In Wurang's study, Zeng Guofan coughed slightly and said earnestly: "Zhonghua, it's true that foreigners have excellent equipment, but that tribe is ultimately foreign, and they are incompatible with me in customs. It is feasible to learn Western law, but how to learn and how to learn is knowledgeable. I highly recommend Lin Gong's saying that learning the skills of the barbarians to control the barbarians. It is also good to learn foreigners' equipment to use them. But now foreigners are eyeing them, and you have seen it in court. The British have asked several times.

Go to Beijing to change the appointment. The British and foreigners are willing to destroy me. They use the agreement as a verbal statement. In fact, they want to jump into the place where I am a confidant of the Qing Dynasty to spy on the subject, with a bad intention. The emperor is now in a dilemma. If we write a letter to cooperate with foreigners, we will be criticized by the people in the court. Moreover, foreigners have been assisting bandits for a day or two. Many people in the court say that the long-haired bandits are backers, and they are foreigners. I dare to assert that if anyone dares to say the words of cooperation with foreigners, it is a disaster that will be near."

Rong Lu was speechless. Zeng Guofan said it was indeed true. Although Zeng Guofan and others were relatively enlightened at this moment, the Qing Dynasty was still dreaming of a country as the Celestial Empire. Although the last Opium War was cedeed and paid compensation, people always believed that foreigners were just strong in the ships and cannons, and could not go deep into the inland to cause threats. In the first Opium War, only a few people such as Lin Zexu and Wei Yuan were awakened. The Qing Dynasty was truly destroyed in the Second Opium War a few years later. The capital of a country was captured by more than 20,000 foreign barbarians. It was not until that time that the people were awakened and the later Westernization Movement was invaded.

Later, the Westernization Movement was supported by Cixi, Prince Gong and others, and Zeng Guofan, Li Hongzhang and other famous officials were able to accomplish this. Now there is no Westernization faction in the court, and the so-called four famous officials in the local area are still low. It should be noted that when Zeng Guofan opened China's first military factory, he had already reached the position of governor of Liangjiang. He was very powerful. Now? Whether it is Zeng Guofan or Ronglu, they have insufficient authority. As the saying goes, people are slight, and at this moment, they seem to have no benefit except bringing disaster to themselves.

Ronglu thought about this festival, and as Zeng Guofan said, it is impossible to promote the Westernization Affairs Bureau now. He smiled bitterly and said, "Are we waiting to die?" As a time traveler, he knew the ability of Xiao Yungui and Hong Yuner. The biggest advantage of the time traveler is that he had more historical experience for a hundred years. These experiences were exchanged for countless silver, lives and humiliation by the pioneers of the Westernization Movement. Ronglu certainly knew the plans in the minds of Xiao and Hong. After they conquered Nanjing, they launched an eastern expedition and conquered Shanghai, which was determined to introduce Western technology. In this era of change, whoever takes the first step first will be able to gain the lead, let alone how could Xiao and Hong, who have historical experience, make mistakes made by Zeng Guofan, Li Hongzhang and others?

I thought that I started late, but now I was not as powerful as Xiao Yungui, but I don’t know when it will take to surpass him. I thought that I couldn’t even catch up with Xiao Yungui, so how could I rescue the person I like in the palace? The more I thought about it, the more depressed he became, Ronglu couldn’t help but look depressed on his face.

Seeing that Rong Lu was in a state of decay, Zeng Guofan comforted him: "Zhonghua is so relieved. Although it is too difficult to make the court comprehensively reform the Westernization Affairs, we can still do it privately. Haven't we purchased a lot of foreign guns and cannons before? We can also continue to buy more foreign guns and cannons. In short, we won't fall behind too much."

Ronglu shook his head slowly and said, "It is better to get a fish than a fish. Not to mention that the muskets and cannons we buy are all things that foreigners are about to be eliminated. Even ammunition, fire hats and accessories must be rested on others. This is too passive. When I think that the hairy thief can produce guns and cannons themselves in the future, the younger generation feels like a thorn on their backs."

Zeng Guofan sighed lightly and said, "Then let's write to the court to integrate the workshops that supply military gunpowder in Hengyang. How about starting a gunpowder bureau? First solve the gunpowder and guns and bullets, and finally it's better than nothing."

Rong Lu pondered for a moment before saying, "There is only such a temporary solution. It is better to be able to produce some ammunition by yourself than not. The younger generation plans to introduce Western technology and some machinery for gun bullet manufacturing. The Gunpowder Bureau can also recruit some skilled craftsmen to imitate Western gun guns and cannons." Nowadays, the gunpowder and lead bullets supplied by the Qing army are mostly made by official or private workshops. They are not only rough in handwork but also expensive. In many cases, gunpowder will affect its power due to the rough workmanship. If foreigners can be introduced, the Gunpowder Bureau of the Hunan Army can also solve some problems. The Gunpowder Bureau is just a cover. If it can be done, it is not feasible to purchase some machinery and recruit some craftsmen to imitate foreign gun gun guns and cannons. Rong Lu still believes in the ability of the Chinese people to copy the ability.

Zeng Guofan nodded and said, "Let's go back and discuss with Guo Bochen (Guo Songtao's name) carefully, make a charter, and we can report it together. I will leave your transaction with a long-haired thief and a foreigner. I will report it to the court in person later, and this matter should be reported to the court."

Ronglu nodded and then Zeng Guofan and Ronglu chatted for a few more words. While they were talking, the boy from outside came in to report: "Master, the eldest lady has settled down. I'm asking for a visit outside."

Zeng Guofan said to the book boy: "Okay, our business is over, please let the lady come in." Then he looked at Ronglu with a smile and said: "The little girl Zeng Jijing has arrived in Hengyang, you can meet her too. Although there is no meeting before marriage, I think that Zhonghua is not such a pedantic person, so it is okay to meet her when she meets her."

Ronglu was secretly funny. He had just seen him at the door, and he didn't point it out at the moment, and said, "But it depends on Zeng Shuai's arrangement."

After a while, he saw that the girl Zeng Jijing brought a maid Shishiran into the study. Zeng Jijing is already thirteen years old this year, and she is fourteen years old. In two years, she will be able to get the hairpin ceremony. At this time, Ronglu saw Zeng Jijing coming into the house, and changed into a light green shirt. Outside was a sleeveless vest with a Hunan-embroidered peony pattern, a pair of light blue lace-edged cotton trousers, and a pair of embroidered cotton shoes. This little jasper dress sets off her jade-cut face, which is indescribable.

We met at the door just now. Because we were rushing to get there, Zeng Jijing still looked dusty. She had finished dressing up and changed her clothes, which made Ronglu's eyes lit up. She thought that this little girl was really a few years older and had a good appearance.

Zeng Jijing went up to knelt down and kowtowed to Zeng Guofan and Zeng Guoquan to invite peace. Ronglu had done a lot of things like kowtowing to his elders every day when he was in the capital. Although foreign tribes ruled the country in the Qing Dynasty, the Manchus promoted the Three Bonds and Five Constant Virtues for the needs of rule. This filial piety was extremely valued during the Qing Dynasty. Therefore, it was common for children in this era to kowtow to his elders and parents every day, and it was not as cold as the family affection of later generations. Ronglu was not used to it when he first came, but over time he became used to it. It was not awkward to his widowed mother every day, and it was not awkward to his widowed mother and talked with her.

The Zeng family is also a wealthy family and has very strict family tutoring. Zeng Jijing was about to come to pay his respects to his father just now, but it happened that his father and Ronglu and others discussed matters, so Zeng Jijing went to the mansion to settle down and wash. After washing, he came to pay his respects to his father, which shows how much filial piety was attached to his children at this time.

Zeng Guofan also liked his daughter very much when he saw her. When asked about the family, Zeng Jijing also answered one by one. When he answered, Zeng Jijing looked like a lady from a family, lowered her head, her tone was gentle and soft, and her figure was neither crooked nor slanted, but she was in line with the demeanor of a dignified and virtuous woman.

Ronglu only looked at Zeng Jijing a few times, and heard Zeng Guofan talk about family affairs with his daughter, but he was not very interested, so he didn't pay attention to listening and thought about the matter of the Gunpowder Bureau in his mind.

After a while, Zeng Jijing said to her daughter's retreat, and Rong Lu came to his senses. Zeng Jijing gave him a blessing, and Rong Lu also hurriedly gave him a gift. Zeng Jijing looked at him shyly and turned around.

After Zeng Jijing left, Zeng Guofan asked with a clear cough: "What do Zhonghua think of the little girl?"

Ronglu let out a light whisper, but unexpectedly Zeng Guofan would ask him to evaluate his daughter, and said immediately: "Ms. Zeng is skillful and dignified, and he is a good match. Ronglu likes it in his heart."

Zeng Guofan nodded and said, "This is great. My eldest daughter is also the pearl in my hand. Parents also hope that my daughter can find a good son-in-law. Zhonghua, you are also very good, and I am also at ease to entrust her to you."

Ronglu didn't expect that Zeng Guofan had a kind father side, so he nodded and responded. Then he thought about what happened and couldn't help but blurt out: "Zeng Shuai, please forgive me for taking the liberty, Miss Zeng is a foot binding?"

Zeng Guofan was slightly stunned. He didn't know what he meant. Manchu women did not bind their feet, but Manchu men liked women who tied their feet in the Han family. He nodded and said, "The little girl came from a noble family, of course she had foot binding."

Rong Lu frowned slightly and said, "Zeng Shuai, I have a ruthless request. I wonder if Zeng Shuai can agree?"

Zeng Guofan said: "But it's okay."

Ronglu bowed and said, "I want to invite Zeng Shuai to go to the lady's foot binding from today."

Zeng Guofan said with a little wonder: "Why is this?"

Rong Lu said: "I am a man of the country. In the future, the lady will be married and will be promoted. We women of the bannermen do not need to bind their feet."

Zeng Guofan said oh, smiled slightly and nodded, "Ji Jing didn't like foot binding when she was a child. She only started foot binding at the age of eight and suffered a lot. Now I promised you, but you helped her get a headache before you even passed the door. That's fine, so I'll follow your words."

Ronglu felt relieved, and he was still very repulsive of the foot binding in his heart. Although he might not like Zeng Jijing, he did not want his wife to be a woman with small feet in the future. It would be good to put the foot binding in it. Zeng Jijing was only thirteen years old at this time, and her jade foot would not be so small after a few years of growth.

Ronglu thanked him and was about to turn around and leave, Guo Songtao walked in quickly before entering the study and said, "Zeng Shuai, news has been heard from the capital. The emperor has already announced the world that Concubine Yi has been happy for six months..."
Chapter completed!