Chapter 21 Section 21

Since Zhang Yinhuan resigned, there have been continuous visitors.Li Hongzhang didn't want to see him at first, but during this day, he realized that all kinds of signs in Beijing were not good for him. In order to listen to the news and win over the courtiers, he changed his mind and postponed the meeting as much as possible. Visitors are here to curry favor.Because I heard that the imperial court is going to implement a new deal, and it must employ more people, or if they want to work part-time, or want to be released, they have to follow the path of "Li Zhongtang" who holds real power.This generation has limited knowledge, but is well-informed, so Li Hongzhang listened to many things he wanted to hear.

At four o'clock, the personal attendant quietly came to remind him that it was time to go to King Qing's dinner.On this day, Yikuang greeted Li Hongzhang, accompanied by ministers from the general administration and military aircraft, so it was another meeting, and of course Li Hongzhang had to arrive early. Sure enough, he arrived early, and there was only Sun Yuwen among the accompanying guests.When it came to the railway, he told Li Hongzhang that there were many people who opposed it, but it was a matter of human effort. It was best to prepare a detailed illustration and then ask Yizhi to make a decision.

"That's convenient. I can prepare it within three to five days." Li Hongzhang replied, "The foreign craftsmen have made surveys several times, and each time they have detailed reports, but they are in foreign languages. I will tell them to speed up the translation." "Yes. As soon as Zhongtang is handed over, the military plane will submit it immediately." Sun Yuwen paused and asked: "Zhongtang means to build a railway along the river from Taochengbu to Linqing. If the river in Acheng is flooded If we decide to rush northward, won’t we break the railway?”

"It doesn't matter! The foreigner has already considered this level. Near the river, the roadbed is built six feet high, and the flood has never been higher than six feet." Sun Yuwen nodded and asked again: "If it is possible to follow the order, who does Zhongtang want to send to supervise it?" Li Hongzhang already had someone in mind, and decided to send Sheng Xuanhuai to do it.When the words came to his mouth, he suddenly realized that there might be someone Sun Yuwen wanted to recommend, and if it failed, he would inevitably be disappointed, or he would deliberately obstruct it.

So he shook his head and said: "Where can we talk about it now? Whether it will be handed over to the Beiyang Office in the future is unknown. Even if it is handed over to the Beiyang Office, whoever is appointed to manage it, I have to ask you for your opinion." "Of course, please support Zhongtang." Sun Yuwen said, "I think Sheng Xingsun is the right person." Hearing Sun Yuwen's praise of Sheng Xuanhuai, Li Hongzhang had to pay attention.Because although Sun Yuwen's words and deeds all implied scheming, he had to guard against Sheng Xuanhuai.There are two types of talents in the Beiyang shogunate. One type talks about the administration of officials and military strategy, and still retains the legacy of Zeng Guofan's founding of the mansion. When talking about people, most of them are honest and gentlemen;The other type is doing foreign affairs and making money, and there are two classes of high and low. The top ones are like Zhang Yinhuan, and the bottom ones are Sheng Xuanhuai and his like. Li Hongzhang has no secrets in front of them, just like in front of his personal servants. Word.In fact, Li Hongzhang also had to rely on Sheng Xuanhuai and others to have his personal secrets, so he had to guard against it.

His method of defense is tailored to the individual. For the generals of the Huai Army, it is to cause mutual suspicion between them, so as not to "collude with each other to conspire against me." For people like Sheng Xuanhuai, apart from trapping them for profit, it is strictly forbidden to take refuge in other mountains.However, Sheng Xuanhuai certainly didn't need it, and he didn't dare to betray himself. He was afraid that Sun Yuwen would pull Sheng Xuanhuai over with ulterior motives. If all his secrets fell into the hands of this person, it would be a matter of great concern.For this reason, he tentatively asked: "Speak more about Sheng Xingsun as a capable person, Laishan, in your opinion, what are his strengths?"

"Sheng Xingsun was selected by Zhongtang, don't you know his strengths?" Judging from these words, Sun Yuwen might have already guessed that he was going to entrust Sheng Xuanhuai to run the railway, and he deliberately said that he was going to be the first to test it out.Li Hongzhang thought to himself that he hated Sheng Xuanhuai deeply on the road of speech. If he admits that he has this intention, once it is spread, it will first arouse the resentment of the speech officials and increase resistance. It is better to keep it a secret. "Of course I know Sheng Xuanhuai's strengths. However, it's very difficult to know people. I need to listen to everyone's criticisms, especially your Excellency's criticisms."

"why?" "That's not easy to understand? The military plane is a place where people are employed and administered. Why don't you listen to your evaluation of the characters?" "Zhongtang thinks highly of me!" Sun Yuwen suddenly asked, "I heard that Sheng Xingsun went to Hangzhou?" "His old man is waiting in Zhejiang, and he asked for leave to visit relatives." Li Hongzhang said again, "I also want to rectify the China Merchants Bureau." Speaking of this, the guests arrived one after another, and very unexpectedly, when the banquet was about to start, King Chun also made an uninvited guest.But as soon as he came in, he declared that he didn't come to break the banquet, but just heard that everyone was here, so he came in to have a look.

This made Yi Kuang, the master, very embarrassed.Not staying with the king of alcohol, because of the disagreement with etiquette, leaving the king of alcohol, he naturally took the first seat, and he wronged Li Hongzhang.Think about it, there are only false invitations in the mouth, and secretly taking care of them, and the meeting is postponed. King Chun knew that it was inconvenient to sit for a long time, so he pulled Sun Yuwen aside for a moment, and said something important: "You are sitting with Shaoquan, so there is no need to talk about the railway. This matter is probably lost!"

"how?" "Here," Chun Wang stretched out his five fingers, meaning to refer to King Dun, "Didn't you 'hand over the sign' today? I just found out that it was to oppose the construction of the railway and fight face to face. There are a few words that are very powerful. It was said that the railway was built here and there, for fear of disturbing the dragon veins of Xiling. The superiors were terrified when they heard this! They sent an edict, and asked me to hand over the sign together tomorrow morning, saying that they wanted to ask about the railway. Most likely it would be dismissed .”

Sun Yuwen didn't answer immediately, but asked another question: "Then, what about the official bank account?" "This is another tricky matter! Chong Wenshan came to me crying bitterly. He is truly foolish and loyal! It seems that unless foreigners are not used, it will not be possible." "Hefei is superstitious about foreigners. I heard that he has done it, so he would not use foreigners, and would rather not do it. Now that the railway is no longer discussed, two of the three major events discussed were unsuccessful, and these two were Hefei's proposals. There are no results, it seems that it is not good for his face." "That's right!" King Chun never thought that it was very inappropriate when he was reminded at this moment. "Besides, I still have to ask him!" This sentence, King Chun can also understand that what is required of Li Hongzhang is not only to run a large Beiyang navy first, but also to rely on him to cover up the use of naval funds for other purposes.In this way, one must try to save his face, otherwise, he may not be obedient and obedient. "My lord," Sun Yuwen said in a low voice: "Whether to do it or not, the lord makes up his mind in his heart, don't say anything in front of him, just make an order according to Hefei's wishes. Anyway, this is not something that can be decided in three or two days. Let's wait until Song Zhenqing plays again with Chen Juncheng." This refers to Song Jun, Governor of Water Transport, and Chen Shijie, Governor of Shandong.The construction of the railway is related to Nancao, and it is located in Shandong. Of course, their opinions must be consulted. If they think that it is difficult to do so, they will be able to prevaricate Li Hongzhang in the future.If you agree with it again, you may wish to signal your opposition on the way.In short, there are many ways to dispel this matter. The best strategy is to save Li Hongzhang's face and not teach him to hold grudges against the court. "Your words are correct. You must follow suit!" Chun Wang readily agreed.