Hidden Dragon in Qing Dynasty

Chapter 55 - Shifting Water, Tanggu Port

Tongzhi's four years of spring was quickly over, and in the eyes of the people, the Great Qing Dynasty still remained the same. The eight banner lords made tea, smoked cigarettes, and played tricks all around, and the officials of the imperial government were still governing the vast empire according to their past experiences. As for the grass citizens, they struggled in the bitter water. One day was two times more than enough for them to fill their stomachs.

The only change that could be felt was the slow increase in the number of foreign goods in his life. There was no need to talk about the foreign oil, cloth, soap, tobacco, and other daily necessities. There were even wind lamps, mining lamps, crystal ornaments, and even Gun s that were all sold on the black market.

In the big cities of the empire, especially near the surface of the wharf, there were more foreign devils in suits. They tended to wave their cameras outwards in exchange for a group of adults and children dispersing with a loud bang.

The Great Qing Dynasty, this old car, was still stubbornly following its own path. However, the power outside the national gate was becoming stronger and stronger, which was especially evident to the people living in the coastal areas.

Especially the first port of Tanggu in northern China, they were able to feel this powerful change in strength. In just four short years, the Tanggu Port, which originally had a population of more than ten thousand, had expanded to twice its original size under the infusion of capital from both home and abroad.

There were anchored ships everywhere outside the port, the large nose Westerners had a weird accent and they didn't need any diplomatic formalities to enter the Great Qing. The coolies in the port constantly moved the goods up and down, while the hoodlums in the dark corner stared at the people who had just opened their doors. Behind them were the half-hidden brothels, casinos, and large smokestacks.

New homes were being built everywhere in the city, and cargo stations traded with foreigners rose up from the ground. Warehouses were filled with goods from the outer seas, and all kinds of foreign currency floated back and forth in the hands of merchants.

The humiliating Beijing treaty actually brought about a deformed prosperity, and this prosperity was something that the Manchu dynasty could not give her. Relying on this kind of abnormal prosperity, a small number of people have already started to profit from it.

The High Scholar Huang, who was born and bred in Tanggu, was one of the people who benefited the most from it. He was a great landowner with thousands of tags on him, he had more than just good fields and more than ten shops, with the help of the overseas trading, the rent that High Scholar Huang rented out for a year was more than just 100,000. The Yellow Lord's name was a golden signboard in the Tanggu City.

"I am indebted to the Master High Scholar for his kindness. We have borrowed a flower to offer to the Yellow Lord for a cup …" Everyone in the room all raised their cups and toasted the High Scholar Huang.

I, Huang Juren, am able to make a fortune not because of your care and concern, as long as you all are able to make a fortune, I will be able to earn some scattered silver taels! "Come, come, cheers …"

Today, the Master High Scholar had invited the top ranked Big Merchant s on the ground, as well as the hoodlums on the ground. Sitting Tiger had this kind of benefit. Black, White and Gray had all three of them, other than the fact that there were no officials or Master Yang, he had already invited all of the representatives from the other places.

After three rounds of drinking, the topic started to turn back to normal. High Scholar Huang suddenly looked towards the scenery of the harbor with pity in his eyes, looking towards the endless fleet on the sea and said sorrowfully, "Although we made some money, let's see what the weather in Daqing is like now? If things went on like this for a long time, the nation would not make it! "Sob, sob, sob …"

Aiyo, the old High Scholar is actually crying? At this moment, everyone present was stunned, thinking to themselves, what program is this? Why didn't you cry when you counted the money? Now you're actually worried for the imperial government. But no matter what, the host had already started acting. No matter what, the guest had to accompany him in acting.

"Aiyah, Yellow Lord is really worried about the nation and the people, they're really our role models …"

"It's a pity that this is how things are right now. Even the Emperor has to endure. We can do nothing about the power of the foreigners …"

"That's right, that's right. Even now, I still feel some lingering fear from the battle that happened four years ago in the Da Gu Kou. We better not cause any trouble for the imperial government …"

The crowd started talking but no one was able to get an idea of what to do, so finally Huang Juren snorted: "Foreigner? Of course, I know how powerful the foreigners are, but compared to their hateful nature, those traitorous bastards are even more despicable. The Gong Banlun four years ago, together with the current Xiao Letian, are all shameless people who have forgotten their ancestors … "

The High Scholar Huang knocked on the window as he pointed to a new station that was in the process of being renovated. "Do you know who opened that new station?"

This time, everyone finally understood the purpose of Yellow Lord setting up the wine. Huang Juren, who was normally stingy with only half a cup of wine, was actually willing to set up a feast in Coastal building today.

"It's that arrogant Alone overseas Xiao Letian …" When Huang Juren saw how slow this group of trash's news was, she became so angry that she started crying.

The moment Xiao Letian's name came out, everyone in the room started whispering to each other. Tianjin was simply too close to Beijing, people could hear the cocoon that was Xiao Letian's story.

"Oh my god!" The author of "Journey to the West", Xiao Letian? My son is going crazy over his books... "

"It's not like that. Haven't you discovered it recently?" "Even the books lecturers in the teahouse have started to adapt the segments of the Journey to the West. As long as we start the lecture, the venue will be filled …"

"Do you know? Xiao Letian is the most highly regarded person in the Prince Kung, and it is said that he was once granted the position of vice minister of the work department, but Xiao Letian is unwilling to even do so … "

Everyone at the table was talking about Xiao Letian's legends. High Scholar Huang's face was about to turn green. At this point, he was relying on his henchmen to keep up appearances.

"Ai ai ai!" What do you mean? You didn't hear what the Yellow Lord said! Playing dumb? My Xiao Pi Sun will say it here, whoever disagrees with my Yellow Lord can forget about me … " Xiao Pi Sun who had just spoken stood up and stepped on the chair with one foot.

The Xiao Pi Sun was a famous big brother in the underworld. According to him, he also had the identity of the 'Head of the Guards', but no one had ever heard the people from the 'Grounds' respond to him. But no matter what, the Xiao Pi Sun was definitely a man of his word in the lower class of Tanggu, and none of the businessmen present were willing to offend him.

"Hahaha, what do you mean grandpa Sun? We have been friends with the Master High Scholar for so many years, of course we would share the same thoughts." The Keeper Niu of the Four Seas Trading Station was the most wealthy merchant here. When he saw that something was amiss, he hurriedly tried to smooth things over. Following that, the group of blind merchants also nodded and bowed in agreement.

High Scholar Huang's mouth curved into a smile, "We are all good citizens of the imperial government, so we naturally have to help the imperial government resolve this problem. We don't have the ability to deal with foreigners, and the court doesn't expect us. But against these two bastards, we cannot lose face! "

"Today, let me put it this way. Since this Xiao Letian dares to come to the Tanggu to do business, I will make him pay for everything. Get the hell out of here …"

The words stunned everyone present. Now that Xiao Letian was not a Alone overseas with no foundation, he was just a code name. The Unparalleled National Scholars whose name would shake the entire capital and the entire world, how could this group of merchants be able to offend them?

"Huang …" Yellow Lord, we understand the logic behind your words, but Xiao Letian is not an ordinary person, how can we move against him? Even the tyrant of the northern lands, Xiang Shaolong, was unable to do anything to him. Even Wong Lao-Han Lin was not his opponent. Keeper Niu swallowed his saliva. He was truly afraid.

The other merchants present, including Xiao Pi Sun, were also dumbfounded. They thought that High Scholar Huang wanted to deal with ordinary merchants, and it wasn't as if they had never done this before. However, facing Master of Western Studies who had such a high reputation, everyone present felt weak of heart.

Huang Juren looked at them with disdain, and quietly downed a cup of wine. "Those here are my good friends from many years, I won't let you do things that you aren't confident in. I'll tell you guys the truth. Without the approval of the higher-ups, do you think I'll make a move? "

After saying that, he waved his hand and the surrounding people all gathered around him. After whispering in each other's ears, everyone's eyes widened.

"Yellow Lord, is what you said true? Was it really that the great man in the capital was going to deal with Xiao Letian? The emperor and the empress dowager are tired of Xiao Letian too? "Why is it different from what's known in the world …"

"What do you know? A group of merchants without any achievements would only have the right to inquire about the inner workings of the imperial court. Do you remember two months ago, the sent a team to investigate the situation when they were surrounded and petitioned by the commoners? "

High Scholar Huang looked at this group of retarded merchants with glee. "To tell you the truth, I was the one who instigated all these citizens. Not only me, but also our Zhou Tong Zhi Zun and the Mai Tai. Think about it, if it wasn't for the protection of some big shot, how would I dare to surround Qing San Ye and attack him? "

At this time, the people in the private box were already stunned. They looked at High Scholar Huang and their eyes lit up. He was indeed the leader of the four citizens, a high ranking official of the imperial government.

The group muttered to themselves for a long time, and then, Keeper Niu raised the wine cup on behalf of the lot of them, "Since Yellow Lord already has the answer, then what else can we say, as long as we do not commit murder or arson, we can leave the business competition to us. We have plenty of ways to destroy him …"

"Alright, let's toast!" The battle alliance against Xiao Letian was set up in this cup of wine.

Coincidentally, on the second day after the feast, Xiao Letian arrived at Tanggu with the protection of over ten guards. This was not just an ordinary foreign trade, it was also an important link between Xiao Letian and other nations. As a Transcender, how could he not pay attention to the world?

"Hm!" What was that smell? "F * ck, is this a dog ignoring a bun? Give me two catties …"

"Mister, why did you dismount here? old shopkeeper has already arranged a feast. Master Yang would like to meet with you as well … "Hey hey hey, you've really eaten …"

The current Xiao Letian didn't care about meeting any foreigners at all, he never expected that the original owner of this place,, would already open a branch in the Tanggu in just a few years of time. This was a delicacy from 200 years ago, an absolute green, natural and untainted delicacy, with a single mouthful, a rich fragrance flowed with oil.

Xiao Letian's mouth was filled with food as he stuttered, "Come, come … "There's no need to be polite, I'll treat you …"