The Qing Dynasty

Chapter 390 Governor Helps
Three hours later, the last army that Teng Yuzhao was in finally set out as scheduled.

It was already another morning with the sun shining brightly and the sky clear.

Although the Guards had only rested for three hours, the morale of the officers and soldiers was still high, without any signs of fatigue or slackness. The officers and soldiers in the marching team were in high spirits and even laughter could be heard from time to time.

The vanguard army has very strict military discipline, but there are no particularly strict requirements for daily marches, as long as the formation is kept in order.

The fact that they were able to maintain such high morale after such a long period of continuous marching and fighting was not only due to the successive victories of the vanguard army, but also to the high military pay of the vanguard army.

For the vast majority of soldiers, money is the most important thing. The salary earned from serving in the vanguard army for one month is equivalent to serving in other troops for several months. Even compared with the Wuwei Army, which has a similarly high salary, it is almost two months' salary of the other side.

This time, Teng Yuzao did not march on foot or even on horseback. Instead, he rode in a cart with Wei Jinghai, Wu Peifu, and Li Jinyu. A map was spread out on the cart. As they marched, they talked in low voices, discussing the next marching route and possible problems they might encounter.

It even involves how to fight off the main force of the coalition forces that are chasing them after arriving in Yi County.

Wu Peifu and Li Jinyu were specially called over by Teng Yuzhao for the simple reason that he still wanted to train them.

Teng Yuzao also has high hopes for Li Jinyu.

At the end of the day, Teng Yuzhao felt a little sore in the waist and legs. After dinner, as he had not received any military intelligence, Teng Yuzhao prepared to wash up and rest early. He also felt very tired.

Just as he walked out of the farmhouse and into the yard, the guard reported that Li Yaoting wanted to see him, so Teng Yuzhao had to go back into the house.

Li Yaoting's complexion was not very good. Although he was in good spirits, he could not hide his tired face.

"Han Hun, I can see that you haven't had a good rest during this period. You should also rest early."

"Thank you, Marshal. I can still hold on. I have a few urgent matters that I need to report to you immediately."

When Teng Yuzao heard that it was an urgent matter, he couldn't help but perk up and asked, "But what's the news from Qionglin?"

After withdrawing from the capital, the contact between Li Yulin and Teng Yuzao was taken over by Li Yaoting's people.

Li Yaoting took out a thick letter from his pocket and handed it to Teng Yuzao with both hands, "Yes, this is the letter I just received from Assistant Director Li."

Teng Yuzao dared not delay Li Yulin's letter, because not only were all the captured weapons and equipment of the vanguard army in the camp office, but the camp office also had food shipped from various counties in Zhili and a large number of new recruits being trained.

All the gold, silver and other valuables that Teng Yuzhao obtained secretly were also handled by Li Yulin, who deposited them in Aurora Bank under different aliases through money houses in various places.

Another part of the property was secretly transferred to Ning Xingpu and eventually included in the profits of the Aurora Trading Company in Hankou. These profits were the laundered part.

It can be said that Li Yulin now holds the lifeline of the vanguard army. Although this is only temporary, Teng Yuzao still has to pay great attention to it.

The letter in Teng Yuzhao's hand was sealed with wax, but there was no writing on the envelope, only a picture of a plum blossom.

Teng Yuzhao hurriedly opened Li Yulin's letter and read it carefully.

Although Li Yulin's letter was very long, it covered almost every detail, not only about financial operations, but also about recruiting and training soldiers, their resettlement in Lu'an, and the arrangement of personnel to draw a detailed map of Lu'an and prepare to build defensive fortifications at key passes, etc.

Li Yulin used a code word to talk about the funds. There must be no evidence left behind. But what happened next made Teng Yuzao frown.

Li Yulin said in the letter that Ting Yong, the governor of Zhili Province in Baoding, not only refused to execute the document he sent which was stamped with Teng Yuzhao's seal and the governor's seal, but even refused to let the messenger enter the city.

The document that Teng Yuzhao entrusted Li Yulin to send was to request Ting Yong to relocate all officials in Baoding City to Shanxi. At the same time, it required Ting Yong to force all wealthy households in Baoding City to take their assets and temporarily hide in Shanxi, or go to Henan or nearby Luzhou.

But what he didn't expect was that Ting Yong refused to carry out his order.

Teng Yuzhao gritted his teeth and held back his anger from cursing this stubborn Qing official. He had killed so many foreigners and Christians. Would the Allied Forces let him go when they entered Baoding?

It was not a big deal that Tingyong was seeking his own death, and Teng Yuzhao was too lazy to pay any more attention to him. However, this might delay his grand plan.

However, Teng Yuzhao is busy with the war now and has no time to pay attention to him for the time being.

Teng Yuzao folded the letter and put it back into the envelope, then looked up and asked Li Yaoting, "What intelligence does your security department have about the governor Ting Yong?"

Li Yaoting said, "Replying to the Marshal, this old man Tingyong is very dissatisfied with the Marshal's appointment as the Governor of Zhili, and even spoke out publicly."

"Our people also got news that Ting Yong believed that the imperial court would soon negotiate peace with the foreign devils. Therefore, Ting Yong not only asked officials at all levels in Baoding to keep to themselves, but also issued a notice to reassure the people, asking them not to believe in rumors and so on."

"I am out of reach now. I can't do anything about Ting Yong for now. We will deal with this old man later."

Teng Yuzao said again, "What's the urgent matter you're talking about? Tell me."

Li Yaoting said hurriedly, "Reporting to the Marshal, Zhang Zhidong asked Master Qian to send back a message saying that your brother is now in Wuchang, and was secretly escorted to Zhang Zhidong by Li Zhongtang, the Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi."

"What?" Li Yaoting's words startled Teng Yuzao so much that he jumped up from his seat.

"How could Li Hongzhang know that my brother was studying in Guangzhou?"

Teng Yuzhao's older brother, Teng Yubin, was moved to many places by Teng Yuzhao and finally settled in a church school in Guangzhou. When he suddenly heard that his brother was sent to Zhang Zhidong in Huguang by Li Hongzhang, how could he not be surprised!

Seeing Teng Yuzao in panic, Li Yaoting said hurriedly, "Marshal, according to Zhang Zhidong, Li Zhongtang got the news that the foreigners had learned that your brother was studying in Guangzhou. Although Li Zhongtang secretly sent people to protect him, he was worried that he might be summoned to Shanxi by the court soon. He was worried about your brother's safety, so he sent people to Hubei in advance."

"Zhang Zhidong has now placed your brother in the Jingxin Academy to study. Zhang Zhidong has sent a message saying that you can rest assured, Marshal, as long as he, Zhang Zhidong, serves as the Governor-General of Huguang, he will absolutely guarantee your brother's safety."

Li Yaoting went on to say, "According to the information we have, Zhang Zhidong has specially arranged a dozen people to secretly protect your brother, and our security department has also arranged personnel in the academy and residence."

Teng Yuzhao nodded. He was reassured about Zhang Zhidong's arrangements and promises. Not to mention Zhang Zhidong's character, he would definitely not set his sights on his brother.

Moreover, Teng Yuzhao also knew about the Jingxin Academy, which was originally founded by Li Hongzhang and Hubei Governor Guo Boyin. After Zhang Zhidong came to Huguang, he further developed it and opened up not only foreign language courses, but also astronomy, science, and manufacturing. The so-called science is physics.

Just as he let go of the matter, Teng Yuzhao suddenly remembered that the safety of his younger brother and sister who stayed in his hometown also worried him. He hurriedly wanted to make arrangements for Li Yaoting. Unexpectedly, Li Yaoting had already started talking about this matter, as if he knew what he was thinking.

"Handsome."

(End of this chapter)