Lantern Festival, also known as Shangyuan Festival and Lantern Festival. The Lantern Festival was ten days before the Ming Dynasty, and it was connected to the Spring Festival. Now it has been reduced to five days. Because it has been reduced to five days, the festive atmosphere is even stronger. Every household eats dumplings and lanterns to decorate, and at night, they will take the elderly and young people to watch the lanterns. However, it is a coincidence that the national mourning is not as good as before. It is okay to use lights, but I dare not use color to decorate colors. Moreover, even if the lights are set, the themes are mostly twenty-four filial piety. As for dragon dances, lion dances, dry boats, stilts and other 100 plays are naturally strictly prohibited.

But even so, it cannot stop the women's interest in night viewing lanterns. After all, the Lantern Festival is one of the few festivals that women can't help but go out. In recent years, the atmosphere in Guangzhou has gradually become increasingly popular, and it is common for women to show up in public. However, there are still many women from large and middle-aged families who are confined to their homes. How can they let go of the rare opportunity to let go of freedom?

Before the sky was dark, snowy, Chunmei and others begged to go out for a night tour and enjoy the lanterns. Yi Zhizuo was unwilling to discourage their interest, but just asked them to take more maids and servants, pay attention to safety, and don't go home all night.

The girls who were waiting were excitedly slipping out of the garden from the back door. Yi Zhizu walked slowly in the garden for a while. When they saw the sky was dark, they walked back to Changle Bookstore. When they entered the yard, they saw Lin Meilian coming with a lantern. They couldn't help but be surprised and said, "Why didn't you go out with them to enjoy the lanterns at night?"

Lin Meilian smiled and said, "You can't go out and leave the shopkeeper alone at home. That's too unconventional."

After hearing this, Yi Zhi couldn't help but smile, "There are no maids on the left and right. Although this year is a national mourning, the lantern market should still be very lively."

Before he could speak, the gatekeeper rushed over quickly and bowed slightly to report: "Report to the Marquis, Lord Futai is here to visit."

The current governor of Guangdong is Ye Mingchen. Yi Shizuo stays at home and does not interact with the Guangzhou officialdom. Except for the few times that Huang Entong, the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, has come, few officials come to visit. Today is Lantern Festival, and it is getting late. Ye Mingchen actually chose to visit this time. It is very unreasonable. Is it here to urge him to set off for Beijing?

He was worried about it, but if the other party really came to urge him to leave for the capital, it would be a solution to avoid it. After pondering for a moment, he said, "Please invite him in."

Ye Mingchen was a famous official in the middle and late Qing Dynasty. He was known as the Governor of the "Six Bu". During the Second Opium War, he was the Governor of Guangdong and Guangxi. The British and French coalition forces attacked Guangzhou. He was ridiculed to not fight, disagree, defend, leave, surrender, and die. He was finally captured by the British and French coalition forces and plundered to Kolkata, India, and eventually died on a hunger strike.

Yi Zhizu still admires him quite a bit. He is undoubtedly very honest when he is able to go on a hunger strike and starve to death. As for the "Six Nos", he is actually more helpless. However, the situation is different now, and it is hard to say whether the Second Opium War will break out. Even if it breaks out, Guangzhou does not need to rely on local governments to guard it.

Ye Mingchen, whose courtesy name was Kunchen, was from Hanyang, Hubei. He was a Jinshi in the 15th year of Daoguang. He was selected as the governor of Shuji and was appointed as editor. In the 18th year, he was appointed as the governor of Xing'an, Shaanxi, and lived in Yanping Road, Jiangxi Yan Road, Yunnan Censorate, Hunan, Gansu, and Guangdong. In the 28th year, he was promoted to the governor of Guangdong. In just thirteen years, he was ranked as the rank of the border, which was an exception in the Qing Dynasty officialdom.

Not long after, a middle-aged man in his early forties, not tall, obviously gaining weight and fat. He walked into the room under the leadership of the gatekeeper. Yi Zhizu looked him up and down, thinking that this is Ye Mingchen, the governor of Guangdong, who is like a shopkeeper of a business name.

Ye Mingchen was indeed from a merchant family, and his family was famous for managing medicinal materials. "Ye Kaitai" is his family's signature. It is also because of the merchant family that he is extremely smart. He is good at handling government affairs and is good at managing finances. His career is smooth and smooth, which is not unrelated to this.

Seeing him, he bowed with a smile, "I have long admired my brother Daming in Guocheng and are in Yangcheng, but I have not seen you until today."

Yi Zhizu smiled and bowed, "Brother Kunchen is in charge of Guangdong. Logically, he should go to visit me, but he is staying at home to stay mourning, which is very inconvenient." As he said that, he reached out and said, "Brother Kunchen, please--."

"Brother Guocheng, please--." Ye Mingchen quickly made a humble manner. The two of them politely entered the house. After sitting down, Yi Zhizu did not politely with him. He smiled and said, "Today's Lantern Festival, Brother Kunchen has the leisure to enjoy the lanterns and pass by Leiyuan."

When he saw someone, he asked so directly. Ye Mingchen said, "Brother Guocheng is quick to speak, and it is true that the rumors are true." After a pause, he continued, "I'm here to inquire about when Brother Guocheng will set out to Beijing?"

"After opening the yamen," Yi Zhizu said without hesitation: "If Tianjin and foreign countries have not yet thawed today, they must take the land route to inspect the construction of the Beijing-Hangzhou Railway. Last year, the railway construction process was also quite affected."

Ye Mingchen came today, entrusted by Guangzhou General Yixiang to find out when Yi Zhizu left for Beijing. He was not sure why Yi Zhizu came to Beijing during the period of observing the system. It was reasonable to hear his reply. He immediately followed the conversation: "Last year's flood was really rare. The water in Wuhan was eight feet deep, and it gathered more than 300,000 hungry people. If it were not for the timely relief, if the court encouraged immigration to Nanyang in time, Yuan Qi would make proper arrangements, and the consequences would be unimaginable."

Seeing him talking nonsense, Yi Zhizu guessed that he came to find out the news, but he couldn't serve tea and see the guests. After all, the bench was not hot yet, so he immediately patiently chatted with him.

After half an hour, Ye Mingchen took the initiative to stand up and say goodbye and sent him out of the yard. Yi Zhizu didn't care. He turned back to the study and smoked, tea and read books. He agreed to Daoguang that he had come to Beijing at the beginning of the year, and it was already Lantern Festival. It was normal for the governor of Guangdong to come to inquire about the news. As for his reply, it was naturally clear. After opening the yamen, he set off for Shanghai. When he arrived in Shanghai, Wen Han's note should be delivered to the Zongli Yamen. At that time, the situation in the capital should be clear. Anyway, one word - drag!

At ten o'clock, Lin Meilian came in with a food box. Yi Zhizu glanced at it and said, "Didn't you say you don't need a midnight snack?"

Lin Meilian smiled and said, "Today is Lantern Festival, ready-made dumplings, for auspiciousness."

Eating dumplings means that the family will be reunited in the new year. However, Yi Zhizu is very clear. This is probably a luxury. His wife and son are in the capital. Daoguang's intention to detain her mother and son is very obvious. Last time Zaitong begged to help his parents' coffin return to his hometown, Daoguang did not allow it. Now that he is not going to Beijing, the members of the league will not know what year they will have to wait.

Before he finished eating a bowl of glutinous rice balls, the battalion commander of the personal army, Pang Yougui, said loudly outside: "Report—."

"Come in." Yi Zhizu ordered casually.

After Pang Yougui came in to salute, he reported: "Report to the principal, there were gathering brigade of officers and soldiers at all intersections outside the garden."

The brigade of officers and soldiers? Yi Zhizu was stunned. Ye Mingchen left, and the brigade of officers and soldiers then blocked Leiyuan. What does this mean? I want to be tough and catch him? This is too underestimated. He dared to catch him in Xiguan! Put down the spoon and he said in a deep voice: "Send a rescue signal!"

Three orange-red fireworks bloomed over Lei Garden, like a rosy tree, clearly visible from ten miles away, attracting the attention of many tourists who are traveling to enjoy the lanterns at night. However, no one knows what this means, and thinks it is the wealthy family setting off fireworks. Many people are also secretly worried that setting off fireworks during the national mourning period will inevitably be troublesome.

As the fireworks bloomed, the Henan Camp and Huadi Camp sounded sharp and rapid whistles almost at the same time. This was the unique whistle of the emergency gathering. The officers and soldiers who had just fallen asleep stood up as quickly as possible, put on military uniforms, packed their backpacks, and rushed towards the gathering's stadium.

Guangzhou General Yixiang, who had just arrived at the intersection of the west, was not stupid. Looking at the gorgeous fireworks that slowly dissipated, his face suddenly became extremely ugly. At this critical moment, Shangleiyuan set off fireworks so desperately. What this means is self-evident. Thinking of the Flower Land Camp and the Henan Camp are so close, he couldn't help but be very entangled.

To avoid any accidents, he dispatched a thousand troops to block and surround Leiyuan. Even if there was any accident, he was not afraid at all. However, he did not expect that Leiyuan could use fireworks to send messages to ask for help. He really underestimated this big shopkeeper of Yuanqi. No wonder he lived in Leiyuan without fear.

What to do? Should we advance or retreat? If we cannot rush to Huadi Camp, the soldiers from Henan Camp will capture Leiyuan and capture Yi Zhizu alive before arriving, it will be a disastrous consequence. The Eight Banners officers and soldiers under him are no match for others, and if one is not good, they will force Yi Zhizu to rebel. By then, he will definitely be the scapegoat of the court!

If he retreated, he, the general of Guangzhou, was probably going to be the end. He might not stop there. He might have to go back to the capital to retire from now on. He was in a dilemma. Yixiang wanted to scold Chaotianniang. He was weighing the pros and cons, but the deputy governor Huan Ling said: "Master, Leiyuan has only one hundred people to defend the sky. Even if Huadi Camp and Henan Camp can come to help in time, it will take half an hour to arrive. Half an hour is enough for us to sweep Leiyuan several times."

This is not unreasonable. Since Leiyuan has discovered that they have sent troops to blockade, even if they retreat now, they are still disgraceful. They have no turning back and can only try it. Thinking of this, he gritted his teeth, made a clear mind, and said in a deep voice: "Send an order to surround Leiyuan, break the door, break the wall, and capture Yi Zhizuo. Remember, you must live!"

Leiyuan, Changle Bookstore.

Bao Shichen looked at Yi Zhizu worriedly and said, "Can the Henan Camp come in time?"

"Ride on a steam steamer, the fastest is forty minutes." Yi Zhizu's tone was stable, and he seemed to be in a hurry at all.

Nearly three quarters of an hour? Bao Shichen silently said, "Can the personal soldiers of Leiyuan hold on for so long?"

Yi Zhizu lit a cigarette and asked without answering a question, "Is it enough to show that the court is so impatient that it can't wait to tear the face apart?

Seeing that he was calm and calm, Bao Shichen calmed down and pondered for a moment before saying, "It should be no mistake, otherwise, this is not a bad decision."

Yi Zhizu said in a calm tone: "It seems that the court sincerely forced Yuan Qi to rebel."

After hearing this, Bao Shichen sighed inwardly and said nothing. The court did this and forced Yi Zhizu to have no way out. He knew very well that Yi Zhizu was actually unwilling to turn against the court and openly rebelled. Whether for Yuan Qi or the court, this was a situation where both sides suffered losses. The Qing Dynasty might be in a long-term war. He really couldn't understand that Daoguang should have a clear understanding of this. Why did he use this stupid move? Could it be that he was confused?

"Report to the principal." Pang Yougui walked in quickly and saluted: "The officers and soldiers have surrounded Leiyuan and will launch an attack soon. Please transfer to Haitangyuan as soon as possible."

Yi Zhizu nodded and said, "Are all the maids and servants arranged it properly?"

"Don't worry, principal." Pang Yougui hurriedly said: "They have been gathered in one yard and told them not to resist or worry." Then he added: "These concubines are not in the mansion, and the principal is safe and sound. I wish the officers and soldiers dare not be arrogant."

This principle is easy to be content and naturally understand. He immediately stood up and looked at Bao Shichen and said, "Sir, let me go to the Begonia Garden. Unfortunately, it's evening. In fact, the scenery of the Begonia Garden is also good."

The name of Haitang Garden is nice. The garden is lush inside and outside. From the outside, you can't tell anything unusual at all. But Lei Garden knows that Haitang Garden is a forbidden area. Not to mention the maids and servants, even Bai Xue and Chunmei have never been in. There are vague rumors that there is a silver treasury inside.

Bao Shichen walked into the garden without any haste. Yi Zhizu introduced as he walked: "This garden looks nothing unusual from the outside, but it is actually a fortress. The back of the wall is made of cement stone, and it is difficult to bombard the cannons, which is enough to support the rescue of the Henan camp."

After hearing this, Bao Shichen understood why he was so calm and unshakable before. It turned out that he had been prepared for a long time. However, thinking about it, Yi Zhizu has always been very wary of the court. How could Leiyuan where he lives is unprepared?

Yixiang led the brigade of officers and soldiers without any resistance and easily broke into the door. However, the more this happened, the more worried he felt. As the saying goes, something abnormal must be true, Lei Yuan did not resist at all, which was really unreasonable.

Where is Leiyuan? Leiyuan is the house of Yuanqi's shopkeeper Yishi. Yuanqi is also the richest business group in the Qing Dynasty. When he entered Leiyuan, all the officers and soldiers' eyes turned red. They scattered and rushed towards the gardens and courtyards of all sizes inside, busy making money. The middle and lower-level military officers were also moved. Not only did they not stop them, they also joined the search ranks.

Seeing this situation, Yi Xiang jumped straight away. The reinforcements from Daying and Huadi Camp in Henan were coming in a blink of an eye, but the officers and soldiers below were busy making money. If they could not catch Yi Zhizu as soon as possible, what would be the consequences of waiting for them? Yi Zhizu is not a good man and a woman. What would be the consequences, even if they were thinking about it with their butts.
Chapter completed!