Because the matter was urgent, the special commissioner barely stayed in Linyu County for three hours. After the train unloaded the supplies, he took Father Dou back to Beijing. [New] For Yuan Su, there was nothing he could do
The only thing he wanted was to use newspapers to make the crimes of foreign priests public and create pressure on the powers in public opinion. Although he knew very well that this was a fruitless result, it was still much better than being deliberately covered up by foreigners.
After being busy all afternoon, Chen Wennian returned to the camp in the evening to meet Yuan Su and reported to Yuan Su the arrangement of the central disaster relief materials. The relief materials this time included a total of 1,500 shi of rice, 500 shi of flour, and 400 shi of flour.
Stones of miscellaneous food and one hundred stones of salt, plus clothing and daily necessities donated from Beijing and Tianjin, totaling more than 2,000 items. Now all have been counted and escorted into the official warehouse by soldiers from the First Mixed Brigade.
"Thank you for your hard work. With this batch of disaster relief materials, it will be much easier to handle next time." Yuan Su nodded happily, and then asked, "Oh, by the way, are there any colleagues from the disaster relief committee sent by the capital?
?”
"We're here, I just wanted to talk to you about this." Chen Wenian frowned slightly, his face showing a bit of depression, and he said in a serious tone.
"What, what's the matter?" Yuan Su asked.
"The name of the disaster relief committee is Zhao Fangyu. The accompanying staff said that this person is the nephew of the Prime Minister Zhao Zhi'an. His attitude was very arrogant from the moment he got off the car. He never said a word to me from the beginning to the end. After completing the handover procedures,
Zhao Fangyu was invited by Wu Chenglu to go to the house for a banquet. County Magistrate Wu mentioned it to the side and said that the disaster relief commander's camp was not far from the train station, but Zhao Fangyu didn't pay any attention to it. It was really hateful." Chen Wennian said.
He said in a muffled voice.
"Really?" Yuan Su's expression changed slightly, and he couldn't help but think about it.
Originally, the title of Disaster Relief Office was already very strange, but in any case, since they are both officials sent by the central government to supervise disaster relief, it stands to reason that the first thing they should do after arriving in Linyu County is to meet with the Commander-in-Chief of Frontline Disaster Relief to get a comprehensive understanding of the current situation.
The progress of disaster relief and arrangements for next work tasks.[ ]
Could it be that Zhao Fangyu came to take charge of the disaster relief work, but now he doesn't even come to see him, which is really hard to understand.
It can be said that this person is arrogant and rude based on the name of Prime Minister Zhao Bingjun, but he did not ask whether Yuan Su is the nephew of the president, and he will not offend anyone related to the president. But Zhao Fangyu did this.
, there is obviously something not simple about this.
"Sir, I always feel that there is something wrong with this matter. It is not etiquette for Zhao Fangyu to go directly to Wu Chenglu as soon as he gets off the train. Unless Zhao Fangyu comes to Yu County for another purpose." Chen Wenian said meaningfully.
"Take one step at a time to see what tricks Zhao Fangyu can play." Yuan Su said with narrowed eyes.
Early the next morning, Yuan Su went to Guancang to inspect supplies. At the same time, he met with Wu Li at the county government to discuss the arrangement and cost of relief supplies. At the same time, he found out what Zhao Fangyu and Wu Chenglu had said at the banquet last night.
, Although Wu Like accompanied him to the governor's house for a banquet yesterday, there was nothing special during the whole meal. After the banquet, Wu Like took his leave first, but Zhao Fangyu continued to stay.
At Wu Chenglu's house.
"Master Yuan, how can a lowly official interfere with the matter between Zhao Huiban and Wu Zhenshou?"
"Oh, it's okay. I'm just asking casually. After all, the disaster relief work must be coordinated with the Zhao Huiban. I don't know when the Zhao Huiban will be willing to go to the camp." Yuan Su said meaningfully.
"Well...Master Yuan...there are some things that I don't know whether to say or not. I'm afraid that Master Yuan will misunderstand that my intentions are not pure. []" Wu Like hesitated for a moment, and then said seriously.
"Master Wu, it's okay to say it." Yuan Su looked at Wu Like subconsciously, and his attitude was very serious when he spoke.
"Xiaoguan is well aware that Mr. Yuan has ulterior motives, but this matter is not trivial. Little does he know that Mr. Yuan has a plan in his heart, and Wu Zhengshou may not sit back and wait for death. If Mr. Yuan can still trust me, then please listen to me and simply call for disaster relief.
I'll leave the errand to Zhao Hui and Mr. Yuan should return to Luanzhou as soon as possible." Wu Like took a deep breath, as if he needed to muster up courage before saying these words.
Yuan Su was silent for a while, with a reserved expression on his face. He naturally knew what Wu Like meant and understood what Wu Like wanted to say. It was conceivable that Wu Chenglu himself had already been dispatched to do this.
There was no secret in the first place. He had previously made a big show of wooing the local officials and gentry, both openly and covertly. The officials and gentry in the county were inevitably Wu Chenglu's best friends, so he secretly informed Wu Chenglu of the news.
The reason why he dared to be so blatant was that, on the one hand, he knew that he was able to take the initiative, and on the other hand, Wu Chenglu was guilty of dereliction of duty. Furthermore, given Wu Chenglu's mediocre situation, he naturally had no way to deal with it.
But now listening to Wu Like's words, Wu Chenglu clearly has a countermeasure, and the attack has already reached a stage of success. What countermeasure does Wu Chenglu have? And who came up with the countermeasure? Is this countermeasure related to Zhao Fangyu?
?
If it is really related to Zhao Fangyu, then the matter may have to be traced back to the capital. After all, it was the intention of the cabinet prime minister to arrange for Zhao Fangyu to come to Yu County. In other words, Wu Chenglu's countermeasure was to use the central government to suppress it.
It seems that I underestimated Wu Chenglu too much!
Yuan Su adjusted his mind, showed a rather confident smile, and said to Wu Like in an understatement: "County Magistrate Wu, are you so unwilling to welcome me to stay?"
Wu Like looked anxious. After all, he was optimistic about this young man Yuan Su, so he took the risk and pressure to warn him. Unexpectedly, Yuan Su seemed to be confused. After sighing, he felt helpless.
Said: "Oh my, Mr. Yuan, can't you be fine? Why do you have to cause so much trouble?"
Yuan Su still smiled and said: "Master Wu, I appreciate your kindness. Anyway, you specifically said these words to me today, and I will inherit this friendship. You don't need to worry too much, since I dare to point out this
If you say that, then of course I am sure that I can do this, and Yuan will never treat Master Wu badly when the time comes."
Wu Like just smiled bitterly and didn't know what to say.
Just that afternoon, Yuan Su originally thought that Zhao Fangyu would come to the camp to meet him. Little did he know that when it was almost three o'clock, Zhao Fangyu did not come. Instead, Robertson, the chairman of the Beidaihe Ying Chamber of Commerce, came to visit.
In the case of Father Dou, which caused a lot of controversy a few days ago, Robertson was one of the foreign representatives who came to protest. Fortunately, Robertson had contacts with Yuan Su during this time, so he didn't say much on the day of the protest.
Instead, he was more like an onlooker, just helping other representatives to hold up the scene.
I met Robertson in his room. He knew that Yuan Su could speak fluent English, so he didn't even bring an interpreter.
The two parties greeted each other with British etiquette. Yuan Su asked Robertson to take a seat, and then asked: "Mr. Robertson came here today, is it because of Father Dou's case? What a coincidence, yesterday the commissioner sent by Beijing had already transferred Father Dou."
Escorted to Beijing, I think this case is over."
Robertson smiled, shook his head and said: "Oh, no, no, no, my friend, you misunderstood. The French brought this scandal to themselves, and they cannot blame anyone. Although according to the rules, I have to
"General Yuan, you did something unkind, but this matter has finally passed."
Yuan Su smiled happily and said: "I am really happy to hear Mr. Robertson say that. It seems that not everyone only knows favoritism and cover-up. So, back to the topic, Mr. Robertson should come here today to discuss cooperation.
Something?"
"Yes, I appreciate General Yuan's straightforwardness. This is how business should be done. If you want to do something, then do it. If you don't want to do it, there is no need to beat around the bush. Are you right? Regarding the business development plan proposed by our chamber of commerce last time, it has now passed
There will be more than ten days left, I wonder what General Yuan is thinking about."
"You mentioned in this plan that the UK is willing to invest in the Nandaihe seaport and dock projects, and also hopes that China and the UK will cooperate in the Yanghe Reservoir project. I have to say that your arrangements for the details are in place and the method of cooperation is reasonable.
Compared with the almost arrogant proposals made by the French and Americans a few years ago, it has been able to advance Britain's goodwill towards China." Yuan Su said some good words in a pragmatic manner.
The cooperation plan proposed by the UK, whether it is technical assistance, share division, or profit distribution after the project is officially launched, can be said to be comprehensive and fair. To describe it in one sentence, it is a win-win cooperation.
"Haha, so General Yuan is very satisfied with this plan, right?" Robertson showed a happy face and asked impatiently.
"Yes, I am very satisfied, but I hope to make some slight modifications, and also hope to get additional help from Mr. Robertson." Yuan Su said bluntly, as if he was planning to push further.
"Oh, oh, General Yuan, my friend, you Chinese people used to say that we Westerners were taking advantage of us. I think we should change our positions now. Haha, but in any case, since you are very satisfied with our plan
, I also hope to promote this cooperation, so I am still willing to listen to your additional requirements." Mr. Robertson still said with a smile, but his smile now is not as cheerful as before.