Li Zhen spent the night resting in the hotel and discussed many issues about firearms with Mas.
As the conversation continued late into the night, Mas became more and more energetic.
Mas's eyes shone, as if he had discovered a new continent, and he felt extremely surprised. He did not expect that among the generals of the decadent Qing Dynasty, there would be someone as knowledgeable as Li Zhen. Not only did he know a lot about firearms, but he also
He has unparalleled knowledge. In the eyes of Mas, Li Zhen is not only a close friend, but also a genius with outstanding talents.
It's a pity that the time we spent together was too short.
Early the next morning, Li Zhen and Mas said goodbye.
Li Zhen took Huang Shihai and his party to leave Nanjing and headed for Jiangbei Camp. With more than 30,000 in silver notes in his arms, Maas quietly returned south to Guangzhou, preparing to deliver firearms and ammunition to Li Zhen.
…
Jiangbei Camp, entrance of the camp.
Qishan's back was slightly hunched, and a soldier beside him held an umbrella to shield Qishan from the sun.
Even so, Qishan's fat body trembled slightly under the scorching sun, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. Wu Qigong, He Ming and other generals in the army stood behind Qishan, waiting quietly. Officials, big and small,
Standing at the gate of the camp waiting to welcome Li Zhen who returned from Nanjing.
Previously, news that Li Zhen and Yang Xiuqing had reached an agreement had returned.
Qi Shan was overjoyed and Wu Qigong was elated.
He Ming bit his steel teeth into pieces, and his heart was filled with hatred. He thought that Li Zhen would probably die in Nanjing after he went to Nanjing, but He Ming did not expect that Li Zhen would come back.
If he had known this, he would have gone there personally and made great achievements.
Wu Qigong just stared at the official road. Suddenly his eyes lit up and he whispered: "Sir, Li Zhen is back." Qi Shan heard the sound and looked into the distance, and found that a group of people really appeared on the official road. As the distance gradually got closer,
Qi Shan could already clearly see Li Zhen's face, as well as Huang Shihai and others who were accompanying him.
"Da da!"
The sound of horse hoofbeats was heard, and Li Zhen quickly came outside the camp.
Li Zhen got off his horse, walked quickly to Qi Shan, saluted, and said in a neither humble nor arrogant manner: "Relying on your majesty and reputation, I am lucky enough to have convinced Yang Xiuqing."
"Okay, okay, okay!"
Qi Shan said three good words in succession, stretched out his hand, took Li Zhen's arm and walked towards the camp.
Such an honor made He Ming even more jealous.
However, Huang Shihai did not receive such treatment and could only turn around and return to the camp.
In the large tent of the Chinese army, Qi Shan sat high above, and below were the generals of the army.
Li Zhen was in high spirits and recounted the events of his trip vividly, but he ignored the matter of the extra one hundred thousand taels of silver. When he mentioned beating up Duan Zhenggang and being lifted onto the cauldron, Wu Qigong and Qi Shan
They all broke into a cold sweat, worried about Li Zhen. He Ming also wiped away the cold sweat and thought it was a wise decision not to go to Nanjing.
Qishan was more happy, felt comfortable all over, and felt that Beier had gained face.
Qi Shan was very happy and praised Li Zhen again.
Li Zhen blinked and indicated with his eyes. After Qi Shan understood, he waved his hand and said: "Li Zhen just came back. I have something to tell Li Zhen. You all can go down."
The generals looked at Li Zhen jealously and reluctantly stood up and left.
Qishan asked: "Li Zhen, what's the matter?"
Li Zhen took out a stack of silver notes from his arms, handed it to Qi Shan respectfully, and said, "Sir, this is fifteen thousand taels of silver notes, which Yang Xiuqing paid in advance."
Qishan asked: "What does fifteen thousand taels of silver notes mean?"
Li Zhen replied: "Sir, Yang Xiuqing promised to give 100,000 taels of silver to redeem the imprisoned bandits, but insisted on publicizing that he would use 50,000 taels of silver to redeem 10,000 soldiers. When the general returned, Yang Xiuqing had already paid in advance.
Fifty thousand taels of silver. The next time Yang Xiuqing sends someone to redeem the captives, he will give another fifty thousand taels."
Qi Shan frowned and said: "Since it is fifty thousand taels, why is it so much less?"
Li Zhen said: "Reporting to your lord, when I was going to Nanjing at the end, I met an Italian businessman named Mas. This man specialized in selling foreign guns. I felt that there were not enough guards around me, so I decided to buy them from the foreign businessman Mas without permission."
A thousand guns, 100,000 rounds of ammunition, and 35,000 taels of silver were purchased. Mas went south with the silver and would soon transport the firearms and ammunition back to the camp. By then, the Jiangbei camp would have new weapons and more
Can be as stable as Mount Tai."
Qi Shan frowned and said: "Li Zhen, although you have good intentions, but you have so much silver to buy foreign guns..., alas! It doesn't matter, just use it. Anyway, you still have more than 60,000 silver."
Li Zhen said again: "Sir, we used the money to buy the gun, and we can make it back when we resell it."
When Qi Shan heard that he could make money, he became interested again and said, "Tell me carefully."
Li Zhen said: "Mas is a foreign businessman who sells weapons in Guangzhou because he wants to make money to buy silk, tea and other items. The general told Maas and asked him to sell silk and tea to him. In this way, we
I just exchanged a little silk and tea for foreign guns, and more than 30,000 taels of silver will return to the hands of the Lord."
"Wonderful! Wonderful!"
Qi Shan smiled and said: "Li Zhen, you have so many clever ideas."
Li Zhen said: "Your Majesty will praise you, but you will never deserve it."
Qi Shan shook his head and said with a smile: "For foreigners, silk and tea are difficult to get, but for me, it is easy to get silk and tea. When the foreigners transport a thousand guns to the Jiangbei camp, I will
It is really great that the official can earn back his money by buying silk and tea with a little money."
Li Zhen cupped his hands and said: "Your Excellency is wise!"
After a pause, Li Zhen took out a few more banknotes from his arms, handed them to Qi Shan, and said, "Sir, these are six thousand taels of banknotes. Please accept them."
Qi Shan asked in confusion: "What happened to the six thousand taels of silver notes?"
Li Zhen replied: "The general thought about going to Nanjing. It would be a pity not to search for Yang Xiuqing, so he asked Yang Xiuqing to give the general 6,000 taels of silver for traveling expenses. It can also be regarded as a reward for the accompanying soldiers, so there is
This six thousand taels of silver. I dare not hide it from you, so I will hand over the banknote to you and ask your subordinates."
"Hahaha……"
Qi Shan was even more happy when he heard this.
He stood up and helped Li Zhen up, and said guiltily: "You have made great contributions continuously, and you have exchanged 10,000 prisoners for 100,000 taels of military expenses. You have made great contributions to the Jiangbei camp. I should reward you heavily, but it is a pity that there is no money in the army.
I really can't spare the money. Alas, I feel guilty in my heart! I accept your loyalty and keep the six thousand taels for my own use."
Li Zhen sighed: "It's not easy for you to be in charge of Jiangbei Camp!"
As he spoke, he quietly took back the six thousand taels of silver.
After hearing Li Zhen's emotion, Qi Shan regarded Li Zhen as a confidant and said: "If all the generals in the army are as sensible and loyal as you, everything will be fine. You are tired from traveling long distances, go
have a rest."
"Thank you, sir!"
Li Zhen bowed before turning and leaving.
Qishan looked at Li Zhen's back and stroked the sparse beard under his chin with a satisfied look in his eyes. Qishan already regarded Li Zhen as a confidant and his right-hand man.