships from Western merchants also requires money.

Next, the two sides engaged in fierce bargaining.

When Guiliang faced high-ranking foreign officials and foreign state machines, he failed in negotiations and did not dare to bargain.

But when faced with pirates, he would have a sense of superiority within the system and be free to negotiate.

In the end, the two parties negotiated the price to 1.2 million taels!
"Pay half of the deposit first." Count Jurgen said.

Guiliang waved his hand, and his confidant immediately handed over Liru's bank draft.

Earl Jurgen took the money order and said with a smile: "Happy cooperation, I will show you what true professionalism is."

Guiliang said: "Then can you defeat Su Yi's Yangtze River Fleet?"

Count Jurgen said: "Our condition is just to go to war, right? Defeat is another price."

"However, although my fleet is far from an opponent of the Imperial Navy, the fleet of a small Qing warlord is simply a pitiful prey for me."

"May God pray for that poor warlord!"

Guiliang said: "Then we will finish our discussion and meet at the mouth of the Yangtze River on November 6th. On behalf of Britain, France and other countries, you will go to Jiujiang with us to investigate and enforce law."

Count Jurgen sneered: "My credibility is famous throughout Asia."

Guiliang has also asked many people about this.

The reputation of the great pirate Count Jurgen is indeed worth a golden seal.

On many routes, as long as protection fees are paid to him, he will not attack. And if you are attacked by other pirates, he will even help you recover the goods, and then only take 20% of all the goods.

This excellent reputation makes him quite influential in the waters of East Asia.

....................................

Count Jürgen is indeed very trustworthy.

After receiving the deposit, they immediately began recruiting mercenaries.

And the requirements are very strict, ordinary homeless people don’t want it. Pirates want it, veterans of various countries want it.

Under the money offensive, a large number of mercenaries looking for jobs joined his team.

One of the names that many people are familiar with has also come into view.

Wall!

This man was originally a pirate, and later he was hired by the Qing Dynasty to form a foreign gun team to help the Qing Dynasty fight against the Taiping Army.

I have to say, in order to deal with Su Yi.

These high-ranking officials of the Qing court were indeed very powerful, and they found the best way to go wild. Even two years in advance, they began to use the tactics of foreign mercenaries.

Despite the help and guidance of Weituma, Guiliang is definitely acting resolutely this time.

If all this really comes true.

Then the Qing court's conspiracy might really succeed.

Because those businessmen and dignitaries couldn't tell whether this was a foreign mercenary or a foreign navy.

Seeing so many white people flying the national flags of various countries, they would only think that the imperial court and foreigners were teaming up to attack the Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone. They even went to war to disintegrate Jiujiang.

In this case, who would dare to spend big money at an investment conference, right?
Three thousand mercenaries and an entire pirate fleet are absolutely generous.

but……

At this time, investors from the Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone, as well as related workers, were wandering around Shanghai and Hong Kong in large numbers, escorting the investment conference.

This is a huge benefit that no one can destroy, and no one can stop them from making a fortune.

Earl Jurgen had just started recruiting mercenaries, and he was immediately caught by the scent.

..............................

A few days later!

Sir Boring met with Count Jurgen in a mansion.

"You hired so many people and even started looking for decommissioned warships from the British Empire. What do you want to do? What big move is it?" Sir Bao Ling asked.

Count Jurgen said: "None of this has anything to do with you, Lord Baoling. You are no longer a minister, and even if you are a minister, I am a pirate and do not obey the orders of the British Empire."

Sir Bao Ling said: "You must have been hired by the Qing court, right?"

Count Jurgen said: "Sorry, everything is confidential."

Sir Bao Ling said: "What is your goal? To destroy the investment conference of Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone?"

The great pirate Count Jurgen said: "Sorry, everything is confidential."

Sir Bowring said: "Major Jurgen, you were once a member of the British Empire's navy. Whatever you do must not go against the interests of the empire."

Count Jurgen sneered: "Now that I remember that I was a lieutenant commander of the British Empire, why didn't you miss the old friendship when you expelled me?"

Sir Bao Ling said: "You were smuggling and violating military orders."

Count Jurgen sneered and said: "Are you kidding me? Which officer of the British Empire Navy didn't smuggle at that time? It's just that my half-brother bribed Major General Robin and kicked me out in order to frame me. "

Sir Bao Ling asked: "How much did the Qing government spend to hire you?"

Count Jurgen said: "I'm sorry, I have no comment, and why did the Qing government hire me? Where did you hear that? There is no such thing."

Sir Bao Ling said: "No matter how much money the Qing court spends, we will increase it by five hundred thousand taels."

Count Jurgen said: "Sorry, no comment."

Then, he sneered: "Sir Baoling, do you think I would sell my credibility for money? My father doesn't care about credibility, and the Imperial Navy doesn't care about credibility, but I want to speak about credibility. I want to tell the world, Although I am a pirate, I have the true noble qualities, and those who sit in the noble position are the real robbers."

"Well, Sir Bowring, it was a very unpleasant conversation with you. Goodbye!"

Earl Jurgen stood up and left immediately. He had a strong self-esteem, and one of Bao Ling's words directly angered him.

Then, four mercenaries stepped forward and said to Bao Ling: "I'm sorry, sir, it's time for you to leave."

Sir Pauling reluctantly left the mansion.

The great pirate Count Jurgen continued to recruit troops, even faster.

His reputation was indeed good, and under his call, more and more mercenaries joined his command.

If he continues at this rate, he will be able to recruit enough mercenaries in more than half a month, hang up the flags of many countries, pretend to be a foreign fleet, and go to Jiujiang with the Qing court to jointly enforce the law.

And at this time!
After more than a month of long journey, Basiali finally returned from London, first to Shanghai.

After hearing the news, I immediately took a boat south to Hong Kong.

But this time, there was still a royal guest coming with him to represent Prince Albert at the Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone Investment Promotion Conference. It was still the young Prince George.

This time it is a public platform for the investment promotion conference, which represents Prince Albert’s attention and support.

After Bao Ling and Basia Li met, they immediately informed them of this extremely urgent matter.

At this time, it is only more than half a month until November 11th.

Moreover, the great pirate Count Jurgen has almost completed the recruitment of mercenaries, and even found three large battleships of the British Empire Navy that had just been decommissioned.

His pirate fleet has begun to gather in the outer sea.

Moreover, the flags of many countries will soon be hoisted, and this must be stopped as soon as possible.

This time, Baxali directly intercepted Count Jurgen on the way.

"Sir Basile, I am very happy to meet you. The last cooperation with you was very pleasant, and your balance was paid promptly." Count Jurgen smiled.

He was referring to the last time when Bao Ling and Ba Xiali attacked Guangzhou without the permission of Congress. They did not have enough troops and found a large number of mercenaries, but the price was much cheaper.

Bashar said politely: "Major Jurgen, give me ten minutes. For the sake of past friendship, give me ten minutes."

Count Jurgen didn't like dealing with Baoling because he was too arrogant.

"Okay, just ten minutes!"

........................

In the mansion, Count Jurgen took out an hourglass filled with gold sand.

Just stand upside down and put it on the table, and the golden sand begins to leave.

"Ten minutes, the countdown begins. When the gold sand flows out, our conversation will end."

Basharli said: "I don't know if you have cooperation with the Qing court. If so, please overturn this cooperation and cooperate with us instead."

Count Jurgen sneered: "Sir Basri, you are humiliating me."

Ba Xiali said: "I will not give you more money, not three hundred thousand taels, five hundred thousand taels, nothing. I know that your father betrayed you and did not fulfill what he promised you. Your brother I framed you and got you kicked out of the Imperial Navy.”

"Although you are an illegitimate child, you are more graceful and noble than your brother."

"I promise you that I will help you regain your title. But earl is very difficult. I can only help you get viscount, okay?"

The face of the great pirate Count Jurgen changed slightly and he said hoarsely: "It's impossible, you can't do it, you can't do it."

Basharli said: "Yes, I can't do it. But Prince Albert can do it easily."

Count Jurgen said: "You, you cannot represent His Highness the Prince."

Basharli said: "I can't represent it, but someone can."

Then, Baxali stood up directly and said: "Major Jurgen, please stand to greet Prince George."

Eugene was able to get up.

A moment later, Prince George walked in. His young face looked at Basili and then he said to Jurgen: "As long as you can cooperate with us, I am willing to help you regain your title. This is mine." promise."

Basharli said: "Major Jurgen, are you willing to believe Prince George's promise? He is one of the top five heirs to the British Empire."

Jurgen closed his eyes and fell into an extremely fierce struggle.

He told himself over and over again, what do you want?
Money? He is enough.

Power? His pirate power is not small either.

Isn't the title that he has been pursuing but failed to achieve in his life?
As an illegitimate son, isn't his lifelong goal to become a noble?
After a few minutes, he opened his eyes and said, "Excuse me, what should I do?"

Bashar said politely: "What was your original plan?"

Count Jurgen said: "Pretend to be a joint fleet of Britain, France and the United States, accept the Qing court's protest, review the legality of the Tianjin Treaty, go to Jiujiang to investigate, expel non-Qing people there, and seize the industry there."

Ba Xiali said: "Then what if we are blocked by the combined fleet of the seven southern provinces of the Qing Dynasty?"

Count Jurgen said: "Start a war directly, create war and turmoil, and ruin your investment conference."

Ba Xiali was shocked. Did he underestimate the Qing court? He actually came up with such a cruel killing move in such a short period of time.

Then, Basha said politely: "In this way, you still fly the flags of Britain, France and the United States, go to the Yangtze River Estuary to join the Qing imperial fleet, and still enter the Yangtze River normally."

"After two hundred miles into the Yangtze River, you immediately change your flag and replace it with the pirate flag. Remember, you must use the name of pirates to directly attack the Qing imperial envoy fleet and capture all the Qing imperial envoys."

"Then, Su Yi's Yangtze River fleet will appear, expel you from the Yangtze River, and rescue the Qing imperial envoy."

"At that time, the imperial envoys of the Qing court will become pitiful people, and the alliance fleet of the seven southern provinces will become the savior."

After hearing this, Count Jurgen trembled and said: "Oh my god? You are so cruel. I can't imagine how the Qing imperial mission will react when that moment actually happens. When the emperor of the Qing Dynasty knows about it, he will Won’t you be so angry that you vomit blood?”

Bashar said politely: "Viscount Jurgen, have we made a deal?"

Jurgen stretched out his hand and said: "For the benefit of the empire."

Bashar said politely: "As a noble of the empire, of course you are doing it for the benefit of the empire."

Then he stretched out his hand and shook it with Count Jurgen.

At this point, a terrible conspiracy is brewing!
What's even more frightening is that Su Yi didn't participate in the whole conspiracy and poisonous scheme.

Driven by huge interests, countless elites worked hard for it and showed great wisdom.

..........................................

November 1st!
The imperial fleet of the Qing Dynasty sailed south from Tianjin Port to the Yangtze River Estuary in Shanghai.

The cabinet is headed by Gui Liang, a bachelor of the Ministry of War, with Qi Ling, the Minister of War, as deputy, hundreds of officials, and more than 3,000 naval officers and soldiers.

At the same time, the fleet of the great pirate Count Jurgen was assembled in the outer sea and headed north in a mighty manner.

The British Empire's ships in Shanghai were renovated in the port in a very timely manner.

The two fleets are getting closer.

On November 5, the two fleets met on the sea more than a hundred miles away from Shanghai.

Guiliang represented the Qing court and boarded Count Jurgen's flagship.

"Lord Guiliang, please inspect my fleet. Can you still tell that it is a pirate fleet?" Count Jurgen smiled.

It's really hard to tell.

Two to three thousand mercenaries, all white, wearing the uniforms of the armies of various countries.

Even this flagship is a large warship that has just been retired from the British Empire Navy.

Guiliangdao: "From now on, you are Colonel Jurgen, the commander of the British-French combined navy. We seriously protest against your illegal industrial investment before the Tianjin Treaty came into effect and before Jiujiang became a treaty port."

The great pirate Jurgen said: "I have no idea that such a thing exists."

Guiliang said: "The Qing Dynasty formally invites your commander to join our fleet and go to Jiujiang to investigate and collect evidence. Once verified, we will immediately ban, confiscate, and expel your businessmen who are doing business illegally in Jiujiang."

The big pirate Jurgen said: "Of course!"

Both sides shook hands.

Then, several people used foreign cameras to record the scene.

The Qing court made rapid progress and knew how to take photos and record documents as a political weapon.

Next, Guiliang issued a declaration of joint investigation in public.

Count Jürgen also pretended to be the commander-in-chief of the foreign coalition forces, went to the Qing court's ship, and read out the order for a joint investigation.

Almost all members of the Qing imperial mission also believed it to be true.

I am absolutely sure about this errand.

After the ceremony was completed, the two fleets gathered together and entered the Yangtze Estuary in a mighty manner.

Kill directly towards Jiujiang!
..............................

Note: Thirteen thousand and five were delivered, twenty minutes earlier than yesterday. Dear, do you still have a monthly ticket? Can you give me a few?
I'll try to finish it earlier tomorrow.

(End of this chapter)