Chapter Eleven Reputation

  Just as Bao Ling and others were about to bid farewell, Zuo Ling rushed into the side hall with a look of anxiety on his face, an expression that rarely appeared on him.

  The vacancy of the deputy leader has been filled, and Ye Zhaowu and Mu Te'en have already written a letter to recommend his promotion to deputy leader. This person is very steady, and Ye Zhao attaches great importance to him.

  "Your Honor! Dozens of local gentry have gathered outside the city, presenting a petition to protest against the barbarians entering the city!" Jian An hastily reported.

  Ye Zhaomin slightly frowned, and the city outside that Gangao just mentioned was naturally referring to outside the Flag City. The old officials and gentry who guarded Guangzhou City, the businessmen who were worried about foreign goods entering and cutting off their livelihoods, and the large number of "pro-Qing" peddlers and workers were all anti-foreign forces. They had once set fire to the Thirteen Factories during the First Opium War, and it was said that at that time, the molten silver from the Thirteen Factories filled the entire street. However, after the Second Opium War, Guangzhou City was broken, and the British and French armies entered the city, which suddenly awakened the people of Guangzhou. Although anti-foreign sentiment still existed, learning from the West became popular, and it became one of the most open-minded regions in terms of Western ideas.

  But how did these patriots get wind of it? Needless to say, it was someone in the know who spread the rumor.

  Who could it be? Ye Mingchen? Ye Zhao shook his head, he was indeed conservative in thought, but he wouldn't do such a thing behind people's backs. But what if it was Fuliang? He had just arrived in Guangzhou not long ago, and there must have been someone who came up with the plan and colluded with the officials, this person was probably General Songyu of the Han Army.

  Ye Zhaixin's thoughts were racing, but he had already sighed and looked at Bao Liedao with a bewildered expression: "Consul, I don't know how the Guangzhou people knew that you all entered the city, they came to the front of the governor's mansion to demonstrate and protest!" The more serious it sounded, the better.

  Bao Lian's face didn't look very good, and he said: "The thoughts of your country's people are quite strange."

  Ye Zhao shook his head and said: "It seems that we can only ask the Consul to leave by the back door. I won't see you off, calming down the crowd is more important."

  Bao Ling could only nod helplessly.

  As soon as Bi Tie and others left the side hall, a murderous intention floated onto his face, and he said in a low voice: "Sir, do you want me to arrest a few of the main culprits?"

  Ye Zhaoye waved his hand, these people dared to come outside the city to deliver a petition, which means that the person in charge of the liaison is self-aware and has something to rely on. The matter has been blown up, and the fact that Ying Yi entered the city has been transmitted to the capital, and the Sixth Prince will not blow in his ear with good intentions again. Fear that Xianfeng, this emperor who is prone to anger, will suspect himself.

  "I'll go out and see them."

  Just froze for a moment, "This..."

  Ye Zhaoyu smiled, "What's wrong, are you afraid someone will eat me up?"

  ……

  Outside the city gate, dozens of people knelt sparsely, most wearing exquisite silk robes, looking like they all came from good families.

  Kneeling in the front row with both hands raised high holding a scroll is an elderly man over sixty years old, his hands are trembling and it's hard for him to hold things above his head, let alone at his age, he can barely lift them.

  The old man with the surname Wu was a distant relative of the first family of the thirteen surnames, Wu, and was a well-known scholar-official in Guangzhou. He had been a jinshi during the Daoguang era and could have entered the grand hall without kneeling, but now he looked like he would sacrifice his life to beg the governor-general to rescind the order allowing foreigners to enter the city.

  Behind them, the gentry kneeling on the ground were worried and fearful. Even if they went to the governor's mansion to plead their case, it wouldn't be as frightening as this. After all, the ones in charge here are military officers, each with a bold and ruthless attitude, killing people like flies. If you encountered an unreasonable one, he might chop off your head with just one knife. There was no place to reason with them. Looking at the row of soldiers behind the fence, holding cold steel knives and long spears, made their legs even softer.

  The soldiers suddenly flashed to both sides, and the kneeling officials were in a panic, even those who knelt at the end were ready to flee.

  Who would have thought that a line of people came out from the city gate, with a young red-crowned man at the front, looking so delicate and refined, obviously pampered and spoiled from a young age, his bright red gemstone crown standing out even more.

  After the red hat was worn, a team of bird gun soldiers followed, with their dark muzzles pointing to the sky. However, the solemn and murderous atmosphere hit them in the face, and several gentlemen who had not experienced such scenes almost fainted on the spot.

  "Fellow villagers, I am Vice Commander Jingxiang. The meeting ran late, please forgive me!" A young and elegant red-hatted official smiled and bowed in all directions, exuding harmony.

  Wu Juren was stunned, and he couldn't have imagined that his humble petition as a commoner would disturb Vice Commander-in-Chief, let alone that the Vice Commander-in-Chief would condescend to come out of the city to meet with everyone in person, addressing them with the familiar term "fellow villagers".

  Wu's indignation suddenly dissipated, replaced by a huge sense of satisfaction. He held up the petition even higher and said loudly: "Your humble servant Wu Heng pays his respects to General Du, disturbing General Du, your humble servants are terrified!"

  Ye Zhao smiled and walked over, took his petition, and helped him up by the arm, saying: "Hao Lian Gong, I understand what everyone means. I know that the foreigners are cunning. They want to enter our Guangzhou city, of course, they need the consent of Hao Lian Gong and other fellow villagers. How could I act arbitrarily? That would not only be unfair to everyone but also to the Emperor!" He bowed his head towards the north at the end.

  Listening to Ye Zhaos words, Wu Juren was filled with tears. Where can one find such a noble and humble person? He repeatedly said "I dare not", and then choked back sobs, saying: "Sir, I am ignorant, I have disturbed you, I deserve to die ten thousand times!"

  Ye Zhaohad some helplessness in his heart. This old man was extremely stubborn and conservative, far more so than Lao Fuzi. He had risked his life to plead his case, and was prepared for the worst, but after being treated with a reduction in rank by the "high-ranking officials" and receiving some warm words of encouragement, he immediately felt honored and didn't know how to react.

  To put it bluntly, many bookworms of this era have this bad habit: they sell their knowledge to imperial families and prioritize face-saving matters. A reader's dignity is the most important thing; once you give them enough face, everything can be negotiated.

  Ye Zhao smiled and bowed to the crowd, saying: "I've received your petition, everyone can go back now! Do you want me to send a sedan chair to send you all?" He also smiled at Wu Ju Ren and said: "Hao Liang Gong, please follow me into the government office to discuss."

  "I don't dare, I don't dare"

  "Thank you, sir!"

  "The Governor has slaughtered the innocent people!"

  These people all looked terrified, mouths uttering confused thanks and whatnot.

  As they dispersed, they were even more whispering and discussing "General Governor's temperament is high and clean" "General Governor was young and promising, indeed not ordinary".

  Because of the Qionghua Guild Hall incident, the Ministry of War issued a proclamation to pacify the people, and it is said that they also dissuaded the Governor-General's thunderous anger. This has already made the Guangzhou gentry have a good impression of the new Deputy Commander-in-Chief. Now, with these representatives of public opinion helping to spread the word, Ye Zhao's reputation will likely reach new heights in Guangzhou City.

  ………………………………

  Votes...