Forty-eight years of Qianlong

On the fifth day after Zhao Xin talked with Liu Daguan, the Intelligence Bureau obtained a background check on Liu Daguan.

People from Jiangning Station and Yangzhou Station visited Yuan Mei and Zhao Yi respectively, and their descriptions were completely consistent with what Liu Daguan himself said; the intelligence sub-station of Liulichang in the capital city found out from the Qing archives through the secret line developed in the Qing court officials. A full set of selection files, which is much more detailed than the resume provided by Liu Daguan himself.

Officials selected and appointed in the Qing area, regardless of whether they go through the door or not, all need to deliver materials for the election to the Ministry of Officials, also called "confession".The materials involved are extremely complicated, including the letters submitted by the selected personnel, the seal guarantee of the original official, the seal guarantee of the fellow Beijing official, and the resume and assessment materials of the original yamen.

Of course, there must be room for fraud. The key lies in the guarantee from the fellow villagers and the assessment of the former yamen.But no one dares to fake personal information, appearance, departmental grades, rankings, three-generation resumes, whether they have adopted children, whether they have relatives or elders, whether they have avoidance, etc.Because after receiving the materials, the Ministry of Officials will review the materials of the applicants, check their physical appearance, and determine the qualifications and rankings according to the requirements of the officials. This link is called "discussion".In addition, the personal materials of officials have to be reviewed by Jiuqing and Ke Dao Yushi. Once fraud is discovered on this, the reputation of the whole family will be ruined, let alone officials can't do it.After the officials are selected, the forms and materials of all links will be kept in the clearance room of the Ministry of Officials, from the first rank to the seventh rank.

Seeing the telegram from the Intelligence Bureau saying that the situation was completely true, Zhao Xin sent someone to the back house of the county government to inform Liu Daguan that afternoon.

"Mr. Liu, we have a small team going back to Jilin City on business the day after tomorrow morning. You go with them. Meet at Anyuan Gate at [-]:[-] in the morning. Don't be late. When you arrive in Jilin City, go to the military control committee in the city to change directions. Then take a carriage to Ninggu Tower, and then transfer to the administrative school in Fuldan City to report. After the training is over, your position and whereabouts will be arranged. Here are the passes and temporary ID cards for you and your entourage , please put it away, the checkpoints along the way will check it, so don’t lose it.”

Liu Daguan took the kraft paper bag containing things from the other party, and asked with some doubts: "Dare to ask, sir, what is training?"

It's normal for him not to understand. You must know that the word "training" is not a native Chinese word, but it was passed down from Japan in another time and space.

Lai Ren said: "It is to take classes to understand and master our policies and laws. All civil affairs officials must have this step."

Liu Daguan suddenly realized, thinking that this is what it should be.After the person left, he opened the paper bag, took out the pass and temporary ID card from it, and was shocked almost speechless.I saw the colorful portraits of myself and the servants on it. Even the most ingenious painters could not draw such a resemblance. It was like shrinking my entire head and neck proportionally, and then flattened it and pasted it on it.

The servant Fushun behind him saw his master standing still, and was about to ask, when he accidentally saw his own photo, his face turned pale from fright, and he sat on the ground, mourning: "Master, this, this What is it! How did I become so small? I’ve heard it said in the capital that North, North pirates can instil souls!”

In a trance, Liu Daguan suddenly remembered that on the second day after Beihai entered the city, several officers and soldiers of Beihai came to the county government office and asked everyone in the government office to stand in front of a large piece of blue cloth hanging on the screen wall. Then he gestured at the person with a strange black box in his hand, and made a soft "click, click, click".

Everyone, including him, was clueless at the time.Because the reputation of Bei Haijun is too strong, no one dares to ask, so they can only do it tremblingly.Could that be soul-stirring? !
Thinking of this, Liu Daguan hurriedly chased him out.Fortunately, the young officer from the headquarters didn't go far, and was stopped by him as soon as he arrived at the gate of the county government office.Seeing that Liu Daguan's expression was not right, the other party asked, "Mr. Liu, what's the matter?"

Liu Daguan's hands trembled violently, and he handed the passport with the big head in front of the officer, and said in a trembling voice, "What is this? Why, why can you paint my master and servant so finely? "

When the officer heard about this, he couldn't laugh or cry, thinking how I forgot about this!He quickly took out his military officer's ID card, showed Liu Daguan his photo, and asked several soldiers on duty in the county office to come over and show him his ID card, and then tried his best to explain.

After hearing this, Liu Daguan was so angry that he unconsciously adopted the tone he used when he was the county magistrate, half reprimanding and half complaining: "It's just a technique of investigating things, and it should be explained clearly at the right time! This official is not an ignorant person. Well, if this matter is spread and ignorant people use it to spread rumors, wouldn't it tarnish the reputation of Beihai Town?"

The young officer knew he was wrong, and nodded again and again: "Mr. Liu is so right! I will pass on your suggestion to the chief when I go back!"

After hearing this, Liu Daguan stroked his beard in satisfaction, showing an expression of "a child can be taught".After the officer left, he looked at his own headshot again, thinking that he was still too nervous at the time, and his expression should be relaxed.Besides, if you want to take a photo, you should take a full-body portrait. Only the head and neck are shown, which is a bit nondescript.I don't know if I can do it again.
It is said that after photography was introduced to China in another time and space in the [-]th century, the officials of the Qing Dynasty were not disgusted with or afraid of the early "Daguerreotype camera". After explaining the reason, the people invited to take pictures very cooperative.After seeing the photos, they all think that the expression is cool, and those who are good at painting are not as good.

After the Second Opium War, James Bruce, the notorious British plenipotentiary Lord Elgin, also demonstrated photographic technology during his meeting with high-level officials of the Qing government.The then imperial envoys Gui Liang, Huashana, and Liangjiang governor He Guiqing all refused to take pictures, and their expressions were very relaxed.

Compared with the educated officials, the common people looked at each other like tigers and wolves. Of course there was an element of ignorance in it, but at that time the common people's rejection of foreigners played a key role.For example, in the 60s of the [-]th century, there were rumors among the people in Beijing that foreigners bought Chinese children, gouged out their eyes, and made potions for taking pictures;In the end, even Zeng Guofan believed this statement, and even took out a bag of gelatin capsules containing castor oil to discuss with the British.

What Liu Daguan didn't expect was that after the officer went back to report, Deng Fei immediately asked the staff to issue an order in the name of the headquarters, requiring that he must explain clearly before taking pictures of Manchu officials in the future, and he couldn't just say nothing if it was troublesome. .In the morning of the next day, the headquarters also sent someone to the county government office to gather together all the surrenderers who had taken pictures before. First, they apologized to everyone, and then explained to them what taking pictures is.

This move of the Eastern Front Command surprised all the officials who surrendered.In their cognition, this is really the first time that an official compensates his subordinates.After thinking about it, since people give me face, I can't lose the chain in doing things in the future.

With joy and anticipation, Liu Daguan embarked on the journey to Fuldan City.On the other side, He Xiwen, who was urgently recalled to Bacheng, was overwhelmed when he learned that Zhao Xin asked him to lead troops to attack Guangxi.

Didn't you let me be the governor of Borneo? King Zhao has changed his mind?Having said that, it is not bad to be able to return to Guangdong and Guangxi, but it is a pity that it is not playing in Guangzhou.

After Wang Yuanfang announced the order, he asked He Xiwen to sit down and talk with a smile, and explained: "Don't think too much, if you want, you will still be responsible for the Borneo matter in the future, but let's put it aside for now. The current situation has undergone important changes, and the staff has adjusted the combat plan for Guangdong and Guangxi."

He Xiwen blurted out, "What happened?"

Wang Yuanfang said in a deep voice: "You know the secrecy and discipline of the army. This matter can only be communicated to the regiment level. You should also tell Luo Fangbai after you go back, so that he will not misunderstand." About a little bit.

After hearing this, He Xiwen's jaw hit his feet, and he was speechless for a long time.In his heart, there are all four words "The Qing Dynasty is about to end".

Wang Yuanfang then instructed: "Conquering Nanning Mansion and opening up the waterway with Yunnan is not the ultimate goal. You have to keep an eye on the movement of Sichuan. If the Qing army sends troops to Yunnan, you have to help Heshen and the others defend Dongchuan Mansion and Yunnan Mansion .”

"Just keep them back? Commander Wang, in my opinion, we might as well take down Ningyuan Mansion! As far as I know, Dongchuan Mansion is long from north to south and narrow in the middle. If the Qing army engages every once in a while, we will be hard-pressed."

Hearing what He Xiwen said, Wang Yuanfang suddenly remembered that this person was from Sichuan, so he asked, "Where is your hometown in Sichuan?"

"Taihe Town, Tongchuan Prefecture, is not far south of Shehong, on the edge of Fujiang River."

"Are there any relatives at home?"

"My parents are long gone, and my sister is married. I can count on my fingers, and I have been away from home for almost 20 years."

Wang Yuanfang walked up to the other party, patted his shoulder as a sign of comfort, and said, "We are currently short of troops, and Sichuan will wait in advance. As the old saying goes, the money in your pocket, the meat in the pot--you can't escape! This time you There are only [-] soldiers, half of Jiaying’s Hakkas and half of the servants. Although there is no problem with internal communication within the army, there must be a lot of trouble with the language in Guangxi, which can ensure the water transportation of the [-]-mile Youjiang waterway and the copper mine in Dongchuanfu It is not easy to be safe. Also, when you enter Guangxi, you must be careful of the soldiers!"

"Wolf soldiers?" He Xiwen blinked, expressing that he had never heard of it.

Wang Yuanfang explained: "These people are all local chieftain soldiers. There is a catchphrase, the Guizhou army has two sheep, the Hunan army is a wolf, and the Guangxi monkey is the Guangxi army, as fierce as a tiger and as vicious as a wolf."

And this statement?He Xiwen agreed straightforwardly, but he didn't care in his heart.No matter how powerful the chieftain soldiers are, they are nothing more than bows and arrows. How many blunderbusses are there at most, can they beat the quick guns of the Beihai Navy?Just a bunch of native chickens.

The military officers and political candidates for dispatching troops to Guangxi had been finalized, so Zhao Xin informed Xu Dayong who was waiting in Anping Port to send a message to He Shen, and quickly paid for the dispatch of troops before July [-]th.

As for the way out that He Shen is most concerned about, after discussing with Deng Fei, Zhao Xin sent several telegrams to Ding Guofeng to communicate back and forth, and finally decided to let He Shen go to Tranquiba in India in the future, that is, Zhao Xin The new Danish stronghold they regarded as their own.Although the king of Yunnan couldn't do it, with such a big stone castle and territory, it was enough for him to toss about.

"My lord, Zhao Wang said, other things are easy to talk about, Yunnan can't be handed over to you for 20 years, at most five years, the Beihai Navy will definitely enter Kunming Mansion."

He Shen almost jumped up from his chair when he heard Xu Dayong's words, and said angrily, "What?! Five years! What I gave you is 5000 million taels of real money!"

"Don't worry, Mr. and I. I'll settle the account for you and you'll understand!"

With a smile on his face, Xu Dayong took out a small book from his pocket, turned to a page under the gaze of the other party, and read it according to the script: "According to the information we got from the Ministry of Household Affairs, from the 54th year of Qianlong to the Last year for a total of five years, the output of the entire Yunnan copper mine was 530 jins, an average of 840 jins per year. Seventy percent of this came from Huize, Dongchuan Prefecture Beijing Copper also mainly relies on the Lulu and Tangdan factories in the county. In addition to these two factories, Huize has four mining factories, namely Dashuigou Factory, Dafengling Factory, Ziyangpo Factory and Maolu Factory Factory. And my lord, you have been in charge of the Manchu Household Department for many years, if what I said is wrong, please correct me."

He Shen said with a worried face: "Even if you get the clearance of Tong Zhengsi, so what?"

Xu Dayong closed his pocket book, took a sip of tea, and continued, "King Zhao asked me to tell you that as long as we use the equipment and technology in Beihai Town, Dongchuan's annual output of copper mines will not be less than 1500 million yuan." Jin, [-]% belongs to you, and [-]% belongs to us. If you mint coins, you can save charcoal and mold-making expenses by using the minting machine in Beihai Town, and the workers can also save a lot. Of course, if you want to sell For copper ingots, Beihai Town must have the right to purchase first, and the price will follow the market."

Listening to Xu Dayong's eloquence, He Shen also began to think about it.If it is true as Zhao Xin said, he can get 1200 million catties of copper ingots every year.The money made in the Qing Dynasty weighs one coin and four cents. If the ratio of 38% of the copper content of the Baoquan Bureau of the Ministry of User is adopted, the full coin is 4000 billion coins; and then according to the usual rate of one thousand coins, it is 384 million taels of silver .

Of course, no matter what method is used to mint coins, there will be losses.Moreover, in the market, one thousand yuan is not converted into one tael. The Nanyang feudal clans are short of copper coins, and often more than 800 coins can be used consistently.After deducting the purchase of white lead, black lead and labor expenses, He Shen feels that it is about 250 million taels per year, and over five years it will be more than 200 million taels.

In the two provinces of Yunnan and Guizhou, the Dongchuan Copper Mine alone has 1200 million taels in five years, plus other places?You must know that there are a total of 33 copper mines in Yunnan!This is only the output of the copper mine.

Thinking of this, He Shen felt that Zhao Xin's conditions were not unacceptable.

Regarding Zhao Xin's arrangement for him to go to India, He Shen did not immediately agree, but went back and thought about it for a whole night.He knew that without Zhao Xin's nod, no matter how big the world was, he would have nowhere to go.

Although he was very curious about the "caste system" that Xu Dayong talked about, it was not the land of China after all.He even wanted to ask Zhao Xin to go back to his ancestral home and live in seclusion for the elderly.

Coincidentally, his hometown is in Kaiyuan, and the specific location is Erjiala, at the northern foot of Longgang Mountain and north of the Yinger River, where Niu Colu's family started.

The Manchus were tribal people in the early days, and each surname was a tribe, and later expanded to a regional ethnic group.Heshen's patriarch was Niu Colu Niyahana. During the Huangtaiji period, he was named the gatekeeper of Ying'emen for his meritorious service, and was later awarded the honorary title of third-class captain of light vehicles.When his father was in Changbao, he also served as the commander of the sidemen soldiers and horses, so He Shen took up this post after his father died.

So when Xu Dayong saw him again the next day, he was surprised to find that not only his eyes were red, but even the braids on the back of his head had turned a little gray, and he seemed to be ten years older.If he hadn't learned about He Shen's actions from Zhao Xin, Xu Dayong would really feel sorry for him.

"And my lord, how are you thinking?"

He Shen showed a wry smile, and said in a somewhat hoarse voice, "I still have one condition."

"Tell me."

"Can you let my son, Fengshen and Yinde, live in Beihai Town for a few years? I only have this son under my knees, and the younger couple failed to keep their mouth and two babies. I heard that Beihai Town's medical skills are very good, and there are flesh and bones of the living dead." In other words, it is not difficult to deal with a woman's childbirth. As the saying goes, a son is born, and a mother is dead. I, Ernie, gave birth to my younger brother and died, and I was only three years old that year."

Xu Dayong said: "We have learned about the situation in your house. Fengshen Yinde is an honest person. Although your daughter-in-law is a Heshuo princess in the Qing Dynasty, she has nothing to do with fighting for the world. I think King Zhao should agree."

He Shen showed a smile on his face, and then took out a bulging envelope from his arms, asked Liu Quan to pass it to Xu Dayong, and said: "This is the place where the 500 million taels of silver is stored and my private seal token, three places In Zhili, one is in Jiangning, and the other is in Xuzhou. When you go, you only need to show your private seal to the manager of Zhuangzi, and he will not stop you."

Xu Dayong didn't open it after receiving it, and said with a smile, "My lord, shall we sign the agreement?"

He Shen, who handed over the money, seemed to have handed over a heavy burden. He covered his mouth and yawned, then shook his head slightly and said, "I know that King Zhao likes to make contracts with people. Annan, Li Chao, Waguo, Eluosi , Mr. Xu, making a deed is something only a businessman does. With me and your status as King Zhao, do you still need it? There is a saying in the general experience, you can't make the people without faith, and you can't defend the country without the people. Farewell! "

Liu Quan also cupped his hands at Xu Dayong, and said with a smile: "Master Xu, see you later."

Xu Dayong was stunned for a while, and it took a while for He Shen and his servant to walk out before he realized it, put his hands on his hips, and cursed angrily outside the house: "Damn it! This corrupt official has taught you a lesson. I'm here!"