The Qing Dynasty

Chapter 312 Xiang Shuai is very happy

"I am Qian Yi, a humble citizen, and I am here to greet Marshal Xiang."

Master Qian's actions not only surprised the old man and the middle-aged man next to him, but also frightened the editor.

"Have you met me?" the old man asked in surprise.

As soon as Zhang Zhidong finished speaking, the editor who was accompanying Master Qian fell to his knees with a plop.

At that time, ordinary people had to kneel when they saw an official, not to mention that Zhang Zhidong was the Governor-General of Huguang. The editor had only seen Zhang Zhidong from afar before, but now he was right in front of him, how could he control himself?

Master Qian had seen the world after all. Although he was a commoner now, he had been with Yu Lu for more than ten years and had met dozens, if not hundreds, of governors-general and high-ranking officials in the court. Zhang Zhidong's official power could not cause much oppression to him. What's more, Zhang Zhidong was not wearing official uniform now, so he did not need to kneel to greet him.

Master Qian bowed and answered respectfully, "I have never seen him, but although Marshal Xiang is here incognito, his every move is very different from that of an ordinary person, so I have long suspected him."

"Furthermore, I used to be an aide to Yu Zhongtang and have seen Marshal Xiang's calligraphy. Now that I have seen Marshal Xiang's handwriting, I can confirm that you are undoubtedly Marshal Xiang."

Although he was answering Zhang Zhidong's questions, Master Qian was full of admiration for Teng Yuzhao in his heart.

Because, just as Teng Yuzhao expected, Zhang Zhidong did come to the newspaper office in person.

"You are Shoushan's staff!"

Master Qian's words made Zhang Zhidong sigh.

Zhang Zhidong waved his hand to let the trembling editor leave, took Master Qian's hand and sat him on the chair. After asking about the circumstances of Yu Lu's death, he couldn't help but sigh.

Although Zhang Zhidong and Yu Lu did not have much of a close relationship, Yu Lu was after all an important figure many years ago. Especially after Yu Lu became the governor-general of Zhili, the two of them also had some correspondence. It was normal to mention Yu Lu's death and express some sighs at this time.

Zhang Zhidong sighed deeply and picked up the teacup. "Master Qian, this tea is the authentic West Lake Longjing tea that Xianzhuang sent to me before the Qingming Festival. It is the best. Master Qian, please have some tea."

The Xianzhuang that Zhang Zhidong mentioned is Liu Kunyi, the current Governor-General of Liangjiang, who is the nominal supreme commander of the Hunan Army and the most powerful governor-general in the country among the current local governors and governors-general.

The current governors and governors-general of various places, and even the high-ranking officials in the court, are no match for Master Qian.

Although Master Qian was being polite, he still picked up the teacup in front of him and took a sip.

The Mingqian Longjing tea is refreshing and fragrant when you drink it, leaving a lingering taste in your mouth. It truly lives up to its reputation as the finest product, which made Master Qian praise it endlessly.

Zhang Zhidong suddenly asked, "Master Qian, I have something I don't understand. Please help me solve this puzzle."

Mr. Qian knew that Zhang Zhidong was about to get to the point, and was about to stand up to answer, but was stopped by Zhang Zhidong. He had to bow in his seat.

"Marshal Xiang, please speak. I will tell you everything I know."

Zhang Zhidong stared into Master Qian's eyes and asked with a smile.

"To run a newspaper, you need to be in a place with a large population, prosperous people's livelihood, and convenient water transportation. The most suitable place for running a newspaper now is Shanghai. Why didn't Mr. Qian run a newspaper there, but came to Wuchang, which is far away from Shanghai, to run a newspaper? "

Master Qian was prepared for Zhang Zhidong's words, but he still forced a wry smile and said.

"Marshal Xiang is right. I and several of my former colleagues in the shogunate were originally going to Shanghai to start a newspaper, but I met Marshal Teng in Gu'an. He suggested that if I wanted to start a newspaper, it would be best to come to Marshal Xiang's Wuchang, so I hurried here."

Hearing Master Qian mention Teng Yuzao, Zhang Zhidong and the middle-aged man who came with him couldn't help but look at each other with a look that showed that it was true.

Zhang Zhidong looked at Master Qian and asked, "Do you have any history with Teng Xingfu?"

Master Qian nodded and said, "When Rong Zhongtang recommended Marshal Teng to Yu Zhongtang, Marshal Teng and I had many interactions. After that, when Marshal Teng started his rebellion in Tianjin, Marshal Teng was always fighting foreigners outside, and both of them were busy with military affairs. The news between Yu Zhongtang and Marshal Teng was always passed on by me, so I am also an old acquaintance of Marshal Teng."

Zhang Zhidong then asked, "Why did Teng Xingfu say that it would be best to publish a newspaper here?"

Knowing that his words had aroused Zhang Zhidong's interest, Qian Shiye could not help but feel proud in his heart, but he still answered respectfully. "Marshal Teng said that my newspaper would inevitably offend foreigners. Now is an extraordinary period. Governors and governors in other places may not protect ordinary people like me, especially in Shanghai, where foreigners are concentrated. If I go there, I may be in danger."

Zhang Zhidong asked curiously, "Teng Xingfu is a wise man. There are many people in Shanghai. It is indeed inappropriate for you to publish the military affairs of Zhili vigorously. The local officials may not protect you."

"However, Shanghai has concessions, and Hankou across the Wuchang River also has foreign concessions. So, Wuchang is not a suitable place, is it?"

Master Qian bowed respectfully to Zhang Zhidong and said hesitantly, "General Teng said that General Xiang..."

Seeing that Master Qian seemed to want to say something but was afraid to, Zhang Zhidong said with a smile.

"Master Qian, if you have something to say, just say it. Even if Teng Xingfu scolds me, I won't take my anger out on you. I, Zhang Xiangtao, still have this tolerance."

Master Qian hesitated for a moment and seemed to have made up his mind.

"Marshal Teng said that although Marshal Xiang had some small thoughts, he never failed in terms of great principles and justice. As long as I didn't rebel, Marshal Xiang would not sit idly by and watch me being persecuted by foreigners."

After hearing what Master Qian said as Teng Yuzao, Zhang Zhidong first stared at Master Qian fiercely for a long time, then excitement slowly flashed between his brows, his face even flushed a little with excitement, and then he suddenly laughed out loud with his face tilted back.

"Good! Good!"

"What a great Teng Xingfu!"

Zhang Zhidong said with great emotion, "I never thought that this Teng Xingfu, whom I have never met, is the one who understands me the most!"

Zhang Zhidong looked at Master Qian again with his sharp eyes, and spoke in a resolute tone with emotion and relief, and spoke in a loud voice.

"Mr. Fuzhi, Teng Xingfu is right. Just stay in Wuchang and run your newspaper. As long as you don't participate in the rebellion, with me, Zhang Zhidong, here, no one, whether Chinese or foreigners, can do anything to you."

Zhang Zhidong now calls Qian "Master", not only calling him by his courtesy name but also adding the respectful title of "Sir". It is obvious that Teng Yuzhao's evaluation makes Zhang Zhidong extremely happy and excited.

"Fuzhi, does Teng Xingfu have anything for you to pass on to me?"

Although Zhang Zhidong changed the address and made it clear that he would protect the safety of himself and the newspaper, this made Master Qian feel completely at ease.

But Zhang Zhidong's last words still surprised Master Qian.

Zhang Zhidong's words seemed to imply that he was Teng Yuzhao's man. No matter how he answered, it would be inappropriate.

After a slight hesitation, Master Qian finally decided that he must never acknowledge his relationship with Teng Yuzhao. Even if Zhang Zhidong confirmed it, he would not explicitly admit it.

In a word, Zhang Zhidong could clearly understand the relationship between him and Teng Yuzao, but he would never admit it in person. This was something Teng Yuzao repeatedly reminded him to pay attention to.

As for Zhang Zhidong's other problems, he could tell the truth.

"Xiang Shuai, Teng Shuai said that you will definitely come to the newspaper office. When you do, let me tell you that he knows that you are in a difficult situation and that many things are beyond your control."

"However, the vanguard army is now short of supplies and ammunition, and the battle with the foreigners is barely going on, and it is already difficult to move forward."

"He now has a large number of captured Japanese gold hook rifles in his hands, which are idle and useless. It's a pity."

"Marshal Teng said that Marshal Xiang is in the hinterland. If there is a riot, the whole country will be shaken, especially since we have just put down the rebellion of the Self-Reliance Army. We urgently need to strengthen our military strength."

"General Teng also said that although he wanted to give this batch of guns to Xiang Shuai for free, he knew that Xiang Shuai would not accept charity. He wanted to sell this batch of guns to Xiang Shuai at a low price, but he didn't know."

"Ha ha."

Master Qian's words drew a burst of hearty laughter from Zhang Zhidong.
I am very sorry to everyone. I am in Tai'an today. I will return to normal after I get home on the 26th. I will express my gratitude to all the book friends who have rewarded and voted for Zui Ma on the 26th!

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(End of this chapter)