Located near the mouth of the Sancha River, the Sankou Commercial Office is famous in Tianjin City because Li Zhongtang, the governor-general of Zhili, the head of the world's governors, has his office here.
Since it is the governor's office, it must be very lively, not to mention the Governor-General of Zhili who is also on a diplomatic mission. Moreover, the Western view here is the most in Tianjin, and many people who are bold and love to watch the excitement like to stay here.
Why are the officials queuing up at the door in the hot weather, fully dressed and almost suffering from prickly heat, still waiting at the door in the hot weather? There are also the three-nine days, when they are as cold as the third grandson, and they still dare not leave to hide for a while.
meeting.
Of course, the best thing to watch is the training of the guards. They shout commands said to be taught by British foreigners and perform various actions in a precise manner. This is when the idle men are most comfortable, because they can shout loudly and unscrupulously.
If you applaud, you won't be afraid of people from the yamen trying to slap you with a note.
But what they like most is when foreigners show up. These foreigners are different from the waiting officials. They can often go in directly without waiting. At this time, there are often bold people who spit hard at the foreigners who enter.
A mouthful of spit, and then a curse. "What are these foreigners so proud of?"
It will immediately attract a burst of applause, and will be praised with thumbs up. At this time, the scolder will be very proud, as if he has done something famous in Tianjin City. At the same time, he can also take the opportunity to look down upon him and stand at the door.
Those officials who are suffering.
Of course, this is not without risks. Last month, Shandong, a small town in the west of the city, suffered a big loss because of this. The people from the yamen gave the French minister a beating on the ground for insulting him. The one who was called miserable was carried out
By that time, my buttocks were a bloody mess, and I am still lying on the bed. According to the doctor, I couldn’t even get out of bed in less than three months.
In the following period, there was a lot of silence at the entrance of the three commercial offices, but after all, the owner was restless, and after the storm passed, they surrounded them again.
Today, another foreigner came to the yamen gate, which immediately made a group of people look forward to seeing that good man who dared to stand up and poke the foreigner's arrogance.
The old and young men staying outside the yamen looked at me and I looked at you, as if they were all waiting for a good man to come forward. However, when the foreigners entered the gate, no one came forward.
Faced with this situation, many people secretly spit, "Who are these people?"
Howard, who had just entered, had no idea what was happening outside the door. It was just that he was led by an official to an antique room.
"Mr. Howard, please wait here. The Lord in the Hall is a little busy at the moment. He will invite you in a moment."
Facing the official's proficient Italian, Howard thanked him in his relatively proficient Chinese, "Thank you."
As he spoke, he took out a banknote from his pocket and handed it skillfully to the official. After the official was surprised, he skillfully put the banknote into his pocket.
I was surprised because he should have confiscated foreigners' banknotes before, but with his skillful skills, it seemed that he had collected a lot.
After Howard handed over the red envelope, he calmly waited for Li Zhongtang to summon him.
In the study, Li Zhongtang, then Minister of Commerce of Beiyang and Governor-General of Zhili, was discussing his concerns with his confidant Zhou Fu, who was then the chief officer of Tianjin Customs Road and Tianjin Military Preparation Road.
"Yushan, we need to pay close attention to the fleet. The French are becoming more and more restless. According to Shoushan's news from Europe, the French are bound to win Vietnam. Guangdong, Guangxi and Yunnan and Guizhou are in trouble."
Li Zhongtang, the founder of Beiyang and known as a famous official in the late Qing Dynasty, couldn't help but feel emotional about the recent actions of the French.
Although Li Zhongtang is famous for signing unequal treaties in history, he has to admit that this is not his fault. The country is weak and there is nothing to do. Of course, these emotions cannot help the Qing Dynasty reach an agreement with France on the Vietnam issue. .Don’t think that Li Zhongtang is not well-informed about European news. As the most popular Chinese official in Europe, Li Zhongtang has his own channels to obtain information.
Of course, we also know about the various actions of France in Vietnam. Of course, these matters mainly require the decisions of Zeng Laojiu and other Hunan Army figures. However, the current situation in the Qing Dynasty is still very serious. Needless to say, France, Britain, the United States, Russia and other countries are not People who are easy to get along with, even the Japanese juniors, saw the situation faced by the Qing Dynasty and acted foolishly. The country's affairs were difficult.
While Li Zhongtang was discussing with his confidant Zhou Fu, an announcement came from outside the door. "Master Zhongtang, the Italian businessman Howard came to visit?"
"Italian?"
After Li Zhongtang heard the report outside the door, he was a little surprised, because everyone in the Governor's Mansion knew that he had many things to do, so how could he allow businessmen to enter the Governor's Mansion and yet report it openly.
So after Lord Zhongtang and his staff looked at each other, Zhou Fu, a confidant, asked him what was in his heart.
"I don't know why businessmen are allowed to enter the Governor's Mansion because of what's going on in the central hall. How unbecoming is this?"
After being scolded by Zhou Fu, the official who felt that the banknotes in his arms were a bit hot immediately replied, "Because this businessman has the business card of Italian Minister Jia Liwen, and he said that he was introduced by the Italian Minister, so I don't dare to neglect him, so I can only Bring it in."
The answer outside the door surprised Li Zhongtang and Zhou Fu. An Italian businessman was recommended to them by the minister. Although Italians had little presence in the Qing Dynasty, it must be abnormal to suddenly appear at this time. So. Faced with this abnormal situation, Master Zhongtang must take a hard look at it.
"Then what is that person's name?"
"Howard."
Faced with the situation where the boss couldn't remember his name, the lower-level officials took advantage of the situation and reminded him.
"Yes, let that Howard come in. I want to see what this Italian wants to do."
After a while, under the leadership of his subordinate officers, Howard saw Li Zhongtang sitting in the main hall.
"I have met the Deputy Prime Minister of the Qing Dynasty and His Excellency the Governor-General."
Faced with the situation where Italian businessmen spoke carelessly without knowing their official positions, Master Zhongtang would certainly not take it lightly.
"I don't know... Mr. Huo wants to see me. Is there something important?"
Although Li Zhongtang met Howard, everyone could hear the impatience in his words. If Howard didn't have any news that interested him, then it would be a high probability that he would be kicked out.
Howard was not an idiot. Of course he heard what Li Zhongtang meant clearly, but he spoke calmly and brought a shocking news to Mr. Zhongtang. "Your Excellency, the Governor, I have some connections in Europe. As a meeting gift, I would like to I have a message for you, sir."
Howard's words surprised Mr. Zhongtang. It is rare for a piece of news to be used as a meeting gift. "Then let me weigh whether your news is enough as a meeting gift."
"Okay, Your Majesty the Governor. The news I bring is that the Germans have agreed that if your country goes to war with France, according to the principle of neutrality, they will stop the transportation of weapons to your country, even if they have been ordered before.
It won’t work.”
Howard's words made Li Zhongtang stand up. "Are you serious about this?"
Li Zhongtang couldn't help but lose his composure, because he understood what Howard meant. As long as there was war with France, Germany would not let the two ships of Tranquility return home. Thinking of this, how could he not be anxious? You must know that the core of Beiyang is these two ships.
This is a huge ship. If the time is delayed, the formation time of the Beiyang Navy will also be delayed. This is not good news for Li Zhongtang, who is leading the construction of the navy.
"I dare not deceive Your Excellency the Deputy Prime Minister. This is the news confirmed by my friends in Europe."
Li Zhongtang, who felt that he had lost his composure, sat back down and managed to say, "It seems that Mr. Huo has a wide range of friends."
"I don't deserve the praise of your Excellency the Governor. I am just well-informed."
"So, what other news does Mr. Huo have to inform me?"
"No more. Let me just say one more thing. I am not an intelligence dealer. I sell various machines and equipment. Of course, if the Governor is willing to make you your friend, then I can also bring you some small arms or warships.
But you need to pay a considerable amount of compensation."
"Is this true?"
"Yes, Your Majesty the Governor, as long as you have money, I can provide you with a first-class armored ship that is much more powerful than the second ship Tranquility, and we can also provide it in stock. However, the cost is relatively high."
Li Zhongtang understood Howard's words. It cost Beiyang a huge amount of money to calm down the two ships. If he wanted to buy a more powerful warship, the money needed would be lost. With his current wealth, he couldn't afford it.
.
Although he couldn't take it out, Howard's words moved his heart. "After all, Mr. Huo has very good hands and eyes. He doesn't seem to be an ordinary person."
"Your Excellency, Governor, you are overly worried. I am just a small Italian businessman. As long as your country can pay enough, I can still recruit retired officers and soldiers to operate warships for your country to fight against the enemy."
The second half of Howard's sentence seemed to Li Zhongtang just to brag, but the first half did let him know the origin of this businessman. It seemed that he needed to study next what grudges the Italians and the French had.
"Please have tea."
Li Zhongtang raised his tea cup and gestured to Howard.
As a businessman in China for many years, how could Howard not know the purpose of this move, but his purpose had been achieved, so he stood up and said. "Excuse me, Governor, this is my address in Shanghai. If the Governor needs it, you can follow
Come find me at this address."
After speaking, Howard left, leaving Li Zhongtang alone in the lobby.
"Dong Weng, this Howard is no ordinary businessman at first glance."
After Howard left, Zhou Fu walked out from behind the screen.
Facing his long-time aide and confidant, Li Zhongtang stopped pretending and said with a wry smile. "Of course I know this Howard is not simple. He can find me with the recommendation of the Italian Minister. How can it be so simple?"
"So how does Dong Weng plan to deal with this Italian?"
"Let's take one step at a time. If what Howard said is true, we must let Zixiang and Ji Qian in Germany bring back the second ship of Tranquility as soon as possible."
What Li Zhongtang is most concerned about now is his calm second ship in Germany. If it is detained, there is really no good solution.
Li Zhongtang's worries were irrelevant to Howard, because he needed to visit several governors next, such as Zeng Guoquan, the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, Zuo Zongtang, the governor of Liangjiang, He Jing, the governor of Fujian and Zhejiang, etc., so he was pressed for time and could not continue to wait.
one time.
Of course, he now needs to let these staid Qing governors know him first. As for future problems, he will need orders from Rome.
