Nanyang Storm 1864

Chapter 414 Li Jingxi

Chatted for a while
King Zheng Guohui of Chu ended the secret conversation on the grounds that the patient needed rest, and then returned to the palace. Li Jingxi led a group of male members of the Li family to see him off for a long distance.

After coming back
Li Jingxi received a message from the housekeeper that the master was calling him in the study, so he hurried over without stopping.

After straightening his appearance at the door of the study, he bowed and said in a clear voice, "I am honored to have been summoned by my father. I have arrived and respectfully await your instruction."

"Xi'er, come in." Li Hezhang's somewhat old and tired voice came from the study.

When summoned before the King of Chu, his thoughts were so wild that he didn't know what questions would be asked next.

The previous one was talking about the Congo River Company, and the next one talked about the five years of basic education in the country. The issues involved are both broad and in-depth, and we really need to be a hundred times more prepared to deal with them.

If possible

Li Hezhang really didn't want the King of Chu to come and visit him in person. It was both a respected honor and a heavy burden, which would make him extremely nervous.

"I will obey your orders." Li Jingyi was a young man after all. He was still immersed in the joy of the comments from His Majesty the King of Chu, and he pushed the door open and walked into the study with light steps.

Li Hezhang sat on the armchair in the study with his brows lowered, as if he was considering something?
Li Jingyi walked in lightly and stood respectfully aside with his hands hanging down to avoid disturbing his father. His behavior was extremely polite.

Pause for a few minutes
Li Hezhang raised his head, looked Li Jingxi up and down, and said in a gentle tone: "Xi'er, what I said today must not be heard by anyone else. You must be careful and take it seriously."

"I know, but I will keep it a secret." The joy on Li Jingxi's face faded, and his expression became serious. He answered in a solemn voice.

Li Hezhang asked, "What do you think of the King of Chu?"

Li Jingxi's expression froze. He did not rush to answer, but carefully considered the measures before answering:
"The child thought

Your Majesty is a wise and holy ruler rarely seen in a century. You can distinguish between loyalty and treachery, and understand the internal and external affairs. You learn from the West to develop industry and use the strengths of the Western barbarians for the benefit of our Great Chu.

Through military exercises, expansion of the army and colonization, they carved out a vast territory from this chaotic world, stretching from Nicaragua and Patagonia in the east to Sumatra in the west, covering an area of ​​more than tens of thousands of miles.
This is a wise and sage ruler with a global vision, standing tall in the imperial court. He will surely accomplish unparalleled feats and be forever admired by future generations."

"Haha...you said some high-sounding words, but it's equivalent to saying nothing." Li Hezhang shook his head and sighed.

Li Jingxi couldn't help blushing at his father's comments, and looked a little ashamed.

Li Hezhang laughed at himself and said to himself:
"Everyone praises the Li family of northern Anhui for producing so many talented people, bringing glory to the family and ruling the two great courts of the north and south. They are all outstanding people.

It's a pity and a shame that you actually believed such flattering words.

I ask you, Xi'er, do you dare to rebel?"

This sudden question made Li Jingxi's expression change drastically. He felt a sudden shock in his heart, and his face turned pale with fright. He hurriedly said, "Father, please understand. I swear to heaven that I have no intention of disobeying or being disloyal."

"Hahaha...it's just as I expected." Li Hezhang burst into laughter, but there was a hint of disappointment in his eyes.

After a pause, he said:
"Loyal ministers, chaste wives, and filial sons have always been praised, and this is actually true.

But in this chaotic world

At a time when many heroes were standing side by side, Xier was clinging to his old ways and blindly adhering to blind loyalty and filial piety. He didn't even dare to think of rebelling, so how could he be considered a dragon or a phoenix?
At best, it's just a pheasant.

Well... As the saying goes, self-knowledge is the most important thing for a man. Being a wise and capable minister under the King of Chu is also a desirable path."

Li Jingxi didn't dare to contradict him in the slightest. He bowed and replied, "Father, I dare not have any improper thoughts. I truly admire and respect Your Majesty the King of Chu from the bottom of my heart. I am willing to serve you for a lifetime."

"In this case, we must plan a solid path for his political career." There was no disappointment on Li Hezhang's face, and he quickly began to make plans for the legitimate son who would inherit the Li family.

Consider it
Li Hezhang said, "Since we have chosen this path, we must lay a solid foundation. Only with a solid foundation can we build a towering building from the ground, withstand the wind and rain, and remain unmoved."

Why are the children of these famous families so outstanding?

This is the reason
Li Hezhang was a meritorious old minister who followed the King of Chu in founding the country. He created the administrative bureaucracy of the Chu State, which absorbed the essence of the rule of Chinese and Western dynasties. The system was mutually supervised and controllable, maintaining the current momentum of the kingdom's prosperity.

How much unnecessary trouble was saved by having him make the plans?

Li Jingxi knew the seriousness of the matter and quickly replied in a solemn voice, "Father, I will do whatever you command."

Li Hezhang said:
"Don't stay in Manila anymore. You'll never learn any real skills here. All you hear is flattery. You need to get down to the grassroots and gain some experience.

Three places for you to choose.

One went to Pontianak, one went to Ryuqiu, and one went to the Congo River Company.

The former is stable, the middle one is suitable for broadening your horizons, and the latter, although it has harsh conditions and many dangers, is suitable for comprehensively honing your body and mind and tempering your will.

If it is a rough jade, it will eventually bloom with brilliance."

The three places Li Hezhang chose each have their own unique features, especially the Congo River Company, whose significance is self-evident. These traditional Chinese aristocratic families all deeply understand one truth:
Without experiencing the bone-chilling cold, how can the fragrance of plum blossoms be so fragrant?

His Majesty the King of Chu is only thirty years old and has established the country for ten years. He has good control over domestic and foreign affairs and is in good health. He will have a long period of rule in the future.

The Marquis of Cavite is the most powerful noble family in the kingdom. If they lie down, they can enjoy the wealth and luxury of the world and live a carefree life.

If Li Jingxi wanted to stand out and make a career, it would be a heavy shackle.

We must break through the world's skeptical eyes, be able to do what others cannot do, and go to the most difficult places to gain experience, only then can we achieve something.

It was precisely because he understood this truth that Li Hezhang chose the most difficult path for his legitimate son.

As long as you can endure it, it will be like a cone in a bag, its sharpness will show.

"Father, I would like to go to Congo to hone my skills with the company. Please allow me to do so."

"Have you thought about it? It's a dangerous path to colonization. You have to start from scratch and build a colonial city and countless colonial towns. You have to accumulate bit by bit, and it will take at least 4 to 5 years before you can achieve a breakthrough."

"A man should have ambitions, travel thousands of miles, read thousands of books, broaden his horizons and make a career. I am willing to do so."

"Well, you are worthy of being the flesh and blood of my Li family. You insisted on getting it. I am very pleased as a father." Li Hezhang finally clapped his hands and laughed, his eyes full of satisfaction.

Everyone has seen the glorious and prosperous side of the Li family, but who would have seen that during the Taiping Rebellion, Li Hanzhang, Li Hongzhang, Li Hezhang, Li Fengzhang and other prominent disciples of the family joined the army, made plans, worked hard, experienced hundreds of battles, both large and small, and endured countless hardships and sufferings?
After the eighth year of Emperor Xianfeng's reign, Li Hezhang joined Zeng Guofan's Hunan Army camp, where he managed paperwork, participated in military planning, and made outstanding contributions.

He made outstanding military achievements in many difficult battles in Ningdu, Ji'an and Anqing. The Qing court rewarded him with a flower feather and appointed him as a county magistrate in Hubei.

In the first year of the Tongzhi reign (1862), Li Hongzhang led the Huai Army to Shanghai, and was appointed as the governor of Jiangsu Province, plotting to seize the Suzhou-Changzhou line.

Li Hezhang led 2,000 additional Huaibei soldiers to bypass Huaiyang and come to Shanghai for support, traveling thousands of miles day and night to provide assistance. He was also in charge of the defense and suppression of the front line and commanded all the troops.

When he was inside, he planned military strategies; when he was outside, he coordinated with the generals and comforted the soldiers. He was familiar with everything and it was all gained through experience in harsh environments.

A greenhouse cannot produce talented people, but it produces countless prodigals.

Li Jingxi grew up listening to the glorious past of his family's elders. Now that he is a young man, he has his own passion and ambition.

Now that Li Hezhang has expressed his opinion, the matter is settled.

In the midst of relief

Li Hezhang still made appropriate arrangements. He said:

"In that case, let's join the sixth fleet heading to the Congo River and set off next month.

When I left, I took Aqiang and Afu with me. They are both capable men who have followed me for more than ten years.

With them around, my life is safe."

"Father, Uncle Fu is a capable man by your side and is indispensable for your daily orders. Why don't you let Uncle Qiang go with me?" A hint of passion flashed in Li Jingxi's eyes. Before leaving the Li Mansion, he already wanted to spread his wings and fly high.

How come Li Hezhang didn’t know what he was thinking?
His face darkened, and he said in a tone that brooked no refusal, "It's settled. Go back and make your preparations. Don't tell your mother, or else there will be a stir."

"I understand. I'll take my leave now." Li Jingxi forced himself to suppress his inner excitement and walked out of the study with steady steps.

After walking along the flower path for more than ten steps, I couldn't help but jump up and ran outside excitedly.

Uncle Fu, who was standing outside the study waiting on him, couldn't help but smile bitterly and shook his head when he saw his excitement.

It’s great that young people don’t know the taste of sorrow!
Although Li Jingxi is only twenty years old, he has already been married and his child is over one year old, a chubby and strong little boy.

If you don't worry about not having descendants, you naturally have to work hard for your future career.

The official system of the Chu State was different from that of the northern Shenzhou. All outstanding university graduates were required to enter the various departments of the Manila Cabinet and serve in prefectures and counties across the country for training. These services could be given in remote areas, even in outlying islands thousands of miles away, as well as in Central and South America.

Only those who perform well can stand out.

These outstanding students could only become mediocre clerks in the central government's deployment, competing with dozens or even hundreds of colleagues with the same qualifications, climbing up the ranks one level at a time. It was not easy to stand out and make a name for themselves.

Although it is difficult to get there, it is easy to achieve results.

As a top student who graduated from the Royal Political College, Li Jingxi holds a section-level title and can act independently in various states and counties. He is at least an apprentice commissioner of colonial affairs and has considerable authority.

If he were to go to the Congo River Company, the Governor's Office of Hawaii, or the Governor's Office of Patagonia, he would have the possibility of being the Commissioner of Colonial Affairs in charge of a city or a place, and he would definitely be valued.

The King of Chu's third brother once trained in Guam, and his fourth brother is now training in the Governor's Office of Malaya. If the royal children are all so diligent, it goes without saying that others are no exception.

(End of this chapter)