I can't die

It is certain that the British will come to hold them accountable, but after all, these bribed officials are Qing officials, and it is not easy to keep them.Li Hongzhang refused to let him go, so Brand didn't talk to Li Hongzhang this time, and went straight to the door to prepare for Hall T.

"Master Li, what exactly do you want?!"

Brand was already looking ruthless at this time, and his words were very blunt.Hearing this, Li Hongzhang smiled slightly, looking very calm, made a cup of Dahongpao for Brand with his own hands in a purple sand pot, and said kindly: "Master Director, don't worry, I heard that you are going back to China soon. Congratulations."

Brand heard Li Hongzhang's words, and his expression looked like he wanted to bite Li Hongzhang down.

"Where did you get the news? The Americans? The French?"

Brand was impeached jointly by British businessmen because of the "Bund stench incident" and "workers' strike" that broke out during his tenure. To put it badly, he is nearly 50 years old, and he is afraid that he will be dismissed after returning to China.

"What do you think?" Li Hongzhang did not answer: "Many countries are dissatisfied with your country's behavior."

The UK's previous attempt to dominate Shanghai was outraged by the public, which is why Li Hongzhang was able to deal with the warship with ease.

Brand snorted coldly, and pulled the tie around his neck, feeling that the early autumn in Shanghai was also very hot.

"Then I have to thank Mr. Li for his good deed." Although Brand pinned the Frenchman Wu Lien as the mastermind of the previous incident, Li Hongzhang was also a full-fledged accomplice in his eyes.

"Mr. Director, what are you talking about? Mr. Li came to Shanghai at the beginning of the year to fight against the Taiping rebels, and he relied on the support of Mr. Director. This kindness is naturally engraved in his heart. Now that he is leaving, he has to practice it. , and a small gift will be presented."

After finishing speaking, Li Hongzhang clapped his hands, and Ding Richang came out of the door, holding a delicate box carved with camphor wood and gold thread in his hand.He put the box in front of Brand and stepped back.

Brand was not sure what Li Hongzhang meant, so when he opened the box, his eyes straightened.But I saw a piece of red jade the size of half a thumb placed inside.This piece of jade looks like a piece of fat and tender Dongpo meat from a distance, and the skin, fat meat, and lean meat are distinct and lifelike, and it is extraordinary at first glance.

"This??"

Brand picked up the jade with envious eyes.Who doesn't know that during the Kangxi period, Alashan, Inner Mongolia presented a world-famous red agate.That red agate is Kangxi's true love, and its appearance is exactly like "Dongpo Meat", except that it is as big as a child's palm, which is much bigger than the one in front of me.

However, even if this piece is a bit small, it is undeniable that this piece of red agate is precious. Even if it is sold on the market, it can be sold for a huge sum of 10 taels, which is still priceless.

"Seeing that Mr. Director loves it so much, it's not in vain that Mr. Li put in so much effort to send it to Mr. Li."

Brand was shocked when he heard Li Hongzhang's words. He immediately put down the agate in his hand, and took a deep look at Li Hongzhang: "Master Li is not only about practicing, but also asking for something."

"The Qing Dynasty wants to make iron." Li Hongzhang looked directly at Brand with a pair of eyes, and said word by word.

When Brand heard this, the corner of his mouth turned up, and he picked up the red agate to play with again: "You know that it is absolutely impossible for the UK to hand over technology to you."

"But you have workers."

"That's why you think I'll promise you?"

"Mr. Director, you are going back to China soon. This is your last chance to make some money, isn't it? You are an excellent businessman."

Indeed, more than half of the British parliamentarians and senior officials are big capitalists.It is the nature of businessmen to love money. The pursuit of capital has created a brilliant Great Britain, and it has also completely induced their inner greed.

money?Who doesn't love money?The richer people are, the more they like money, and Brand is like this.As for what you said about poaching the corners of capitalism?I've heard of poaching the corners of socialism, but capitalism is a fart?Before the British Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai was able to coerce British warships to drive away for their own benefit, Brand is now barefoot and not afraid of bare shoes, why is he not allowed to use his power for the last time before leaving?

Thinking of this, Brand also laughed: "I just can't figure it out, why don't you go to the Americans?"

The United States is the only country that has established peaceful diplomatic relations with the Qing Dynasty. Obviously, although the United States is weaker than the United Kingdom when it comes to seeking technical knowledge, it is not far behind.

"There is an old saying in China: Walking on one leg is always unstable."

It can be seen that Li Hongzhang has a long-term vision. Even though he could quickly obtain a solution from the United States, he still found Brand.The United States is now willing to show goodwill to the Qing Dynasty because of civil strife, but what about the future?If everything depends on the United States, problems will arise sooner or later.Refer to the situation of New China and the former Soviet Union.

"I can provide you with skilled workers, but where are you going to open the venue?"

Secretly getting a few skilled workers for Li Hongzhang, Brand still has some means, but if he moves too much and leaves traces, he is also afraid of getting burned.After all, this kind of thing is almost the same as "selling the country" in a sense.

"It's in Shanghai." Li Hongzhang walked to the Shanghai map in the study and pointed to a location on the map.When Brand saw it, he laughed loudly: "It's really you. You have thought of this place."

I saw that what Li Hongzhang was referring to was just on the edge of the public concession, which was a piece of land bought by the Americans, and this land was the only iron factory in the Qing Dynasty, the American Banner Hongkou Iron Factory.In other words, as long as the land is won, you don't even need to buy equipment, you can use it directly.

Here I also have to introduce the American flag plan Hongkou Iron Works.It is one of the first batch of factories to settle in Shanghai. It is operated by American businessmen behind the scenes and opened by the Chinese. It has a history of 20 years. Because it has been established for a long time, the technology is not advanced. It once made some cannons for the Qing Dynasty, but was squeezed out by other foreigners.Until before, the British tried to dominate Shanghai and suppressed businessmen from other countries in Shanghai, which made the business of this iron factory more and more difficult.

Under such circumstances, it seemed very easy for Li Hongzhang to take down the iron factory.

"Afterwards, Mr. Li will transfer 10 taels of silver to your account in the Bank of America. I hope you will accept it."

If it is transferred to foreign accounts, it will not be easy to be checked. In addition to the collusion between the Qing Dynasty and the United States, it is very easy to conceal a bill. . .When Brand heard this, he couldn't help but feel happy for Li Hongzhang's carefulness, and he agreed.Then, the two reached a final agreement on ironmaking.

The author has something to say: I lost my favorite DIE. .beep beep

Tomorrow Wednesday is a day off~~~