This sentence hit Hurd's heart like a heavy hammer. He was not afraid of anything else, not even disobeying Prince Gong or Gordon's orders.
His identity is very special and his reputation is very great. He will definitely not lose his life because of this incident. It is just that he will not be reused in the future!
If he can't get a job from the government, he can still find a job in a chamber of commerce or a bank. With his ability, he doesn't have to worry about food and clothing!
But what this kind of professional managers fear most is a bad reputation. Once your reputation in the circle is bad, no one will give you another chance!
Although the Qing Dynasty has declined, it is still a very powerful empire on earth. If Prince Gong is determined to ruin your reputation, there are too many ways!
Faintly, he felt threatened by the other party. The girl named Ayao in Guangdong had always been his weakness. Would Prince Gong know that he had such a lover?
Also, I and my lover have given birth to three children, and they are preparing to secretly send them back to England to raise them in the next two years!
Did he also know these things?
Those officials in the Qing Dynasty were very dark-hearted. What should they do if Luo Zhi accused them of corruption under false pretexts? What professional managers fear most is the reputation of corruption. Once you get the reputation of corruption, no one will use you!
The more he thought about it, the more scared he became, and sweat broke out on Hurd's forehead!
Guizi Liuyi saw that the fire was coming, stood up and held Hurd's shoulders while he sat down, "My Hurd! Wipe your sweat, don't be so nervous... I can guess some clues, have you suffered a lot?" pressure?"
"Tell me, I'm not an unreasonable person... No matter who is trying to hack me behind my back, I won't be angry. I'm willing to negotiate with them, what do you think?"
After hearing this, Hurd also risked his life, "Your Majesty! Let me tell the truth! I can't name the person. If I tell him, my life will be ruined!"
"But it's okay if you make a careful guess or let me pass on the message!"
"There is such a large group of people...who are very dissatisfied with you...especially because they are extremely angry at your disrespect for His Majesty the Emperor!"
"These people are His Majesty's supporters, and they are willing to speak out for His Majesty!"
"It was these people who encouraged British businessmen across Asia to complain! It was these people who encouraged major banks to suspend your loans...it was also these people who encouraged you!"
"Even if they put pressure on me, they are still standing up for His Majesty!"
Hurd said with a pale face, "They...they told me this. According to the previous treaty, although the Qing Customs belongs to the country, the management rights are with the General Taxation Department!"
"And the General Taxation Department is jointly supervised by the treaty countries! This means that the Qing government does not have the right to fire me on its own! They told me not to be afraid and just keep making trouble like this!"
"As long as Britain, the United States, Russia and France don't agree, I'm afraid you won't be able to fire me, Your Majesty... All you can do is lower my salary and other punishments!"
Guiziliu thought about it, this was really the truth, and couldn't help but sigh to himself, "Go on..."
"Yes... they said that since the Qing Dynasty does not have the right to expel you alone, then you can fight them openly!"
"The British businessmen from all over Asia are filing a collective complaint. In fact, it is not just to vent their anger. It is to provide a legal basis for my actions... They have already produced a complete chain of evidence!"
"It is a chain of evidence that lists out the corruption, injustice, and falsification of accounts by officials of the Qing Dynasty... With this chain of evidence, I can justifiably block the accounts and re-examine them!"
"Just say that the accounts are messed up and wrong... and the responsibility still lies with the Qing officials! This will give us an excuse not to deport the money to the Qing Household Department..."
Hurd took a peek at Prince Gong's expression and said cautiously, "Those people... know that the imperial court is currently financially tight. Your Majesty's wedding will cost money, training at the Xishan Camp will cost money, and the northwest war will also cost money..."
"Their calculation is that after half a year of continuous squeezing of silver, they will have 10 million taels of silver in their hands. In this way, Your Majesty, you will have to bow your head..."
Hurd's body softened, as if he had lost the last bit of strength, and he leaned back on the chair. "I didn't lie, this was their entire plan!"
"From the very beginning, the deepest intention of organizing businessmen to file a complaint was to go to the customs... What they wanted was for the customs to seize 10 million taels of silver or more from the imperial court..."
"That's it... that's it... Don't ask me who those people are... They are all people I can't offend, they are too scary!"
Guiziliu's face also turned pale, "Xiang Zhuang dances with his sword, his intention is Pei Gong! What a gloomy thought, what a vicious method..."
Zeng Guofan's words and Hurd's words finally came together, and at this moment a real opponent image began to take shape in Guiziliu's mind.
This is a super monster condensed by money and desire. He even used his huge wealth and influence to coerce many high-level British people.
On the surface, no one from the British government came forward, but in fact, all their black hands were involved!
There may be Queen Victoria, Prime Minister Gladstone, dukes and viscounts, or financial giants like the Rothschilds...
There are even some evil hands among the Chinese!
There are all kinds of people, you can say that they are omnipresent and all-encompassing. Such a monster unites together and puts Emperor Tongzhi at the forefront. What they want is the lucrative Daqing Railway Contract and Daqing Industrial Contract!
Greedy capital monsters must support Zaichun's reforms, because only in this way can they make money!
And today, Prince Gong, who was overestimating his own abilities, dared to block the way of this super monster, so the counterattack he received must be crushing!
Guiziliu's hands were shaking. He was holding a bowl of tea. The lid of the teacup kept hitting and shaking, and a lot of tea spilled out!
Now that I have truly figured out who is behind the scenes, my fear is actually greater than when I was confused before!
"I...I really didn't expect...I really didn't expect those people would get into it so deeply..."
"Thank you... Hurd, if you can tell me so much, I appreciate your kindness..."
"Well...I'm asking you more...please give me a message...just tell those people...stop making trouble now, I haven't closed the door to negotiations!"
"We can talk, we can talk about everything... There is no need to make it like this!"
"You must deport the customs tax money... because His Majesty still needs money for his wedding! Then I will wait for them to come to negotiate!"
"I'm not an unreasonable person... Why bother making such a big fuss!"
Hurd looked at the prince in front of him and suddenly felt that he had suddenly aged a lot!
"Yes! With your words, Your Majesty, it will be easier for me... I will handle the matter of spreading the message... Since you are willing to talk, then everything is possible!"
"I'll do it right away. Your Majesty, please rest!"
"Wait...take your resignation away...you have to work hard, the Qing Dynasty still needs you!"
Hurd put away his resignation and bowed respectfully to the prince, then strode out of Prince Kung's Mansion with great gratitude!
