The spring of the fourth year of Tongzhi passed quickly. In the eyes of the people, the Qing Dynasty still had not changed much. The Eight Banners men went to teahouses, smoked cigarettes, and acted like actors. The officials in the court still acted according to past experience. Rule a huge empire. The ordinary people are struggling to survive in the bitter water. They only need two hours a day, as long as they can have a full stomach.
The only change that can be felt is that the number of foreign goods in life has gradually increased. Needless to say, foreign oil, foreign cloth, soap, Western cigarettes, including foreign nails and other daily necessities. There are even wind lanterns, miner's lamps, and crystal jewelry produced by foreigners in the world. , and even foreign guns are sold on the black market.
In the big cities of the empire, especially those close to land and water docks, there were gradually more and more foreign devils in suits. They would often swing their cameras out, only to see a group of adults and children disperse.
This classic car of the Qing Dynasty is still stubbornly moving forward on its own track, but now the power outside the country has become stronger and stronger, which is especially obvious to the people in the coastal areas. Update as soon as possible
In particular, Tanggu, the earliest port to be opened in northern China, can feel this powerful force of change. In just over four years, Tanggu Port, a small town with a population of more than 10,000, which was originally just a supplement to water transportation, has more than doubled in size with the input of domestic and foreign capital.
There were anchored ships everywhere outside the port, and big-nosed foreigners spoke Chinese with weird accents and walked across the Qing border without any diplomatic formalities. The coolies at the port kept moving goods up and down, while the gangsters in the dark corners stared at those who had just opened the money. Behind them, they controlled the half-open brothels, casinos and smoke. pavilion.
New houses are being built everywhere in the city. Freight stations for trading with foreigners are rising from the ground. Spacious warehouses store goods from overseas. All kinds of foreign money are flowing back and forth in the hands of merchants like sea water. Gone with the wind. Update as soon as possible
The result of the humiliating Treaty of Beijing was abnormal prosperity, which the Manchu Qing court could not provide. Relying on this abnormal prosperity, a small number of people have begun to profit from it.
Huang Juren, a native of Tanggu, is one of the people who benefited the most. This big landowner with a thousand hectares of land in the local area has more than a thousand hectares of fertile land and more than a dozen shops. With the help of overseas trade, Huang Juren only rents out The annual income from renting the land is more than 100,000 yuan, and Huang Ye's brand name is a golden brand in Tanggu City.
"Thanks to Mr. Huang for his love, let's borrow flowers and present Buddhas to toast Mr. Huang..." People in the hotel's private rooms raised their glasses and toasted to Mr. Huang.
"You're welcome. You're all very polite. I, Huang Juren, am rich thanks to your care. As long as you are rich, I can earn some money! Come on, let's have a drink..."
Today the Juren Master is hosting a banquet for all the famous big businessmen on the ground in Tanggu, as well as the gangsters who eat the ground. This is the advantage of sitting on the ground, black, white and gray. Today, except for officials and foreigners, he has asked him to invite all representatives of powerful factions from other places.
After three rounds of drinking, the conversation began to turn serious. Huang Juren suddenly looked out the window with compassion at the harbor scenery, looking at the endless fleet of ships on the sea and said sadly, "Although we have made some money, look at the Qing Dynasty." Oh my god, what has it become like? If things continue like this, the country will no longer be a country! Wuwuwu..."
Oops, Lao Juren actually started crying while talking? At this time, everyone present was stunned, wondering what kind of show is this? Why didn't I see you crying when you were counting the money? Now you are actually worried about the court. Please come to more and faster chapters. But no matter what, the host has already started acting, and the guests have to accompany him.
"Oh, Mr. Huang is really concerned about the country and the people. He is really a role model for us..."
"It's a pity that the current situation is like this. Even the emperor has to be patient. The foreigners are so powerful that there is nothing we can do..."
"That's right, the artillery battle at Dagukou four years ago still scares me to this day. Let's not cause any trouble to the court..."
The crowd was all talking and couldn't get to the point. Finally, Huang Juren snorted, "Foreigners? Of course I know that foreigners are powerful, but compared to how hateful foreigners are, those treasonous Japanese devils are even more hateful. Gong Banlun four years ago again Coupled with the current Xiao Letian, they are all shameless people who have forgotten their ancestors..."
Huang Juren knocked on the window and pointed to a cargo station that was being renovated not far away. "Do you know who runs that newly built cargo station?"
This time everyone finally understood the purpose of Huang Ye's banquet. Huang Juren, who was usually stingy and could drink half a catty of wine with half a duck egg, was willing to hold a banquet in the coastal building today. It turned out that he was trying to cause trouble behind his back.
"It's Xiao Letian, that arrogant overseas loner..." Huang Juren was so angry when he saw that this group of losers were so slow to receive news.
As soon as Xiao Letian's name came out, the room was buzzing with low voices and everyone was whispering to each other. Tianjin is so close to Beijing that people can hear Xiao Letian’s story as a cocoon.
"Oh my god! Xiao Letian, the author of "Journey to the West"? My son is crazy about his books..."
"No, haven't you noticed recently? The storytellers in the teahouse have begun to adapt the jokes from Journey to the West. Whenever they start teaching, the venue is packed..."
"Do you know? Xiao Letian is the most respected person of Prince Gong. It is said that he was once offered the position of Minister of the Ministry of Industry, but he refused to take it..."
The people at the table were all talking about the legendary story of Xiao Letian, and Huang Juren's face was almost blue with anger. At this time, he relied on his lack of support to maintain the scene.
"Hey, hey, hey! What do you mean when I tell you? Didn't you listen to what Mr. Huang said? Or are you just pretending to be confused? My grandson put it here. If anyone disagrees with my Mr. Huang, don't say I'm rude... "The little braided grandson who spoke stood up and put one foot on the chair, feeling like he was eating the ground. Update as soon as possible
Pigtail Sun Na is a well-known big brother on the road in Tanggu City. According to him, he also has the identity of a small leader of the Cao Gang, but no one from the Cao Gang has ever seen him talk to him. But no matter what, the pigtailed sun definitely sticks to his word in Tangguxiajiuliuli, and no businessman present is willing to offend him.
"Hahaha, what are you talking about, Mr. Sun? We have been friends with Mr. Juren for many years. Of course we must be of the same mind as Mr. Huang." Shopkeeper Niu of Sihai Cargo Station is the most financially powerful businessman here. He saw that the limelight was not right. Hurry up and smooth things over. Immediately afterwards, the group of blind businessmen also nodded and bowed in agreement.
Huang Juren curled his lips and said with a smile, "We are all kind-hearted people of the imperial court, so naturally we have to help the imperial court solve its problems. We don't have the ability to deal with foreigners, and the imperial court doesn't count on us. But when dealing with these two devils, we can't lose our country." Qing’s face!”
"I leave my words here today. If this Xiao Letian dares to come to Tanggu to do business, I will make him lose all his pants and get out of here in despair..."
In one sentence, everyone present was dumbfounded. Now Xiao Letian is no longer a lonely overseas traveler with no foundation, it is just a code name. How could this group of businessmen afford to offend such an unparalleled scholar who was famous in Beijing and would soon become famous all over the world?
"Huang... Mr. Huang, we all understand what you are saying, but Xiao Letian is not an ordinary person. Can we do anything? The Northland tycoon Xiang Shaolong can't do anything to him, and Wang Shizheng and Wang Laohanlin are no match for him. Is it just us businessmen?" Shopkeeper Niu swallowed hard, he was really scared.
The other businessmen present, including Xiao braided sun, were a little dumbfounded. They thought Huang Juren wanted to deal with ordinary businessmen. This kind of thing has not been done before. But facing a very famous Western learning master, everyone present felt timid.
Huang Juren looked at them disdainfully and drank a glass of wine quietly. "Everyone here is my friend for many years. I will not let you do anything you are not sure about. Let me tell you the truth. There is no such thing as above." Do you think I would take action based on someone’s instructions?”
Having said this, he waved his hand and asked everyone around him to gather around. After whispering, everyone's eyes widened.
"Master Huang, are you telling the truth? Is that big shot in Beijing really trying to deal with Xiao Letian? The emperor and the queen mother are also tired of Xiao Letian? How come this is different from what is spread in the world..."
"What do you know? A group of businessmen with no reputation. Only us scholars are qualified to know the inside story of the imperial court. Do you still remember that more than two months ago, the inspection team sent by the Prime Minister's Yamen was surrounded by people and petitioned?"
Huang Juren looked at these stupid businessmen with a proud look, "To tell you the truth, I was the one who instigated those people. Not only me, but also our Zhou Tongzhi and Ma Xietai also contributed. Think about it. Well, if we weren’t protected by a big shot, could I dare to attack Third Master Qing, a nobleman of the Eight Banners?"
At this time, the people in the box were stunned. They looked at Huang Juren with stars in their eyes. He was indeed the leader of scholars, peasants, industrialists, and merchants. He was able to pass through the imperial court even though he was just a juren. of senior officials.
A group of people murmured for a long time, and then shopkeeper Niu picked up the wine glass on behalf of everyone, "Now that Mr. Huang has made up his mind, what else can we businessmen say? As long as we don't kill people and set fire, we will leave the run on the business to us." Now, we have plenty of ways to defeat him..."
"Okay, let's have this drink!" The combat alliance against Xiao Letian was established in this glass of wine.
Coincidentally, the day after the banquet, Xiao Letian arrived in Tanggu under the protection of more than a dozen guards. His own business was about to open. How could he not come in person. This is not just an ordinary foreign company, but also an important link between Xiao Letian and other countries. As a time traveler, how could he not look at the world.
"Hmm! What smells so good? Damn, are these Goubuli steamed buns? Give me two kilograms..."
"Sir, why are you dismounting here? The old shopkeeper has already prepared a banquet, and the foreign master also wants to meet you... Hey, hey, you really enjoyed it..."
At this time, Xiao Le couldn't care less about meeting any foreigners. He never expected that Goubuli, which was founded during the Xianfeng period, would open a branch in Tanggu in just a few years. This is a delicacy from two hundred years ago. , absolutely green, pure, natural and pollution-free food, with a rich aroma and oily taste.
Xiao Letian's mouth was full and he hesitated, "Come on, come on... You're welcome, I'm treating you..."
