Nowadays, Li Hongzhang is so popular that he has great power. How many people in the family are carrying his banner to do business. Several brothers have become big businessmen. Looking at the "grandson" of the two younger generations in front of him, it is more important for the younger generation.
A different one among them. He wants to recruit disciples at such a young age. He has the ambition to form his own sect.
"Well. Then take the exam well. Try to make the emperor have a good impression of you and get a good rank in the exam. Let the Zong clan ancestral hall in your hometown hang a plaque with "Jinshi and the title" on it. Your brother will get married in May. I
Be a witness. You should learn from your brother. Be a conscientious national capitalist and a romantic figure. This is not for you to smear." Li Hongzhang spoke for more than three hours. He was still full of energy and in a happy mood.
Li Guolou had a smile on his face but was filled with jealousy in his heart. He returned to his hometown with the title of Jinshi. He could not buy a wedding banquet yet. He could only marry a few concubines to celebrate the wedding. His life was much worse than that of his elder brother Li Guoyun. Who can blame him?
.Like Li Hongzhang, Zuo Zongtang did not take concubines. He became a famous minister.
His personal integrity is very good, and he is admired by the world. But he wants to climb up and occupy a high position. This person's lack of character makes him unable to avoid criticism from his political opponents. If he wants to make a difference in the court, he is afraid that he will not succeed. There are still many obstacles on the road to promotion.
Obstacles. In the future, there is little hope of entering the military aircraft.
The Military Department of the Qing Empire was like the cabinet of the Ming Dynasty. It was the core organization of the court's politics, military and economy, and the center of power of the country. As for the morning court on the fifth day, it was just a form of court. The ministers went to Tongzhi in the Yangxin Hall.
The emperor reported on his work. Officials really
The main offices are in the Yamen of the Prime Minister's Office and the Yamen of the Six Ministries. When you step into the court hall, you want to enter the Military Aircraft Department. Several high-ranking officials at the decision-making level are on duty at the Military Aircraft Department every day. Even Prince Gong Yixin and the Governor-General of Zhili Li Hongzhang are also on duty.
Sit in the Military Aircraft Department and handle official business.
Li Guolou felt sorry for himself and sat in the carriage with a sigh. People's ambitions grew step by step. When he thought that he would have the honor of being a "Jinshi", the seat in the court train was already within reach. He was waiting for him.
I regret what I did. I shouldn’t have given the place of my third wife to three “rotten peach blossoms” and made the house look like the Eight-Power Allied Forces.
The Qing Dynasty attached great importance to the personal conduct of officials. Li Hongzhang and Zuo Zongtang both rose through the ranks and entered official careers because of their outstanding personal conduct and talent.
He had a backer, but the great opportunity for in-law alliance was gone. The Manchu nobles could not rely on him.
After a long late-night conversation with his uncle Li Hongzhang, Li Guolou became even more ambitious. He wanted to integrate the banks and bank accounts of the Qing Empire and join the ranks of the super rich. He also wanted to recruit disciples from all forces.
He has his own mountaintop and waits until the world is filled with peaches and plums. Let the people of the world praise his ideas.
The reform path of the Westernizationists was full of hardships. Every proposition would be criticized. Li Guolou was thinking whether he would be denounced for betraying national interests. He thought of the students in Gongyuan and those who
Jinshi of the Hanlin Academy went to the Prime Minister's Office to sit down and demonstrate. Young and distorted faces were spitting out saliva and curses. "Down with Li Guolou." "Li Guolou is a polite scum." "Fire Li Guolou."
Lou’s fame.”
A statement will offend students all over the world and make him a traitor seeking glory. Li Guolou is full of fear. A good gentleman will not do it. Why write such a reactionary statement? The prosperity of the country depends on itself.
Hard-working hands. Teachers have taught students this way since childhood. He is also a person who has read the books of sages. How could his thoughts become reactionary? What will "Guiziliu" and "uncle" think of him? Will they think he is a foreign spy?
.
If the country implements the policies he wrote, but the overall situation in the future does not develop in the direction he stated, and deviates from the goals planned by the country, wouldn't he become a sinner through the ages? Leading the wolf into the house will lead to the collapse of the Qing Empire. Li Guolou couldn't help but shudder. .The night wind was brisk. During the long night, it seemed that countless ghosts and monsters were laughing at his naivety.
"Uncle is an old fox." Li Guolou finally figured it out as he walked on the corridor at home. His idea actually coincided with that of Li Hongzhang, the Minister of Commerce and Affairs of Beiyang.
Now it is up to him to hand over the statement. The so-called ignorant people are fearless. Let it be discussed in the Prime Minister's Office. Xiao He will succeed and Xiao He will lose. The criticism will be borne by him, a person who has studied abroad. If he has any clues, he may very well ask for it. He followed Li Hongzhang on his mission to Prussia to meet the "Iron-Blooded Prime Minister" Bismarck. He was a talent that could be put to great use. If he died in vain, he would have no place in the court. He was the first to be pushed out by Li Hongzhang as a scapegoat.
Li Guolou was still unwilling to give up. He was alone in the courtyard of his house, howling: "God, I am not a bad person. I have gone astray and I will come back. Please forgive me."
In the bedroom upstairs, Chen Xiangfang was woken up by Li Guolou. She took out the pocket watch under her pillow and checked the time. She said sleepily: "Xiaolou, what are you calling in the yard this late at night? You are drunk and crazy."
Li Guolou beat the Eight Immortals table in annoyance and sighed: "Xiaofang, I didn't drink. I was talking too much at my uncle's place tonight. I said reactionary words. In the future, I will become a traitor even worse than the Japanese Six, who is hated by the world." .Eternally nailed to the pillar of shame in history.”
"Oh..." Chen Xiangfang said nonchalantly: "Xiaolou, I think you are thinking too much. God knows what you know and what Li Hongzhang knows. What are you afraid of? It's okay. Hurry up. Go to bed. Tomorrow is Sunday. We are going to church for worship."
Li Guolou let out a long sigh and said: "Xiaofang, you didn't know that my uncle asked me to write it out overnight. He refused to let me go home. I slapped him in the face. He told me to go home and prepare information. He wrote down the cause and effect perfectly. I still have to write another one. An analysis report on neighboring countries. My uncle asked me to hand it to him before the results were published. I didn’t even have time to rest."
The scientific examination lasts for three days. Then the results will be released three days later. The list of nationally admitted Jinshi will be announced. Then they will enter the palace to meet the saints. They will write an essay written by the emperor in the Qianqing Palace. Finally, the top three will be determined based on comprehensive factors. Ranking. It takes roughly ten days to determine a person's fate. The stipulated time for Li Hongzhang to ask Li Guolou to write a statement was six days. He wanted Li Guolou to submit the statement before the scientific examination results were released. If Li Hongzhang did not give it to Li Guolou, An opportunity for Guolou to change course.
"Oh, Xiaolou, just write. Anyway, you don't have to worry about the scientific examination of Gongyuan. The answers will automatically come to your desk. This is also a lesson for you. Who made you so reactionary?" Chen Xiangfang She took a breath and fell asleep. She wasn't worried about Li Guolou being a traitor. She just wrote an article. What's the big deal.
"Hey." Li Guolou was tangled in his heart. He blew out the oil lamp and got into bed. There were two pretty ladies beside him, but he couldn't fall asleep no matter what.
"Biluochun has great stamina." Li Guolou knew in his heart that the refreshing effect of good tea is strong. He got up helplessly, lit the oil lamp, sat in front of the Eight Immortals table, and wrote all night long. However, when he thought of Sheng Huaixuan, he was also writhing in the study. Li Guolou couldn't help but smile with relief as he tried his best to write down the details about the "Post and Telecommunications Bureau".
This meeting with Li Hongzhang brought both gains and losses. The prosperous trend of the banking industry has already come into view. As soon as Li Guolou thought of this, he began to write letters to Yelia and his eldest brother Li Guoyun. The scale of development of "Please Come in to the Bank" is unparalleled. Not six families. When the Qing Empire was founded, there was a land-enclosure movement. When he established his commercial kingdom, there was a money-enclosure movement. His "Please Come in to the Bank" will wipe out all the officials in Liangjiang and Zhili areas. Even tens of thousands of eunuchs in the palace. , palace maid.
We should use two chess pieces, Li Lianying and Xiao De, to sit in the Qianqing Palace and write articles. We must also choose a good seat. Otherwise, how could Emperor Tongzhi see his honor among the two to three hundred Jinshi? What's more, it is very possible. The two empress dowagers sat behind the bamboo curtain to watch. If the two mothers of the country appreciated him, there would be hope for a sixth-grade official. They were planning the way to go next. Li Guolou stretched out happily and pushed away. The windows welcome the first light of dawn.
The rooster crows at dawn. The new day will be more exciting. Li Guolou smiles at the colorful clouds. Only those who dare to take responsibility will take this path. Foreigners are not terrible. He wants to defeat those greedy foreigners. Let's give up first. Their nest turned into scattered sand, and they were defeated one by one. Just like the Japanese women around him, women who followed him wholeheartedly and were willing to sacrifice for him were worthy of his love. Li Guolou was not afraid of dealing with vicious foreigners because he More ruthless than anyone else.
"Mayuko, I woke you up last night. Is it okay? If you feel sleepy, don't go to church." Li Guolou was very caring. He supported Mayuko and walked down the stairs together.
Mayuko's willow-leaf eyebrows trembled slightly, and she said softly: "It doesn't matter. I also want to go to the priest to confess. For the sake of our two children, I try to be a good person."
Li Guolou felt a little worried and asked, "Zhayuzi, what do you confess to the priest?"
"Mike, this is between me and God. I can't tell you." Mayuko walked down the stairs step by step, as steady as a rock, leaving Li Guolou behind.
"Oh." Li Guolou looked at Mayuko's back, feeling doubtful about what this little Japanese woman would confide to the priest.
"Are you ready? Two aunts." Li Guolou looked at his pocket watch and stood at the door of the living room, urging Chen Xiangfang and Mayuko who were lingering. It was almost half an hour and they still hadn't finished dressing up.
Chen Xiangfang was extremely dissatisfied and said: "Humph, Xiaolou, you have become bad now. You never urged me in the past."
"My aunt, if we don't hurry up, we won't be able to eat the bread provided by the church." Li Guolou hadn't eaten breakfast yet, so he was thinking about the free breakfast at the church.
"Mike, I'm ready." Mayuko dressed up properly, stepped out of the threshold, and casually took Li Guolou's arm.
"It's coming, it's coming." Chen Xiangfang grabbed the hat on the hanger and jumped out of the threshold with a lunge. A family of three walked out of the inner house. Several old ladies behind them covered their mouths and did not dare to laugh.
Chen Xiangfang and Mayuko went out to the house. They were all dressed up carefully. They wore corseted long skirts like those worn by Western women. They wore wide-brimmed flower hats. They held their chests out and their bellies held up. They held the hem of the skirts with both hands. Who were they with in Li Guolou? Behind him, he followed suit and walked out of the house. The neighbors in Dengcao Hutong saw Li Guolou going out and came forward to say hello affectionately.
"Grandma, go to church." "Mayuko, you have such a big belly, and you still wear foreign clothes. That's not good." "Grandma, my son wants to study. See if you can help." "Xiaofang, you Do you still know me? I am the barber from Dung Beetle Alley. I am known as Yi Zhuangxiang. Do you still remember? My son wants to find a job."
In addition to the next door neighbor, there are guests running out of the door room, looking for Chen Xiangfang to solve the family's practical difficulties.
Chen Xiangfang, in her usual style, lowered her hands slightly and said with a smile, "Don't worry, everyone. We'll talk about it when I get back from church."
In a few words, Chen Xiangfang dismissed the three guests who came to harass her early in the morning. They were all familiar faces and old neighbors with whom she had no friendship. The last one got on the carriage.
The carriage rolled and drove towards Xuanwu Mentang. Li Guolou glanced extremely dissatisfied and said: "Xiaofang, I asked you to collect the protection fee. It doesn't count if you leave the accounting room at the door of your house. How do you start introducing people to work?" Is this finished?"
Chen Xiangfang smiled sheepishly and said: "Xiaolou, you don't know. People can't help themselves in the world. They have a good reputation. Anyway, we are about to move. Just keep your eyes peeled. Don't worry about the affairs of the world."
Li Guolou warned: "Xiaofang, I will be a Jinshi soon. My status is valuable. You must not cause trouble for me in the future. Don't fight and kill. Shut your mouth. Let me do it if you have something to do."
"Hey, this is too embarrassing. I just like to dominate the world. Who else but me can compete with me when I show my domineering power?"
Chen Xiangfang likes to meddle in other people's business. Only by having someone on her body can she highlight her status in the capital.
"Hey, Xiaofang, I regret it so much. I shouldn't have let you show up in public. Your ambition is getting bigger and bigger." Li Guolou regretted it. For the sake of career, a woman would actually try to gain fame and reputation, and toss his rich family fortune.
"Don't worry about Xiaolou. You will definitely make a profit without losing money, right? Zhen Youzi." Chen Xiangfang won over Zhen Youzi. She had a partner in her "Tianzihao" business, and she completely shut up Li Guolou.
"Hi. I listen to grandma." Mayuko bowed slightly and thanked Chen Xiangfang for giving her a chance to join "Tianzihao".
"Oh, the cake buyer." Li Guolou put his head in his hands. He never expected that the pregnant Mayuko would join "Tian Zi Hao". This is a poisonous spider. What will become of "Tian Zi Hao" in the future? Li Guo Lou doesn't know Dare to think further.
The most famous Catholic church in the capital is the Nantang. Most people call it the Xuanwumen Hall. At first, the Italian Matteo Ricci built a small church here. In 1650, Tang Ruowang expanded it into the largest cathedral in Beijing. Emperor Shunzhi had twenty-four This time I came here to have a heart-to-heart talk with Tang Ruowang. In 1775, the south church was destroyed by fire. Later, Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty gave him ten thousand taels of silver to rebuild it. This is a Catholic church built by the royal family. It is not open to the public. It is only for people with status and status in the capital. Qualified to go to church.
Li Guolou now brings two of his family members to Xuanwumen Hall to listen to the foreign bishop's sermons. He likes to listen to the bishop's sermons and secretly learns the bishop's manner in speaking. Li Guolou never enters the confession room. But the bishop They already knew his every move, because some of his "harem" members were real Catholics and had already betrayed him in the confessional.
The foreign bishop’s voice was pleasant: “The God who created the universe and everything in it, since he is the Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples built with human hands. For in Him we live, move, and exist. As some of your poets said .It turns out that we are also his descendants. Since we are the descendants of God, we should not think that God is like things carved in gold, silver and stone made by human art and thought. God has not paid much attention to that ignorant era. Now he is preaching to everyone everywhere to repent, for he has set a time for the man whom he has appointed to judge the world in righteousness. To give everyone a trustworthy evidence, he raised this man from the dead. It’s...”
"God bless. Amen." The believers sitting on the bench made the sign of the cross together to complete the Sunday service.
Seeing the bishop coming towards him after finishing his sermon, Li Guolou bowed and saluted, secretly saying that he was unlucky. This time he would be reprimanded by the bishop again.