Respectfully

January 1912, Russia

The battle report ahead was sent back to the Kremlin, and Tsar Nicholas II was furious.

The military and political ministers were in panic. Since Prime Minister Stolypin was assassinated, the domestic land reform bill was forced to be suspended. Although this responded to the interests of most of the aristocracy, the Empress Dowager Marina lamented: "The only thing that can save The man of Russia's fate died under the shadow of intrigue and envy."

Ironically, everything Stolypin did was to maintain the precarious Romanov dynasty, and the assassin Poglov was not only a radical left-wing revolutionary, but also a security guard. Bureau agent!Even though he was hanged ten days after Stolypin's death, the shadow of this murder still hangs over the Kremlin for a long time and refuses to dissipate.

The anger that Nicholas II could not vent finally exploded when he heard that the border war was unfavorable.

The Minister of War was severely criticized, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs was also affected. Empress Alexandra was the only one who could appease the Tsar's anger. Unfortunately, not long ago, the Empress was trying to depose the saint Ras Putin's eviction from the court was unhappy, she and her daughter complained: "Saints are always slandered!"

Rasputin had just held a séance, and he promised Grand Duchess Takyana: "The evil, the devil in the dark, will never appear in the Grand Duchess' dreams again."

Grand Duchess Takyana was very grateful, and a smile finally appeared on her beautiful face haggarded by nightmares.

The maid Irina was rewarded by the Grand Duchess, and the Grand Duchess even gave her a box of gems. For Irina who was not born into a wealthy family, this was a windfall.

Elena was very grateful to the Grand Duchess Takyana, and vowed in the name of God to follow and serve the Grand Duchess all her life.With his back to the Grand Duchess, the grateful smile on his face disappeared without a trace, and he looked at the box in his hand with cold eyes.

Elena found Rasputin while the Grand Duchess was resting. Rasputin was already very familiar with the maid who was with the Grand Duchess Takyana.

Elena knelt at Rasputin's feet, kissing the hem of his robe, like a devout believer.

"Great saint, savior, I want to confess to you!"

"Poor child." Rasputin put his hand on top of Elena's head, "God will hear your prayer."

"I confess to you that I should not have concealed from you the words I heard before, those words, those snakes spitting out their letters, those terrible, tempted by the devil, they are slandering you, saint! They are in the tsar and They slandered you repeatedly in front of the queen, and they vowed to drive you away from the tsar and queen, from the court, and even..."

"Even what, my boy?"

Elena looked up at Rasputin, full of grief and indignation: "They even plot to kill you!"

"Get up, my child." Rasputin held Elena's hand, "God will favor the honest believers."

"Thank you, Saint!"

Elena stepped back, and Rasputin stood where he was, with a hint of viciousness and cunning flashing through his deep-set blue eyes.He will not believe a maid's words, but his eyes and ears are all over the court. He can make a perfect "prophecy" to save the crown prince from an innocent disaster, and he can also gain the unparalleled trust of the queen. Those nobles who are full of hostility towards him He knew exactly what he was planning behind his back.

Grand Duke Dmitry, the Tsar's cousin, a proud young man, he more than once denigrated him in front of the Tsar, and even the Empress Dowager was bewitched by him.Rasputin will not allow himself to be passive forever, even if his brain is often corroded by alcohol, once the situation threatens the power in his hands, and may even shake the trust of the Tsar family in him, he will be extremely sober.

This young man must be taught a lesson, he should not challenge the authority of a saint!

Rasputin requested an audience with Her Majesty and prophesied in Her Majesty's presence that an attempt would be made against Crown Prince Alexei by deporting him, since he alone could cure the Crown Prince of hemophilia.

"Is that really the case?" Queen Alexandra was taken aback.

"Yes, Your Majesty, this person has a close relationship with the royal family and will bring terrible disasters to the royal family, in the east, right in the east!"

Rasputin's prophecy immediately spread throughout the court.In fact, the east he was referring to was just the fiefdom of Grand Duke Demetrius. Coincidentally, news of the unfavorable border war was sent back on the same day. The two things were linked together. Grand Duke Li lost the trust of the Tsar, and the Minister of War also asked to resign in order to save the Tsar's face.Just because the tsar's cousin, the self-willed William II, sent a telegram full of sarcasm when he learned that the great Russian army was helpless against a Chinese warlord.

The unpredictable emperor of the German Empire often did ridiculous and even outrageous things.

His unscrupulous words caused the German army to be dubbed the "Huns". He supported the independence of Morocco and angered the French. He also made radical remarks such as "you British are crazy".

Now, it is not incomprehensible that he specially sent a telegram to mock the Russian Tsar's army for losing to a group of yellow-skinned monkeys.

Nicholas II was furious, but there was nothing he could do.The previous Russo-Japanese war made him lose face, but now, he might not even be able to keep his face.

Unlike the angry Nicholas II, William II was in a good mood because of this incident. The Austro-Hungarian Empire supported by Germany has always wanted to annex Bosnia on the Balkan Peninsula, while Serbia, supported by the Russian Tsar, always stands there .The emperor of the Austro-Hungarian Empire was very unhappy, and William II, who was a supporter of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, naturally would not be very happy.

Now seeing that Nicholas II, who had been singing against him, lost face, William II was happy.

At this time, the battle situation in Manchuria was also published on the front pages of major newspapers in China along with the battle reports sent back from the front.

The clamoring that Lou Shengfeng would hit the rock with an egg and the army of the six northern provinces will be defeated gradually died down. Although they didn't disappear, they were suppressed and lost their momentum.

The northern government took the lead in responding. President Sima sent a telegram to the whole country, expressing support for the military operations in the six northern provinces. He immediately allocated [-] yuan in military expenses, appointed Qian Boxi as the commander-in-chief of the Manchuria battlefield, and Du Yuzhang as the deputy commander. Lou Xiao didn't mention a word.

As soon as the power was turned on, Lou Shengfeng just sneered and didn't say a word.

Qian Boxi and Du Yuzhang threw away the letter of appointment, and said to Lou Xiao: "Young commander, we two brothers have followed the commander through life and death for decades, and we have a lifelong friendship. We will not be blinded by power, and we are not people with a heart." You can forget your last name and whose family you eat after just a few words of provocation!"

Young Marshal Lou nodded, but he was very clear in his heart that Qian Boxi and Du Yuzhang were able to say these words, mostly because of Marshal Lou's face. There are many more things.

The first thing to do is to bring back the Manzhouli Railway Station. The old man inside should have run out of food, and I guess it won't last long.

At this moment, the quartermaster came to report that a new batch of military supplies had arrived, and the young commander was asked to receive them.

"I'll go?" Young Marshal Lou turned his head, "I'm not in charge of military supplies."

The corner of the quartermaster's mouth grinned, of course he knew that the young marshal was not responsible for this matter, but the young marshal really had to personally receive this batch of supplies.

"It was sent by the young commander's wife." The quartermaster said, "The young commander is not here, so none of the brothers dare to move."

Hearing the quartermaster's words, not only Lou Xiao, but also Qian Boxi and Du Yuzhang were aroused curiosity.

"Young Marshal, is it really your wife who sent it? Come on, hurry up and have a look!" Qian Boxi was impatient, rubbing his big hands: "I have fought for so many years, and my mother-in-law never thought of sending me anything. Come."

Du Yuzhang gave Qian Boxi a hand, "Young people are thin-skinned, so don't say a few words!"

Lou Xiao gave the two veteran ruffians a cold look, but the two veteran ruffians did not take it seriously, still smiling playfully.

Lou Xiao's face became even colder.

Qian Boxi said without fear of death: "Young Marshal, don't be shy! It's a good thing for a daughter-in-law to think about you! We are so envious that we can't even come here! Hurry up, go and see what's here!"

A group of people followed the quartermaster to the logistics department, and there were several people surrounded there, all of whom were from the logistics department. The quartermaster who brought the people coughed: "Everyone spread out! What are you doing here, the young commander is here!"

Everyone turned their heads, immediately stood at attention and saluted, and then dispersed.

Lou Xiao walked up to the quartermaster in charge of registration: "Where are the things?"

The quartermaster immediately pointed to the pile of packages behind him, which was as tall as a person, "It's all here. This is only a part, and there are more behind."

Lou Xiao didn't speak, the riding whip in his hand tapped his riding boots lightly, anyone could see that the young commander should be in a good mood right now.Or should I say, pretty good.

Qian Boxi grabbed his hat and stroked his bald head, which was the same as that of Marshal Lou: "Honey, so many? Are they all for the young marshal?"

The quartermaster also scratched his head: "The person who transported it only said that it was sent by the young marshal's wife, and didn't say anything else."

Lou Xiao walked over and opened a package. Seeing the contents of the package, everyone present were stunned for a moment.Before Lou Xiao could speak, Du Yuzhang picked up the waistcoat in the package first, "Cotton?"

Qian Boxi also stepped forward, picked up the knee pads under the waistcoat, and held them in his hands: "It's really thick!"

Lou Xiao still didn't speak, but there seemed to be brilliance flashing in his pitch-black eyes.

Qian Boxi couldn't wait to put on his vest and knee pads as well. Speaking of which, he was used to the weather in the north, but here on the border, there are vast grasslands, and the wind blows like a knife scraping bones. Yes, not to mention the soldiers defending the position, they were as cold as popsicles after switching defenses.After a long time, who can stand it?

Du Yuzhang looked at the waistcoat and knee pads on Qian Boxi's body, and couldn't help sighing: "Young Marshal's wife is so thoughtful! Jiang Yulin should really learn from it!"

Marshal Lou seemed not to hear, and only ordered the adjutant to go to the independent camp to ask someone to receive the supplies.

Qian Boxi came over, "Young Marshal, let's discuss, how about sharing this batch with me?"

Young Marshal Lou said with a cold face, "Mine."

Qian Boxi: "Huh?"

Marshal Lou: "My wife, it's mine. Things are mine too."

Qian Boxi: "..." No wonder the commander-in-chief always says that his son deserves a beating!

The people from the independent group counted the supplies, and after confirming that they were correct, Lou Xiao didn't ask anyone to take them back to his camp, but sent them all to the camp.

The soldiers who were defending the position heard that it was sent by the young marshal's wife. The young marshal didn't give it to his regiment, but gave it to them, and his eyes turned red immediately.

Soldiers carry guns, eat food and pay, and fight with their lives. Who wouldn't like to have a superior who can think about himself?

A company commander touched the knee pads on his legs, only to feel that the red and swollen knees were no longer so uncomfortable. Seeing the familiar gray in front of him again, he spat out the dry grass in his mouth: "TMD, brothers, sir! The handsome treats us as human beings, so we will serve the young commander to death! Fuck these old men to death!"

Gunshots rang out again.

Not long after, these soldiers who swore to guard the border discovered that the Russian attack was not as violent as the previous ones, and the interval between attacks was gradually lengthened, and even the sound of artillery was not so frequent. Everyone was a little confused , Old Maozi can't bear it anymore?Or are you thinking of something else?

"A telegram from the young marshal?"

Li Jinyan put down his pen and raised his head, quite surprised.

"Yes, the supplies you sent have arrived at the front line, and the young marshal has specially sent you a telegram."

Li Jinyan took the telegram, read it for a while, and the corners of his mouth twitched.There was only one word on the telegram: "OK."

Is Young Marshal Lou saying hello to him, or is he saying that the things he sent are good?

Even if telegrams are very expensive now, and two words cost an ocean, it wouldn't be so economical, would it?

Adjutant Ji is now helping Li Jinyan with things, and he has a certain understanding of Li Jinyan's character, so he knows that the expression on Young Master Yan's expression will be very interesting when he sees the young commander's telegram.

Li Jinyan looked at Adjutant Ji: "Laugh if you want, it's uncomfortable to hold back."

Adjutant Ji didn't dare to laugh, he quickly waved his hands, and said, "Young Master Yan, what you ordered before has already taken shape. The address of the factory is located ten miles outside Guanbei City, with a total of [-] acres of land. I heard that you want it, and the other party also agrees." Very happy, eight oceans per mu."

Li Jinyan frowned after hearing this: "Isn't this price too cheap?"

"No, there is wasteland there. Now the top-grade fields in Guanbei are only 45 oceans per mu, and the low-grade fields only need ten oceans. Buying one mu of wasteland for eight oceans is already considered expensive."

Li Jinyan nodded. He didn't know much about the land price here. Before, he thought that he earned the [-] mu of land from the Li family. Looking at it now, it seems that he didn't earn much.

If it weren't for the fact that [-] mu of the [-] mu were high-grade fields and the remaining [-] mu were medium-grade fields, Li Jinyan would not have thought about buying additional land.The current low price in the north is really cheap. Should he simply buy more and enjoy the addiction of a big landlord?

It seems that he is already a big landlord now?

Li Jinyan was thinking wildly, and Adjutant Ji said, "Master Yan, when do you plan to go and see for yourself?"

Li Jinyan thought for a while and said, "The day after tomorrow."

It just so happened that Master Li San asked someone to bring a message, saying that he wanted to see him. Li Jinyan did not forget that he had told Li Qingyun before that after New Year's Day, the uncle and nephew would have a gathering, so it was not good to keep Master Li San waiting.

However, how should we arrange for Master Li San?

Although he has already thought about the general direction, is it a bit urgent to start now?After all, with Lou Xiao not around, Li Jinyan couldn't guarantee whether the handsome Lou would trust him like Lou Xiao did.

Li Jinyan fell into deep thought as he tapped his fingers on the proposal that he had just written a few lines.

After receiving Li Jinyan's reply, Li Qingyun was in a good mood immediately, humming a ditty and went back to the third bedroom, and was about to talk to the third wife about this, but heard a message from Chunmei in the old lady's room: "Third master, the old lady invites you to come over. "

Li Qingyun hurriedly went to the main room, the old lady was sitting in the room alone, the old lady was not there, and there was no maid serving her.After Li Qingyun said hello, the old lady waved Chunmei out.When there were only mother and child left in the room, the old lady asked, "Where did Jinyan reply?"

"Yes, it is said that he went outside the city the day after tomorrow and happened to meet."

"That's good." The old lady nodded, "I have something to tell you."

Seeing the old lady's serious expression, the smile on Master Li San's face also stopped, "Mother, what's the matter?"

"Your second brother was working for Zheng Huai'en in the south, and he tried to find a way to buy a batch of arms from foreigners."

Li Qingyun was startled when he heard this, "Mother, how do you know about this?"

The old lady turned around and took out a wooden box from the drawer in front of the bed. The box was old, very old, and the four corners were wrapped with iron sheets.Opening the copper lock on the box, there was a stack of letters inside. Li Qingyun recognized the handwriting on the envelope as belonging to his second brother Li Qinglong.

The old lady took out the bottom letter and gave it to Li Qingyun: "Your second brother found out that Zheng Huai'en was unreliable, but he had already fallen into it and couldn't get out, so he could only write this letter to me. One, entrust me to take care of your second sister-in-law and Jinyan. Who knows..."

The old lady didn't continue talking, Li Qingyun also lowered her head: "I'm sorry second brother! I didn't protect my nephew!"

"I can't blame you for this. Your mother and I can only watch with open eyes? It's a good thing to be honest, but your second brother's room is absolutely dead after all. However, those black-hearted people can't even think about it. Life is over, there is no such reason in the world!"

"mother……"

"Your second brother wrote in the letter that he didn't hand over the batch of arms to Zheng Huai'en, but entrusted someone he trusted to transport them back to Guanbei City and hid them. That person was saved by your second brother, and he hasn't leaked it until now. wind."

"what?!"

Li Qingyun's eyes widened suddenly, and he hurriedly opened the letter in his hand, read it several times, but couldn't see what the old lady said just now.

"Don't read it, except me, no one can guess what is written in Qinglong's letter, otherwise, this letter would not reach my hands."

The old lady snorted, after all, she is a housewife, even if she has the ability, she can't use it. Fortunately, Qinglong came up with this method at the beginning, otherwise, if she was killed by someone, she would have to make a wedding dress for someone.

"Then... where are those things now?"

"I came to you to talk about this matter." The old lady beckoned Li Qingyun to approach, leaned into Li Qingyun's ear and whispered a few words, Li Qingyun nodded with a serious expression.

"Your sister-in-law and your nephew don't know about this batch of things. If I don't tell them, I'm afraid they will get angry. Now Jinyan can be regarded as a firm foothold in the Marshal's Mansion. When you see no one in the day after tomorrow, you can talk about this matter." Tell him what to do, and he can think about it himself."

"Mother," Li Qingyun struggled, "These..."

"I know what you're thinking, but your second brother sacrificed his life for these things!" The old lady's tone became severe: "You were born by me, so you should be like Li Qingchang, a black-hearted person?! "

Li Qingyun's face was full of shame, "Mother, I know I was wrong."

"It's good to know what's wrong, man, don't just look in front of your eyes, I sincerely say that you are a good boy, he will remember you for being kind to him. Remember what mother said today."

"I remember, mother."