Entering the house, the guests and hosts took their seats.
Zhou Xiuying and Liu Die went to the wing on the right side of the hall. There were only Liu Taiping, Li Zhen and Qi Zhenhai in the hall. Qi Zhenhai said with a grateful look on his face: "Thank you for your help today, Mr. Li, otherwise things will definitely be difficult to resolve."
.”
Li Zhen nodded and said: "It's a small effort, but it's not worth mentioning."
Turning his eyes, Li Zhen looked at Liu Taiping again and said: "I came to visit you today. Firstly, I want to wish you a happy New Year as the new year is approaching. Secondly, I want to invite you to serve as an official. I hope you can help me."
Liu Taiping shook his head but said nothing.
Seeing that Liu Taiping did not refuse, Li Zhen was overjoyed and said, "Sir, you have seen what happened today. Even though your conduct is noble and you were once a Jinshi, the world is so big that you can live in seclusion."
Land? Besides, you have a family with a daughter and a son-in-law. Do you want to see them bullied? For example, in today's situation, a small businessman's family can bully the former Jinshi. Haven't you thought about it?
"
Liu Taiping looked gloomy and showed sadness.
As Li Zhen said, isn't this the situation today?
Li Zhen said again: "This world is no longer the world of Emperor Kangxi and Emperor Qianlong. There are powerful powers outside, corrupt officials inside, and bandits causing chaos. The world is in chaos. In this chaotic era, if you are willing
If you are unknown, you will only be bullied. If you want to live a prosperous life and not be bullied, you have to climb up and make yourself stronger than others."
Liu Taiping raised his brows, suddenly looked cold and solemn, and said in a deep voice: "Master Li, you are already a Taoist leader at a young age, and you are still a supervisor of Jiang Customs. You have military power and power. However, how many bones have you stepped on?
You know how many innocent people you have killed. Although I was oppressed by others, I acted upright, sat upright, did not do things unintentionally, and was worthy of the conscience of heaven and earth."
In the blink of an eye, the two of them were facing each other, and the atmosphere became tense.
In fact, it was Li Zhen who caused Liu Taiping's pain.
A dignified Jinshi was bullied by small businessmen. This was a very big blow to Liu Taiping, who had read books about sages for most of his life. In addition, Li Zhen tried his best to climb up, which stimulated Liu Taiping's depression.
heart.
Seeing that Liu Taiping was angry, Li Zhen felt confident.
I am not afraid of your anger, but I am afraid that you will be calm and calm.
Li Zhen said unhurriedly: "Mr. Liu, you are a humble gentleman. You act upright, sit upright, and are worthy of the conscience of heaven and earth. I admire you. But I also act upright, sit upright, and are worthy of the conscience of heaven and earth. Not only that,
I am more worthy of governing the people."
Liu Taiping sneered and said, "I'd like to hear the details!"
Qi Zhenhai knew what his old father-in-law was thinking, and his eyes looking at Li Zhen were full of expectation.
Li Zhen said solemnly: "Six months ago, I was a centurion in the Jiangbei Camp. Now I am a member of the ruling party, and I can be considered a prosperous person. However, I wiped out the bandits who invaded the Jiangbei Camp and went deep into Nanjing to negotiate with Yang Xiuqing.
Nothing is not a matter of losing one's head and working hard. I followed Qishan to Beijing, and encountered Russia's vigorous efforts to open a ring. The martial artists in Beijing were either defeated or did not dare to show up. I stepped forward to fight against the Russian strongmen and show my prestige for the country.
"
"I fought tooth and nail, relying on my own ability."
"I do have money and power."
"However, this money is not a gift from the people, and I am not bullying the people."
"The Little Sword Society rebelled, and the emperor appointed me as the new Shanghai Daotai, and also served as the supervisor of the Jianghai Customs. After I arrived in Shanghai, the first thing I encountered was not the Little Sword Society, but the British and French forces attacking the military camp. I defeated the opponent and captured the handsome fleet.
Commander Adams extorted thousands of guns and hundreds of thousands of taels of silver for the development of soldiers."
Qi Zhenhai's eyes lit up, with an excited look on his face.
Beating foreigners is a big deal.
Li Zhen continued: "The foreigners have been dealt with, but the Little Sword Society is still entrenched in Shanghai. I led people into the city alone, killed Liu Lichuan, and controlled the situation. Shanghai was pacified, and Yang Nenge came again. Yangfang oppressed the people, so I killed Yang Nenge and
Yangfang, ransack his home."
"Mr. Liu thought it was easy for me, but he didn't know how difficult it was."
"It is normal for the British and French fleets to escort British merchant ships transporting opium to Shanghai."
"But, I don't agree."
"What can we do if we don't agree? Should we start a war with foreigners? Obviously it's impossible. I quietly led my soldiers to sea, conquered the pirates on the sea, and sank a British merchant ship, destroyed hundreds of thousands of kilograms of opium, and sank two ships.
A British warship. These are things that risk life and death. Who among today’s officials would dare to do these things? I’m afraid that when I come to Shanghai, I will curry favor with the foreigners and think about making profits together.”
Li Zhen let out a long breath and said: "I just want to tell you, sir, that you are incorruptible and noble just because you live in seclusion. Working hard in the world of mortals is the most difficult thing."
Liu Taiping's face turned red and he said, "After listening to what you said, I am so ashamed that I can't stand it."
Li Zhen said solemnly: "Sir, he is full of ideas and talents, and he is in his prime. It is time for him to serve the people and the country. Li Zhen is not talented, so I hope that you will give me some advice and help me."
After finishing speaking, Li Zhen stared at Liu Taiping with burning eyes.
So much to say, that’s it.
When Liu Taiping met Li Zhen for the first time, he already had a plan. Now that Li Zhen had given enough face, he stopped being reserved and stood up directly, bowed and said: "I am willing to encourage you!"
Li Zhen was overjoyed and finally found a counselor.
Li Zhen also quickly stood up, walked to Liu Taiping, helped Liu Taiping up, and said: "With your help, sir, I will definitely do a brilliant career." After that, Li Zhen looked at Qi Zhenhai again and said: "Zhenhai
My martial arts skills are extraordinary, and I come from a family of generals. It would be a pity not to serve the country with all my talents. Our army still lacks generals, and I wonder if Brother Zhenhai is willing to give in."
Qi Zhenhai said happily: "Thank you sir, the common people are willing."
Qi Zhenhai was also unwilling to be mediocre and wanted to go to the battlefield to kill the enemy and make meritorious deeds.
Li Zhen added: "Since both Mr. and Brother Zhenhai are willing, that's great. The living environment here is too bad. You move to Daotai Mansion first, and then slowly find a place to live. I am the only one in the huge Daotai Mansion."
With my wife and me, there is a lot of yard left, and it is perfectly fine for the husband and his family to live there. If you wrong anyone, you cannot wrong your family!"
Qi Zhenhai said simply: "Thank you, sir."
Liu Taiping said: "Sir, I have been living with my neighbors for so many years. I will not move out today. I will bid farewell to my neighbors before moving out. Please forgive me."
Li Zhen said: "Just follow what Mr. Wang said."
Immediately, Li Zhen took out another hundred taels of silver from his arms and handed it to Liu Taiping, asking Liu Taiping to take care of it. Although Liu Taiping had a somewhat stubborn personality, he accepted it. Li Zhen talked with Liu Taiping for a long time, and finally