1848 Great Qing Charcoal Burners

Chapter 362 A more suitable candidate

"The Imperial Treasury still has 360,000 shi of grain stored up, and the grain market in Hankou can also purchase tens of thousands of shi of grain. There shouldn't be any problem in dealing with the conquest of Xiangyang and Fancheng next year," Peng Yi, who was in charge of managing the Imperial Treasury and held the financial power of the Northern Palace, said as if reciting a familiar list.

Although the Northern Palace has not yet levied land taxes, many veterans and their families have been allocated land in the two major grain-producing counties that had a bumper harvest last year, namely Jiangxia County and Hanyang County.

These people had followed Peng Gang all the way from Guangxi and southern Hunan to the three towns of Wuhan. They had a high degree of trust in Beidian, or rather, in Peng Gang.

A significant number of military dependents deposited their surplus grain into the farmers' credit union, which not only supported military operations but also allowed them to earn interest annually.

Although Jiangxia and Hanyang counties no longer have large households with thousands of acres of land and thousands or tens of thousands of bushels of grain.

The number of self-sufficient farming households has increased significantly. Even if only some of the self-sufficient farming households in the two counties are willing to deposit their surplus grain with the farmers' credit union, the surplus grain they deposit is only a few bushels. However, as a result, it adds up to a considerable amount.

The grain stored in the farmers' credit union was basically used to replenish the sacred treasury.

"What is the price of grain in Hankou?" Peng Gang asked about the grain prices in the Hankou market.

"Rice costs around 2,800 or 2,900 wen per shi," Peng Yi replied without hesitation.

Before last autumn harvest, the price of grain in Hankou never fell below 3,600 wen. Before Yang Xiuqing, Hong Xiuquan and others left Wuchang, the price of grain in Hankou once reached a peak of 6,000 wen, causing ordinary people to hesitate to buy grain in Hankou.

Although grain prices in Hankou are still relatively high compared to pre-war levels, they are stabilizing, which is a positive sign of a gradual recovery in production.

"Buy as much grain as possible," Peng Gang instructed.

"The Han River is not flowing smoothly, making it difficult for large ships to pass. The number of laborers needed to be recruited in Xiangfan is no less than last year."

During the period of mobile warfare, Peng Gang rarely conscripted civilian laborers; the military dependents accompanying the army were the county's free laborers.

Saying it's free isn't quite accurate; what's free is often the most expensive. The fields and ponds that Peng Gang distributed to the soldiers and their families in Beidian were, in a sense, a reward for their service as civilian laborers accompanying the army.

Peng Gang first officially recruited a large number of laborers under his jurisdiction during the western expedition last year. Unlike the Qing government, Peng Gang hired laborers on a paid basis, providing food and lodging, and paying them 35 cash per day, which is equivalent to about 5 or 6 cash per month per laborer.

Compared to the Qing government's practice of conscripting laborers at their own expense and using them as cannon fodder in times of war, risking their lives, the Northern Palace's practice of providing food and lodging and paying wages to laborers without using them as cannon fodder was quite conscientious.

With the good reputation from the last time they hired laborers, it will be much easier for the North Palace to mobilize and organize laborers this time.

After all, nearly 40% of the money and supplies spent on the western expedition went to laborers.

During the western expedition, Peng Gang hired laborers from Jiangxia, Hanyang, and Baling counties. These three counties were affected by the war and had little surplus labor force, and they were all major grain-producing counties.

For this campaign against Xiangfan, Peng Gang preferred to recruit laborers from counties such as Macheng, Huang'an, and Luotian in Huangzhou Prefecture, where there was a relative overpopulation.

After handing over the work, Peng Gang led Zuo Zongtang out of Xihua Hall and asked Zuo Zongtang, "Would Yisheng and Yiyu be willing to go to France with the French Consul, Mintini?"

French Consul Mintini hoped that Peng Gang could send a few diplomats to France for a visit. Peng Gang also had the idea of ​​sending a few of his subordinates to France to broaden their horizons and see the world, but no one was willing to go.

Peng Gang then set his sights on Zuo Zongtang's two brothers-in-law, Zhou Yisheng and Zhou Yiyu.

Zhou Yisheng and Zhou Yiyu had traveled extensively in their early years and were not averse to travel, but when they heard that they were going to France, a Western land thousands of miles away, they both backed out. Peng Gang then asked Zuo Zongtang to persuade them.

Liu Qixian was quite keen to go to France, but Peng Gang was still counting on Liu Qixian to manage the Hankou Customs for him, so it was impossible for him to let Liu Qixian go to France for a visit.

"I managed to persuade Yisheng, but Yiyu absolutely refused to go," Zuo Zongtang said, his brows furrowing slightly.

"Would it be alright if my second brother, Zhongji, took Yiyu's place?"

Zhongji was the son of Zuo Zongzhi, the second elder brother of Zuo Zongtang.

Zuo Zongtang had three brothers. His eldest brother, Zuo Zongyu, had passed away thirty years ago. His second brother was Zuo Zongzhi. Zuo Zongtang was the third brother.

“Alright.” Peng Gang thought for a moment and agreed. Zuo Zongtang’s second elder brother, Zuo Zongzhi, did not hold an important position in the North Palace, so it was appropriate for him to go.

"Envoys visiting foreign countries need to have excellent appearance and demeanor. Your Highness, there are actually more suitable candidates than the Zhou brothers," Zuo Zongtang said.

Zuo Zongtang knew that Peng Gang had taken a liking to the Zhou brothers and hoped that they could visit France. He valued not only the Zhou brothers' early study abroad experience, but also their appearance and temperament.

"Does Mr. Zuo mean Guo Songtao?" Peng Gang had already guessed the suitable candidate Zuo Zongtang was referring to.

Guo Songtao was handsome and had a good demeanor, so sending him to France was a good fit for his profession. However, although he had been captured and remained so to this day, Guo Songtao had refused to serve Peng Gang and was still being imprisoned by Peng Gang in a house on Qianjie Street in Wuchang.

"Your Highness has keen insight," Zuo Zongtang nodded and said.

Zuo Zongtang and Guo Songtao were fellow townsmen and close friends. Zuo Zongtang cherished Guo Songtao's talent and did not want him to spend the rest of his life in prison.

"Very well, Mr. Zuo, come with me to see Guo Songtao."

Peng Gang and Zuo Zongtang left the mansion together and headed to Guo Songtao's residence.

How to deal with Guo Songtao and Peng Gang was indeed a headache. Killing them was an option, but Peng Gang had many scholars from Hunan under his command, and Guo Songtao was quite influential among the Hunan scholars. Keeping them around for nothing was not a good idea.

The Northern Prince's Mansion was also located on Qianjie Street in Wuchang City, not far from the residence where Guo Songtao was imprisoned. Peng Gang and Zuo Zongtang rode out on horseback and soon arrived at the small residence where Guo Songtao was imprisoned.

This residence is located in the bustling city of Wuchang. Although it lacks the gloom of a prison, being imprisoned in the city, hearing the sounds of the city but unable to leave, is more suffocating and torturous than being imprisoned in a prison.

Qianjie Street is located in Wuchang, where land is extremely valuable. The residence where Guo Songtao was imprisoned was just a small courtyard.

Although small, the house was fully equipped and had all the necessary facilities, more than enough to accommodate Guo Songtao's entire family.

When Peng Gang entered the courtyard, Guo Songtao was standing in front of the carved wooden window of the study, staring blankly at the withered tree in front of the window.

He had been under house arrest here for over a year. Peng Gang provided him with books and writing materials, but refused to give him a clear ending, which tormented Guo Songtao greatly. Steady, powerful footsteps echoed from the corridor, breaking the tranquility of the study.

Guo Songtao frowned slightly but did not turn around.

The only people who could freely enter and leave this residence and walk around it were Peng Gang, the powerful and influential "Northern King" who controlled half of Hunan, and Zuo Zongtang, Peng Gang's trusted old friend who frequently visited him.

The door was gently pushed open, and Peng Gang stepped inside.

Guo Songtao turned to look at Peng Gang, who was wearing a dark blue cotton robe with a cross-collar and a black cloak.

Peng Gang possessed an air of profound composure, his steps steady, and his gaze sharp and piercing, revealing the confidence and authority cultivated through long-term wielding of power. Zuo Zongtang followed closely behind, his expression resolute.

"Mr. Guo, are you settling in comfortably?" Peng Gang asked Guo Songtao in a calm tone, without a trace of the arrogance of a victor, but rather like a friendly greeting between friends.

As he spoke, Peng Gang took off his cloak, walked to a rosewood chair and sat down, his gaze sweeping over Guo Songtao's somewhat messy desk.

Guo Songtao flicked his sleeves slightly, exuding the aloofness and detachment characteristic of scholar-officials, and coldly said, "What is there to say about being used to or not used to being a prisoner? Has the Prince of the North come here today to finally settle this case of mine?"

Guo Songtao emphasized the word "end" slightly, with a resolute air of someone offering their neck for execution.

Upon hearing this, Peng Gang chuckled and shook his head, saying, "Settle it? Mr. Guo, you underestimate yourself and you underestimate my magnanimity."

Guo Songtao frowned and looked at Peng Gang with a puzzled expression.

Peng Gang leaned forward slightly, his eyes piercing as he stared directly at Guo Songtao. He cut to the chase, saying, "I've come here today not to settle things with you, but to invite you to open a door, to step out and see a world that neither you nor I, nor even all the scholars of China, have ever truly seen clearly."

"The world?" Guo Songtao scoffed, a hint of mockery in his voice. "Is the Northern King referring to the barbarian lands of the West?"

Peng Gang said calmly, "These barbarians you speak of, with what you consider to be wondrous skills and tricks, blasted open our country's gates, causing the Qing Dynasty, which considered itself the Celestial Empire, to lose face and cede territory and pay indemnities. Mr. Guo, you are well-versed in poetry and literature, and knowledgeable in both ancient and modern times. Please tell me, where exactly did we go wrong?"

Seeing that Guo Songtao remained silent, Peng Gang suddenly stood up, walked to the somewhat simple globe placed on the desk, and used his index finger to spin the globe.

This globe was made by Qin Yisen and a few carpenters at Peng Gang's request, intended as a teaching aid for several schools. Since there were extras made, Peng Gang casually had one sent to Guo Songtao.

After circling around a few times, Peng Gang finally placed his finger heavily on the position of Europa.

"Defeated by weapons? Defeated by warships? Yes, but it's not just that!" Peng Gang said slowly.

"Mr. Wei Moshen's idea of ​​learning from the barbarians' superior techniques to control them is a wake-up call! But how to learn from them? Can we grasp their essence just by reading a few tattered books that have been passed down through generations in this library? Knowledge gained from books is ultimately superficial; to truly understand something, one must put it into practice."

We need to know more than just the superficial details of how they built their ships and forged their cannons. We need to understand what kind of academic system enabled them to continuously innovate, what kind of political and economic system supported such a massive ocean-going fleet and military industry, what their scholars studied, how agriculture, industry, commerce, and trade operated, whether their people were spirited or listless, and what made their nation strong.

This series of questions, like thunderclaps, exploded in the quiet study.

The scorn on Guo Songtao's face gradually faded. These were the very questions he had pondered in the dead of night, tossing and turning. But bound by the constraints of the distinction between Chinese and barbarians, he was unwilling and dared not think about them further.

Zuo Zongtang stepped forward at the opportune moment, speaking earnestly: "Brother Yunxian, I know you are of noble character and disdain to associate with us. But this matter is not about the fate of one family or the hegemony of the Northern King; it concerns whether our Chinese civilization can find a glimmer of hope in this unprecedented upheaval."

You are here, possessing a wealth of knowledge, yet you can only sigh helplessly at the four walls. What difference is there between this and sitting idly waiting to die? Since you are trapped anyway, why not go out? Go to that land that once defeated us, and use your eyes to see clearly and plainly for the sake of millions of people under heaven.

"Go out..."

Guo Songtao muttered to himself, those three words carrying immense weight.

A storm raged within him. On one hand, there were deeply ingrained traditional beliefs; traveling across the ocean to the uncharted lands of the West was something no scholar had ever done before.

On the other hand, the picture depicted by Peng Gang, the immense temptation to seek the truth and find a way for the world, and the reality of wasting time pointed out by Zuo Zongtang, were like an invisible hand pulling him along.

He seemed to see two versions of himself: one who remained confined to his study, spending his life immersed in books, and who ultimately died in this cage with endless questions and regrets.

The other, however, braves the winds and waves, venturing into a completely unknown world. Though fraught with danger and an uncertain future, he may find the answer that has troubled him for so long.

Peng Gang observed every subtle change in Guo Songtao's expression and saw that Guo Songtao was already hesitant. He felt that there was hope of persuading Guo Songtao, so this trip would not have been in vain.

Peng Gang continued, “The French consul, Mintini, has formally requested that we send an envoy to accompany him on a visit to France. This is an excellent opportunity for me to observe the Western countries. Mr. Guo, I need a truly learned, courageous, and principled person to accomplish this mission. To truthfully and frankly record what you see and hear on this trip, the strengths and weaknesses of those countries, and to share it with the world!”

The idea of ​​truthfully and frankly recording the strengths and weaknesses of Western countries, compiling them into a book, and publishing it throughout the world was very tempting to Guo Songtao.

This was something no one had ever seen before. If this book were published, even if Guo Songtao was imprisoned for life, at least he wouldn't die an obscure death. He would leave something for future generations. Not to mention being recorded in history, at least if someone in the future were curious and came across his book, they would remember the name Guo Songtao.

Peng Gang pressed his advantage: "Guo Yunxuan, what truly imprisons you is not just this small courtyard, but the invisible wall in your heart. Instead of wasting your ambition here, why not tear down that wall in your heart, and with your own body, perform this heroic act, so that our China can open its eyes and see the outside world?"

The snow had gradually stopped, and a faint ray of sunlight stubbornly pierced through the thick clouds, shining through the window and landing precisely on Guo Songtao's pale face.

Guo Songtao closed his eyes tightly, his chest heaving violently, as he made his final and most intense internal decision.

After hesitating for a long time, Guo Songtao slowly opened his eyes.

He took a deep breath, straightened his slightly wrinkled clothes, and solemnly bowed deeply to Peng Gang.

"King of the North, Ji Gao, your words today are like a morning bell and a evening drum. I, Guo, agree to this matter. Even if France is a den of dragons and tigers, I, Guo, will not hesitate to go and explore it."

Having been imprisoned for over a year, Guo Songtao was also feeling restless. If it weren't for Zuo Zongtang occasionally visiting him in his spare time, he would have fallen ill from the stifling atmosphere.

Peng Gang's words make sense. Going out for a walk, even if one dies of illness on the way, is better than dying of depression in this small courtyard.

(End of this chapter)