Chapter 22: Counting Money Until One's Hands Are Numb

  When Ye Zhaoyan saw the familiar soldiers go to pass on the order to stop firing and bring people back, he suddenly realized that they had occupied the Jianghai Customs Office for two hours, resisting the attack of the foreign gun team. Apart from Han Jin Chun, Bakshi, and Alhatu, there was a fourth person, who was none other than Su Hongniang, wearing a swallowtail coat, looking handsome and charming, with an unusual charm that attracted people.

  At the fountain in front of the hospital gate, Ye Zhao saw Su Hongniang and smiled: "Wife, you scared me to death, are you okay?"

  In front of so many people, Su Hongniang couldn't help but blush, and felt that this little devil didn't know how to win people's hearts. Why didn't he go ask his subordinates first? But inexplicably, she also felt a sweetness in her heart as if being pampered.

  "I'm fine." Su Hongniang replied lightly and turned to walk towards the foreign-style building, intending to go back to her room to wash up first.

  Han Jin-chun was shocked and terrified, he really didn't expect that the one who suddenly appeared to rescue them was the wife of the young master Wang. Just now, he was thinking, which family's young brother is so handsome, it can be said that he is charming, and his kung fu skills are impressive, ten or eight big men can't even get close to her, and she also has a short-barreled gun, its accuracy is even more astonishing. Western firearms, if operated properly, are actually this sharp.

  Who would have thought that the lifesaver was actually Young Mistress? Han Jin-chun was stunned for a moment, then suddenly knelt down and shouted: "Your humble servant deserves to die! Your humble servant has put Madame in harm's way, and there is no way to redeem this fault. Your humble servant's crime cannot be forgiven, please, sir, punish your humble servant!"

  As for Bakshi and Alhatu, they had long been kneeling on the ground, slapping their own mouths. They had just realized that the great hero who had saved them was actually their master's concubine, Su Hongniang. Normally, they would not have had any opportunity to meet her, and even if they had seen her, they would have quickly paid their respects and not dared to steal a glance at her.

  Ye Zhao's expression was not bad at this time, and he smiled: "She likes to dance with knives and guns, and it's not your fault." After a pause, his smile gradually faded away, "However, you also don't put me in your eyes! In your eyes, is there still any rules?"

  Han Jin-chun hung his head and didn't dare respond, while the two goshahs were even more concerned with slapping their own mouths.

  Yeshao swept his gaze around and said, "Alright, you can stop now. Who are you putting on a show for at this hour?" With that, he turned and strode into the courtyard.

  Baqi and Alhatu stopped, their faces already red and swollen. The three of them stared at each other with wide eyes, only to kneel obediently in front of the courtyard gate waiting for punishment.

  Half an hour later, a team of Qing troops finally rushed over. The Imperial Commissioner's Office was located on the edge of the concession, and the merchant militia did not block this team of Qing troops. The leader was a commander named Chen, who said that the Governor and the Provincial Governor had left for Suzhou the night before, and the military deployment was complicated, so the reinforcements came late.

  Ye Zhaowu would not have troubled these soldiers, the old official was always wise and cautious in self-preservation. It was to be expected that Xu Naiji would not rush to their aid, and whether or not he went to Suzhou did not need to be investigated further.

  It turns out that I myself can be said to have profited from disaster, Han Jin-chun and others acted rashly, but unintentionally helped me a great deal. It seems that Ah Li Guo and others will have to reevaluate the strength of the Qing army.

  ……

  At dinner time, Ye Zhao ordered Rui Si to pass on the message that the three people who were kneeling should get up and eat. "If you commit another offense in the future, you will be punished twice."

  The servant had already carried up the red sandalwood food box with lunch in it to the second floor dining hall.

  Western oil painting, snow-white lace curtains, a long dining table with white and green plaid tablecloth, two wooden chairs with plum blossom hollowed back, the dining room has a strong Western flavor.

  When Su Hongniang saw the dishes of meat and vegetables neatly arranged, her pretty face showed a hint of surprise, but she didn't say much. She then saw Ye Zhao smile and move his usual wooden chair back one grid, saying: "Please sit down, wife."

  Su Hongniang was numb to the term "wife", but Ye Zhao's actions surprised her, lotus steps lightly moved to the front of the wooden chair, and suddenly felt a movement behind her back, the chair touched her leg, it was Ye Zhao who had pushed the wooden chair forward slightly.

  "What are you doing?" Su Hongniang sat down and looked at Ye Zhaoyi in surprise.

  Ye Zha returned to his seat, smiling and saying: "A man's demeanor, oh dear, I almost forgot. It wasn't until these past few days with you that I remembered how a man should treat a woman."

  Su Hongniang couldn't help but laugh: "What kind of demeanor is this?"

  Ye Zhaoren said with a straight face: "It's a woman's demeanor that is painful, men should yield to women."

  Su Hongniang smiled and said, "Is this the kind of demeanor that Master Rabbit is particular about? In my opinion, a man should have the bearing of a man, galloping across the battlefield to achieve great things, that's what makes a hero. If not, he should at least have some dignity at home. What kind of man is it who spends all day revolving around women, serving them tea and water?"

  Ye Zhaohad a flash of insight, and thought to herself that she was like a bright moon shining on the ditch. The thoughts of women in this world were strange, even someone as talented as Su Hongniang had gotten used to male chauvinism.

  "Alright, let's eat." Anyway, Ye Zhaowei couldn't help but feel a bit bored and didn't have the energy to introduce the various dishes, so she simply said: "Western food, the taste of foreigners, don't know if it suits your stomach or not."

  "What's wrong, are you angry?" Su Hongniang smiled and looked at him.

  "I don't dare." Ye Zhao was indeed a bit sulky, but then couldn't help laughing. It's no wonder Su Hongniang looked down on her, she was too childish.

  "Alright, here you go, don't be angry." Su Hongniang didn't know how to use a knife, but cutting off a slice of goose liver was naturally easy, and she used the shiny little fork to pick it up and put it on Ye Zhao's plate.

  Ye Zhaohummed and said: "You want to atone for your sins? I'm afraid it's a bit too late."

  "What else do you want?" Su Hongniang looked at him with a smile, this guy, saying he's childish, but some of his words have insight and demeanor that can make people think deeply for a long time, and when dealing with Western countries and those court officials, he's quite experienced. But if you say he has skills, he's not in good shape all day.

  Ye Zhao gazed at Su Hongniang's charming and alluring expression, his heart racing again, and said casually: "Call me husband, then I won't be angry!"

  Su Hongniang scolded him, "You're dreaming!" After finishing speaking, she froze, what was wrong with her? Why did it seem like she was flirting with this guy, why was she so shameless, and how could she face Big Brother Xue who had passed away?

  Ye Zhao didn't know what Su Hongniang was thinking, but he smiled and said, "Come on, I'll teach you how to use a knife and fork. Hold them like this, it's more convenient."

  Su Hongniang glanced at Ye Zhao, her heart filled with an indescribable feeling. She lowered her head and quietly went to cut the blackened roasted meat on the plate. To herself, she thought that she had indeed wronged Xue Dage from the day she mistakenly became his nominal wife, betraying him ever since.

  Perhaps I am just a cheap woman, not worthy of the title Mrs. Xue. But returning to Gui Xi, how can I face Mr. Xue's relatives?

  "Matchmaker, why did you think of going to rescue Han Jin Chun and the others? They are all eating the Qing dynasty's grain allowance." Seeing Su Hongniang's sudden low mood, Ye Zhao also stopped talking.

  Su Hongniang cut the meat on her plate, her expressionless face saying: "You've helped me so many times, I should help you once. It's nothing."

  Ye Zhaogazed at her for a few moments, truly unsure why she had suddenly turned icy cold. Scratching his head, he could only lower his own head to eat the half-raw steak in his plate.

  ……

  For the next half month, Ye Zhaos affairs went smoothly, if there was one regret, it was that Su Hongniang seemed to be avoiding him all the time, even during meals she would enter the dining hall half an hour later than himself.

  For the past few days, we have been negotiating with consuls from various countries and have agreed on a program. The other side has made another concession: the Jianghai Customs Office will still be managed by officials of the Qing government, but three foreign advisors will be appointed to assist in its affairs, one each from Britain, France, and the United States. "All disputes involving tariffs shall be handled jointly by the Jianghai Customs supervisor and the foreign advisors."

  It seems that due to the occupation of the Maritime Customs Office by the "Imperial Commissioner's Four Bodyguards", the consuls of various countries also felt a sense of urgency. This small conflict can be said to be a complete defeat for the merchant group, as the four bodyguards of the Qing Dynasty's imperial commissioner suppressed more than 30 riflemen from the merchant group, and in the end, they had to let them leave without a single hair out of place, making fools of themselves.

  The consuls of various countries are naturally worried that such conflicts will increase, fearing that the safety of the concessions cannot be guaranteed. After all, the Shanghai concession does not have a regular Western army to protect it, and on the edge of the concession is the large camp of the Qing army with flags covering the sky and sun.

  The prestige of "Qin Cha Si Qin Bing" has made the Qing army's camp also become intimidating.

  The draft constitution seems to have gained a great face compared to the past, but the customs affairs of a sovereign state still need to be debated and negotiated with various countries for months. How can this be called a victory? Not to mention that it also needs to include the so-called advisory opinions that are not in line with the law.

  However, Ye Zhaokui did not rashly sign and finalize the new customs regulations. Instead, he drafted a trial treaty with Ali Guan and others, which would officially start levying tariffs on goods entering and leaving Shanghai ports from now on, but only for the trial period. The formal signing of the contract had to wait until the receipt of approval from Beijing after submitting the draft.

  In the late Qing history, dealing with foreigners was the most dangerous, and signing a treaty with them was even more so. As soon as you finished signing the treaty and sent off the foreigner, you might become a scapegoat to be punished, in order to appease the opposition from the hardliners in the imperial court and the public's indignation. As for being cursed by later generations as a traitor, that would be even more unbearable.

  Ye Zhaung didn't want to repeat the mistakes of his predecessors, so he discussed with Ali Guo and others to come up with a trial clause that would allow them to start collecting tariffs quickly, preventing the silver from flowing out in vain, and leaving room for maneuver. The treaty was sent back to Beijing without a single word changed, whether you agree or disagree is none of my business, and any future disputes will not be held against me.

  A Li Guo and others understood the concerns of the imperial envoy, although reluctantly, but also wanted to calm down this matter as soon as possible, so they agreed to Ye Zhao's request.

  Ye Zhao's move was clearly more clever than Wu Jianchang's deceitful tactics, and even the Governor of Jiangsu, Xu Naiyuan, felt inferior, thinking that this young master was not old but handled things with precision, unlike their own cunning ways. Why didn't they understand before that signing a contract could be done in draft form, or have something like a "trial period"?

  At a banquet hosted by officials in Jiangsu to entertain Ye Zhao, Xu Naiji couldn't help but mention this matter, highly praising Ye Zhao as "a young national scholar" who would become a pillar of the Qing dynasty in the future. The officials present all chimed in with flattering words, their sycophantic remarks pouring out like a tide.

  This is the Suzhou Liu Yuan Han Bi Shang Fang, entertaining the imperial envoy, the garden owner is delighted to have a good time. The scenery of Liu Yuan is extremely beautiful, with countless winding windows and doors, the lake and mountains are hidden and revealed, and from the second floor of Han Bi Shang Fang, the beautiful scenery in the garden is breathtaking, with a pool of clear water next to the pavilion, the mountains and trees reflected in the pool, it is indeed a scene of "one water embracing blue" and "thousands of forests turning red".

  The dishes on the banquet table are exquisite, with golden cups and jade bowls, a luxurious atmosphere.

  In Jiangsu, officials from the governor to the county magistrate sat in order, including the provincial governor, the circuit intendant, the prefectural and district magistrates, the surveillance commissioner, and the county magistrate. There were about 30-40 officials at the three tables of wine and food.

  Listening to the flattering words, Ye Zhao just smiled and savored his wine. Although it was not easy to notice, Ye Zhao knew that Xu Naiquan's attitude towards him was indeed different from before.

  He used to be a poor and empty-headed Ah Ge in his eyes, but now he has become a promising young master with a bright future.

  After the wine party, all the officials bid farewell one after another, while Ye Zhao stayed overnight at Huanbi Mountain House and returned to Shanghai the next day.

  Inside the bedroom, a luxurious atmosphere pervades, behind the embroidered screen with yellow oriole and blossoming branches, is a high bed with thin silk curtains hanging down, that multi-layered wooden bed with ingenious structure, makes later generations sigh in admiration.

  "Grandfather, would you like to rest or go for a walk?" Rui Si asked as she handed over the clear water and waited for Ye Zhaoyu to rinse his mouth before bringing over the washbasin and towel to attend to him after he finished washing up.

  "Take a break and have some wine, your body will feel weak." Ye Zhao wiped his hands dry, tossed the towel to Rui Si, and said: "You shouldn't be waiting outside either, go take a nap in that house over there."

  "Yes, yes, Master is indeed better to me than my own parents. Following Master, I, Rui Si'er, have become a lucky servant." Rui Si'er's face was filled with gratitude, but she was lightly kicked in the butt by Ye Zhao, who laughed and said: "Bootlicker, scram!"

  This kick was kicked at Rui Si'er, who let out a comfortable cry and repeatedly said: "I'm leaving now, I'm leaving!" He bowed his head and retreated.

  ……

  Lying on the soft and fluffy big bed, the fragrance wafted up to his nose, Ye Zhao couldn't help but think of Su Hongniang. Looking at this trip's task being completed, the day of their separation was getting closer and closer. The day he returned to Beijing would be the day they parted ways?

  From now on, each of us will go our separate ways, but I don't know when we'll meet again.

  In a daze, Ye Zhaoseemed to hear someone quarreling outside and slowly opened her eyes. It wasn't a dream, the window outside was indeed making a noisy sound.

  "Rui Si'er, Rui Si'er." Ye Zhao called out twice, only to remember that he had just told Rui Si to take a break. He couldn't help but feel a pang, realizing that he was already used to having him by his side.

  Who knew the door creaked open, and Rui Si's monkey face emerged from the gap, "Master, I just went to take a look, it was an old madwoman who wanted to report something to the imperial court, she was crazy and delirious, I had someone chase her away!"

  Ye Zhaowu nodded slightly, this Rui Sier is more clever than anyone else.

  Jian Rui Si was about to withdraw when Ye Zhao beckoned him: "Si'er, come in and talk to Grandfather."

  "Alright!" Rui Si'er hurried into the house, closed the door behind him, and although Ye Zhao was awake, he still tread lightly, tiptoeing to the bedside, half-kneeling down to avoid making his master look up at him.

  "Master, what would you like to talk about with me? Or else I'll sing a little tune for you." Rui Si'er said with a cautious expression.

  Ye Zhao laughed and scolded: "You can still sing tunes, I'll send you to Old Yang at the East Tai class tomorrow, come back after you've learned."

  Rui Si'er immediately kowtowed, "Master orders me to do what, I'll do what. Master thinks I'm material for a dan role, that's Master's benevolence. Even if Master wants me to be an actor all my life, I'll listen to Master's instructions!"

  Ye Zhaongazed at him and said lightly: "Really?"

  Rui Si'er was startled, occasionally the young master would reveal this expression, making his back feel cool, and even more so, he knew that the young master was not as simple as he looked.

  "Bang bang bang" Rui Si'er knocked her head repeatedly, "The loyalty of a slave to her master can be witnessed by heaven and earth!"

  Ye Zhaosat up straight, leaning against the head of the bed made of deep purple sandalwood, and said: "Get up."

  "Yes." Rui Si'er also slowly got up, but still bowed her waist. Seeing Ye Zhao's posture, she quickly took a soft pillow to support Ye Zhao's back.

  "Fourth son, you know what it's like to have a crush on a woman?" After asking, Ye Zhaoye shook his head. This wasn't right, was he playing the lute to a cow? But there really wasn't anyone around who could share intimate conversations with him.

  "Master has someone in mind?" Rui Si was taken aback, but seeing his master's expression, he also knew that he hadn't succeeded yet. He gritted his teeth and said: "Master, which family's maid has made you so infatuated? If you let me handle it, even if she's a registered noblewoman, I'll make sure to get her into your hands!"

  Ye Zhao cried and laughed at the same time, scolding: "When two people are in love, it starts with emotions but ends with etiquette. What nonsense is this!"

  "Yes, yes, Master is right." Rui Si smiled dryly, but she had made up her mind to find out which family's daughter Master had taken a liking to and help him fulfill his wish.

  "Master, take a look at today's offerings." Rui Si took out a thin paper note from his bosom, on which was recorded the tributes of the officials today.

  Ye Zhaogave a glance, humph, good fellow, more than 10,000 taels again, among which Xu Naiquan ranked first with 2,000 taels, and the names, titles, and numbers of all the big and small officials were remembered clearly.

  No wonder all the officials in the capital like to be sent out, this imperial envoy of mine is just an imperial envoy who handles customs affairs, and I haven't even started yet, but more than 10,000 taels of silver have already been received, which is faster than doing any business.

  Of course, Ye Zhao also knew that if he hadn't taken on the name of a prince's older brother, they wouldn't have spent so much money.

  "Alright, alright." Ye Zha waved his hand and was about to say something else when the noise outside the window, which had just subsided, started up again. The soldiers' shouts of reprimand grew louder.

  Ye Zhaowu slightly frowned: "Go and see what's going on."

  Rui Si'er also came with a fiery temper, thinking to herself, "Don't you people want to give face? How could Xun Naiquan choose such a broken place to settle our master?" She responded with a single word and quickly retreated.

  Before long, the noise died down. Whatever was entrusted to Rui Si'er would always be handled with ease.

  After a while, Rui Si'er quietly walked in, the noise outside had already disappeared. Seeing Ye Zhao making a move to get up, Rui Si quickly took a few steps forward to support Ye Zhao and said: "Master, that madwoman is the aunt of the owner of this garden, her son died, she was making a fuss and accusing the governor of Suzhou of killing her son, I accepted the complaint, so she stopped making a scene. Also, the owner of this garden surnamed Liu wants to kowtow to you."

  Ye Zhaowaved his hand: "No need to kowtow, this matter is not his fault today, you can let him go." He also asked unclearly: "What's going on after all? Is there still a lawsuit?"

  Rui Si suddenly understood and said: "The memorial was actually written by someone else for the madam, and the owner of this garden is not aware of it. It's been half a year now, I heard that the madam's illness comes and goes, but today she somehow recovered after hearing that an imperial envoy is staying in the mansion, and then snuck over to file a complaint."

  Ye Zhao shook his head and thought to himself that as an imperial envoy, he was powerless to intervene in such matters, so what was the point of coming to him with complaints? However, he was curious and said, "Let me take a look."

  Rui Si'er took out a small box from her sleeve and presented it with both hands.

  The plaintiff was accusing Suzhou Prefect Qiao Songnian of being "corrupt, lawless and framing innocent people." As Ye Zhao read on, he gradually understood that the victim's son, Zheng Jinshi, was a well-known scholar-official in Suzhou and had organized a militia in Jiading to suppress the Taiping rebels. He had killed 138 bandits led by Zhao Si Hai, captured Zhao alive, and then took him under his wing, recommending leniency for Zhao's followers on the grounds that they were not hardened criminals.

  Who would have thought that at the beginning of this year, Xiao Dao would stir up trouble, Zhao Si Hai would rebel again, and Suzhou Prefect Qiao Songnian would immediately convict Zheng Jin Shi of being a secret agent of the bandits' party and behead him.

  Ye Zhaowu realized only at the end that it was probably due to a personal grudge. Although the old woman's accusation sounded pitiful, wasn't her son's hands also stained with blood?

  What's more, he himself can't even get involved in this case.

  "Return the invitation to the garden owner." As soon as Ye Zhao's words fell, a voice came from outside the door: "Master, the Suzhou government office is requesting an audience."

  Rui Si'er muttered a sentence: "You came quickly." That's right, although the owner of this garden and the old lady are relatives, they will not help the old lady and Suzhou Prefecture oppose each other. Something like this happened, wouldn't they be the first to send someone to inform Suzhou Prefecture? Otherwise, they would have to spend a lot of money to appease Suzhou Prefecture afterwards.

  "Invite him to the side hall for a chat." As Ye Zhao got out of bed, Rui Si hurriedly knelt down to help her master change shoes and then went to fetch water for her master to wash up.

  Qiao Songnian was less than forty years old, with a square face and thick eyebrows, which is the appearance of a loyal and honest person. However, when talking to Ye Shaoyu, Qiao Songnian was not as calm as he seemed. After all, having eliminated the Small Knife Society, Qiao Songnian, as the prefect of Suzhou, would also have his merits recorded in the official ledger. With promotion and ennoblement imminent, who knew that such a mess would occur? At this critical moment, if the imperial commissioner were to return to Beijing and speak ill of him, his promising future would be ruined.

  While chatting with Ye Zhaoyan, Qiao Songnian did not mention Zheng Jinshi's affairs, but only asked Ye Zhaoyan about the situation in Western countries. During the banquet, Xu Naiyuan highly praised Ye Zhaoyan for "understanding the enemy's intentions first", making all officials in Jiangsu aware of this imperial envoy's deep understanding of Western countries.

  Regardless of whether Qiao Songnian likes this topic or not, he thinks that young masters are naturally fond of boasting and will surely be pleased to hear him bragging.

  Who knew that Ye Zhao only briefly said a few words and then smiled: "Lord Qiao, I'm exhausted!" He said as he poured tea to send off the guest.

  Qiao Songnian was shocked, but he didn't dare disturb him again. He hastily bowed and said: "Your subordinate takes his leave."

  Ye Zhao returned to the dormitory for a while, and Rui Si'er came in with a smile, "Master, Qiao Songnian sent 5,000 taels of silver, do you want to accept it? If not, I'll return it to him?"

  Ye Zhao just smiled: "What's the point of going back? They're local here, making money has a way, and we should also be reimbursed."

  "Yes, yes, Master is willing to accept their silver, that's their good fortune." Rui Si'er said again: "The owner of the garden has given 2,000 taels, and I, a humble servant, also dared to help Master collect it."

  Ye Zhaowu nodded slightly and smiled: "This trip to Suzhou wasn't a waste after all."

  ……………………………

  Something happened at night, we went to bed together, still those words, votes...