Chapter Fifteen Agent

  Ye Zhaosheng smiled slightly and said: "As we Chinese say, a deal is not made but friendship remains, right, Mr. Wells?"

  "Wells burst out laughing: 'Right, right, I really want to be friends with the ambassador.' Although it's impossible to sell military supplies at a low price to Ye Zhao, Wells is very interested in this young officer."

  Ye Zhaode said: "Even if your country's most advanced M1853 rifle, within twenty years, it will inevitably be eliminated. The trend of the future is the breech-loading rifle with a magazine."

  Wells was perplexed, but could only smile and nod politely. The white youth beside him, however, lit up with interest, his lips moving as he couldn't help but ask: "Your Excellency, do you have any drawings of this breech-loading gun?" Mr. Wells glared at him, but he didn't care. He had once been an apprentice in a small arms factory and had long thought about installing a magazine on the breech-loading gun, but after several experiments ended in failure, it even caused a fire in the factory and he was kicked out.

  Ye Zhaoye's gaze swept across the white youth's face, and he smiled slightly: "Pioneers must be resilient, this is just my humble opinion, I still hope you can verify it!" As he spoke, he lightly patted the white youth's shoulder.

  At this time, the white youth's arrogance had long since flown to Java, and Ye Zhaos squeezed his shoulder, but he inexplicably felt a surge of motivation in his body, and somewhat embarrassingly said: "Sir, thank you for your encouragement."

  He walked shoulder to shoulder with Ye Zhao towards the bow of the ship, and after a long deliberation in his heart, he finally smiled and said: "It turns out that the ambassador has done extensive research on our country's rifles. To be honest with you, Ambassador, I have another ship arriving in Shanghai soon, carrying 200 M1853 rifles, which can be sold to you for twenty taels of silver per rifle. There are also twenty boxes of copper hats, each box costing twenty taels of silver. Ambassador, I am sincere in wanting to be friends with you, and this price cannot be lowered any further."

  Another merchant ship of Wells indeed carried the domestically newly-made Enfield 1853 rifles, but when Wells really entered the Qing firearms market, he found that this new type of weapon was not very profitable, far less than those eliminated inferior products. Compared to the inferior products, they could only sell for a few more taels of silver, so it's better to sell them to Ye Zhaonan as a personal favor.

  M1853? This old fox seems to have finally made a move. Ye Zhaos face remained expressionless, smiling and saying: "Lets talk about it when the boat arrives."

  Wells smiled and said: "The ship is in Hong Kong. After the explosives are unloaded from the construction site, it will come to Shanghai."

  Ye Zhao knew that Hong Kong Island was currently undergoing land reclamation and pier construction in the eastern part of Sai Ying Pun. Gunpowder for construction? Ye Zhao's heart suddenly stirred.

  There isn't truly industrial-grade safe gunpowder yet, but with the chemical knowledge I acquired in my past life, I thought it would be useless in this one. However, looking at it now, I realize that I can actually manufacture the safe explosives that will be born 10 years later using current conditions, and it's not like it's my first time doing so - didn't I make gunpowder with my own hands 20 years ago?

  Ye Zhaowu slowly stopped in his tracks, smiling: "Mr. Wells, I have done some research on industrial explosives for opening up wasteland and mining, and I have a plan, I don't know if Mr. Wells can help me apply for patents in your country, the United States, and other Western countries."

  Wells was taken aback, really didn't know what else the young officer didn't understand, but also didn't mind, nodded and smiled: "Of course, it's an honor to help the special envoy."

  ……

  When meeting with Jiangsu Governor Ji Erhang'a, Ye Zhaowu was still pondering over the Wells person and had already written to him the **safe** formula and detailed steps for making explosive hats using fulminate of mercury. In fact, the raw materials were only mercury, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, glycerin, soda, charcoal powder, etc., plus some small tricks, and the production was extremely simple. These raw materials could be found in Hong Kong even if they were not available in Shanghai, and it would be easy for institutions such as the Hong Kong Shipyard, Church, and Engineering Committee to prepare these raw materials.

  It's lucky to be born in this era. If we hadn't come into contact with Western civilization, even if we wanted to make industrial explosives, where would we find the materials?

  Ye Zhaowas racking his brains to think of what other inventions he could come up with, but after thinking for half a day, he still couldn't come up with anything, and in the end had no choice but to give up. He thought to himself that it was indeed true that people's desires are never satisfied, just like the snake swallowing an elephant, being too greedy would only lead to trouble.

  The problem now is whether Wells will go to apply for a patent himself, Ye Zhao has 90% confidence. First of all, if he is a far-sighted businessman, he would probably consider cooperating with him in the long run, let alone that he doesn't know his own roots. How could an official from the Qing dynasty understand so much? Who knows whether this Qing official has extremely powerful friends in England? If he rashly covets patent rights, will he end up losing both fame and fortune?

  It's just that it seems a bit unfair to Nobel, as if we had stolen his invention ten years earlier, but there's nothing we can do about it now.

  Tong Jil Hang A was just a courtesy in official circles, Ye Zhao came to handle customs affairs, Tong Jil Hang A had little relationship with him, but Ye Zhao was the Huang Baozi, the only son of Zheng Qinwang, this noble gentleman from the Manchu banner with yellow trim must come to pay his respects.

  While chatting with Ji'er in the flower hall, the gatekeeper came to report that British Consul Ali had arrived.

  Ji Xiang hastily bid farewell, Ye Zhao personally escorted him out of the flower hall, smiling and reminding him: "Wait quietly for the good news of the lord's victory over the bandits."

  Ji Er Hang A Lian said he didn't dare, he and Wu Jian Zhang this Dao Tai were different from each other. Although he was born with the three flags, Zheng Qin Wang's line had always been the master of the blue border flag, but since the Kangxi dynasty, to the Yongzheng and Qianlong dynasties, they gradually took away the power of the various flag masters, appointing the actual management of the eight flags, and the flag masters gradually became nominal. Many flags have long since lost their masters.

  Despite this, how dare Jirgalang A to consider himself as a colleague of the nominal next master of the Bordered Blue Banner?

  After seeing off Jil Hanga, Ye Zhao personally led Ali Guo into the flower hall and had someone serve the Bi Luo Chun tea brought from the capital, which was a warm and intimate gesture.

  After a brief exchange, Ariya corrected his expression and said: " Envoy, I represent the UK, France and the US in formally proposing to your country the establishment of a Tariff Management Committee. Here is the relevant document for your review."

  Ye Zhaixin smiled to herself, it seemed they hadn't been idle either, secretly discussing and unanimously putting pressure on her.

  When Ye Zhaoflipped through the document handed over by him, Ari Guo said: "As long as your country agrees to our request, the tax collection system of Shanghai Jianghai Customs will be restored immediately, and we will hand over the taxes collected monthly."

  A Li Guo's face was filled with a smile as he said: "Of course, sir also needs to consider for a few days, we will give sir sufficient time."

  In Ah Li's words, it is only natural that if you delay your decision by one day, the silver taxes will be lost bit by bit, and what suffers a loss is your Great Qing Empire.

  In the letter delivered by Ari Country, in common with later generations, the three countries requested the establishment of a Tariff Committee, with each country sending one representative as a tax officer to jointly manage customs affairs.

  Ye Zha put down the letter and smiled: "Consul, regarding tariff matters, I think your country or any other country has no right to make such an impolite request. Please go back, Consul, we'll talk again when all consuls are sincere."

  Ari stood up with a stern expression and said firmly: " Envoy, if your country does not agree to our demands, the basis for negotiations will cease to exist."

  Ye Zhaoyi smiled slightly, "Even if it means losing a year's worth of tax silver, I won't agree to your terms. Do you really think the Small Knife Society's resistance can last? On the day Shanghai County is breached, our country will take punitive measures against all merchants who have evaded taxes. Please inform your country's merchants of this, Consul. On that day, all responsibility will fall on your shoulders."

  A Li Guo hummed and strode away with big steps.

  Ye Zhaoknew that the negotiations had just begun, and both of them had taken a tough stance, setting the tone for the subsequent negotiations. He couldn't show even half a hint of impatience.

  It is now October in the Gregorian calendar. If we can reach an agreement that both sides can accept by early next year, it would be good enough.

  ……

  In the dead of night at three o'clock, the imperial envoy's camp had hung up red lanterns high.

  Ye Zhaoye did not expect that Wells would come to his door in a hurry at 11 o'clock on a Sunday night, which was not the style of a shrewd businessman. Moreover, he brought a lawyer named William Hall with him. In addition, Wells also brought a stack of documents, including an agreement for Ye Zhaoye to authorize Wells to apply for a patent and a partnership contract.

  According to the partnership agreement provided by Wells, if the new patent application for explosives is successful, the agreement will take effect immediately. Wells will invest ￡100,000 to set up factories in England, France, America and Germany. Ye Zhaoying will convert his patent rights into shares, with Wells' investment of ￡100,000 accounting for 80% of the shares, while Ye's shares account for 20%.

  At dusk, Ye Zhaodu vaguely heard a huge explosion sound coming from the beach, but he didn't expect it to be Wells experimenting with new industrial formulas.

  Obviously, Wells was aware of the great business opportunities inherent in it, and he prepared various documents with a thunderstorm, and came to visit in the middle of the night.

  Indeed, although two workers were injured in the trial process, one of whom was seriously injured and is expected to pay a substantial medical bill, Wells did not care at all. He is now worried that this invention will be preempted by others. It has been known for several years, but how to safely detonate explosives has always been a difficult problem, and few people have seen it as the emergence of new explosives. The new invention brought by this Qing official is simply an invaluable gold mine. At present, in Europe and North America, the length of railways is growing at a geometric rate, and building railways requires blasting rocks, not to mention its application in other fields.

  Not to mention anything else, with the current gold rush in Australia, just supplying this one country's industry could earn astronomical figures.

  Ye Zhaofan looked at the partnership contract, and Wells stared at him with expectation, without hiding his emotions.

  "Mr. Wells, I am extremely grateful for your generosity, but I would rather you invested only ￡10,000 and shared the shares with me than be a small shareholder."

  Wells heard Ye Zhaoying only raised objections about the shares and immediately felt relieved, after a moment's consideration, he said: "Time is money, even if I don't say it, Your Excellency should know that building factories in multiple countries can bring the greatest benefits. Your Excellency, I am willing to give you 40% of the shares on the condition that the original investment of ￡100,000 remains unchanged. Do you accept or not?"

  Here is the translation:

  "Here, Wells played a small trick. If he were to say that the equity would be 60% for Ye Zhao, he might even accept it. Although it seems like Ye Zhao has acquired tens of thousands of pounds in assets for nothing, what Wells cares about is how much profit he can make from this investment himself, rather than whether his partner benefits more than him."

  The 20% stake initially proposed was just a smokescreen, and suddenly increasing it to 40% would make people feel they had gotten a great bargain. This is a psychological hint, and as a successful businessman, Wells used it with great skill.

  If Ye Zhaung didn't fall for it, then Wells wouldn't mind really sharing shares with him.

  Ye Zhao smiled and said: "Mr. Wells, I don't know if you'll agree to give me 80% of the shares?"

  Wells was taken aback, but before he could react, Ye Zhaohad already smiled and said, "Four percent it is then, nice doing business with you." He extended a hand, smiling at Wells.

  "Wells was overjoyed, hastily stretched out his hand and shook hands with Ye Zhao tightly, smiling happily: "A pleasant cooperation, a pleasant cooperation." He then turned to Lawyer Hall: "Prepare a new contract." Pens, ink, and paper were all ready, clearly well-prepared."

  It wasn't until a while later that Wells suddenly came to his senses, realizing that he had been subtly hinted at by this young man, and couldn't help but let out a wry smile in his heart. This new partner was not simple!

  Actually, Ye Zhaohad not thought of making a lot of money, but just needed to have a smooth channel to contact the West. Being able to cooperate with a powerful British businessman would undoubtedly make things easier for him in the future.

  Perhaps Wales is heaven's agent in Europe.

  Ye Zhaodu felt that his luck was really good.

  Wales, the new British millionaire, unknowingly stood beside Mr. Hall, instructing him on how to write the new contract, busily and cheerfully.

  When he saw Ye Zhaos signature, Wells was slightly taken aback.

  Ye Zhao smiled and said: "Mr. Wells can call me Ye Zhao from now on."

  Wales suddenly understood, having heard that in this country the status of merchants was extremely low, and it seemed that many ethnic groups were not allowed to engage in commerce. It seemed that this young man was also among them, let alone being an official.

  Wells smiled knowingly and gave Ye Zha an embrace: "Dear Ye, cheers to our cooperation." He turned around and snapped his fingers, and the lawyer suddenly produced a bottle of red wine, three high-stemmed glasses, which he placed on the wooden table, pouring three cups.

  "When Wells touched glasses with Ye Zhao, he said: "Ye, to show my sincerity, I brought the Eastern firearms this time and can sell them all at a low price to you. One thousand old-fashioned rifles, two hundred new-style rifles, two hundred boxes of copper hats, totaling 15,000 taels of silver. I only charged a little cheap freight."

  Ye Zhao smiled: "15,000 taels? I really can't afford that, can I owe it?"

  "Wells burst out laughing: "Of course, no problem." But seeing Ye Zhao's serious expression, he gradually became suspicious. Originally, he was prepared to sell the arms to Ye Zhao at a low price, and this new partner thought that they could make a big profit in the process of reselling to the central government, but it seemed that the new partner had other ideas."

  However, he naturally wouldn't care about these things, and Ye Zhaoken would unreservedly hand over the patented technology to him, and was also very generous in terms of equity distribution, so he naturally had to return the favor.

  With a faint smile, Wells said: "Dear Ye, consider this batch of ammunition as my pledge to you. If the patent application fails, it will be compensation for you. If the patent application is successful, the debt will be deducted from your earnings." He paused and continued: "I'll leave Shanghai in a few days. If there's anything that needs to be done, you can entrust William with confidence. He's one of our own people and speaks simple Chinese."

  Mr. Hol smiled and raised his glass in a gesture of invitation.

  Ye Zhaoyang raised his glass and gently touched it with Wells', sincerely saying: "Thank you, it seems our cooperation has truly begun."

  ……

  With the receipt written by Wells, it was agreed with Wells that the firearms and ammunition would be temporarily stored in the warehouse of Shenghehang, and as long as they held the receipt written by Wells, they could pick up the military supplies from the warehouse through lawyer Holl.

  Treading on thick Persian carpets, walking along the second-floor corridor, but couldn't help stopping in front of a room - this was Su Hongniang's room.

  As a nominal couple, Su Hongniang was arranged to live on the second floor, while other attendants and Tian Di Hui members lived on the first floor or in the flat houses used for servants. Su Hongniang had no choice but to reluctantly accept this arrangement, after all, her identity in the eyes of Rui Si'er and others was that of a young mistress from Yan Chun Yuan's concubine, and because she was Han Chinese, it had to be kept secret.

  Ye Zha stood at the door, just wondering whether to knock or not, when the delicate Western-style wooden door suddenly creaked open from inside, startling Ye Zha who was lost in thought and causing him to take two steps back.

  She immediately saw a stunning beauty standing by the door, wearing a light red dress that seemed to be on fire, with skin as smooth as condensed milk, cherry lips that were tender and bright like dew, and an otherworldly elegance that was unattainable. Yet, she had a natural charm that was soft and boneless, making people unable to help themselves but want to tightly hug her and cherish her for a while.

  Upon seeing Ye Zhao's demeanor, the beauty couldn't help but purse her lips and smile, becoming even more captivating and charming, with a gaze that could melt one's bones and make their muscles go weak.

  Ye Zhaohad this helplessness, it seemed that every time he was with her, he had a childish appearance, and his usual calm and intelligent demeanor in front of foreigners and officials from all walks of life were nowhere to be seen. He was afraid that she would always call him a little devil in her heart.

  "Anything wrong?" Still that soft and pleasant voice.

  Ye Zhaohui handed over the note in his arms and said: "A new gift for you."

  Su Hongniang inexplicably took it over and said: "What's this?" It was in a foreign language, but she couldn't understand it.

  Ye Zhao smiled and said: "One thousand two hundred foreign guns, two million copper hats, can be collected at any time."

  Su Hongniang's cherry lips were shocked and couldn't be closed again, looking at Ye Zhaowei, she couldn't speak for a while.

  Ye Zhao knew that Su Hongniang was bound to leave him sooner or later, and from any angle, Ye Zhao did not want Su Hongniang's armed forces in western Guangdong to be quickly annihilated, but there was no way, he could only do his best to provide some help.

  But they themselves don't necessarily need these weapons, it's just that they don't need them now.

  Before leaving Beijing, Ye Zhao had already roughly planned his own path. For now, it was just to complete this task well. If he completed this task well, the Xianfeng Emperor would certainly be "overjoyed", and then the imperial prince would mediate, and the Northeast might really open its borders, or maybe not. Even if it didn't open its borders, his own hopes of going to the Northeast would increase greatly.

  As long as I can go to the Northeast, at that time in the conflict with the Russians, I can establish my own armed forces, either in the name of practicing military training or secretly organizing a militia. In any case, I will be able to cultivate my own first force in this world. As for purchasing firearms and other military expenses at that time, it is natural to think of ways to get the Qing government to foot the bill, this is called borrowing a chicken to lay eggs.

  Moreover, judging from various signs, the current Xianfeng Emperor's body is even weaker than before. If things go wrong, he might die prematurely, and Empress Lan hasn't borne his dragon seed yet. At that time, it will be lively, with no heir to inherit the imperial throne, and all the princes will likely try their luck. This would make it easier for me to muddy the waters.

  Of course, all sorts of ideas can only be said to be ideas, but in reality, they are not up to oneself. Even if one's affairs are handled well, the Xianfeng Emperor is pleased and rewards oneself with a position such as a leading servant minister or a sixth department servant Lang, and everything planned will be ruined. Now, it can only be done step by step.

  Ye Zhao's mind was racing with thoughts, and he said: "Let big brother stay in Shanghai, there are many things I need him to take care of, and it will be more convenient for you to buy foreign guns and bullets in the future."

  In Shanghai, it's necessary to leave an agent, but thinking of the people who have been through thick and thin, none of them are suitable. Rui Si is loyal and devoted, with a deeply ingrained slave mentality, even if I were to rebel and become emperor, he probably wouldn't say a second word, but after all, he's a Manchu, so it's better to keep some things from him for the time being.

  As for Lao Fu Zi Du Wenquan, he couldn't do without him by his side. After some thought, Ye Zhao came up with Su Lao Da, a man who valued loyalty over life, and to whom he owed a debt of gratitude. Even if Su had been wary of him at first in Shanghai, after spending more time together, he would come to know what kind of person Ye was.

  "What do you want to do, after all?" Su Hongniang looked at Ye Zhao in surprise. If it could be said that Ye Zhao's previous actions were just infatuated with beauty, then his current behavior was really too outrageous and couldn't be justified.

  Ye Zhaowei smiled slightly and said, "Can't I oppose the Qing? Not only do I oppose the Qing, but also the Taiping Army, and you Tiandihui, because all of you cannot represent advanced productive forces."

  Su Hongniang stared at him blankly, although she didn't quite understand, but vaguely guessed that this guy seemed to have a grand ambition in his heart.

  Ye Zhaoye smiled and took out 5,000 taels of silver bills to give to Su Hongniang, saying: "What can't be helped? You are my wife, I don't help you who will? You say is it?" The remaining 5,000 taels Ye Zhaoye planned to hand over to Lawyer Huo, asking him to select some clever young men from the church school and send them abroad for further study.

  It turns out that Wu Jianzhang's ten thousand taels of silver were well spent indeed.

  "Wife, I'm fine?" The fragrance wafted over, Ye Zhaos excitement grew again, and with a playful smile, he finished speaking just as Su Hongniang's slender eyebrows rose once more.

  Ye Zhaohad a fright and hastily slipped away, although the beauty's fingers stained with henna were so enticing, Ye Zhao was all talk but did not take advantage of the opportunity to make advances, nor did he even touch her.

  He slipped away quickly, unable to see the smile in Su Hongniang's eyes.

  …………………………

  Something came up in the afternoon, changed together, still those words, votes...