In the 20th year of Daoguang, September and 23rd of autumn, Zhigu Wharf, Tianjin.

After a few autumn rains, the weather became colder every day, but Zhigu Wharf did not become deserted because of the colder weather. Although the peak season of sea trade has passed, the canal transportation has not yet ended. At the end of September, it was the time when the last batch of grain transport ships arrived in Tianjin. The canal ships that went north and south gathered in Tianjin. Whether it was Beitang canal transport terminals or Zhigu Wharf, they were filled with canal ships of all sizes. On the wide river surface, the ships were shuttled back and forth, and it was busy.

A Western sailboat with a sharp bow with a slender and beautiful waterline and a very high mast. It slowly approached the dock, which immediately attracted the attention of everyone on and off the river bank. Although this Western sailboat, which seemed to be a flock of cranes, was beautiful, no one appreciated it. All eyes looked at the lower reaches of the river. After seeing that there was only this Western sailboat, many people breathed a sigh of relief.

Some time ago, the British fleet was anchored on the sea surface of Tianjin. Although there was no war, it really made the people in and outside the city sweat. Then there was news that the British fleet attacked the coastal port city on the southeast coast to burn and kill and loot. At this time, he suddenly saw a Western sailboat appearing at the port in Tianjin, which could not arouse people's vigilance.

Soon everyone felt relieved because they saw clearly that the ship was full of Han people with braids, and there were also welcome officials on the dock. The person who came to welcome Yi Zhizu and his party was Luo Yingao, the guerrilla of the governor of Yi Zhizu. He really didn't expect that the other party's ship would come so quickly. He only received the letter yesterday. Today the ship arrived in Tianjin. He arranged for people to vacate the berth. After the beautiful sailboat was docked, he quickly strode forward and bowed to Yi Zhizu and said, "Luo Yingao, the guerrilla of the governor of the governor of Yi Zhizu, have seen Lord Yi."

When he heard that it was a guerrilla warrior, Yi Quest knew that it was arranged by Qishan. He thought that Qishan was quite kind, so he specially arranged someone to receive him. He immediately bowed and returned the greeting and said, "Lord Lao is here to welcome him."

"Mr. Yi is a distinguished guest from Qi Zhongtang, and even a distinguished guest from Tianjin. How can the general of the Mo come not to greet him?" Luo Yingao said as he raised his head and looked at the other party. Seeing that he was only in his early twenties, he couldn't help but be shocked. He was awarded the title of gentry general by the court at such a young age, and the third-class light chariot commander. The future prospects in the future are probably unpredictable. He bowed back his eyes and said, "Mr. Mo has already prepared a banquet to welcome the adults, and I hope he will enjoy the adults."

"It's just a banquet." Yi Zhizu smiled and said, "It's still early, and I'm rushing to the capital. If it's convenient, I hope Lord Luo will arrange a ship."

"It's the season of canal transportation, and the river is congested. If you are in a hurry to enter Beijing, it's better to take the land." Luo Yingao smiled and said, "All cars and sedans are ready-made."

"Then there will be Lord Lauro." Yi Zhizu smiled and thanked him. He really didn't want to stay in Tianjin for more time. One reason was that he was not used to social engagements in the officialdom, and the other was that he was afraid that Tianjin officials would discuss business with him. The Dagukou Fort in Tianjin was even worse than Humen. He could not take out the cannons to sell them.

"I will serve you as a small matter." Luo Yingao said, and ordered someone to prepare a car and sedan chair, and then said sincerely: "I am in a hurry to enter Beijing, and the generals are not convenient to keep him. On the way back, I hope I will give the generals a chance to give him a chance to finish the friendship of the landlord. The ship is in Tianjin. Please rest assured, the generals will arrange for someone to be properly guarded."

After hearing this, Yi Zhizuo couldn't help but smiled bitterly. It seemed that he could not avoid dealing with Tianjin officials. I hope Qishan just asked him to guide the construction of the fortifications of the Dagukou Fort. If he wanted to buy artillery, he would be a clever wife.

By passing through the city, Yi Zhizuo has a very good impression of Tianjin, but it is true that the prosperity is true, but the streets and alleys in the city are full of dirt roads, with many people and many livestock. Three words - dirty and messy, but thinking about it, Guangzhou seems to be not much better. These days, as long as it is a prosperous place, it is almost the same.

It was the first time that the little girl Jin Ying came to the north. She saw everything fresh all the way. She kept looking around and asked nonstop. What he asked was naturally not Yi Quest, but a slave in Qishan's family. Jin Ling, who got two limited edition gold watches, was quite good enough. She sent a close slave, Chang Gui, and was a guide to accompany them to Beijing.

After leaving the north gate, passing through the South Canal, crossing the Beida Pass, and embarking on the Tianjin-Beijing Guanma Road, known as the Xigu Die Road. Only Yi Zhizu noticed that this official road is not only wide and straight, but also has a very good road surface. It is actually paved with stone, which is very rare. It seems that the imperial court attaches great importance to the official road of Beijing and Tianjin.

Tianjin is not far from the capital, 240 miles away, passing through Ziya River, Daqing River, passing through Xigu, Ding Gu, Yangcun, and Hexiwu move forward. On the morning of the third day, Yi Zhizu saw the tall and majestic city walls from afar.

After entering the city through Chaoyang Gate, Chang Gui followed Yi Zhizu and said tentatively: "Where is the adult who wants to stay?"

Yi Zhizu went to Beijing to finalize the treasury bonds. This matter was mainly dealing with the Ministry of Revenue. He immediately said: "Looking for a place close to the Ministry of Revenue is not high, so it is clean and clean."

Chang Gui is an old Beijing, and immediately said without thinking: "Then look for an inn outside Zhengyang Gate. There are six ministries inside Zhengyang Gate. It is convenient for adults to visit and do things."

"Come." Yi Zhizuji said first. It was his first time to come to the capital, so he didn't know where to go. Besides, the guy arranged by Jin Ling would not be able to cheat him.

Seeing his agreement, Chang Gui continued, "This place is still a long way from Zhengyang Gate. Is it called the lord the sedan?"

"No." Yi Zhizu walked along the way. For the first time he came to the capital, he naturally wanted to take this opportunity to feel the smell of the capital. Yes, the smell is not as good as Guangzhou. There are many horses, donkeys, mules on the streets, and there are a lot of livestock manure on the streets, and even the air is filled with an unpleasant smell.

The streets are also dirt roads, but they are straight and wide. The buildings on both sides are unique or magnificent or grand. The momentum of the imperial city is coming.

At dusk, Yi Zhizu and his party finally settled down and booked a separate courtyard in a Daerhutong Hutong called "Matou Inn" outside Zhengyang Gate. Behind the courtyard is the moat, which is still clean.

The group walked all the way from Chaoyangmen, and they were all very tired. Even Jin Ying, who was the most restless, shouted to take a break early. Yi Zhizu called Chang Gui and asked, "Do you know the residence of Wang Ding and Wang Zhongtang?"

"I don't know where the six ministries are, and I must not know Wang Zhongtang's mansion." Chang Gui said softly: "Wang Zhongtang is well-known in the capital, and is famous for being honest and upright." As he said, he tentatively said: "Sir, are you going to pay a visit to Wang Zhongtang?"

Yi Zhizu nodded and said, "It's appropriate to go to the evening or during the day?"

"Of course it's night." Chang Gui said: "You can't see Wang Zhongtang during the day. When you go, you're sitting in a side room and counting the bricks on the wall."

Why counting bricks? Passing the time? Yi Zhizu smiled and didn't ask much. He knew that this guy was poor and he didn't finish talking. He pondered for a moment before he ordered: "Then accompany me to the palace and call me a sedan chair."

After rushing to the palace and handing out the post, Yi Zhizu was taken to the east wing room. When he entered the wing room, he saw six or seven officials in it were talking softly. He couldn't help but complain secretly. When would he have to wait? He was unwilling to chat with the officials and found a remote place to sit down. He thought in his heart what to say when he saw Wang Ding. As early as the previous year, when Wang Ding was the Minister of Revenue, he asked Deng Tingzhen for him. He refused without hesitation. He didn't know if the other party would mention this when he met this time.

He sat alone in a long robe and jacket, which was very eye-catching in the wing room. Several officials in the room were a little surprised. They looked at him a few times, but they couldn't figure out what his identity was. Of course, they all thought about their own identity, and no one came up to disturb him.

But in a tea time, a long and quick walk in, walked directly to Yi Zhizu's heels, bowed and said, "Shopkeeper Yi Da, Zhongtang is invited." As he said that, he stood up, bowed to the officials, and said, "Everyone, please come back today. Zhongtang has given instructions. If there are any important things, leave a post."

All the officials were stunned by this statement. It was obvious that Wang Zhongtang wanted to talk to this big shopkeeper, so he asked them to go back first. Where did this big shopkeeper come from? Is it worthy of Wang Zhongtang's attention?

Yi Zhizu did not expect that Wang Ding would attach so much importance to him, so he actually gave an order to expel guests for him. He immediately did not dare to neglect him. He stood up and followed Chang Sui into the yard and into the room. He quickly glanced at Wang Ding, who could not sit upright under the candlelight. He was a tall old man with a clear edge on his face. He knew that the other party was already seventy-two.

With a quick glance, he withdrew his gaze, waved forward, and knelt down and said, "Guangzhou Yizhizu greets the Lord Zhongtang."

Wang Ding looked him up and down a few times before speaking: "It's hard for you to come to the capital, just get up."

He heard his voice loud and full of energy. It seemed that he was not only healthy but also in good spirits. However, the meaning of this sentence was worth savoring. Yi Zhizu simply pretended not to understand and stood up and said, "The British have launched a large increase in troops, the situation is tense, and the court has no precedent for issuing national debts. I am worried that it will cause trouble for the state, so I hurried to Beijing."

"Well, let's sit down." Wang Ding said and ordered to the outside world: "Give tea." He pondered for a moment, and then asked, "Is it true that the British have launched a large-scale increase in troops?"

Yi Jingzu said cautiously: "It should be true."

Wang Ding said in a deep voice: "The emperor has always been frugal, and the army is mobilized, which costs a lot. If the information is wrong and a false alarm is false, you should know the consequences. At the least, one can lie about military information, and at the worst, one can be a serious crime to deceive the emperor."

Is it so much risk to provide information? Yi Zhizu said simply: "Then I didn't say it."

Seeing him talking like this, Wang Ding was quite surprised and thought to himself that this kid was really not suitable to enter the officialdom. After pondering for a moment, he said, "Tell me, how did he know."

"In order to return the British prisoners of war, I have met the commander of the British fleet in private." Yi Zhizu said and briefly explained the situation of testing Yilu. As for Huang Dianyuan's information, he didn't dare to mention it.

It seems that the British increased their troops. Wang Ding pondered for a moment before saying, "Before the war has ended, I have privately returned thousands of British prisoners of war. This is inappropriate."

This matter is easy to be willing to bear the burden, and immediately said without hesitation: "Where is the right to decide on the return of prisoners of war? It was Linbutang and the imperial envoy who decided to return it in exchange for the peace of the southeast coast for half a year."

Wang Ding didn't know the specific situation of this matter, and he didn't worry about it at the moment. He stretched out his hand and said, "Take it and take a look."

Yi Zhizu naturally knew that he wanted to take over the contract of the treasury bond, so he quickly took it out and presented it to him. After taking the contract, Wang Ding added two candles and put on reading glasses. Then he looked down and looked carefully. Yi Zhizu had the time to look at the furnishings in the room. The furnishings in the room were very simple, but the fragrance of books was very strong. He dared not assert whether it was honest or not, but it was certain that it was very simple. The Grand Secretary of the Dongge and Minister of Military Affairs were so self-disciplined.

After carefully reading the contract, Wang Ding took off his reading glasses and said, "The monthly rate is 8% and 10 million taels per year is 1 million interest. This is tantamount to injury for the court. There are many Manchu and Mongolian relatives in the court who opposed the issuance of national bonds, and they will inevitably seize this attack."

"There is no longer a shortage of eight li, and there is no room for negotiation." Yi Zhizu said: "This is the first time the imperial court issued treasury bonds. The interest rate is slightly higher, which is conducive to the smooth issuance. If you issue it later, the interest rate can be gradually reduced. Issuing treasury bonds is not a one-stop deal, and you have to consider it in the long run."

Wang Ding was lazy to care about his tone, and then changed his mind and said, "I'm afraid that life for Yuanqi is not easy. Is there any profit to take over this national debt?"

"Go to lose money and shout." Yi Zhizu glanced at him and said, "Yuanqi is expected to lose millions of taels in this business."

"Why?"

Yi Zhizuo smiled, "I want to say that it is to express the difficulties for the country and share the worries for the king. Does the Zhongtang believe it?"

Seeing that his tone was relaxed and unrestrained, Wang Ding was a little surprised and said in a muffled voice: "It's best."

"It is appropriate to express difficulties for the country and share worries for the king." Yi Zhizu looked up at him and said, "When you are doing business, you know that you have lost money, Yuan Qi still did it. It is mainly to promote the court to take the first step in issuing national bonds. It is not only a large-scale war to issue national bonds, but also to develop the economy on a large scale, but also to issue national bonds."

Wang Ding said with a smile: "Isn't it to save Yuanqi's group training?"

Yi Zhizu paused and asked back: "Can you protect the Yuanqi Group Training by taking over this national debt?"

Interestingly, no one dared to talk to him like this for a long time, Wang Ding didn't think it was offended, so he reached out to invite tea, picked up the teacup and took a few sips. This kid could ask this back, which shows that he had a thorough understanding of this. Indeed, if the court could not tolerate the Yuanqi group training, even if Yuanqi took over the national debt, the court would not be ruthless to the Yuanqi group training.
Chapter completed!