My Italy

The Sankou Commercial Office located near the mouth of the Sancha River is famous in Tianjin. Because Li Zhongtang, the governor of Zhili, the head of the world's governors, works here.

Since it is the governor's office, it will definitely be bustling, let alone the governor-general of Zhili who also serves as a diplomatic errand. Moreover, the Western view here is the largest in Tianjin, and many bold people who love to watch the excitement like to stay here.

Why are the officials queuing up at the door in the dog days of summer? Despite the hot weather, they are fully dressed and almost have prickly heat, but they are still waiting at the door. There was also Sanjiutian, who was as cold as the third grandson, and still did not dare to leave for a while.

Of course, the best thing to watch is the training of the guards. They shout commands said to be taught by British foreigners and perform various actions in a precise manner. This is when the idle men are most comfortable, because they can shout loudly and unscrupulously. If you applaud, you won't be afraid of people from the yamen trying to slap you with a note.

But what they like most is when foreigners show up. Unlike the waiting officials, these foreigners can often go in directly without waiting. At this time, there are often those who are brave enough to spit and curse at the foreigners who enter. "What are these foreigners so proud of?"

It will immediately attract a burst of applause, and will be praised with thumbs up. At this time, the scolder was very proud, as if he had done something important that made Tianjin famous. At the same time, you can also take the opportunity to despise the officials struggling at the door.

However, this is not without risks. Last month, Shandong, a small town in the west of the city, suffered a big loss because of this. People from the yamen gave him a severe beating for insulting the French minister. That one was so miserable. When he was taken out, his buttocks were all bloody and bloody. He is still lying on the bed. According to the doctor, within three months, I couldn't even get out of bed.

In the following period, there was a lot of silence at the entrance of the Sankou Commerce Office, but after all, the owner was restless, and after the storm passed, they surrounded them again.

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

The old and young men staying outside the yamen looked at me and I looked at you, as if they were all waiting for a good man to come forward. However, when the foreigners entered the gate, no one came forward.

Faced with this situation, many people secretly spit, "Who are these people?"

Howard, who had just entered, had no idea what was happening outside the door. It's just that he was led by an official to an antique room.

"Mr. Howard, please wait here. The Lord is a little busy at the moment. He will invite you in a moment."

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

As he spoke, he took out a banknote from his pocket and handed it skillfully to the official's hand. After the official was surprised, he skillfully pocketed the banknote.

I was surprised because he should have confiscated foreigners' banknotes before, but with his skillful skills, it seemed that he had collected a lot.

After Howard handed over the red envelope, he calmly waited for the summons of Li Zhongtang.

In the study, Li Zhongtang, then Minister of Commerce of Beiyang and Governor of Zhili, was discussing his concerns with his confidant Zhou Fu, who was then the chief officer of Tianjin Customs Road and Tianjin Military Preparation Road.

"Yushan, we need to pay close attention to the fleet. The French are becoming more and more restless. According to Shoushan's news from Europe, the French are bound to win Vietnam. Guangdong, Guangxi and Yunnan and Guizhou are in trouble."

Li Zhongtang, the founder of Beiyang and known as a famous official in the late Qing Dynasty, couldn't help but feel emotional about the recent actions of the French.

Although Li Zhongtang was famous for signing unequal treaties in history, he had to admit that this was not his fault. The country was weak and had no choice but to do anything. Of course, these emotions could not help the Qing Dynasty 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 obtain information.

Of course, we also know about the various actions of France in Vietnam. Of course, these matters mainly require the decisions of Zeng Laojiu and other Hunan Army figures. 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 Japanese juniors are acting stupidly when they see the situation facing the Qing Dynasty. The country is in a difficult situation. .

While Li Zhongtang was discussing with his confidant Zhou Fu, there was an announcement outside the door. "My lord, Italian businessman Howard is here to pay a visit?"

"Italian?"

After Li Zhongtang heard the report outside the door, he was a little surprised, because everyone in the Governor's Mansion knew that he had many things to do, so how could he allow businessmen to enter the Governor's Mansion, yet he actually reported it openly.

So 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 why businessmen are allowed to enter the Governor's Mansion because of what's going on in the central hall. How unbecoming is this?"

After being scolded by Zhou Fu, the official who felt that the banknotes in his arms were a bit hot replied immediately. "Because this businessman has the business card of Italian Minister Jia Liwen, who said he was introduced by the Italian Minister, so the villain did not dare to neglect, so he could only bring him in."

The answer outside the door surprised Li Zhongtang and Zhou Fu. An Italian businessman was recommended to them by the minister. Although Italians had little presence in the Qing Dynasty, it must be abnormal for him to suddenly appear at this time. Therefore, faced with this abnormal situation, Master Zhongtang must take a good look at it.

"Then what is that person's name?"

"Howard."

Faced with the situation that the boss couldn't remember his name, the lower-level officials took advantage of the situation and reminded him.

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

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

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

Faced with the situation where Italian businessmen spoke carelessly without knowing their official positions, Master Zhongtang would certainly not be indifferent to them.

"I don't know... Mr. Huo wants to see me. Is there something important?"

Although Li Zhongtang met Howard, everyone could hear the impatience in his words. If Howard doesn't have any news that interests him, then it is highly likely that he will be kicked out.

Howard was not a fool. Of course he understood what Li Zhongtang meant clearly, but he spoke calmly and brought a shocking news to Mr. Zhongtang. "Your Majesty the Governor, I have some connections in Europe. As a greeting, I would like to bring you some news."

Howard's words made Master Zhongtang a little surprised. It was rare for a message to be used as a meeting gift. "Then let me weigh you and see if your information is enough as a meeting gift."

"Okay, Your Majesty the Governor. The news I bring is that the Germans have agreed that if your country goes to war with France, according to the principle of neutrality, they will stop the transportation of weapons to your country, even if they have been ordered before. No."

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

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

"I dare not deceive His Excellency the Deputy Prime Minister. This is the news confirmed by my friends in Europe."

Li Zhongtang, who felt that he had lost his composure, sat back down and managed to say something. "It seems that Mr. Huo has a wide range of friends."

"I don't deserve the praise of your Excellency the Governor. I am just well-informed."

"So, what other news does Mr. Huo have to inform me?"

"No more. Let me just say one more thing. I am not an intelligence dealer. I sell various machines and equipment. Of course, if the Governor is willing to be your friend, then I can also bring you some small arms or warships. But you need to pay a considerable amount of compensation.”

"Is this true?"

"Yes, Your Excellency Governor, as long as you have money, I can provide you with a first-class armored ship that is much more powerful than the Tranquility 2nd Ship and can also provide it in stock. However, the cost is relatively high."

Li Zhongtang understood what Howard said. It cost Beiyang a huge sum of money to calm the two ships. If he wanted to buy a more powerful warship, the money needed would be lost. With his current wealth, he couldn't afford it.

But even though he couldn't take it out, Howard's words moved his heart. "How can I put it this way? Mr. Huo's hands and eyes are very good. He doesn't seem to be an ordinary person."

"Your Excellency, Governor, you are overly worried. I am just a small Italian businessman. As long as your country can pay enough, I can also recruit retired officers and soldiers to operate warships for your country to fight against the enemy."

The second half of Howard's sentence seemed to Li Zhongtang just to brag, but the first half did let him know the origin of this businessman. It seemed that he needed to study next what grudges the Italians and the French had.

"Tea, please."

Li Zhongtang raised his tea cup and motioned to Howard.

As a businessman in China for many years, how could Howard not know the purpose of this move, but his purpose had been achieved, so he stood up and said. "Excuse me, Governor, this is my address in Shanghai. If the Governor is in need, 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."

After Howard left, Zhou Fu walked out from behind the screen.

Facing his many years of staff and confidants, Li Zhongtang stopped pretending and said with a wry smile. "Of course I know that this Howard is not a simple person. He can come to my head with the recommendation of the Italian Minister. How can it be so simple?"

"So how does Dong Weng plan to deal with this Italian?"

"Let's take a step and see. If what Howard said is true, we must let Zixiang and Ji Qian in Germany bring back the second ship of Tranquility as soon as possible."

Now Li Zhongtang is most concerned about his calm second ship in Germany. If it is detained, there is really no good solution.

Li Zhongtang's worries were irrelevant to Howard, because he needed to visit several governors next, such as Governor Zeng Guoquan of Guangdong and Guangxi, Zuo Zongtang, Governor of Liangjiang, He Jing, Governor of Fujian and Zhejiang, etc., so he was pressed for time and could not continue to wait. one time.

Of course, he now needs to let these staid Qing governors know him first. As for future problems, he will need orders from Rome.

Sorry, I checked a lot of information and can only code out one chapter today. I hope book friends don't mind.