Shanghai West Garden, the imperial envoy.

A long and small sedan chair was parked on the side of the street in front of the door. Yi Zhizuo returned with his family. Local cultural relics officials, local merchants, and associations of all prefectures and counties in Shanghai came to congratulate and send gifts. Even the consuls and merchants in Shanghai from Britain, France and the United States came to congratulate according to customs.

Yi Zhizu married the royal family, Daoguang issued an order to encourage the banner people to intermarry, and authorized Yuanqi Bank to issue paper money. These are all great things. Anyone with discerning eyes knows that Yuanqi is no longer the first merchant gang in the Qing Dynasty. Yi Zhizu, the first-class viscount, the admiral of the Nanyang, and the great shopkeeper of Yuanqi, will be more consolidated in both the court and the Yuanqi. Who would not want to do the icing on the cake?

After three days of busy life, it was finally calm. Tingtao Pavilion also returned to its former tranquility. Yi Zhizuo was unable to stay idle. After leaving for several months, a large amount of things were accumulated waiting for him to deal with. The Eastern Expedition to Japan had begun. Various intelligence analysis, material transportation, and military mobilization had already begun. How could he have free time?

"Recently, a hand-written book "Overseas News" has not been finished yet. It is written based on the war between our Qing Dynasty and the English English." Ren An said, taking out a copy and put it on the table, and then said: "The Japanese shogunate also attaches great importance to the situation about the war. All maritime merchants who went to Nagasaki trade were asked to report in detail about the war. The Japanese called this type of information "Opiei Feng Storybook".

Japan also asked maritime merchants to collect books about the Qing Dynasty that described the war. Those who are currently known include "Records of the Bandits' Invasions", "Brief British Invasions", "Zhapu Jiyong", etc.."

Yi Zhizu casually flipped through the book "Overseas News" and then handed it to Bao Shichen on the side, then said: "Don't you pay attention to the Nanyang Navy and the war against Annan?"

"Go back to the big shopkeeper." Ren An said slightly: "Now the sea merchants from Zhapu to Nagasaki are all our people, and they are very nervous. Japan doesn't know much about this."

Yi Zhizu nodded with satisfaction. Japan collected the information of the Qing Dynasty through Tangrenfeng Story. Once it controlled the maritime merchants traded with Japan, it would be equivalent to controlling the intelligence channels of Japan. After pondering a little, he said: "There will be a large number of material and warship soldiers in Dinghai. The merchant ships heading to Nagasaki must be strictly selected from the owner of the ship to the crew sailors, and there must be no leakage of any wind."

"I understand!" Ren An said simply.

After Ren An left, Bao Shichen put down the book in his hand and said, "Have the Navy approved the Eastern Expedition?"

"I mentioned it last year, and the emperor did not object." Yi Zhizu said indifferently: "It should be considered as agreeing."

After hearing this, Bao Shichen couldn't help but feel speechless. This lord is good at everything, but he is too brave. He dares not to ask for an order for such a big thing. If it were ordinary generals and local officials, a few heads would not be enough to cut them. However, thinking about last year when he attacked Annan, the other party also took action first and then reported. The court not only did not punish him, but instead followed the trend and launched a large-scale expedition to attack Annan. It seems that Daoguang should also agree with the Eastern Expedition.

After pondering for a moment, he said, "The Lord and the Holy Lord are in high spirits and the navy is not trained enough, why are you eager to fight in the East?"

"Innovation of the military system." Yi Zhizu did not hide it from him and said truthfully: "The emperor had long meant to reform the military system. Now that the emperor is old, the court has obtained a large amount of lifeless national debt. It is estimated that the military system will be reformed soon. The navy's troops were finally trained. I don't want them to be demolished without any achievements.

Furthermore, the Eastern Expedition could not be delayed by next year at the latest. Even if it was delayed until next year, the naval training would still be insufficient. Why not just train in actual combat? Besides, we only attacked Annan last year, and Japan would never have expected that our large-scale Eastern Expedition would be unexpected and unpredictable."

Bao Shichen knew his Dongweng's character. Once he made up his mind, he would not change it easily. What's more, the Eastern Expedition was not a whim of the other party, but had planned it long ago, so it was difficult to persuade him. After pondering for a moment, he said: "The major affairs of the country are only sacrifices and military affairs. The Eastern Expedition is not a trivial matter. Once the arrow is on the string, you still need to report it in time to avoid giving someone a handle."

Giving someone a handle? Yi Zhizuo laughed in his heart. He had too many things to give someone a handle, and he didn't care about one or two more. One day, if he was convicted by the court, there would be no problem with ten or eight. Thinking of this, the other party had a good intention, and he immediately said, "What the sir said is, please trouble Mr. draft a copy."

How should I write this memorial? Bao Shichen frowned, "If we mobilize a large army, we will definitely become famous. Annan still has an excuse to conquer. Japan is neither a vassal state nor a conflict between the two countries, and there is no trade conflict."

"Sir, you are kind-hearted." Yi Zhizu smiled and said, "Is it true that English is famous for attacking us? This is a powerful time, and a big fist is the truth. If you have to find a reason, the Qing Dynasty was established for 200 years, and the Japanese did not surrender. During the Ming Dynasty, Japanese pirates had caused trouble in the southeast coast for decades. This is a potential threat. Who can guarantee that Japanese pirates will not invade the southeast coast again?

It is also a crime to keep our country closed and not allow the two countries to trade normally! It is also a crime to collect information about the Qing Dynasty through Tang Renfeng’s storytelling, which is also a crime to have ulterior motives!”

Bao Shichen was ashamed when he heard this. The other party casually mentioned it, but everything made sense. It was really a crime to be accused of, so why not worry about it!

In the backyard of Tingtao Pavilion, the maids and mothers were careful not to even speak, and tried to keep pace as much as possible, so as not to make too loud noises, and the atmosphere was far less relaxed than before. Although he was a first-class viscount and a first-class official, the rules in the mansion were not very good, and he was easy-going to others, and he was very kind to his concubines and maids and mothers, he could even be said to be indulgent.

The situation is very different now. With a formal wife and an extraordinary identity, the Doro Gege of the Beller Mansion is far more noble than that of ordinary women from ordinary officials and families. The status is noble and the rules are naturally great, which invisibly puts great pressure on the women in the backyard.

In the courtyard, Ling Xuan, who had always been unrestrained, begged Yan Kexin and said, "Sister Xin, you are almost suffocated, why don't we go out for a walk."

"You think you are the same as before, you can do whatever you want." Yan Kexin gave her a blank look and said, "Now, with a wife, I ask for advice from you in everything."

The wife of the wife in charge of the backyard has always been in charge of the care of her husband. Ling Xuan naturally knew this rule. However, after following Yi Zhizuo and unrestrained over the years, a scary wife of the wife suddenly came. It was really difficult to adapt to. She sighed quietly, "I am a little envious of the snow in Guangzhou now."

"Don't worry." Yan Kexin smiled and said, "It's not clear whether our princess lives in Guangzhou or Shanghai."

Ling Xuan's eyes lit up, "Why would you like to sing the Lord Tan's tone tonight?"

"I may be sure when will the Lord come here?" Yan Kexin sighed softly and said, "Look for an opportunity."

Zaitong's rules are big, and Yi Qunzu also noticed them. During dinner, he and Zaitong sat at the table with wine and food. Yan Kexin, Ling Xuan and Xia He were standing behind him to serve. He knew that this was the rule and his concubines were not allowed to attend the table, but he never took these rules seriously over the years. Even Chunmei and Xia He, who were born in a room girl, have been serving the table. He also took Yan Kexin and Ling Xuan to a restaurant outside for a few banquets.

Yan Kexin poured the wine before he looked at Zaitong and said, "Mrs. She comes from Beile Mansion. She has strict tutoring and many rules. However, if she is not in the capital, we don't need to be too particular. No one on the side makes a joke. It's all a family. It's better to be casual, right?"

Zaitong was the youngest among all women, only eighteen years old, but he was extremely intelligent and had a very gentle personality. He immediately smiled and said, "Sir, don't mention the Beller Mansion. At home, he naturally respects the Lord's lord for everything. The Lord's lord is not polite and likes casual nature, so he is naturally casual."

"It's rare that the lady understands." Yi Zhizu smiled, glanced at Yan Kexin and the other two, and said with a smile: "My reminder you, you should have rules or have them. All of them will be put into the seat."

Yan Kexin quickly became lucky and said, "Sir Xie, Mrs. Xie. Mrs. Xie is easy-going, so I will definitely not lose my composure and mess up the superiors and subordinates."

After the three girls who were waiting for the meal, Yi Zhizu said: "I'll prepare tomorrow, and I'll take you to Yongyuan Tower for a banquet."

Yongyuan Building? Zaitong couldn't help but say, "Is it a restaurant?"

"Well, one of the best restaurants in Shanghai." Yi Zhizu smiled and said, "Xin'er will explain it to your wife."

Yi Zhizuo brought his family to Yongyuan Tower to have a banquet. This is not only a close relationship with a group of local officials, gentry, merchants and merchants, but also an opportunity to directly contact him. Doing so will help local officials and yamen runners not dare to do anything wrong. Of course, the most important thing is to lead the trend, improve social atmosphere from top to bottom, and encourage women to go out.

After listening to Yan Kexin's detailed explanation, Zaitong smiled, "I heard in the capital that the Lord advocated the feminist movement and encouraged women to go out of the house. Since he had the opportunity to do his best, he would definitely support him."

The next morning, Yongyuanlou received a notice from Xiyuan, and the news spread immediately. The entire county town was sensational. Although Yi Zhizu was not in Shanghai for a long time, as long as he returned to Shanghai, he usually went to Yongyuanlou for guests and banquets, to entertain local officials or local gentry, merchants and celebrities.

This time, the main reason was that the newly married wife Zaitong. Now, no one in Shanghai knew that Yi Jue married a Doro Princess. Moreover, this was a model of intermarriage among the bannermen. Many people also argued whether Doro Princess would go. There were many people who wanted to see Doro Princess' style. For a time, the price of seats on the second floor of Yongyuan Building doubled, but it was still difficult to find.

This time he left Shanghai for a long time. Yi Zhizu not only invited prefectures and counties and merchants from the General Chamber of Commerce, but also invited consulates from Britain and France. As the master, he arrived at Yongyuan Building a quarter of an hour in advance.

Zaitong's hairstyle and dress were all dressed as Manchu women. She knew that this time, Yi Zhizu also took the opportunity to promote the intermarriage of the bannermen. So even though she knew that she was not as good as the Chinese dress, she still chose to wear clothes. As soon as she got off the sedan chair, she saw that the streets were filled with men and women. Even the second floors of the shops on both sides were full of people. She couldn't help but feel nervous. Fortunately, she had gone out many times in the capital and was relieved.

Yi Zhizu, but he was fine, came up and smiled and said, "Are you a little nervous when you are watched? Come on, give me your hand."

In front of so many people, it was said that he was holding in front of everyone. Although the banner woman was released, Zaitong was still a little shy. After hesitating for a while, he stretched out his hand with a blushing face and let him walk slowly into the restaurant. When she entered the restaurant, she realized that the restaurant was actually crowded, and the first and second floors were like this. However, the diners were mixed with men and women. They couldn't help but think to themselves that the atmosphere in Shanghai was much more open than that in the capital. Is this the result of Yishishi's advocacy?

Yi Zhi was able to set an example to advocate women going out of the house. Under his leadership, Shanghai officials, gentry and merchants followed suit and brought their families to party. In addition, Yuan Qi and a female general Xu Yixuan led a group of women to show off all day long. The atmosphere in Shanghai was quickly inspired. On weekdays, you can see well-dressed girls and daughters-in-laws wandering around on the streets from time to time.

Yan Shikuan was the first to come. When he saw Yi Zhizu and his party going upstairs, he hurriedly came to greet him. Seeing that she was not old but elegant, she secretly worried about her own girl. Faced with a woman with such a noble status, even if she was doting with Yi Zhizu, she would probably not have a good life. How could the rules come from the Beile Mansion be smaller?

After a brief introduction, he exchanged greetings and arranged for the women to sit at a table. Yi Zhizu and Yan Shikuan sat at another table. As soon as they sat down, Yan Shikuan said: "Will the shopkeeper go back to Guangzhou recently?"

"What? Is there something wrong?" Yi Zhizu asked casually after pouring a cup of tea.

"My father wrote to me and I was feeling unwell." Yan Shikuan said: "I can't get out of here, I want my younger sister to go back to Guangzhou to fulfill my filial piety."

Yi Zhizu smiled and said, "Don't talk about the old man's body without any trouble. Just wait for yourself to find an opportunity to ask for the younger sister's meaning."

After hearing this, Yan Shikun felt relieved and smiled, "My father is indeed a little uncomfortable."

"I haven't had time to return to Guangzhou recently." Yi Zhizu said: "If you are really worried, I will arrange for the 'Feiyan' to send you."

"Don't--." Yan Shikuan said quickly: "It's the peak season for sea trade soon, I really can't get away."

That said, the old man was fine. Yi Qunzuku knew his nature. He immediately changed his mind and said, "Take me to see Bai Zhi after the meal."
Chapter completed!