Add Bookmark | Recommend this book | Back to the book page | My bookshelf | Mobile Reading

Free Web Novel,Novel online - All in oicq.net -> Historic -> dragon flag

Text Volume 4 British Festival 1 Previous events and posthumous names (Part 1)

Previous page        Return to Catalog        Next page

    Volume 4, British Festival, past events and posthumous names (Part 1)

    Jin m¨¦n, winter rain.

    Zhang Peilun paced back and forth on the polished tile floor in the study, stopping from time to time to look outside the open door. His slightly pale face was full of uncontrollable expectations.

    The sky suddenly darkened, and there seemed to be a faint sound of thunder. Zhang Peilun in the study also stopped suddenly. He rushed outside the study in a few steps and looked up to the sky. However, after a moment, he was still there.  The slightly gray sky was suddenly filled with thick clouds, covering the sky at noon like the bottom of a black pot. The gaps in the clouds flickered, golden, blue and purple, like fireballs.  Bursts of muffled thunder came from the sky, one after another, and the tiles on the roof of the study were shaken.

    Zhang Peilun looked at the gloomy clouds in the sky, and the expectation on his face gradually turned to anxiety. He thought about it for a moment, and then commanded in a deep voice: "Come here!" A Geshiha immediately stepped forward from behind him and whispered.  He responded: "What are your orders, sir?"

    "Look at the rain" Zhang Peilun raised his head and looked at the falling raindrops from the sky, "Seeing that it is getting heavier and heavier Counting the time, Mr. Ruoshi should have arrived. Hurry up and bring a few people and umbrellas. When we arrive,  We are waiting to go, Mr. Ruoshi is over 50, so it¡¯s unbearable to get caught in the rain"

    Before Zhang Peilun finished speaking, a burst of hearty laughter suddenly came from the other end of the cobblestone lane in front of the study: "Youqiao, youqiao, how can I be worthy of such love?"

    Zhang Peilun was shocked. He raised his eyes and looked forward. A thin old man in his fifties had appeared in front of him. The man was wearing a sky blue robe and a bronze ning silk jacket.  The clothes were washed and ironed to be spotless and flat, with thin cheeks and prominent cheekbones. A pair of triangular eyes were full of joy. He raised his hands to bow to himself and said, "Youqiao, long time no see."

    Zhang Peilun looked at the old man, suppressed the ecstasy in his chest, and returned the greeting with a straight face: "Long time no see, Mr. Ruoshi!"

    After a while, Zhang Peilun and the visitor were seated in the study room. He looked at the visitor and bowed slightly, and said, "Mr. Ruoshi"

    The old man suddenly raised a hand, stopped Zhang Peilun's next words, and said in a sincere tone: "Youqiao, I'm interested It's enough to get Youqiao to say 'Mr. Ruoshi'. If Youqiao doesn't give up, he will never give up."  Just call me 'Brother Xiang' as you did in the past, there is no need to be so formal."

    Zhang Peilun stopped talking, just arched his hands and gave a brief salute to the old man - Li Hongzhang always advocated eclectic promotion of talents, and the Huai Mu always only asked for talent and learning regardless of origin. The Ma Xiangbo in front of him was an example. Not only was this Li Mansion aide not  A Confucian disciple, on the contrary, both of his parents were Catholics, and he himself was baptized by Catholicism in his infancy. He was really a fake foreign devil who had been "doing ghosts" for generations. Therefore, he was even more undesirable to both the North and the South in the past and today.  .  When Zhang Peilun was the "Green Bull Horn" in the past, he also heavily impeached him. With this grudge, it was inevitable that the two would be more embarrassed and less close when they worked together in Huaimu.

    Only because of this, Zhang Peilun took the lead in extending an olive branch when the two met again today - "Mr. Ruo Shi" seems plain, but there is a deep meaning in it. Ma Xiangbo's real name is Zhide, but in daily life, people often refer to him by his nickname "Xiang Bo".  He was called "Bo", but "Ruoshi" was his Christian name when he was baptized by the Society of Jesus

    Ma Xiangbo also knew the elegance of the song after hearing it. With a simple "brother Xiangbo", Zhang Peilun accepted all Zhang Peilun's goodwill. It was just a greeting and an answer, but it completely eliminated all the past grudges!

    There was a flash of green light outside the window, lightning illuminated the sky, and there was a crisp sound as if the sky was about to split in two, and then heavy rain poured down.

    Zhang Peilun turned his head and looked at the dark sky outside, and then said quietly: "The rain is coming and the wind is filling the building" He turned his head and looked at Ma Xiangbo, who was drinking tea, and said calmly: "Xiang Bo  When my uncle returned to Jinmen, he was supposed to be waiting in the middle hall to welcome him, but the old lady was ill, and he really couldn't escape from the middle hall for the past two days."

    Ma Xiangbo's expression changed. He put down the tea cup in his hand. His slender face was already a bit anxious. He looked at Zhang Peilun: "Is the old lady's illness important?"

    Zhang Peilun's expression suddenly became a little sad. He considered his words and said slowly: "It's still the same old disease, liver qi is not smooth, but this time the attack is more severe than before. It has been cured for half a month.  , no improvement at all.¡±

    Ma Xiangbo frowned and nodded, sighing: "Zhongtang and the old lady have been husband and wife for almost thirty years, and they are really deeply in love Hey, you can relax, the old lady is auspicious, and she must still be able to meet misfortune.  Turn into good fortune."

    Zhang Peilun smiled faintly and replied: "I hope so" He seemed to realize that the topic was too heavy, and he became slightly depressed.After yining for a while, he began to guide the conversation between the two to the main topic: "Brother Xiangbo, Master Zhongtang is so anxious to invite you back from your hometown in Danyang. So Brother Xiangbo must already know something about what Zhongtang is worried about, right?"

    Ma Xiangbo nodded slightly. He also looked up at the sky and replied, "Didn't Youqiao just say that the rain will come from the mountain and the wind will fill the building? If Ma didn't guess wrong, this wind and rain will probably come from Sanhan."  Land, right?¡±

    Zhang Peilun nodded slightly, with a solemn look on his face: "Yuan Xiangcheng was asked by Master Zhongtang to pay more attention to the behavior of Japanese pirates in Korea. These days, telegrams come from Xiangcheng from time to time I am worried that the Japanese pirates are planning something big this time.  , it is not comparable to the Jiashen and Renwu years. Brother Xiangbo, you know that I am a person with limited talent and limited knowledge of foreign affairs. To plan such a major event, I have to rely on you and Uncle Mei."

    Listening to Zhang Peilun's words, Ma Xiangbo's eyebrows gradually became a little more worried. He thought for a moment and said, "Uncle Mei also talks about this matter with me from time to time on weekdays. The Japanese pirates are ambitious, but this is nothing to be afraid of. But  The one who is afraid is that his country can now be said to have wise kings and wise ministers, and they are striving to implement reforms. Since Tongzhi, although the confrontation between them and me has been repeatedly defeated by the North and the South, when it comes to the general trend, it is our power.  With each passing day, the situation is getting stronger and stronger. What was a problem for the elbows and armpits in the past has now become a worry for the heart and soul.¡±

    "That's why Mr. Zhongtang is so anxious to invite Brother Xiangbo back." Infected by the anxiety in Ma Xiangbo's tone, Zhang Peilun's already uneasy mood became even more difficult to calm down at this time. He stared at Ma Xiangbo: "  I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ll have to trouble Brother Xiang a lot from now on.¡±

    Ma Xiangbo did not shirk. He raised his hand to Zhang Peilun and said calmly: "It's just a matter of my duty. Can I have a look at Yuan Xiangcheng's telegram?"

    Zhang Peilun let out a long breath of relief and chuckled: "That's natural, but Brother Xiang is tired of traveling and traveling, so let's settle down first. If there is no rush, it's not urgent at this moment, so why not"

    "I'm afraid it's too late!" Ma Xiangbo quickly interrupted Zhang Peilun, probably aware that his tone was too strong. He first looked at Zhang Peilun with a slightly apologetic look, and continued: "Don't blame the young woodcutter, just govern yourself.  Since the Japanese pirates first invaded Taiwan in the 13th year, I have been fighting with the Japanese for almost 20 years. These Asians are different from Britain, France and other countries. They are too close to our Qing Dynasty! What I want,  It¡¯s too much!¡±

    Zhang Peilun's face was full of solemnity. He saluted Ma Xiangbo solemnly, then lifted the hem of his jacket and stood up.

    "Brother Xiangbo, I'm going to bring Yuan Xiangcheng's telegram to Brother Xiangbo later." As Zhang Peilun spoke, he walked outside the study without stopping.

    Just at this time, I could only hear the sound of tiny footsteps coming from outside like a drum, stopping in front of the study door, and then I heard a clear female voice ringing outside: "Is my aunt here?"  in?"

    Before Goshiha, who was waiting outside, could answer, Zhang Peilun had already spoken: "I'm here, what happened?" He had already heard the voice of the person who came. This was Xiyun, the dowry girl of his wife Li Jingshou.  .

    As soon as she heard Zhang Peilun's voice, Xiyun immediately replied hurriedly: "Master Gu, the old lady has fainted. Sister, please come over immediately!"

    Zhang Peilun staggered and almost fell down on the flat water-tile floor. He turned his head in panic, only to see that Ma Xiangbo had also stood up from his position, with a look of shock on his face.

    "Let Yuan Xiangcheng go first, and you woodcutter go quickly." In just a moment, Ma Xiangbo had already made a decision for Zhang Peilun.

    Zhang Peilun glanced at Ma Xiangbo with emotion, and rushed to the door in a few steps. Just as he entered, a burst of heavy rain suddenly swept in, making him shiver. When Xiyun saw him coming out, he breathed a sigh of relief and put a  Handing the bamboo umbrella to him, she held up the umbrella herself. She stepped out of the door, looked up at the sky with lightning, and waved, "Please follow me, sir!"

    Zhang Peilun held up his umbrella and followed Xiyun, who was walking in front of him with an erratic figure, around the hall and straight into the back house. He walked through the water on the corridor and came to a house in the backyard.  The front of the house is covered with ivy, grapes and roses, and the vines are tied together to form a hu¨¡dong. Outside the fences on both sides are bushes, which are dark and green in the rain, blocking out the sky and the sun, making it even more lonely.  and a sense of mystery.

    Zhang Peilun put away his umbrella and followed Xiyun into the room. At first sight, he saw his wife Ju Ou sitting on a chair, holding a handkerchief and wiping her tears.  The young man who looked somewhat similar to Li Hongzhang was like an ant on a hot pot, pacing back and forth in the room.

    Zhang Peilun was startled, and his face became even paler. He walked up to Ju Ou and asked cautiously: "Madam, is she my mother-in-law?"

    "Mom is fine",When Li Jingshou saw the look on Zhang Peilun's face, he already knew that he might be wrong. He hurriedly explained: "Doctor Hanna and Jing Pu are accompanying my father inside and are treating my mother."

    Zhang Peilun let out a long breath of relief, and then he had the thought to say hello to the young man beside him. He cupped his hands at the man and comforted him: "Zhong Peng, don't panic, my mother-in-law is auspicious and everything will be fine."

    Li Jingshu bit his chin slightly and returned a hasty salute to Zhang Peilun, but said nothing. He just continued to pace around the room as Zhang Peilun had come, looking up from time to time to look at the closed door in the inner room.

    Zhang Peilun didn't feel dissatisfied. He had always known the character of Li Hongzhang's legitimate son. Li Jingshu was a quiet and restrained person, hiding his talents within and not showing up. He was also a rare filial son. For his mother's illness, he even cut off his bones to treat his mother.  Made it.  Seeing Li Jingshu in such a state, Zhang Peilun stopped disturbing him. Instead, he found a seat next to his wife and sat down, softly comforting his beloved wife.

    I don¡¯t know how long it took, but the door in the inner room finally opened with a "squeak". Li Jingshou and Zhang Peilun immediately stood up from their seats, and Li Jingshu had already approached the foreign doctor with blond hair at the door anxiously.

    "Doctor Hanna" Li Jingshu suddenly stopped talking, and for a moment he didn't know what to say.

    "The old lady is getting better." Dr. Hanna said softly. He turned his head and looked at Li Jingshou and Zhang Peilun behind him, immediately frowned and continued: "But the old lady's illness has just slowed down, and finally  What I need is to rest, you guys go in together"

    Before Li Jingshu could react, Li Jingshou from behind had already spoken: "In that case, second brother, you go in first, and Youqiao and I will continue to wait outside."

    Li Jingshu turned around, glanced at his sister with gratitude, then turned around and left, but Zhang Peilun called out to him at this time.

    "Zhong Peng," Zhang Peilun looked at Li Jingshu who stopped and continued: "Please tell your father-in-law that Mr. Ma Xiangbo has arrived."

    Li Jingshu nodded and walked into the inner room.

    ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

    Li Hongzhang sat quietly in front of Mrs. Zhao's bed. His grown-up figure was obviously a little more rickety than usual, and his expression was quite haggard.  A young woman dressed simply and elegantly stood behind him, with tears still visible on her round face.

    There was a soft sound from the door of the room. The young woman hurriedly turned around and waved her hand gently to Li Jingshu who appeared at the door. Li Jingshu was startled and then understood. He turned around and closed the door of the room gently.  Go up, then tiptoe behind Li Hongzhang, and say to Li Hongzhang: "Father."

    Li Hongzhang did not answer, only nodded slightly, indicating that he understood, and Li Jingshu immediately turned to the young woman: "Little sister, how is mother?"

    "Doctor Hanna gave me an injection, and after taking some drugs, the pain was gone. I just fell asleep." Li Jingpu, the "little sister" in Li Jingshu's mouth, replied in a suppressed voice.

    The anxious expression on Li Jingshu's face eased slightly. He turned his head and looked over his father's shoulder towards the bed. He saw Mrs. Zhao, who had a sallow complexion and had one hand firmly held by Li Hongzhang, who was quietly holding her hand.  Lying on the bed, there was still a look of pain between his eyebrows, and he looked much thinner than usual.

    Li Jingshu looked at his frail mother and felt a tremor in his body, a pain in his heart, and hot tears suddenly rolled down like beads.  Li Jingpu, who was standing behind him, saw this situation. Although he was sad, he took a handkerchief from his sleeve and handed it to his brother in front of him.

    "Why are you crying? Is your mother okay?" Li Hongzhang reprimanded in a low voice, but there was not much blame in his tone, "Go out and tell your eldest sister that your mother is okay. Let her go back and rest."

    "Yes, father." Li Jingshu bowed slightly. He thought for a moment and bowed: "Father, Youqiao is also here. Listen to him, Mr. Ma Xiangbo has just arrived."

    "What?" The joy on Li Hongzhang's face flashed away. He suppressed his body that was about to stand up, took a deep breath, and then said: "Tell Youqiao to entertain the prime minister for me."  Uncle, when your mother's condition gets better, I will go over to see him."

    "Yes, father." Li Jingshu agreed, turned around and left, but heard Li Hongzhang say: "Wait a minute."

    Li Jingshu turned around quickly, continued to stand respectfully, and said, "Father, is there anything else?"

    "Ask Youqiao to send you the telegrams that Yuan Shikai has sent these days" Li Hongzhang showed a rare trace of hesitation in his expression. He thought about it again and continued as if he had made great determination: "And  The newly sent official letters from Ren Zhiming were handed over to Xiangbo for a look."

    Li Jingshu was about to leave, but he heard that the couchMrs. Zhao, who was on top, groaned and slowly woke up and turned around.  But Li Jingshu immediately threw his father's orders out of his mind. He rushed to the window and knelt down. He looked at Mrs. Zhao and said excitedly: "Mother!"

    Zhao Jilian slowly opened her eyes, and her usually clear eyes now had a few hints of heart-stopping yellow color. She looked hard at Li Hongzhang, a smile bloomed on her thin face, and her voice  He said weakly: "I made you worry again. I thought I would never see you again this time"

    Li Hongzhang looked at his wife gently, with a somewhat bitter tone in his voice: "Don't talk nonsense, isn't this good? If you keep having children, everything will be fine."

    Zhao Jilian closed her eyes gently, shook her head with a smile, and then opened her eyes again, but she was already facing Li Jingshu in the corner of the bed: "I just heard that your father wants you to do something?"

    "Yes" Li Jingshu's eyes were blurred with tears. He choked and said: "My son saw his mother woke up and lost his temper for a moment. My son will go now, he will go now"

    "Well, that's good." Zhao Jilian looked at his son tenderly and said softly: "Things have their own priorities. When something happens, don't compromise your own position, understand? Okay, go quickly, don't let you  My brother-in-law and Mr. Xiangbo are waiting."

    "Yes!" Li Jingshu stood up on his feet. He wiped away his tears and walked out, but he heard Mrs. Zhao turning to the little girl aside: "Pu'er, you also go out, let me and you  Father, tell me your own truth."

    "Yes, mother." Li Jingpu put his hands on each other's waist and bowed to his parents. Compared with his tearful brother, although she had tears in her eyes, she looked much more dignified and steady.  After the salute was completed, she said no more and just quietly followed her brother out.

    Li Hongzhang followed Mrs. Zhao's gaze until the two figures of the daughter and daughter disappeared from the door. Then he turned his head, his face already thoughtful. He looked at the expression on Zhao Jilian's face again and asked tentatively:  "Eight Sisters, what do you have to say to me?"

    Zhao Jilian looked at her husband tenderly, as if she wanted to engrave Li Hongzhang's face in her heart one by one. She held Li Hongzhang's hand tightly with her bony hands, but she couldn't say a word for a long time.

    Looking at his wife's nostalgic eyes, Li Hongzhang was already moved. His eyes were red and he said with a choked voice: "Don't think too much, I understand your thoughts. Don't worry, I will definitely choose a good family for Jing Pu. But  , this Ren Zhiming"

    Li Hongzhang suddenly stopped talking. He looked blankly at his hand that was held by Zhao Jilian. He saw the veins on Zhao Jilian's hand protruding, showing that he was extremely agitated.

    Zhao Jilian closed her eyes and calmed down her breathing quietly, then opened her eyes again, and when she spoke again she spoke with sincerity: "Old man, do you think I'm really just worried about a Jing Pu? Tianjin Li Mansion, combined with the Li family  , there are hundreds of people up and down, who should not be taken to heart? Old man, as the old saying goes, no one will stay for you when you are seventy, and no food when you are eighty. You are also looking at the ancients. At this time, you should also think about what is behind you.  Is it famous?"

    Li Hongzhang was startled. He opened his eyes and stared at his wife, but he heard Mrs. Zhao continue to speak word by word through her teeth: "When doing big things, the first thing is to find a replacement! If we don't make arrangements in advance, how can we do it?"  Do you want to be like Zeng Wenzhenggong during the Tianjin Mission Case, who was ruined and your reputation was ruined?"

    Li Hongzhang was so startled that he trembled, and cold sweat suddenly broke out on his forehead

    bk

    b
Didn't finish reading? Add this book to your favoritesI'm a member and bookmarked this chapterCopy the address of this book and recommend it to your friends for pointsChapter error? Click here to report