Nanyang Storm 1864

Chapter 71: Marriage Discussion (I’m begging for monthly tickets and recommendation tickets on the weekend.)
Zheng Guohui and his party arrived at the Li Mansion early. At the gate of the Li Mansion, Li Hanzhang's third brother Li Hezhang, fifth brother Li Fengzhang, and the eldest son Li Jingshe who was only 7 years old were all waiting at the gate.

Such a grand ceremony demonstrates the utmost respect for the future son-in-law of the second rank. It is the strict family tradition of the Li family, a wealthy family in northern Anhui, and there is absolutely no omission in etiquette.

The third master Li Hezhang is about forty years old, the fifth master Li Fengzhang is in his early thirties, and the Li brothers also have the youngest, the sixth master Li Zhaoqing, who is also very handsome.

Compared with these younger brothers, Li Hanzhang, the eldest brother in the family, is already forty-four years old, with two daughters and one son. The one he married to Zheng Guohui is Li Yanhe, the eldest daughter of the eldest branch of the Li family, who is only 15 years old, and that is her age in lunar years.

Zheng Guohui saw from afar that the Li brothers were coming to the mansion gate with dozens of people to greet them. He quickly dismounted when he was about forty or fifty meters away and rushed forward.

This actually left Wang Chengyao, who came with him, behind. The sedan bearers quickly quickened their pace and carried the sedan forward.

Lord Wang Chengyao, who held the rank of Left Vice-Minister of the Imperial Court, came to discuss matters as the man's elder. Because he had few connections in the capital, they could only invite Lord Wang Chengyao, a native of Weiyang, to come forward and have a talk on an equal footing.

Lord Wang was very enthusiastic and agreed generously, which led to today's trip.

The two sides exchanged a few pleasantries at the entrance of the mansion, and then, surrounded by the crowd, walked in through the wide-open main gate and came to the main hall of the second courtyard to be served tea.

The imperial court has been suspended for three days, and everyone from top to bottom is immersed in an unspeakable grief, and the prime minister's office of each country has also been paralyzed.

Li Hongzhang, the Governor-General of Liangjiang, had a rare moment of free time, and today he was at the entrance of the main hall of the second courtyard to welcome the guests. He soon chatted with Lord Wang Chengyao and walked into the main hall to sit down together.

After some politeness
Li Hongzhang naturally took the main seat at the top, and Lord Wang Chengyao sat in the guest seat to accompany him. The others sat in two rows at the bottom, and the order was not messed up at all.

Zheng Guohui sat in the first seat on the right side of the lower seat. Beside him were his staff advisor Zheng Guotai, the captain of the personal guard in plain clothes Hu Zuqing and others.

In such public occasions, both sides are naturally humble and polite in their words and deeds. Although harmonious, they are not close, which is a bit old-fashioned.

While they were discussing, Zheng Guohui carefully looked at Li Hezhang and Li Fengzhang. Both of them were tall and dignified, exuding an elegant and noble temperament that was difficult to conceal.

These members of the Li family are all tall and handsome. They have been immersed in the influence of scholarly families for many years, so naturally they have a unique demeanor.

The tallest of the Fifth Masters, Li Fengzhang, is about 1 meters tall, two or three centimeters taller than Zheng Guohui, but he is a little thinner.

The brocade robe he wore was not as stylish as the one worn by the Third Master Li Hezhang, and he seemed more relaxed and composed.

Seeing that his second brother Li Hongzhang was discussing the matters of accepting the bribe, accepting the betrothal gift, and requesting the date with Lord Wang Chengyao, he was unable to get a word in for a while.

Li Hezhang turned around, looked at Zheng Guohui, and asked, "Master Zheng, I see that you walk like a vigorous tiger and sit like an old monk. Your words and actions are well-founded. You are truly an extraordinary person.

Yet, he is so young and promising that one can only admire him and want to make friends with him.

This is truly bizarre. I hope to have time to sit down and discuss this with Master Zheng, so that he can clear up the confusion in my heart."

"Uncle San, you're too kind. I can't bear the title of Lord Zheng. It's better to call me "Jinghai." Zheng Guohui replied with a faint smile.

Li Hezhang was stunned for a moment, then he smiled, a smile blooming on his face. He nodded and replied with a gentler expression;
"Indeed, with the status of our Li family, we would never go back on our word.

It's only a matter of time before my niece Yan He and Jing Hai become friends. I'll accept being called "Third Uncle."

This is true. Now Li Yanhe can be said to have one foot in the Zheng family. From the day she accepted the letter of appointment, she has been a member of the Zheng family.

No matter what happens, this will not change.

Li Hezhang, whose courtesy name was Xianqie, had been training militia in his hometown with his father and brothers in his early years. He was a shrewd and wise man with a variety of wits. He was a good assistant to his two brothers in assisting in military affairs and handling civil affairs.

In the eleventh year of Emperor Xianfeng's reign (note: 1861), Li Hezhang led his troops to suppress the bandit stronghold in Linghu, recover Anqing, and was promoted to county magistrate and awarded the flower feather.

In the first year of the Tongzhi reign (note: 1862), he followed Li Hongzhang to aid Jiangnan Province. He often led troops to supervise battles, and always defeated the enemy and anticipated the enemy's moves.

The following year, the Huai Army captured Taicang and surrounded Suzhou.

In April of the third year of the Tongzhi reign, after he captured Changzhou in one fell swoop, the court awarded him a yellow riding jacket and appointed him as the fourth-rank governor of Gansu and Ganliang for his merits.

In the winter of that year, Zeng Guofan dispatched his troops to Hubei to fight more than ten battles, wiped out more than 6 remnants of the Taiping Rebellion, and returned victorious.

At the beginning of this year, the Hui rebellion in Gansu was raging severely. The court ordered Li Hezhang to take up his post, but he did not go due to injury.

Later, his injury became serious, so he resigned from his official position and returned to his hometown.

In fact, Li Hezhang had been staying in Beijing, planning related matters for his two brothers and staying in Xiangying to handle the affairs.

The so-called injury was an excuse. The truth was that the Gansu Hui Rebellion was a bottomless quagmire. It was not easy to get out after stepping in, so he could only resign euphemistically.

It is the instinct of the Li brothers to seek profit and avoid harm. Seeing the glorious prospect of two governors in one family right before their eyes, why should they jump into that muddy pit?
After Li Hezhang and Zheng Guohui started chatting, they became more and more interested in the conversation and kept talking.

"Ahem... Third brother, please wait a moment." Li Hongzhang finished his talk and looked at the two people chatting enthusiastically, as if they were going to talk endlessly, so he couldn't help but interrupt them.

Li Hezhang stopped talking at this point, and said apologetically, "Oh... since my brother has given the order, I will respect you. Let's find another time to talk."

"That's exactly what I meant, but I dare not ask." Zheng Guohui agreed with a smile.

Seeing that the two of them were chatting so enthusiastically that they had forgotten about the business, Li Hongzhang glared at them and said;

"Lord Wang and I have already agreed that the marriage and betrothal gifts are all ready, and the betrothal gifts have also been accepted.

The wedding date is set before the beginning of next spring. After inviting famous monks from famous mountains to set an auspicious date, we need to send someone to notify the Li family so that they can make preparations early.

What advice do you have on related matters?"

"Brother, your decision is absolutely appropriate. I have no objection." Li Hezhang replied with a smile.

Zheng Guohui followed suit, clasping his fists and bowing. He said, "Second Uncle and Lord Wang have made such a thoughtful plan. Jinghai is deeply impressed and has no objections. Just follow it." "In that case, it's settled. Fengzhang, please entertain Lord Wang and don't neglect him." Li Hongzhang stood up and gestured to Zheng Guohui with his eyes.

"Come with me. I have a few private matters to discuss. He Zhang will also come over to discuss this. Let's go to the outer study to talk."

As he spoke, he clasped his fists and bowed to Lord Wang Chengyao apologetically, saying, "Lord Wang, please excuse me for the moment."

Wang Chengyao could no longer sit still. He stood up, clasped his fists, and bowed deeply, saying, "How can I cope with this, Your Excellency, the Governor? Wouldn't that be like killing me?"

"Today, everyone is a family elder, regardless of seniority."

Wang Chengyao was already a seasoned official in Beijing. His superiors were being polite to him, and he couldn't be ungrateful. So, he said even more attentively, "Your Excellency, please do as you please. I respectfully see you off."

"Yeah." Li Hongzhang hummed and walked straight back.

Li Hezhang followed behind, and Zheng Guohui could only walk at the end, half a body slower than him.

Although Li Hezhang no longer holds an official position and Zheng Guohui holds a higher position, his humble attitude as an elder is very helpful.

Come to the outer study

Needless to say, there are maids to make tea and serve exquisite snacks.

Li Hongzhang sat down first, and when he saw Zheng Guohui about to salute again, he raised his hand to stop him and said;
"From today on, you call me Second Uncle, and we'll be family.

There’s no need for so much red tape, just keep it simple.”

"Second Uncle has given such an order, Jinghai would rather obey it respectfully."

"You have urgent military duties, so let's cut to the chase. Regarding the Tzu Chi issue, do you truly have compassion?"

Li Hongzhang's question was quite abrupt, and to outsiders, it seemed like he was being too polite to someone he had only just met.

It is true that you are the second uncle of the Yue family, and you are also the Governor-General of Liangjiang of the first rank. You are among the ministers of the frontier, and you are also one of the important officials with great say in the court.

Look from a different angle
He is just a relative of my father-in-law. There is no affiliation, no old friendship, and no blood bond between the two parties. Isn't it too presumptuous to ask?
In fact, how can it be that simple?
The in-laws are very close. Don’t forget that in this era there was a saying that nine generations of a clan would be killed. The Guamanchao could implicate many people.

Li Hongzhang wanted to find out Zheng Guohui's true thoughts. If he told the truth, no matter how big the matter was in the future, he could help cover it up in the court.

How much help he can provide depends on whether Zheng Guohui is honest.

If you don't want to say it, or just lie to get by.

Li Hongzhang would not interfere and let Zheng Guohui make trouble. Whether it was a blessing or a curse, he would have to bear it himself. He was too lazy to intervene.

How could any of the important officials of the imperial court who could reach the position of Governor-General of Liangjiang be a simple character?

Prince Gong Yixin was so shrewd, how could he not see the problem? The answer was "no".

The problem is that
Prince Gong Yixin did not want to investigate further. Since Zheng Guohui was willing to thoroughly investigate the Tzu Chi Association and investigate any illegal activities, he would just believe it and use it for the time being.

How much trouble can a small deputy general from Jiangnan, who is greedy for money and women, cause?

Zheng Guohui's mind raced, and in a flash, he made up his mind. He calmly replied, "No, Tzu Chi is the cradle for cultivating future loyal people, and it is also the core and important force in the planning."

His words made Li Hongzhang's face change and become gloomy. He glanced at Li Hezhang, and there was a heaviness in their glances.

"how so?"

"Because Jinghai's ambitions were not to go to mainland China, he wanted to emulate the sage Zheng Chenggong, accumulating strength so that he could one day march south, sail across the Nanyang Sea, and open up a new world."

"Oh……"

Li Hongzhang and Li Hezhang both exclaimed involuntarily. Such an answer once again surprised them. This was the second time today.

Li Hezhang interrupted with interest and asked, "Jinghai, have you always had this ambition?"

"To be honest with Second Uncle and Third Uncle, Jinghai has already made plans, and all the money raised has been invested in the great cause of going to Southeast Asia." Zheng Guohui did not hide it in front of these two people, because he had a deeper idea, which was to drag Li Hezhang into the water.

in this era

Rebellion is no longer a rare thing. Miao Peilin from northern Anhui rebelled four times and surrendered four times before eventually dying at the hands of Senggelinqin.

He didn't believe it, and the Li brothers had never had such an idea.

Current situation

The declining Qing Dynasty was equivalent to a poorly managed large enterprise. Although it was a pile of broken ships and rotten tiles, the Li brothers finally became executives.

He gets a high salary, a respected social status, and is able to mingle in the upper class of society, lacking nothing in terms of glamour and glamor.

They would rather maintain it this way than start a business and get hurt. Is it because the benefits don't match their expectations?

But starting a business also has its appeal, and some people have become successful and achieved extraordinary achievements.

Therefore, Zheng Guohui frankly revealed his biggest secret. On the one hand, he wanted to seduce people, and on the other hand, he also wanted to get Li Hongzhang's secret support.
Anyway, I'm not going to cause trouble in your big company. Can't I just take advantage of your resources, take some shares, and help me make a breakthrough out there?
Once successful, it will be a huge profit.

(End of this chapter)