I can't die

The Qing Dynasty’s customized tariffs on Ryukyu’s special products were unexpectedly low, and the high profits contained in them were astonishing. If they entered foreign markets at extremely low prices, they would definitely lead to disorder in foreign markets.However, the risk of overseas markets has always been a concern for merchants.

Although Liu Xingzhi and this Ryukyu general Liu Xingzhi belong to the same family and are also Liu Xingzhi's forehead, after all, their identities are different.Liu Xiang often needs to consider the political considerations of the court, and Liu Xingzhi must put the interests of the family first.

Now that Liu Xingzhi finished his banquet and went back to his room, he couldn't help thinking about this policy in his heart.As the No. [-] commercial firm in the southeast, the Liu family is not ignorant of the foreign situation.In the past, Malacca, the most important overseas market of the previous dynasty, and Siam had long been occupied by Britain, and the imperial court wanted to take action against Japan and Tsarist Russia, but it was forced to do so.Tsarist Russia also said that as long as the imperial court opens up traffic, trade can be completed from the inland, whether it is through the three eastern provinces or Mongolia, and Japan will. . . .

After all, the Japanese rogues are not uneasy. Even though the Qing army has repelled the rogues now, it is inevitable that the rogues will come back one day in the future.It should be noted that in maritime trade, the cargo of a ship is often worth hundreds of thousands of silver. Once it is robbed, it is difficult for a big business like the Liu family to bear it.

After much deliberation, Liu Xingzhi decided to talk to Liu Xiang. Even if Liu Xiang couldn't reveal too much due to his identity, he could still make some points for the sake of his family.

Liu Xingzhi wanted to do it, so he took advantage of the night and asked the maid to lead the way to find Liu Xiang.The palace maid of the Ryukyu Kingdom heard the words, holding the palace lanterns, she led the way, and the clogs knocked on the wooden corridors of the ancient palace, making a crisp sound. There were bursts of laughter from silk and bamboo, and Liu Xingzhi couldn't help but looked up and asked:

"Where is that place?"

"The Terrace of the Beast is the place where the king and concubines of our country live now." The Terrace of the Beast is not small, but it is not comparable to the main hall of the Ryukyu Kingdom. It is pitiful to think that the king of a country can only temporarily live in the side palace. .Hearing this, Liu Xiang couldn't help but frowned: "It's already the second watch, is the ruler of your country still enjoying singing and dancing?"

"Returning to your lord, the two lords Liu and Zhang have discussed domestic matters these few days, and our country's lord is very relieved." These court ladies of the Ryukyu Kingdom did not know the details of these Qing merchants, and only thought they were officials from the upper kingdom. , are all called adults.

Up to this point, Liu Xingzhi couldn't help but be amazed by Liu Xiang and Zhang Zhidong's current authority in the Ryukyu Kingdom, and seemed to feel that the Ryukyu King is a coward, so he didn't know what to say, so he nodded: "You continue to lead the way."

The palace where Liu Xiang and Zhang Zhidong live now is the Ming Palace in Shuri Castle.The Ming Palace has been the exclusive residence of the ruler of the Ryukyu Kingdom since ancient times, but now in order to find the Shangguan of the Qing Dynasty, it has been given up.Liu Xingzhi followed the Ryukyu court ladies to the Ming palace, and immediately saw dozens of Qing officials and soldiers waiting at the gate of the palace.The maid stopped, bowed, and bowed: "Ming Palace is not a place where we can come and go as we please, and I hope you can go in by yourself."

Liu Xingzhi looked at the soldiers wearing armor and holding foreign guns at the gate of the palace, nodded, stepped forward and said: "Please tell me, the military master, I am Liu Xingzhi from the family of Liu's son-in-law, and I am here to ask to see you. "

The Qing soldier guarding the gate couldn't help being surprised when he thought that there was still someone coming to see him so late, he took a look at Liu Xing and saw that this person was indeed somewhat similar to Liu Xiang, and he heard that he was from Liu's son-in-law's family, so his tone inevitably changed More politely: "Please wait a moment, I will go in and report."

The guard walked in with foreign guns on his shoulders.At this time, Liu Xiang didn't see anyone, and was sitting at the desk, writing a secret letter to Xia Changping that was about to go to the sticky pole.Reporting on the war is a must for the generals on the front line, but now Zhang Zhidong is writing a memorial to the Ministry of War, while Liu Xiang is going to the stick to go directly to Tianting.

Liu Xiang heard that Liu Xing had come before, thinking that after all he was an uncle of the same family and had to see him, so he got up and packed up the secret letter, and went to call the soldiers to welcome Liu Xingzhi in.

In other words, the customs of the Ryukyu Kingdom are somewhat influenced by Japan. The tables are placed directly on the floor. After sitting for a long time, it is inevitable that they are not as comfortable as the tables and chairs of the Qing Dynasty. At present, Liu Xiang is alone. When I got up, I felt a little dizzy, and hurriedly staggered and leaned on the wall for a while before finally recovering.

When Liu Xingzhi entered the door, he saw such a picture, a man in a white robe, leaning against the wall, a string of black hair scattered, under the moonlight, revealing a handsome and extraordinary face, like a heavenly man .

"No wonder you are favored by the eldest princess. Such a face is comparable to Pan'an." Seeing this, Liu Xingzhi couldn't help but sigh in his heart, and asked with concern, "How is the forehead?"

Hearing this, Liu Xiang waved his hand: "It's okay, maybe I got up suddenly and got dizzy." Liu Xiang touched his forehead with his slender fingers, and found that there was nothing unusual. : "Uncle Clan came so late, is there something wrong?"

"After listening to your words today, I don't know how many people fell asleep, so I relied on my identity to come to find you." Liu Xingzhi stepped forward and supported Liu Xiang, who was a little swaying, and the two walked to the collapse. .After being seated, Liu Xiang finally regained his composure and smiled: "Uncle Clan, you are being polite, there are some things that should be explained to you first."

Hearing Liu Xiang's "family uncle", Liu Xingzhi felt that Liu Xiang still cared about his family, so he politely lifted the kettle on the table and warmed a glass of water: "Although it is early summer, this island It's no better than at home, and the night wind is also strong. When you are marching outside, you should also pay attention to your health."

After taking a sip of water, Liu Xiang also felt warm in his heart: "It's okay, it's not the first time to march and fight. The imperial court is now determined to open the sea market, and it will be even more busy in the future."

"But there are many risks at sea. Although the merchants value profits, they also cherish their lives."

"The emperor told me in private that he intends to build more iron ships and borrow them from various commercial firms. The iron ships will travel and be escorted by free warships. It's just for traveling in the surrounding sea areas. It's okay." It's just that the news from the Liu family made it so.

Hearing this, Liu Xingzhi's face suddenly became more serious: "It's not a problem, but it's just that my Qing Dynasty really has such military power?"

The fine iron needed to build steel steamships is beyond imagination. Everyone thinks that the Qing Dynasty can build three warships is the limit. They never thought about the meaning. It seems that they have to rebuild. But where does the court money come from? ?

"This is what the imperial court should worry about. It's just that the emperor wanted me to find some merchants who can make iron. I wonder if my Liu family has the ability?"