Zhao Jiahua did not know that just after he stayed at the Yuelai Inn, news of his arrival in Tianjin was reported to Li Hongzhang, the governor of Zhili.
It should be said that Li Hongzhang was indeed deeply rooted in the Qing Dynasty, with a wide range of sources of information, and he also paid great attention to his opponent Liu Hai.
Every time Liu Hai's coal ship came to Tianjin, he would send someone to keep an eye on it at the dock. This time, a few people in gorgeous clothes got off the coal ship. These people were obviously in Beijing on business.
This group of people immediately attracted the attention of the surveillance personnel. After inquiring about the residence and names of these people, they reported the situation to Li Hongzhang.
After Li Hongzhang got the news, he thought for a long time alone in the room. He was thinking about what Liu Hai was going to do when he sent people to Tianjin.
However, even though Li Hongzhang was very capable, he could not analyze the purpose of these people from such a small amount of information.
Since he couldn't think clearly, don't think about it, so he simply sent his son-in-law Zhang Peilun to Yuelai Inn and invited this gentleman to a banquet at his Liangjiang Governor's Mansion. He wanted to see what Liu Hai was going to do.
Zhang Peilun felt a little embarrassed after receiving the order from his old father-in-law. This was to force him to come and question Liu Hai's purpose. If this really spread, Li Hongzhang's face would be lost in the Pacific Ocean.
However, Li Hongzhang had already issued an order, and as his son-in-law, he had no way to disobey him. He could only think of saying more good things after he went there to prevent things from developing into the worst place.
Zhang Peilun said goodbye to his wife, then tidied up his clothes, left the Zhili Governor's Palace, and strolled to the Yuelai Inn.
Not to mention, this Perun is really famous in Tianjin. As soon as he arrived at the door of Yuelai Inn, he was recognized by the boy at the door.
"Master Zhang, you're here." The boy said hello, and then quickly reported to the shopkeeper inside.
Zhang Peilun is not an ordinary person. He is the son-in-law and aide of Li Hongzhang, the governor of Zhili. He is also highly regarded by him. As long as he says something, Li Hongzhang will never refute it. If he offends this person, he does not have to complain to him.
Li Hongzhang said that as long as they signaled to the people below, they would be done with the Yuelai Inn.
Therefore, when the shopkeeper heard that Zhang Peilun was coming, he quickly dropped the pen in his hand and ran out. As soon as he saw Zhang Peilun, he hurried up to give him a thousand dollars.
"My dear, I would like to say hello to Mr. Zhang."
Zhang Peilun really knew the shopkeeper. He smiled and said, "Why are there so many gifts? Maybe the two of us were one family 500 years ago."
"Master Zhang, you are joking. Your Zhang is made of gold, while my little Zhang is just a lump of dirt in the ground."
Although Zhang Peilun heard his compliment, he still smiled sweeter. After all, everyone likes to hear nice words, especially Zhang Peilun. But for a period of time, he was in trouble, and he became more aware of the world's sophistication, so now he praises others.
He was still very willing to listen.
The shopkeeper welcomed Zhang Peilun into the guest room, and then gave him fragrant tea and refreshments. Then he stood aside and asked carefully: "Master Zhang, what do you want to do with your visit to our inn this time?"
Zhang Peilun was drinking tea and taking some melon seeds, and then he said, "I heard how many people are staying at your inn?"
The shopkeeper is a little confused? Dozens of people come to this inn every day, but I wonder who Zhang Peilun is asking?
"Master Zhang, please give me a hint, who are you talking about?"
Zhang Peilun smiled and said, "Who else can it be? It's Zhao Jiahua who comes from out of town."
The shopkeeper's heart trembled when he heard this? What on earth did this foreign businessman do to offend Zhang Peilun? How can he survive in Tianjin Wei?
So the shopkeeper didn't dare to hide it, and said quickly: "There is a person like this who came this morning, with three or four bodyguards. I think his clothes are quite luxurious. I think he is a wealthy merchant."
When the shopkeeper said this, he raised his head and glanced at Zhang Peilun carefully, "Did he offend Mr. Zhang?"
Zhang Peilun didn't speak, just knocked on the table, and then said: "Go and inform this Zhao Jiahua that I have invited him."
Upon seeing Zhang Peilun's order, the shopkeeper hurried out, carefully closed the door of the private room, and then sent a clerk to deliver a message to Zhao Jiahua.
Zhao Jiahua has just eaten something and is lying on the bed. In the past few days, he has felt dizzy even when sleeping, but now he is finally down to earth.
As a result, he had just slept for a long time when he was woken up by the sound outside.
"Our shopkeeper asked me to send a message that there is an Uncle Zhang outside who wants to see Mr. Zhao."
"Our master is already asleep. If you want to see him, let him wait until our master wakes up."
These bodyguards are all elite soldiers that Liu Hai picked out for love. Each of them has a certain temper, so they are very rude to this young guy.
When the young man heard the other party's unkind tone, he also lost his temper and immediately straightened up his already bent waist, "This guest may not know. The person who wants to see Mr. Zhao is the famous Tianjin Weihehe
Zhang Peilun, Mr. Zhang. If you offend Mr. Zhang, I’m afraid even the Tianjin Guards won’t be able to leave.”
The bodyguard was selected by Liu Hai out of tens of thousands of people. He was also a proud and arrogant person. How could he bear this? He immediately pulled out a revolver from his waist and put it on the guy's head.
"Tell me damn clearly who can't leave Tianjin Wei."
The guy just wanted to use Zhang Peilun to retaliate against the bodyguard for scolding him. Unexpectedly, as soon as he finished his sentence, the other guy pulled out a gun. He was so frightened that he immediately peed and knelt on the ground begging for mercy.
And this sound had already awakened Zhao Jiahua.
"What's going on outside? There's such a quarrel?"
The bodyguard glared hard, put away the gun, and said to Zhao Jiahua inside: "Master Zhao, the guy outside came to send a message, saying that a man named Zhang Peilun wants to see you."
The bodyguard didn't know who Zhang Peilun was, but Zhao Jiahua knew that Zhang Peilun had already been elected at a young age. He had been an official for more than ten years. If he hadn't been framed and used as a scapegoat, his current official position would probably be the same.
Governor.
So Zhao Jiahua hurriedly dressed up, opened the door and came out, looking at the man who was kneeling on the ground and asked: "Is it really Mr. Li Hongzhang's good son-in-law, Zhang Peilun, Mr. Zhang, do you want to invite him?"
That guy was so frightened that he didn't dare to lie. He knelt there and trembled and said: "Exactly, exactly..."
After hearing this, Zhao Jiahua lowered his head and became thoughtful. He had just arrived at Tianjin Wei and Zhang Peilun came. What does this mean?
But since the other party was already here, he had to see him, so he said to the kneeling guy: "Don't be afraid, I, the bodyguard, am just joking with you."
After finishing speaking, Zhao Jiahua threw a silver dollar to the guy as a reward and said: "Lead the way for me, I'll go see this Mr. Zhang Peilun Zhang."
After the boy took the silver dollar, he stood up shakily and led Zhao Jiahua the way.
Several of Zhao Jiahua's bodyguards also followed closely behind him. They were afraid that Zhao Jiahua would have some bad consequences and they could not go back to explain to Liu Hai.
These people came to the front hall from the backyard, then went up to the second floor, and arrived in front of a private room.
The young man stopped here, then straightened his back and said, "This man, Mr. Zhang Peilun, is waiting for you inside."
Zhao Jiahua nodded, went up and knocked on the door. In just a few moments, the door was opened from the inside, and what appeared in front of Zhao Jiahua was a suave middle-aged man.
Zhao Jiahua looked this person up and down, and he already guessed that this was Zhang Peilun, so he quickly raised his hands and said, "But Mr. Zhang Peilun is in front of you, so Zhao Jiahua is polite."
Zhang Peilun himself didn't have any airs. He welcomed Zhao Jiahua into the private room with a smile, and then ordered the waiter to serve fragrant tea again.
After that, Zhang Peilun said: "Mr. Zhao must be very confused about my presumptuous visit. I would like to ask your forgiveness here."
Zhao Jiahua knew very well about Zhang and Zhang Peilun, how could he compare to this one, so he quickly said: "I don't dare, I don't dare, Mr. Zhang invited me, I am honored to do so, how can I say that I can forgive you."
"Mr. Zhao, you're welcome. To be honest, I came to the Three Treasures Hall for nothing this time. I have one thing that I would like to ask Mr. Zhao for help with."
Zhao Jiahua was not a light-hearted man either. After the other party said these words, his mind went around a few times. This Pei Lun was much stronger than him in terms of status and identity. If there was anything he needed help from, he would do it.
However, Zhao Jiahua did not say anything rude, "Master Zhang, feel free to say whatever you want. As long as I can do it, I will not refuse."
"Mr. Zhao, don't be nervous. It's not a big deal. My father-in-law, Mr. Li Hongzhang, the Governor-General of Zhili, would like to invite Mr. Zhao to meet him."
Zhao Jiahua narrowed his eyes when he heard this. His lord Liu Hai and Li Hongzhang, one in the south and one in the north, can be said to be the two largest powerful factions in the Qing Dynasty. Although they seem harmonious on the surface, as Liu Hai's staff, he
However, there were quite a few conflicts between the two parties. It might not be a good thing for Li Hongzhang to see Liu Hai's staff like himself at this time.
When Zhang Peilun saw Zhao Jiahua, he frowned with a look of reluctance, then smiled and said, "Is Mr. Zhao still afraid that my father-in-law will be harmful to you?"
Zhao Jiahua thought for a while and felt that it was really impossible for Li Hongzhang to do anything to him. After all, an official as big as him still wanted some face.
"I don't dare. Since Mr. Li is inviting me, I would rather be respectful than obey my orders."
Zhang Peilun nodded with a smile, and then shouted to the outside: "Gathering account."
The shopkeeper, who had been waiting outside for a long time, opened the door and came in immediately. The smile on his face was almost squeezed into a ball, "Master Zhang has come to the small shop Pengpi Shenghui. How can a small shop dare to accept Mr. Zhang's tea money?"
"
Zhang Peilun ignored the shopkeeper's flattery and directly took a piece of silver from his arms and threw it on the table.
Then Zhang Peilun said to Zhao Jia Shu: "Mr. Zhao, I will lead the way."
Zhao Jiahua could only helplessly cup his hands, "Then Mr. Lao Zhang will be here."