Li Hongzhang hurriedly went to the living room to meet other guests. Li Guolou and Sheng Huaixuan were sitting in the study, one writing a statement and the other reading books.
Sheng Huaixuan picked up the written article and showed it to Li Guolou. He asked, "Xiaolou, take a look at it for Brother Yu. Is there anything you need to change?"
Li Guolou said sourly: "Brother Xingsun, do you need me to give you something? The ready-made rice is served in front of you. You still don't know how to eat it?"
Sheng Huaixuan laughed three times and said: "Xiaolou, don't be stingy. You don't know how to do such a thankless thing. Brother Yu, I appreciate your kindness and I will repay you someday."
"Hmm..." Li Guolou took the manuscript and read it. He frowned and said, "Hey, brother Xingsun, in the end, you can help the country solve the livelihood of a lot of Manchus. You think so. Gotta come out.”
Sheng Huaixuan sighed: "Isn't it written like this? Xiaolou must consider things carefully. You can't just talk about money, money, money. The people sitting in the hall should still be Manchus. This way Prince Gong will feel comfortable, and the emperor will be able to explain it easily. The two palaces The Queen Mother can also seal the jade seal so that the new policy can be implemented. This is called a happy event for everyone."
Li Guolou said: "Brother Xingsun, this new industry can solve the livelihood of hundreds of thousands of people and squeeze the foreign telegraph office out of our country. I just said that the secrets hidden in the post and telecommunications office can change the pattern of the Qing Dynasty in the future. .Brother Xingsun, you must not make any mistakes."
Sheng Huaixuan asked: "Xiaolou, the secret you mentioned. In addition to information and public opinion, is there anything else..."
Li Guolou nodded slightly and fell silent. A mutiny or an uprising can control the overall situation through the telegraph office. Members of the Westernization faction control public opinion, exchange news, and even understand the actions of other factions through the post and telecommunications office. Those conservatives and Qing faction move every move. . will be under the surveillance of the Westernization faction. The telegraph office is actually a secret organization. It will play a huge role in the future. All this must be in the hands of Li Hongzhang. Even Prince Gong Yixin is just a Buddha on it. Among them The mystery cannot be revealed to the people above.
Li Hongzhang was the mainstay of the Qing Dynasty. He was also a loyal man who served the country. But he was a man who was good at wielding power. He would never let his power go to the side. His subordinates also had to find their own positions. What Li Hongzhang did not say, the people below also had to do it. Li Guolou and Sheng Huaixuan have already mastered this knack of doing things without leaking anything. They solved the topic like a dragonfly.
Sheng Huaixuan sighed: "Xiaolou, you have a delicate heart with seven orifices. There are so many dirty things hidden in your head. Be careful not to live long."
Li Guolou's face twitched. He touched his throbbing cheek. He squinted and said, "Brother Xingsun, don't worry. The enemy is not dead. My brother and I will not die."
"Oh. Who are the enemies of you two brothers?" Sheng Huaixuan had a good guess in his mind, but he didn't show it.
"President of the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce. Aren't you very familiar with him?" Li Guolou glanced. Shanghai's business circle is so big. How could Sheng Huaixuan not know that his eldest brother Li Guoyun was badly hurt by Hu Xueyan's move to drain his salary? He has since quit. In the silk industry, if it weren't for the support of the Li family, his family would have slept on the street in a bunker on the ground.
Sheng Huaixuan said with a smile: "Oh, old man. Don't look at how happy he is now. Make a list for him next year. Brother Yu knows who is a friend. Your enemy is my enemy. Do you know the latest news about that person?"
"What kind of news can he have? It's not about asking for names. He claims to have found an ancient prescription or a panacea. He makes up a story for his "Hu Qing Yu Tang". He just spends money to have fun. He plays with an eleven or twelve-year-old child." Li Guolou curled his lips. .Not to mention Hu Xueyan’s tidbits.
"Heh heh heh heh." Sheng Huaixuan said with a sly smile: "I have a great reputation, but you want a concubine, and you have made me so miserable. How can you be so good for yourself? A hundred steps makes a smile ninety-nine steps. It's easy to laugh at."
Li Guolou smiled awkwardly and said: "Brother Xingsun, the favor you owe me must be paid back. Interest will also be calculated. You first calculate how much it is worth."
"Okay, okay. Brother Yu knows it. When your "Come In Bank" opens in Shanghai, I will do it for you for free. With some contacts I have accumulated in the officialdom, I will save one million taels of silver for you first. .”
Li Guolou's mood immediately improved a lot. He said with a smile: "That's about the same. Don't let me see you after you lose one article." After saying that, Li Guolou lowered his head and continued to read the article written by Sheng Huaixuan. The format of the first part was a statement. Finally The format of the central idea was an eight-legged essay. The nondescript form made him shake his head.
Li Guolou couldn't hold it anymore and said: "Brother Xingsun, in the past you only wrote for your adoptive father. It doesn't matter if the format is a little messy. Now you are writing for Prince Gong. The eight-legged essay is reserved for the Jinshi examination. Those princes in the court who don’t understand eight-legged essay can just list everything clearly one by one. As for summarizing what you write, I’ve written all the words for you. Don’t talk anymore.”
Sheng Huaixuan suddenly said: "Oh... that's right. I forgot who I wrote it to. I just thought that my adoptive father likes to read eight-part essays. Xiaolou. Please take a look and see if there is anything you need to revise."
Li Guolou shook his head and said: "I can't tell. Later you ask your adoptive father what new requests he has. Let me read more. I will be so angry that I will vomit blood. You still have the nerve to let me see it. "
"Hey hey hey hey. A seventh-grade official. A red-top businessman in the Qing Dynasty. Hu Xueyan will kneel down and talk when he sees me in the future." Sheng Huaixuan stroked his belly and laughed. This is a real official hat. It has high position and great power. State and county yamen Come and go as you please.
Li Guolou couldn't hold it in anymore when he saw Sheng Huaixuan's arrogant and ugly appearance. He was a scholar and he was not on the same level. He showed off: "Brother Xingsun, you are so proud that you are so shy. I will go to the scientific examination the day after tomorrow." From now on, I will be the emperor’s disciple. Don’t forget to please me in the future.”
"Ah..." Sheng Huaixuan looked up and down at Li Guolou, who was drinking tea. People who were going to take the scientific examination the day after tomorrow were still chatting outside. They were paying homage to their elder Li Hongzhang. When should you not pay homage to your own relatives? I've never seen someone so determined. Candidates.
"Xiaolou, you are twitching. You don't study hard. Why did you run out?"
Li Guolou grinned widely and said: "Brother Xingsun, the emperor is not in a hurry, but the eunuch is in a hurry. I have millions of powerful soldiers in my chest. I have already made a plan. There is no need to cram in. Now I am working on the draft. I am writing a draft." I am going to present this colorful article to Emperor Tongzhi. Other things are no longer in my consideration." After saying this, Li Guolou crossed his legs and started shaking.
"Oh..." Sheng Huaixuan's eyes widened. He almost recognized the person as unkind. He thought that Li Guolou just absorbed more Western culture and had a better vision than him. It turned out that the master was like this.
Sheng Huaixuan stood up, bowed and said, "Xiaolou, don't blame Brother Yu for being rude just now. We came from the same school. We will be brothers from now on. We will be closer to each other in the future."
Li Guolou was so angry that he was so angry that his eyes were filled with stars. In the end, he was still pinned down by Sheng Huaixuan, and he would never be able to stand up again.
"You are cruel. From now on I will live in poverty in Shanghai." Li Guolou said a cruel word. He reluctantly accepted the reality. Friendship with the same family was forged. Hu Huhahai talked about it from all over the world.
Li Guolou also couldn't see clearly what surprises this friend who was as good at sneaking into camp as him could bring him in the future. What kind of changes could the long-sleeved Sheng Huaixuan, who was good at dancing, bring to the Qing Empire.
The dinner was held in the dining room. All the relatives of Li Hongzhang's family came out from the backyard to eat. Li Hongzhang loved food and was very particular about eating and drinking. The table was full of gourmet food. Li Guolou was a member of the Li family. Sheng Huaixuan was also a relative. Men and women sat at the same table. It's just joking casually. Li Hongzhang's naughty daughters chatter and chatter. They don't look like ladies at all.
Li Guolou originally thought that his uncle Li Hongzhang invited him and Sheng Huaixuan to dinner. There must be wine. After talking about business affairs and talking about some personal friendship, he let him go home. He never thought that he would just give them a meal without serving wine. He also said I want to talk to him alone in the evening and ask him about the eleven statements.
Seeing Li Hongzhang's tired look, Li Guolou felt a little moved. Those who are capable work harder. People in high positions have no time to rest. Even when they stay at home, there are so many people coming to the door. They are busy receiving guests. But when he thinks about it, Li Hongzhang Deliberately leaving time to stay at home. How many bribes do you have to accept in one day? Sheng Huaixuan must have spent a lot of money to get a seventh-grade official hat. I am afraid it is more than 100,000 taels of silver. Otherwise, there is no reason to give officialdom to Sheng Huaixuan, whose reputation is ruined. Opportunity for recovery.
After figuring out the link, Li Guolou added that he would also learn to take a rest in the future. We can't finish talking about official matters, so we can continue talking in the house. "Mr. Jiang is fishing. Those who wish to take the bait will take the bait." He understood this trick clearly. Li The government building has more motivation to climb up. A seventh-rank official hat with real power is in his pocket. His goal is a fifth-rank official hat. Put flower feathers on the official hat, hang court beads around his neck, and hang his hands. Holding a notebook in his hand, he was among hundreds of high-ranking officials. Standing in the court hall, he looked up at Emperor Tongzhi from a close distance and listened to the teachings of the Holy Emperor.
Li Guolou glanced at Sheng Huaixuan, who was sitting next to him and was slightly fatter. He was under thirty years old. He was very articulate. He spoke soft Wu dialect. He had a sweet mouth. He flattered everyone one after another. He could say a few words to everyone. A kind word is the pistachio on the dinner table. He knows this kind of trick. After a while, there are bursts of laughter at the dinner table. The atmosphere is harmonious and has the atmosphere of a family banquet.
After dinner, Li Guolou and Sheng Huaixuan returned to the study and rested for half an hour. Li Guolou's hands itched and he took out a sword hanging on the wall. He saw that the handle was inlaid with several rubies and gently stroked the blade.
"It's a good sword. It's called Longquan sword. It's a treasure gifted by the emperor." Sheng Huaixuan relied on his old age and told Li Guolou that what he was holding was a sacred object.
"Oh." Li Guolou turned his wrist and danced with a few blades. The shining shadow of the blade frightened Sheng Huaixuan and hurriedly hid behind him.
"Xiaolou, be careful. This is a priceless treasure. It is a relic of Emperor Kangxi. Be careful of being scolded by your uncle." Sheng Huaixuan screamed. If the Longquan sword is broken by Li Guolou, he will also be scolded by Li Hongzhang.
Li Guolou quickly returned the Longquan sword to its original place. This kind of treasure is taken care of. It needs to be oiled and wiped after a while. Otherwise, the blade will change color and eventually a layer of rust will form. Collecting antiques is a troublesome thing. He also has to serve antiques. He is still young and doesn't want to waste his time on dead things.
"Brother Xingsun, just look at it. The emperor will also reward me with a sword in the future." Li Guolou looked at the five swords and swords on the wall unwillingly. He also wanted to have this honor.
"Chi chi chi." Sheng Huaixuan shook his head and said: "Xiaolou, I have been chatting with you for a long time. I found that you are a person who puts gold on your face. Businessmen are fooled by you. This is how women are fooled by you. Come on. Even the boss Du boarded your pirate ship like this. You and your brother are exactly the two sides of a silver coin. One is a prude and the other is dishonest."
Li Guolou chuckled and said: "Brother Xingsun, since you are from the same family as me, I will tell you a shocking secret. The eldest daughter of the boss Du has fallen in love with me. The marriage has been decided."
Sheng Huaixuan sat down and said dejectedly: "Hey, there is no limit to learning and hard work. Each mountain is higher than the other. I have met a great god today. I have been an official for many years. I have never seen an official like you. You are so young. You're jumping up and down. Just now you were saying bad things about Hu Xueyan. Now you're showing off. You're worse than others."
Li Guolou touched his nose and justified himself by saying: "Brother Xingsun, enemies are used to vilify you. Friends are romantic figures. Can't you even tell the difference?"
Sheng Huaixuan took a deep look at Li Guolou. He nodded and said: "Well, you are much better than your brother. You dare to say anything. Your brother pretends to be aloof and thinks that the backstage is tougher than me. He doesn't take me seriously. .For your sake, I won’t argue with him.”
Li Guolou glanced sideways at Sheng Huaixuan but remained silent. There were some words he didn't say. Everyone understood in their hearts that relatives are relatives. An adopted son is nothing. It's not like Li Hongzhang doesn't have a biological son. His brother Li Guoyun is doing business in Shanghai and Tianjin. Who dares not to give it to him? Brother's face.
Rich people always serve good tea after their meal. The servant brings a pot of Biluochun and pours it into a cup. The aroma of tea comes to the nostrils. The fragrance is refreshing. Li Guolou and Sheng Huaixuan drink tea to digest their stomachs. Speak like a big businessman. The way to be an official. For both of them, it means making money. Getting rich. The principles of dealing with others are the same. They have the same philosophy. The two of them talk about speculation. They lament their ill-fated fate and hate each other. Late in the evening, I met a close friend in a foreign country.