Anti-Qing: Starting from the Jintian Uprising

Chapter 471 Li Yi: Change the definition!

Overall, Lao Li is a capable person.

He did a pretty good job in Shandong.

At present, people's livelihood in Shandong has basically recovered.

The Yellow River embankment has been rebuilt, a large amount of farmland has been reclaimed, the people have been registered as citizens, the situation in Shandong has stabilized, and progress in various industries and industrial development are progressing in an orderly manner.

Therefore, Li Yi planned to promote Li Hongzhang and give him more responsibilities.

When Li Hongzhang heard this, his face turned red instantly and he bowed in front of Li Yi.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace."

"Everything is subject to your majesty's arrangements!"

Li Yi asked with a smile.

"I wonder what your family thinks of the situation in Southeast Asia?"

Li Yi's question was not without purpose.

He planned to transfer Li Hongzhang to Nanyang to serve as Governor-General of Nanyang, responsible for the development of Nanyang.

When Li Hongzhang heard this, he immediately realized that this was a test from the emperor.

If I can make my point, then the position of Governor-General of Nanyang will most likely be mine.

Taking a deep breath, Li Hongzhang began to speak.

"Your Majesty, I think the biggest problem in Nanyang right now is the lack of population."

"The population of our Tang Dynasty in Southeast Asia, even including the Chinese in Southeast Asia, is not enough to form an overwhelming advantage over the indigenous people in Southeast Asia."

"If our Tang Dynasty wants to turn Nanyang into a mature land, then the most important thing is to make our Han people the main ethnic group in Nanyang."

"Therefore, I believe that the development of Nanyang should focus on immigration!"

"In addition, related industries such as mineral development, cash crop planting, grain planting, and deep-sea fishing should be developed in Nanyang."

"By promoting industrial construction and economic development, we can increase the attractiveness of the Nanyang region to immigrants..."

Listening to Li Hongzhang's explanation, Li Yi nodded slightly.

"Well, what you said is correct."

"If I let you serve as the Governor-General of Nanyang, I wonder if you can give me a satisfactory answer in Nanyang?"

Upon hearing this, Li Hongzhang took a deep breath and spoke with a serious and solemn expression.

"I will obey your orders and ensure that I complete the task!"

"Don't let your majesty down!"

Li Yi said with a smile.

"Very good, since your family has this confidence, I will give you this opportunity."

"After that, the imperial decree appointing you as the Governor-General of Nanyang will be issued. You should take a rest for a while and then prepare to leave!"

Upon seeing this, Li Hongzhang bowed.

"Thank you, my humble servant, for your grace!"

Li Yi heard this and said with a smile.

"The Qing family probably hasn't eaten yet, right?"

"How about having lunch with me today?"

Li Yi was planning to give Li Hongzhang a banquet in order to bring the monarch and his subject closer together.

In addition, Li Yi also wanted to hear Li Hongzhang’s specific plans for the development of Southeast Asia.

When Li Hongzhang heard this, he agreed immediately.

Not to mention that he hadn't eaten yet, even if he had already eaten, he would have another meal if the emperor invited him.

The emperor gave you a banquet to improve your relationship with him. If you don't even accept this, then what exactly do you want to do?
At noon, at the dinner table, Li Yi sat at the main seat and raised his hand to motion Li Hongzhang to sit opposite him.

After the two of them took their seats, Wang Zhong, who was standing nearby, brought up the palace maids and eunuchs to serve Li Yi.

Li Yi had a very simple lunch.

One dish of roasted venison, one dish of stewed bear paw, one dish of baked lobster, one serving of braised beef in soy sauce, and one serving of black chicken soup.

To put it simply, there are four dishes and one soup. Although there are some rare ingredients, for Li Yi, an emperor, this can be considered quite simple.

The dishes were served, and Li Yi personally picked up a piece of roasted venison for Li Hongzhang with chopsticks, and then said.

"This roasted deer meat dish uses tenderloins from six-month-old sika deer. After roasting, it is seasoned with spices such as cumin, pepper, and chili. It is smooth, tender, fresh, and delicious. It is a rare delicacy."

"You must try it!"

Upon hearing this, Li Hongzhang couldn't help but speak excitedly.

"I dare not trouble your majesty, I will come on my own."

As he spoke, he put the roasted venison that Li Yi gave him into his mouth and chewed it carefully.

Then I couldn’t help but admire!
As he spoke, Li Yi ordered the attendant beside him to pour wine for Li Hongzhang.

"Try this, my dear family. It's the best Shaoxing girl's red wine, a delicacy that has been cellared for twenty years."

"How can we eat venison without some rice wine?"

Li Hongzhang quickly picked up the wine glass and drank it all.

My heart is full of emotion.

Although Li Yi is now the emperor, he treats his subjects no differently than before.

Still amiable and courteous, still respectful to others.

Being treated so well by Li Yi, Li Hongzhang couldn't help but feel the urge to die for his friend.

Well, when he goes to Southeast Asia in the future, he will not be greedy until he has finished the tasks assigned by the emperor!
Old Li also has a conscience!
In fact, Li Yi also knew that Li Hongzhang was corrupt.

But that's not important!
Old Li is a really capable person and he can really get things done.

As long as he can complete the tasks assigned to him, then it won't be a big deal if he takes a little bit of bribes.

Everyone has selfish desires, and even Li Yi cannot make his subordinates free of selfish desires.

And as long as there is selfishness, there will be corruption.

All Li Yi has to do is to clean up those corrupt officials who do nothing but engage in corruption, thereby rectifying the official atmosphere.

Ensure that Datang’s government structure still has the ability to get things done.

As for eradicating corruption?
Haha, this is no different from the Arabian Nights.

Unless Li Yi issues an order to change the definition of corruption, for example, describing gift-giving as political donations and bribery as lobbying expenses...

In this way, corruption can indeed be eradicated!

After all, even the definition of the word corruption no longer exists, so how can there be any corruption?
Just as Li Yi and Li Hongzhang were having lunch together, footsteps were heard outside the room.

Zhang Zhidong walked in from outside.

He came to Li Yi and spoke.

"Your Majesty, urgent news from India."

"Something happened!"

"After receiving the second round of aid from the Tang Dynasty, the Indian army sent troops to counterattack and attempted to counterattack Delhi."

"A fierce battle broke out between the British and Indian armies in Delhi. After the battle, the Indian army was defeated at the gates of Delhi. Now, the main force of the Indian rebel army has been completely annihilated."

"Afterwards, the British army pushed back all the way, successively conquering Kanpur, Lucknow and other places, and even began to attack Dhaka. I'm afraid the Indian uprising is about to collapse..."

When saying this, Zhang Zhidong's expression was quite solemn.

As he spoke, he handed the urgent report in his hand to Li Yi, who took it and began to read it.

After a moment, the expression on his face suddenly became uncertain.

"Haha, these Indians are really trash!"

Li Yi slammed the military newspaper in his hand heavily on the table, and the smile on his face disappeared instantly.

Instead, there was a gloomy look on his face.

At this moment, everyone in the room, whether it was Li Hongzhang, Zhang Zhidong, or the palace maids and eunuchs serving on the side, all became silent.

The expressions on everyone's faces were unconsciously tense.

Wang Zhong was the first to take the lead and kneel down.

"Your Majesty, calm down!"

"Your Majesty, please calm down your wrath for a while!"

Upon seeing this, Li Hongzhang, Zhang Zhidong and others also knelt down.

Please ask Li Yi to calm down!
Li Yi's chest heaved violently, but he finally waved his hands.

"Everyone get up!"

"Why are you kneeling? I am angry at India for not fighting back. It has nothing to do with you."

As he spoke, Li Yi reached out and helped Li Hongzhang and Zhang Zhidong up.

Then he looked up and signaled Wang Zhong to stand up as well.

After everyone stood up, Li Yi asked for advice.

"Please tell us what you think, all of you!"

"The situation in India is very bad. How should the Tang Dynasty respond?"

When asking this question, Li Yi's face was visibly calm, and between his brows was a look of unrelieved depression.

Seeing this, Li Hongzhang made a proposal.

"Your Majesty, since India is no longer viable, we, the Tang Dynasty, may as well withdraw from India and retreat to Burma."

"With Burma as a barrier, even if the British can be proud of India for a while, they should not be able to threaten the safety of our Tang Dynasty."

In Li Hongzhang's view, Myanmar is undoubtedly a more reliable candidate than India.

Zhang Zhidong also said this.

"Your Majesty, I think that our Tang Dynasty might be able to fight the British army in India."

"If we can hold on to Dhaka, then Dhaka will be the best window for our Tang Dynasty to intervene in the Indian situation again in the future."

"If we can't hold on, it won't be too late to retreat!"

Li Yi heard this and nodded slightly.

"I also thought I could wait and see in Dhaka..."

The Tang Dynasty paid a considerable price to manage Dhaka and build its city defense.

How can we just abandon it now?

We should still have a fight!

Given the Tang army's operations in Dhaka, the British army might not be able to take it down.

Also, after a fight, Tang Dynasty and Britain will be able to negotiate, right?
Upon seeing this, Li Hongzhang knew that Li Yi wanted to fight in Dhaka, so he made a suggestion.

"Your Majesty, I think that in order to ensure that the situation in Dhaka is foolproof, our Tang Dynasty should dispatch another fleet to Dhaka for reinforcement before the war." "To ensure that our army can attack or defend in Dhaka!"

Li Yi fell into deep thought after hearing this.

Now, the Tang Dynasty's South Sea Fleet has been transferred to India, and the Bohai Fleet is responsible for defending the capital.

In this case, the only fleet that can be mobilized is the East China Sea Fleet.

Thinking about this, Li Yi came up with an idea that it was time for the Tang Dynasty to form a fourth fleet specifically for India, the Indian Ocean Fleet.

Thinking about this, Li Yi finally spoke.

"Pass on my order, and order all the ministers of the Military Affairs Council to come to Jiuzhou Qingyan to discuss matters!"

……

Li Hongzhang left Jiuzhou Qingyan.

After leaving the Old Summer Palace, Zhang Zhidong was ordered to take him to the Sihai Hotel.

As a provincial governor, Li Hongzhang did not have to pay to stay at the Sihai Hotel.

He has a certain amount of free accommodation every year, and only needs to pay after exceeding the amount.

Of course, this so-called self-payment is different from ordinary customers' self-payment.

He has a discount!

Sitting in the carriage, looking at the cars passing by on the road from time to time, Li Hongzhang asked curiously.

"It can run as fast as flying without being pulled by oxen or horses."

"Master Zhang, could this be the car?"

Li Hongzhang had read about cars in the newspaper and knew that there were such things as cars in the Tang Dynasty.

However, this was the first time he saw what the real thing looked like.

Zhang Zhidong nodded and said after hearing this.

"Master Li is right."

"There are cars running on this road. If you are interested, you can go to the car dealership in Xicheng District of Beijing to have a look."

Although the Tang Dynasty carried out urban transformation in the capital after taking control of it, the distribution pattern of residents in the capital did not change.

That is what is meant by the east is rich, the west is noble, the south is poor, and the north is humble.

The main customers of the cars were the noble officials and wealthy merchants of the Tang Dynasty.

Naturally, specialty stores will not go to the south city or the inner city.

The reason why they live in West City is that most of the people living in West City are ministers and nobles, and their consumption power is much stronger than that of the wealthy and powerful people in East City.

Upon hearing this, Li Hongzhang asked with some interest.

"I wonder how much this car costs?"

Zhang Zhidong said with a smile.

"The price is not expensive, only 10,000 silver dollars."

"However, we officials have discounts. We can get one for only 8888 yuan."

Upon hearing this, Li Hongzhang nodded and said.

“It’s really not expensive!”

For a provincial governor of Li Hongzhang's level, ten thousand yuan is indeed not expensive.

Well, Old Li worked hard to become an official and made money, so what's wrong with him enjoying himself now?
Of course, Li Hongzhang was not stupid enough to use the money he got from corruption to buy a car.

His Li family also has legitimate business.

Thanks to the protection of this high-ranking official, the business is doing well and this little money can definitely be raised.

Also, although Li Hongzhang was greedy, he would not accept cash for fear of being caught.

Generally speaking, when people wanted to bribe him, they would usually start with the Li family's business.

Zhang Zhidong reminded.

"By the way, Lord Li, in order to protect the appearance of the capital, the court is discussing issuing a ban that will prohibit cattle, horses and livestock from entering the capital."

"You should buy a car as soon as possible, otherwise it will not be easy to take a car to Beijing in the future."

Upon hearing this, Li Hongzhang nodded in understanding.

The two chatted and laughed, and soon arrived at the Sihai Hotel.

After Li Hongzhang checked in, Zhang Zhidong said goodbye and left.

……

As the end of the year approaches, the festive atmosphere in and outside the capital becomes more and more intense.

People come and go on the street, and every face is filled with a sincere smile.

Before Zhang's goods were delivered, Liu Jiang bowed to a middle-aged man.

The middle-aged man took out three silver dollars from his wallet and said.

"Here is your salary for this month."

"The New Year is coming soon. After I get my wages, I will go home and have a good New Year."

"Come back to work after the fifteenth!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Jiang took the wages with both hands and said with a flattering smile on his face.

"Okay, okay, I understand!"

"I would like to thank Manager Zhang for the reward."

Manager Zhang waved his hand and turned to leave.

Only after Manager Zhang had walked a long way away did Liu Jiang straighten up.

Weighing the three silver dollars in his hand, Liu Jiang's face was filled with a heartfelt smile.

"Hehe, I got three silver dollars this month. Add to that what I saved before, and in two or three years at most, the money I saved will be enough to pay a down payment for a house in the capital."

I thought that after I bought a house in Beijing in the future, I would be able to obtain a Beijing household registration and from now on I would be considered a Beijing citizen.

Liu Jiang's heart was filled with eagerness.

Feeling tired is nothing.

Humming a little tune, Liu Jiang turned around and prepared to go home.

When passing by a clothing store, Liu Jiang saw a large flowered jacket in the shop window.

Today, when the Tang Dynasty develops the textile industry, it not only promotes spinning and weaving, but also develops the garment manufacturing industry.

Today's Tang Dynasty already has a fairly large garment manufacturing industry. Common shops on the streets are no longer just silk shops, cloth shops, and tailor shops, but also clothing stores that specialize in selling ready-made clothes.

Looking at the big flowered jacket, he couldn't help but think, how beautiful it would be if his wife could wear such a jacket?

Thinking of this, Liu Jiang involuntarily stopped and stood still.

Touching the silver dollar in his arms, Liu Jiang's face was full of confusion.

After a moment, he gritted his teeth.

"Tsui'er hasn't worn new clothes in several years. I have to buy her some new clothes this year since I have some spare money."

"Cui'er has been married to me for several years. She has given birth to children and taken care of the housework. I cannot treat her badly..."

Thinking of this, Liu Jiang pushed the door and walked into the clothing store.

A clerk came forward and greeted him.

"Hello, sir?"

"May I ask what you are buying?"

Liu Jiang looked at the clean and brightly lit shop in front of him and felt a little scared.

But when he touched the silver dollar in his arms, he suddenly felt confident and asked.

"Are there any ready-made clothes for women?"

"I want that big flowered jacket."

Liu Jiang pointed at the large flowered jacket worn by the mannequin in the window.

Upon hearing this, the clerk replied immediately.

"Of course!"

"Sir, what size do you want?"

Liu Jiang's face twitched and he said with some embarrassment.

“I don’t know what size it is.”

The clerk saw this, but didn't feel strange, and continued to ask.

"Then may I ask what is the height, weight and waist circumference of the person wearing the clothes?"

Liu Jiang recalled and then said.

"My wife is about five feet three inches tall, weighs about ninety kilograms, and has a waist circumference of two feet one ..."

The clerk heard this, thought for a moment, and then said.

"If you are this height, waist and weight, a 160 should be fine. Please wait a moment, I will go get it for you."

As he was talking, the clerk walked into the storeroom and soon took out a large flowered jacket wrapped in paper.

After handing the clothes to Liu Jiang, the clerk said.

"This large flowered jacket is the most popular style this year. We have sold dozens of them in our store alone."

"If you like it, take it for 80 cents!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Jiang started to bargain.

"Eighty cents? Are you crazy?"

"I only make two or three silver dollars a month, and you're charging me eighty cents for this set of clothes. That's too expensive."

"I think he's worth only three cents at most!"

Upon hearing this, the clerk immediately refuted.

After some bargaining, the price came to 42 cents.

Seeing that the price was almost right, Liu Jiang stopped bargaining and took out a silver dollar from his pocket to pay.

The clerk found a bag to help him pack his clothes and then gave him the change.

Liu Jiang took the paper ticket handed over by the clerk, put it in his arms, then walked out picking up his clothes.

The clerk behind him greeted him warmly.

"Sir, please come back anytime if you need anything!"

"By the way, please keep the invoice. If the size of the clothes doesn't fit, you can exchange it for a larger or smaller size..."

(End of this chapter)