Many engineers from the United States have experience in laying cables in the Atlantic Ocean. At first, they thought they had to check the hydrological conditions in advance. However, they did not expect that the Prime Minister's preparations would be so complete and he had already explored the safe laying area in advance. This is too much. convenient.
"Your Excellency Prime Minister, with your submarine hydrographic map, we firmly believe that the submarine cable from Ryukyu to Kagoshima will be successfully laid within three months..."
"If the rear production capacity can be sufficient, the two submarine cables from Ryukyu to Shanghai and Tanggu will be successfully laid in this autumn and winter. Please rest assured..."
Xiao Letian was smiling from ear to ear at this time. He held the engineer's hand and said, "Very good, very good. As long as these three lines are successfully laid, then I will continue to invest. One day you will lay them across the entire Pacific Ocean." submarine cable, that is a real big project.”
Nobel looked at the excited Xiao Letian and said with great emotion, "I am proud of my decision. You are really an Asian leader who respects science. I believe that Nobel's investment in East Asia will be a great success." .”
Xiao Letian smiled and held his hand and said, "More than success, you will know in the future that business in Asia will be your wisest investment. I even have an idea..."
"What if the two of us join forces to form a foundation, and select the world's elite figures every year, such as the Peace Prize, Physics Prize, Chemistry Prize, etc., to reward those who have made outstanding contributions to human society during the year. Talent, what do you think?”
Xiao Letian's proposal made Mr. Nobile's eyes light up immediately, especially the idea of the Peace Prize made him extremely ecstatic.
"Oh, dear Xiao, you surprised me so much. I never expected that you would make such a wise decision. So, I think this fund is clearly the Xiao Nobel Fund."
"Ahem..." Xiao Letian almost choked on his saliva. He really didn't expect that his last name would be placed before Mr. Nobel's name. This was completely beyond his expectation.
However, looking at Mr. Nobel's determined eyes, Xiao Letian knew that he was serious, "Oh, Mr. Nobel, we can discuss the foundation in detail after our cooperation is on track. The first priority now is your help." We have established a complete chemical industry system..."
"Needless to say, if Ryukyu can produce your latest smokeless gunpowder, then our cooperation will be a complete success. By then, a steady stream of benefits will flow into the foundation, and generous bonuses will attract elites all over the world. crazy."
Noble held Xiao Letian's hand tightly, "As you wish, I will dedicate everything I have..."
…
While Xiao Letian and Nobel were looking forward to the future, the group of benefactors in the boot camp were also talking in low voices.
The spacious dormitory was equipped with neat wooden bunk beds. The recruits had already laid down after a tiring day. Many of them snored deeply and fell asleep, but there were still a group of people chatting quietly in the corner of the room.
"What kind of background do you think that kid named Tongfu has? He can participate in recruit training at the age of eleven, and he also brings so many servants with him."
"That's right, and he hasn't cut off his braids yet. There are no soldiers with braids in our boot camp. It's really weird..."
"Furthermore, look at the few people who have been serving for a long time, there are four people with very weird temperaments. I even doubt that they are not men."
This sentence aroused the interest of many people. The few people chatting secretly were Qiu Wei, Liu Anchen, Jiang Yuheng, Yan Xing... those Enyangzhong who were about to study in Europe.
They had already looked at Tongfu a little strangely. They all had a common guess in their hearts, but no one dared to say it.
Liu Anchen lay flat on the bed and whispered, "Why do you look more and more like a eunuch in Sijiu City?"
The little brothers stopped talking. After a long while, Qiu Wei said cautiously, "My family lives in Beijing. When I boarded a ship to come to Ryukyu, a fellow countryman once secretly told me a secret..."
"I heard that Emperor Tongzhi recognized the Prime Minister as his teacher, and there are also rumors that the Emperor will study with the Prime Minister on a study tour... Do you think this common blessing will..."
"Shut up, are you still sleeping? Is this something you should discuss?" At this moment, a deep voice sounded from their ears. When they looked up, it turned out to be instructor Shimazu Dairo.
The Japanese instructor's face turned pale. He didn't know when he appeared and glared at them.
Several Enyang members hurriedly went to sleep without saying a word and covering their heads with quilts. No one dared to speak. However, Shimazu Dalang walked out of the dormitory and looked up at the stars in the night sky, his heart pounding.
The Prime Minister did not reveal Tong Fu's true identity to the Ryukyu soldiers and civilians, but he could not stop the spread of rumors. News that the young emperor Tong Zhi followed the Prime Minister on a study tour had secretly spread, and the real top officials of the New Army already knew the secret.
The emperor of mainland civilization still has a higher status than the emperor in the hearts of the Japanese. Although they do not admit it with their mouths, this concept has not changed subconsciously.
When Shimazu Dalang thought that he had yelled at the Emperor of Zhongyuan, or even punished him, his heart was beating wildly. His knees were so weak that he even wanted to kneel on the ground to plead guilty to Emperor Tongzhi.
"No, no, no... The Prime Minister didn't announce it at all, so I will pretend that nothing happened. I am an officer of the New Army. In my eyes, military orders are as big as the sky. As for the emperor, I don't care... Yes, I just don’t care.”
Shimazu Dairo was cheering himself up, but he still stared at the single dormitory where Tongfu lived with a little fear from the corner of his eyes. The more he thought about it, the more uncomfortable he felt.
At the same time, in the single room where Emperor Tongzhi lived, a huge wooden barrel was radiating hot air. Two eunuchs, Ermao and Xiaosixi, were spreading herbs into the hot water. These were precious herbs that helped the emperor strengthen his muscles and bones.
In the outer room where the little emperor was bathing, a respectful middle-aged man was kneeling on the ground motionless, waiting for the emperor to receive him. He had been kneeling for a long time, and his knees were numb now, but he did not dare to move at all. His face was full of respect.
"So, you are Hu Xueyan's man, and Zuo Zongtang's military expenses were also raised by you." It took a long time for Zaichun to speak.
The man quickly bowed his head and said, "Your Majesty, Mr. Hu and we will always be the Emperor's servants. Our loyalty to the Qing Dynasty can be proven as the day goes by..."
"Okay, okay, there's no need to show your loyalty. What's so great about the emperor? There are many different factions among his subordinates. Are you loyal to me or to that faction? God knows..."
There was a splash of water, and the little emperor stood up from the bathtub. He dried himself with a towel without the help of the eunuch, and then got into the thick quilt.
"Come in." With the order, the man in the outer room quickly got up and walked into the inner room, knelt on the ground and kowtowed to the emperor.
"Slave, Zhang Xiaowen, the second shopkeeper in charge of Ryukyu business under the red-top businessman Hu Xueyan, would like to pay your respects to Your Majesty." After saying this, he kowtowed to the ground.
"Okay, okay, I didn't call you here to see you kowtow, but I have something serious for you to do. Let's decide whether you are loyal or not."
Zai Chun sat cross-legged on the bed, with a thick quilt wrapped around his body. If he summoned his ministers in this way, if those Confucian ministers saw him, he would not know how to give advice.
In fact, Zai Chun's appearance was very inconsistent with the royal etiquette. Neither Manchu nor Han would allow the emperor to be so casual. However, for Zhang Xiaowen, who was kneeling on the ground, such a face made him inexplicably excited.
The emperor is so informal, which shows that he regards me as a person around him. Even if I am not the most trustworthy servant, I can't even want such treatment.
The excited second shopkeeper straightened his back and knelt down to listen to the emperor's teachings.
"Well... the saying goes about scholars, farmers, industry and commerce. In the hearts of officials and people, merchants are the lowest social status group. According to national law, your descendants cannot take part in the imperial examination, and they cannot even wear silk clothes. There are many restrictions on building houses and doing business. Almost all officials will be able to block you..."
"Haha, of course you also have your own methods. If you have money, donate to the official position. If you have an official to protect you, those harsh national laws will not work, but..."
"However, what is fake is fake. In the eyes of the court and officials, you businessmen who donate your official positions are just low-class businessmen in the final analysis. No one will look down upon you, and even your property will be owned by the court. , I’m right about being the one that all the officials covet..."
Zhang Xiaowen's eye sockets suddenly became hot, and two hot tears rolled down. The little emperor really spoke to his heart, "Your Majesty..."
Zai Chun waved his hand, "That's why your big boss Hu Xueyan wants to join the Hunan Army. Haha... To be honest, the Hunan Army doesn't think highly of you. After all, Hu Xueyan is just Zuo Zongtang's man, and he is not the same as Marshal Zeng." There are several layers of relationships..."
"As far as I know, Li Hongzhang and Zuo Zongtang have always been at odds with each other. You said what will happen if the gods fight in the future and you brats will suffer. Hu Xueyan has never thought of changing his backer."
Zhang Xiaowen's eyes were wider than a bell, and his heart was filled with disbelief as to what the emperor meant by these words.
Zai Chun sneered and said, "My subordinates include civil servants and military generals, Manchu nobles and Han scholars, but I only lack a few loyal businessmen. I wonder if Hu Xueyan is considered my loyal minister."
With a bang, Zhang Xiaowen's forehead hit the floor, and a bulge bulged as big as an egg. "Your Majesty, Your Majesty... Everyone in Qingyu Hall is loyal to the Emperor, and loyal to the Qing Dynasty..." Zhang Xiaowen wanted to I cried anxiously.
At this time, Da Sixi and Xiao Sixi, two people beside the emperor, suddenly rushed forward, grabbed Zhang Xiaowen and dragged him up from the ground. They held his hands behind his back and brought his head to His Majesty's side.
The little emperor said to him in a cold tone that was completely inappropriate for his age, "Shit, what I want is absolute loyalty to me, not this Qing Dynasty, not this imperial court, let alone some prince... Remember this." Yes, it is your loyalty to me... Aixinjueluo Zaichun, the Tongzhi Emperor of the Qing Dynasty..."
"I asked you if you can do it, and if Hu Xueyan can do it, I will give you half a month to let Hu Xueyan leave and come to Ryukyu to meet me. Of course, this is on the premise that he is absolutely loyal to me." First release of this book From, watch genuine content for the first time!
