The waterway from the capital to Liguo was two thousand miles round trip, so it was a very hard journey. When they arrived at the Xuzhou pier of the canal, the captain of the iron factory guard Hu Xianjue and Xiao Shi had already received the letter from the flying pigeon of the Nanjing Lianfeng in advance.
All the officers and soldiers of the battalion had been waiting there for a long time.
Liu Ziguang was very happy to see his brothers. He felt like Sun Wukong who returned to Huaguo Mountain on his way to seek Buddhist scriptures. With all the brothers around him, even the scenery of the barren mountains and rivers seemed much more pleasing to the eye.
"Brother, why do we seem to have lost so many brothers?" Liu Ziguang felt that there were less than 516 people in the team. Something happened and some brothers died.
"Forget it, brothers were used to eating clear soup and little water, but now they eat a lot of fish and meat every day, and their stomachs can't stand it. Don't talk about them, even I have had a stomachache for a few days. Now there are more than a dozen wastes lying there.
I'm crying on the bed asking for a vegetarian meal, bah, why didn't I eat a vegetarian meal last year? It's like trying to kill yourself when you see sow meat with skin on it." Zhamuhe replied.
"You get used to it after you eat it. How can you have the strength to fight if you don't eat meat? Not only do you eat meat, but you also drink milk. My eldest brother helped me get some dairy goats and mares. It would be better to have cows. People say that a glass of milk makes you stronger."
Nation, let’s use goat milk and horse milk to strengthen an army first.” Liu Ziguang was inspired by Hu Yimin that high-quality food can improve physical fitness, not to mention that his army originally had a large number of nomads and white and black Arabs who drank milk.
Meat is more suitable for them.
"The general is wise!" A group of Turks and Mongolian cavalry immediately became happy. They were so happy to be able to drink the long-lost horse wine. The general is really our caring person.
Flags were waved, gongs and drums were sounding, and the feeling of returning to one's own territory was different. The two ladies got on the incense carriage, and under the escort of a large group of black armor cavalry, they returned to the iron factory in a mighty manner. Along the way, people were hiding in hiding places.
On the roadside, he looked at the convoy with awe. The iron factory in this area was more prestigious than the government. Thinking again of the scene where private banker Hu Yimin brazenly fought with the Minister of War, Liu Ziguang couldn't help but sigh: The emerging power of the bourgeoisie cannot be underestimated.
Look at it.
Back at the factory, thousands of miles away from home, the members of the debt collection group who came to Beijing after a long journey took a shower, changed their clothes, and took a nap. When they woke up, the banquet was ready and waiting for everyone to sit down.
.
The first success of this trip to Beijing to collect debts was attributed to Liu Ziguang. Factory owner Peng's old face was full of smiles. Liu Ziguang was toasted with several glasses of wine at the banquet. The officers of the death battalion also participated in the reception banquet, chatting with him all the time.
The Iron Guards, who disliked each other, took the opportunity to fight for wine. More than a dozen jars of Yanghe Daqu were drunk in a short time. How could the people from the Central Plains be a match for these foreign heroes? Zhamu He was defeated by just one person.
Several captains of the Iron Guard. Although Anthony did not like to drink Chinese liquor, he drank down several opponents and shook his head and said: "The gin from our hometown is still delicious." The main target of the Iron Guard this time
Duncan, the guard commander who was on a business trip, had a dark face that was distorted by drinking, "Gin is nothing, the rum we make from sugar cane in Taiwan is strong enough. Those Zheng Jiajun don't dare to drink it without adding some water, of course.
I, Sir Duncan, never drink water without water. In comparison, this Yanghe Daqu can only be regarded as white water... "white water" and he slipped under the table, snoring like thunder.
Most of the people got down and were carried away to rest. The banquet gradually dispersed. Factory owner Peng, whose face was red and smiling, suddenly put away his smile and said to Liu Ziguang in a deep voice: "Come to the back hall with me."
When he came to the back hall, Liu Ziguang sat down carelessly, took out a slender dagger from his boots to pick his teeth, and waited leisurely for the old man to speak. The old man sat on the Taishi chair and meditated, and all the other people were driven away.
Only Peng Jingrong stood by, serving tea and water, acting as a maid.
"Everyone knows that in the Ming Dynasty, the eunuchs were in power and the relatives were in power, but how could such an unbearable court resist the foreign invaders for more than ten years? How could the annual income of half of the Ming Dynasty be higher than when the Manchus came to dominate the world?
What about them?" Old Man Peng suddenly asked a political and historical discussion question.
I have never learned about this twisted history, and being a time traveler does not have an advantage. Liu Ziguang shook his head and said, "I don't know."
"Balance, the key is balance. Empress Dowager Li and Huang Huangrong are both outstanding people at this. When they overthrew the prince together, they formed a subtle alliance. You have me, and I have you. They use each other and use each other.
For restriction, Empress Dowager Li relied on the strong financial support of Rishengchang and Jiangnan Weaving, as well as internal control and the military force of the Five Cities Military and Horse Division. Huang Jinrong relied on the salt merchants of Lianghuai, Anhui's coal and iron, and Shanghai's overseas
Trade taxes, of course, Dongchang and Jinyiwei are not vegetarians. I don’t know if you have noticed, but the forces behind them are all emerging wealthy families. The former Jiangnan gentry and the Manchu Qing Dynasty in the north are their common enemies. It is precisely because of this
, the Ming Dynasty’s industrial, commercial and shipping industry was able to develop by chance and create huge wealth to resist the iron heel of the Manchu Qing Dynasty.” These words were like a revelation. It turns out that these two are also the spokespersons and protectors of the bourgeoisie. They have always been villains in history.
The emergence of "Queen Mother, Old Bitch" and "Nine Thousand Years Old" actually inadvertently made the Chinese nation take a big step forward along the track of historical development.
"I think they may not be balanced. On the way back, I saw the chief shopkeeper of Rishengchang and the Minister of the Ministry of War fighting for the throne." Liu Ziguang said, trying to find the loopholes in Factory Owner Peng's words.
"Everyone knows that one mountain cannot tolerate two tigers. Their alliance is of course not monolithic. After the Donglin Party was wiped out, the Qing Dynasty became less arrogant than before and lost a common enemy. Of course, this balance will be broken, but I don't want this balance.
It's up to you to break it." Factory owner Peng finally turned the topic to Liu Ziguang.
"When the balance is broken, there will be chaos. Unless a strong political power emerges or a new balance emerges. Can the little emperor who is less than sixteen years old and inexperienced control the complex situation? I want to ask you, Liu Ziguang, if you can take on the responsibility.
The operation of this huge empire? Can Liguo Iron Works give you such strong financial and material support?" Liu Ziguang was speechless after a series of questions.
"Yes, I believe that with your current strength, coupled with the support of our iron factory's tanks and artillery, it is not impossible to secretly go to Beijing to eradicate the Queen Mother and Jiu Qiansui, but what happens next? The Dongchang Jinyiwei loses control.
Cao Cao and the rebel soldiers in various guards will listen to you? Will the always naughty little emperor have the authority to rise up and shout that the world will surrender? I am afraid that the world will be in chaos by then, and the Manchu and Qing Xixia will take the opportunity to seize our Ming Dynasty." Peng
The factory owner continued.
Liu Ziguang glared at Peng Jingrong. She was such a fast-talking girl. She told her father everything. "The little emperor is getting married soon. In order to compete for the candidate of the queen, the two parties will definitely fight. Since the balance will inevitably be broken,
What's the difference if it's earlier or later? Although the emperor is young, I think he has extraordinary courage and courage. He can also take advantage of the forces suppressed by the Queen Mother and the Nine Thousand Years Old. I don't believe that this so-called balance will be lost.
, Ming Dynasty will collapse!"
Liu Ziguang was not willing to spend his whole life in the iron factory. How could he change his mind after just a few words from Old Man Peng after finally catching an opportunity to rise to fame?
"It's not a bad thing for a man to care about the world. If I were as young as you, I might go down this road, but I don't want Tiechang and Ronger to be involved in this matter. Remember what you signed with Tiechang
According to the contract, your death battalion can only perform the tasks of the iron factory during the period when the contract is not expired. Okay, let’s talk about it today, you can take care of yourself.” After saying this, Factory Owner Peng walked away.
What kind of contract or non-contract, do you think you can bind me? Liu Ziguang snorted contemptuously, "A short-sighted slave owner."
Peng Jinrong saw that her sweetheart was unhappy and was about to come over to comfort her. Factory owner Peng called out "Rong'er" in the back hall. When she heard her father calling, she could only give Liu Ziguang a "reassured" look and then went into the back hall.
Cui Chengxiu had abandoned the ship and boarded a carriage, and was galloping on the Shandong plains under the escort of a large group of imperial cavalry, rushing to the Yanzhou front line overnight.
In the green baize cart, Cui Chengxiu and his chief aide Zhou Mengren were having a secret conversation.
"Sir, I just listened to your talk. I am very doubtful about what Fan Wencheng said." Zhou Meng spoke in Shaoxing Mandarin.
"Say" Cui Chengxiu leaned on the seat cushion, his body swaying regularly with the bumps of the carriage, his eyes narrowed, looking comfortable.
"First of all, let's talk about the so-called brother-killing hatred between Dorgon and Yuan Chonghuan. In my opinion, if Yuan Chonghuan hadn't killed Huang Taiji five years ago, Dorgon wouldn't have been so easy to rise to power. It's not too late to thank Yuan Chonghuan. Where could the brother-killing hatred come from?
Governor Yuan is good at defending the city. With him, the Qing army's southern expedition will be extremely difficult to succeed. The Qing Tatars don't want to use the help of adults to get rid of their elbow and armpit troubles? After Yuan Chonghuan's death, the Qing army marched south in large numbers. Who else
You can withstand it. The Qing Tatars have done many treacherous things, and you have to guard against them." Zhou Mengren said in a solemn tone.
"Also, the plan to bring down Rishengchang is indeed clever, but it is not just Rishengchang who will suffer. There are no less than ten million people in the Ming Dynasty who use Rishengchang banknotes. Once the bank goes bankrupt, the whole Ming Dynasty will be shaken and the people will be terrified.
, the harm will be endless, it is false to avenge your Excellency, but it is true to attack our Ming Dynasty economy."
Cui Chengxiu's face became worse and worse. Finally, he slapped the armrest, suppressed his anger and shouted: "That's enough!"
As soon as the words came out, he realized that it affected his image as a courteous corporal, and said gently: "Sir, you are worrying too much. Prince Rui has always been loyal and will not betray his official position. Besides, their first civil servant, Fan Wencheng, is still with me."
Are you holding them as hostages? Taking a step back, am I not as good as Yuan Chonghuan in commanding troops? I am a famous Confucian general in the Ming Dynasty, and Dorgon may not be able to get an advantage if he breaks the agreement. Even if the Qing Dynasty does not propose this secret agreement, I will
We must also eradicate the traitor Yuan Chonghuan. I don’t know, sir, that the northern frontier army under this guy has been called the "Yuan Family Army". The official weapon that the court spent hundreds of millions of dollars to build has turned out to be his private army! If this harm is not eliminated, the court will be unstable.
Ah. This time I brought Shang Fang’s sword to patrol Shandong. Firstly, I killed the Yuan thieves and took back the elites of the imperial court. Secondly, I recovered Tai’an and Jinan without a fight, and signed a hundred-year peace treaty with the Qing Dynasty. Kill two birds with one stone!”
Outside the car window, the night was like paint, and horses were hooves. Cui Chengxiu patted Zhou Mengren on the shoulder, and said sincerely: "Killing one Yuan Chonghuan, in exchange for hundreds of thousands of troops, thousands of miles of mountains and rivers in Shandong, and a hundred years of peace, Mr. Mr. has to settle this debt."
It’s clear.”
"As for the matter of Rishengchang, it is just a bank. If it goes bankrupt, it will go bankrupt. How can we be shocked by the vast land and resources of the Ming Dynasty? Other banks will soon take its place, so there is no need to worry. Sir, please don't talk about this matter.
"
Zhou Mengren said wittily, "Your Majesty, your views are appreciated." and stopped talking.
Cui Chengxiu rubbed the fish skin scabbard of Shang Fang's sword, and a picture appeared in front of his eyes: On the edge of the Yellow River, he stood on a high place, accepting the tearful worship of thousands of Shandong elders below, and the elite Xuzhou Army was subdued by his kindness and power.
Today, Yuan Chonghuan's head hangs at the city gate, exposed to the wind and sun, and becomes rotten.
All this will become a reality in the near future. Thinking of this, Cui Shangshu smiled reservedly.