Eunuchs who traveled through the Qing Dynasty

"I don't know." With a smirk on Xiao Ran's face, he said coldly, "Sister, what do you think of Yu Lai?"

"Very good!" Xiao Ying said without thinking.Then she realized that she had been fooled, and she blushed.Quen said: "What are you doing? Hooligans, perverts!"

"A pervert?" Xiao Ran was taken aback, "Has he ever had sex with you?"

"You, you bully me! See if I don't tell mother!" Xiao Ying was ashamed and didn't know what to do, and got into the carriage.But Xiao Ran was still wondering: this little brother-in-law looks quite pure.Why do you say that you will do it right away? ...

I was so excited that night that I could barely close my eyes.In the early morning of the next day, Xiao Ran excitedly rushed to the Tongran Hall, and asked Shang Yulai to kill Fulai Foreign Firm together.The manager of the foreign devil, Ayton, was very lucky because he got the agency right of the massage stick. Hearing that the owner of Tongran came in person, he wished he could greet him with three kowtows and nine obeisances. The handsome young man was stunned for a moment.Surprised for a long time speechless.

Xiao Ran is majoring in trade, and English is a compulsory subject, so he is not bad at it.Not only spoken English, but also know a thing or two about Western etiquette.Just a few simple greetings in English were enough to impress Ayton. No matter what, he couldn't imagine that such a young man could have such profound knowledge and extraordinary demeanor!For a while, he was very upset with Xiao Ran, how could he dare to show his disdainful and domineering attitude towards the Chinese before?Naturally, the two of them were regarded as honored guests, and they were very respectful.

This is a sudden visit because there is no named post in advance.Unavoidably, Ayton felt like he was fetching water with a bucket, and he was in a panic.Xin said that this boss is not a fuel-efficient lamp at first glance, so if he came forward at this time, could it be that something happened to the agency?If you go back on your word, all your previous efforts will be for naught!Thinking of it this way, a layer of sweat beads suddenly secreted from the forehead.Be more and more careful with your words and deeds.

Xiao Ran guessed what he was thinking, and couldn't help laughing secretly.Don't chat with him, tell him about the business, Fang Yulai, the shopkeeper, will be fully responsible, and everything will be handled according to the agreement.Ayton finally breathed a sigh of relief, but said worriedly: "So this time, Dong Xiao's family is here, what advice do you have?"

This guy's speech was very blunt, and his advice was also called "washing feet".Xiao Ran smiled.Straightforwardly, he said: "There is no need to wash your feet. I am here this time to buy your planer."

As soon as these words were said, the expressions of the two people changed at the same time.One was Ayton, naturally ecstatic; the other was Yu Lai, who hurriedly covered his mouth with his sleeve and coughed.He has a very careful mind, knowing that if he wants to lower the price at this time, he must not pretend to be knowledgeable, and he would like to buy it as scrap iron.As soon as the word "Dragon Planer" came out, it was a real deal. Ayton has been in business for many years, so why not take the opportunity to increase the price?Originally, he had already explained this matter to Xiao Ran on the way here. He is such a smart person, why did he suddenly make a fool of himself?I was anxious and puzzled again.

Ayton rolled his eyes and said, "Oh, what a coincidence! There was news from Shanghai yesterday that someone has already planned to order this batch of goods. What should we do? If you want to talk about the friendship between the contempt and the Tongrantang..."

Before he could finish speaking, Yu Lai's face had already darkened, he slammed his teacup, and said coldly: "What's the matter, is Mr. Ayton going to sit on the ground and raise the price?"

Xiao Ran smiled and waved at Yulai, and said: "Mr. Ayton, it seems that I am here at the wrong time. Sigh! Since someone has already ordered, then I..." He shook his head while speaking.

Ayton felt his eyes go dark.Suddenly I remembered a famous Western saying: In the hometown of Sun Tzu's Art of War, never use 36 tactics.Isn't he playing big swords in front of Guan Gong?For a moment, my intestines were full of regret.Unexpectedly, Xiao Ran smiled, and said softly but resolutely: "I can give you [-]% more than their price. In the future, I will buy all the machinery you ship to China, and I will cooperate with you for a long time!"

"What... what?!" Two voices shouted at the same time.Yu Lai suddenly stood up, almost wanting to rush over and feel if his head was burned off; Ayton couldn't believe it, the surprise came so suddenly that he couldn't help but burst into tears.

"What I said never counts." Xiao Ran smiled faintly, "How much deposit is required, you can get it directly from Tongran account. After the first transaction, I will contact you

a long-term supply contract.But be fast, I don't like running things. "

Ayton's head was almost in his crotch, and he said incoherently: "It must be, wash your feet!"

The price tag is enough, everything is not a problem.The excited Ayton insisted on inviting Xiao Ran and Yu to the banquet with the most honorable etiquette, but Xiao Ran politely declined.Yu Lai's face was ashen. For a stingy person like him, handing over a lot of money was more uncomfortable than killing him.So a Fulai foreign company.Immediately yelled at Xiao Ran: "Brother-in-law, what do you mean? We can obviously buy it back at the price of scrap iron, but you, you...! Could it be that you really feel that there is too much money to burn your hands, and you can't spend it in this life?" It's over, so you can put all your energy into ruining it?"

"Damn! It's going to be ruined. I also ruined the silver into the hands of the Chinese, so why give it to the foreign devils!" Xiao Ran laughed loudly.

Yu Lai was startled, and said, "Then why do you..."

"It's raining, let me tell you a story." Xiao Ran pondered for a while, and said unhurriedly, "It is said that Emperor Qianlong especially liked Wang Xizhi's calligraphy, especially the "Lanting Collection Preface", which has been lost for many years. Want to get it. This day it was announced to the world that whoever can donate the preface to the collection of Lanting will be rewarded with a thousand gold. Don't tell me, someone really sent it, and it is indeed the authentic work of Wang Xizhi. Unfortunately, only "Lan, Ting The ministers all said that this is a blatant insult to the emperor and demanded that the person who presented the words be beheaded. Qianlong said: "I can't kill, and I have to reward a thousand gold! Yu Lai, guess what he did .why?"

"This... I don't know. Is this obviously opportunistic? It would be good to spare his life. Why do you want to reward him with a thousand gold?"

Xiao Ran didn't answer, but smiled, and said: "Actually, the price offered by Qianlong for rewarding a thousand gold for the purchase of "Lanting Collection Preface" is already too high. But no one has been willing to offer this painting, you Say why?"

Yu Lai bowed his head and thought for a while, then said: "I guess they are afraid that the emperor will not keep his word, if he doesn't get a reward for his dedication, then he will suffer a big loss."

Xiao Ran nodded and said: "That's exactly what it means. And Qianlong's approach just dispelled everyone's worries, you think. Those four words alone will reward you with a thousand gold. If it is a real "Lanting Collection Preface", Are you still worried about not being able to receive the reward? So all of a sudden, people all over the world offered their characters to Qianlong. After a while, they really got this "Orchid Pavilion Collection Preface"!"

Yu Lai pondered for a while, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he said thoughtfully, "I seem to have figured it out a bit. You did this for..."

"That's right. If you want to take it, you must first give it to you. This is also the reason for doing business. Now this kind of machinery is banned from sale and can only be brought in by smuggling. Can't get the ideal price, do you think they will do this kind of business again in the future? What I need now is not only these planers, but also various lathes, steam engines, generators, etc. Wait. This time let them taste the sweetness, do you still worry that these things will not be shipped in continuously in the future?"

"Throwing bricks to attract jade! I understand, brother-in-law. I'm sorry, I blamed you just now!" Yu Lai blushed and said a little shyly.But he was a little confused, looked at Xiao Ran and said: "But, our business has already earned enough money, what else do you want to do with so many things?"

Xiao Ran laughed loudly, patted him on the shoulder and said: "Your sister also asked me similar questions, but I didn't answer. Today I tell you: what you want is to make a lot of money What I want is to use the silver you earn to create an era! An unprecedented era!"

Fulai foreign company soon shipped the gantry planer, as well as several small boring machines, milling machines and punching machines.Since there is no steam engine and generator for the time being, the power of these lathes can only be driven by manpower, animal power or water power.The generator copied from Su's mansion was no longer able to generate electricity because it had been abandoned for too long, Xiao Ran asked Dai Tong, Li San and Luo Erto to find a way to imitate it as soon as possible.

As for bicycles, Xiao Ran did not intend to simply imitate them, because this kind of bicycle with big front wheels and small rear wheels is not only labor-intensive, but also relatively heavy and inconvenient to ride.As for the production of chains and bearings, the conditions are still immature.Referring to the shape and concept of later generations of bicycles, Xiao Ran drew a rough picture, studied and experimented repeatedly with Li San and Dai Tong, and finally designed a bicycle with the same size front and rear wheels and powered by a pedal winch.To put it simply, the gear is changed into a winch, and the chain is replaced by a hemp rope soaked in grease.This modification has advantages and disadvantages. The biggest disadvantage is that the power is small, and there is no problem riding on flat ground, but when the slope is too large, the winch will slip; and although the hemp rope is relatively tough, it is also quite worn, probably It needs to be replaced every [-] miles of riding.

And the biggest advantage is that this kind of bicycle technology is simple and can be mass-produced!

In fact, the winch-driven bicycle was invented by Tom in England as a transition before the chain-driven bicycle came out (in [-]).Rice was the first to invent it, but Xiao Ran didn't know about it, and proudly announced that he had invented the latest bicycle in the world!And after the purchase of new machines by Fulai Matheson Co., Ltd., the production and development of chain bicycles can also be put on the agenda.

Through the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Xiao Ran easily obtained sufficient raw materials.In the following period of time, bicycles were produced continuously at an astonishing rate of thirteen bicycles per day.Xiao Ran knows that the production of bicycles will represent the beginning of China's modern industry, and this vigorous "bicycle movement" will also be regarded as an important symbol of the Westernization Movement and will be recorded in the annals of history forever!At this moment, li xuan could even hear the blood in his body surging and roaring!

The next thing to do is how to plan the promotion of bicycles.After all, common people still can't accept this new foreign gadget smoothly.Regarding this point, Xiao Ran had planned it long ago.

It should be a good idea to let Prince Gong Yixiang, bicycle marathon and so on?

♂ Volume 8 in the harem ♀

→Chapter 101 - City Tournament←

Just follow me. "

"No, definitely not!"

"Really not?"

"I won't obey even if I'm beaten to death!"

Facing Li Ran's coercion and temptation, Prince Gong's head shook like a rattle.Just kidding, our dignified Fuzheng Prince Gong ran to the street to ride a bicycle in broad daylight and in full view of everyone, what is the difference from playing monkeys?Where is the face and the state?So I made up my mind not to participate in a bicycle marathon.

"Okay. Since you're so reluctant, then I'm not going to force others to do what I want." Xiao Ran said helplessly.Yiran is willing to let him go so easily, did he hear it wrong, or did he eat vegetarian food and recite Buddhism recently?Just as he was secretly rejoicing, Li Xiao Ran said again: "My lord, do you have the white powder in stock?"

Yisi? "

"Save it!" Xiao Ran patted him on the shoulder sympathetically, shook his head and smacked his lips and said, "In the next month, you won't be able to scoop up any white powder!"

"You!..." Yi Ran fell into the chair.It wouldn't be Xiao Ran if he didn't use these dirty tricks.

After a long time, the poor Prince Gong finally recovered a little bit of anger, and sighed, "I'm afraid Deputy Director Xiao thought too simple about this matter. Even if I promised to disregard my own face and go to the street to shame people, do you think .Will the ministers in the court agree? Such a thing that insults the state system and disgraces the ground, even if they are killed, they will not agree. If it is brought up in the court later, it will definitely cause another uproar."

In this section, Xiao Ran had already made a calculation, and said in an indifferent way: "Afraid of you, with your sixth prince here, and with the support of your group of people. These are not problems. Besides, isn't there still What about the wise and decisive empress dowagers of the two palaces!"

Yidi.What's more, there is still a group of outlaws, if they all jump out to oppose, what should they do?Isn't Panyang Iron Mine a ready-made example! "

Panyang Iron Mine.Xiao Ran also roughly heard about it.Speaking of this matter, it was brought up by the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Since the Ministry of Industry has recently produced a large number of firearms and artillery, the raw materials are in short supply, so it is ready to start mining Panyang Iron Mine.Unexpectedly, the imperial envoy of the Zuo capital and the university scholar Woren mobilized some old stubborn people to jointly write a letter to oppose it, saying that the excavation of the mine was to activate the dragon's veins and feng shui, and the ancestors' foundation would not be guaranteed.In the end, the incident became too much trouble, and there was nothing left to do.

Following the two Opium Wars, Western powers opened the door to China.Some "Westernization Schools" gradually emerged within the Qing Dynasty, advocating learning from the West, introducing Western science and technology, establishing new industries, cultivating new talents, and training new troops.To save the dying and pursue prosperity, which is known as the "New Deal" and "self-improvement" in history.Among these people, Zeng Guofan and Li Hongzhang belonged to the pioneers and representatives, and Prince Gong Yilie played a huge role in promoting the Westernization Movement.In fact, this was also one of the reasons why Xiao Ran kept him instead of killing him.

But what followed was Woren, a university scholar.Li Hongzao, the co-organizer of the university, and a group of diehards headed by the Shouyang Xiangguo Qi Junzao who was in opposition.The degree of rigidity of these people and the great resistance they created are simply beyond the imagination of modern people.In contrast, Japan's Meiji Restoration and Russia's Peter the Great reformed.They all spare no effort to learn from the West.This makes people wonder, why are there so many stubborn minds and strange theories in China's ruling group?

In any case, Yi Jiu should be dissatisfied with Qing Yi, and this kind of pressure from public opinion, not only Prince Gong, but even the empress dowagers of the two palaces, cannot be ignored.Xiao Ran pondered for a while, and said: "Sixth Prince, I know that based on your insight, you must approve of this bicycle marathon. After all, it is not only about how much money Xiao Ran can earn. In fact, This is also a throwing stone to ask the way, so as to test whether the future Westernization affairs can be carried out smoothly in our Qing Dynasty. Because of this, this activity is even more imperative, and there must be no mistakes. Let me put here a sentence first: No matter how much resistance I encounter, I will do this to the end! If you help me, then we will be in the same boat, and I, Xiao Ran, am not the kind of person who would kill a donkey; if you dare to have any other thoughts, Playing tricks on me behind my back, hehe, don't blame me for turning my face and denying people!"

When he said this, Xiao Ran's originally handsome face was gloomy, his expression, his eyes made Yi's words, should I regard them as

A threat? "

"If you think what I did is wrong, then you can think so." Xiao Ran raised his eyebrows and looked out of the window with a sneering smile on his lips, "Sixth prince, remember what I once told you Guo: You will be your Prince Gong, and I will be my eunuch, and we will live in peace; if you should make me unhappy, I will definitely not let you live. Remember, we are ants on a rope Grasshopper, besides, you are big and I am small. Even if you die, you will lose far more than me!"

These few words are like an invisible sharp arrow, piercing the heart and lungs straight down.After a long while, he said in a nasty voice: "Okay, I will listen to you. However, other ministers..."

"Take care of yourself!" Xiao Ran said coldly.I couldn't help but sneered in my heart: Prince Gong, do you think that Xiao Ran really only has your card in my hand? ...