The Qing Dynasty

Chapter 507 No One Will Scold Me Anymore

Li Hongzhang nodded expressionlessly and said, "According to Yushan, not only these two companies, but also the Aurora Trading Company in Hankou and another pharmaceutical and entertainment company in Shanghai are all under the name of Teng Xingfu."

"In addition, there is the Wuchang Ta Kung Pao, which has recently become very famous. It is also closely related to Teng Xingfu."

Is Ta Kung Pao related to Teng Yuzao?
Zhang Peilun was only slightly stunned, and then he believed what Li Hongzhang said was true.

Once published, Ta Kung Pao has been able to obtain a large amount of information about the Vanguard Army. Almost all the news about the latest developments of the Vanguard Army reprinted by other newspapers and periodicals came from Ta Kung Pao. It would be strange if this newspaper and periodical had no connection with Teng Yuzao.

However, no matter how little this was, in Zhang Peilun's eyes, it was just a newspaper and would not provide much help for the large sum of money that Teng Yuzhao needed.

"Where did Teng Xingfu get so much money?"

"Doesn't this further confirm the rumors about the silver that was looted from the noble ministers and wealthy merchants in the capital?"

Zhang Peilun was surprised, but also spoke with a tone that expressed some regret for Teng Yuzhao.

Li Hongzhang said disdainfully, "If the silver that those princes, ministers and wealthy businessmen did not have time to take away was snatched away by foreigners, would they still think about getting it back?"

Li Hongzhang sighed and shook his head, "Teng Xingfu's money has a source."

"Yushan told me that according to what Teng Xingfu said, his money came from the donation of Ning Xingpu, a big comprador in Tianjin. Ning Xingpu is now the chairman and general manager of the Aurora Trading Company in Hankou. He is also working hard for Teng Xingfu. He has great power. He not only manages the trading company, but also the other three companies. It can be seen that what Yushan said is probably true."

"The only possible discrepancy is probably the amount of silver he donated to Teng Xingfu."

"According to Yushan, Teng Xingfu used this money to open the Aurora Trading Company and the Aurora Bank. The other two companies were also established with loans from the Aurora Bank."

"It's just that, whether this matter is true or not, there is no way to find out."

Li Hongzhang stroked his gray beard and said quietly.

"Now, since the Aurora Bank has begun to absorb deposits with interest, following the example of Westerners, the amount of funds attracted is huge. In addition, the funds donated to the Vanguard Army from all over the country must also be circulated through the Aurora Bank, so the amount of funds flowing in and out is huge."

"Now, it has teamed up with Shanxi merchant Qiao Zhiyong's Dadeheng Bank, and the funds flowing in and out are even more complicated and huge. It is almost impossible to find out how much capital it had when it was founded."

"So, that rumor of yours is totally unfounded. Don't spread it anymore, lest it cause trouble."

Li Hongzhang sighed again and said, "In fact, as long as Teng Xingfu can use the money to pay for the vanguard army, promote Westernization and improve the people's livelihood in Zhili, I don't mind even if his money is stolen or robbed."

Li Hongzhang waved his hand and said, "In a word, in promoting Westernization, I think that Teng Xingfu is not just making empty promises to deceive the foreigners, but is actually tempting the foreigners."

"Young woodcutter."

Li Hongzhang seemed unwilling to dwell on this issue and began to change the subject.

From the serious expression on Li Hongzhang's face, Zhang Peilun knew that the next topic would be what Li Hongzhang was most concerned about, so he quickly cheered himself up and waited for Li Hongzhang's next words.

"What do you think of Teng Xingfu's decision to publicly publish his proposal for peace talks?" Zhang Peilun said with a wry smile. "Originally, I only had some complaints about the Queen Mother's secret telegram and felt very sorry for Teng Xingfu. Now, after reading this manuscript, I have begun to think that the Queen Mother's move is not only extremely unwise, but may even backfire."

Zhang Peilun continued, "Not only will this manuscript greatly increase Teng Xingfu's reputation in the hearts of the people, but if Teng Xingfu annihilates the coalition forces of the foreign powers in Langfang and even recaptures the capital, his achievements in the eyes of the people will definitely surpass the reputation of the four ministers of the Restoration, including Zhongtang, who are praised by the people. His achievements will surpass those of the court and his reputation will spread throughout China."

Li Hongzhang nodded and said with emotion.

"I feel that Teng Xingfu will definitely be able to do all of this, and even most of his suggestions for peace talks will be achieved. This will make the foreigners bow their heads in front of us for the first time in a hundred years! It will be something that we, the so-called ministers of the Restoration, have never done."

Zhang Peilun looked at Li Hongzhang in surprise, and then said with joy.

"Zhongtang believes that the foreigners will make huge concessions?"

"If that happens, Zhongtang, as the chief envoy for peace talks, will also gain great prestige. Those who have been critical of Zhongtang's diplomatic work over the years can finally shut up this time."

Li Hongzhang smiled bitterly and said, "Don't think I don't know that after the signing of the Treaty of Shimonoseki, some people scolded me, saying that Qin Hui was a traitor and that I, Li Hongzhang, was a traitor to the country!"

"This time, if the peace talks achieve unexpected results, I don't ask for any praise, and I dare not take credit for Teng Xingfu's work. As long as no one scolds me, that's enough."

Then Li Hongzhang said self-deprecatingly, "This time, I didn't expect that I, Li Hongzhang, would really have to rely on Teng Xingfu, a Beiyang junior."

The so-called four famous ministers of the late Qing Dynasty refer to Zeng Guofan, Li Hongzhang, Zuo Zongtang and Zhang Zhidong.

Zeng Guofan was the founder and commander of the Hunan Army.

Li Hongzhang was the founder and commander of the Huai Army and the Beiyang Fleet, and also the leader of the Westernization Movement.

Zuo Zongtang, as a famous general of the Hunan Army, not only participated in suppressing the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, but also recovered Xinjiang.

Although Zhang Zhidong is slightly inferior to the previous three, he is also a major representative of the Westernization Movement. His reforms in education and politics have had an important impact on later generations.

Zhang Peilun continued with some worry, "These are all fine, but the most important thing is that from this manuscript, we can see that there is a strong sense of grievance."

"It's not just the line 'I will go forward even if there are thousands of people against me', the couplet behind it also makes people feel Teng Xingfu's determination. This will inevitably make people feel sympathy for him, which is very detrimental to the reputation of the court!"

Li Hongzhang sighed and said, "What you said is basically correct, but I also saw Teng Xingfu's anger and resentment!"

Under Zhang Peilun's astonished gaze, Li Hongzhang walked slowly with his hands behind his back, speaking with some regret.

"You noticed that in the verse, 'I have no regrets about entering China in this life, and I will be a Chinese in the next life', there is no mention of the word Qing as a foreign race!"

"Huaxia and China are names for our Han Chinese country that have existed since the Han and Tang dynasties."

(End of this chapter)