Usurping the Qing Dynasty: My first love was Cixi

Chapter 213 The moment of destiny! Qualitative change! General attack!

(It has been reviewed and nothing is prohibited)

Historically, it was the former Minister Prussia and the American Minister John Howard who fought the defeat. After that, Count Elgin took office and led the army to expand the war against the Qing court and restore the honor of the empire.

At that time, Count Elgin was a hero.

In this world, this defeat was caused by him.

Although the casualty ratio is much better than in history, this is an unforgivable fiasco for the entire British government and opposition.

At this time, he was completely exhausted.

At this time, there were countless impeachments against him by the Congress, and it was difficult for Prime Minister Pasha Zun to suppress them.

The Prime Minister of the British Empire is a typical imperialist and expansionist. He and Count Elgin are exactly on the same line.

At this time, of course he wanted to keep Count Elgin and let him once again serve as the supreme commander to launch an expanded war against the Qing Dynasty.

But now there are too many members of Congress impeaching Count Elgin, and they all want him to step down.

I feel that he has lost the face of the British Empire and must be severely punished.

The most important thing is that there is still a big man who has not spoken.

At this critical moment, once Prince Albert completely denies Count Elgin, it will basically be over. This old Scottish nobleman is destined to fall.

So now the fate of Earl Elgin is in the hands of Prince Albert.

In a luxurious manor, Bashali and Count Elgin held a secret meeting.

"What do you want?" Count Elgin said: "At this time, no one can stop the war. You can't even think about selling your so-called peace route."

Ba Xiali said: "Yes, the ensuing expanded war against the Qing Dynasty is inevitable. But your fate is very uncertain."

"The best result is that you will once again become the supreme commander of the coalition forces on behalf of the empire, personally commanding this expanded war against the Qing Dynasty, avenging your past humiliation and restoring your reputation."

"Medium result, you leave the position of supreme commander of the Far East with dignity, find a decent and noble official position in London, and spend the rest of your life."

"The worst outcome is that you bear direct responsibility for this defeat, step down completely, and even lose your title."

When he said this, enough was enough. But there is no need to say the next words.

Prince Albert is a key figure, the biggest opponent of the war faction, and the most qualified to attack Count Elgin.

At this time, as long as he attacks, Count Elgin will have only one way to step down.

Only the worst results can be obtained.

Ba Xiali said: "Three results, which result do you want?"

Nonsense, of course, is the best result.

Earl Elgin said: "What do you want?"

Ba Xiali said: "Before we negotiate, we need a consensus. Sir Su Yi has always been extremely friendly to the British Empire. He has never had a conflict with the British Empire, let alone a war, right?"

fart!

Basia said politely: "The person who attacked Yantai and Dalian this time and captured the French army was Tian Yugong, the governor of Fujian and Zhejiang in the Qing Dynasty. Mr. Su Yi has never participated in this war."

Count Elgin was angry. Who fired the crucial shot at Dagu Pass? Navy Commander Uncle He was beaten to a bloody pulp. Who did it?

However, Count Elgin said: "Yes, there is no sign that Su Yi participated in this war."

Basharli said: "It is very satisfying that both of us have reached this consensus. This way, we can continue to talk."

"In the current situation, it is very difficult for you to continue to be the commander-in-chief of the coalition forces and avenge your previous disgrace." Basharli said: "There are too many people in Congress who are impeaching you. It is easy to make you step down, but it is very difficult to make you step down." Striving for the best results is too difficult.”

But, there is one person who can do it.

As Albert's biggest political opponent, he should not add insult to injury at this time. Instead, he would recommend Count Elgin as the coach of the coalition forces. He would appear to be extremely upright and objective.

His words at this time will have huge weight.

As a person who advocates peace, standing up to support the war and appointing a political enemy as the leader is a huge political power.

Earl Elgin said: "As before, what do you want to get?"

Bashar said politely: "When Prince Albert's edict comes into your hands, you must stop the war immediately."

Count Elgin said: "You are mistaken. This is the British Empire, not the Qing Dynasty, so there is no edict."

Bashar said politely: "I'm sorry I made a mistake. How about calling it a letter?"

Count Elgin said: "Whether or not to stop the war, I should obey the orders of the Congress."

Bashar said: "No, you will definitely obey your own orders by then."

This was the case, because the distance was too far, and there was no transcontinental telegraph at this time, so there was no way to receive orders from Congress in time.

How far the war will go is basically decided by the head coach.

Earl Elgin said: "This time the whole of Europe was shocked. It must have been a devastating war for the Qing Dynasty. Otherwise, we would not be able to explain it to the Congress and the people of the British Empire."

Ba Xiali drew a line on the paper and said: "How about we assume that this line is the capital of the Qing Dynasty. As long as we cross this line, can we explain it to the Congress and the people of the British Empire?"

That's certainly possible.

This was an almost devastating blow to the Qing government.

Basharli said: "So, as long as this line is crossed, we call it an excessive war."

"Once this line is crossed, relations between the two countries will deteriorate irreversibly."

"So, we can't stop you from launching this war to restore the dignity of the empire. But after crossing this line, I hope that when Prince Albert's letter gets to you, you will stop the war immediately."

"If you agree, His Highness the Prince is willing to elect you as the commander-in-chief of the coalition forces to preside over this war."

"If you don't agree, then I'm very sorry, we can only give you the worst result."

Count Elgin's temples kept beating. Of course he was angry, and of course he wanted to slap him in the face to tell him to get out.

but……

He had lost the battle, and his fate now indeed rested in the prince's hands.

After a long while, Count Elgin sneered and said: "You support Su Yi and support Su Yi like this, be careful of backlash one day!"

Ba Xiali didn't have too deep feelings about this statement.

But Su Yi is here, and when she hears Count Elgin's words, she will probably think of one person, Dr. Kissinger.

This person once opened up a new diplomatic front and achieved extremely great results, making him a very important figure.

However, as the relationship between the two countries changed, the line he represented also completely declined and was completely marginalized.

Ba Xiali said: "My eyes can see thirty or fifty years. If it is further away, I think it is not necessary."

"My Lord Earl, I also suggest that you don't look too far ahead. For you, there are only a few days left."

"It's really emotional to say that Bao Ling and I once faced a more terrifying desperate situation than you. We only had a few days left, and the space left for us was so narrow that we couldn't even turn around. No. But through our constant struggle and struggle, the road ahead finally became wider.”

"But Lord Earl, you must admit that we are very tolerant. We have always maintained political decency and the bottom line of struggle, and we very much hope to continue to maintain this decency."

Count Elgin also had to admit this. Although the opponent's methods were vicious, at critical moments, he always raised them high and lowered them gently, without killing them all.

On the contrary, the struggle between the Qing court and Su Yi has continuously exceeded the bottom line.

Recently, all the dignity has been torn away, forcing Su Yi to completely quit.

"Okay, I agree!" Count Elgin said.

Basharli said: "As a guarantee, someone will offer you a bribe of 60,000 pounds, please accept it."

Earl Elgin said coldly: "Is this necessary?"

Basharli said: "We just hope to get a guarantee. As long as you don't break the contract, this 60,000 pounds will sleep forever. Unless you break the contract, it will become a bomb."

"But please believe in our credibility. The last time you bombarded the photos of the Crown Prince, with the end of that transaction, we completely destroyed them and will never use them again. Not even used Those things threatening you, don’t they mean that we are a group of moral gentlemen?”

A political handle, only used once. After use, burn it completely.

New political deals create new political handles.

Although it is a bit rough and direct, it is indeed full of political morality.

For Count Elgin, it seemed that he had no choice.

Step down now and lose everything.

The future may be threatened, so you must obey the prince's instructions at critical moments.

Probably everyone knows how to choose.

"Okay, we have a deal." Count Elgin said.

Ba Xiali stretched out his hand and said: "It's a pleasure to cooperate."

Earl Elgin said coldly: "That's not necessary."

After Basiali left, a businessman came over soon and bribed Count Elgin with a bribe of 60,000 pounds.

In exchange, Earl Elgin promised that if he serves as the coach of the coalition, he will need to purchase more than 400,000 pounds of related materials from his consortium.

……………………

Inside Buckingham Palace.

Prince Albert said: "Is this time finally coming?"

Bashali sighed.

Yes, the moment is finally here.

For almost three years, step by step, it was finally time for the final decisive battle.

Of course, it was not a decisive battle between the British Empire and the Qing Dynasty.

It was the time when he and Su Yi, the political group, were about to take the final step towards the center of the Qing Dynasty.

Prince Albert said: "The 1860 World's Fair will go ahead as scheduled, and the organizing committee has completed preparations."

"The relevant consortium also transferred 750,000 pounds to the organizing committee's account."

What are the relevant consortiums? These British consortiums that participated in the Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone spent 750,000 pounds of their own money to sponsor this World Expo before they received any dividends.

The prince said: "But you also know that the last World Expo held by Americans greatly increased the scale and expenditure. Therefore, these 750,000 pounds are far from enough. It also needs appropriations from Congress. Even the royal family has spent a considerable amount. part."

A few years ago the cost of staging the World's Fair was less than a million pounds.

But this World Expo does not exist in history. Because it is temporary and the scale must be large enough to surpass the one in New York, the expenditure has been greatly increased, almost double compared to a few years ago.

It's a big gamble.

It is not only an economic gamble, but also a political gamble.

The core political demand is to prove that the industry and technology of the British Empire still exceed that of the United States.

The British Empire remained the center of world industry and technology.

The more core appeal is to prove to everyone in the British Empire the correctness of Prince Albert's diplomatic line.

The benefits of investing in China far outweigh war and dumping.

Therefore, this expo must achieve two goals.

The first goal is far more gorgeous and sensational than the New York Exposition in the United States.

The second goal is that the products of Jiujiang Industrial Pilot Zone should be sufficiently shocking to bring huge transaction volume.

In this way, Prince Albert's diplomatic line can show great superiority.

At that time, it coincided with Su Yi taking over the center.

Basharli said: "Just now I made a deal with Count Elgin. We will not attack him, and push him to come to power to become the leader of this expanded war against the Qing Dynasty, in exchange for him stopping the war at a critical moment!"

Prince Albert said: "At that time, Su Yi can turn the tide, save the country, gain supreme prestige, and then enter the center and take charge of the power of the Qing Dynasty, right?"

Basia said politely: "That's right."

Prince Albert came to the map and said slowly: "I have never been to the East. I can't imagine that I would form an alliance with a person I have never met."

Basharli said: "In fact, this is very urgent, because the United States has begun to support Japan." (Can't you even use this word?)

Prince Albert sighed: "We have come to this day and have paid countless huge prices. Of course, it is impossible to retreat."

"It's just that now, facing the last moment, I can't help but feel a little confused."

Ba Xiali said: "Are you worried about the future?"

Prince Albert said: "A little bit. From 1856 to now, Su Yi has taken extremely difficult steps step by step, but every step he took was extremely bold and precise. Now no one in the world can see him. figure, because he was forced to retreat completely by the emperor, but only we can see that one of his feet has entered the center of the Qing Dynasty. "

"As long as we push it a little, his other foot will also enter the center."

"He is still so young and will be in charge for decades to come."

Bashar said politely: "But supporting him to rise to power will be of huge benefit to us for at least twenty or thirty years, right?"

Prince Albert said slowly: "Many times, economic benefits alone are not enough."

Ba Xia said politely: "Sir Su Yi promised me that a few years after he took office, how could he launch a war so that the entire British Empire could see clearly the great usefulness of the Qing Dynasty, and also let countless subjects see the wisdom and wisdom of your route? ”

Prince Albert said: "Within a few years?"

Basharli said: "Yes, and within a few years, he will launch a large-scale war against Russia."

Prince Albert could easily smell the huge benefits contained in it.

This is not just as simple as China containing Tsarist Russia in the Far East, but it will also give the British Empire another huge weight in the world order.

For example, in the Russo-Japanese War decades later, Britain was the huge driving force behind Japan.

Once Su Yi can really defeat Tsarist Russia in a large war, it will be a huge political victory for Prince Albert.

It means that Britain can completely suppress Tsarist Russia in the Far East without even taking action personally, and its power to control the world order will be greatly enhanced.

Baxali pointed to the Kingdom of Prussia on the map and said: "Sir Su Yi said that the German Federation will become the biggest challenger to our European order in the next few years. By that time, our main energy will be contained in Europe. We are not even able to curb the expansion of Tsarist Russia in the Far East. If we are not careful, we will lose the lion's share of our interests in East Asia and be cannibalized by Russia, so it is not too late to cultivate and arm an ally."

Prince Albert was lost in thought.

Of course he is not wavering. He has paid so much for this political line, and it is impossible to go back on it now.

But now it's really the most critical moment.

The numerous quantitative changes before may now become qualitative changes.

If this last card is pushed out, it may really push Su Yi towards the center.

And once this card is pushed out, it cannot be withdrawn.

He now has to make final thoughts on whether supporting Su Yi to become the leader of the center is really beneficial to the hegemony of the British Empire.

Will China under the leadership of Su Yi become a rival and enemy of the British Empire in the future?

"In thirty or fifty years, none of the things we are worried about will happen." Ba Xiali said: "But these thirty or fifty years can bring unprecedented stability to our hegemony."

"It allows us to hold down Russia, our biggest rival, and it also helps us indirectly hold down the United States, our potential rival."

Prince Albert said: "From a geographical point of view, this is indeed an excellent assistant, but it is too big."

For many people, Japan is just right.

Basharli said: "Historically, at least they are very emotionally stable. Japan is a very emotionally unstable country."

"And we directly control nearly half of China's industrial lifeline, so they will not be able to escape our control for a long time!"

Prince Albert said: "You are right, planning for thirty or fifty years is enough. If it is any further, it will be too futile."

The key is that in the eyes of the British, China is too backward and decadent.

It is indeed unfounded to worry about its future threats now.

After a long while, Prince Albert said: "Okay, I'll play the last card."

"I will officially express my support for the British Empire's all-out war against the Qing Dynasty."

"I will support Count Elgin to become the commander-in-chief of the coalition forces and launch a devastating war against the Qing court."

"At the critical moment, I will cooperate with Su Yi to stop Elgin's war in time, let him save China, and help him take over the central government."

"But there are two prerequisites for all this."

"The first one is that he needs to complete the gambling agreement with the British Empire. Between January 30, 1860, Jiujiang Industrial Zone made a profit of 6 million taels of silver, and distributed 3 million taels to the British Empire."

"Second, he needs to show powerful and advanced scientific and technological achievements to help next year's World Expo achieve unprecedented results and bring huge benefits."

"If he can't do these two, our line will be a complete failure."

"And his plan for Su Yi to take over the center also means a complete failure, because by that time, Count Elgin's expeditionary force will also list him as an enemy of the British Empire and carry out a devastating attack!"

Prince Albert said: "The deadline for the gambling agreement is very close, only a few months away."

"The London World Expo is less than half a year away. Just relying on these current scientific and technological achievements is still not enough to shock the world or achieve a sensational success."

Bashar said: "Your Highness, please rest assured that several scientific and technological achievements have achieved huge breakthroughs in Jiujiang laboratories. The achievements of hundreds of our professors and scientists in China are unimaginable. "

The prince said: "Hurry, we don't have much time, and Su Yi doesn't have much time either."

………………………………

The next day, Prince Albert made his official statement.

He agreed and supported the British Empire's retaliatory war against the Qing Dynasty.

Finally, in the eyes of many people, the biggest force that might hinder this large-scale war completely disappeared.

This expedition involving tens of thousands of people has been completely decided.

Then, Prince Albert visited the Prime Minister and said that Count Elgin was the person who knew the Qing Dynasty best. Although the last war failed, he should be given a chance to prove himself and the strength of the British Empire.

He supported Count Elgin to once again become the supreme commander of the Far East and the supreme commander of this large-scale war against the Qing Dynasty.

The biggest opponents agree with Count Elgin's re-election, so as a supporter of Count Elgin, the Prime Minister has no reason to oppose.

Then, the British Empire Congress overwhelmingly passed an agreement to expand the war against the Qing Dynasty.

Then, Count Elgin was once again appointed as the supreme commander of the Far Eastern War.

Next, there was a fierce discussion about the scale of troop dispatch.

In history, the largest scale of the coalition forces was deployed, with 18,000 troops deployed.

But this time, because the casualties in the Second Battle of Dagukou shocked the UK, the scale of the war was increased.

Both the number of maritime fleets and the number of armies have been greatly increased.

Final decision!

Britain, France, and the United States jointly sent 30,000 troops.

One hundred and ninety-three ships of various types were dispatched.

This is much larger than the scale in history, and it is truly a destructive force.

…………………………………………

Bashali met Count Elgin again.

"Lord Earl, I am about to return to China. Although we have reached an agreement before, I still have to repeat it. Do not attack Zhoushan, and do not attack the seven southern provinces."

"We hope the dangerous situation in Zhoushan will not happen again."

Earl Elgin remained silent and expressed his acquiescence.

And Ba Xiali just stood here, waiting for his response.

Earl Elgin said angrily: "I think your reminder this time is completely unnecessary."

Ba Xiali said: "For many things, it is better to talk it out, so as to avoid the last unpleasantness from happening again. Any conflicts are best nipped in the bud."

"Farewell!" Ba Xiali left.

Then, he left London by boat as quickly as possible and returned to China.

The final moment was approaching and he had too much work to do.

……………………

During this period, Su Yi had given up all political work.

Completely focus on two things.

Scientific and technological achievements for next year’s World Expo.

A gambling agreement with the British.

In just a few months, he needed to make a profit of six million taels.

Moreover, it is a completely legal and reasonable profit, and every transaction must withstand review.

All layouts are about to be harvested.

This level is passed!

That is complete transformation.

Not just for him personally, but especially for the entire country.

At the most perfect time and under the best conditions, we embarked on the road to industrialization.

Although two years have passed, the textile factory has started to operate, but it has not yet entered large-scale mass production.

The steel plant is still under construction and is still a gold-eating behemoth.

The rickshaw factory has only completed the construction of part of the production line. So far, it has only produced less than a thousand vehicles.

Only the cigarette factory has been in full mass production for a long time because it relies on a large number of workers.

There are only less than four months left before the gambling agreement.

In normal terms, it is completely impossible for Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone to achieve a net profit of 6 million taels.

Even if all the existing products are sold, it will not make this figure, not even half of it.

But for Su Ye, it is not difficult to achieve this profit.

He wants to give a shock to the domestic and British sides, a strong shock.

…………………………

At present, all the rickshaws produced have been put into various major cities.

Suzhou, Hangzhou, Shanghai, Changsha, Wuchang, Xiamen, Fuzhou, etc.

There are already hundreds of rickshaw drivers who have been running for a month or two.

The effect is amazing.

As soon as this thing appeared, it quickly replaced the sedan chair and the horse-drawn carriage.

Because both the sense of superiority and comfort were greatly enhanced.

Soon after it was put on the market, these rickshaw drivers who were on trial operation made a lot of money.

The business was so hot that there were endless customers.

There were even a large number of chartered customers.

This was not surprising at all, because Su Ye had made careful calculations and found that even if the capacity was increased by twenty or thirty times, it would not be enough for these big cities in the south.

Because this was a completely vacuum market.

Therefore, the early rickshaw drivers would enjoy a long period of bonuses and make a lot of money.

Even many people would get rich because of this.

However, Su Ye's first large profit would not be earned from these drivers.

Because I don't know how many shrewd businessmen saw the business opportunity and were ready to set up a guild.

These businessmen have calculated again and again that according to the current period of huge profits, a rickshaw may be able to recover all costs in less than two years, and then it will be pure profit.

What they need to do is to purchase enough rickshaws at one time and find enough drivers.

I don’t care how much money you can make every day when renting rickshaws to these drivers, but you just need to pay the share every day.

After a month or two of trial operation, these businessmen have figured it out, and even calculated how many rickshaws this city needs and how much the maximum profit is.

Once they find that there is money to be made, businessmen are the most sensitive group of people.

There is no need for Jiujiang to send people to contact them, and these businessmen rushed to Jiujiang to buy rickshaws.

More and more people came, more and more.

Even many cities that did not have trial operation also had many businessmen coming.

Including Beijing, there is no exception.

Hu Xueyan announced that on November 11, Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone will hold a sales conference.

At that time, the rickshaw quotas for various cities next year will be sold.

A total of 60,000 rickshaws.

In order to avoid vicious competition and to make money for everyone, basically every small city will only sell to two businessmen.

In medium-sized cities, rickshaws are only sold to five merchants.

In large cities, rickshaws are only sold to ten merchants.

In super-large cities, rickshaws are only sold to twenty merchants.

In addition, there is no bidding method. Although the supply is insufficient to meet the demand, the price of rickshaws is still 120 taels per rickshaw.

If the competition is fierce, the rickshaws will be sold by lottery.

This price is of course very expensive, and the profit is frighteningly high.

However, even in the Republic of China, a good rickshaw would cost more than 100 silver dollars.

If it is used as an ordinary means of transportation, it is of course expensive, but as a tool for making money, and a monopoly public transportation tool, this price is not expensive at all.

Almost all merchants breathed a sigh of relief when they heard this price.

There is profit in buying a rickshaw at this price, and it can make a lot of money in the early days when there were few rickshaws.

Those who are eyeing the rickshaw business are all medium-sized merchants.

And the powerful merchants are eyeing another business.

Tobacco!

This is the business that Su Ye has cultivated for the longest time.

It has been more than a year since he provided quota cigarettes to senior officials at all levels free of charge.

There are so many people in the officialdom and army of southern provinces who are addicted.

Of course, cigarettes are more important for social and face attributes.

Many people used to look down on this thing, thinking that it is not as good as opium, and there are so many people who smoke pipes, and no one who grows tobacco has made a fortune.

However, after more than a year of market cultivation, these dignitaries found that not only did they bring so many people to the Fushan Spring Residence Picture, which cost three taels of silver per pack, but there was simply no market for it, and it was hard to get it.

Many officials in the north did not have quotas, so there were merchants who specialized in buying it on the black market and then bribed these high-ranking officials in the north.

And want to fake it? There is almost no possibility.

Because these cigarettes produced in Jiujiang have special flavors, and even the packaging is exquisite, and the wrapping paper cannot be imitated.

Moreover, each brand of cigarettes has a clear grade, whether it can meet the requirements of pretending in various classes.

Those who are interested can know the amazing profits with a little calculation.

However, small and medium-sized businessmen should not have extravagant expectations. This money must belong to the powerful and must be bound by interests.

Immediately afterwards, Hu Xueyan announced again.

Also on November 11, Jiujiang will officially sell its cigarette franchise rights.

There can only be three dealers in each province, and they will get the goods at a 40% discount.

Moreover, any dealer must sell each brand of cigarettes at the original price, and must not increase or decrease the price.

In other words, 40% of the profits are reserved for dealers in each province.

What a huge amount of fat is this?

The dignitaries from all provinces flocked to Jiujiang and sent their confidants to Jiujiang.

Next, Hu Xueyan announced that a radio player investment conference would be held, also on November 11th.

It was still November 11th, and the cotton and silk investment conference was held.

In a short time, everyone who was unaware of it discovered it.

November 11th.

It’s a big day for Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone.

Whether you can succeed and whether you can make a lot of money depends on this day.

Although the deadline for the gambling agreement is January 30, how could Su Yi be stuck at this time?

The British and French forces were coming soon, and he had to take advantage of this precious blank period to complete the investment conference.

Earn huge profits and complete the gambling agreement.

Not only must it prove to the British Empire the superiority of the line of peaceful cooperation.

Prove to Prince Albert, Bao Ling and Bashir, and a dozen British consortiums that you made the right choice, and your gamble will reap astonishing benefits.

Moreover, he also needs to tie up the interests of a large number of powerful people in the country. In the future, when he enters the center, he will have a large number of interest allies.

Anyway, November 11th, 1859.

It is the most important day for Su Yi and the most important moment for the entire Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone.

……………………

Ba Xiali has not returned to China yet, but Bao Ling is in Jiujiang.

His whole body was filled with excitement.

Not only him, but also Bai Yan, Hu Xueyan, Bai Feifei, Su Quan, Shen Baozhen and others were very excited.

Although that day has not yet come, they can already see the light of victory.

The investment conference on this day will definitely be a success.

The key is how successful will it be?

Because there are more and more businessmen coming to Jiujiang, more and more.

The confidants and emissaries of the powerful people in various provinces also came one after another.

Shanxi merchants, Mongolian merchants, Fujian merchants, and Jiangnan merchants also arrived one after another.

Even the most inconspicuous silks and cottons have many merchants coming.

Because they had visited Su Yi's textile factory.

I was shocked by the huge scale. I couldn't see the factory buildings to the side, and they were still being expanded.

Advanced textile machines are still being shipped from Britain.

The number of female textile workers alone is astronomical.

If you calculate the costs of these textile factories in Jiujiang, you will know how much profit there is.

It has not yet been fully mass-produced. Once it is fully completed and fully mass-produced, what impact will it have on the entire Qing Dynasty and even the entire Asian textile market?

Totally in disbelief.

Not only Bao Ling, but also the head of the consortium that invested in the Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone was also excited.

Really no one doubts whether this investment conference will be successful.

The key is, how successful will it be?

How much transaction volume will there be.

Bao Ling and more than a dozen consortium leaders couldn't wait to hold a cocktail party to celebrate in advance.

"Gentlemen, we are going to get rich, we are definitely going to get rich."

"It's been three years. It's been three years. I don't know how much my hair has turned gray. I staked all my family property and all my political future. Now it's time to reap the fruits."

"November 11th is coming soon, when we will prove to the British Empire that we made the right choice."

"But gentlemen, this is not the time to celebrate. The fruits of our success are already destined. But it still faces a crisis, a crisis from the northern court."

"Gentlemen, our investment is here, our future is here, and our lives are here."

"Whoever dares to take away our interests will be our mortal enemy!"

"Gentlemen, the next period of time is the day closest to our success, and it is also the most dangerous day."

"I ask you to do your best, invest all your political resources, no matter what means you use, to defend Jiujiang and the investment conference!"

"Whoever dares to ruin this day, we will tear him apart!"

"Everyone, let's go! Go to Hong Kong, go to Shanghai, go to Fuzhou, go wherever you can put your strength."

"Drink the last glass of wine and let's go!"

More than a dozen people present raised their glasses and drank it all in one gulp.

Shouted loudly: "Defend Jiujiang, defend November 11th!"

Then, a dozen people left by boat, heading to places like Shanghai and Hong Kong.

……………………

Everyone in Jiujiang was in some kind of excitement.

Prepare for the investment conference on November 11th.

It took three years and hundreds of thousands of people to work hard. The fruits of victory are about to be reaped.

Almost everyone received the lecture again and again.

Defend November 11th.

This is an economic war as well as a political war.

Everyone must do their best.

Everyone must keep an eye on everyone around them and be on alert.

No sabotage by spies is allowed.

The head of the Intelligence Department, Heigong, who had been on a mission outside, finally returned to Jiujiang.

Now the entire Intelligence Department has expanded by more than dozens of times, with thousands of people.

Heigong doesn't know what rank he is now, and he has become one of the most powerful people inexplicably.

Now the entire Intelligence Department is busy every day.

More than 200 spies from the court have been arrested.

And Hu Xueyan, Bai Yan, Li Si and others have suddenly become popular figures.

Because they all hold huge power in the upcoming investment conference, they can make many people rich.

As businessmen continue to enter Jiujiang, Shen Baozhen said to Su Yi: "Sir, this sudden outbreak makes me a little panic."

This is not a sudden outbreak, it is a three-year brewing.

It took more than a year to cultivate the market.

All investment, no return.

"Now, the only crisis is the court!" Shen Baozhen said: "We have announced November 11, which is also a declaration of war to some extent. The court will definitely do everything possible to destroy our investment promotion conference."

…………………………

The court in the capital!

Originally, Xu Youren replaced Su Ye and became the leader of the seven southern provinces. After issuing the toughest declaration in Shanghai, it directly shocked the entire court.

Block the Yangtze River waterway.

Any armed fleet entering will be sunk.

Isn't this an open armed confrontation?

Isn't it an open confrontation with the court?

After hearing this, the emperor was furious.

"The despicable Su Ye retreated to the back and dared not openly confront the court, pushing Xu Youren out as cannon fodder."

"Xu Youren is an old minister. How much do I value him? Why is he so stupid and used by Su Ye like this?"

"As the governor of Jiangsu, he became Su Ye's vanguard. Do you still know shame?"

The important officials present were silent. After the emperor finished scolding, they also scolded Xu Youren.

But several people knew that Xu Youren stood up for Su Ye at the critical moment because he was cannon fodder on the surface.

However, how many times did Su Ye save Xu Youren?

The first time, Shi Dakai attacked Suzhou with 80,000 people, and Su Ye tried his best to save him.

The second time, the rebels wanted to attack Suzhou again. Su Ye gathered the strength of several southern provinces and fought a battle of Changzhou with more than 100,000 people, saving Jiangsu again.

It was this kind of help and rescue that made Xu Youren stand up at the critical moment.

Give me a peach, and I will repay you with a jade.

Even as an enemy, one has to admit that Su Ye is absolutely first-rate to his allies.

In the Xiamen Church Incident and Zhoushan Crisis, Su Ye tried his best to help his allies every time.

Du Han said: "Since Xu Youren has emerged and made such an extreme statement, the court has to take him down, otherwise where is the dignity? Where is the face?"

In the current situation, if you want to dismantle the alliance of the seven southern provinces, you must destroy Xu Youren.

He is too extreme, even more extreme than Su Ye.

Su Ye maintained his dignity with the court from beginning to end, and Xu Youren came up with armed confrontation, which is unacceptable.

Just when the court was planning to go all out to take down Xu Youren, the governor of Jiangsu.

Jiujiang reported the investment promotion conference on November 11.

At first, the court was not particularly sensitive.

But soon found that something was wrong, because more and more dignitaries and businessmen were pouring in.

Su Shun said: "Your Majesty, this is not right. Su Ye wants to achieve success in one battle!"

"Once Su Ye succeeds in this investment promotion conference, then...what will happen?"

The emperor said: "Is it so serious?"

Su Shun said: "The world is bustling with people for profit, and the world is bustling with people for profit! If Su Ye succeeds in this investment promotion conference, he will be bound by interests with countless dignitaries. What's more fatal is that these factories in Jiujiang have foreign shares!"

"If this investment promotion conference is successful and earns a huge amount of money, the foreigners will even send troops to protect Jiujiang."

"Isn't it said that the British side is also divided into two factions? One faction is the war dumping faction against the Qing Dynasty, represented by Earl Elgin. The other faction is the interest faction that colludes with Su Ye, led by Bowring and Bashali."

"Before, the war dumping faction had an absolute advantage, but this time Earl Elgin was defeated, and maybe Bowring and Bashali's faction would rise up and fully support Su Ye and Jiujiang."

Su Shun is still more perceptive in this regard.

Du Han slapped his thigh and said, "Yes, yes, otherwise Su Ye would not have held the investment promotion conference earlier or later, but at this time."

"If the foreigners intend to fully support Su Ye, then... that would be troublesome."

"If Su Ye's investment promotion conference is successful and earns a huge amount of profit, the foreigners will even send troops to protect Jiujiang's industry."

"At that time, it will be a huge trouble!"

"What a vicious Su Ye."

"No, we must destroy this investment promotion conference and not let him succeed."

After Su Shun and Du Han's analysis, the emperor immediately realized the seriousness of the problem.

"Issue an order, an order, all merchants and officials are not allowed to participate in the investment promotion conference on November 11."

"Hey!" Several important officials said.

But everyone knows it well.

As long as there is money to be made, will merchants care about the will of the court?

Not to mention merchants, even many governors and high-ranking officials will secretly send their confidants to go.

Su Shun said: "We must issue an order to prohibit everyone from attending the investment promotion conference, but the time is too tight and the effect is estimated to be insignificant."

Du Han said: "So the key is to completely disintegrate the Jiujiang Industrial Zone and destroy this investment promotion conference before November 11, so that no one can participate and Su Ye will be defeated."

But it was decided long ago. First dismantle the Southern Seven Provinces Alliance, and then disintegrate the Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone.

Because the Southern Seven Provinces Alliance is the political and military wall of Jiujiang.

Su Shun and Du Han also immediately discovered Su Ye's sinister side.

Over there, Xu Youren emerged strongly and madly provoked the court.

The court hit the political resources and was about to do its best to destroy Xu Youren.

On the other side, Jiujiang's investment promotion conference came out, forcing the court to concentrate resources here again.

Take turns to emerge, take turns to stimulate the court, constantly open up new battlefields, make you run around, and don't give you time.

The emperor said angrily: "The court holds the righteousness, I don't believe it can't defeat Su Ye and Xu Youren."

"Two-pronged approach, three-pronged approach!"

"The first step is to immediately send an imperial envoy to meet with Tuo Ming'a, the commander of the Jiangbei camp. The key is to meet with Zhang Guoliang, the admiral of Jiangnan, and Feng Zicai, the general, and ask them to manage their troops and resolutely obey the will of the court. I don't believe that these two generals from the Jiangnan camp will disobey the court and stand on Xu Youren's side at the critical moment."

"The second step is to immediately send an imperial envoy to Jiangsu to dismiss Xu Youren, the governor of Jiangsu, from all his posts and directly arrest him and bring him to Beijing."

" The third step is to send someone to impeach the acting governor of Jiangxi, Shen Baozhen, in the court, saying that he violated the will of the court and the righteousness of the ancestors by allowing foreigners to buy industries in Jiujiang. The court sent the imperial envoy to form a team to Jiujiang to investigate the truth. "

"The fourth step is to immediately declare the Jiujiang Industrial Zone illegal after the investigation is completed, expel all the foreigners there, and announce that the so-called investment promotion conference is completely cancelled."

"The fifth step is that the imperial envoy dismisses the acting governor of Jiangxi, Shen Baozhen, and the imperial envoy Qi Ling immediately takes office as the governor of Jiangxi and the general of Nanchang, taking over the government affairs of Jiangxi. "

Several important officials were shocked when they heard it.

The above five steps sound majestic and domineering.

But according to the normal rhythm, each step requires a lot of political resources and takes time.

And now, Su Ye's so-called November 11th Investment Promotion Conference forces us to complete all five steps in the shortest time possible?

How hasty? How intense?

Such a short time, such a big move will definitely be deformed.

Sushun said: "Your Majesty, there are foreigners' investments and shares in the Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone. Isn't it too risky for us to do this? Will it completely anger the foreigners?"

The emperor said: "We won the battle. Didn't Guiliang say that the foreigners are now in a very soft attitude? Besides, aren't the foreigners also divided into two factions? We pull one faction and fight the other. Didn't we win the battle of Dagukou for today?"

Then the emperor looked at Du Han. There were some things he couldn't say, and you, Du Han, had to speak up.

Du Han said: "First confiscate, then compensate. How much the foreigners invested, we... compensate them with principal and interest, and pay them in three to five years."

"In short, let the foreigners know that we are attacking Su Ye, not them."

Sushun and Du Han felt awkward, it was too hasty.

How could it not be hasty?

Because from beginning to end, Su Ye was leading the rhythm of the struggle.

I don't know from which day, it was Su Ye who took the initiative to attack, and then the court was forced to respond.

Therefore, the rhythm of the attack that the court had originally prepared was completely messed up.

But, it had to be hasty.

Whether it was Xu Youren's armed opposition statement or Su Ye's investment promotion conference, the court could not sit idly by and must respond.

So.

Under Su Ye's urging, all rhythms suddenly accelerated.

The court had no choice but to launch an attack on the Southern Seven Provinces Alliance, Xu Youren, and Jiujiang at the same time without any preparation.

Five steps in two.

Several imperial envoys quickly went south!

…………………………

A few days later!

The imperial envoys of the court entered the Suzhou prefectural government, which was also the temporary residence of Jiangsu Governor Xu Youren.

"The emperor has issued an order, Jiangsu Governor Xu Youren accepts the order!"

"The emperor of Fengtian Chengyun decrees that Xu Youren deceives the emperor and is extremely evil. He is dismissed from his post as governor of Jiangsu and all his official positions and is immediately escorted to Beijing. This is the order!"

However, the government office was empty.

The eunuch shouted several times that the emperor had issued an order.

He repeated the emperor's order over and over again.

But from beginning to end, no one came to receive the order.

It was a dead silence.

After a long while, a woman came out, holding an official hat and official uniform, with a memorial on it.

"Reporting to the imperial envoy, my husband has resigned from the post of governor of Jiangsu."

"Please take the resignation memorial and the official hat back to the court."

Then, she left the official uniform and said, "We paid for this official uniform ourselves, not from the court, so we left it here. You can take the patch back."

The eunuch said sternly, "Where is Xu Youren? The court ordered him to be escorted to Beijing."

Mrs. Xu Youren said, "He is probably in the Yangtze River Fleet. Go to the Yangtze River to catch him."

……………………………………

Note: Nearly 13,000 yuan is sent here, and I carefully ask for a monthly ticket? Do you have any more? I will thank you with cakes!

I will finish writing earlier tomorrow.