In "A Decree of Merchants from All Countries to submit opium", Lin Zexu began by saying that foreigners cannot live without tea and rhubarb. Without these two things, they would have no fate. Now, after hearing Yi Zhizu's statement, his expression on his face was quite unnatural. Such a simple truth, why didn't you think before that you could throw your face to the West?

However, he did intend to restrain the trade between the two countries. When Yi Zhizu saw him, he smiled and nodded, saying, "What is the high point of contentment?"

"The high-profile is not a question, it's just a little bit of a simple view." Yi Zhizu said modestly, and then said slowly: "Three hundred years ago, the discovery of a new route to India, the discovery of the Americas, and the success of the global navigation opened the era of great navigation. Since then, maritime trade between the East and the West has never been cut off. The protagonist of the East has always been our China, while the protagonist of the West has been changing. At first, it was Portugal, Spain, and then the Netherlands, and now it is England.

Because of the huge profits of East-West trade, Portugal, Spain, and the Netherlands, which dominated East-West trade, have become European maritime powers and even maritime overlords. Now Britain has replaced it as a new maritime overlord. In recent years, it has almost monopolized East-West trade. How could it be willing to cut off East-West trade?

In addition, Britain began the industrial revolution decades ago, with a large number of machines replacing manual work and production capacity increased significantly. Today, Britain not only needs the trade of the Qing Dynasty, but also the market of the Qing Dynasty - in order to dump industrial products. Given these two points, Britain will definitely not tolerate the Qing Dynasty's severing trade and closing the country! This can only increase the determination to stimulate Britain and Geely to start a war!"

When it comes to understanding the West, Lin Zexu asked himself that it is far less easy to be content. He heard that cutting off trade can only be counterproductive, and he couldn't help but be skeptical. After all, the other party has the identity of a businessman. In terms of public or private, in terms of emotion or reason, the other party would not agree to cutting off trade. After pondering for a moment, he tentatively said: "If you are content, you will judge that England will start a war, how should you deal with it?"

"Actively prepare for war." Yi Zhizu said: "English Geely's focus and fundamental interests are in Europe. For the Qing Dynasty, all England needed was trade and market, and there was no inappropriate thought. Even if a war started, it would not fight to the whole country. It was nothing more than sending a fleet to test the reality and reality. If one could win in one battle, it would not only eradicate the raven and the sanctuary, but also maintain decades of peace in the sea."

This was what Lin Zexu felt in his heart. After thinking for a moment, he said: "Qizu is both a merchant and a great shopkeeper of Yuanqi. Now that the national treasury is empty, if the court actively prepares for war, it will inevitably raise funds on the spot. Thirteen Fronts and Yuanqi are inevitable. Quizu will not be able to see through this. Why do they advocate actively preparing for war?"

The meaning of this sentence is easy to understand. To actively prepare for war, you need money. This requires Thirteen Lines and Yuanqi to donate. After a smile, he said: "The following is a businessman. He not only needs to calculate small accounts, but also have to know how to calculate big accounts. A battle with England is not only related to the success or failure of the ban on smoking, but also to the safety of Guangzhou. How can you finish the eggs when the nest is destroyed? Don't worry. If you prepare for war, Yuanqi will do his best."

Although he is young, he can take into account the overall situation and understand the general situation. No wonder he can take charge of Yuan Qi, no wonder Deng Tingzhen favors him. Lin Zexu stroked his head and said, "But he has such insight and mind when he is young, and he is content with his future achievements. I am afraid he will not be inferior to you and me."

Lin Zexu and Deng Tingzhen were both senior officials in the border area and ranked first-class. This was a very high praise for Yi Zhizu. Yi Zhizu hurriedly bowed and said, "The two adults are the pillars of the country, how dare you look at them?"

"Sincere, don't be too slander." Lin Zexu smiled and said, "The imperial envoy is not familiar with the barbarians and is familiar with the national conditions of England and Geely. Can you be willing to move to Yuehua Academy to assist the imperial envoy?"

Yi Zhizu hurriedly bowed and said, "I am grateful to you, sir, but I am the shopkeeper of Yuanqi, with many affairs and numerous exchanges. If you move to Yuehua Academy, there are many inconveniences. If you are sent, you can send someone to pass on the post. You must do your best."

Lin Zexu did not want to recruit Yi Zhizu as his aide. Daoguang valued Yuan Qi quite well, so he could not let Yi Zhizu enter the curtain. Moreover, with Yi Zhizu's relationship with Deng Tingzhen, if he had the idea of ​​entering the curtain to gain the promotion rank, he would have been Deng Tingzhen's guest in the curtain. He really lacked the staff who was familiar with English and understood the national conditions of England. However, Yi Zhizu's words are not without reason. The imperial envoy is not a place where idle people can enter and exit at will.

After pondering slightly, he smiled and said, "There will be some people who are content in the future." As he said that, he picked up the tea cup and sipped the tea, and said, "A group of Guangzhou gentry in the front hall is discussing the establishment of the Gentleman's Public Bureau to assist the government in banning smoking. Contentment is a model for banning smoking. You might as well get close to them."

What gentleman's office? Yi Zhizuo has no time and energy to be ungrateful with those gentry. However, since Lin Zexu spoke, he was not easy to refuse. He immediately stood up and bowed and left, and went to the hall. To be honest, he didn't like to deal with gentry in Guangzhou. The reason is very simple. Although he was the shopkeeper of Yuanqi, he was just a businessman after all, and was not very popular among gentry.

After waiting for Yi Shizuo to withdraw, Lin Zexu looked at Deng Tingzhen and said, "Yi Shizuo's words, how credible can Brother Weizhou think it is?"

Although Deng Tingzhen has served as the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi for three years, he rarely pays attention to foreign trade on weekdays. His understanding of the West is limited to the Western experiences published in the Xiguan Daily. He is ignorant of the national strength and military of England. However, he has had several dealings with Yi Zhizu and is clear about Yi Zhizu's nature, not a person who speaks nonsense.

After pondering for a moment, he spoke: "This son is both a Futai businessman and a great shopkeeper in Yuanqi. He has many contacts with foreign merchants. However, as far as I know, this son prefers Citigroup merchants and rarely has business dealings with British merchants. He purchases machines, builds railways, and hires technicians. They are all from Citigroup.

Furthermore, this son also hated Cyclone. Yuanqi publicly refused to recruit Cyclone. All the shopkeepers who suck Cyclone were cleared. From this point of view, he had no need and no reason to exaggerate the threat of British Geely, which would not benefit him."

Lin Zexu has heard of these things, including Citibank withdrawing from the raven and film trade. He also heard that it was from Yi Zhizu's strong request. After pondering for a moment, he said: "I heard that Yi Zhizu has a very good relationship with the Wu family?"

"No," Deng Tingzhen pondered: "Yi Zhizu rose rapidly, thanks to the strong support of the Wu family. However, Yi Zhizu is very independent in his actions and does what he says. Yuan Qi donated 2 million to enhance the defense of Humen, which was when he went to Humen alone to investigate."

Lin Zexu stroked his long beard and pondered for a moment before speaking: "The Guangdong Navy's combat power is worrying. Let Yuan Qi donate 200,000 first. Recruit 10,000 water braves, how about it?"

"The problem is not big, 200,000." Deng Tingzhen smiled and said, "Yi Zhizu will never shirk responsibility if you can take it out. However, it is best to donate this money by the merchants and salt merchants of the Thirteen ranks first. Good steel must be used on the edge of the knife. Moreover, Yuan Qi is now replacing artillery and building a cannon for Humen, which also makes Yuan Qi breathe a sigh of relief."

Lin Zexu nodded, thinking of the time when he left the capital, Daoguang also asked him to cherish Yuanqi, so he said, "Just I Wei Zhou, I donated 200,000 yuan from Brother Thirteen and the salt merchant."

Yi Zhizu came to the hall in front and saw Zhang Weiwei sitting at a glance. He hurriedly stepped forward and bowed and said, "I have met Mr. Nanshan."

Zhang Weiwei didn't expect to see Yi Zhizu here, so he immediately smiled and said, "How could Zhizu come here?" He said, "Everyone, this is Yi Zhizu, the shopkeeper of Yuanqi..."

Everyone was surprised, and was still guessing which junior boy was from. He heard that it was Yuan Qi's shopkeeper, and couldn't help but be surprised. What did he do here? Yi Zhizu bowed and smiled and said, "The imperial envoy came to listen, everyone will continue to discuss." As he said that, he took his seat at his next door.

The gentry and celebrities here are all top figures in Guangzhou, all of whom have fame and fortune, and most of them are from Jinshi. Liang Tingyi, who has been an official, is also a deputy tribute student. Although Yi Zhizu became famous in Guangzhou and can be regarded as a number one person, he was just a merchant after all. The gentry didn't take him seriously. Seeing him sitting down, they were all a little bored.

Seeing everyone's expressions, Yi Zhizu secretly laughed, coughed lightly, and said, "Everyone is talking freely. I am here to report on the Gentleman's Public Affairs in the Xiguan Daily."

After hearing this, the gentry immediately felt relieved. If the Gentleman Public Administration could publish it in the Xiguan Daily, the impact would naturally be greater. They immediately nodded with a smile to Yi Zhizu, saying hello, and then continued to discuss.

After listening for a while, Yi Zhizu finally understood what happened to the Gentleman Public Administration. He immediately couldn't sit still. Lin Zexu asked him to come, afraid that he was intentionally involved in the Gentleman Public Administration. He didn't have the time to sit down, so he quickly found an excuse to leave.

On February 18th, the Gentleman Public Bureau was established, and Lin Zexu took action and turned his attention to the collection of the Pump Cypress. The collection of more than 20,000 boxes of Pump Cypress. Naturally, it is not a trivial matter. In order to prevent some dirty officials from working in Guangdong, he strictly stipulated the inspection, after the collection, escort, custody, storage, and guardianship, and personally decided on the "Confiscation of the Oxypress Barge" and ordered the British merchant Pump Cypress to sail from the ocean to the vicinity of Humen.

On February 21, the newly established Gentleman Public Administration in Guangzhou established the General Administration of Confiscation of Tobacco Bulges at the Dafo Temple. Yi Zhizu and Pan Shiming were invited. Yi Zhizu had no intention of going there, but heard that the General Administration not only confiscated Tobacco Bulges, but also prepared addiction-cutting drugs and applied them to smokers. It was estimated that it might still need to donate, so he went there happily. Yuan Qi naturally could not fall behind in this kind of thing. Of course, this was also an opportunity to gain a good reputation for Yuan Qi.

As soon as he left the gate of Yuanqi General Office, he ran into the guerrillas of Humen's Lubin, Maitingzhang, and he hurriedly bowed: "General Mait."

"Is the shopkeeper Yi Da going out?" Maitingzhang bowed with a smile: "Guan Junmen specially sent the generals to invite the shopkeeper Yi Da to Humen and his party."

Yi Zhizu smiled and said, "The artillery has arrived?"

Maitingzhang nodded and said, "I arrived yesterday."

When the artillery arrived, Yi Zhizu had no intention of doing charity. He immediately ordered: "Take Manager Kong's visit to the Great Buddha Temple and donate more actively. I'll go to Humen for a few days."

Humen, Jingyuan Fortress.

Brand new Western artillery was pulled onto the fort amid the neat sounds of the officers and soldiers. All the officers and soldiers showed unconcealed excitement and joy. They all knew that Western artillery was not only powerful, but especially rare, with good quality. There was no need to worry about the danger of explosion. To be honest, what they feared the most was that their own artillery exploded and had no chance to escape.

Guan Tianpei was wandering around the fort with great enthusiasm. Seeing the officers and soldiers busy, he was very satisfied with the largest fort that was built this year. Of course, what he was even more satisfied with was this batch of Western artillery. Looking at the dark and shiny large-caliber heavy artillery, he was also full of joy. He added five turrets and replaced these turrets. He no longer had to worry about the English warships hitting the Tiger Gate.

A personal soldier trotted over and reported: "Report to the military gate, the shopkeeper Yuan Qiyi is coming."

"Oh, it's not slow." Guan Tianpei said, waved his hand and said, "Follow me to welcome our God of Wealth."

After hearing this, the generals immediately agreed and said with a smile: "Welcome the God of Wealth."

Yi Zhizu walked up to the fort, saw Guan Tianpei and others coming over, and hurriedly bowed, "Guan Junmen." Then he bowed to the generals behind him, and the generals returned the salutes one after another.

Guan Tianpei smiled heartily and said, "It's really timely to be content with this batch of cannons. These days, I have been worried that the English warships have forced their way into the Humen."

Yi Zhizu smiled and said, "Can someone be sent to inspect it carefully? Can the gun specifications of all calibers be the same?"

"Yes, every piece has been carefully checked, it is a good product, like a mold cast." Guan Tianpei said with satisfaction. He pointed to the cannon and said, "Now all the cannons have been replaced. It is time to explain the standardized artillery that is mentioned in detail."

"It's actually very simple." Yi Zhizu said and walked to the edge of the artillery, pointed to Jiangxin, and said: "Compared with naval guns, the biggest advantage of shore defense cannons is the high accuracy of artillery shells. Why? The reason is very simple. shore defense cannons can first calibrate the artillery shell elements... Take the crossbar island as an example. Artillery of various caliber can determine the elements of the shelling island in advance, such as the shooting angle and direction of the artillery. With one order, the group of guns fired volleys and hit rate is high. What will happen?"

"What is content means to set a reservation in the waterway?"

"Not bad." Yi Zhizu nodded and said, "You can take the soldiers to set reference objects on the shore, such as two straight benchmarks, and send a signal when passing the benchmark. You can calibrate more predetermined positions."
Chapter completed!