The Empire will continue to win

Chapter 89 Elegant Bribery

Lanling Xiaoxiaosheng wrote a poem that reads: "Before I'm even thirty, my desires are burning like fire."

at this time.

The 26-year-old Empress Dowager Cixi looked up to the sky and sighed:

The vast Forbidden City, which boasts 9999 and a half rooms, has yet to be found a single clean and tidy inn!

Whose fault is it, really?

"The Empress Dowager?"

"Mo Qing, you must be patient."

After giving her instructions, Empress Dowager Cixi resolutely pushed away the handsome and dashing warrant officer, put on her snow hat, turned around and left, her back swaying and her steps unsteady.

Shen Moqing smiled at Wang Qianniang, touched his nose, and turned to leave.

Stopped again!

But it doesn't matter.

If this war of attrition continues a few more times, the Empress Dowager will surely lose.

Snowflakes are falling gently~

The atmosphere was inexplicably melancholic.

Both were professional politicians, decisive, rational, and meticulous. They were wary of each other and used each other, much like Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

Inside Yanxi Hall.

The openwork bronze beast-shaped incense burner emitted a faint scent of musk.

Feeling deeply disappointed, Empress Dowager Cixi sat before her dressing table, removed her jade earrings, and saw that she was still radiant in the mirror, but no one appreciated her beauty.

After a long while, he sighed and reached out to pluck the slightly out-of-place winter plum blossom from his temple.

Six years!

3650 empty nights, who knows how I got through them? I have sacrificed too much for this country, what's wrong with enjoying myself a little?

His phoenix eyes gradually sharpened.

The unwilling, scarlet fingernails pierced into the palm of the hand.

-

"Master, shall we... shall we change?" Andehai happened to catch a glimpse of that terrifying gaze in the mirror, and was instantly terrified, his toes pointing inwards as he asked in a low voice.

"No."

Empress Dowager Cixi closed her eyes and pondered.

Reviewing past events is a good habit. Over the past few months, Shen Moqing's every move has been under my surveillance, including his interactions with Weng Tonghe.

But when he was summoned today, he questioned this person and that person, but he didn't question him at all. As a member of the Empress Dowager's faction, he frequently contacted the Emperor's faction. Did he want to switch sides?

At this stage, I am voluntarily relinquishing power to the young emperor.

When the leader walks east, the subordinates walk east too. If the leader suddenly turns around and walks west, the subordinates also turn around and walk west – that's what it means to be in step.

Shen Moqing's talent is sufficient to assist me in governing the country.

But he's too smart. Smart people are hard to control and easily misled. Who knows what a smart person is really thinking?

After a long time~

She slowly opened her phoenix eyes.

"My lord, are you taking a bath today?"

"Um."

"This servant will go and prepare."

"No rush, why don't you accompany me for a walk first?"

"庶" (shù)

As dusk fell, a light snow began to fall outside, drifting down like flour.

Supported by An Dehai, the Empress Dowager, heartbroken, returned to the corridor. Turning her head, she happened to see the wintersweet tree.

90% of criminals like to return to the crime scene.

The Queen Mother is no exception.

Sudden.

-

Her gaze fell on the footprints in the snow, four rows in total. Two of them were left by Granny Wang, their footprints slightly smaller and easy to identify.

There are also two rows of large footprints, which should have been left by Shen Moqing.

Where are my footprints?

Empress Dowager Cixi shuddered.

Is there a ghost?

A moment later, she suddenly realized that Shen Jialiang had deliberately stepped on her footprints, perfectly overlapping them, making the two look like one person.

My heart is pounding.

"Let's go."

"Yes."

Walk a few dozen steps along the 工字廊.

"Andehai~"

"Your servant is here."

"The situation in the court has been incredibly complex lately, giving me a real headache. Shen Moqing is talented, but he's also arrogant and often causes me trouble. Xiao Anzi, do you think we can trust him?"

His tone was casual, as if it were just a casual chat, and he kept walking.

"This servant dares not speak."

"It's just casual conversation, it doesn't matter whether you talk about it or not."

An Dehai, supporting his boneless arm, bent over and whispered, "Master, he's not being honest."

"Oh?"

"This servant believes that this person's ambition is too great."

How big is it?

"I can't say for sure, but I can't see through him."

"Hmm, what you said makes some sense."

Empress Dowager Cixi spoke as usual as she leisurely returned to Yanxi Hall. She bathed, ate, read memorials, and maintained her health as usual.

However, a sense of vigilance arose in his heart. Just as the intelligence from the Blood Droplets indicated, An Dehai and Shen Moqing had a terrible relationship and were now like oil and water.

An Dehai was a personal eunuch, how could he possibly keep it from Xiao Anzi?

If Feng Luan is to live a peaceful life, she must either remain a widow or one of them must leave. Shen Moqing may be handsome, but is Xiao Anzi really a bad person?

That night.

I tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep.

Late at night, the Empress Dowager Cixi got up, poured a box of priceless gemstone beads onto the ground, and then picked them up one by one. Exhausted and with a sore back, she finally drifted off to sleep.

Poor Empress Dowager!

Shen Moqing, on the other hand, was very fortunate. Although the Shen residence was not large, he enjoyed absolute freedom. After returning home, he had a wife, concubines, beautiful maids, and fine wine.

Ehuang and Nüying, in front, behind, left, and right.

The warbling of orioles never left my ears.

Rippling water, glistening dewdrops.

-

I was young and full of life, I was rich and powerful. I came, I enjoyed, I conquered. Only those who have lived a second life know that life should be cherished.

The next morning.

Pearl woke the lady on time.

Du Yulan was a light sleeper, so she quietly washed and changed her clothes before waking Shen Moqing.

Leaving the cozy rosewood canopy bed, I got out of bed still half asleep. With the help of two women, I changed, washed up, and ate a hasty breakfast.

"The second young master is leaving the manor."

The wind and snow were quite heavy, and the shouts of the gatekeeper Jiao Da could not be heard more than a few feet away.

The vermilion gate slowly opened, and three carriages headed towards the South City Gun Factory.

Looking at the wind and snow outside, the doorman Jiao Da, wrapped in a half-new mink coat, sighed, "The whole mansion is relying on the second young master alone. It's really not easy."

Relying on the emperor's favor and his innate boldness, the professor even brought four armed bodyguards with him when he went out. The bodyguards carried revolvers on their waists and had lever rifles under their seats.

Disregarding the explicit regulations of the imperial court:

All within the walls of the forty-nine cities.

Military officers of the fourth rank and below must carry separate guns and ammunition when traveling.

When civil and military officials of the fourth rank or below travel, their accompanying servants are not allowed to carry any firearms.

Officials of the fourth rank or above but below the second rank are permitted to have one accompanying servant carry a firearm.

Those of the second rank or above are permitted to be accompanied by 4 to 12 armed retainers.

Braving the cold wind and heavy snow, the convoy took a full hour and a half to reach Nanyuan in the suburbs.

Shen Moqing lifted the carriage curtain and saw that the surroundings were deserted. After leaving the first town, Nanyuan was like this. He missed his old brother Zhang a little.

At the factory gate.

The snow had been cleared away in advance, and four young militiamen in military overcoats stood at their posts in perfect order, no less disciplined than those in Xiliu Camp.

playground.

Bright red banners hung everywhere:

-

Serve the country with utmost loyalty and take military training seriously.

Slaughter the Eastern barbarians and burn the islands.

A true man should be armed and ready to achieve great feats on the battlefield.

The militia was also a very important part of the empire's armed forces.

At this critical juncture, we must not be lenient with any traitors, collaborators, or national traitors.

The bright red banners and armed militiamen created a tense atmosphere, making the air thick with tension.

Yesterday, the reported daily output was: 130 lever rifles, 40 single-shot rifles, 20 revolvers, 3 rounds of ammunition, and 400 artillery shells of various calibers.

There has been progress, but there is still a lot of room for improvement.

The report was stamped and signed by the quality inspection team at the end.

The quality inspection team was composed of carefully selected honest people. Their monthly wages increased by 2 silver dollars. They did not accept any control from anyone and were only responsible for themselves.

If it's a good product, then sign for it.

If it's not a good product, refuse to sign for it.

If problems arise, the honest person will be executed.

Thump~thump thump~

Someone knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Upon seeing that it was his cousin Shen Lian, Shen Moqing smiled and said, "You've come at the right time. Post a notice on the bulletin board at the gate: In view of the victories and triumphant songs at the front, our factory is mobilizing a number of able-bodied militiamen to support the front. They will depart at noon the day after tomorrow."

"what?"

"In your personal capacity, grant the General Affairs Department and the entire study group a two-day holiday."

"what?"

"Hey, come closer!"

-

5 minute later.

"Shen Lian, this whole thing will be done in your own name, and it has nothing to do with me. Afterwards, we'll split the profits 90/10, you get 10%, I get 90%. Are you in?"

"Dry!"

The Playboy was smiling happily.

The announcement caused an uproar throughout the factory.

Lao Shen, are you serious?

There wasn't even time to eat, so I hurried away!

In the biting cold wind, hundreds of employees with connections crowded at the factory office entrance, hoping to see Shen Moqing.

"Resign?"

"right."

"Are you all going to resign?"

"Your Excellency, we are not happy to continue working here, and we don't want this month's wages." The speaker remained arrogant, his heart filled with resentment.

You think you've always wanted to fire us? Now that we're doing you a favor, you're probably thrilled.

"impossible."

"We're resigning voluntarily. Whether you approve it or not, we're leaving."

"You try leaving!" Shen Moqing gritted his teeth, pointing at the crowd. "You were the ones who wanted to stay back then, and now you're the ones who want to leave? Let me tell you, you think you can leave now? No way! I'll report your names to the Ministry of War according to the roster. Anyone who doesn't go will be a deserter. Once your names are on the arrest warrant, you'll never be able to return to the capital for the rest of your lives."

Everyone's hearts sank to the ground.

If I had known, I would have resigned earlier.

"Lord Shen, please be magnanimous and do me a favor." Someone actually knelt down with a thud, throwing away their pride for their life.

With one person taking the lead, the rest followed suit and knelt down on the ground in a flurry.

Shen Moqing sneered and turned to leave.

Wang Shizhen, who was in charge of guarding the area, and Lu Shiwu, the five tigers from Baoding, were filled with admiration. These spoiled brats from Yanshan Heavy Industry were a headache for everyone.

The General Affairs Department was shrouded in gloom and despair.

Is there any way to postpone this?

"It's difficult. Both empress dowagers and the emperor have set the tone to teach the Eastern barbarians a lesson. Once the list is submitted, the process begins. What does it mean to say that once a word enters the public gate, nine oxen cannot pull it back?"

The spoiled young men hung their heads.

Yes, once the official procedures are initiated, no one can stop them. Ordinary people may not understand this, but surely we do?

"I heard from a relative working for the railway company the other day that the fighting in Liaodong was fierce. Good heavens, trainloads of corpses were being brought back."

"I don't want to die."

"How about we run away?"

"Didn't you hear what that guy surnamed Shen said? Anyone who doesn't go will be labeled a deserter, wanted nationwide, and will never be allowed to return to the capital in this lifetime."

"That's better than death."

Suddenly~

Everyone fell silent.

Shen Lian, the factory's immediate supervisor, arrived. Some people in the factory knew about Shen Lian's relationship with Shen Moqing, but they still weren't giving up. They even took off their jade thumb rings...

Gold necklace.

"Sir, I unfortunately contracted tuberculosis last month, cough cough cough, could you please make an exception?"

"tuberculosis?"

"Yes, yes, it's not that I'm unwilling to serve my country, but rather that circumstances prevent it. Cough cough cough~"

Silence~

After a long while, Shen Lian sighed, "This is a difficult problem for you. Military affairs are busy. We'll talk about it later." With that, he turned and left.

Everyone looked at each other.

Jingye was shrewd; how could he not understand the hidden meaning in Shen Lian's words?

Difficult?

"Difficult to handle is good; it means that although the task is very difficult, it is still possible to accomplish it." The crowd pondered the unspoken meaning, and a renewed hope for survival rekindled in their hearts.

A few minutes later.

Shen Lian's confidant stepped forward: "Gentlemen, Chief Shen has said that the General Affairs Department and the study group will all have a two-day holiday."

Now, anyone who doesn't understand this is truly doomed.

The two-day holiday is for you to give gifts. After two days, everyone who hasn't given a gift will be taken away to fill in the blanks.

People then recalled that the Shen family had not had good luck in officialdom, with two generations of male members being unemployed and not well-regarded in the elite circles.

Then, considering Shen Moqing's extravagant wedding.

Hey, so you're short of money at home, so you're squeezing oil out of your brothers?

Another well-informed source learned that the Shen family had borrowed a large sum of money from banks in the capital, and not only had they not been able to repay it, they were even going to have to refinance it.

Also, this kid owes more than 800 silver dollars at Hefenglou, and hasn't paid it back yet.

That night.

A peacemaker then went out to invite Shen Lian for drinks.

In the midst of their drinking and revelry, Shen Lian casually remarked at the table that there was a newly built shop called "Fuhai Antique Shop" in Liulichang, with authentic items at reasonable prices, and worth checking out.

Liulichang is the area in Beijing where antiques and calligraphy are distributed.

Opening a shop here, it's common to not make a sale for three years, but then make enough to live off for three years. It's also common to sell a mix of genuine and counterfeit goods.

"Fuhai Antique Shop" has only been open for half a month. The storefront is very small and is located in a small alley behind the main street. It's practically out of the way.

But it was always packed with customers.

"Line up, everyone line up!"

In the queue, someone pointed to the young waiter's blue robe and hat and laughed, "Look, the servants of the Shen family haven't even changed their clothes, and they've become waiters in the blink of an eye."

"I'm not even pretending anymore."

"My uncle said that the Shen family now wants to maintain a facade of virtue while also keeping a husband."

"Never mind, consider this a loss to avoid further trouble."

"7

"That makes sense, let's not stoop to his level."

-

Just then, the person who had gone in came out carrying a rough porcelain bowl, and everyone quickly gathered around him.

"That porcelain bowl you're holding?"

"500 dollars."

"500？"

"That's right, they said this bowl is from the Song Dynasty, just salvaged from a shipwreck in the Indian Ocean. They offered me 500 silver dollars, so I got a bargain."

Everyone sighed in disbelief; they'd really stopped pretending altogether.

A coarse porcelain bowl that costs 5 coins is being sold for 500 silver dollars.

"Next one~"

"Here we go."

In an antique shop, one person leaves before another enters; that's what's called authentic.

"Sir, may I ask your name?"

"I wouldn't dare, Jin Shun'er."

-

"Sit down, serve tea." The shopkeeper didn't even blink. He was Lin Zhixiao, the accountant of the Shen family, while the second shopkeeper was Shen Lian's servant.

Flipping through the roster, I found the name of Jin Shun, the former manager of the waste disposal workshop.

Home address: No. 23, Xiaoxi Lane, Dongzhimenwai Street, where the house price is high.

Recommender for factory entry: Senggelinqin.

That pig is quite fat!

"Jin Shun, what kind of antique would you like to see?"

"Could you please give me some recommendations, shopkeeper?"

"Take a look at this bronze bowl. It's from the Western Zhou Dynasty and is the most prized possession of our shop. There are only three left. It's a fixed price of 1000 silver dollars for you."

Lin Zhixiao put on white silk gloves, picked up the copper bowl, and slammed it heavily onto the tray with a loud thud.

Those who frequently visit Liulichang know that there is a rule that antiques must not be handled by one party before another picks them up.

But you were wearing gloves, and you still hit it so hard!

If they don't even act, they're doomed!

Jin Shun cautiously asked, "Do you have any porcelain bowls from the Song Dynasty here?"

Lin, the accountant, shook his head like a rattle drum: "One price per person, no mistake, absolutely no mistake."

37

"But I don't have that much money on me."

"There is a way. The second manager of Tonghe Bank is inside. You just need to sign a loan agreement with him, he will give me 1000 silver dollars, and you will owe him 1400 silver dollars."

"Isn't it too dark?"

"Will you sign or not?" Lin Zhixiao sneered, raising his withered wrist. He dipped the tip of his pen in cinnabar, its color blood red. With just one stroke, the person would be gone.

"I'll sign!!"

"You've got good taste! This is a bronze bowl from the Western Zhou Dynasty. It might even have been used by Jiang Ziya. It's over 3000 years old now. You've found a real gem! Take it home and treasure it."

Old Lin casually picked up the copper bowl and threw it on the ground. With a clang and a clatter, the copper bowl rolled right to Jin Shun's feet.

I picked it up and took a look.

From the Western Zhou Dynasty?

No, it was from last week.

Buy antiques that day.

He submitted his resignation that same day.

A voluntary resignation letter must be submitted in duplicate. The employee's signature alone is insufficient; at least one immediate family member must also sign and affix their seal. This is to prevent future regret, lest the employee claim the resignation was not voluntary but forced upon them by their superior, or was a momentary impulse.

There are only two reasons for resigning:

First, I am physically ill and unable to perform my duties.

Second, their skills are not good enough to perform their duties.

While others lose money by laying off employees, Mo Qing makes money.

This incident fully demonstrates that as long as you don't give up, there are always more solutions than problems.

Without money, nothing can be accomplished.

With money, you can try even the most difficult things.

-

-

If there were only one color to the history of the world, it would undoubtedly be the gold of gold. Money is the most prominent underlying color of history.

Factory office.

Shen Moqing looked around at everyone.

"You are all my trusted confidants. I have summoned you today to discuss how to properly use this ill-gotten wealth. After deducting costs and expenses, we still have a net surplus of 38 silver dollars."

Wow~

The crowd was buzzing with discussion.

Gu Hongming was the first to stand up: "My lord, you are kind enough to say that using public funds for private purposes may not be a problem. But using private funds for public purposes, I'm afraid you will die without a burial place."

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