Chapter 167: The Emperor Hears the Bad News

Chapter 167 Great momentum! The emperor heard the bad news!

October 16th.

Jiujiang.

Seeing that Su Yi had not yet agreed, many people in charge of the British consortium finally lost their patience and were about to leave Jiujiang and go to Shanghai, expressing their intention to interrupt the negotiations.

Su Yi quickly came out to persuade him to stay.

"Gentlemen, I agree to your terms. We will pay the first dividend on January 30, 1860."

"By then, the net profit of the Jiujiang Economic Pilot Zone shall not be less than six million taels of silver, and the dividends given to you shall not be less than three million taels of silver."

"If it is not achieved, we will lose two percent of our shares, or the patent rights for penicillin and light bulbs."

"But as a gambling agreement, if I meet this requirement, I hope that you will reduce one director on the board of directors and we will have one more director."

As a result, the heads of these British consortiums finally returned to the negotiating table again.

Once again there was a tug of war.

But after nearly two people negotiating, both parties were exhausted.

In the end, the last gambling agreement was fully passed.

Both parties let out a long sigh of relief.

Finally done.

This long tug of war.

What a blessing it was that it was summer, thunderstorms were extremely frequent and lightning was frequent.

On average, more than once every two days.

Otherwise, this negotiation cycle may be extended for a long time.

The next step is to sign the contract.

The entire secret agreement is a thick book with hundreds of pages.

Several writing secretaries were about to blow up their typewriters and make them smoke.

You can also use a typewriter for English and French.

The Chinese secret contract needs to be written entirely by hand.

In the end, just signing took me a whole afternoon.

After signing.

A photographer was hired and a group photo was taken of everyone using an expensive daguerreotype camera.

And opened a bottle of champagne.

"Here's to this great moment."

"Here's to this great collaboration."

…………………………………………

Basia Li and Bao Ling came to say goodbye to Su Yi, both of them were full of drunkenness.

"Marquis Su Yi, I hope that the entire negotiation process has not brought you any unpleasantness, but please believe that if the people in the world are most eager for successful cooperation, it must be the two of us."

"We spent almost everything on this, our life savings, all our political fortunes."

"We will return to the UK soon to find a large number of talents and engineers to supervise the production or transportation of all machines immediately. Time is money, and time is destiny."

Then, Ba Xiali drank a glass of red wine and said: "There is another point I want to make clear. Regarding the last gambling agreement, this is definitely not our intention, because we are more eager for the success of the Jiujiang Economic Pilot Zone than anyone else. Return to politics with this achievement.”

"On this point, I am absolutely inconsistent with those greedy consortiums. I don't care about the two percent shares, or even the patents on penicillin and light bulbs. We only care about one thing, success!"

"So even though I know it's going to be very, very difficult, I'm extremely eager for you to win the betting agreement."

"Do you know what that means?"

Su Yi said: "At that time, the war may not be over yet. If I win the betting agreement, it will prove that the benefits of our parallel-bar cooperation are greater than the benefits of war. It proves that the other route is correct."

Sir Basili said: "Proving that Prince Albert's line is correct and that of Parliament is wrong will allow us to regain the right to speak. As long as you win the gambling agreement, both Sir Bowring and I have reasons. Return to politics and lead another path.”

Sir Baoling said: "Marquis Su Yi, although we can't imagine how you can do it, please do your best."

Su Yi said: "If I win the gambling agreement, I have a proposal."

Sir Baoling said: "Please tell me."

Su Yi said: "It has been a long time since the last World's Fair. The Second World's Fair held in New York, USA in 1854 was so successful that the European continent has no intention of holding an expo in these years?"

Basharli shrugged his shoulders and said, "Americans do have more fantastic ideas."

Su Yi said: "If my gambling agreement succeeds, then I suggest that Prince Albert once again leads the Third World Expo. He can choose to hold it in London or Paris, but please hold it in 1860." World Expo. But he must become the leader. If this exposition is successful again, it will definitely bring him huge political capital."

Sir Basili said: "We will lobby hard, but don't forget that Prince Albert also has half a foot on our chariot. Our victory is his victory. The relationship between the royal family and Parliament You should understand the relationship.”

Of course I understand, we depend on each other, cooperate with each other, and fight with each other.

"For those greedy consortiums, everything is capital interest, but for the three of us, this is a political covenant." Sir Bao Ling said: "Now Elgin has unlimited glory and sole power. I hope One day, the three of us can join forces and knock him to the ground."

“Return to politics!”

"Enter the cabinet!"

The three of them reached out and held each other's hands.

Basia said politely: "Marquis Su Yi, the war may be about to break out, or it has already broken out. Have you prepared how to survive this war alone and seek the greatest benefits?"

"Of course!" Su Yi said: "However, your queen's stance towards China was very unfriendly during the last Opium War, and the last war was even driven by her. I hope that after you return to the UK, you will To influence the Queen’s position through Prince Albert.”

Basharli said: "If our cooperation is very successful and the Queen sees the benefits of another route, I believe she will change her stance."

Bao Ling said: "If you want to become a great hero who can turn the tide for your country, you must make this bet successful and let the royal family see huge benefits. This will increase our voice and your voice." ”

Sir Basial said: "Only huge profits can help you save the situation."

Bao Ling said: "But you need a little patience!"

…………………………………………

Above the court!

The censors of the Metropolitan Procuratorate began a crazy impeachment campaign.

A large number of censors seemed to have received some kind of instructions.

Impeached Shen Baozhen, the prefect of Jiujiang. In the matter of recruiting Nanchang to surrender, he took advantage of the situation and ordered the loss of troops and generals.

This matter has obviously been overturned.

Even now the Hunan Army has not pursued the case, but the Procuratorate has come out to complain again.

The emperor frowned slightly.

If you want to use this crime to take down Shen Baozhen, I'm afraid it's a bit unjustifiable.

Because, regarding this matter, the emperor had already punished him and dismissed his Jiangxi inspector.

However, this is just an appetizer.

Next, intensive impeachment of Su Yi was the main course.

"I impeach Su Yi, the governor of Jiangxi, for exceeding the rules and taking concubines, amassing money wantonly, and accepting large amounts of bribes."

"I impeach Su Yi for exceeding the rules and taking concubines, amassing money wantonly, and accepting bribes."

Dozens or hundreds of people came together to impeach.

After the impeachment is over, everyone looks to the emperor, waiting for you to set the tone.

The emperor frowned and said: "I gave Su Yi a marriage and married Princess Shouxi to him. It was okay if he took Chong'en's daughter as his concubine before. Now he has gone beyond the limit and married Shen Baozhen's daughter as his concubine. Where does this put the royal family's face? land?"

"Check, check, check to the end!"

Finally, the emperor made a public statement.

Chongen closed his eyes in slight pain.

Everyone sighed in their hearts.

Sure enough, flowers are not as red as a hundred days, but people are as good as a thousand days.

Su Yi has been favored for so long, is she finally going to fall?

I really can’t understand it. You, Su Yi, are fine. The emperor favors you so much. Why are you so hard to think about?

You clearly know that setting up factories and engaging in foreign affairs is the emperor's disobedience, but you still do it anyway.

If the emperor does not allocate funds to you, you will borrow money from the people and use public opinion to coerce the emperor.

If you go to Jiangxi, just set up a factory. Just keep a low profile.

But you still went to Hubei, Sichuan and Yunnan with great fanfare.

In this way, he must have finally completely angered the emperor.

It directly exceeded the emperor's tolerance limit.

Next, we have to see how far it will fall out of favor.

How far will he deal with Su Yi?

Kuang Yuan came out and said: "Your Majesty, I impeached Su Yi for not doing his job properly. I was ordered by the Emperor to order him to prepare for this year's military campaign, to unite the Jiangnan Camp and the Jiangbei Camp to attack the rebellious Zhenjiang. As a result, he shied away in every possible way. The minister asked him why, and he said that the foreign barbarians were afraid that they would send out large-scale troops to attack the Qing Dynasty. At that time, the country of Qing Dynasty would be in danger, and his new army would defend the capital and the emperor. "

"This is clearly a curse on the emperor and the country of the Qing Dynasty!"

As soon as these words came out, the whole place was in an uproar.

Are you, Su Yi, dizzy?

To actually say such a thing?

The British envoys retreated in embarrassment not long ago. Two days ago, they received good news from Ye Mingchen, saying that the British and foreign businessmen in Hong Kong had recently felt the toughness of the Chinese Empire and had also retreated.

The governor of Fujian and Zhejiang also reported that foreigners in Ningbo, Xiamen, Fuzhou and other places also had a tendency to retreat.

The situation is great, but you actually want to invade all-out?

Even saying something like "defending the capital"?

Although I had heard such words yesterday and saw Su Yi's memorial, the emperor was furious once again when he heard it again.

He openly said angrily: "Send someone to tell Su Yi that such a day will never happen!"

"I don't need his guards. The capital of the Qing Dynasty is impregnable, and I will never need his guards!"

"I don't need it!"

The emperor's roar resounded throughout the court.

Golden words.

…………………………

Inside the Sanxi Hall of Yangxin Hall.

Duanhua, Zaiyuan, Sushun, and Duhan are receiving a private summons from the emperor.

The discussion is also a formal topic.

How should Su Yi be punished?

Or, how far should it go?

Du Han said: "The new army will follow Su Yi for a long time, or a short time, but when it comes to military power, you still have to be careful."

Sushun said: "There is another thing. In order to set up a factory, Su Yi borrowed five million taels of silver from hundreds of thousands of people in the capital. Including other things, he borrowed more than ten million taels of silver. If he rashly If we seize it directly, I am afraid that these huge debts will explode immediately, causing civil unrest. "

The emperor nodded, he really had to be careful about this.

Moreover, Su Yi was trained by him, and he didn't want to defeat him all at once.

He still hoped that Su Yi could recover from his lost ways and continue to lead his troops to eliminate rebellion for him.

Du Han said: "So, we should first seize his military power and test his reaction."

Su Shun said: "You can't take it directly, you should be tactful and do it step by step."

Du Han said: "Wang Shiqing, deputy commander of the New Army, is favored by the emperor. Su Yi is now the governor of Jiangxi and has not been directly in charge of the new army. The emperor has ordered Wang Shiqing to lead the new army to the Jiangbei camp and enter Yangzhou."

When everyone heard it, this was indeed a good idea.

If Su Yi really doesn't have the will to be independent, then he shouldn't refuse.

Moreover, it is normal to transfer the new army to Yangzhou. In the previous battle of Yangzhou and before the attack on Jiangxi, Su Yi's new army had been stationed in Yangzhou.

No matter what the emperor plans to do next. Even if it was just to teach Su Yi a lesson and use it in the future, he would still need to move his troops away, firstly to test him, and secondly to prevent a fight between trapped beasts.

Du Han said: "Su Yi has said time and again that this new army is the emperor's new army, and the emperor is the only commander of the new army. Moreover, this new army is trained and supported by national funds."

This is actually a bit embarrassing.

Originally, the national treasury should have allocated military expenses to Su Yi a few months ago.

But after Su Yi became the governor of Jiangxi and his relationship with the emperor changed, this military expenditure stopped coming.

There was no allocation from the Military Aircraft Department, the Ministry of Household Affairs, and the Ministry of War, and the emperor also pretended not to know.

The emperor thought for a while and said: "Let's do it!"

"Let Kuang Yuan handle this errand."

…………………………………………

Next, the emperor met with Kuang Yuan.

"You have to be careful on this errand, and you have to master the heat." The emperor said: "The first thing to announce is my decree, saying that there is something going on here, and for the safety of the Jiangbei camp, let Wang Shiqing lead his army to Yangzhou. Prepare for possible war."

Kuang Yuan said: "I understand."

The emperor couldn't say what he said next.

Du Han added from the side: "If Su Yi is not in a strong mood and obeys the order, then you can watch Wang Shiqing take the New Army to Yangzhou and declare the order in front of all the New Army. Wang Shiqing will be the new army's coach, and Su Yi will From then on, he worked full-time as governor of Jiangxi and no longer took charge of the new army. "

"Then, you return to Jiujiang and declare to Su Yi that from now on, the new army will be out of his control. You will also announce the emperor's oral order and severely reprimand him for taking concubines beyond the limit, and ask him to plead guilty on his own."

This can be regarded as one link after another.

After all, you have to be more careful with the feudal officials who have military power.

Kuang Yuan said: "I understand."

The emperor said: "Then you go."

Kuang Yuan once again left the capital with the emperor's will.

However, this time it was no longer a secret mission, but a serious imperial mission. He led the imperial guards to Tongzhou and took a big ship to go south.

…………………………………………

There are no secrets in the court.

All of a sudden, the city was filled with storm.

Some people are celebrating, while others are worried.

Su Yi's home once again completely closed the door and thanked guests.

Princess Shou'an once again visited Su Yi's home and claimed to adopt Su Yi and Qingqing's son as her adopted son.

The emperor specially summoned Princess Shouan.

"Fourth sister, I have done my best to Su Yi. It's his fault." The emperor said, "You know clearly that I don't like to run factories or engage in foreign affairs, but he still wants to do it. That's all. I asked him to send troops. He rebelled against his will, but does he still have me as an emperor? Does he still have me as a master?"

Princess Shou'an said: "Su Yi didn't send troops, not because he was resisting the decree, but because of his reasons, wasn't it?"

The emperor said: "His reason? He said that the foreign barbarians are going to attack the Qing Dynasty in an all-out way and invade the capital, so his new army will defend the capital and me."

"This is clearly a curse on my country and on me."

"I have already publicly said it in the court that there is no need for it. This will never happen again."

"I don't need him to defend me, and the capital doesn't need him to defend me either."

Princess Shou'an was silent for a long time, and finally plucked up the courage to say, "Your Majesty, Su Yi never tells lies, so please treat her with caution."

The emperor was stunned for a moment, then said with a cold look: "Fourth Sister, what do you mean?"

"Fourth sister, you are Princess Heshuo of the Qing Dynasty. Do you think so too? Do you also want to curse me?"

Princess Shou'an quickly said: "I don't dare."

The emperor said calmly: "The ancestors have a system and women are not allowed to participate in politics. Please be careful what you say in the future."

Princess Shou'an said: "I obey the order."

The emperor added: "Fourth sister has been staying in the capital for almost three years. Prince Naiman's palace has sent people to remind her several times."

Princess Shouan said: "I will return to Mongolia after the sixth sister gets married."

The emperor originally wanted to say something, but in the end he didn't say it.

"Fourth sister, please make your own decision. Don't let Prince Naiman come to urge you again." This was already very straightforward. I could just say that you should go back to Mongolia as soon as possible and don't stay in the capital.

…………………………

Meeting the next day!

Impeachment continues.

Because a political action often lasts for a long time, needs to be brewed, and needs to be widely publicized.

However, today's impeachment firepower is also aimed at another key figure, Shen Baozhen.

"Shen Baozhen blew up the Yangtze River dam and flooded Jiujiang, which harmed the peace of the world."

"I impeach Su Ye for illegally occupying the people's land, sending troops, and enclosing land, which has angered the people of Jiujiang!"

"I impeach Shen Baozhen for illegally intercepting the imperial tax silver during his tenure as the prefect of Jiujiang."

Next, there will be more and more impeachments of this kind.

It has always been like this.

Even the court meetings in the next few days are all the same.

Everyone knows that Shen Baozhen will definitely not escape this time.

The emperor still has some feelings for Su Ye's words.

The key is that Su Ye is good at fighting, and the emperor still needs to rely on him to eliminate the rebellion.

Therefore, it depends on Su Ye's attitude of admitting his mistakes, and how much favor the emperor has for him.

However, it is inevitable to be beaten.

……………………………………

In Kunning Palace!

The eldest prince Zaichun is already one and a half years old, and now he can walk and talk.

He has been raised by the queen Niuhulu.

The emperor was teasing the eldest prince while talking to the queen.

The queen was silent for a moment, and couldn't help saying: "Your Majesty, Su Ye and our eldest prince still have some fate."

The emperor said: "What do you want to say?"

The queen hesitated for a long time and said: "Your Majesty and Su Ye, the monarch and minister get along well, which is a good story. I really can't bear to see him end up like this."

The emperor said coldly: "Did the fourth sister say something to you again? Can I blame you for this? I have done my best for him, but what did I get in return? He is not motivated, who can I blame? Cursing me and the country like this, if it were someone else, they would have been beheaded long ago, and there would be no room for talking."

The queen didn't know what to say for a moment, and said: "I'm afraid there is some misunderstanding in this."

The emperor said coldly: "The harem is not allowed to interfere in politics, and the queen should say less about this matter!"

He was angry in his heart, Su Ye, your hands are really long, even the real harem has reached in.

The queen is so indifferent, and she has to say a few words for you?

Then the emperor stood up angrily and left.

He went to Sanxitang to study alone.

As he read, he felt upset again.

And at this moment!

There were hurried footsteps outside again.

The emperor said angrily: "What are you doing? Don't you have any rules?"

The eunuch Zenglu said outside in a trembling voice: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, there is an urgent report from Guangzhou."

The emperor was startled and said: "Is it Ye Mingchen's report?"

Zenglu said: "No, it's not."

The emperor said: "What is it? Let him in, let him in."

After a while, the messenger entered the Sanxi Hall, trembling and kneeling down, saying: "Your Majesty, something bad is happening, something bad is happening. The British army of more than 10,000 people attacked Guangzhou. Governor Ye Mingchen led his troops to fight bravely, but still lost, with countless casualties. Guangzhou fell, and all officials including Governor Ye were captured."

"After the British army captured Guangzhou City, it continued to attack other areas. Foshan Town and other places fell one after another. The British army pointed directly at the entire Guangdong and Guangxi. Please send troops to support it."

After hearing this news, the emperor was struck by lightning and motionless.

He even lost his reaction.

After a long while, he trembled and asked, "How many troops does the British have?" The messenger said, "I'm afraid there are more than 10,000, and they are still increasing their troops." After hearing this, the emperor staggered, his eyes went dark, and he fell directly into the chair. God? Why do you do this to me? …………………………………

Although the emperor received the bad news of the fall of Guangzhou, the imperial envoy Kuang Yuan still knew nothing about it. He took the imperial envoy guards and went downstream. First, he went to Yangzhou along the canal, then changed boats and went along the Yangtze River to Jiujiang again. This time, he was no longer low-key, but entered the prefectural government office with the style of an imperial envoy. "The imperial edict has arrived. Jiangxi Governor Su Ye will receive it! Ganzhen Deputy General Wang Shiqing will receive it!"

Su Ye was surprised and said, "Sir, Ganzhen Deputy General Wang Shiqing is not in the yamen."

The Imperial Envoy Kuang Yuan said, "Then please go and find Wang's troops."

Su Ye said, "Li Qi, send someone to find Lord Wang."

Two quarters of an hour later!

Wang Shiqing entered the yamen in a dusty state and said directly to Su Ye, "General, what's wrong?"

Su Ye said, "The Imperial Envoy is here. The emperor has issued an order."

The Imperial Envoy Kuang Yuan said, "The emperor has issued an order, Su Ye, Wang Shiqing will receive the order."

"The Emperor of the Heaven and the Mandate of Heaven has issued an edict that Jiangning has rebelled and ordered Ganzhen Deputy General Wang Shiqing to lead the two wings of the new army to Yangzhou for support. There must be no mistakes. This is the order!"

…………………………………………

Note: The first update is here. I finished writing it at 7 o'clock in the morning. I can go to bed earlier today.

I'm asking for your help on the monthly ticket list. Check your pockets. What if you have monthly tickets? Thank you all, I'm going to bed.