With the blessing of having that thin and ugly face, Wu Chaoyue has always been difficult to leave a good first impression. Even Li Hongzhang, who is as thin as the Wu family's grandchildren, is the same. If it weren't for Wu Chaoyue's escort grandfather to Beijing and pulling out his gun to save his elders, Li Hongzhang could barely look down on him, and Li Hongzhang probably didn't bother to say anything more to Wu Chaoyue. But even so, Wu Chaoyue's first impression on Li Hongzhang was still not very good. He thought Wu Chaoyue was a young man who loved to cause trouble and a playboy who didn't know how to be tall and rich.

On the contrary, Wu Chaoyue had a very good first impression of Li Hongzhang. In addition to thanking Li Hongzhang for his righteous help, he also had a natural sense of intimacy with Li Hongzhang, who was also a member of the same person. He kept getting close to Li Hongzhang on the way to the Ministry of War. Even though Li Hongzhang obviously didn't like to pay attention to Wu Chaoyue in his attitude, Wu Chaoyue didn't mind. He always said that he was calling Li Hongzhang brothers, and he was so intimate that he wanted to be brothers with Li Hongzhang on the spot, which made Wu Jianzhang a little confused in the Wu competition. He didn't understand why Wu Chaoyue had to flatter Li Hongzhang so much for the first time.

The Ministry of War, directly opposite the clan mansion, arrived soon. After thanking Li Hongzhang for guidance, Wu Jianzhang personally took the official position and asked to report to the door with a seal. However, he didn't know whether it was the door's intentional trouble, or whether Wu Jianzhang's Mandarin was not standard enough, and the doorman guarding the door did not understand what Wu Jianzhang's Cantonese Mandarin meant for a long time. Li Hongzhang, who was about to say goodbye to Wu Chaoyue, was about to go over to help, but Wu Chaoyue, who was quite despised by Li Hongzhang, stepped forward first, and used the Beijing dialect (i.e. Mandarin) with a straight-talk, to help the comprador's grandfather translated, while stuffing something into the door.

Of course, the door knew that Wu Chaoyue must have stuffed silver, but when he looked sideways, he found that it was a large piece of gold. The arrogant toes on the door immediately disappeared without a trace, replaced by a flattering smile on his face, and could immediately understand Wu Jianzhang's Cantonese Mandarin. He respectfully invited Wu Jianzhang into the doorman to wait, and then immediately ran in to pass the name of Wu Jianzhang. Seeing this scene, Li Hongzhang was inevitably curious and asked Wu Chaoyue who had retreated again: "Mr. Wu, have you been to the capital before?"

Wu Chaoyue shook his head and said that it was his first time to come to the capital. Li Hongzhang was even more curious and asked again: "Who did you talk about this official language? Why is it more authentic than me?"

Wu Chaoyue, who had learned Mandarin on movies and TV, could not answer this question. However, Wu Dasai, the dog-legged man next to him, said proudly: "My Lord Li, what is this? My Young Master Sun's foreign words are good. My Master has been dealing with foreigners for decades, and they all admit that Mr. Sun's foreign words are better than him. Moreover, my Young Master Sun can not only speak foreign words, but also write foreign articles!"

"Young Master Wu, can you read and write foreign articles?" Li Hongzhang's surprise was extraordinary, and he immediately threw away the idea of ​​saying goodbye.

Wu Chaoyue was not humble either, and nodded with a smile, adding: "Only English can do it, other foreign languages ​​cannot."

"This is amazing." Li Hongzhang praised, and then asked: "So, what do you know about Western disciplines, Mr. Wu?"

"This..." Wu Chaoyue was a little embarrassed, and then replied after thinking about it: "I understand some of the basics of Western physics and chemistry, geography and astronomy, law and politics, philosophy and biology, medical mathematics calculus, evolutionary theory of relativity, Hawking's paradox, these are all but not proficient."

After saying that, Wu Chaoyue, who loves face, added another sentence, "But I am a little confident in the subjects of chemistry, machinery, astronomy and geography. Even if I go to the Royal Academy of Sciences of the Foreigners, I will not be frightened." - Wu Chaoyue's words are really not bragging. Just Wu Chaoyue has always been hiding in his heart. Once the secret of bitterness and sourness is thrown out, it will be enough to make all Western countries crazy. In addition, there are safe explosives made of nitroglycerin and diatomaceous earth, which can definitely make Wu Chaoyue leave his name in the history of science.

The surprise expression on Li Hongzhang's face disappeared, and he added a bragging comment to Wu Chaoyue in his heart. Disappointed, Li Hongzhang bowed again and said, "I admire Mr. Wu for being so proficient in Western disciplines, but it's getting late. I still have something to do. Let me say goodbye first and ask Mr. Wu for advice later."

It was long time since Li Hongzhang didn't like him very much, and Wu Chaoyue didn't force him, but just bowed and said, "Brother Shaoquan, please give me some advice today. I will thank Brother Shaoquan for your business. Another day, I will definitely come to Brother Shaoquan's house to thank him."

Li Hongzhang nodded with a smile, and said goodbye to Wu Chaoyue politely. After walking away, Li Hongzhang couldn't help but snorted in his heart: "Physics and chemistry, astronomy and geography, medical mathematics and biology, these Western disciplines are all known to be like this? How old is you dare to brag about such awesomeness. If you really know everything, then your mentor will give me the comments from the genius genius, and you should give it to you..., wait!"

When he talked to himself, Li Hongzhang suddenly shook his whole body. He subconsciously turned back to look at Wu Chaoyue and exclaimed in his heart: "No? How did he know my name is Shaoquan? I didn't say it just now?"

Of course, Wu Chaoyue didn't know that his casual words had completely changed Li Hongzhang's impression of him. He just waited patiently at the military department to report Wu Jianchang, but after waiting for most of the hour, although Wu Jianzhang finally appeared in front of Wu Chaoyue again, he ordered: "Sun son, just leave a few people for me. Take the others to the Guangdong Association Hall. After the business is done, I will go there to find you."

"Grandpa, you haven't finished your business yet?" Wu Chaoyue asked quickly.

Wu Jianzhang nodded and said with a complicated expression: "Just just now, Lord Zeng, the right assistant minister of the Ministry of War, met me and said that he wanted to take me to the Military Affairs Office to visit all the masters of the central hall to discuss negotiations with foreigners. He also said that if my blessings were achieved, I might even see the emperor."

In this situation, seeing Xianfeng may not be a good thing. Wu Chaoyue understands this very well, but Wu Chaoyue has no other way, so he can only whisper: "Grandpa, no matter whether you can see the emperor, in the Military Affairs Office, you must not say you die, you can only do your best, otherwise, the trouble will only be greater."

"You don't need to teach this. Grandpa has been an official for several years and knows this." Wu Jianzhang sighed, and then reminded him: "Live here when you arrive at the Guangdong Association. Don't run around, and don't always look at your foreign gun."

Wu Chaoyue agreed and instructed Wu Jianzhang to prepare snacks and eat for precautions. Then, according to Wu Jianzhang's instructions, he left several entourages to Wu Jianzhang for orders, and then found the location of the Guangdong Association Hall from the gate where the gold was just stuffed. Wu Chaoyue took the remaining entourage back out of Chongwen Gate and found the current Guangdong Association Hall next to Longtan Park. He rented several rooms in the hall to rest and would eat in the hall. However, while eating, someone came to the gate of the Guangdong Association Hall and named the name to meet Wu Chaoyue.

As soon as he arrived in the capital, someone called him to see him. Wu Chaoyue thought he had just met Li Hongzhang, and he happily went out in person. However, he found that the person came was a man in his thirties who had never seen before. When Wu Chaoyue asked about the name of someone in doubt, the man bowed and replied, "I'm not talented, Song and Jin, the sixth-rank editor of the Hanlin Academy, Mr. Wu, I have long been honored with great reputation."

When he heard that it was Li Hongzhang's colleague, Wu Chaoyue did not neglect. He hurriedly invited Song Jin to the guild hall to set up a drink for him. Then he asked about Song Jin's purpose. Song Jin was not polite and said directly: "Mr. Wu, I apologize to you for the same year. When you entered Chongwenmen today, you had a conflict with the tax collector and the street censor, which is my Fan Hui of the same year, and he was very offended to you in his words. He regretted it very much afterwards. He hoped that you would forgive him for your crimes. Brother Fan said that he would do something to the east to apologize to you in person, but he was afraid that you would not be willing to give him a favor, so he asked me to say guilt first and don't care about his mistakes of being in prison."

"What a big deal?" Wu Chaoyue laughed and said, "Brother Song, please rest assured. I will never take such trivial matters to heart. Your brother Fan Nian doesn't need to serve any wine. I'll make an appointment for a time and place. I'll treat you to dinner and make friends."

When Song Jin heard this, he was overjoyed and thanked Wu Chaoyue repeatedly. He raised his glasses and toasted Wu Chaoyue repeatedly. He had no idea what to say good things for the street censor, and kept praising Wu Chaoyue's filial piety for escorting his grandfather to Beijing. Although Wu Chaoyue felt that this matter was a bit abrupt, he did not suspect much. He just drank with Song Jin and had a good conversation.

When the wine was almost drunk, it was already dark. Wu Jianzhang never came back, and Song Jin had no intention of saying goodbye and leaving. Out of politeness, Wu Chaoyue invited Song Jin to stay in the Guangdong Association. Song Jin agreed happily, but when Wu Chaoyue asked his servant to book a room for Song Jin, Song Jin waved to stop him, and said to Wu Chaoyue with a head shaking his head, "Young Master Wu, you and I have a good time when you meet, and the wine has not yet been enjoyed. Why don't we ask some wine and food to drink in your room and drink it until you get drunk."

If it were the former Wu Chaoyue, he would definitely agree in one go. However, Wu Chaoyue must always keep his head clear so that he can help his comprador grandfather to give advice, so Wu Chaoyue wanted to refuse. He thought that Song Jin had thrown out a piece of silver and asked him to drink and food first, and asked the waiter to send it directly to Wu Chaoyue's room. Wu Chaoyue had no choice but to agree. At the same time, Wu Chaoyue finally felt a little suspicious in his heart and said to himself: "No? Why does this Song Jin seem to have to deliberately get me drunk?"

After all, he had been in a state-owned enterprise and became suspicious. Wu Chaoyue became a lot of vigilance. When he returned to his room with Song Jin to continue drinking, Wu Chaoyue not only left Wu Dasai in the room to serve the marquis, but also shook his head and pretended to be drunk with distortion. The result was not as expected by Wu Chaoyue. Song Jin, who had been talking about some interesting things in the capital before, gradually changed the subject and talked about Wu Jianzhang's negotiations with foreigners this time, so he said casually: "Brother Wu, I heard that Wu Daotai came to Beijing with orders this time to help the imperial envoy negotiate with foreigners. Is that true?"

"It's true." Wu Chaoyue snorted coldly in his heart, but his head shaking and said vaguely: "Of course it's true, otherwise why would my grandfather come to the capital?"

"The court really chose the right person this time!" Song Jin sighed loudly, shook his head and said, "From Macau to Guangzhou, and from Guangzhou to Shanghai, Wu Daotai has been dealing with foreigners for decades, and he doesn't know how many foreign friends he has met. The court summoned Wu Daotai to Beijing to negotiate with foreigners this time. He really found the right person and chose the right person!"

"That's of course." In order to test Song Jin's true intention, Wu Chaoyue deliberately followed his words, pouring wine for Song Jin and pretending to be drunk, while saying in a difficult manner: "I..., my grandfather not only knows many foreigners, but also knows many big names in foreigners, such as shareholders of East India Company, consul of England, consul of Belgium, and consul of the United States Qi Liyun, and was close friends with my grandfather. I live next door to his house in the concession... Oh, by the way, even the negotiator of the foreign fleet that came to Dagukou this time, Bu..., what about Bu? Anyway, he and my grandfather are good friends, brothers..."

Speaking of this with his tongue and teeth, Wu Chaoyue was so drunk that he had already climbed on the table. Wu Dasai, who was serving in the room, came to support him, but was scolded by Wu Chaoyue, "Get out, I'm not drunk. Lord Song and I hit it off at first sight. I want to drink three more pots with him and ten more pots..."

Song Jin was extremely cunning, and there was still a drunken expression on his face. Only some strange colors flashed occasionally in his eyes. He also said to Wu Chaoyue in a speechless manner: "Then..., Brother Wu, Wu Daotai should have discussed with the foreign consul in the Shanghai Concession before entering Beijing this time with the foreign consuls?"

"What are you asking about this?" Wu Chaoyue no longer pretended to be stupid, asked vigilantly, and probably guessed Song Jin's true intention.

"Ask casually." Song Jin waved his hand and shook his head and smiled: "Wu Daotai has such a good relationship with foreigners. The place where he set out was Shanghai where foreign consuls gathered in groups. He said that foreigners did not discuss negotiations with Wu Daotai in advance, so I don't believe it."

"So that's it. I'm here to spy on the intelligence and want to find evidence of my grandfather's private collusion with foreigners."

After reaching a conclusion in his heart, Wu Chaoyue smiled and denied it, and shook his head drunk and said that it was not true. Song Jin laughed and said, "Brother Wu, you and I will fall into this situation at first sight. Do you need to hide such a thing from me? Say, is there? Is there?"

"No, of course not." Wu Chaoyue continued to deny with a smile, first he trembled his hands and filled the wine glasses for Song Jin and himself, and then said with a smile: "But Brother Song, don't worry, after the errand is finished, my grandfather will have to be promoted to the first and second grade. At that time, I will invite you to the Shanghai Concession to have a drink, and then find a few foreign women for you in the Concession. Let's play with foreign women while... and drink..."

Speaking of this, Wu Chaoyue covered his mouth, bent over and rushed out of the room to find a place to vomit. Wu Dasai also quickly followed him out to serve the marquis, leaving Song Jin alone in the room, and said secretly: "I didn't expect that this playboy's mouth was quite tight. No, I had to continue talking. If you want to help your mentor get rid of his crime, you can only get the ironclad evidence of Wu Jianzhang's secret collusion with foreigners from this playboy!"

After a while, Wu Chaoyue came back with Wu Dasai's support and shouted that he would continue to drink with Song Jin. Song Jin wanted to drink with Wu Chaoyue until he drank a drink, and drank a lot again. During this period, Song Jin mentioned the negotiations between Wu Jianzhang and foreigners several times. Wu Chaoyue bragged proudly, and his words all imply that Wu Jianzhang had contact with foreigners in advance and had transactions. Song Jin was secretly happy and remembered silently. In the end, Wu Chaoyue was unable to drink and vomited on the spot in the room again. Song Jin stopped drinking and fell asleep with Wu Chaoyue.

When it was dawn, Song Jin suddenly found someone calling Wu Chaoyue in a low voice. He quickly continued to pretend to be asleep. At the same time, he carefully opened his eyes to observe the situation. He found that Wu Dasai was shaking and calling Wu Chaoyue last night. However, Wu Chaoyue was very drunk. After a long time, he woke up in a daze and asked in a speechless manner: "What's the matter?"

"The French Minister Mr. Bourbron sent someone to send a letter." Wu Dasai handed a letter to Wu Chaoyue and whispered: "People come to tell you, let the master burn it immediately after reading it!"

"I understand." Wu Chaoyue took the letter and stuffed it into the quilt. He ordered in a vague voice: "Go out, don't call me for breakfast."

Wu Dasai sang Nuo, gently exited the room and closed the door. Song Jin was overjoyed and waited patiently until Wu Chaoyue's snoring sounds again. He silently counted hundreds of snorings to confirm that Wu Chaoyue was asleep. Song Jin then gently lifted the quilt and got the letter he had just sent. He took a rough look and found that the letter was sealed by fire. Song Jin thought for a moment and immediately stuffed the letter into his arms, and then sneaked out of the room quietly...
Chapter completed!