Usurping the Qing Dynasty: My first love was Cixi

Chapter 214 A fatal blow to the imperial court! Too poisonous!

Xu Youren is in the Yangtze River Fleet?

Even if you have a hundred courages, you don't dare to arrest people.

However, these eunuchs who have lived in the capital for a long time do not know much about the local situation. In their hearts, the imperial power is still supreme, and their majestic posture cannot be defeated. They suddenly said in a cold voice: "Then why don't you send someone to the Yangtze River to inform him? Could it be? Do you want to resist?"

Behind him, four palace guards and dozens of soldiers took a sudden step forward.

In particular, the four guards in yellow jackets held the hilts of their swords in an intimidating manner.

Mrs. Xu Youren said: "We are all very busy and we can't send anyone to inform. Otherwise, you can arrest me, a womanly person, and report it to the court."

The imperial envoy eunuch said: "Don't think that our family dare not, you may have committed a serious crime that will wipe out the whole family."

In his mind, who would dare to disobey as long as he has the holy decree?

As a result, he was contradicted again and again, and she was still a woman. He suddenly became angry and immediately ordered to take down the woman in front of him.

The result, the next second.

Dozens of figures appeared silently, raising their black muzzles towards them.

The imperial eunuch suddenly felt a chill running down his back and said tremblingly: "You guys, are you going to rebel? Are you rebelling?"

rebel? !

What a big joke.

Don’t you know how complicated the composition of the Qing army in Jiangnan is now?

How many of them are from the Salt Gang, the Tiandihui, or even the White Lotus Sect?

The leading man waved his hand suddenly.

"Bang bang bang bang..."

There were bursts of dense sounds.

Suddenly, the leading eunuch wailed and quickly fell to the ground.

The people behind him also quickly fell to the ground, motionless.

It turned out that no one was setting off guns at all. There was a burst of laughter from children outside. They were setting off firecrackers just now.

Mrs. Xu Youren said slowly: "Let's go, you can go!"

The eunuch who delivered the order turned green and red for a while, got up in embarrassment, and said with a stern face: "If you rebel, if you rebel, I must report it to the emperor and the court. I will never spare you."

Then, he led the team and left in a hurry, feeling extremely embarrassed.

……………………

Xu Youren said when he was in Shanghai that even if he was dismissed from the post of governor of Jiangsu by the court, it would not delay him from becoming the leader of the Seven Southern Provinces Alliance.

Therefore, the key to capturing Xu Youren is not the imperial edict, but Jiangsu's military power.

To be precise, it is Zhang Guoliang and Feng Zicai.

Therefore, the person who went to declare the decree to Xu Youren was an eunuch, but the person who came to bribe Zhang Guoliang and Feng Zicai was a real official of the court.

According to history, Zhao Dezhe, the former governor of Jiangsu, was already the governor of Liangjiang at this time. However, the world has changed. At this time, he had gone to Beijing to become the Han Minister of the Ministry of War.

This is also thanks to Wang Youling. When Huai'an fell, Jiangsu Chief Minister Wang Youling proactively sent troops to rescue him, while Zhao Dezhe was more passive. The court was very dissatisfied, and his career was also frustrated. As a result, after Wang Youling joined the Seven Southern Provinces Alliance, Zhao Dezhe was also promoted.

The reason why he was asked to lobby Zhang Guoliang and Feng Zicai was because he was once their immediate boss.

"Your Majesty, you followed Xiang Rong at first, and then He Chun. You have made great achievements in battle." Zhao Dezhe said: "The emperor also talked about you and Nan Qian many times in the court, saying that both of you are mine. The pillars of the imperial court. Even Jiangnan camp can be without Xiang Rong and He Chun, but it cannot be without you two. "

Zhao Dezhe felt that there should be no problem with this errand.

Jiangnan Camp has always had nothing to do with Su Yi and always obeys the court.

"Xu Youren is making a lot of noise there, and the court is very angry." Zhao Dezhe said: "But the emperor knows that Xu Youren is Xu Youren, and you are you. Even if he makes nonsense again, you two are still loyal ministers."

"When I came, the emperor himself said that as long as Jiangsu has Zhang Guoliang and Feng Zicai, there will be no chaos."

After hearing these words, Zhang Guoliang and Feng Zicai sat quietly and motionless, appearing very respectful.

"Next, the court will remove Xu Youren, and there may be a little bit of trouble. At this time, you two have to hold up the situation. You can make trouble, but you can't make a big mess. You must stabilize the situation and ensure that after the new governor comes, everything will be stable. "Transition." Zhao Dezhe said: "By the way, you fought well in the last battle in Changzhou. The court will decide to grant you a title. The minister will probably be a viscount, and Nan Qian will be a baron."

The two remained silent.

Zhao Dezhe said: "In my opinion, this is not enough. As long as we get through this situation smoothly, I think Zhang Dianchen should be granted the title of Prince Shaobao."

At this time, Zhang Guoliang and Feng Zicai only felt sad and felt that they had been slighted.

Even at this time, the court was not willing to make great efforts to bribe the two of them.

A viscount, a baron, or a prince, all of whom paid lip service but did not show up.

Zhang Guoliang and Feng Zicai were indeed looked down upon by the court. And all along, whether following Xiang Rong or He Chun, they have been very obedient, and they have lost more and won less.

Zhao Dezhe said: "The imperial court sent an envoy to announce the decree to Xu Youren, but he was pointed at gunpoint. Is this Xu Youren so brave? The emperor has decreed that Xu Youren should be escorted to Beijing. At this time, he was on the Yangtze River. How about you, general, take your troops and follow this imperial envoy?"

Zhang Guoliang said: "Master Zhao, are you asking us to lead troops to capture Xu Youren?"

Zhao Dezhe said: "To capture Xu Youren, three or two guards are enough. The key is that the court gives you two a chance to be loyal to the emperor."

Zhang Guoliang was silent for a while and said: "No!"

As soon as these words came out, Zhao Dezhe was stunned.

Feng Zicai was also standing by and said, "No."

Zhao Dezhe couldn't believe his ears and said, "You guys, will you say it again?"

Zhang Guoliang repeated again: "No."

Zhao Dezhe's expression changed and he said, "Are you two going to rebel? Are you going to resist the decree?"

Zhang Guoliang and Feng Zicai remained silent because there was no point in arguing.

Furthermore, these two people were from rebel backgrounds. They were both former generals of the Tiandihui. They both participated in the anti-Qing uprising vigorously, but were recruited by the Qing court.

Zhao Dezhe said in a cold voice: "Zhang Guoliang, Feng Zicai, the imperial court has been extremely kind to you, right? Where did your high-ranking officials and generous salaries come from?"

Zhang Guoliang said slowly: "Mr. Zhao, most of the food and wages for the army led by the two of us were squeezed out by the people of Jiangsu who tightened their belts, and were not allocated by the imperial court."

Zhao Dezhe suddenly became speechless.

Most of the food and wages in Jiangbei Daying depended on salt merchants in Jiangbei.

The food and salary of Jiangnan Daying apparently depended on Fujian, Zhejiang and Jiangsu, but in fact the bulk of it came from Suzhou and Shanghai.

Moreover, they often defaulted on food and wages, and mutinies broke out many times.

Zhang Guoliang said slowly: "Mr. Zhao, you were once the governor of Jiangsu. Don't you know? The army will listen to whose food it eats?"

Zhao Dezhe said angrily: "Then he didn't eat Xu Youren's food."

Zhang Guoliang said: "You may not know something. The Jiangnan camp was defeated repeatedly in the past and retreated all the way. Less than half of the army was left. Military pay has never been paid in full, and it has been in arrears for several months. But in the past year, Military pay is paid in full, and the soldiers can have enough to eat.”

Zhao Dezhe said in a cold voice: "Is it Xu Youren who supports you?"

Zhang Guoliang said: "It's the Alliance of Seven Southern Provinces!"

Because the Seven Southern Provinces Alliance is not only a military alliance, but also an economic alliance.

This alliance will certainly not be able to solve the corruption problem on a large scale, but even if it solves part of it, it will still be very powerful.

Before, there were tax cards, tax bureaus, and suppression of commercial activities everywhere.

Now that there are fewer tax bureaus and the tax system is relatively unified, the total amount of money received has actually decreased, but the cost of corruption has also been reduced a lot.

Su Yi, Tian Yugong, Wang Youling, and Xu Youren took the lead in not making money and using the money they squeezed out.

These people will naturally not be in arrears with military pay, can keep the army well fed, and have enough training.

In this way, whether it is the Jiangnan camp or the green camp and regiment training troops in Zhejiang, the military strength has been partially improved.

The most important thing is that the salary of almost every officer in the seven-province coalition army in the South is in the Southern Bank.

The major shareholder of Southern Bank is Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone, the chief shopkeeper is Hu Xueyan, and the minority shareholders are Rishengchang and others.

These tens of thousands of soldiers were paid by Nanfang Bank, and they also saved money at Nanfang Bank.

It means that your wealth and life are all in the hands of Su Yi and others, so your court just wants these troops to follow your court?

What kind of big joke are you kidding?

Sit in the well and look at the sky!

What does the army rely on, money and food.

Both of these things are in the hands of Su Yi and others. At the critical moment, do you want to turn the army around with an edict?

What are you daydreaming about?

Zhang Guoliang thought for a while and said: "At that time, during the rebellion, the imperial court couldn't come up with money, and it didn't want to come up with money, so it asked the people below to raise their own military pay. Didn't you expect that today would happen?"

Zhao Dezhe said angrily: "What about your official positions? They are always conferred by the imperial court, right?"

Zhang Guoliang said: "If there are no soldiers, where will the officials come from?"

Zhao Dezhe trembled all over and said in a cold voice: "Then do you want to fight the imperial court to the end?"

Zhang Guoliang was silent for a while and said: "You should thank Mr. Su Yi, Mr. Tian Yugong and Mr. Xu Youren. They desperately wanted to maintain their dignity and suppressed many voices. Otherwise, the brothers below may have rebelled earlier."

Feng Zicai said: "Master Zhao, go back and tell the princes in the court. Do you know how many of the southern army are from the Tiandi Hui, the Nian Army, or even the rebels? How many of the ordinary good family members will become soldiers?"

"You have to be careful, don't screw up."

"Su Yi, Xu Youren, Tian Yugong, and Wang Youling are all loyal ministers of the imperial court, and they will not rebel. But if you go to the army below, how many of them care about the imperial court?"

"If one day, the people below force these adults to rebel, it will start a prairie fire. Then something will happen to Qing Jun. Don't blame me for not warning you."

For a moment, Zhao Dezhe was so angry that he was trembling all over. He pointed at Zhang Guoliang and Feng Zicai and said, "It's a great rebellion and an injustice."

……………………

Yangzhou.

After Zhao Dezhe hit a snag with Zhang Guoliang and Feng Zicai, he came to see Jiangbei Camp coach Tuo Ming'a.

This man still verbally obeyed the emperor's will.

The slave obeys the order, long live, long live, long live.

The emperor wants to remove Xu Youren, the governor of Jiangsu, and I will definitely support it.

But, you want me to lead the army to capture Xu Youren? You guys are too proud of me, Toming.

Toming'a was silent for a long time and said: "Mr. Zhao, do you know that the Jiangbei camp's salary is now only as much as that of the Seven Southern Provinces Alliance? It is less than two-thirds."

"Now the entire Yangtze River waterway, and even the Grand Canal waterway, is in Su Ye's hands."

"The court asked me to support, and I certainly support, I dare not disobey the emperor's will."

"But, you asked me to lead the army to help you capture Xu Youren? My army can't enter the Yangtze River at all."

"In fact, the reason why you can freely shuttle between the Yangtze River and the Grand Canal is that they did not really blockade it."

"Otherwise, you can't get to Yangzhou or cross the Yangtze River at all."

After a long while, Tuoming'a said: "Lord Zhao, can you please tell the court to remove my post as General Jiangning? How about transferring me back to the capital and taking up an idle position."

Zhao Dezhe said: "Is there no one in the whole south who can control Su Ye?"

Tuoming'a said: "Yes, Zeng Guofan of the Hunan Army, he has greater power and more troops."

Zhao Dezhe was speechless.

Zeng Guofan had already made a deal with the court. He got the governor-general of Liangjiang, and Peng Yulin got the post of governor of Hubei in exchange for Zeng Guofan's neutrality.

But you want him to confront Su Ye?

Now the Hunan Army is fighting the rebels in Anqing, and it is impossible to split up.

Even if it can split up, can your court give you bargaining chips?

Zhao Dezhe said: "Besides this, is there no other way?"

Tuoming'a said: "There is another way."

Zhao Dezhe said: "You say."

Tuoming'a said: "The court has prepared 20 million taels of silver to buy off all the troops in Jiangxi, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Fujian provinces."

What a joke? Where can the court take out 20 million taels of silver all at once?

Suddenly, Zhao Dezhe understood that the reason why these imperial envoys were able to arrive in Suzhou and Yangzhou smoothly was that Su Ye deliberately let them go, allowing them to travel unimpeded on the Yangtze River and the Grand Canal.

The purpose was to make the court retreat in the face of difficulties.

…………………………

A few days later!

Zhao Dezhe led the team back to the capital along the Grand Canal, and first reported some details to Sushun, Du Han and others.

It was not disloyalty that did not report to the emperor first, but the situation was too bad, and he did not dare to tell the emperor directly.

Sushun, Duanhua, Zaiyuan, Duhan, Kuangyuan and others fell into deep silence after hearing this.

Duhan said: "In fact, when the Southern Seven Provinces Alliance and the Southern Economic Cooperation Body were established, we should have tried our best to dismantle them. It was still in time at that time."

At that time, as long as the court was willing to pay a huge price, there was still hope of dismantling them.

But just after its establishment, the Southern Seven Provinces Alliance directly bombarded the court, exposed the Aihui Treaty, exposed the Xiamen Church Incident, and asked to kill Guiliang and Yishan.

It directly led the rhythm to the loss of power and humiliation of the country, and the court was forced to defend.

In order to regain justice, the court did not hesitate to be tough on foreigners and overturned the Tianjin Treaty, which directly led to the second Battle of Dagukou.

It was not easy to win, but when I looked back.

The Southern Seven Provinces Alliance has become a real community of interests.

The coalition forces of several provinces fought several major battles, and they all won, and established a deep friendship on the battlefield.

Let alone this, the key is that the armies of these four provinces were actually paid in the same silver bank.

The money is in the hands of others, what can we do?

Unless the court takes out more money, but is it possible?

Zhao Dezhe said: "Su Ye has controlled the Yangtze River waterway and part of the canal waterway. The reason why we can travel freely this time is entirely the result of their permission. He just wants us to investigate it clearly and retreat when we encounter difficulties."

Du Han was silent for a long time and said: "In this case, even if Xu Youren is dismissed, it will be useless. He can still command the army and charge for Su Ye as the leader of the alliance."

Kuang Yuan said: "At this time, unless Zeng Guofan comes forward to compete for the position of leader of the alliance, the internal strife of the Southern Seven Provinces Alliance will be shown to the outside world."

This is certainly a good idea, but how is it possible?

Although Zeng Guofan and Su Ye are in the same bed but different dreams, he is not a fool, and he is a pawn for the court in vain.

What chips can the court give him? The Governor-General of Liangjiang has reached the top.

Du Han said: "Now the core is back to Su Ye. It's useless to attack Xu Youren. We can only attack Su Ye and Jiujiang Economic Cooperation Zone."

"If we defeat Su Ye and Jiujiang Economic Cooperation Zone, everything will be solved."

Everyone knows this, but the purpose of removing Xu Youren and dismantling the alliance of the seven southern provinces is to disintegrate the Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone and destroy Su Ye.

Now even the first step cannot be carried out.

Du Han said: "We can't be cautious. If we continue to be cautious, it will be too late."

"November 11th is Su Ye's investment promotion conference, which is very important to Su Ye."

"We have to think about why Su Ye set the investment promotion conference on this day?" Du Han said: "Because his money is about to run out, and he probably has to explain to the foreign shareholders. The foreigners have paid such a large cost and invested for two or three years, so they must see the benefits."

"If Su Ye wants to make money, he can only count on November 11th. As long as this investment promotion conference is destroyed, Su Ye's money will be cut off. Not only will he not be able to explain to the foreigners, but he will also not be able to explain to his allies."

"As long as his money is cut off, the Jiujiang Bank and the Southern Bank, which he leads, will be completely finished."

"The salaries of tens of thousands of troops in four provinces are all in the Southern Bank. After destroying the investment promotion conference, we only need to spread rumors that Su Ye wants to use the deposits in the Southern Bank to fill the hole in the Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone, and those tens of thousands of troops will go to the bank for a run."

"And once Su Yi runs out of money and can't repay the money, then he and tens of thousands of troops will turn against each other."

"At that time, the seven-province alliance in the South will collapse on its own."

"It was wrong for us to target Xu Youren and Wang Youling before."

"The root of everything lies in money. As long as Su Yi's money is destroyed, he will win without fighting."

Sushun looked at Du Han again and marveled at his talent.

It's awesome. Du Han is indeed awesome. He deserves to be a long-term manager in the Ministry of Industry. At this time, he revealed the truth in one sentence.

Although a little late.

But at this moment, everyone felt suddenly enlightened and felt that they finally saw Su Yi's plan clearly.

I always felt that the key lies in a few border officials, who are both bribed and threatened.

Now I finally see the source clearly in the dense layout, money root.

Kuang Yuan said: "Master Du Han is so talented that I have a sudden enlightenment. The only way now is to destroy the investment conference. But... we are back to the old place. Su Yi controls the armies of several southern provinces and controls the Yangtze River waterway. We It’s hard to ruin the investment conference!”

……………………

Inside Sanxi Hall!

Du Han and Sushun fully informed the emperor of their series of analyses.

"Thanks to the sage's wisdom for deposing Xu Youren and lobbying Zhang Guoliang and Feng Zicai, we discovered the roots of the seven-province alliance in the south and uncovered the tip of the iceberg," Du Han said.

The emperor frowned. This was because his ministers were praising him.

In fact, what he said before was to take five steps, but the first two steps were all messed up.

The only use is to discover that at least four southern provinces are almost monolithic.

The emperor said: "What do you mean, if you want to dismantle the alliance of the seven southern provinces, the key is to destroy the Southern Bank, the Jiujiang Bank, and cut off Su Yi's money?"

Du Han said: "Yes, as long as the money is cut off, the alliance of the seven southern provinces will collapse. And Su Yi's money will soon be unable to support it. The investment conference is the moment when he wants to earn huge amounts of gold and silver. As long as he destroys this investment conference At the conference, the money will be cut off.”

The emperor said: "Your opinion!"

Du Han said: "There is too little time. We cannot make progress step by step. November 11th is too urgent."

"So, convict first! Use the justice of the court to convict the Jiujiang Economic Pilot Zone."

"Convict first, collect evidence later, then ban and deport!"

Prince Hui said: "Time is tight. If you want to enter Jiujiang to collect evidence, convict, and ban deportations, you need to take the waterway and the Yangtze River Channel. And the Yangtze River Channel is in Su Yi's hands."

Du Han said: "No, Prince Hui, do you know what money is most afraid of?"

Prince Hui said: "I would like to hear the details."

Du Han said: "War, turmoil, and risks."

"Most of the spies we sent to Jiujiang were arrested, but there is still a general message." Du Han continued: "Su Ye invested in five factories this time, and the amount was very huge, involving hundreds of thousands. People have spent countless amounts of money. I don’t know how much foreigners have invested, but it’s probably an astronomical amount.”

"But the construction period of these factories is very long, and most of them have not really been put into full production."

"A lot of information at the investment conference is public."

"The main items sold this time are cigarettes, rickshaws, gramophones, silk, and cotton."

"And what is being sold is the share of production next year, or even the year after. In other words, it is not a physical product at all."

"So in the final analysis, what Su Yi sells in this investment conference is confidence!"

"These businessmen, and even the confidants of some powerful people in the north, rushed to Jiujiang because they saw huge benefits."

Then Du Han glanced at everyone and said: "Everyone knows the power of Toyama Haruitu cigarettes. People are snatching them up at three times the price on the black market in the capital. The businessmen themselves are reluctant to smoke them, and they are filial to high-ranking officials of the second rank or above."

"There is also a gramophone. It has been widely spread that there are only two people in the world who own it. One is the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty, and the other is the Queen of the British Empire."

"There is even a secret saying that non-first-class high-ranking officials are not allowed to buy gramophones."

"As long as the expectations of these businessmen and powerful people are broken, this investment conference can be ruined."

The summary of Du Han's words in modern language is: capital is risk-averse.

"So, we only need to create war risks and instability in Jiujiang!"

"As long as Jiujiang falls into war, all of Su Yi's factories will cease production and they will be unable to deliver goods next year and the year after that, and their money will be completely wasted."

"The risk of war in Jiujiang first comes from rebellion." Du Han said: "But now it is impossible for rebellion to attack Jiujiang. Their main force is all contained in Anqing."

"The next risk of war in Jiujiang will come from foreign barbarians. But Earl Elgin was defeated and has left China."

"So, the only risk of war comes from...the imperial court!"

"We want to directly declare the Jiujiang Economic Pilot Zone illegal, and we want to expel foreigners by force."

As soon as these words came out, the emperor felt a little horrified.

"Even just slogans are not enough. We have to actually send out troops and set up battle formations. Only in this way can we create enough war risks." Du Han said.

There was silence.

This... is about to use force.

After a long while, Prince Hui said: "What if our army really enters the Yangtze River, Su Yi's fleet comes to stop it, and the two sides start a war?"

yes? ! What to do then?

Su Shun said: "If that day really comes, it will be a real confrontation between the north and the south, and armed conflict will be regarded as treason."

Once the two sides really have an armed conflict in the Yangtze River.

The situation will really deteriorate completely.

Du Han said: "Yes, at that time, the Southern Seven Provinces Alliance was a rebellion. Can Su Ye bear the charge of treason?"

Mian Yu said: "But the person who gave the order was Xu Youren, and Su Ye has resigned from all his positions, including the leader of the Southern Seven Provinces Alliance."

Du Han said: "Even if Su Ye resigned from all his positions, he could not escape the charge of treason. Our army is going to Jiujiang to expel the foreigners, and we have grasped the righteousness. If the Southern Seven Provinces Alliance stops it, it will be colluding with foreigners, opposing the court, and going against our ancestors, and will be despised by the people."

Of course, that's what I said.

But if an armed conflict really breaks out.

If Xu Youren and others can't bear it, can the court bear it?

No one present can bear it.

The method is a good method, but the cost is too high.

Now it's a typical case of using a stick to hit a wolf, and you are afraid of both ends.

The seven southern provinces cannot afford the reputation of rebellion. The imperial court cannot afford the cost of forcing the seven southern provinces to revolt.

Du Han thought for a while and said, "Then there is another way. We can hire a foreign fleet to go to Jiujiang. We spend money to hire a foreign fleet. The foreigners are also divided into two factions, one of which is Su Ye's allies, and the other is Su Ye's enemies. We will find Su Ye's enemies, such as Shanghai Consul Mai Huatuo, Wade, and Li Taiguo. "

"Our imperial commission will go to Jiujiang with the foreign fleet, because the Tianjin Treaty has not yet come into effect, and foreigners are not allowed to do business in Jiujiang."

"We spend a sum of money to hire a foreign fleet to go with us. Go to Jiujiang to enforce the law, and all the confiscated industries will belong to them. "

"In this way, once the fleet of the Southern Seven Provinces Alliance opens fire to obstruct, it will also be a war with the foreign fleet, and we can stay out of it. "

"If they don't open fire, then we will officially land in Jiujiang, declare Jiujiang's industry illegal, and expel the foreigners there. If they open fire, it will be a huge risk of war. "

"So regardless of whether they open fire or not, Su Ye's investment promotion conference is doomed to be destroyed. "

The emperor was once again amazed. This Du Han's brain is so useful.

This killer move is really amazing.

Kuang Yuan said: "The last time Earl Elgin led the fleet into the Yangtze River, he wanted to destroy Su Ye's Yangtze River fleet, but he gave up halfway and even stepped down directly. "

Everyone immediately looked at Kuang Yuan. You are the only honest man in the audience.

It is enough to use the name of the foreign fleet.

……………………

The next day, the court was in turmoil.

Countless officials impeached Shen Baozhen, the acting governor of Jiangxi, and impeached Jiujiang.

"Foreigners illegally set up businesses in Jiujiang, bully the market, and oppress the people, causing Jiujiang people to live in misery. Please investigate thoroughly and punish severely!"

"I impeach Shen Baozhen!"

"I ask for a thorough investigation!"

The emperor was shocked and angry: "The court won this battle, the Treaty of Aihui will be overturned, and the Treaty of Tianjin will also be overturned. Jiujiang is not a trading port, why do foreigners do business in Jiujiang? Is Shen Baozhen sleepwalking? Is Li Si sleepwalking?"

"Investigate, investigate thoroughly!"

"This battle was won We have won against the foreigners, but there are still foreigners who are riding on the heads of my people and bullying them. "

"Guiliang, go to Shanghai and ask the foreign officials why they are illegally doing business in Jiujiang. Let them take people and the imperial envoys to Jiujiang to investigate. If they find that there are indeed foreign industries, they will be confiscated immediately and expelled!"

Guiliang stepped out and said, "Yes!"

Then, the court issued an order in a hurry that all government offices at all levels in the capital should select elites to join the imperial envoy team and go to Jiujiang to investigate.

In short, it is necessary to make a big move and blow the wind.

It is necessary to make everyone know about it.

It is necessary to make it a big political action.

Create a feeling of impending storm and precariousness, so that businessmen and dignitaries dare not spend a lot of money at the investment promotion conference.

In a short moment, the whole capital knew about this big action.

Officials were really selected from government offices at all levels, and Qi Ling was no longer qualified as an imperial envoy.

The cabinet minister Gui Liang was the chief envoy, the military minister Qi Ling was the deputy envoy, and hundreds of elite officials joined the investigation team.

Moreover, the court also assembled all the naval ships of Zhili and assembled thousands of troops.

An extremely huge lineup.

But the most important thing is to borrow the name of foreigners.

………………………………

Gui Liang came to Shanghai to negotiate with Mai Huatuo, Wade, Li Taiguo and others.

Hearing Gui Liang's request, several British people were stunned.

Of course, they were also very tempted.

Two million taels of silver, hired the British fleet and the court to go to Jiujiang for investigation. All the foreigners' property confiscated in Jiujiang belonged to Mai Huatuo and others.

And as long as they agreed, the court was willing to make concessions in the Tianjin Treaty.

The conditions were too generous.

Mai Huatuo, Wade and others could imagine that if cooperation was really reached.

That would be a complete devastating blow to Su Ye's investment promotion conference.

Because the foreigners have sent out fleets to attack Jiujiang's industries, what safety can there be?

Even a few people can calculate how much money can be made from this deal.

But... who dares to take it?

The Qing court doesn't know what's going on in London, but can't they smell it?

Moreover, the Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone is now Prince Albert’s enemy. Who dares to touch it?

The three British giants looked at each other and said: "The only person who can command the fleet now is the Minister, but the Minister is still vacant."

Guiliang said: "It is enough for Mr. Consul to take the lead."

Mai Huatuo said: "No, I do not have the authority to command the fleet."

"I'm very sorry, there's nothing we can do about this!"

Then, the negotiations between the two parties end.

…………………………

A few hours later!

Weituma and Guiliang had a secret conversation.

"Lord Guiliang, you just want to create a military conflict, plunge Jiujiang into turmoil, and ruin Su Yi's investment conference, right?"

Guiliang said: "Yes!"

Waitoma said: "In this way, there is no need for our official fleet to dispatch. Now there are many Western veterans in Hong Kong and Shanghai, from all countries. We white people all look the same. They can't tell whether they are British or French troops. ”

"You spend money to hire them, form a temporary mercenary army, and then fly the British and French flags and kill with you towards Jiujiang."

Guiliang said: "What about the battleship?"

Weitoma said: "Many Western businessmen have armed warships. As long as you are willing to spend money, you can hire them. Of course, you don't have to do all these things yourself. There is someone who can help you do it, the great pirate Jurgen count."

Guiliang said in shock: "Earl?"

Witoma said: "No, of course he is not a real count. This is a self-proclaimed count. His true identity should be the illegitimate son of a noble in Europe. He once served the imperial navy, but was expelled from the army because of smuggling charges. So he became the leader of a pirate group with two thousand men of all races and some warships."

Guiliang asked: "Where is he?"

"Hong Kong!" Weitoma wrote an address with his left hand and handed it to Guiliang.

"Lord Guiliang, you have to hurry up, because November 11th is getting closer and closer."

……………………

A few days later!

On a large ship in the East China Sea, Guiliang secretly met with the great pirate Count Jurgen.

The pirate in his imagination is also different. His teeth are very clean and white, his hair is meticulously combed, he wears gorgeous clothes, and he behaves elegantly. He does look like a noble.

Even a very handsome white man.

"Three thousand people, all of them have white faces?" The big pirate Count Jurgen said: "You are making things too difficult for me. Although I have more than three thousand men, there are only three or four hundred white faces. The rest are either They are black people, mostly yellow people.”

Guiliangdao: "We need most white faces, and we need to fly the flags of Britain and France, and preferably the flags of the United States and Russia."

The big pirate Jurgen said: "No problem, there is no problem with flying as many flags as you want, even on the warships currently in service in the British Empire. But if you want 3,000 white faces, I need to recruit homeless people in Shanghai and Hong Kong at a high price. Mercenaries and so on.”

Guiliang said: "Then you go and recruit. Be quick. I need to reach the mouth of the Yangtze River before November 6th."

Count Jurgen said: "Three thousand people are very expensive."

Guiliang said: "You make a price."

Count Jurgen thought for a while and said: "Two million taels of silver."

Are you kidding me? The court only gave me two million taels in total, so I needed to take care of a lot of people.

Although Mai Huatuo, Weituma and others did not dare to touch Jiujiang, as Su Yi's political opponents, they would turn a blind eye.

But if the court wants them to acquiesce, it also needs money.

Hiring armed cargo ships from Western merchants also requires money.

Next, the two sides engaged in fierce bargaining.

When Guiliang faced high-ranking foreign officials and foreign state machines, he failed in negotiations and did not dare to bargain.

But when faced with pirates, he would have a sense of superiority within the system and be free to negotiate.

In the end, the two parties negotiated the price to 1.2 million taels!

"Pay half of the deposit first," Count Jurgen said.

Guiliang waved his hand, and his confidant immediately handed over Liru's bank draft.

Earl Jurgen took the money order and said with a smile: "Happy cooperation, I will show you what true professionalism is."

Guiliang said: "Then can you defeat Su Yi's Yangtze River Fleet?"

Count Jurgen said: "Our condition is just to go to war, right? Defeat is another price."

"However, although my fleet is far from the opponent of the Imperial Navy, the fleet of a mere Qing warlord is simply a pitiful prey for me."

"May God pray for that poor warlord!"

Guiliang said: "Then we will finish our discussion and meet at the mouth of the Yangtze River on November 6th. On behalf of Britain, France and other countries, you will go to Jiujiang with us to investigate and enforce law."

Count Jurgen sneered: "My credibility is famous throughout Asia."

Guiliang has also asked many people about this.

The reputation of the great pirate Count Jurgen is indeed worth a golden seal.

On many routes, as long as protection fees are paid to him, he will not attack. And if you are attacked by other pirates, he will even help you recover the goods, and then only take 20% of all the goods.

This excellent reputation makes him quite influential in the waters of East Asia.

…………………………

Count Jürgen really talks about credibility.

After receiving the deposit, he immediately began to recruit mercenaries.

And the requirements were very strict. Ordinary wanderers were not accepted. Pirates and retired soldiers from various countries were accepted.

Under the offensive of money, a large number of mercenaries looking for jobs joined his team.

One of the names familiar to many people also came into view.

Wall!

This man was originally a pirate. Later, he was hired by the Qing Dynasty to form a foreign rifle team to help the Qing court fight the Taiping Army.

It must be said that in order to deal with Su Ye.

These high-ranking officials of the Qing court were really powerful. They found the best wild way. It was considered that they started to use the strategy of foreign mercenaries two years in advance.

Despite Wade's matchmaking and guidance, Gui Liang was definitely swift and resolute this time.

If all this really came true.

Then the conspiracy of the Qing court might really succeed.

Because those businessmen and dignitaries could not tell whether this was a foreign mercenary or a foreign navy.

Seeing so many white people hanging flags of various countries, they would only think that the imperial court and foreigners joined forces to attack Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone. They even went to war to disintegrate Jiujiang.

In this case, who would dare to spend a lot of money on the investment conference?

Three thousand mercenaries and a whole pirate fleet are absolutely generous.

But...

At this time, investors and related workers in Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone are wandering in Shanghai and Hong Kong in large numbers, escorting the investment conference.

This is a huge benefit, no one can destroy it, and no one can stop them from making a fortune.

Count Eugen had just started recruiting mercenaries, and he was immediately smelled.

…………………………

A few days later!

Sir Bowring met with Count Eugen in a mansion.

"You hired so many people and even started looking for retired warships of the British Empire. What do you want to do? What big moves?" Sir Bowring asked.

Count Eugen said: "This has nothing to do with you, Lord Bowring. You are no longer an envoy, and even if you are, I am a pirate and I do not obey the orders of the British Empire."

Sir Bowring said: "Are you hired by the Qing court?"

Count Eugen said: "Sorry, everything is confidential."

Sir Bowring said: "What is your goal? To disrupt the investment promotion conference of Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone?"

The big pirate Count Eugen said: "Sorry, everything is confidential."

Sir Bowring said: "Major Eugen, you used to be a naval officer of the British Empire. Whatever you do cannot go against the interests of the empire."

Count Eugen sneered: "Now you remember that I was a major naval officer of the British Empire. Why didn't you remember the old friendship when you expelled me?"

Sir Bowring said: "You were smuggling at the time, violating military orders."

Count Eugen sneered: "What a big joke, which officer of the British Empire Navy did not smuggle at that time? It's just that my half-brother was... In order to frame me, they bribed Major General Robin and drove me out. "

Sir Bower said: "How much did the Qing court spend to hire you?"

Eugen Count said: "Sorry, I can't tell you, and what Qing court hired me? Where did you hear it from? There is no such thing."

Sir Bower said: "No matter how much money the Qing court spends, we will increase it by 500,000 taels."

Eugen Count said: "Sorry, I can't tell you."

Then, he sneered: "Sir Bower, do you think I will sell my reputation for silver? My father is not credible, the Imperial Navy is not credible, but I am credible. I want to tell the world that although I am a pirate, I have the real aristocratic qualities, and those who sit in the position of aristocracy are the real robbers. "

"Okay, Sir Bower, it's very unpleasant to talk to you, goodbye!"

Eugen Count got up and left directly. He had a strong self-esteem, and a certain sentence of Bower directly angered him.

Then, four mercenaries stepped forward and said to Bowring, "I'm sorry, sir, you should leave."

Sir Bowring left the mansion helplessly.

The great pirate Count Eugen continued to recruit soldiers and even faster.

He really had a good reputation. Under his call, more and more mercenaries joined his army.

At this rate, he would be able to recruit enough mercenaries in more than half a month, hang the flags of many countries, disguise as a foreign fleet and go to Jiujiang with the Qing court to jointly enforce the law.

And at this time!

After more than a month of long journey, Bashali finally returned from London and first arrived in Shanghai.

After hearing the news, he immediately took a boat south to Hong Kong.

And this time, there was still a royal guest with him, representing Prince Albert to attend the Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone Investment Promotion Conference, still the young Prince George.

This time he publicly stood up for the investment promotion conference, representing Prince Albert's attention and support.

After Bowring met Bashali, he immediately informed him of this urgent matter.

At this time, it was only more than half a month away from November 11.

Moreover, the great pirate Count Eugen had almost completed the recruitment of mercenaries, and even had the ability to find three large warships of the British Empire Navy that had just been retired.

His pirate fleet had begun to gather in the open sea.

Moreover, the flags of many countries would soon be hoisted, and all this must be stopped as soon as possible.

This time, Bashali directly intercepted Count Eugen midway.

"Sir Basile, I am very happy to meet you. The last time I cooperated with you was very pleasant, and your balance was paid promptly." Earl Jurgen smiled.

He was referring to the last time Bao Ling and Ba Xiali attacked Guangzhou without the permission of Congress. They did not have enough troops and found a large number of mercenaries, but the price was much cheaper.

Bashar said politely: "Major Jurgen, give me ten minutes. For the sake of past friendship, give me ten minutes."

Count Jurgen didn't like dealing with Baoling because he was too arrogant.

"Okay, just ten minutes!"

……………………

In the mansion, Count Jurgen took out an hourglass filled with gold sand.

Just stand upside down and put it on the table, and the golden sand begins to leave.

"Ten minutes, the countdown begins. When the gold sand flows out, our conversation will end."

Basharli said: "I don't know if you have any cooperation with the Qing court. If so, please overturn this cooperation and cooperate with us instead."

Count Jurgen sneered: "Sir Basial, you are humiliating me."

Ba Xiali said: "I will not give you more money, not three hundred thousand taels, five hundred thousand taels, nothing. I know that your father betrayed you and did not fulfill what he promised you. Your brother Framed you and got you kicked out of the Imperial Navy."

"Although you are an illegitimate child, you are more graceful and noble than your brother."

"I promise you that I will help you regain your title. But earl is very difficult. I can only help you get viscount, okay?"

The face of the great pirate Count Jurgen changed slightly and he said hoarsely: "It's impossible, you can't do it, you can't do it."

Basharli said: "Yes, I can't do it. But Prince Albert can do it easily."

Count Jurgen said: "You, you cannot represent His Highness the Prince."

Basharli said: "I can't represent it, but someone can represent it."

Then, Baxali stood up directly and said: "Major Jurgen, please stand up to greet Prince George."

Eugene was able to get up.

A moment later, Prince George walked in. His young face looked at Basili and then he said to Jurgen: "As long as you can cooperate with us, I am willing to help you regain your title. This is mine." promise."

Basharli said: "Major Jurgen, are you willing to believe Prince George's promise? He is one of the top five heirs to the British Empire."

Jurgen closed his eyes and fell into an extremely fierce struggle.

He told himself over and over again, what do you want?

Money? He is enough.

Power? His pirate power is not small either.

Isn't the goal that he has been chasing but not achieving in his life, a title?

As an illegitimate son, isn't his lifelong goal to become a noble?

After a few minutes, he opened his eyes and said, "Excuse me, what should I do?"

Bashar said politely: "What was your original plan?"

Count Jurgen said: "Pretend to be a joint fleet of Britain, France and the United States, accept the Qing court's protest, review the legality of the Tianjin Treaty, go to Jiujiang to investigate, expel non-Qing people there, and seize the industry there."

Ba Xiali said: "Then what if we are blocked by the combined fleet of the seven southern provinces of the Qing Dynasty?"

Count Jurgen said: "Start a war directly, create war and turmoil, and ruin your investment conference."

Ba Xiali was shocked. Did he underestimate the Qing court? He actually came up with such a cruel killing move in such a short period of time.

Then, Basha said politely: "In this way, you still fly the flags of Britain, France and the United States, go to the Yangtze River Estuary to join the Qing imperial fleet, and still enter the Yangtze River normally."

"After two hundred miles into the Yangtze River, you immediately change your flag and replace it with the pirate flag. Remember, you must use the name of pirates to directly attack the Qing imperial envoy fleet and capture all the Qing imperial envoys."

"Then, Su Yi's Yangtze River fleet will appear, expel you from the Yangtze River, and rescue the Qing imperial envoy."

"At that time, the imperial envoys of the Qing court will become wretches, and the alliance fleet of the seven southern provinces will become the savior."

After hearing this, Earl Jurgen trembled and said: "Oh my God? You are so cruel. I can't imagine how the imperial envoys of the Qing Dynasty would react when that moment actually happened. When the emperor of the Qing Dynasty knew about it, he would Wouldn’t you be so angry that you would vomit blood?”

Bashar said politely: "Viscount Jurgen, have we made a deal?"

Jurgen stretched out his hand and said: "For the benefit of the empire."

Bashar said politely: "As a noble of the empire, of course you are doing it for the benefit of the empire."

Then he stretched out his hand and shook it with Count Jurgen.

At this point, a terrible conspiracy is brewing!

What's even more frightening is that Su Yi didn't participate in the whole conspiracy and poisonous scheme.

Driven by huge interests, countless elites worked hard for it and showed great wisdom.

………………………………

November 1st!

The imperial fleet of the Qing Dynasty sailed south from Tianjin Port to the Yangtze River Estuary in Shanghai.

The cabinet is headed by Guiliang, a bachelor, and Qi Ling, the minister of war, is the deputy. There are hundreds of officials and more than 3,000 naval officers and soldiers.

At the same time, the fleet of the great pirate Count Jurgen was assembled in the outer sea and headed north in a mighty manner.

The British Empire's ships in Shanghai were renovated in the port in a very timely manner.

The two fleets are getting closer.

On November 5, the two fleets met on the sea more than a hundred miles away from Shanghai.

Guiliang represented the Qing court and boarded Count Jurgen's flagship.

"Lord Guiliang, please review my fleet. Can you still tell that this is a pirate fleet?" Count Eugen said with a smile.

I really can't tell.

Two or three thousand mercenaries, all white, wearing uniforms of various countries' armies.

Even this flagship is a large warship that was just retired by the British Empire Navy.

Guiliang said: "From now on, you are Colonel Eugen, the commander of the British and French joint navy. We seriously protest that you have made illegal industrial investments before the Tianjin Treaty came into effect and before Jiujiang became a trading port."

The big pirate Eugen said: "I don't know that there is such a thing."

Guiliang said: "The Qing Dynasty formally invites your commander to join our fleet to go to Jiujiang for investigation and evidence collection. Once verified, we will immediately ban, confiscate and expel your country's merchants who are illegally doing business in Jiujiang."

The big pirate Eugen said: "Of course!"

The two sides shook hands.

Then, several people used foreign cameras to record this scene.

The Qing court has made rapid progress and knows how to take pictures to keep evidence as a political weapon.

Next, Gui Liang publicly announced a joint investigation declaration.

And Count Eugen also pretended to be the leader of the foreign coalition forces, went to the Qing Dynasty's ship, and read out the instructions for the joint investigation.

Almost all members of the Qing Dynasty's imperial envoys believed it.

They were absolutely sure of this mission.

After the ceremony, the two fleets gathered together and entered the Yangtze River estuary in a mighty manner.

Headed directly to Jiujiang!

…………………………

Note: 13,500 sent, 20 minutes earlier than yesterday. Benefactor, do you still have monthly tickets? Can you give me a few?

I will try to finish it earlier tomorrow.