Marshal Zuo returned to Beijing, Li Hongzhang reported good news, and the Chinese also sent good news that the arms sale was approved. These three joys made Zai Chun's heart overwhelmed by dark clouds suddenly light up with a ray of sunshine.
After eating three glasses of wine in a row, King Dun and the others quickly advised His Majesty to drink less. After all, his body was still too weak to drink too much.
Zai Chun refused to stop, and drank another drink with several important ministers one by one. At this time, half a bottle of Huadiao wine was consumed. It would be okay if he usually drank half a catty of Huadiao wine.
However, Zai Chun's body and bones were very weak during this period, and he was a little drunk after half a catty of wine.
"I... I have been ordered by the sky, and my luck will never end... Hahaha... The Holy Emperor will help me with all the spirits... After this calamity, I will give you a prosperous age in the Qing Dynasty..."
Being too excited is not a good sign. Seeing His Majesty's unhealthy flushed face, the ministers quickly got up and left without daring to stay any longer. Da Sixi and the others waited on Zai Chun to take an early rest.
When everyone walked out of the hall, it was already eleven o'clock in the night, and the cool midnight breeze relaxed the tired spirit a lot.
Walking on the edge of the imperial steps, Zuo Zongtang suddenly stopped and said to Er Mao, "Father... I am a little confused. I wonder if father-in-law can clear up the confusion?"
Er Mao was stunned for a moment and then said with a smile, "What are you talking about, Marshal? As long as the villain knows it, he will know everything he said!"
"Haha... I just want to know the details of when the Chinese Assembly passed the resolution. Was there anyone who blocked it? And what excuse was used to block it?"
Er Mao looked a little embarrassed, "What... does this matter? As long as the final resolution is passed, it will be fine. The imperial court gets arms and food, and the Chinese people also get profits!"
"Haha, I'm just curious. I heard that six to seven hundred people in the Great Council discuss state affairs together. This person talks too much, and I don't know how they reached a consensus. In my mind, this model of discussing government affairs, It is the least efficient one..."
"But this parliament is so efficient today, there must be something to say, right?"
Er Mao smiled awkwardly, "Commander, you are embarrassing me. It's just a telegram. It can't be so detailed. I don't know exactly what happened during the day..."
"There can't be any rumors, right?" Zuo Zongtang smiled and stared at Er Mao, obviously unwilling to give up.
Er Mao helplessly shrugged and spread his hands, "I really don't know anything. I only send telegrams one word at a time. I just use the minimum number of words to explain things clearly. How can I be so careful?"
"If you want to be careful, you still have to wait for a letter or a visitor to give instructions... If there is new news by then, I will definitely tell the commander!"
"Oh... By the way, there is something new. It seems that the Chinese have a new means of transportation called cars. They can pull freight without mules, horses or manpower. I have never seen what it looks like and I don't dare to mess with it. That’s what you said!”
"My lords, the little one has been sent here. Say goodbye!" Er Mao smiled and walked to the edge of the imperial steps before going back.
Zuo Zongtang, Prince Dun, and Baojun looked at Ermao's back and said nothing for a long time. They waited until Ermao entered the hall and couldn't see his back. Baojun said, "After all, he is Xiao Letian's godson, and he is not of the same mind as us." Ah! Even if there is any inside story, he won’t tell us. Marshal Zuo, you are wasting your breath!"
Zuo Zongtang shook his head, "I still have to ask, otherwise I will feel uneasy..."
King Dun was agitated and heard something behind his words: "Commander Zuo, what are your concerns?"
Zuo Zongtang looked around and saw that there was no one around. The key was that Fu Qing was not around, and then he whispered, "Your Majesty is in a bad mood. I have never dared to say it too deeply. I can only encourage you more... But the situation on the battlefield now makes me I’m really worried!”
"There are no big problems with the Yongding River defense line and the canal defense line on the capital side. Surrounded by mountains to the west, it is impossible for the Japanese to even think about heavy troops!"
"But what about the east side? I always feel that there is a problem with our defense in the Tianjin area to the east..."
Baojun thought for a while, "Are you worrying too much? The Beijing-Tianjin Railway is the main dividing line in the Tianjin area. Unless Guiziliu has the courage to fall out with the Chinese, he will not be able to deal with Luo Huo's railway troops!"
"Armored trains are no joke. Who can defeat those special forces of the Railway Corps?"
King Dun also spoke, "Also, Hunchun in the northeast has also entered the border. Looking at this speed, we can reach Tangshan in about three days, and we can transport the army in batches in one or two days by train..." "
"We should be able to hold on for five or six days, right? Even if it's the slowest time, ten days is enough, right? In ten days, the Hunchun army can crawl to the capital even if it crawls. With the new force from outside the pass to support the Tianjin front line in the east of the capital, it can't stop those Rebels?"
Zuo Zongtang frowned, "I know, I know everything you said, but I just feel uneasy... I have been fighting for a lifetime, and I am always a little wary!"
"I just feel that entrusting the security of the flanks of the battlefield to outsiders? Isn't it too risky..."
"But I thought again, there is no need for Xiao Letian to harm us. His core interests are those special zones. Now the special zones have not been completely built, the railways between the special zones have not been built, and the commercial interests have not been obtained. He shouldn’t be looking forward to the downfall of our Majesty, right?”
"So I can't understand! So I'm very confused. I just want to know how the bill was passed today!"
Baojun and King Dun looked at each other and said, "In this case, don't worry, Commander, we will use other intelligence lines to investigate for you!"
"To be honest, Britain, France, and Tsarist Russia all share intelligence with us! If that's not enough, I'll find the news from Fuso for you!"
"Okay, okay, then it's hard work, it's hard work..."
Just as he was talking, Fu Qing rushed over from behind. "Hey, how many of you haven't left yet? What are you talking about?"
"Ah... Mr. Third, are you done with your work? You didn't say anything. You just calculated how many cannons you can import from the Chinese. This is a sharp weapon on the battlefield..."
"Haha, it's mine, it's mine..." Fu Qing patted his chest and said, "As long as there is inventory in Tanggu Special Economic Zone, I will try my best to get it for you!"
"As long as there is gold, there are weapons!"
Fu Qing was not bragging. When the resolution of the Great Council was sent to Tanggu, the Chinese arms dealers who had been gearing up for a long time burst into joy.
The drafts of many contracts have been discussed in advance. The price, quantity, delivery method, and even the train number are all ready, waiting for the authorization of the Great Council.
On the night of May 26th, Tanggu was brightly lit, and all the arms warehouses opened their doors!
The 88 cannons are baked brightly blue, and the parts are covered with clean and bright yellow anti-rust butter. Box after box of Mauser exudes the peculiar smell of wood and metal.
Vats of kerosene, boxes of artillery shells, hand grenades wrapped in sawdust... Countless goods began to gather at the train station, and each car opened its mouth and was devouring these murderous weapons.
