Eunuchs who traveled through the Qing Dynasty

Xiao Ran frowned, not knowing how to explain it, but someone in the crowd said loudly: "I am Zhang Zhidong, what are you?"

Everyone turned their heads one after another, only to see that it was the thin, tall and talented man who separated from the crowd and came forward, pointing at the bragging talent and angrily said: "Look at your dog eyes to see clearly, I am Xingyi Mansion Zhang Zhidong. The name is Xiaoda. In the third year of Xianfeng, Zhili Nanpi Yingshuntian Township Examination, Jieyuan won the first place in the examination! The registration office over there has my name registered for the examination, do you want to go and have a look?"

After saying these words, the bragging talent was immediately speechless.Talented scholars around cheered repeatedly, but this cheer was for Xiao Randi.The bragging scholar didn't think he was a fool, so he wanted to run away. Ma Chao was quick-sighted, grabbed his braids, and shouted: "I want to leave? I would like to admit defeat. Kowtow to our son!"

The guy couldn't deny it, so he had to kowtow obediently, so ashamed that he couldn't bear it, and hurried away amidst the laughter of the crowd.At this moment, Xiao Ran's mind was not on him. He had just heard Zhang Zhidong say that a person from Xingyi Mansion was the top one in Nanpi Yingshuntian Township Examination.I thought to myself, what a coincidence today, I really caught this fake Zhang Zhidong!Just about to call him to stop, the examiner was disturbed by the commotion here. The fifth-grade crystal crown on his head was probably a doctor of etiquette. He pointed to Xiao Ran and said, "Student, go slowly! Did you pass the physical examination? You can do the written test Already? Come, come, let's talk over here..."

Xiao Ran was taken aback, he didn't want to go to this Tongwen Hall to study Yingge to death.Pulling Ma Chao, he walked away from the crowd in a swipe of smoke.Walking a long way, you can still hear the examiner's shout behind you.

After escaping from the Tongwen Hall, both of them were covered in stinky sweat.Ma Chao wondered, "My lord, that Zhang just now, so you know him?"

Xiao Ran shook his head and said: "It's not really acquaintance, it's just admiration. From now on, this person may still be useful to me, I have to find him."

As soon as he finished speaking, he heard a person behind him say: "Young master's quick thinking is really admirable. I'm ashamed to say it, but I don't know how the young master knows the name of the student?"

Looking back, this man was wearing a brocade gown, a square hat on his head, an unusually broad forehead, but a bit thin cheeks, and a pointed chin.Xiao Ran raised his hand as a salute, and said with a smile: "As expected, it is Brother Xiaoda. It is a great honor to meet you today! My younger brother has always admired Brother Xiaoda's literary talents. He read the masterpiece "The Story of the Banshan Pavilion" in the past, and he was very fond of it. See you. I don't want to meet you today, it's an honor!"

As soon as the words came out of his mouth, Xiao Ran felt a little regretful.Xiao Ran didn't know much about Zhang Zhidong, the late Qing feudal official and important official of the Westernization School in history, but only learned a little bit from the side of "Li Hongzhang Zhuan".This Zhang Xiaoda, whose father was the magistrate of Xingyi Prefecture, Guizhou Province, was born as an official. Far broadcast.In the third year of Xianfeng County Examination, he ranked first in the county examination, and he was Jieyuan in high school.Later, he won the Jinshi examination in the palace examination and entered the official career. He can be said to be a man of great talent and wealth.

But Xiao Ran hadn't seen that "The Story of the Banshan Pavilion", it was only famous.At this time, I blurted out, if Zhang Zhidong said "I'll listen to you recite a few sentences", wouldn't it be embarrassing?

Fortunately, Zhang Zhidong didn't have this plan, but his expression was a little surprised, and he said: "Where is it, the young master is too modest. The person in the half-mountain pavilion is actually a child's graffiti, and it is hard to wait for the elegance! I can't think of a mere clumsy essay, which can be pitied by the young master. You must have a broad vision and a wide range of books, this knowledge is really admirable!" After a pause, he continued: "I think your appearance is very ordinary, dare to ask Gao's name?"

The two exchanged the name Nian Geng. It turned out that Zhang Zhidong was 24 years old this year, so they called him brothers.Zhang Zhidong can be regarded as a high-ranking child, and he has been talented since he was a child, so his temperament is inevitably arrogant.But today, he was probably frightened by Xiao Ran's "profound" talent, and his speech and demeanor were both respectful and admirable, as if he hated seeing each other later.At that moment, Xiao Ran proposed to drink and have fun, but Xiao Ran readily obeyed.

They found a restaurant on the side of the street, and the three sat down one by one.After three rounds of wine and five tastes of food, there will be more topics.It turned out that Zhang Zhidong traveled to Beijing alone this time, and happened to hear that the Tongwen Museum had opened.So I went to join in the fun.He is from a family of officials, so of course he doesn't care about the subsidy of ten taels of silver per month. When it comes to learning English and Russian, he shakes his head and sneers, with the tendency to sneer.

Although like Zeng Guofan, Li Hongzhang and others, Zhang Zhidong is also one of the representatives of the Westernization Movement.But Xiao Ran didn't take his character seriously. It is recorded in "Li Hongzhang Zhuan" that Zhang Zhidong first entered the official career. He served as a scholar in the Imperial Academy and a cabinet bachelor.Adhere to stubborn conservative thinking.But later he was awarded the governor of Shanxi and became a big official in Xinjiang. His political attitude immediately took a 180-degree turn, and he vigorously engaged in Westernization activities, becoming the main representative of the Westernization School in the later period.

This kind of approach to Qin Muchu may be a sudden major change in his thinking, or it may be some tricks used to climb up the official career, but no matter what, this approach is somewhat suspected of repetition.However, this person did play a role that cannot be ignored in promoting the Westernization Movement in the later period.Xiao Ran frowned.He said: "Then according to what brother Xiaoda said, learning foreign languages ​​and developing foreign affairs are all wrong?"

"It's not just a mistake, it's the opposite, and you're looking for fish against a tree!" Speaking of this section, Zhang Zhidong became more energetic.He raised his cup and said impassionedly: "As a minister, you should first rectify yourself, cultivate human relations and courtesy, and know benevolence, righteousness, and shame. Like now, openly advocating Western learning is clearly abandoning etiquette, integrity, and shame, and corrupting people's hearts. Changing Xia with barbarians, How vicious is the intention? The way a husband builds a country is to respect propriety and righteousness rather than political power. My dynasty is magnificent and a country of etiquette. How can I follow the example of Westernized foreigners and shameless people like that?

?  …”

The more he talked, the more excited he became, and he despised everything he had seen and heard in the capital, as well as the mining and mining, casting machinery, and even the bicycles coming and going on the street.Ma Chaoting's fists clenched tighter and tighter, wishing he could smash him under the table with one punch, but Xiao Ran only looked at him with a smile, drinking lightly from time to time, leisurely.

After his long speech was dry, he finally breathed a sigh of relief, Xiao Ran said: "Brother Xiaoda, that's all he said? Well, I can see your patriotic heart, respectable, but also lamentable!"

Zhang Zhidong was taken aback, and said, "Why did you say that, my virtuous brother?"

Xiao Ran smiled and said: "I can't tell you my brother is as good at citing scriptures and writings as you are. I just want to ask one thing: In the first Opium War, the commander of the British Expeditionary Force, Pu Dingcha, led an expeditionary force of 5000. The land of China is domineering and unstoppable, but the [-] regular troops of the Qing Dynasty were slaughtered like sheep? In August last year, the British and French allied forces went northward from Guangzhou, with a total strength of only [-] and only a hundred or two warships. , Why did the Qing Dynasty devote all its soldiers to the country, but was captured by the foreign devils at Dagukou and fought all the way to the city of Beijing, causing the emperor to go north to hunt? Brother Xiaoda is strong, loyal and patriotic, when the foreign devils came to fight Why don't you discuss with those foreign devils who killed my compatriots, ravaged my sisters, occupied my land, and plundered my wealth. Maybe they are generous and benevolent, and they can kill others without fighting; Gang Chang, you can scold the foreign devil so ashamed that he wants to die, he hides his face and runs away; maybe Brother Xiaoda, with his eloquence of crying ghosts and gods, can also persuade the foreign devil to change his mind and put down his butcher knife?"

"You, you..." Zhang Zhidong was startled and angry, but Xiao Ran's words were like steel knives and sharp arrows, piercing his body to pieces. Even though he is full of knowledge and talents, he insisted on saying nothing. not come out.Suddenly trembling with anger, he said after a while, "You, who are you?"

"Bastard! When my lord was in charge of the battle with the emperor, he won a great victory in Nianzishan, and the corpses of the foreign devils he killed were scattered all over the field! How dare you, a guy who can only talk about it, speak so boldly in front of my lord? You don't kneel down!"

Ma Chao's voice scared Zhang Zhidong almost to the ground.Nianzishan was a great victory, this battle was well-known, his father was an official of the imperial court, of course he had heard of it, and he also knew that Xiao Ran was the deputy chief executive.Although my old man is also a national cadre, a mere local magistrate is compared to a chief eunuch working in the central government, that is, rivers are to lakes and seas, and fireflies are to the sun and moon.Shocked, he felt his legs go limp, and fell to his knees, saying incoherently, "So... so it's Eunuch Xiao, Xiaoda is ignorant, and Xiaoda should die! Eunuch, you have a lot of adults..."

"Hey, it's boring to say that!" Xiao Ran was still smiling, and helped Zhang Zhidong to sit on the stool with his own hands, and said: "Little brother, I have already sent him back out of the palace. I am no longer the deputy head of the palace, just a commoner." .Speaking of which, brother Xiaoda is also a juren after all, and his status is much higher than mine. Please don't mind what you said just now, brother!"

"Where is it, don't dare!"

"But you have to take it to heart!"

"Ah?...Yes, yes! Definitely!"

After all, he was a son of an official, and Zhang Zhidong knew a little about the affairs of the court and China.Throughout the ages, all eunuchs sent back to the palace must either be called back to their original place, or they will be sent to become a monk. How can there be such a master as Xiao Ran who can leisurely wander around the city and even dare to stroll around the prime minister's office?Even if it's really just an official, there must be something tricky here!Thinking of this, Zhang Zhidong became more and more careful.

After a slap, he will be rewarded with a sweet date, which is Xiao Ran's usual practice.While holding the lamp in person, he comforted him with warm words, saying that Zhang Zhidong was grateful for a while, and kept talking nonsense for a while.No matter what li xuan said to him at this time, they were all good words, every word was pearls of wisdom, so he quickly changed his views on the issue of westernization, and gradually he was able to keep up with li xuan's thoughts.

What Xiao Ran valued most about Zhang Xiaoda was his knowledge and ability.The Westernization Movement in history is an example. When he was in Guangdong, he planned to build a new type of government-run enterprise, setting up a bullet factory, an iron factory, a gun factory, a coin factory, a machine weaving layout, and a mining bureau. Hubei established the Hubei Railway Bureau, the Hubei Gun Factory, and the Hubei Textile Bureau (including the four bureaus of weaving, spinning, silk, and hemp).It also started the Daye iron mine, inland river shipping and telecommunications, and urged the construction of Luhan, Yuehan, and Sichuan Han railways.Later, he prepared to train the Jiangnan Self-improvement Army and the Hubei New Army, and vigorously ran schools, established new-style schools such as military equipment, agriculture, industry and commerce, railways, dialects, general education, and teacher training, and sent students to study in Japan, Britain, France, Germany and other countries many times. .

Of course, Xiao Ran really couldn't remember such detailed achievements, but Zhang Zhidong opened various factories, promoted industries, and established new types of education, these are indisputable.It also shows that Zhang Zhidong, if you don't do it, you can do it. Once you do it, it will play an irreplaceable role for others.And what Xiao Ran wanted him to do the most at this time, of course, was to let him open a factory. If used properly, this would be a rare talent.

The conversation with him lasted from morning until sunset.Whether it was due to pressure or really assimilated by Xiao Ran, the current Zhang Zhidong has begun to have a new understanding of Western learning and Westernization.Seeing that the work has basically been laid out, Xiao Ran filled his glass with wine, raised his glass and said, "A man should make contributions and serve the motherland. When he grows old, he can be famous and rich, and he will be famous in history. The reason why I told Xiaoda today Brother said so much, just because I think you have this ideal and ambition. If you want, I can help you. The Tongran Hall in the capital was founded by me and the imperial court. It has a pharmaceutical factory, a machinery factory, Bicycle factory, sewing machine factory, etc. If you want, you can come to my Tongran hall first, and I can recommend you to the imperial court and promote you to be a member of the Ministry of Industry. As for your background, I can help you find an imperial servant. Brother Yang Xiaoda, what do you think?"

♂ Volume 8 in the harem ♀

→Chapter 115 - Railway Repair←

At this point, Zhang Zhidong's first thought was that a boss, Daowailang, fell from the sky, and he was a member of the fifth rank!And his father has worked hard all his life, but he is only a fourth-rank magistrate.In addition, the errand of the Ministry of Industry is a Beijing official, as usual, he is three grades higher than the local officials, that is to say, he, a fifth-rank member of the Ministry of Industry, is even a whole level higher than his father!

What's more, there is also a background in the Hanlin Academy, a student of the emperor, which scholar has not dreamed of it since ancient times? ...

The sudden great happiness made Zhang Zhidong dizzy for a moment, but at the same time he couldn't help but have some doubts: this Eunuch Xiao was once the most popular person in front of him, so the power is naturally very large.But is it big enough to appoint fifth-rank officials at will and control the court?So besides being excited and shocked, I also feel somewhat uneasy.

After considering the words and sentences carefully, he said carefully: "My father-in-law's trust and cultivation, this kind of kindness, even if Xiaoda is smashed to pieces, it is difficult to repay it! However, the appointment and dismissal of officials in the court, according to the rules, must be selected and approved by the Ministry of Internal Affairs in conjunction with the Ministry of Officials. In the examination, Xiaoda is only a mere candidate, without a Jinshi background, such a super promotion, there will be a suspicion of going to the sky in one step, I am afraid that he will be criticized!"

Zhang Zhidong said this very implicitly, he was obviously humble, but he was saying in secret, you, Xiao Ran, are just a father-in-law, do you have this strength?Of course Xiao Ran understood what he meant, so he couldn't help laughing, and said: "What's the matter, brother Xiaoda doubts my strength, Xiao Ran?" Suddenly he pondered for a while, and said, "Well, let's do it this way. You are a son of an official family. I think you have a little understanding of the matter. First, tell me, among all the courtiers in the Qing Dynasty, which minister is the most powerful?"

Zhang Zhidong's complexion changed, and he said hastily: "This is a major national event. It is about the great plan of the future. Xiaoda is just a scholar, so how dare you speak nonsense..."

"This brother is not telling the truth. When it comes to Western learning and foreign affairs at the beginning, isn't brother too impassioned and boastful?" Xiao Ran patted him on the shoulder and said: "There are no outsiders here, but it's okay to talk about it."

Zhang Zhidong was overwhelmed, hesitated for a long time, and had no choice but to say: "The king of politics, Yiji, is comparable to a bone!"

"Okay! Ma Chao, go get Yi

As soon as the word "pass" was uttered, Zhang Zhidong's arm shook in fright, and the blue and white porcelain wine glass fell to the ground with a snap, smashing it into pieces.Ma Chao agreed with a smile, and walked quickly.Coincidentally, Ri Yi "passed" over this day.Once in the house.First saluted Xiao Ran politely, and said, "Brother Xiao is in a hurry to find me, what orders do you have?"

Because he came in a hurry, Yi's ruby ​​top.The mending clothes on his body, with a five-clawed dragon picture on bamboo, and walking a dragon on his shoulders, are the unique marks of a prince.Of course Zhang Zhidong recognized that this was Wang Yi, the genuine political deliberator, his knees gave way and he almost fell to his knees.

Xiao Ran just rushed out casually.I'll call you later. "

Brother Yida, can you believe this time? "

Zhang Zhidong opened his mouth wide.But he couldn't say a word.After a while, he woke up, plopped down on his knees, and said in a panic: "Father-in-law's kindness is as heavy as a mountain! Filial piety can't be repaid, only a passion, today I swear to the sky, I will be loyal to my father-in-law, and I will be smashed to pieces. If you break your oath, you will be slaughtered by both humans and gods!..."

Xiao Ran smiled slightly.All he needs is to let this Zhang Zhidong be completely devoted to him!Immediately helped him up and said: "It's very good that you have this kind of thought. I will definitely provide you with this opportunity to show your talents and realize your ideals and ambitions. How about this, I will first hand over the pharmaceutical factory under Tongrantang to you. You come to take charge of the appointment, and I will handle it for you later."

After some encouragement, Zhang Zhidong left with tears of gratitude.This is an opportunity to step up to the world in one step. From now on, the excitement of starting an official career is self-evident.Even my hometown in Guizhou can't be bothered to go back, and I want to make people study books and go home. From then on, I want to show my strengths in Beijing and create a world.

Sending Zhang Zhidong away, Xiao Ran asked Yi to say something, but Xiao Ran was in a difficult situation for a while.

It turned out that before the British embassy approached Yi this time, the British and Russian consuls had had private contacts with the Chinese side on the railway issue, but due to various reasons, this matter has been shelved.This time, Elgin, who was the British plenipotentiary to China at the time, came forward in person and proposed straight to the point that two railways should be built: one from Kowloon to Guangzhou, and the other from Shanxi to Henan along the Yangtze River. The money must be borrowed from the British side.

奕

Offended Elgin, but he didn't dare to make a hasty decision on such a major matter, so he could only discuss it with him.After hearing the news, Xiao Ran was somewhat surprised. Why did the British move so fast this time?

In fact, this is also the result of Tongrantang's large-scale opening of factories recently.It is impossible for such a big move not to arouse the vigilance of the great powers.Since the opening of these factories was not an act of the government, but was presided over by Tongrantang, the foreign devils were still unable to directly intervene, but they still reacted quickly in other aspects.Armed like Russia, it has accelerated its advance in the deep areas of western China, including strategically important places such as Talbahatai, Khobdo, and Ili. The trend of the border of the western sector of Russia.The United Kingdom has stepped up the competition for border trade and railways, and it is nothing more than trying to expand its sphere of influence in China and plunder more resources and wealth.France, the United States and other countries have also taken a series of actions in order to consolidate their power in China.

Purely from the perspective of the British side's proposal to build a railway this time, there are advantages and disadvantages, which makes Xiao Ran hesitate.Logically speaking, the construction of railways can undoubtedly play a huge and irreplaceable role in promoting the development of a country. Unfortunately, during this period, Zhan Tianyou should still be a bare-bottomed baby (in fact, he was just born. Zhan Tianyou, 1861--1919)!In terms of capital, technology, and talents, China still does not have the strength to build railways by itself; but if the right to build railways is handed over to foreign devils, the loss will not only be the sovereignty and dignity of the country, but also the territory, Military, and wealth and resources!

The construction of railways has always been a strategic means for the great powers to exploit and invade backward countries, and it is accompanied by the seizure of the operating rights of railways.Often building a railway means controlling the railway and the areas along it, including energy, minerals, military, commerce...etc.For China, the construction of the railway symbolizes that the power of the great powers has penetrated from the coastal ports to the interior.On the one hand, foreign devils can obtain huge economic benefits from investing in the construction of the railway itself; Another naked aggression!

what to do?If Elgin is rejected, it may lead to a new round of friction.In fact, purely from the current military strength, friction is not afraid. With the introduction of new machine tools, the application of electric power, and the establishment of new steel factories, China's firearms manufacturing has jumped to a new level by leaps and bounds. .Not to mention Zeng Guofan's ordnance factory in Anqing, in Beijing alone, the arsenal of Dai Tong, a member of the Ministry of Industry, has already flourished.The scale has been expanded to three factory areas, a professional firearms manufacturing area, an artillery casting area, and an ammunition production workshop.With the expansion of production scale, a large number of new weapons such as new rifles, breech-loading cannons, and front-barreled mortars are continuously being produced and equipped with troops. With these guys, China is no longer in the hands of the old powers. You can knead the dough any way you want.