Chapter 22 The 22nd American gift-giving running official

Ward was killed in battle, and the British side proposed to send personnel to take over the Changsheng Army. Li Hongzhang argued hard, but he refused. He still ordered Wu Xu and Yang Fang to lead the foreign gun team, and Bai Qiwen, the temporary committee, was the temporary leader of the foreign gun team. He has to be the deputy commander, and the general Li Hengsong is still the supervisor of the army. Bai Qiwen knew that Li Hongzhang could not trust him, so he went to visit Xue Huan overnight, and gave away a urinal from the Warring States Period, and spent a lot of money to buy goods at Xue Ji Antique Shop, and finally bought one of Xue Huan's tricks.

The scheming Xue Huan held the urinal given by Bai Qiwen in his hand, while playing with it, he murmured: "The foreign gun team has gone out of many schools, and there have been many disadvantages. Li Shaoquan asked you to be the supervisor temporarily, but Farsil had to do it for you." Deputy manager, this clearly does not trust you, and wants to replace you with Fasild. What should I do? Sometimes the decision of my Qing affairs is not in my own hands, but in the hands of you foreign friends Li. Tomorrow, I would like to invite Admiral He Bo of the British Navy and Admiral Shidi Foley to dinner. You know, the real master of the foreign gun team is not Li Shaoquan, nor you Americans, but the British. I will let you Uncle He and Shidi Fuli went to the governor's yamen to intercede for you, and then dismissed Fasil's position as deputy supervisor. The lack of this supervisor is really in your hands, isn't it?"

Bai Qiwen asked in a low voice: "Lord Xue, I'm worried that this Li Shaoquan won't listen to the British!" Xue Huan smiled and said: "Marshal Bai doesn't know something. Li Shaoquan was the governor of Jiangsu at the beginning, and now it's time to win over the Changsheng Army. Yes. He may not give face to Qing officials, but he still dares not to give face to foreigners. Whether he can really get him, the governor of Jiangsu, depends on whether the Changsheng Army is willing to help him. By the way, there is still one more thing to do. I forgot to tell Marshal Bai about this matter. Yesterday, I heard from the housekeeper that my account recently got a snuff bottle, which was made of high-quality Hetian jade. Don’t you want to collect one, Marshal?”

Bai Qiwen knew that Xue Huan was blackmailing him, but he replied casually: "As long as Li Shaoquan can appoint a subordinate to be the commander of the Ever Victorious Army, let alone one snuff bottle, even ten snuff bottles, the subordinate will buy it!" Xue Huan hit the case and said: "Okay! It's a deal, and I will order the housekeeper to prepare ten snuff bottles!" Bai Qiwen smiled and cursed in his heart: "You idiot, I will make you cry!" After he left, Xue Huan immediately invited the British navy admiral He Bo and land admiral Shidi Foli into the commercial yamen, Xu With great profit, they were invited to intercede for Bai Qiwen in front of Li Hongzhang.

He Bo and Di Foli promised full of promises, but after going down, they didn't go to the governor's office, but went straight to the Changsheng Army camp to see Bai Qiwen.Bai Qiwen knew the purpose of their visit, so he took out 10,000 taels of silver and distributed it to them.Uncle He and Di Fo accepted it with a smile, and then came to the Governor's Yamen to ask to see Li Hongzhang. Most foreigners are straightforward, and they don't know how to make twists and turns when speaking.After exchanging pleasantries with Li Hongzhang, Uncle He said straight to the point: "Master Li, we came to see you just to tell you about the leader of the Ever-Victorious Army. We thought that the leader of the Ever-Victorious Army may not be If you want a British soldier, you don’t necessarily need anyone else. General Bai Qiwen is very suitable. Bai has already joined your country’s nationality, and your country has rewarded him with a third-rank top hat. Who can I use? I have been ordered by the queen of my country to leave my post and go back to China for vacation. I came here in a hurry to recommend Bai Qiwen to you. It is entirely for the benefit of your country. I hope Master Li will agree to my request!"

Shidi Fuli also said: "Master Li, don't doubt that Bai gave us bribes. Bai has received a good education since he was a child. He is the best American. Master Li, there is one more thing, I also want to Let me tell you that the American, Fasild, is not very reliable. As far as I know, Fasild's father was a shoemaker, and he often quarreled with customers over a penny. We in the UK are considering replacing him. Deputy leader." Before Li Hongzhang could finish his speech, Li Hongzhang hurriedly asked: "This department would like to interrupt. This department does not quite understand that Fasilde's father is a shoemaker, that is to say, Fasilde was born What does that have to do with Fastel himself, in a craftsman's house in America?"

He Bo smiled and said: "Please forgive me, Master Li, the general is not good at words, he didn't speak clearly. That's right, like you, Master Li, your father is a high-ranking official in your country, and you yourself are influenced by your family. , so he became a high-ranking official. And Fasild's father is a shoemaker, Fasild is the son of a shoemaker. The shoemaker's son is not a shoemaker, but he came to your country to be a general. Master Li, don't you realize Is this too incredible?" Li Hongzhang was dumbfounded by Uncle He's logic. He joked: "He Junmen, this department still doesn't understand what you said. For example, Mr. Zeng, the mentor of this department, his old ancestors used farmland as a business, but he The old man is now a top official in the Qing Dynasty. How do you say that?"

Uncle He shrugged his shoulders and said hesitantly: "Lord Li, as far as I know, although the ancestors of your mentor, Lord Zeng, lived in farmland, his father was a scholar in your country. There is an old saying in your country:' Everything is inferior, only reading is high. 'The son of a scholar is not a high-ranking official, do you let the son of a butcher give orders?" Li Hongzhang laughed out loud at Bo He's words, and Shidi Foli also laughed. Li Hongzhang said: "This department has only been in contact with Hua Er, and has not met Bai Qiwen and Fasilde. How about making a decision after our department has met them? Besides, the absence of the leader of the Ever-Victorious Army is not your fault." Both parties can release whoever they want, and it needs my emperor's decree to do it!"

After Li Hongzhang finished speaking, he ordered people to serve wine, and the two left after dinner; but soon, Bo He and Shidi Fuli turned back, accompanied by a tall middle-aged foreigner with a beard. Uncle He pointed at the bearded foreigner and said, "Master Li, you said you haven't seen General Bai yet. Look, I have brought General Bai to you now. You should be satisfied this time, right?" While saluting, Bai Qiwen said: "The humble Bai Qiwen came to greet Mr. Futai!" When Li Hongzhang saw Bai Qiwen, he was tall and big, with two big eyes like copper bells set off by his full beard, giving people a rebellious impression.

Li Hongzhang smiled and asked Uncle He: "He Junmen, why didn't Farsell come here? The boots in our department are broken, and I want someone to fix them." Bai Qiwen rushed to answer: "I want to report to Mr. Li Futai, according to my assignment, Fasil has to lead part of the ever-victorious army to defend the area around Cixi." He Bo said: "Master Li, can you rest assured this time? Your appointment has not yet been issued, and General Bai has already assumed the responsibility of leading the team. The Ever Victorious Army is an invincible army, and there is no such person as General Bai." How can you be the team leader? Besides, this is also Hua Er's last order!"

Shidi Fuli said: "Master Li, we still have a lot of things to do, please hurry up and ask the emperor of your country to issue a letter of appointment to General Bai! Look at Bai Qiwen's beard, the root of his beard is shining with the light of wisdom. If you don't let him be the team leader, isn't his beard growing for nothing?" Seeing that Shidi Fuli's words became more and more outrageous, Bo He hurriedly said: "Master Li, General Shi is telling a joke, please don't take it seriously. What he means is that General Bai is born to be a team leader. If you don't appoint him, It's a crime." Li Hongzhang weighed in and said again and again: "Okay, this department will agree to the request of the two military sects. General Bai will be the leader of the Ever Victorious Army. After the official decree of our country's court, he will officially grant it." After sending the three of them away, Li Hongzhang asked for an order overnight. Zhe said: "... Huaer's casualties left behind the Changsheng army. According to Su Song Taidao Wu Xu's report, he planned to send Huaer's generals Bai Qiwen and Fasil to take charge, and the British chief Mai Huatuo wanted to send another army. Take over. Jingchen made a special report on the 6th of the first month of this month, and it was appropriate for Admiral He Bo of the British Navy to come to the camp with Bai Qiwen from Yantai on the 14th to discuss business with the British land admiral Shidi Fuli. "Uncle He said in person that Bai Qi Wencai is brave enough to take over, and there is no need for the British to send personnel to take over, and there is no need for Farsil to lead him. With the power of one matter, he discussed with his ministers that he will attack Jiading County in the near future. Minister Chafasil Now I went to Ningbo Anti-Suppression Conference and Chamber of Commerce to attack Jiading, but I didn't see him, and Bai Qiwen met him for the first time, so I didn't know the background. According to He Bo's sincere advice, he should approve it. After that, he really listened to his dispatch , Whether it is effective or not, the minister will check it at any time and report it according to the facts." Steve Foley was an officer of the British Army, and Bo He was an officer of the British Navy. They walked between the Qing Army and the Taiping Army, working for their own interests, and made a fortune from the war. Like Wall, Bai Qiwen is also an American. Bai Qiwen claims to be a soldier. He also participated in the Crimean War and traveled to the western United States, Australia, and India.After arriving in Shanghai, he joined the foreign gun team and won the trust of Huaer, and was awarded the post of deputy team leader. Soon, Songjiang, Taicang and other counties were restored one after another, the Yamen of Susong Taidao moved to Songjiang City, and Susong Liangdao also moved out.At this time, Wu Xu is the second-rank Ding Dai awarded Su Song Tai Taoist Department of Jiangsu Province; Liu Xun was free from illness. After the Battle of Cixi, the foreign gun team under Bai Qiwen's command now only has 3,000 members, plus civilian staff and other miscellaneous affairs, it is only 6,000 people, and its strength is not as good as before.Bai Qiwen wants to revive the prestige of the foreign gun team in a short time, so he needs to recruit new braves. Bai Qiwen put forward his idea to the supervisor Yang Fang, but Yang Fang didn't dare to make a decision, so the two went to the vassal yamen to meet Wu Xu.Wu Xu never dared to offend foreigners, and when he heard the news, he didn't care about the speeches of his subordinates, and shouted: "Please come in and talk!" Bai Qiwen entered proudly, followed by Yang Fang who nodded and bowed.Several subordinates who came to discuss official business had no choice but to leave.Yang Fang whispered: "Uncle Fang, Marshal Bai wants to replenish the vacancies of the Changsheng Army. What do you always think?" Uncle Fang, like Fantai, was a kind of respectful title for the chief envoy at that time. Bai Qiwen said: "Master Wu, the Ever Victorious Army's vitality was almost exhausted in the first battle in Ningbo. If you don't replenish it, how will you fight again? You must allocate half a million taels of silver to me as soon as possible!" Wu Xu was taken aback, and hurriedly asked: "Marshal Bai, you are always just recruiting courage, why do you want so much money?" Bai Qiwen said: "Master Wu, you are so confused, what day is it now? This month's salary has been owed for seven days, if you send this month's salary, what about next month? Next month, you have to pay the salary seven days in advance Give it to us. Do the math, the salary for these two months is 80,000 taels. To replenish the troops, you need to replenish the guns and ammunition. How much money is this? We are fighting for your country, and your army’s salary can be paid or not. , but you cannot default on our salary!" Wu Xu said with a smile on his face, "Don't worry, Marshal Bai, what's yours is yours after all. However, Li Hefei is the governor of Jiangsu now. Li Hefei is different from Mr. Xue. What was the treasury before and what is now , He has a clear grasp of everything, and no one is allowed to be sloppy. This person's face has become very fast. He told the official himself an hour ago that Feng Xietai and Zeng Junmen were having a quarrel, and he wanted to mediate After waiting for an hour, when I led Feng Xietai to see him, he not only threw away the angry words, but also villainized Feng Xietai, saying that Feng Xietai was armed with a weapon and wanted to do something wrong. After Tai handed over the firearms, he didn't even say that, and even said that Feng Xietai was a prisoner of the imperial court! What is he doing? He is clearly doing it for Mr. Xue to see! Marshal Bai, I support you Zhao Yong also agrees to give you 500,000 taels of silver. Which item does not require money for the purchase of weapons? But let me put my ugly words first, and I don’t know whether Li Hefei agrees or not!" Bai Qiwen said: "This is very easy! Master Wu will go to Futai with Master Yang now, and I can wait here. I have just been in charge, and you treat me like this, which is very unfair. If your great emperor If the Queen Mother finds out, they will be angry too. Well, don’t waste time, go quickly!” Wu Xu and Yang Fang looked at each other.Yang Fang whispered to Bai Qiwen: "Marshal Bai, I want to have a discussion with you. How about you go back to the camp first? Fang Bo has just said that what is owed to you is what is owed to you. Besides, you are here Help us grow the hair, how can we lose you?" Wu Xu nodded and said: "Yes! Even if Li Hefei wants to suppress your salary, we will fight for you. You are helping us fight the war! We can't lose anyone, but you can't?" Bai Qiwen stood up and said, "Okay, since you Master Yang said the same thing, I have no choice but to go back to the barracks and wait. I have planted the banner of recruiting bravery in the countryside, so you can't play tricks." Yang Fang accompanied Bai Qiwen out with a smile.Wu Xu heaved a sigh of relief, and was just about to ask someone to make tea, when an official came in stridingly and said, "Master Fantai, the governor's yamen letter has arrived, and Lord Futai asks you to handle it quickly." The officer presented the letter with both hands. superior. Wu Xu took Zhazi over, took a pen and wrote the reply to the official.After the messenger went out, he unhurriedly opened the paper and looked at it.Seeing this, he was startled again. The governor's yamen increased the salary allocated to the besieged Jinling camp in Jiangsu according to the law by another 20%. ! Wu Xu couldn't help cursing in his heart: "This Zeng Laojiu, he only wants to make great contributions to himself, but he doesn't care how others live! Shanghai only has a monthly income of three hundred thousand taels. Li Hongzhang's nearly 10,000 Huaiyong soldiers and thousands of green battalion officers and soldiers are also waiting for their pay, and Huang Yisheng's sailor's pay is also paid out of the Jiangsu Fan Treasury. How do you live these days?" Wu Xu sent someone to prepare the sedan chair, and he was going to Shanghai to meet Li Hongzhang.Wu Xu has already made up his mind: the Jiangsu Fan Treasury is the lifeblood of the entire Jiangsu Province, not the food and payment base of his Zeng brothers; if the imperial court lets Wu Xu be the Jiangsu Fan Station for a day, the Jiangsu Fan Treasury's food and salary cannot be freely drawn by anyone!