The Qing Dynasty

Chapter 439: Zhili Provincial Governor

But when it came to the vanguard army, Zai Yi didn't dare to make the decision. After all, the food and wages of the vanguard army were raised by Teng Yuzhao himself, so he only agreed to help him ask Teng Yuzhao.

As for whether Teng Yuzao would agree in the end, he couldn't guarantee it.

"General Fu." Xu Ting's voice sounded behind him.

Teng Yuzao couldn't help but turn his head to look at Xu Ting who was following him quietly. Xu Ting nodded slightly to the left.

"Commander Fu, the old man by the apricot forest has stopped practicing his Five Animals Exercises and has been standing there watching Commander Fu. Do you want me to send someone to chase him away?"

Teng Yuzhao had already noticed the old man performing the Five Animal Exercises near the apricot forest.

"No."

Teng Yuzao shook his head and said, "Almost all the princes and nobles who fled from the capital and many court officials live around here. Outsiders cannot enter here, so don't act rashly."

Teng Yuzhao then thought that since the other party was unwilling to leave after performing the Five Animal Exercises and was still staring at him, it meant that he was very interested in him, or at least very concerned about him. He should not just go back like that, as that would make him seem like a distant figure.

It would be better to go over and have a few words with the old man. Who knows, you might be able to get to know a minister in the court and get some help in the future.

Having made up his mind, Teng Yuzao took a towel from Xu Ting and wiped his sweat, then took the military uniform jacket handed to him by Xu Ting and put it on, then walked towards the other party.

The old man was in his fifties, tall and slender, wearing a white light poplin suit. Although he was a little thin, he was in good spirits, and his eyes were still bright on his face with a mottled goatee.

At first, Teng Yuzhao thought that this old man might be Qiao Zhiyong, because the person who was most eager to see him now should be Qiao Zhiyong.

If they could take over the task of managing the army's funds, Qiao Zhiyong's two banks would undoubtedly have an additional source of income that would be guaranteed regardless of drought or flood.

You know, the annual capital turnover of the Vanguard Army is not a small amount, especially the salaries of a large number of officers and soldiers, the annual amount is very huge. If it is circulated and transferred through his two banknote houses, it will be enough for these two banknote houses to make a living.

But as Teng Yuzhao got closer and saw the old man's appearance clearly, he denied his judgment.

The old man did not have the cautious demeanor that a businessman should have. Instead, as he gradually approached, with several soldiers with pistols on their waists following behind him, the old man did not panic at all. The expression on his face was the calmness that people who have been in a high position for a long time are accustomed to having.

The old man bowed from a distance and asked in a loud voice, "Is that the governor-general of Zhili, Marshal Xingfu?"

Teng Yuzao nodded and said, "It's me, may I know who you are..."

Before Teng Yuzao finished speaking, the old man bowed and said, "The new governor of Zhili, Zhou Fu, pays respect to Marshal Fu."

Zhou Fu was Zhou Xuexi's father. He was originally recommended by Li Hongzhang to assist the vanguard army in military affairs. However, when Ting Yong expressed dissatisfaction with Teng Yuzhao's appointment as the Governor-General of Zhili, Cixi changed her mind and prepared to replace Ting Yong with Zhou Fu.

Zai Yi had already told Teng Yuzhao about this matter in their frequent correspondence.

When Teng Yuzao heard that it was Zhou Fu, he hurried forward, supported Zhou Fu with both hands, and spoke repeatedly.

"No, no, you don't have to do this, uncle."

Zhou Fu was stunned at first when Teng Yuzhao called him "uncle", but then he smiled happily and said.

"General Fu, you shouldn't address me like that. After all, I am a subordinate of General Fu. Etiquette should not be neglected!" Teng Yuzhao called Zhou Fu "Uncle", obviously referring to Zhou Xuexi.

Teng Yuzao smiled and said, "Jizhi and I are brothers, so I am naturally your junior. If it is in public, it is fine for you to call me nephew when dealing with outsiders. In private, we don't need to do so, otherwise it will make it difficult for Jizhi and I to be brothers."

Both Zhou and his son are talented people, and they are powerful forces that Teng Yuzao will rely on in the future. Naturally, Teng Yuzao will not put on airs in front of Zhou Fu.

What's more, Zhou Fu was over fifty years old, nearly two generations older than Teng Yuzao. There was nothing wrong with Teng Yuzao considering himself a junior in front of Zhou Fu.

Zhou Fu's transfer to the post of Governor of Zhili this time was not a high promotion. Before that, he was the Zhili Censor, only one level lower than the Governor.

Moreover, Teng Yuzhao also admired Zhou Fu's character.

Zhou Fu followed Li Hongzhang for decades and had always been Li Hongzhang's aide and close friend. He was the actual operator of Li Hongzhang's efforts to promote Westernization. He was highly relied upon by Li Hongzhang and was a very influential figure in the Beiyang faction.

Take the Beiyang Military Academy, where Teng Yuzhao came from, for example. It was organized by Zhou Fu, who could be considered as Teng Yuzhao's former superior.

What is most commendable is that after the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, although Zhou Fu was not satisfied with or approved of Li Hongzhang's actions, he simply resigned from his official position on the grounds of poor health, and did not express any complaints about Li Hongzhang. He also maintained a close personal friendship with Li Hongzhang.

This is quite similar to Xu Shichang's attitude towards Yuan Shikai in his later years.

Besides, the time traveler Teng Yuzao knows it clearly.

Historically, Zhou Fu also served as acting Governor-General of Zhili, Governor of Shandong, Governor-General of Liangjiang and Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi. He is definitely a highly respected Beiyang official in the late Qing Dynasty.

Seeing Teng Yuzhao's sincere attitude, Zhou Fu also smiled and said casually.

"General Fu and Ji are brothers, which is his blessing. Otherwise, we still have to follow the rules in public, but I can be more unrestrained in private."

"well!"

Before Zhou Fu finished speaking, Teng Yuzao nodded repeatedly.

"Uncle, just call me by my given name. No more empty formalities."

Seeing that Teng Yuzhao and Zhou Fu were talking happily, Xu Ting let down his guard against Zhou Fu and retreated a distance with two guards.

Zhou Fu turned around and waved to the two servants standing far away. The two servants came trotting over with teapots in their hands. Like magic, they took out two brocade mats and spread them on two bluestones beside them. Then they took out two cups and poured warm tea from the pot.

"Xingfu, please take a seat. How about we chat before the audience?"

Zhou Fu obviously wanted to hear Teng Yuzhao's opinions on the arrangements for Zhili affairs, which was exactly what Teng Yuzhao wanted.

After the two of them sat down, Zhou Fu spoke with emotion without any hesitation.

"Since Xingfu formed his army, he has won victory after victory. The vanguard has become braver and stronger with each battle. Since he broke out of the siege of the capital a few days ago, he has received frequent reports of victory. When he was unable to retreat, he swept east and west and killed more than 100,000 foreigners. He is truly the reincarnation of Sun Wu."

"Jizhi wrote in a letter that Xingfu is a man of great talent that appears once every 500 years in China."

(End of this chapter)