Chapter 32 Bleak foreign field (2-3)

This is true, but Gu Yingchun did not want Zhao Baolu to refund the money immediately. As for Jardine Matheson, as long as the contract with Zhao Baolu is reversed, Hu Xueyan has promised to refund the full amount first, but there must be guarantees in the future. Zhao Baolu had silk and silk, but returned Dingyang without silk.It's just that he doesn't know how to be guaranteed. "The most troublesome thing is that he has many receipts written to him by silk makers. One says he has paid the money, and the other says he has not received it. It seems that Zhao Baolu will benefit from the lawsuit."

"Otherwise." Master Yang said: "The lawsuit is one against one, of course the focus is on the evidence, even if you are fooled, you have to blame yourself. If Zhao Baolu becomes the target of public criticism and everyone says he is a liar, then the situation will be different. But for those who have been duped, the lawsuit should be filed early, and the case must be submitted now." "You too." Wu Xin interjected, "What time is this? Every household is serving Silkworm Baby! Where did you get the time to go to court?" Master Yang pondered for a while and said: "There is a way, but it must be done step by step, step by step. Does Zhao Baolu have a 'yatie'?" The introducer of the transaction was called "驵侩" in ancient times. A "mutual market" was established at the border; in the Tang Dynasty, the "mutual market" expanded and extended from the border to Chang'an, and a "mutual market supervisor" was set up to take care of its affairs. The things on the exchange market, which are more expensive and which are cheaper, which are more important and which are less important, can be manipulated only by one word from him. relation.Therefore, there are many Hu people who are Hulang, such as An Lushan.However, when the Hu people wrote Chinese characters, the strokes were not clear, and they didn’t know how to write the character "Ya" in Huzi. They were called "Yalang" in terms of biography; It is called "tooth line". "Dentistry" is a business with no capital. The gangster holds a steelyard in his hand and buys and sells by force on his site, with commissions on both sides. He even buys with his right hand and sells with his left, which is a big "hat".That’s why there is a proverb common in the north and south: “If you are innocent, you should be killed if you are not guilty of a car and boat shop”.

Of course, there is also a formal dental practice that facilitates transactions for buyers and sellers and charges fixed commissions to meet the needs. It requires the government to file a case and obtain a license issued by the Ministry of Households or the province's vassal office, which is called "Yatie".Zhao Baolu was only doing dental work in private by relying on the power of the church. Gu Yingchun speculated that it was impossible for him to have a dental sticker. "I don't think he will." Mr. Yang said: "Jardine Matheson wanted to write a report. The county government sent Zhao Baolu and asked him if there was such a thing? He said 'yes' ;Okay, tell him to come out with the ivory stickers. If there are no ivory stickers, he will be punished first."

"What about after the punishment?" "I want him to guarantee that I will act according to the agreement in the future." Master Yang said, "This is a matter between Jardine and him. If there is a lawsuit in the future, Jardine will definitely win." "To win is to win, and to keep what I said just now, the one who is not afraid of debt collection, but the one who owes money poorly, if he can neither pay silk nor leave Dingyang, is it possible that his church will be closed?" "Although we can't close his church, we can ask him to post bail. At that time, if someone who was deceived goes to sue him, he can be charged with 'fraudulently obtaining money'." Master Yang said: "In short, the method There are. But "everything is done beforehand"; in the name of the sentence, there is the so-called "grab the plaintiff", which is to take the first step and take precautions. Your brother will do as I say, first ask Jardine Matheson to write a report, this is the most important move "Yes, yes! Thank you for your guidance, and I will ask for more help in the future."

The business talk has come to an end, and the wine is almost done.Master Yang knew that Wu Xin had to rush back to the nunnery, so he didn't delay her time, and left immediately after dinner; Gu Yingchun wrapped a big red envelope to reward his servant, watched Master Yang get into the sedan chair, and ordered to untie the cable and go back Nanxun. It was already the third watch when going back to bed, Lei Guiqing put her head on the pillow, suddenly sniffed sharply, making a "chi, chi" sound, Gu Yingchun couldn't help being surprised. "What?" he asked, "What's wrong?

"I smell on my pillow." "Smell?" Gu Yingchun was even more puzzled, "What smell?" "It's fragrance." Lei Guiqing said, "It's like the fragrance from Wuxin's hair. Didn't you smell it?" "My nose doesn't have your soul." Gu Yingchun thought to himself, this matter is really strange, Wu Xin didn't use his pillow, how could it be contaminated with fragrance?Thinking of this, I couldn't help but look sideways, and saw something strange coming.On Lei Guiqing's pillow, there is a long black hair, which can be determined to be Wu Xin's hair, but has she really used Lei Guiqing's pillow?

"No!" Lei Guiqing suddenly shouted again: "This is not my pillow, it's yours." He leaned up and said, "I remember very clearly that the mandarin duck pillows you embroidered are mine. Duck, it’s changed now.” Gu Yingchun suddenly realized, nodded and said, "That's right, it's changed. Do you know who changed it?" "Could it be Wuxin?" "Yes, it must be her. She has a habit of sleeping in the middle; it was my pillow, and now it is yours." "This—" Lei Guiqing was pleasantly surprised, "Hey, what does this mean?" She said with her face down and sniffed the fragrance on the pillow.

Gu Yingchun didn't want to "kill the scenery" at first, but he couldn't help but spoil his interest when he saw this scene, "'Jia's family peeks at the curtain and Han Yu is few, and Concubine Mi stays as a pillow for Wei Wangcai', Gui Qing," he said, "you have to think about it." , two qualifications, do you have one?" "I do not understand what you mean." What Gu Yingchun meant was that unless Lei Guiqing felt that he was young and handsome, or knowledgeable and talented, it would be difficult to win Wu Xin's favor.And Wu Xin has always been a prankster, so what he suffered when he went to invite Master Yang was Wu Xin's punishment for his frivolity.Now it is a trap and a test to exchange the pillow with the fragrance left on it for him; if Lei Guiqing thinks about it again, there will be hardships in the future.

Lei Guiqing took a deep breath, of course she had experienced the feeling of Wu Xin; but it was only a matter of a moment, what Gu Yingchun said was not as good as the "beautiful eyes look forward to, and clever smile" in his mind The impression was very deep, so I was still disturbed by the non-scented musk fragrance on the pillow in the middle of the night. When I woke up the next day, the sun was already shining, and it was nine o'clock on the watch, which was at least two hours later than usual; when I got out of the cabin, Gu Yingchun was quietly reading and drinking tea.

"Did you lose sleep last night?" he asked. Lei Guiqing smiled shyly, and Gu Yue asked suspiciously, "What should we do?" "You wash your face first." Gu Yingchun said, "Wu Xin sent someone to invite us to have some snacks early in the morning. I'm waiting for you." Lei Guiqing was a little hesitant, and really didn't want to go, but she seemed to have a grudge and was too small; if she went, she was afraid that she would not be able to hold her breath, and her face would show resentment, so she was noncommittal, and slowly rinsed When it was over, I saw Xiaoyu came to urge me again.Then he couldn't allow him to think about it any more, and the general went ashore, and when he arrived at the Lianchi Abode, he was still sitting in the east room of Wuxin's meditation room. The little lap dog only jumped on Lei Guiqing, and he hugged it When he got up, he didn't bark or move, and lay obediently in his arms. "It hits you."

Lei Guiqing looked up, and Wu Xin was standing at the door with a smile; the bulldog saw its master and jumped off Lei Guiqing.Turning into Wu's arms, he licked his master's face with his tongue. "Don't make trouble!" Wu Xin put the dog down, "Go outside to play." The dog is human, rang the little golden bell around its neck, and waddled out. Lei Guiqing said with a smile: "This dog so fun." "You are happy, I gave it to you, okay?" Lei Guiqing was very surprised, he didn't know if what she said was true or not, let alone what she meant when she said it; because of his guard, even if she was telling the truth, he would not dare to accept this kindness. "Thank you, thank you! A gentleman does not take what others like." "I really want to send you off." "Really, I don't dare to take it." Lei Guiqing said, "And the dog has feelings for you too." At this time, the dim sum had already been brought out, sweet and salty, quite rich; Gu Yingchun, who had never spoken, said, "Wu Xin, I want to rush back to work. I have a vegetarian meal at noon, so I'll bother you next time. It's good to eat this." You don’t have to eat lunch for a snack.” "Oh," Wu Xin asked, "You still have to come back, what day?" This brings up Gu Yingchun's embarrassment.It turned out that he had already planned it before coming to Huzhou. The negotiations in Huzhou had taken shape, and Lei Guiqing would take care of the unfinished business so that he could get away and rush to Shanghai to arrange to welcome Zuo Zongtang on tour.Now according to the original plan, Lei Guiqing should be responsible for the liaison between Jardine Matheson and Master Yang; There was a dispute between them, so I didn't know how to answer it. "Huh!" Wu Xin asked, "Why don't you speak?" "I'm thinking." "Why did you come to think about it until now?" Such an aggressive posture made Gu Yingchun a little embarrassed, so he could only think of words to prevaricate. "This matter is very troublesome. I will discuss it with Yi He after I go back with Gui Qing." "In my opinion, there is no need to bother." "What can you do?" "According to me, you go back to do the paperwork for Jardine Matheson. Mr. Lei might as well stay here. The 'silkworm ban' is about to pass. Although silk is busy, there is always time to say a few words. Which one has accepted Zhao Baolu so much? , everyone figure it out clearly, and explain it clearly, if you want to sue Zhao Baolu in the lawsuit, there will be Master Yang inside and Master Lei outside, and the matter will be easy." Wu Xin said again: "This is what I discussed with Xiaoyu last night. Ways. She has several relatives, and I also have a few acquaintances who have entanglements with Zhao Baolu; it's rare for you to come forward for Yihe, and we are all on the same line." This unexpected change was not only unexpected by Gu Yingchun, but Lei Guiqing was even more surprised. She had a lot to say in her heart, but it is reasonable for Gu Yingchun to express her opinion first, so she waited silently. Gu Yingchun fully agrees with the method of enlightening the heart, but he must first agree on one condition, "Yes, there is Master Yang inside, and Master Lei outside." He said, "However, don't forget that there is Master Wuxin in the middle." , all rely on you to contact me." "of course." "How do you contact Fa?" Gu Yingchun said: "Master Lei is not familiar with the place here, and meeting such a frightening dog again is not a business experience." "No more." Wu Xin replied, "I'm sure we won't meet again." After saying that, he smiled sweetly. This smile made Lei Guiqing's spirit wander again; but this time Gu Yingchun was no longer worried, what he was worried about was that Wuxin would play tricks, since she made such a promise, and she had to rely on Lei Guiqing to do things, she dared not do it again. mischief.As for Lei Guiqing, he has already been warned, if he persists, that is his own business.After thinking about it, he smiled at Lei Guiqing and said, "I am relieved now. Although you are not Cao Zhi or Han Shou, you are more popular after being Lu Zhonglian." Wuxin didn't know that he had told Lei Guiqing the allusion of the two lines of the poem "Jia's peeking at the curtain, Han Yushao, and Concubine Mi's pillow for Wei Wangcai", so he asked, "What kind of riddle are you playing?" "Yes, it is a Charades; if you want to know, ask him when I am away." Now Wu Xin can roughly guess that this riddle is related to her.At this time, of course, there is no need to ask again, just laugh it off. "Let's talk about business." Gu Yingchun said, "Wu Xin, I'll make up your mind. After lunch today, I'll go back to Hangzhou. Half of Gui Qing's help to you, and the responsibility to take care of him rests on you. " "Of course. It's inconvenient to live in my nunnery. I'll find another good place for Mr. Lei to live in. I'll definitely be happy." Just talking about this, Xiaoyu came to report, saying that the boss of the boat had brought a stranger to look for Gu Yingchun.We are in the main hall at the moment, please go and meet each other. When I went out to have a look, I realized that it was Hu Xueyan who sent the letter urgently.The letter said: Zuo Zongtang has set off from Jiangning, inspecting defense and water conservancy all the way, and will stay in Zhenjiang, Changzhou, and Suzhou. After about ten days, he can go to Shanghai and talk about things in Hangzhou. I hope that Gu Yingchun will hurry up. It is much easier to go to Shanghai via Huzhou. As a result, the plan will be re-arranged, Gu Yingchun ordered people to return to the ship and stand by: then take the letter to find Wu Xin and Lei Guiqing to discuss. "Master Zuo went on tour to Shanghai, and Mr. Hu Da wants to show off for him. I have to go to Shanghai to ask foreigners to handle this matter. Gui Qing, I think you should go back to Hangzhou first and tell Mr. Hu about the situation. Come back when you're clear." "Where's the letter from Yihe?" Lei Guiqing asked: "You've done it in Shanghai, why don't you send it directly to Huzhou, which seems to be more convenient than sending it to Hangzhou." Gu Yingchun's words were still not finished, Wu Xin hurriedly said: "Send it to Master Yang, ask him to present it on his behalf." "But Gui Qing doesn't know what is said in the letter!" "Master Yang knows. Could it be that you can't ask him? If you don't feel at ease anymore, you can copy the information and send it to me. However, you are too embarrassed to just send a letter, right?" "Say, tell, what do you want, I'll send it to you." "To give you a little trick, go to the bungalow and buy a bag of foreign sugar and send it to me." "What else?" "That's it." "Okay, I see." Gu Yingchun said to Lei Guiqing: "You sit for a while, I'll go back to the boat and write a letter before coming back." "Why go back to the boat to write? Don't tell me I don't even have paper, ink and inkstones here?" As she said that, Wu Xin raised her hand and brought Gu Yingchun to the Houxuan, where she copied scriptures and did her homework. "Go east to Shanghai, go south to Hangzhou, take the boat back." Gu Yingchun said to Wu Xin; "Can you please send someone to find out when the boat to Shanghai is?" " "Every day. I don't know what time it opens. I'll ask." As soon as Wu Xin left, Gu Yingchun smiled at Lei Guiqing: "This is an unexpected opportunity. Wu Xin seems to be returning to the vulgar Meaning, it’s been two years since you broke the strings, so take care of yourself.” Lei Guiqing smiled and said nothing; but it was obvious that she was very happy in her heart. "I just want to advise you, let nature take its course, don't be impatient, and don't force it." "I understand, you can rest assured." Hu Xueyan celebrated her mother's birthday, and rushed to Shanghai the next day, which was the sixth day after Gu Yingchun came home. As soon as I arrived, of course I went to see Grandma Qigu first. Xuxu talked for a long time, and it was not until dinner that I could talk about the real business. "Master Zuo has already arrived in Suzhou, and he is scheduled to go to Shanghai the day after tomorrow. Uncle came just in time." "Of course he will live in Tianhou Palace when he comes. The Transit Bureau must come, how do you think he should be received?" "Lord Zuo is considered one of his own people. To visit the Transit Bureau is to inspect his subordinates. I don't think you need to be too polite, but it seems to be alienated." "Although it is not necessary to be too polite, it is necessary to make him happy." Hu Xueyan said, "I would like to pick a day to invite him to dinner with guests. Apart from our own officials, can we invite foreign consuls general and commanders to join us?" Please come." "This must be agreed first. According to the logic, there is no reason not to invite them to come." Gu Yingchun said again: "The matter of setting off the salute has already been negotiated, but I don't know when will it be?" "Why don't you go to the Daotai Yamen and ask?" Gu Yingchun remained silent, but Hu Xueyan saw that there was something strange in it, so he immediately asked what was going on? "'Planning order' has already come. When to arrive, which place to visit on which day, who to treat guests on which day, all have been stipulated. That is, our transshipment bureau went to ask for the order, and it was said that there was no." Hu Xueyan couldn't help being angry, "What do they mean?" He asked: "We respected them when we turned the game around. I'm going to visit Shao Xiaocun tomorrow. How did you tell me?" Gu Yingchun was silent at first, and then said in a low voice: "Uncle, don't get angry. I heard a saying, I don't know if it's true or not? It is said that Li Hefei has sent someone to inform Shao Xiaocun, telling him to contact Sheng Xingsun, Do not allow Zuo Xiangyin's influence to extend to Shanghai. Some people offered advice in front of Shao Xiao, saying that Zuo Xiangyin is easy to deal with, but Hu is not easy to provoke, and if you want to guard against Zuo, you must first guard against Hu." After hearing this, Hu Xueyan didn't pay much attention to what he said, "They've been guarding against me for more than today." He said, "Don't be surprised if you don't blame me, the monster will defeat itself, you don't have to take this matter too seriously." Seeing his careless attitude, Gu Yingchun couldn't help feeling a kind of hidden worry, but it was inconvenient to say anything more at this time, so he made an idea in private, to be Hu Xueyan's eyes and ears, and to pay attention to Li Hongzhang and Zuo Zongtang's meeting in Liangjiang Ming If there is a possibility of involving Hu Xueyan in the fight for the dark head, it is even more necessary to take precautions in advance to eliminate the disaster invisible.Due to Gu Yingchun's vigorous activities, but also because of Zuo Zongtang's own prestige, the Ministry of Industry and Bureaus of the British and French concessions in Shanghai, as well as the navies of various countries stationed in Shanghai, all paid tribute with grand etiquette; The leaders of the army, especially during the military parade at Wusongkou, all the warships on the Huangpu River raised the Huanglong flag of the Qing Dynasty, fired thirteen-gun salutes, and the sound pierced the sky, shaking the whole Shanghai. Everyone knew that Zuo Zongtang had arrived in Shanghai. coming. The residence was set up in Tianhou Temple. Shanghai Taoist Shao Youlian led the prefect of Songjiang and the "Ting Shen" of the counties under it, followed by a meeting with the directors of the Taxation Department of Jiangxi Customs and the Bureau of the Ministry of Industry, an audience with civil and military officials in Shanghai, and then Shao Youlian joined forces in Shanghai. The Taoist priests, including Hu Xueyan and Sheng Xuanhuai, "respectfully feasted on the noble ministers", had already set up when the banquet was over. Of course Hu Xueyan and Gu Yingchun stayed at the end, "Your Excellency is very tired today." Hu Xueyan said: "Please settle down early, and come back tomorrow to say hello." "No, no!" Zuo Zongtang shook his hands and said, "I watched the manufacturing bureau tomorrow, and I will return to Jiangning the day after tomorrow. I have a lot of things to talk to you about, so don't rush away." Hu Xueyan was talking in front of him, since Zuo Zongtang was in good spirits, and he was willing to stay with him for a talk, he couldn't ask for it, so he agreed and sat down. "Land Defense and Coastal Defense have been fighting for a long time, but at the end of the day, I'm still in charge of it. It's a trick of fate." After finishing speaking, Zuo Zongtang laughed loudly, his voice shaking the roof tiles. Only Hu Xueyan understood this smile, and it was Li Hongzhang.It turned out that in May of the 11th year of Tongzhi, Russia saw the rebellion in Xinjiang and took advantage of it and sent troops to Yili; in March of the 13th year, Japan sent troops to invade Taiwan on the pretext of the Ryukyu refugee incident. The debate on which is more important, defense or coastal defense; the protagonists of the two contending parties are exactly Zuo Zongtang and Li Hongzhang. Zuo Zongtang managed the Northwest, and Li Hongzhang commanded Beiyang. Each had its own department and each held its own. Chaoqian thought it was a big deal, and ordered the governors of all provinces to express their views.At that time, Wang Wenshao, the governor of Hunan Province, happened to be returning to Hangzhou to visit the tomb. Hu Xueyan asked him, "Is it in favor of land defense or coastal defense?" Wang Wenshao asked back, "What do you think?" "As the governor of Hunan, you should naturally speak for the people of Hunan." "That's right. Don't offend the wealthy family for politics." Wang Wenshao said: "I have been hesitating about this matter for a long time, and now I have made up my mind after listening to my brother. Mr. Li Da's friendship will be put on hold for a while. " It turned out that Wang Wenshao had a deep relationship with Li Hongzhang. In order to be an official in Hunan, Wang Wenshao decided to agree with Lu Fang. Regarding the military affairs in Frontier, the Russians occupy Ili, and there is a strong tendency to not return for a long time. If our army is late, the Russians will advance one day. The matter is urgent, so why not." Because of this memorial, the Lu Fang theory gained the upper hand.Soon Tongzhi died, and the dispute was suspended.In the first year of Guangxu, the controversy resumed, and the Empress Dowager Cixi ordered the prince of the county, the bachelor, and the six ministries and nine ministers to hold a meeting on coastal defense matters.Li Hongzhang appealed to stop the Western Expedition; Zuo Zongtang of course opposed it, but in the end, thanks to Wen Xiang's support, Zuo Zongtang was sent as an imperial envoy to supervise military affairs in Xinjiang. However, the discussion about Lu Fang actually originated from the Yili Incident, and when Zeng Jize sent Russia to resolve the Sino-Russian dispute, the Lu Fang theory was no longer brought up.When Zuo Zong obtained the merits of confiscating the west, he was summoned into the army; soon he released the two rivers, Li Hongzhang brought up the old story again, and this time he won a complete victory. One is to set up a camp in Yingkou to train the Xingong Navy; the other is to raise funds to continue building the "steel-faced iron-clad" warships. It is urgent to repair docks and forts in Haikou at the same time. Unexpectedly, when the work was like fire and tea, Mrs. Li died of illness in Hankou, and Li Hongzhang and Ding You returned home. Zhang Shusheng, the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, was transferred to act as the direct governor, and the plan to set up coastal defense was temporarily stopped. "Coastal defense, Beiyang can be managed, but Nanyang can't be managed; and most of the funds are spent on the two rivers, and Nanyang is in charge, which makes it more legitimate. I want to start with the docks and forts first. I have already sent people to invite Peng Gongbao ;I want to rush back to Jiangning, because he came down from the upper reaches of the Yangtze River to patrol, and he can go to Jiangning within a day, and the guest is not here, so it would be impolite.” Zuo Zongtang said this in one breath, and suddenly called out: “Xueyan!” What orders does your lord have?" "Is Fokker in Shanghai?" "Yes." Hu Xueyan replied, "He was going back to China, but because he heard that your lord was inspecting Shanghai, he took a late ship. He will definitely come to see you tomorrow." "Oh, he After returning to Germany, will you still come?" "Come on." "That's good. Just take advantage of his return to the country, let's discuss it again, see if there are any new sharp weapons, and ask him to buy them." Just as Hu Xueyan was about to answer, he saw a Geshha coming in through the curtain, holding a folder in his hand, walking up to Zuo Zongtang, without saying a word, he just opened the folder, and there was a piece of paper inside; Zuo Zongtang picked it up and read it, then handed it to Hu Xueyan. After taking it over and looking at it, it was a translation of a secret telegram: "Shen Bureau inspector presents Zuo Juexiang, (shares the secret) Yuan Shuai supervises Yue, that is, Mingfa." The signature is a word "cloud", Hu Xueyan knows, it was sent by Xu Yongyi secret electricity. This "Yuanshuai" of course refers to Zeng Guoquan, who was nicknamed Yuanfu. Hu Xueyan said with a smile: "Guangdong and Guangxi are good places. Zeng Jiushuai will not be like last year. He was the governor of Shaanxi and Gansu for less than half a year. went." Zuo Zongtang nodded, pondered for a while, raised his head, and said slowly: "Calling Zeng Laojiu to Liangguang, it can be seen that Zhang Zhenxian will not return to his post, and the direct governor will be removed. Xueyan, I want to take this opportunity, Make a big rectification, return Nanyang to Nanyang, Beiyang to Beiyang, and eliminate Li Shaoquan's invisible 'three hands'." "Yes." Hu Xueyan thought that Li Hongzhang's influence in Nanyang was already deeply rooted. It is not easy to clear it up; but if it is done, there will be a different situation in the future, and this matter is worth a lot of effort. "I'll go to the Manufacturing Bureau tomorrow, you'd better go with me to see what can be improved." "Yes. I will serve you tomorrow morning." It was only after nine o'clock when I left the town, and the Ten Mile Foreign Market was bustling; when I got on the bus, Gu Yingchun's driver whispered, "Master, the appointment at Miss Seven's place is today." "You remember it better than I do." Gu Yingchun said, "Did Miss Seven take care of you and ask you to remind me when the time comes?" The car owner smiled and made no sound, just raised his whip and drove to the south. "Which Miss Seven is?" Hu Xueyan asked. "Lord Seven of Aiyuelou." Gu Yingchun replied, "I just came from Suzhou." "What does he look like?" "It's nothing more than generosity. Entertainment is first class." "It seems that it's not just about socializing." Hu Xueyan said with a smile: "The skill of attracting guests is also first-class." "Uncle will know when he sees it." In a blink of an eye, the carriage stopped at Zhaorong Lane, Baoshan Street, and the old Qi family of Aiyuelou was the second house on the right side of the entrance alley, and Xiangbang shouted: "The back room." Immediately, an aunt came out to welcome her .