My Italian

Sankou Tongshang Yamen, located near the mouth of the Sancha River, is famous in Tianjin City. Because Li Zhongtang, the governor of Zhili, who is the first governor of the world, works here.

Since it is the Governor's Yamen, it is bound to be very lively, not to mention the Governor of Zhili, who is also on diplomatic errands. Moreover, the western scenery here is the most in Tianjin, and many people who are brave and love to watch the fun like to stay here.

What are the officials queuing at the gate in dog days. Under the hot weather, their clothes are almost hot, and they are still waiting at the gate. There is also Sanjiutian, who is frozen like the third grandson, and still does not dare to leave to hide for a while.

Of course, the best thing to look at is the training of the guards. They shouted the passwords said to be taught by the British foreigners, and did all kinds of actions with a straight face. This is the time when the idlers are most comfortable, because they can speak loudly and unscrupulously. Applaud, not afraid that the people in the yamen will take a note and beat people.

But what they like most is when the foreigners appear. These foreigners are different from the waiting officials, and they often go in directly without waiting. At this time, there are often bold people who spit at the foreigners who entered, and then curse. "What are these foreigners proud of?"

Immediately there will be a burst of applause, and you will be praised with a thumbs up. At this time, the scolding person was very proud, as if he had done a major event that made Tianjin City famous. At the same time, you can also take the opportunity to despise those officials who are struggling at the door.

Of course, this is not without risks. Last month, Xiaoshan in the west of the city suffered a big loss because of this. The yamen slapped the French envoy severely for insulting the French minister. That one was miserable. At that time, his **** was already a **** mess, and he was still lying on the bed now. According to the doctor, within three months, he couldn't even get out of bed.

In the ensuing period of time, there was a lot of silence at the entrance of Sankou Tongshang Ya, but it was the master who couldn't be idle, and after the storm, he surrounded it again.

Today, another foreigner came to the yamen, and immediately made a group of people look forward to seeing the good man who dared to stand up and poke the arrogance of the foreigner.

The old and young men who stayed outside the yamen looked at me and I looked at you, as if they were all waiting for a good man to come forward, but they waited until the foreigners entered the gate, and no one came out.

Faced with such a situation, many people secretly spit, "What kind of people are they?"

The scene outside the door, Howard, who just entered the door, has no idea at all. It's just that he came to an antique room under the leadership of an official.

"Mr. Howard, you are waiting here. Lord Zhongtang is currently a little busy. He will invite your Excellency after a while."

Facing the official's proficient Italian, Howard thanked him in his fairly proficient Chinese, "Thank you."

As he spoke, he took out a silver note from his pocket and handed it to the official. After the official was surprised, he skillfully pocketed the bank note.

Surprised because he should have confiscated foreigners' bank notes, but his skillful technique seems to have collected a lot.

After Howard handed over the red envelope, he waited for Li Zhongtang's summons with peace of mind.

In the study, Li Zhongtang, the then Minister of Commerce of Beiyang and the Governor of Zhili, was discussing his concerns with Zhou Fu, who was then the chief of Jinhai Road and Tianjin Bingbei Road.

"Yushan, we need to hurry up with the fleet, and the French are getting more and more restless. According to the news that Shoushan came back from Europe, the French are bound to win over Vietnam, and Guangdong, Guangxi and Yunnan and Guizhou are in troubled times."

The founder of the Beiyang, Li Zhongtang, who is known as a famous minister in the late Qing Dynasty, couldn't help feeling emotional about the recent actions of the French.

Although Li Zhongtang is famous for signing unequal treaties in history, he has to admit that this is not his fault. The country's strength is not good enough. Of course, these feelings do not help the Qing Dynasty to reach an agreement with France on the Vietnam issue. Don't think that Li Zhongtang is not well-informed about European news. As the most popular Chinese official in Europe, Li Zhongtang has his own channels to get news.

Of course, I also know the various actions of France in Vietnam. Of course, these matters mainly require Zeng Laojiu and other Hunan army figures to make up their minds. But the current situation in the Qing Dynasty is still very serious. Needless to say, France, Britain, the United States, Russia and other countries are not easy to get along with. Even the younger generation of Dongying is acting stupidly when they see the situation facing the Qing Dynasty. The state is difficult. .

Just as Li Zhongtang was negotiating with his confidant Zhou Fu, there was a sound of notification from outside the door. "Master Zhongtang, Italian businessman Howard is here to meet?"

"Italian?"

After hearing the report outside the door, Li Zhongtang was a little surprised, because everyone in the Governor's Mansion knew that he was in a hurry to allow businessmen to enter the Governor's Mansion.

Therefore, after Lord Zhongtang and his staff looked at each other, Zhou Fu, a confidant, asked him what was in his heart.

"I don't know what happened in the middle hall, why let the businessman enter the governor's palace, what kind of formality is this."

After being reprimanded by Zhou Fu, the official who felt the silver note in his arms was a little hot replied immediately. "Because this businessman has the business card of the Minister of Italy, Jia Liwen, and said that he was introduced by the Minister of Italy, so the villain did not dare to neglect him, so he could only be brought in."

The answer outside the door surprised Li Zhongtang and Zhou Fu. An Italian businessman was recommended to him by the envoy. Although Italians had no sense of existence in Qing Dynasty, they suddenly appeared at this time, so it must be abnormal. Therefore, in the face of this abnormal situation, Lord Zhongtang must take a good look at it.

"Then let that one be called?"

"Howard."

Faced with the fact that the old man didn't remember his name, the lower-level officials took advantage of the situation to remind him.

"Yes, let that Howard come in, I would like to see what this Italian wants to do."

After a while, under the leadership of the officials, Howard saw Li Zhongtang sitting in the main hall.

"I have met the Deputy Prime Minister of Qing Dynasty and His Excellency the Governor."

Faced with the situation that the Italian businessman did not know his official position and spoke indiscriminately, of course, Lord Zhongtang would not have the general knowledge of him.

"I don't know Huo... Mr. Huo wants to see this official, but is there anything important?"

Although Li Zhongtang met this Howard, anyone could hear the impatience in his words. If Howard doesn't have any interesting news, it will be a high probability to be swept out of the house.

And Howard is not an idiot. Of course, he understood what Li Zhongtang meant, but he spoke calmly and brought a surprising news to Lord Zhongtang. "Your Excellency Governor, I have a little relationship in Europe. As a gift, I would like to bring a message to your lord."

Howard's words surprised Mr. Zhongtang a little. It was rare for a news to be a gift. "Then let this official weigh it, whether your news is enough as a meeting gift."

"Okay, Your Excellency. The news I have brought is that the Germans have agreed that if your country is at war with France, then according to the principle of neutrality, they will stop the shipment of weapons to your country, even if it was previously ordered. Nope."

Howard's words made Li Zhongtang stand up. "Is this true?"

Li Zhongtang couldn't help but lose his temper, because he understood what Howard meant. As long as it is at war with France, then Germany will not let the calm two ships return home. Thinking of this, how could he not be in a hurry, to know that the core of Beiyang is these two giant ships. If they refuse the time, then the time for the formation of the Beiyang Navy will also be set back. This is not good news for Li Zhongtang, who leads the construction of the navy.

"Don't dare to deceive Your Excellency Deputy Prime Minister, this is the news that my friends in Europe have confirmed."

Li Zhongtang, who felt that he had lost his way, sat back at this time, and finally came up with a sentence. "It seems that Mr. Huo has a wide range of friends."

"I can't be praised by Your Excellency the Governor, I am just well-informed."

"So, what news does Mr. Huo have to tell this official?"

"There is no more, let me say one more thing, I am not an intelligence businessman, I sell all kinds of machinery and equipment, of course, if Your Excellency the Governor is willing to make friends, then some small arms or warships, I can also bring you, But you need to pay a decent amount of money.”

"Is this true?"

"Yes, Your Excellency, as long as you have money, I can provide you with first-class armored ships that are much more powerful than the second calming ship, and I can also provide them in stock. However, the cost is relatively high."

Li Zhongtang understood Howard's words. He had spent a lot of money in Beiyang to calm down the two ships. If he wanted to buy a more powerful warship, the money he needed would be gone. With the current wealth, he can't get it out either.

But although he couldn't get it out, Howard's words moved his heart. "How do you say it, Mr. Huo has hands and eyes, and he doesn't seem to be an ordinary person."

"Your Excellency the Governor, I'm just a small Italian businessman. As long as your country can pay enough, then I can call retired officers and soldiers to operate warships for your country to fight against the enemy."

In the second half of Howard's sentence, Li Zhongtang seemed to be just boasting, but the first half of the sentence allowed him to know the origin of the businessman. It seems that he needs to study the following, what kind of grievances the Italians and the French have.

"Please have some tea."

Li Zhongtang raised the teacup and gestured to Howard.

As a businessman who has been in China for many years, Howard could not know the intention of this move, but his purpose has been achieved, so he stood up and said. "Excuse me, Your Excellency the Governor, this is my address in Shanghai. If the Governor has needs, you can come to me at this address."

After speaking, Howard left, leaving Li Zhongtang alone in the lobby.

"Dong Weng, this Howard is no ordinary businessman at first glance~www.NovelMTL.com~ After Howard left, Zhou Fu walked out from behind the screen.

In the face of many years of staff who are also confidants, Li Zhongtang stopped pretending and said with a wry smile. "Of course I know that Howard is not easy. He can find me with the recommendation of the Italian Minister. How can it be so simple."

"Then how is Dongweng going to deal with this Italian?"

"Let's take it one step at a time. If what this Howard said is true, we must let Zixiang and Ji Qian in Germany return the second ship calmly as soon as possible."

Right now, Li Zhongtang is most concerned about his calm second ship in Germany. If it is detained, there is really no good way to do it.

Li Zhongtang's worries are irrelevant to Howard, because he needs to visit several His Excellency Governors, such as Zeng Guoquan, Governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, Zuo Zongtang, Governor of Liangjiang, He Jing, Governor of Fujian and Zhejiang, and others, so he is pressed for time and cannot wait any longer. a bit.

Of course, now he first needs to let these old-fashioned governors of the Qing Kingdom know himself. As for future problems, it needs orders from Rome.