Chapter 11    Flowing Operation

The Naval Academy was founded in the 13th year of Xianfeng. The first mountain chief was Yi. However, others were in Beijing and could not take care of their responsibilities in Shandong. They had to let Shen Baozhen, who served as the Minister of the Navy, serve as the chief auditor of the college and be responsible for daily affairs.

But this errand is not so easy to do. First of all, at the end of the twelve years, the court issued an edict to various provinces to select virtuous talents, fill the school, and follow the British and French teachings to learn about ship manufacturing and sea stage formation. Few people did not want to respond. The students recruited in the first phase were not even as many as the number of Chinese and foreign teachers hired by the court!

The emperor knew very well that the Chinese had been following the right path of imperial examinations so far, and were willing to go to the Naval Academy to learn tactics and receive Western French responsibilities. However, the first is that their family background is difficult to afford; the second is that some people are really willing to open their eyes to see the world. However, both of them are very scarce, so it is inevitable that the college will not be able to recruit students.

For this reason, he recruited the Military Affairs Office to the front of the imperial court, and discussed it specifically. Finally, he came up with a solution: temptation with interests. As long as people are brought in, he will not be afraid that they will not be able to learn to serve the country. The specific method is very simple. For the time being, from the Jiangnan Navy proposed by Zeng Guofan, he chose those who were younger, had read books, and could be crafted. He was forced to enroll in the form of an imperial edict. After he finished his studies, he would be given a generous salary, so he would not worry about not following up in the future.

The Jiangnan Navy was divided into two parts. The first part was called the Jiangsu Navy. It was founded in the early years of Shunzhi and was returned to the Jiangnan Water and Land Admiral; the other part was the Yangtze River Navy. After Zeng Guofan's request for an order, it was established in Guazhou and Langshan towns, and it was returned to the Liangjiang Governor and the Jiangnan Water and Land Admiral. From this point of view, all the two navy divisions in Jiangnan overlapped. However, after the establishment of the Yangtze River Navy, it was probably because of the establishment and regulations that were not carefully considered, and a huge problem was soon exposed. The first was the chaos in the management of the ship, and there was a ship owner on the ship who was responsible for the control of the ship; and there was also a steward, and he managed the water brave on the ship.

No matter how you take care of the boat, you will naturally not be able to control the sailors on the boat. Sailors are like hired workers, coming and going casually, and whenever they arrive at the dock, they go ashore to play. Those who are good at drinking and have bad tempers do illegal activities, cause trouble, flee to the boat, raise sails and anchors, and leave. Such cases will naturally not be solved for a thousand years. After several months, the people of Jiangnan have a very bad impression of the navy.

The second is to order many doors to go out, but the subordinates on the ship are unclear. In view of this, Li Chaobin, the Admiral of the South of Jiangnan, submitted a memorial, believing that it should be rectified. First, it is necessary to remove the position of the ship owner and take all the power on the ship to take charge of it. Second, strengthen training, and take the ship out of Wusongkou twice on the third day of each month on the 18th day of each month to practice boat training and fire artillery.

The emperor immediately ordered the approval and the Military Recruitment Office to discuss it together. Zeng Guofan had already transferred internally and turned to the Military Recruitment Office. He was the emperor's most favored minister. When asked about his head, Zeng Guofan said, "I think that the ship owner has different powers of management and leadership, which is one of the chronic diseases of the Jiangnan navy. It is already time to seriously rectify it. But I think that the reason for the military discipline of the navy is that the management is poor. The court only distributes funds and grains, but never makes any accountability. When the ship docked, the sailors and soldiers immediately scattered like birds and beasts, doing whatever they wanted on the shore. The local judicial office was incompetent. Therefore, one more thing was added, and the week was cancelled and no one was allowed to go ashore without reason. Let the soldiers regard the ship as their home. If there is a special situation, they should report to the Military Recruitment. Only after approval will they be allowed to release it."

The emperor was stunned for a moment, "I remember that in the 12th year of Xianfeng, I had already listed the regulations one by one when I drafted the Beiyang Navy charter in Rehe? Why..." In a flash, he understood, "So, the Beiyang Navy charter only applies to the Beiyang and the Southern Navy, and has not followed it?"

"I always serve my duties without compulsory, please forgive me."

"Forget it. This is also my negligence. Since it is stated that it is the Beiyang constitution, no wonder others think that this is only applicable to one place and one army." The emperor's tone had an indescribable sneer, "Then, let's follow the decree submitted by Zeng Guofan. In addition, add another sentence to the decree, the Beiyang constitution is applicable to the water surface troops in various provinces across the country. In the past, you could have pretended to be confused. In the future, if someone takes this as an excuse and disrespects the law, the court will seriously purify it."

Zeng Guofan blushed, "Yes. I have recorded it."

"Also, the court sent an official to the court, and asked him to take responsibility for the selection of sailors and soldiers to study seriously, and don't just think about finding others' mistakes all day long."

After Zeng Guofan left office, the Governor General of Liangjiang was handed over to the Governor General of Huguang Guan Wen. This was a mediocre person. He did not have the ruthless style of Zeng Guofan, nor the talent of Li Hongzhang, He Guiqing and others. The most annoying thing was that he did not understand Western learning and looked down on the ground of Liangjiang. Foreign employees in the officialdom over time. Over time, both China and foreign countries often had quarrels. Official articles were obedient and biased, and the boards were always hit on foreigners, which made foreigners both dislike and hate such a Shangguan.

Guan Wen himself was also very distressed. The Governor of Liangjiang was a powerful vassal of the country. He was not close to the emperor. He could achieve such a high position and was satisfied. He always wanted to make some political achievements and repay his kindness. He was not arrogant enough to think that he could do his job as the governor as Zeng Guofan, and to recruit and use it for the emperor in this year. He only thought about the end of his life, and would not be in vain for his life. Just in time, there was an opportunity, which was the recruitment of the Naval Academy.

The copy was posted to the people that the court intended to recruit young people who could recognize words and were willing to sign up for school, receive teachings from various countries, and learn the methods of naval warfare. However, after several days, no one paid attention to it. One reason was that the land in the south of the Yangtze River was always called wealthy, and the people did not lack the amount of money for these few taels of silver; Second, accept the teachings of foreigners? Isn’t the final result like those rebellious sons who followed the foreign priests all day long, recited some lies that no one could understand, disrespect their ancestors, and did not serve as a farmer? If you don’t go, don’t go! Another reason is that the ancient sayings that good men do not serve in the army, and don’t make nails are passed down by the people.

In the end, the official article got annoyed, so he sent people directly to arrest people from the navy commanders of Liangjiang. He didn't care whether he knew or not, and arrested the people first. For a moment, the public was resentful and the people were in a panic all day long. The emperor also knew about it in the capital, but he was unwilling to dissuade them. He always had to take the first step, and the next thing would be easier to do.

So, 165 water men were selected from Jiangnan and escorted to the Green Camp soldiers and sent them to Shandong. Originally, the exam had to be conducted first when entering the school, but in order to avoid someone deliberately missing the exam and taking the exam blindly, even this level was exempted, so these people were allowed to go straight to school, fearing that they would not understand Western languages, so they specially equipped them with translators in the classroom, which was considered to have forced this matter to continue.

The men selected by the navy are used to being rough on weekdays. In class, they don’t know how many troubles they will cause after school. Compared with the twenty-nine students who formally passed the exam, it is extremely troublesome.

However, these people have a great advantage, which is incomparable to the other twenty-nine people. They all live on the water all year round, and are extremely familiar with this method of steering boats. Once they calm down and steadily accept the knowledge and theoretical learning of foreign teachers, their academic progress is beyond everyone's imagination. Even foreign teachers who teach classes are often amazed.

These people's academic studies were much faster than those students. They graduated from the college in one year and three months. In order to commend and recruit more people to voluntarily enroll, all 165 people were sent to Shandong Province, Zhili, Liaoning Lushun, Dalian, Jinzhou, Yingkou and other places, and distributed them to warships and gunships. The lowest level was also the trainee manager, the most excellent academic qualifications and the highest rank, and they actually became the trainee manager.

Wealth is moving. I saw that more than a year ago, I was still trying to make a living at sea like myself. After more than a year of study, I was actually glorious and had a luxurious life. I was as glorious as a boat. How could others not be moved? Starting from the second phase, more soldiers from the Jiangnan Navy took the initiative to sign up and intend to be admitted to the hospital for study, but this time, it was not that simple. First of all, you have to pass the exam, which is divided into two types, one is a written test, and the other is an oral test of boating at sea. You can pass both levels before you can enter the school.

The court's actions caused great dissatisfaction among soldiers: When I asked us last year, I had a generous salary and high-ranking officials who thought it was tempting. Now there are many people studying and registering, so I am so cold-faced? Isn't it too unfair?

The emperor was very funny, "This is also blamed on the court? I don't have to pay attention to them! Who made them break the world with their eyes closed all day long? The request is not accurate. As usual, according to existing examples, you will be admitted after the exam."

"Your Majesty, I am afraid that if this happens, the soldiers will not pass the exam and will regain the dilemma of being unable to teach."

"This is a worry. Whether it is the Qing Dynasty's Water Division or students from various provinces, seeing that entering the Naval Academy is also a way to advance, I wonder how many people will sign up enthusiastically, among which there are many people who have been educated for many years. How could they pass the two exams? Do you think that the Qing Dynasty has no talent at all? There is no need to discuss this matter."

So Xu Naizhao retreated voluntarily. The court sent a letter to Shandong, and Shen Baozhen continued to accept the exam according to the established method. This made the total number of students in the second phase lag behind the first phase, with a total of less than 130 people. The emperor may not have no regrets, but he refused to admit his mistakes, and he looked like he was wrong and he wanted it to be wrong to the end.

This time the emperor's Eastern Tour was the last stop in Weihai, Shandong, and the Naval Academy was also a must-see. Therefore, as early as the end of August, the emperor started from Beijing, and the academy had already been ready to go. Various greetings were discussed several times, but all of them were rejected by Shen Baozhen, "The emperor's temper doesn't like to see such behavior that he is the most serious and do his own duty. When the emperor arrives at the academy, we will be sincere from the top to the bottom, and we will be more respected by the emperor."

"But, sir, it's not good to do anything, right?"

"What should be done, of course, still have to be there. In addition, all false actions will be cancelled, just like Hu Run's past."

"I'm afraid this is inappropriate, right?" Xu Shou, a teacher at the college, asked timidly.

"He could do it back then, why can't I do it now?" Shen Baozhen said, "Besides, if you have the intention of filial piety to the emperor, you may not necessarily have to be extravagant. The emperor once said that the imperial court's money cannot be saved in any way; what should not be spent is to make a meticulous decision."

He paused and said, "Don't worry, the emperor will never blame him."

Sheng Xuanhuai was very dissatisfied. He was the general office of the college's camp affairs office, and was in charge of the exchanges and greetings. This time, in order to welcome the emperor's eastern tour, he only sent the silver to Yang San through Ruijinshan through Rui's hand. The money spent countless other transactions. From the court and the provincial vassals had already been spent. Even the hundreds of thousands of taels of silver accumulated by the college over the years were tossed out. He originally planned to take advantage of the emperor's inspection of the college and Lord Shen asked for the imperial edict. When the emperor was happy, he transferred a large sum of money to the treasury to solve the urgent need for school management.

In addition, he handled it and greedyed a lot of silver. If he had smoothed all the accounts after taking over the task, he would have been considered safe in this money. Now Shen Baozhen said not to be extravagant? What is this?

Thinking of this, he said, "Sir, this is the time, that is the same time. The current situation is very different from the second year of Xianfeng, not to mention that the Naval Academy is the place where the emperor is concerned about. Think about it, when the emperor comes, we have no greetings at all. When others say it, others do not think it is a false ceremony and practice pragmatism. They just think that the whole school and the whole school have no filial respect. Sir, such a stigma cannot be kept."

Shen Baozhen was not worried about it and gave a reminder, and was a little dazed, "Then, if you follow the method you suggest, you may only take it once, and this academy will end up with a big loss."

"I have done my job for the emperor, and the money has not fallen into the adult's pocket, and the accounts of the exchanges are clear. When the emperor comes, Long Xin is happy and the adult asks for an order at the right time. Isn't that the emperor's words just by saying?"

"Is this safe to do it?"

"Don't worry, sir, everything is covered by humble officials. Keeping it happy and satisfied by the emperor."

Shen Baozhen probably knew that in the past six months, the money spent in the college was huge, and it flowed out like flowing water. If he could be ordered by the emperor and the two ministries of the Household and the Ministry of Internal Affairs reimbursed all the accounts of the exchanges, it would be the best. If he could get the emperor to give the reward of the silver, it would be even more unexpected. Therefore, he did not reject Sheng Xuanhuai's words, "Since that is the case, then I'll be bothering Brother Xingsun."

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Sheng Xuanhuai was indeed very informative. He handled the welcome errands with the General Affairs Office of the College. It was urgent and there was not much time for him to squander, so he took a different approach.

He knew that when it comes to luxury daily life, he had never been too great for the Tian family. He had seen many rare treasures from China or foreign countries, and did not take them seriously at all. Instead, he did not have to spend all his efforts to search from the province. Instead, he had to do something that he could not see or imagine in his daily life. He was the only way to invite the emperor to favor him.

So he ordered people to screen the materials and materials factories in the front and back schools and surrounding areas of the college, and to paint the fruits of students and craftsmen, such as the pulp leaves, cannons, ship models, wheel rudders on the boat, and then dry them, and place them in a conspicuous position in the middle of the school. The emperor would not come in. As long as he stepped in, he would have looked at these strange things. At that time, if he was lucky, he could still approach the imperial court and report the documents himself.

Sure enough, when the emperor arrived at the lobby used by the college to teach students, he saw a table full of strange monsters placed at the end of the house. He took a few steps forward and picked up one of them. It was a special semicircular instrument. "What is this?"

"Reply to the emperor, this object is called sextant. It is a boat that travels on the sea to distinguish one's own direction."

"Is this the sextant?" The emperor held it in his hand and found it fun. He had only heard of this kind of thing, never seen a real thing, nor did he know how to use it. "How did this thing get it?"

"This is a Western British teacher named Mr. John, who was brought from his country. The emperor was holding the original British thing. This one," Shen Baozhen picked up another sextant, the size of which was as big as before. "This is a sample made by students from the Naval Academy according to the map. Please read it by the emperor."

He took the two instruments and compared them back and forth in his hand. It was easy to distinguish the differences between them. The students made them more climaxed, and the scale on the fan-shaped disk was clearer, and the telescope lenses attached on them were brighter. "Well done. Who made this?"

"This is the second phase of the college, made by Chen Zhaoqiang, a student in charge of shifts." Shen Baozhen said, and stepped forward and pointed at the sextant. "Please look, the maker's name is engraved on it."

He looked down and found that the words "Chief Chen Zhaoqiang (Kengchen) in Luozhou Township, Minhou County, Fujian Province. July 16th year of Xianfeng in the Qing Dynasty" were engraved.

"Is this sextant made by Chen Zhaoqiang alone or made with others?"

"This," Shen Baozhen was stunned, waved his hand back, Sheng Xuanhuai squeezed out of the crowd and bowed to answer, "Long live, as far as I know, this was done by Chen Zhaoqiang and the students of the same period. For this sextant, it took a total of the month to complete it."

The emperor held the sextant in his hand, looked back and forth for a while, and suddenly his heart moved, "Where is this student named Chen Zhaoqiang now? I'll send him over here, I have something to ask him."

Shen Baozhen and others were stunned. This was not prepared in advance. Seeing his mysterious smile and bright eyes, he seemed to have some strange idea. Shen Baozhen, Sheng Xuanhuai and others didn't know that Sushun, Zeng Guofan, Wen Xiang and others followed him for many years. As long as they saw the smile on his face, they knew that new things would be released again.

At that moment, he stood by with both excitement and curiosity, watching quietly.
Chapter completed!