Liu Hai and the others arrived safely in Nanjing City, and then went directly to the Liangjiang Governor's Mansion without returning to their house.
Zeng Guoquan, the governor of Liangjiang, received a report from someone below that his precious daughter was back, and immediately waited hurriedly at the door.
It can be said that Zeng Guoquan dotes on this daughter to the heavens. It was because this daughter liked the handsome bangs that she insisted on getting married to him.
Although Zeng Guoquan was unwilling, he still went to propose marriage to Liu Kunyi, and then allowed his daughter to marry Liu Hai.
When Liu Hai brought Zeng Yuying to the second door, he saw a gray-haired old man standing at the door waiting with the support of a servant.
As soon as Zeng Yuying saw the old man, she shed tears in her eyes. She came to the old man in three steps, drove the servant away, supported the old man herself and said, "Dad, don't wait in the house."
Wait, what are you doing at the door?"
"Isn't this my precious daughter coming back? Dad, I'm worried."
Next, Zeng Guoquan returned to the back hall with the support of Zeng Yuying, while Liu Hai could only follow the father and daughter.
When they arrived at the back hall, Zeng Guoquan sat in the middle, with Zeng Yuying accompanying him. Liu Hai had the least status in this center, so he could only find a seat on the side and sit down casually.
Then Zeng Guoquan and Zeng Yuying began to express their feelings of separation in the back hall. After the father and daughter had finished speaking, Zeng Guoquan sent Zeng Yuying away.
Zeng Yuying was also a sensible person. From the look on Zeng Guoquan's face, she knew that he had something important to discuss with Liu Hai, so she gave Zeng Guoquan a new promotion, said a thousand blessings, and then left to prepare meals.
After Zeng Yuying left, Zeng Guoquan waved to Liu Hai who was sitting beside him, "Why are you sitting so far away? I can eat you."
Liu Hai could only touch his nose and find himself next to Zeng Guoquan again.
Zeng Guoquan touched his beard and pondered for a moment before saying: "Did you know that in June, the imperial court and England signed a new contract."
Although Liu Hai is modern, he is not very familiar with history. When he heard this, he really didn't know and quickly asked what happened.
It turned out that the British invaded Burma last year and implemented comprehensive control over Burma, which caused a backlash from the Qing Dynasty.
However, the Qing Dynasty was at war with France at the time and did not dare to offend Qing Yingji, so it could only remain silent and go with the flow.
It was not until this year that the Qing-French War ended, that the Qing court was free to discuss matters in Myanmar with England.
But it was too late now. Ying Jili had already controlled the entire Myanmar. In the end, he had no choice but to knock out his teeth and swallow it in his belly.
After several negotiations, the Qing Dynasty reluctantly signed a "Qing-British Myanmar Agreement" with the British.
The content of the agreement will not be detailed. It is probably that the Qing Dynasty recognized all the British privileges in Burma, and the British agreed that the Burmese government could pay tribute to the Qing Dynasty once every 10 years.
Basically, the British got the entire territory of Myanmar, while the Qing Dynasty only got a little face.
Zeng Guoquan explained it to Liu Hai, and then Liu Hai understood what happened in the Qing Dynasty while he was training soldiers.
After Zeng Guoquan finished speaking, he looked up to the sky and sighed, "The country is unfortunate and the world is in crisis. What can we do?"
After Liu Hai heard this, he thought that as long as the old witch was there, the Xia Kingdom would never be able to revive.
When Liu Hai saw his old father-in-law, a gray-haired man, he was worried about state affairs and could only stand by to advise him.
"Father-in-law, there is no need to be so anxious. Over the past few years, we have also launched the Westernization Movement, which has been quite effective. In a few years, when the Westernization Movement is complete, we will be able to stand on top of the world again."
Zeng Guoquan smiled and shook his head, "Maybe it will be like this, but I'm afraid I won't see this day."
Liu Hai felt a little sad after hearing Zeng Guoquan's words, but he remembered clearly that Zeng Guoquan passed away in 1890, which was only two or three years ago.
Zeng Guoquan saw Liu Hai's mood after being talked about by him, and felt a little sad, so he bowed his hand and said boldly: "Don't say such unpleasant things. I have called you here to discuss something important with you this time."
"My father-in-law, if you have something to do, just give me instructions and discuss anything."
Zeng Guoquan smiled, his face full of relief. Although this son-in-law had a bad reputation outside, he had observed during this period that his son-in-law was still capable.
He had only been in Shanghai for a few months and had already raised a team of more than 3,000 people. With the small money he gave him, he was able to acquire all the equipment for the troops of several thousand people. I heard that there were also a few cannons.
Zeng Guoquan's current idea is to focus on training Liu Hai and train Liu Hai to be the heir of the Hunan Army.
This was not Zeng Guoquan’s idea alone. During this period, he and Liu Kunyi exchanged letters frequently. Liu Kunyi was also greatly surprised when he learned what Liu Hai was doing in Shanghai. He did not expect that this nephew would go around the countryside when he was in his hometown, and would still do things outside.
Really made progress.
As for letting Liu Hai serve as the heir to the Hunan Army, Liu Kunyi naturally agreed wholeheartedly. No one else could ask for such a good thing, so how could he refuse?
"Didn't I tell you some time ago that I would give Nanyang Navy an armored ship? As a result, you have to take the ship?"
When Liu Hai heard this, he immediately became excited. If there really was such an armored ship, and he was in charge, it would only lift all boats.
"Father-in-law, is it possible that there are clues to this matter?"
"Yes, in the past few months, I have summoned all the businessmen in the Liangjiang area, and finally collected some money. Some time ago, I gave a discount, and the imperial court has approved the Nanyang Navy to purchase an ironclad ship."
Liu Hai was overjoyed when he heard this. If he became the captain of this armored ship, his official position would be several ranks, and more importantly, he would also be famous all over the world.
If you don't look at the management of the Zhenyuan and Dingyuan ships, no one will know about them now. This is just their reputation.
However, Liu Hai then thought about it. During this period of time, the imperial court had mainly supported the Beiyang Navy. Even the funds for the Nanyang Navy were almost all allocated to the Beiyang Navy.
What if this ironclad ship is bought back and intercepted by Beiyang?
"Father-in-law, if we buy this iron-clad ship back and Beiyang Navy Li Hongzhang makes trouble and transfers it to Beiyang, what should we do?"
After listening to Liu Hai's words, Zeng Guoquan knew that this was possible, but he gently put the cup in his hand on the table and said with arrogance: "Without my approval, I don't think any of them would dare to move the armored ship to Beiyang.
Even if Li Hongzhang came to me in person, there would be no need to discuss this matter."
After hearing Zeng Guoquan's assurance, Liu Hai felt relieved. With Zeng Guoquan standing in front of him, Li Hongzhang really had nothing to do with this ironclad ship.
Zeng Guoquan thought for a while and then asked Liu Hai: "I heard that you had close contact with those foreigners in Shanghai during this period. Which country do you think is more appropriate to purchase ships from?"
"What do you mean, father-in-law?"
"I'm asking you, why are you asking me?"
Liu Hai could only touch his nose, thought for a while and then said: "If you say that the navies of all the world's navies are naturally superior to England, but now Germany, as a rising star, is also trying to catch up. The Dingyuan and Zhenyuan ships of the Beiyang Navy were purchased from
Germany."
"However, in my son-in-law's opinion, Germany's shipbuilding technology is still lagging behind England's. Now England has more than 10,000 tons of ironclads, while Germany's current ironclads are only more than 7,000 tons. Dingyuan and Zhenyuan
The ship is also built according to the appearance of the upper-class ironclad ship in England, so if my son-in-law thinks it is better to go to England to buy a new ironclad ship."
Zeng Guoquan couldn't help but nodded, but he suddenly asked: "Then why didn't the imperial court buy ironclad ships from England at that time, but transferred to Germany?"
"I heard that the British are more arrogant. Maybe Li Zhongtang was a little dissatisfied in this regard, so he changed to Germany."
Zeng Guoquan shook his head after hearing this, "Our Qing Dynasty is weak now and cannot build first-class iron-clad ships. We have to be angry when we deserve it. When we can build iron-clad ships ourselves, it will not be too late to fall out."
Liu Hai is also helpless. Now Britain also has its reasons for pride. The ironclads of other countries are imitated according to the British ironclads.
For example, the Dingyuan and Zhenyuan ships, which are now regarded as the pride of the Qing Dynasty, were modeled after the British HMS Inflesh White more than ten years ago.
After Zeng Guoquan finished sighing, he said to Liu Hai: "If that's the case, then you should go to England in person and order an ironclad ship from England."
"What about the Nanyang Marine Corps?"
"Don't worry about this. You can recommend someone to temporarily manage the Nanyang Marine Corps. When you come back, I will transfer him to your command."
After hearing this, Liu Hai often let out a breath, and then said: "Then when will I set off?"
"In a few days, the envoys sent by the imperial court to London, the capital of England, to sign the "Qing-British Treaty" will leave. When the time comes, you will go with them, so that you can take care of them on the way."
"Okay, then how do you calculate the silver needed to buy a warship?"
"Right now, there are about 2 million taels of silver in my bank account. When you leave, take more people with you and take the silver with you."
"In this case, my father-in-law, I will rest for a few days. I just don't know where I will meet with the imperial envoy."
"The imperial envoy will board the ship in Shanghai. It seems that the ship ticket is seven days later. You can pack up in Nanjing and go back quickly. Don't miss the trip."
Liu Hai agreed and left the living room.
Liu Hai immediately ordered his men to send an order to Shanghai after leaving the living room, ordering them to send an armed force of 100 people and rush to Nanjing overnight.
Because time was tight, Liu Hai thought about picking up the money and returning to Shanghai as soon as possible, because Liu Hai had an idea in his mind.
That is to use this silver to exchange for gold in a foreign bank in Shanghai, and then use the gold to return to the present and exchange it for industrial silver. In this way, he can get at least 10 times the profit.