Eunuchs who traveled through the Qing Dynasty

According to the inspector: "Take the textile factory as an example. Most of the local farmers help the workers during the slack season. The average monthly salary is usually around [-] cash, and the cloth is four to five feet. In Jiangning and Shanghai, the wages are slightly higher. A few. As for the machine factory and shipyard, they recruit regular workers, and the wages are generally around [-] cash."

Since the Xinyou coup, due to the circulation of new money and a series of measures to stabilize silver prices and stabilize prices introduced by the imperial court, the exchange ratio of silver to money has changed from one tael of silver to [-] Wen in the ten years of Xianfeng. The money has dropped to one tael of silver for [-] Wen.In other words, the wages of three hundred wen, equivalent to about one cent and eight cents of silver, is still rich. Considering the prices at that time, it was quite a good income for ordinary people. monthly expenses.

It seems that the income of workers in the Jiangsu area is quite good. No wonder the local industry has developed so fast in just one year, even better than that in the capital. It is no wonder that the porridge factory used for relief is useless.Xiao Ran couldn't help showing joy on his face. The increase in workers' income will also help to further increase the production output of the industry and promote the construction and development of the overall industry.This is not only related to industrial development or people's living standards, but also includes the gradual disintegration of the original feudal system economy and the decline of the original gentry class.Corresponding to it will be the birth of a new generation of capital system and the rapid rise of the bourgeoisie!

The transformation of the old and new systems will inevitably lead to a series of contradictions, but if the yamen implements appropriate policies, it will undoubtedly play a role in alleviating contradictions and protecting them on this road of capital accumulation.Facts have proved that all parts of Jiangsu have remained relatively stable over the past year.Then the entire industrial road of Jiangsu can be regarded as a model, a model, and promoted nationwide.

As soon as he thought of this, Xiao Ran couldn't help but think about whether to let Li Hongzhang organize a report group or something, go on a tour to guide and introduce advanced experience, or ask other local governors to form a study group to visit and study.Instruct Qiluan to cross the Qin Family Bridge again. Li Hongzhang leads Jiangning civil and military officials to pick him up here.

Arranged in size, standing on the side of the road.First there were three long horns, and Li Hongzhang said in person: "Your Majesty Li Hongzhang, governor of Jiangsu Province, welcomes you!"

All the officials behind him knelt down and shouted long live three times.Lan'er delivered a decree to flatten her body and drove into the city.This is the first time Xiao Ran has seen Li Hongzhang. In his previous life, he saw the demeanor of this big man who had been in the late Qing political circle for more than 40 years in his later years. His broad forehead, high cheekbones, and piercing spirit His gaze naturally reveals a kind of wisdom.At this time, Li Hongzhang happened to be a 1.8-year-old man, tall and tall, at least [-] meters tall, with darker skin and a sharp-edged face, showing an extraordinarily decisive character.The three hunchback beards under the jaw also showed a kind of calm demeanor.

Li Hongzhang was also the most controversial person in the history of the late Qing Dynasty.Also as a minister of bone bone and a pioneer of the Westernization School, Zuo Zongtang can be regarded as a generation of famous ministers, with strong bones, who once defied all opinions and led 60 children from Hunan and Hunan to recover Xinjiang. To show his determination, the veteran in his 1s resolutely carried the coffin Go to the battlefield and regain one-sixth of the country!Such great achievements and patriotic heart will be awe-inspiring even after a hundred years!Although Zeng Guofan claimed to have shaved his head, he pacified Jiangnan, founded Westernization, advocated Western learning, and other achievements that cannot be erased after all. He is known as the No. [-] in Chinese history who truly "opened his eyes to see the world" and actively practiced it. In the late Qing Dynasty, "Tongzhi Zhongxing" appeared; even Mao Zedong and Chiang Kai-shek later said the same sentence: Take Zeng Wenzheng alone!

But this Li Hongzhang was the only one who had been accused by thousands of people from beginning to end.Because he signed countless treaties of humiliation and humiliation in his life, even in the 21st century, some people still accused him of being "the most traitor".Historically, in 1885, when he represented the Qing government in Tianjin and signed the "China Treaty of Vietnam" with France (this is an out-and-out humiliating treaty signed after the Chinese army won major victories on the battlefield), Zuo Zongtang He took the case and said, "For China, ten French generals are not as bad as one Li Hongzhang." He also said: "Li Hongzhang has made mistakes in the common people, and he will be infamous forever." Unfortunately, this sentence came true. .

The disastrous defeat of the Sino-Japanese War, the signing of the "Treaty of Shimonoseki", and various traitorous treaties were signed one by one from Li Hongzhang's pen.Until the last treaty he signed during his lifetime, the "Xin Chou Treaty", it marked that the Qing Dynasty had been completely reduced to a tool for imperialism to rule China in terms of politics, economy, and military.So much so that in the "Ci Hai", which has always been famous for its authority, the annotation to the three characters "Li Hongzhang" is: a typical figure in the modern history of China who loves the food delivery country!

However, it was such a person who had the greatest influence on modern China and created a "modernization" movement that had never been seen in Chinese history!The first navy in the modern sense in Chinese history; a series of military industrial enterprises as the industrial foundation of early China; the founding of the earliest national capital enterprise "China Shipping Merchants" in Chinese history; the earliest modern mining enterprises and smelting industries in China; China The laying of the first railway and the first telegraph line; the first to propose sending personnel to study abroad, and later cultivated a large number of talented children including Zhan Tianyou; the earliest establishment of foreign studies bureaus in various provinces; the earliest establishment of foreign language and writing in Shanghai Academy; the earliest medical school was established in Tianjin...

Some people say that without Li Hongzhang, there would be no modern industry in China. If the theory of traitorous emotion is put aside, then this sentence is undoubtedly more pertinent.Liang Qichao once said, "I have never seen a comparison with Chinese Westernization people." After retiring, US President Grant traveled around the world, calling Li Hongzhang the greatest of the "Four Great Men" he met (the other three: Germany Prime Minister Bismarck, British Prime Minister Disraeli, French Prime Minister Gambetta).Xiao Ran still remembers that in the "Biography of Li Hongzhang" that he had read in his previous life, Mr. Fairbank, an American Harvard Sinologist, once said this sentence: "Part of the reason why the great powers failed to 'split China' is that China is good at using (the We still lack research on this method) One country restrains another country.|The person who prevents China from being dismembered by the Eight-Power Allied Forces in the late Qing Dynasty is undoubtedly Li Hongzhang.

As for all kinds of traitorous treaties, this is also the sharpest nail that has always nailed Li Hongzhang to the pillar of shame in history.But no one can predict whether under the regime of the late Qing Dynasty, which had already rotted to the foundation, and the military power of the Qing Dynasty, which was so backward that it was almost rubbish, if another person was replaced to negotiate, whether the dignity and interests of the Chinese nation could be preserved , and the fate of not being humiliated and enslaved by the great powers? ...

"I respect Li Hongzhang's talent, I cherish Li Hongzhang's knowledge, and I feel sorry for Li Hongzhang's encounter," Liang Qichao said.He also once said that Li Hongzhang "only understands Westernization, but not state affairs". This sentence may be correct, so it is inevitable that Li Hongzhang, while obsessed with the Westernization Movement, is destined to become a tragic figure .

This is such a person, how can I use it?Looking at Li Hongzhang's 1.8 meter tall figure, Xiao Ran thought secretly.

♂ Volume 8 in the harem ♀

→Chapter 178 - Landing in Jiangning←

Wei Nanjing, the ancient capital of the Six Dynasties.At that time, Ming Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang made his capital here and built the Nanjing City Wall, which is the largest city wall in the world.It is said that Zhu Yuanzhang ordered Liu Ji and others to check the geomantic omen, selected the geomantic treasure land of "Zhongfu Longpan, the Emperor's House", and recruited more than [-] military and civilian craftsmen to fill Yanque Lake to build the imperial city.It took a year to build the Nanjing Forbidden City. It has many palaces, dense pavilions, magnificent and majestic, magnificent, and is known as the Ming Forbidden City in history.

But the ensuing Jianwen Jingnan disaster, King Zhu Di of Yan launched a large-scale army to invade Nanjing, and a fire burned down several palaces, and even Emperor Jianwen and his concubine were burned to death.Ming Chengzu Zhu Di came to the throne, and soon moved north to Yanjing. Nanjing, the ancient capital of the Six Dynasties, has since become the accompanying capital.

In the following hundreds of years, after experiencing wind and rain, the imperial city has long lost its former splendor and majesty.When the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom established its capital here in the Qing Dynasty, it did not choose the Imperial Palace as the imperial city, but expanded the Liangjiang governor's office of the Qing government into the Heavenly King's Mansion.Hong Xiuquan became the emperor, and he was really willing to spend money. According to historical records, this Hong Tianwang once "constructed a large number of buildings, and the damage to official houses and residential buildings was incalculable. With a wide base, he drove away tens of thousands of men and women every day. Zai Fangcheng is extremely magnificent.... As soon as the work was completed, it was destroyed by fire. In the fourth year of Xianfeng (1854), civil engineering was revived in the first month, and the palace was rebuilt on the original site. Two levels, the outside is called Sun City, the inside is called Golden Dragon City, the hall is called Golden Dragon Hall, and the garden is called Houlin Garden, with exquisite carvings, resplendent and resplendent,... colorful and extravagant.”

A palace with a radius of ten miles is basically no worse than the Forbidden City.

In history, this false palace was not preserved.The reason is that when Zeng Guofan's younger brother Zeng Guo besieged and suppressed the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and conquered Nanjing.The soldiers looted and killed more than [-] people frantically.In order to cover up the crime, another fire burned the pseudo palace to the ground.Of course, Xiao Ran would never allow this kind of situation to happen, so before Zeng Guofan attacked Nanjing, he specially asked his sister to issue a death order to Zeng Guofan, Zeng Guo and others, who dared to slaughter the looters in the city, beheaded!In addition, Jia, a scholar from the University, and Wu Erkuntai, a scholar from the cabinet, were specially sent to accompany the special envoy of the Inspectorate to supervise the implementation.After Zeng Guo broke the city.Sure enough, he didn't dare to massacre the city. Although there were still incidents of plundering secretly, this magnificent pseudo palace was finally preserved.

Eyebrow line.Currently staying in the forbidden palace.And if you move the capital here, you can also live here temporarily, and then move in after renovating the Ming Palace in the future.On this day, Luan drove into the city.Because there are spirit plaques of the ancestors of the past dynasties, the little emperor Zaichun also waited in front of the city gate to welcome Luanjia.It has been several months since we parted, and Xiao Ran saw his eyebrows from afar.A suit of thick clothes, if worn on an ordinary person, would be extremely bloated.But when worn on eyebrows, it shows a kind of extra elegance besides majesty.In Xiao Ran's heart.Kind of excited.It's kind of sweet, but it's not convenient for the ministers to say anything more.

The eyebrows also turned their heads frequently.Her hair was raised and her temples were raised, making her skin more beautiful than snow, and her pair of water-cut eyes revealed an irresistible joy between glances, bringing out a bit of charm.The ancients said that they secretly send glances, which is probably the case when I think about it.Xiao Ran's heart itch to see it, wishing he could hold her in his arms immediately and be flirtatious.Lan'er observed the words and expressions, was angry and funny, and said softly when passing by him: "It's almost done, be careful of eyeballs falling off!"

Xiao Ran shrunk his neck and looked around. Fortunately, all civil and military officials bowed their heads and could not see him flirting with the Queen Mother.

After the grand ceremony of kneeling and offering sacrifices, amidst the sound of drums, Luanjia entered Nanjing City and came to the palace ban.According to the rules, not only are the palaces to be resettled, but also the memorial ceremony will be held one by one. If it weren't for the rebels in the north who made a fuss this time and moved the capital in a hurry, it would take at least half a month just for the various complicated ceremonies.At this time, Yumei ordered everything to be kept simple. Even so, it was a whole day of noise, and it was not until midnight that they basically settled down.The empress dowagers of the two palaces rested in the Qixuan Hall. There were two palaces, the east and the west, and there was still an eastern empress dowager and a western empress dowager.

Mei, Lan'er, and Xiao Ran, the three of them gathered together to discuss matters concerning going to court tomorrow.This was the first time that he was in Jiangning, and Li Hongzhang seemed to be equivalent to the former governor of Zhili, especially after Zeng Guofan fell, he became a ready-made boss.A group of courtiers had just arrived in Jiangning, and they were worried in private. Xiao Ran was a little worried about whether Li Hongzhang would hold power and be proud. If something went wrong in the court, it would not end well.

Both Mei and Lan'er think that Li Hongzhang is not good. Mei has dealt with him during this period, and thinks that he has a calm personality, and he should not do anything out of the ordinary. Thoughts, don't be in a hurry at this moment.

However, to be on the safe side, the three of them still carefully

Let's take a look at the unexpected incidents that may happen in the court, especially a few bannermen and ministers who were strongly opposed to it, we must prevent them from making stabs in the court.After discussing important matters, the three of them had their stomachs growling, so they ordered the imperial dining room to bring a supper. Baolu had a very winking look, and retreated consciously, closing the door behind him.

While eating, Xiao Ran recounted the incident of Zeng Guofan's rebellion in Beijing, which made his eyebrows twitch with fear.Speaking of sneaking soldiers with balloons and subduing Zeng Guofan with Lan Er Li Ying Wai, when he heard the tension, his eyebrows could even hear his breath, and his palms were really sweating.In particular, Lan'er strategized, defeated all the officials, and surrendered Seng Gelinqin and others. It was quite like a war of words against the Confucians. His eyebrows sighed, and said: "Sister, you are really a female Zhuge! Just this point is in danger. Chaos, I can't do it no matter what. Alas, thanks to having you here, otherwise, what kind of chaos might it be!"

The three chatted while eating, and the atmosphere became ambiguous before they knew it.The empress dowagers of the two palaces had already become his women, Xiao Ran looked left and right, and gradually began to move his hands and feet.The two women blushed in embarrassment, what kind of relationship they had with Xiao Ran, Mei and Lan'er knew each other well, but there was a layer of window paper between them, and no one dared to talk about it first. to poke.Xiao Ran also became bolder, wrapped Lan Er with his left hand, wrapped his eyebrows and waist with his right hand, and kissed her gently on the face.

Xiao Ran's blatant action made the two of them say "ah" in surprise, then blushed and struggled to avoid it.The two women seemed to be really ashamed, they used all their strength, their eyebrows were pressed together, and they finally hugged each other, but Lan'er turned around and struggled out, bowing her head and talking incoherently: "Well, I'll go see the emperor, it's been a long time It’s no wonder I saw it!” Said he hurriedly walked out, revealing a pink neck, which was flushed with embarrassment at this time.

As soon as he reached the door, before he opened it, he heard two knocks on the door outside.Lan'er trembled in fright, stopped her feet, Xiao Ran also became nervous, quickly let go of her eyebrows, and said, "Who is it?"

"It's me!" A voice sounded from outside, but it was Baolu.The three of them breathed a sigh of relief and asked Baolu to come in. Xiao Ran said angrily: "You little bastard, what are you doing in the middle of the night?"

Baolu said: "Little Sanzi, there is something serious. Someone brought you something just now, and asked him who it was, but he refused to tell. He only said that you would know it when you saw it. That's why I came to you. Here, look !"

As he spoke, he put a paper bag on the table, and when he opened it, Mei and Lan'er were stunned, it turned out to be a big crab with a green shell!

Xiao Ran raised his eyebrows, and murmured: "Young Master Li, I really can't wait!" The eyebrow-watchers were puzzled, so they told Li Hongzhang that day when they replied to the letter and made an appointment to enjoy crabs together.Mei immediately became nervous, and without hesitation, she grabbed Xiao Ran's hand and said, "You can't go! The matter of Zeng Guofan is a lesson. After all, Jiang Ning is Li Hongzhang's territory, so it's hard to guarantee that he won't have any wrong thoughts. I think we should be careful." Good!"

Lan'er pondered for a while, and said: "I don't think so. Zeng Guofan's rebellion was forced by the third son, but Li Hongzhang is known as a man of the city, and he will not act rashly because of his younger brother. It's a big mistake. I guess he was anxious to see the third son in the middle of the night because he just wanted to find out."

Xiao Ran nodded and said: "Well, it's exactly what I thought. This is just right, I was thinking about touching his butt, but he came to the door first. Okay, I'll go meet him for a while! "

Lan'er looked at her eyebrows with a worried expression, smiled slightly, held her hand and said: "Don't worry, sister, let the third son go, I will stay here to accompany you in case nothing will happen. Third son, be careful in everything, We are waiting for you to come back!"

Just this one sentence suddenly caused a warm feeling in Xiao Ran's heart. At this moment, Xiao Ran felt in a trance that he was a man who went out to make money, and the two lovely wives at home sent their husband out, hoping that he would come back soon.Under the candlelight, one of the two beauties is dignified and beautiful, the other is charming and moving. They are so beautiful that they are so beautiful that they are in a mess, but they are different from each other.

This feeling was really wonderful, Xiao Ran couldn't help but stepped forward and embraced the two people left and right.Baolu hurriedly turned around, pretending he didn't see anything.

Mei and Lan'er didn't dodge this time, but they were still a little shy, their faces were flushed with red clouds, and they looked more and more charming.Xiao Ran lightly kissed both of their faces, and said to the two daughters, as if to himself: "Come on, this will be over soon, and we will always be together like this from now on!"

♂ Volume 8 in the harem ♀

→Chapter 179 - Li Hongzhang's scheming←

Then he changed into casual clothes, and because he was afraid that Li Hongzhang would be suspicious, he left the palace without his escort.Yu Ting's wives brought their children, and the old lady Xiao Yushi had already arrived in Yangzhou. Duan Xingnian bought a house for them, and temporarily settled down; Lin Qing'er and Nayan Ziqing came with them because of their good martial arts When he arrived in Jiangning, he personally protected Xiao Ran.In addition, there are two sisters, Ning Wei and Ning Xin, because they are princesses, so such a major event as moving the capital naturally has to go back to the palace to show their faces and report.

After leaving the palace with Lin Qing'er, I saw a man dressed as a servant waiting at the gate of the palace.Xiao Ran has a superb memory, and at a glance he recognized that this person was the messenger who sent him a letter back to Tongzhou.The messenger's memory seemed to be pretty good, he recognized Xiao Ran, said hello on one knee, and said: "Thank you, Lord Xiao, for your kindness, I will show you the way."

After walking a short distance, turning a street, a carriage parked there.After getting into the car and walking another distance, it was about three o'clock, and the carriage finally stopped.Get out of the car and take a look, but it is parked in front of an ordinary family's courtyard.Only a resounding voice sounded: "Oh brother Xiao, you are here, welcome if you are lost, forgive me!"

Needless to say, this person was Li Hongzhang, Governor of Jiangsu.At this time, dressed in casual clothes, he walked forward quickly, held Xiao Ran's arm and said, "My brother is willing to show you face, and you should go to greet him, but I'm afraid you will attract gossip. If you are wronged, brother, don't blame me!"

Li Hongzhang spoke very slowly, as if he had to think carefully about every word he said, so his words showed a special force.He is from Hefei, Anhui, and Xiao Ran's accent sounds unfamiliar, but because he speaks slowly.It's not hard to tell.

Xiao Ran laughed, and said: "Master Li is so humble, how dare he be the head of the inner court in our family?"

Li Hongzhang said with a smile: "Brother Xiao, there is no one else present today, just you and me, enjoying chrysanthemums and eating crabs, and having a good time with each other. There is no need to see each other like this, right?"

"Each each other!"

The two looked at each other and smiled, Li Hongzhang took Xiao Ran's hand and walked into the small courtyard.Lin Qing'er also got out of the car and followed behind Xiao Ran.There was only one young woman but no entourage, which made Li Hongzhang a little surprised. He understood that Xiao Ran did this to show that he was not on guard against him, and was very happy.

Into the courtyard.Turning the head of the house, there is a more secluded courtyard behind, with several tulle lanterns, casting a hazy light.The flowers and plants in the garden are very elegantly arranged.There are not flowers and plants everywhere, but only a few clusters of chrysanthemums, which are well arranged.Blooms quietly among the uneven vegetation.It became more and more quiet.

Through the stone path.Suddenly, there is a long pavilion in the back.Back bar twists and turns.On the big pavilion in the middle, there is a row of lanterns. It turns out that a banquet has been arranged, and several slim women are standing beside them.Hearing the sound of gurgling water from a distance, it is thought that the garden has introduced running water. Behind the long pavilion are layers of rockery, half hidden in the night, with the shadow of the whirling trees, it has a special artistic conception.

Unexpectedly, behind the ordinary courtyard, there is actually a hole in the sky, and he made a fortune with others. His mansion in Yuqian'er Hutong, Beijing, is somewhat suspected of being a nouveau riche.Xiao Ran couldn't help clapping his hands and praised: "A good place to go, a good place to go! Mr. Li will really enjoy the happiness. This garden is completely natural, and it seems like a fairyland. After visiting here, all the vulgar things are left behind. Wonderful , Wonderful!"

Li Hongzhang said with a smile: "Where is it, my brother is ridiculous!" The messenger who followed him was obviously his confidant, and said with a smile: "Master Xiao, this is just the edge of the garden! From east to west, It is divided into four courtyards in spring, summer, autumn and winter. This entrance is the third courtyard, which is called Muyu Tingshuang, and further back is a maple forest. The weather is only half cold now. Wait a few more days. Thousands of trees are floating red, and the forests are all dyed, that is a beauty! The four courtyards in spring, summer, autumn and winter have different scenery, and they are famously called Four Seasons Immortals. Wang Yangxiuqing, it took nearly a year to build, and my adults usually don’t allow people to step in. Even Admiral Peng and Governor Zuo begged several times to come and enjoy it, but my adults refused. Zeng Guofan was not transferred directly to the post When I was here, I once told my lord that I wanted to buy this garden, but my lord had an idea, and he said he was sick to delay the matter..."

"Talk!" Li Hongzhang interrupted the chattering guy with a sullen voice, turned his head and smiled at Xiao Ran: "Don't blame my brother, Shao is born rough, and his subordinates seldom teach, don't worry about it. No matter how good the garden is, it's only a rare occasion. Brother, if you like it, don’t hesitate to give it away, and I hope you can save face, so don’t refuse!"