Chapter 144 Jiangning

On the fourth day of the June 19th, after Yi passed away from the imperial court, he led his accompanying General Office, the Minister of Rites, the Minister of Rites, Du Han, and the British Foreign Minister's Special Envoy, Lord Ald Birmingham, the British Minister to China, the Consul Husming, the General Translator Maihuatuo, the American and French ministers, the Minister, the Counselor, and the General Translator of the United States and France to leave Beijing. He took the official sedan chair and the Tings carriage and took the official road south. The destination was Tongzhou. When he arrived in Tongzhou, he boarded the official ship that had already been docked there and went straight to Jiangning.

This time, Jiangning's commission was of concern to the court and the public. The governors of Zhili, Shandong, Henan and Jiangsu provinces, who were ranked together with the imperial envoys, were very embarrassed: if only Yi was the imperial envoy, they would have passed the provincial government as the imperial envoy, and there would be some good examples to follow, and there was no need to spend any effort. However, there were many people who were traveling with him this time, so how should they regulate reception and gifts to send out of the country?

On May 28th, an edict solved the doubts in everyone's hearts: "...Along the way, provincial governments, prefectures, etc., plan the negotiations in the future. I have been thinking about it for a long time. Our dynasty has been in charge for more than 200 years. We are very kind and kind. Anyone who comes from far away to China will never wait to be gentle... This time, we will serve as the Minister of Military Affairs, the General Administration's Minister of Affairs, and the Minister of Minister of State Affairs, and the Minister of State of the General Administration, and the Provincial Government, and the Provincial Government and the Government of various countries will go to Beijing to work. The provinces and governments will be connected by etiquette. The people will not be allowed to comment on the people, and there will be words such as posting and insulting songs and insults. When cars and horses pass through the city, there will not be people congested along the streets or throwing stones."

Such an imperial edict was issued to the provinces along the way, including Nar, Zhang Liangji, and Gui Liang, who were naturally aware of it. At present, the two vassal departments and various roads in the province were invited to come over to the palace and discuss the greeting and seeing off.

Everyone said in unison: Since the imperial edict is placed there, we will act according to the edict. Didn’t the emperor say that we should ‘wait for kindness’? Those who are strong or have no strength. When it comes to the method of tenderness, is there any other way around the world that is stronger than the Qing Dynasty? It just so happens that these foreigners are magnificent in the four directions.

Everyone is happy to do such a job, just to make a lot of money and money. The provinces sent out stations and departments to receive and send things. The two sides of the canal are decorated in a colorful and magnificent manner. The people living on both sides of the canal have a favor. It is said that since Emperor Qianlong went to Jiangnan for six times, there has never been such a wonderful sight in nearly a hundred years.

From Tongzhou, boarded the official boat and set it straight down the water. The first stop was Dezhou, Shandong. Governor Zhang Liangji and his subordinates were on the shore. Seeing four official boats coming from the river, Lao Chongguang, who was transferred from Hubei to the Shandong vassal department, ordered: "Star the fire."

There were already prepared salutes on the shore, and they set them up, and the firecrackers that had been prepared were lit one after another, making the shore smoke filled the shore, and there was no one on the other side.

The official boat leaned on the dock, and the sailors on the boat set up a springboard. Yi was wearing a prince's official uniform and a yellow jacket. He took the lead and walked ashore on the red carpet. He looked up and saw the locust trees on both sides of the canal, and the cicadas were clamoring. There were endless pedestrians under the shade of trees, and there were scenes of peace and joy everywhere.

Officials from all provinces in Shandong, led by Zhang Liangji, knelt in front of the incense table and performed a great ceremony for the monarch and ministers who knelt three times and nine times: "My minister, acting governor of Shandong, Zhang Liangji, respectfully requesting the emperor to have a blessing of gold and peace. Long live long live long live long live long live long live long live long."

"Sage Gong'an." Yi Daitian replied, rolled up his horse's hooves and stepped forward with a chuckling, "Duke Caichen, how are you okay?"

After asking Sheng'an, he saluted the prince. Zhang Liangji knelt down again, "Old minister greets the prince."

Yi politely said a few words and ordered someone to help Zhang Liangji up, "Teacher Cai, I have worked so hard this time."

"I dare not, I dare not." The two of them chatted on the shore for a few words. Yi asked Zhang Liangji and others to gather on the boat. The Ministry of Rites Wu Ren was accompanied by the banquet. Zhang Liangji picked up the wine glass, "Prince, the journey of thousands of miles begins today. I wish you a happy journey."

Yi naturally accepted it happily, picked up the wine glass and drank it all.

Zhang Liangji walked around for a while and asked again, "Prince, don't you know which ship the envoys of various countries are on? Are you prepared?"

"Old Master Duocheng asked, envoys from various countries took the two official boats in the back, and all their daily lives were taken care of by special people." Yi chuckled and said, "Originally, I wanted to invite envoys to visit the shore this time, but the British were unwilling to do so, and they just said that they could not speak and could not be able to bear the affection, so it would be fine."

Lao Chongguang said, "This time the prince went to Jiangning to handle railway construction. Everyone in the world thought that it was a pioneering move that was unprecedented in the Qing Dynasty. I am here to wish the prince a smooth journey and achieve great achievements."

Yi said a few words to Lao Chongguang, and he couldn't help laughing proudly: "Mr. Lao, I'm sorry. I'm just offering a battle in front of the emperor. Such an eternal great cause is really the result of the emperor's understanding of the world and the silence of the holy heart. I'm never afraid to take credit for it."

Everyone felt that although his words to praise the saint were superficial, they were not all false words. They nodded, "That is, the emperor is truly a wise king who can inherit the Emperor of Martial Saint. Just look at the relationship with Li Yi, the saint's plan is far-reaching and the temple is unique, and we can see that our Qing Dynasty is not far away."

After a few words, the guest asked the host to give the meal. After using it, he talked for a while and then bowed his hands and walked to the shore and said goodbye.

Yi didn't try to keep him. The governor of a province was extremely busy with official duties, so he couldn't spend more time with him. He sent him a few steps away. He waited until Zhang Liangji and others got on the shore and ordered the start of the operation.

There was no more connection on the road. On the eighth day of June, Yi and his group arrived in Jiangning smoothly. As usual, Gui Liang and his officials from the three provinces under their rule were preparing incense tables at the receptionist Pavilion, meeting to salute, and asking Sheng'an. There is no need to make detailed statements one by one.

The envoys from various countries first arranged to live in the Guanshi in the city, and Shangyuan County sent someone to take care of the food; on the other hand, Gui Liang invited the envoy from the capital to the Governor's Office in Liangjiang. Although he was Yi's father-in-law, he was a subordinate of the latter in official affairs. Therefore, he was very respectful to the talk: "Prince, there are still some days before the formal construction period. Why not take a rest in this mansion for a few days and wait until the day is up before the start of the construction ceremony?"

Yi did not answer his words and asked, "Shan Weng, before leaving Beijing this time, the emperor told me that I would come to Jiangning. The first is to inspect the railway construction ceremony. Second, if I have time, I would like to walk in Jiangning. If I have time, it would be best to meet the civilians who will be under construction in the future during this railway construction."

He paused for a moment and continued, "The emperor saw the memorial you wrote last time. The emperor highly praised the suggestions that the remaining Cao Gang Ding Shi mentioned by Shan Weng, and asked them to join them."

"The grace of heaven is vast." Gui Liang stood up, bowed to Tianxuxu, and sat down and said, "That's just the gain of the foolish ones. The emperor did not think it was wrong, but chose it before using it. I really don't know what to say."

"Mr. Shan doesn't have to be so humble," Yi replied, "The emperor said that being able to make such suggestions shows that Guiliang was very careful when he was in office to understand the people's conditions and explore the hidden diseases of the people. But he didn't know how he came up with such a solution?"

Gui Liang smiled modestly, "This is just the right time and the best use of everything--."

Since the new emperor ascended the throne, he has vigorously eliminated the accumulated traits of the previous dynasty, and the matter of the canal transportation is the most concerned. The reason is that the canal transportation has raised millions of people's livelihood households on both sides of the canal for more than 200 years. Once the source of life for these people is cut off, if someone calls up the high ground, it will be the result of the devastation of the creatures in the southeast half of the world.

Therefore, when the emperor was focusing on promoting the feat of changing the canal transport to sea transport, he had to make a fuss about the old ministers in the court; on the other hand, he had to seriously consider the remaining canals' food, clothing, housing and transportation. The sand boat gangs in various provinces that undertake sea transport can certainly absorb some young and strong canals, and those who are getting older canals can only find another way out. In addition to the little money paid by the gangs that can still maintain the distribution of public offerings, it is also a very good way to sell salt from the salt farm to various provinces. In addition, there are neither capital nor literate canals, and there are even fewer people in the canals. The canals have public fields that were prepared in normal times before, so they can barely survive.

In the second year of Xianfeng, Cao Dezheng and his family returned from the capital to Changshu's home. Jiangsu Governor Huang Zonghan, vassal Chunshou, and Changshu County Magistrate Guan Xieguang went outside the city to greet him. This behavior alarmed all the people of the canal gangs in Jiangsu Province. Later, they learned that the smoke was coming from the Cao family's ancestral tomb. This time, he was summoned by the emperor when he entered the capital. Moreover, his words were filled with comfort. For ordinary canal magistrates, this was definitely a big thing that could bring honor to the ancestors.

Later, the news became more and more bizarre. Some people said that the emperor fell in love with the eldest daughter of the Cao family, Ling'er, and kept her in the capital to accompany the emperor - Cao Dezheng transformed himself into a father-in-law. This made those guys who didn't have any face stamp their feet and beat their chests. If they had known this was the case, they should have tried their best to send their daughter to the capital. If they could really get to the emperor's long mind, wouldn't they have to rely on for the rest of their lives?

When the family returned to Changshu, everyone realized that what they had heard was nothing but rumors. Miss Ling'er returned with her parents, so how could she stay in the capital and serve the emperor like this?

This time, Cao Dezheng was so popular that he had the limelight. After entering Jiangsu Province, the three squads and six wings sent by the Governor's Yamen met Gao Ying from afar and invited the Governor's Yamen in the city. Huang Zonghan personally held a banquet to entertain him. During the meal, he also gave Li Quan and Miss Cao's marriage a happy future. He gave gifts to Li Quan and Miss Cao's family. How could the governor dare not move in the wind and stayed in the city for a few days, and the gifts of gold and silver alone cost no less than 3,000 taels.

When he returned home, before Cao Dezheng could talk to the old friends who came to ask about it, Guan Xieguang sent someone to send an invitation to the county government office to talk, and there was no need to talk about it during the meal. When everything was settled, Mrs. Cao suggested that she marry her daughter and Li Quan. Cao Dezheng thought about it for a while and said to his wife, "If you talk about the marriage between Quan'er and Ling'er, I think that since this matter has alarmed the emperor, I will naturally send invitations and invite everyone to the mansion. Let's take a closer look?"

"Of course." Mrs. Cao looked confused, "It's not necessary to say that, why are you asking this?"

"But I think many brothers in the helping country go far away for a living and it is difficult to gather together for a while. Moreover, Quan'er won fame for this matter, and was afraid that he would not have such thoughts for a while. A good thing would be bad if it became a 'duck shit smell'." Cao Dezheng said while sucking water hookah, "So, in my opinion, the marriage might as well be put aside first. By the spring next year, it is best to wait until Quan'er wins the fame of scholars and then marry them. What do you think?"

Mrs. Cao thought about it and thought that her husband's words were not unreasonable, so she was a little moved, "But, Quan'er, I dare not let the child think that after entering Beijing this time, my husband and I have a higher vision and will not like him."

"I don't like it?" Cao Dezheng joked with his wife in a rare way, "I have never liked Zhongquan'er. But you, the mother-in-law, have always liked the child. Otherwise, there would be no such a drama."

Mrs. Cao was embarrassed when she heard this, "You are."

So Cao Dezheng came to Li Quan and had a detailed discussion with him. Li Quan also knew very well that although the final result of his incident this time was unexpected, as he said in the time of meeting the saint, he was in trouble and gave others an excuse to criticize him for nothing. He made a promise and prepared to achieve fame and fortune after entering the next year, and then marry Miss Ling'er.

Just now, a few more guests came from Jiangning City. Luo Jiuye, the leader of the Cao Gang, accompanied Zheng Ruozeng, the leader of the Shachuan Gang, to Changshu and visited him.

When Cao Dezheng heard the news, he ordered people to lay a floor mat in front of the door and lead his wife to meet him. He knelt down and greeted him. Master Luo Jiu did not dare to be arrogant. He knelt down and returned the greetings. He politely said a few words to each other. Cao Dezheng invited him to the hall and ordered his servants at home to serve hot tea. Master Luo Jiu said a few polite words, nothing more than some old gang members who have been busy with the gangs in the gang for many years, and have neglected greetings and concerns, and especially apologized for coming here.

Cao Dezheng said a few words and asked, "Jiu Master, this time Guizhi fell into a lowly place, I think he must have seen something?"

"I dare not say that I am not seeing the sect but not seeing the sect. This time, Brother Cao went north and was summoned by the emperor to meet each other. It was really a blessing for the millions of people in the Cao Gang. I also thought that the emperor was in the ninth level and had mercy on the Cao Gang. Therefore, Brother Zheng and Mr. Zheng of Shachuan Gang together, thinking that like Brother Cao, who is in the world, but there are many talented sects. Therefore, we want to summon Brother to serve in the Maritime Transportation Bureau and provide suggestions for shipping in the future. We will do our best to do this to the emperor's new policy and benefit the people of Jiangnan. What do you think?"

Cao Dezheng hesitated for a moment. The Maritime Transportation Bureau is located in Shanghai. It was organized by the Shanghai Daotai Ni Liangyao, and was organized by Ding Zhong, the Cao Gang and the Sha Chuan Gang. It is a brand new yamen specializing in the southern grain transport north. It can be selected as a backbone of the Sha Chuan Gang or the confidant of the Cao Gang Luo Jiuye. This time, the two people came to visit him together. Needless to ask, it must be because of the fate of being favored by the emperor.

Seeing this, Cao Dezheng was a little scared. It was naturally great to be able to enter the shipping bureau, but he was old and weak, and could not recognize many words. Today, because of such an accidental cause and condition, people are favored and raised. Luo Jiu deliberately used his own power to enhance his power, so he naturally wanted to seek it. Once there is any mistake in the future, he would probably not even have room for retreat.

He thought for a while, and Mrs. Cao, who was eavesdropping on their words behind the second hall, was anxious: This boss is so unintentional? He has asked for help from the door, but he still wants to make excuses? It’s just that the man was talking outside, so there was no room for her, a woman to answer. He could only be anxious behind him.

After thinking for a long time, Cao Dezheng shook his head, "Master Jiu, Master Zheng, I feel extremely grateful for your two of you. However, Cao is a rough man and cannot do such errands in the shipping bureau. Please understand my difficulties."

Cao Dezheng actually refused such a beautiful thing that came to his door. Luo Jiu and Zheng Ruozeng did not expect that the two of them heard about this in Jiangning City. After discussing, they both believed that the Maritime Transportation Bureau was first established and wanted to use Cao Dezheng to make a name for themselves. Not to mention that Cao Dezheng could do something, he could not do anything, and spent a few taels of silver to support him every month, and he would also have to put him in the hub. Who knew that he would actually refuse?

Luo Jiu thought he had the conditions, so he said, "Brother Cao, I know that you have been wandering on the water for many years and your body may not be very convenient. This way, you don't have to work in the yamen. Just put a name on it, and I will pay the monthly salary as usual, so you don't have to do anything, how about it?"

Cao Dezheng's face turned upright, "Jiu Master, who do you think of me Cao Dezheng as? My ancestors are all from the Cao Gang, and I dare not say that I still understand the principle of taking money and eliminating disasters. Now I don't even need to go to the Maritime Transportation Bureau's yamen. Isn't I a greedy villain with a salary for nothing? I don't have to mention this matter anymore, Cao will never go."

My mistake made Cao Dezheng change his color. Luo Jiu was a little embarrassed, but he was very angry: he didn't know what to say.

In order for her husband to refuse the invitation from the Maritime Transportation Bureau, Mrs. Cao had a big fight with him, but Cao Dezheng's words had been expressed and could not be saved, so she had to go like this.

In the autumn of the second year of Xianfeng, Li Quan ended up in a big competition. He took it for granted by his talent and his local examination. After he got it, the two families joined forces to marry him and Miss Cao. The young couple loved each other. After Li Quan passed the exam, he was even more happy with it.

At this time, news came that the court intended to build the first railway of the Celestial Empire between Jiangning and Shanghai, and for this purpose, it specially established an office to undertake railway construction under the rule of the Governor of Liangjiang. The Governor of Liangjiang Lu Jianying was the General Office of General Office, and the Materials Department and the Civil Recruitment Department were divided into the following departments, which were led by Linggui, the Jiangning vassal department and Chunshou, the Jiangsu vassal department.

Linggui is in charge of negotiating with the British, preparing materials and shipping the equipment after the arrival of the matter; Chunshou is responsible for recruiting civilians in the three provinces under Liangjiang, and the people - railway construction, and construction is more than one million. Once the project starts, where do these people come from? Daily food, clothing, housing, transportation, daily living and cooking are a huge problem. This has the place where Cao Dezheng can use it.

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Chapter completed!