Eunuchs who traveled through the Qing Dynasty

Just thinking about how to set up this trick, it happened that Yulai sent someone to look for it. It turned out that the telegraph office is now open because of the protection and encouragement of the imperial court.Not only has the line not been persecuted by the people as before.On the contrary, business is really good.Especially for those businessmen, it used to take ten days and a half months to pass the news back and forth. Now it is passed in the blink of an eye. Think about Sun Houzi's somersault cloud, right?

The characteristics of a businessman are naturally profit-seeking, and they are relatively easier to accept new things.After discovering the benefits of the telegram, I couldn't help but run around telling everyone.Driven by the local telegraph business is booming.Such a business opportunity, with Yu Lai's shrewdness, naturally refused to miss it, so he came to discuss with Xiao Ran, intending to invite Ai Dun from Fulai Foreign Company to lay the line from Shanghai to Guangzhou, and at the same time invite the imperial court to issue an edict, which will be issued by various places The Yamen recruited manpower and set up telegraph lines.Strive to improve China's telegraph network as soon as possible.

This is a great thing that benefits the country and the people.Xiao Ran naturally agreed.When Yulai mentioned Ayton's name, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he slapped his thigh and said, "Yes, yes! Why did I forget about this person. Hehe, I want Shengbao, an old fox, to be tricked. It will fall on Ayton!"

Seeing Yu Lai was confused, Xiao Ran chuckled, and whispered something in his mouth...

However, on this day, a luxurious carriage stopped in front of the gate of Tongran Hall, and a person walked down proudly.Dressed in a fox fur robe, wearing a mink hat with ear catches, pince-nez eyes, and eight-legged beard, he is full of style.The waiter at the hall saw the customer, and hurried forward to say hello: "My lord, please come inside! This is your first visit to our same hall, right? First, please come inside and have some hot tea."

The man looked at Tongrantang's signature store, snorted, and snorted, "This is the famous Tongrantang's general name? It seems that it's nothing more than that, petty!"

It turns out that the general name of Tongran Hall is located in Hongmenzi Hutong. The buildings here are all old for many years, so naturally they will not be particularly luxurious and resplendent.But Tongrantang's staff are all of high quality, so they don't care about him, and please come in with a smile.

The owner of the store went up to see the ceremony in person, served a pot of the best Biluochun, and then asked for the name of the store.The man still had his eyelids up and dismissive, and he didn't say his name, he just said, "Where's your shopkeeper? I want to talk to him."

The shopkeeper is not as good-tempered as the buddy, and he is also an awesome master. He sneered and said: "Yo, then you have to wait. Our big shopkeeper just went to the palace and was summoned by the queen mother. He may come back Well, you can just wait here!"

In fact, at this time, Yu Lai was in the back office.But when the shopkeeper said this, the man was dumbfounded.What an honor to be summoned by the Empress Dowager?Thanks to his quick thinking, he got up quickly and said: "So that's it! Haihan Haihan, the shopkeeper, can I trouble you to inform me that the owner of Ningbo Lu's Trading Company, Lu Tingshan, came to visit, and the big shopkeeper will come later is back, also

Give an introduction! "

The shopkeeper curled his lips, thinking that if you are holding back and hitting backwards, you are in debt!Immediately said: "That's it, let's take a look. I just don't know when our shopkeeper will come back, so you can wait a little longer!"

He didn't bother with him, and turned around and went to the back hall.It just so happened that Xiao Ran was also there on this day. Hearing that Lu Qinzhi had arrived, he exchanged a glance with Yulai and said with a smile, "Business is here!"

The two of them were not in a hurry, first they drank tea slowly for a long time, and then ordered someone to go to Fulai & Co. to invite Ayton from the back door, but Xiao Ran avoided it, and only asked Yu Lai and Ayton to go around through the back door and run to the front door into the shop.The shopkeeper pretended to greet him and introduced Lu Qinzhi and Yulai.Lu Qinzhi was secretly surprised when he saw that Yulai was young but still capable and steady, with such an aura of naturalness in his words and smiles; when he saw that a foreign man was following behind him, he was short. Halfway through, the two legs bent down involuntarily.

Lu Qinzhi is indeed a lackey of the British.In his eyes, foreigners are the masters, more expensive than their ancestors, so when he saw Ayton, he couldn't help being slavish and came up.And Ayton is respectful to Yulai, how dare he neglect?Nodding and bowing, he stepped forward to meet the ceremony.Yu Lai seemed very polite, took him to the back hall, briefly introduced Ayton to him, and then sat down separately.

This time, Lu Qinzhi didn't dare to pretend to be forceful anymore, and explained his intentions in a polite manner.Then he said: "Currently, the shipping business in Shanghai is very tight, and there are very few capable ship merchants. And my Lu's Trading Company has twelve large cargo ships, and can take over the shipping business in both offshore and inland rivers. There will not be a second one in the Jianghuai area. Stronger than mine. So regarding the matter of participating in China Merchants, please take care of Fang Da." He then introduced the situation of his business, including the list of the size and condition of the twelve cargo ships, please come Take a look.

Yu Lai thought for a while, and said: "So that's the case. It's all because the people below me are not good at handling things, and I didn't understand the specific situation clearly, which made it difficult for me to make a decision, and it took so long. The strong alliance , is the way to plan things out, and since that’s the case, I’ll send a telegram to Shanghai later, asking them to draw up a detailed charter and settle this matter as soon as possible, what do you think?”

Under Lu Qinzhi's great joy, his excited voice changed a little, and he said repeatedly: "That's a good relationship, that's a good relationship! Shopkeeper Fang Da really has courage..."

He chattered a lot, nothing more than flattery.Yu Lai smiled and said, "Let's do it, let's do that for today. I still have something to do with the Ministry of Industry, so we'll talk about it later." Then he ordered the staff to see off the guests.Ayton said from the side: "Mr. Fang, then look at my incident..."

Yu Lai waved his hand and said, "Let's talk about it next time. I do have something to do today, so I didn't greet you well, forgive me."

Ayton sighed, had no choice but to leave, and talked with one of Lu Qin.Lu Qinzhi heard that he was the manager of the well-known British Fleur & Co., and had long wanted to flatter him. Seeing Ayton sighing, he hurriedly stepped forward to give a deep salute, and said in foreign language: "I don't know what troubles Mr. Ayton has, my lord." Can I serve you sir?"

Ayton took a look at Lu Qin, shook his head and said, "Thank you, Mr. Lu, for your kindness, but unfortunately, you can't help with this matter."

Lu Qinzhi quickly asked what was the matter, but three or five times, Ayton just hesitated to speak.The more it was like this, the more Lu Qinzhi felt that there must be some big money-making business here, and scratched his head anxiously.

With an idea, he asked Ayton for his address, then pretended to get in the car and leave.After a long walk in the city, he rushed to Fulai Foreign Firm. At this time, Ayton also came back. Seeing him coming to the door, he was a little surprised and said, "Mr. Lu, why did you come so soon?"

Lu Qinzhi said: "To be honest, I went to your country to study abroad a few years ago. The noble gentleman of the British Empire is also my most honored friend. It would be a great honor for me to serve Mr. Ayton!"

Ayton smiled and said: "Mr. Lu is still for that matter? With your words, it would be great if this business can really be done for you. Alas, it's a pity that you really can't help with this matter." busy."

Lu Qinzhi felt itchy in his heart, and asked more and more questions.Ayton saw that he was endless, and said helplessly: "Okay, if you must know. I want to buy explosives and detonators from Tongrantang. Where do you get these things?"

Lu Qinzhi was overjoyed, and blurted out: "What I thought it was, it turned out to be this thing! Mr. Ayton, I am not bragging, let alone explosives and detonators, I can get you guns, do you believe it or not?" said After finishing it, I felt a bit slipped, coughed hurriedly, and said awkwardly: "I don't know what use Mr. Ayton bought the explosives for?"

Mr. Lu, can you really get explosives and guns? Ayton was surprised, looked around and saw no one around, and said to Lu Qinzhi: "This is not a place to talk, please follow me." "

Taking Lu Qinzhi out of the living room through the back door, they came to a small study room, pushed aside a mural on the wall, and found a secret room inside.Lu Qinzhi felt that he was able to enter here, and his status seemed to be dignified. It was obvious that the foreign man had regarded him differently. When he thought about it, his bones suddenly became lighter.

Ayton asked Lu Qinzhi to sit down, poured him a cup of tea, and said, "What Mr. Lu said just now is not a joke, right? As far as I know, the Qing government has expressly stipulated that both explosives and detonators are under control." Commodities, especially foreigners are not allowed to buy and sell. I need to buy a batch of explosives urgently. It is said that Fulai Foreign Company has an old relationship with Tongrantang. Unfortunately, the shopkeeper Fang is not willing to accommodate me anyway. If you can help me, I will Very grateful!"

Lu Qinzhi was flattered and said: "I don't dare to do it! Serving the British Empire is my duty! As for the shopkeeper Fang, well, the Chinese are so old-fashioned!" Of course, he has already classified himself as a foreigner.

Ayton was overjoyed, and then told him that it was the British headquarters of Fulai Matheson that entrusted him to purchase explosives and new firearms in China.It is only because the Chinese government supervises too tightly that it has been too long to find a way out.When Lu Qinzhi heard that the smuggled goods were going to the UK, he had no doubts, and immediately assured him that the explosives and guns were fine.But the topic changed, and he said again: "Mr. Ayton, I think you also understand the difficulty of doing this kind of thing. As for the reward..."

Ayton said straightforwardly: "Money is not a problem. I can charge [-]% higher than the market price. But there is one requirement, that is, it must be fast. At the end of the month at the latest, I want to see this batch of goods leave the port."

The time he asked for was indeed a little nervous, but the price was [-]% higher, which was a lot of violence.Flying windfall ah!Lu Qinzhi hesitated for a moment.He stomped his feet and said, "Okay. The end of the month is the end of the month, we've made a deal!"

The two discussed the quantity and price, and Ayton drafted a contract, both parties signed it, and made a down payment of 20.00% of the arrears, all of which were bank notes from Fuchun Bank.At this moment, Lu Qinzhi didn't care about currying favor with Mr. Yang, so he left in a hurry.His forefoot just left.Seeing a hidden compartment on the back wall slide away soundlessly, it turns out that there is actually a layer of interlayer in this secret room.Shi Shiran walked out of two people, it was Xiao Ran and Yulai.

Yu Lai walked forward with a smile, patted Ayton's shoulder and said: "Old friend, thanks to your help, this time I have to thank you very much!"

Ayton hurriedly said: "Where is it! The despicable business is not entirely dependent on the support of Xiaodong's family and Fang's shopkeeper. This is what I should do."

Let's talk about Lu Qinzhi.After leaving Fulai foreign company, he rushed to the telegraph office immediately.The telegraph line from Shanghai to Beijing passes through Shandong.So I sent a telegram to Lu's Matheson's office in Shandong, and sent it to Shengbao office urgently.Since the last shipment went wrong, Shengbao couldn't help feeling nervous for a while, and wanted to reject it, but Lu Qinzhi's price this time was much higher than before.

There is a saying that people make money and birds die for food. After all, not many people can resist the temptation in the face of huge profits.Shengbao thought about it for a whole night, and thought that anyway, he would do this kind of thing once, and he would do it twice.

Confused, he immediately applied to Yi for a new type of firearm in the name of strengthening the defense of the river and expanding the team.Shengbao belongs to the Yi Department, and the relationship is established there, so everything from submission to approval and formalities went surprisingly smoothly.At the same time, Shengbao issued a receipt for the purchase of explosives through the local yamen, and sent people to the capital to purchase explosives and detonators from the Tongrantang Explosives branch.This time, Yulai has already confessed that as long as it is a receipt from Shandong, it will be sold.

At the end of the month, the arms had arrived in Jinan, and then transferred from Jiyang to Laizhou Bay.Everything went extremely smoothly, but he didn't know that every move had fallen into Xiao Ran's sight.

On this day, as soon as the cargo ship of Lu's Foreign Company loaded with munitions left the harbor, two three-masted fast warships approached with their black muzzles outflanking.The navy of the Qing Dynasty had always stayed in the port, and the offshore waters had always been unimpeded. This sudden change caught everyone on board the cargo ship by surprise.The cannon hit his forehead, and he didn't know what happened, so he became a prisoner in a daze.

On the other side of Shengbao, the arms delivery was completed, and he was really relieved.The white silver is so light

If you put it in your pocket, you will laugh out loud in your dreams.

There is a saying that good things come in pairs, and this side earns a lot of extra money. Coincidentally, a small-scale White Lotus Rebellion broke out in Laiwu area. Due to the powerful weapons of the Qing army, it was quickly suppressed.The imperial court sent an imperial edict, saying that the deputy capital of the Shandong Eight Banners Army, Tong Shengbao, had made great achievements in suppressing the bandits, and that he would be rewarded with the post of first-class Qingqi Lieutenant, given the double-eyed feathers, and immediately went to Beijing to listen to the reward.

After receiving the imperial edict, Shengbao felt a beauty in his heart.What is spring breeze?What is time to turn?My buddy has been mixed up to this point today, and it can be regarded as smoke from the ancestral grave.Immediately ordered five hundred followers, and came all the way to the capital triumphantly.

Just after the Lunar New Year, on the twelfth night of the first lunar month, Shengbao and his party had already arrived in Beijing.This guy is a master who likes to pretend. During the Xinyou coup, he brought five hundred guards and set up a palace at the foot of the emperor in Chengde. Set up camp.

Early the next morning, the emperor issued an imperial edict, and Xuan Sheng Bao Jin met.At this time, Shengbao wore a red warm hat with tassels on his head, brand-new mended clothes, and a fox fur cloak. He entered the city full of energy, and went straight to the Meridian Gate to wait for his summons.As soon as he stood still, he saw a person walking towards him, and he smiled from afar: "Master Sheng, don't come here without any problems! It's been a hard journey all the way from Shandong!"

Sheng Bao saw it clearly, this man was dressed in men's clothing and an official hat, with a young and handsome face that was always smiling, who wasn't Xiao Ran?Quickly returned the salute, and said: "What are you talking about, Kezhai has no virtue and incompetence, how dare you work for Mr. Xiao!"

Xiao Ran said with a smile: "You mustn't be polite, if you want to talk about today's errand, I still have to come. Others may not be able to handle you."

Shengbao was taken aback for a moment, and said, "Eunuch Xiao's words are..."

Xiao Ran waved his hand and said, "Where is Guard Mei? He's tied up!"

Before he finished speaking, he saw thirty or fifty imperial guards pouring out from all directions, and the leader of the guards was Mei Liangfu, the leader of the guards, who coaxed him forward and pinned Shengbao to the ground with all his might.Sheng Bao shouted angrily: "Reverse, reverse! Xiao Ran, do you know who I am? How dare you touch me?"

Xiao Ran said: "F*ck, I'm the one who moved you! Listen carefully: the criminal minister Shengbao accepts the order!" After speaking, he took out the imperial edict from his sleeve, unfolded it and read: "Shandong garrison Eight Banners Army Deputy Commander Shengbao, under the guise of The defense of the river, false reporting of military supplies, collusion with illegal foreign businessmen, smuggling of arms, the evidence is solid. As a courtier, living in vain on the emperor's salary, and communicating with foreign countries, this is a heinous crime, which is heinous! Immediately remove the feathers on the top, and peel off the yellow jacket , Send the clan to discuss the crime!"

Shengbao didn't know it was Dongchuang's incident until this time, but he couldn't figure out how to do such a secret thing, how could it suddenly be revealed?He pulled his neck and shouted: "Wrong, wrong! Shengbao is not guilty, this is framed!"

Xiao Ran said coldly: "If you dare to quibble, slap your mouth twenty times!" A guard had already stepped forward, sheathed his scabbard and slapped his mouth indiscriminately.The hard leather scabbard with the brass head was so hard. After twenty strikes, Katsubo's face was covered with flowers, and the blood was spat all over the ground with his teeth.

Mei Liangfu brought someone with him to take Shengbao away, while Yi was sitting on pins and needles at this time.Only then did he know what Shengbao had committed. The evidence Xiao Ran collected was very detailed. Every link in the entire arms circulation was recorded. The key smuggled cargo ship was also intercepted. up.

At this point, it is obvious that the gods can't save Shengbao's life, the only thing to do is to get rid of the relationship quickly, and don't get burned.Therefore, Yiyi kicked awe-inspiringly.

While arresting Shengbao, Liu Erfu Jingshou led the pro-army guards and surrounded the five hundred soldiers of Shengbao outside the city, but none of them escaped.Then the imperial court issued a secret order and sent it all the way, and the government offices quickly arrested the people involved in the case, and mobilized the Eight Banners Army from Henan and Jiangsu provinces to enter Shandong to prevent the Shengbao Department from mutiny.In fact, this worry seems a bit superfluous, because the tree fell and the monkeys scattered, Sheng Baodang was imprisoned, and those confidantes under him were all in danger, and it was too late to protect themselves, so how dare there be any changes?Within half a month, those involved in arms smuggling had all been arrested.