Chapter 125 Outline a few strokes

London.

The dark, yellow and purple, so spicy and choking London fog generated by smoke and dust often becomes what any foreigner who comes to London yearns for. The fog in the fog seems to symbolize the strength of the British Empire after the Industrial Revolution. It seems that the influence and strength of the British Empire is caused by the fog of London. Generated.

Almost every foreigner who comes to London, especially tourists and students from backward countries, will be more or less immersed in the yellow and black fog mixed with smoke and dust in London. In their eyes, what bothers Londoners is exactly what they pursue.

It's just that for many of these people, they don't know the three pillars of the British Empire: trade, finance, and raw materials. In the middle of the 19th century, with the opening of the curtain of free trade policy, the protagonist on the British economic stage changed from industrial giants to bankers. Financial currency, international trade and the advantages of raw materials constitute the three pillars of the power of the British Empire.

After Waterloo, the hegemony of the British navy in the waters of the world was unmatched. The British fleet is loaded with British steel, coal and Manchester textiles exported abroad to the world. British manufacturing has led the world for decades. In the late 1890s, Britain had unparalleled political, economic and military power around the world. But behind this extreme prosperity, no one knows what kind of crisis is hidden, at least for many foreigners who enjoy the London fog, they are often just addicted to the power revealed in the London fog.

It is the weather at the end of July. There is no fog in London in July. London is foggy and rainy. Although there is no fog, it is rainy. The ground is damp and cloudy, and the trees and grass are freshly green. At this time, there is no such thing as the unique black in London's autumn, winter and spring. The shops are all closed, there is a large mesfield on the right side of the road, and there is a forest in the distance, which makes people feel quiet.

Because the sky has just rained, there are still drops of water hanging on the trees. The air and sunshine after the rain give a special taste, and even make people feel that there seems to be sweetness in the air, which is a refreshing and refreshing weather.

Those passers-by with smiles on the sidewalk undoubtedly reveal people's mood. The weather brings a cheerful mood, which is only aimed at some people. Although it is a large number of people, there are always some people whose moods may not be improved by the weather.

Holding a lot of long circles of drawings between his left elbow, wearing a London-style suit and a British hat, walking on the sidewalk, Shi Tiange was not only not cheerful because of the good weather, but also a little bad, so that when occasionally passers-by greeted him, he was also ignored. The same.

"Damn Japanese bandit!"

As he walked, he hated and scolded those oriental dwarfs, but his hatred for them deepened a little.

Eight months ago, the "Migasa" battleship ordered by the Japanese navy was launched as the warship designer James? Deng En, as a student of Deng En, not only participated in the design of the warship and the subsequent manufacture of the whole process. When he was launched, because he was a "Qing man", he was politely rejected outside the door of the inauguration ceremony. At the completion celebration, when the Japanese naval officers who came to pick up the ship actually had A "Qing Guomin" who participated in the design and supervision of the warship throughout the whole process, and first talked with him enthusiastically.

When the Japanese officer asked him if he intended to go to Japan, he said that "after studying, he would return to China to engage in warship design to defend the sea territory". This was his original intention. The reason why he came to England to study shipbuilding was because of the defeat of the Yellow Sea in the First Sino-Japanese War. He said that he was his enemy. How could he serve the enemy? Business.

Those Japanese officers praised him first, and today his teacher Deng En had no choice but to tell him that he could no longer be his tutor. The reason is very simple. "It is impossible to use the blood and sweat of the people to fund the students of the enemy country for internships." This is the requirement of this aspect, in order to win the future. With the design commission of the sea army, he had to regret to let him find another job.

After graduating from the college, he has been working as an intern with this famous British shipbuilding expert. He was treated like this. His disappointment was far greater than his anger. For some years, the reason why he has endured discrimination is to learn first-class warship design and manufacturing knowledge, but what about now?

If he was himself, perhaps, as early as three years ago, when he obtained a master's degree, he would have received an invitation from the Japanese shipbuilding enterprise or the navy to return to China to participate in the design and supervision of warships. But he was Chinese. Even when Qingzheng Axe ordered Haiqi and Haitian cruisers from Armstrong Company of the United Kingdom, he took the initiative to find the embassy and was not allowed to participate in the supervision.

After the initial anger, he thought that his former classmates had designed or supervised various small ships, but he had achieved nothing so far. This strong contrast always made him a little helpless, and even had a little regret for the industry he had chosen.

The sting of the Sino-Japanese fiasco when he was in the UK that year was not only exciting. Thinking of his friends working in Armstrong's company, he couldn't help but feel pity for each other. Didn't he enjoy the heat of the world in a foreigner's company? The artillery experts were reduced to being like workers. In the factory, for this kind of helplessness, Xiao Lie, who wants to study and work in London for 15 years, has a deeper experience!

Yan Pingyao, who was sitting in the chair, refilled a glass of whiskey for Mr. Xiao in front of him, and then looked at him without saying a word, quietly waiting for his answer.

Grabbing the glass in a daze, Xiao Lie gasped, choked down the wine, and then hummed. He turned the steak on the plate around with a fork. The lunch was very rich, and even in the past 15 years, he had never enjoyed such a rich meal.

Listen to the music and look around at the decoration of the high-end restaurant in front of him. Such a restaurant needs at least 10 pounds per person for a meal. For him, who has a monthly salary of less than 65 pounds, it is always out of reach.

"I don't know why you or the person you carry came to me, but I have to admit that 200 pounds a month, indeed, even in Armstrong Arsenal, only a few people can get such a high reward!"

Xiao Lie said in a very polite tone.

"I can't help but wonder if I really deserve such a rich reward?"

Yan Pingyao shook his head, looked at Xiao Lie in front of him and said.

"Mr. Xiao, you know that with your talent, you are far from succumbing to the position of quality supervisor. In Europe, the buried talent is not only Mr. Xiao. Our Chinese people have the heart to work hard. There are public schools to study abroad, and there are countless self-funded students like Mr. Xiao. Like Mr. Xiao, he intends to learn European technology to serve the country to resist foreign aggression, but the country is not at peace. I don't know how many people have been full of enthusiasm. After returning to China, they have no choice but to wear mixed officialdom, or become a buyer and give up all their learning. Only a few people with a strong will like Mr. Xiao can persist to this day!"

Praise Yan Pingyao once again filled him with wine. Chinese people like to talk at the table, even in the United Kingdom. After following his wife to London from Mexico, his wife gave him a task to hire experts from all walks of life for industrial companies in London, which specifically mentioned artillery and chemical technicians. Compared with those foreign experts, Yan Pingyao prefers these "bequests overseas" self-funded international students. At least they are not as arrogant as foreigners, and they often cherish rare opportunities.

Is there any reason to refuse?

For a while, it was really difficult for Xiao Lie to find a reason to refuse him, but can he really realize his ideals there?

"Mr. Yan, I don't know. Where did you work after Fang Ping returned to China?"

A series of questions came out of his mouth. If you can't make artillery in the arsenal after returning to China, even if you return to China, it's better to continue to stay here, but do those governors in China really intend to build their own large artillery? He really doesn't have any confidence. After all, for them, I'm afraid it's better to buy it.

"Mr. Xiao, you will know then. Here I can at least guarantee that you will be able to realize your dream there!"

With that, he took out a document from the package. In addition to his personal treatment, the most important thing in this contract is a confidentiality clause. Although it is only a literal constraint, it reminds him.

"However, Mr. Xiao, here is a contract. I hope you can sign it. Of course, you don't need to make a decision now!"

Looking at the contract, Xiao Lie found that in the contract, the word confidentiality is probably the most strict, and he is not even allowed to talk about his work to anyone outside the outside world, even his family.

This made him feel a little uncomfortable, but thinking that he might be able to realize his dream there, he hesitated to sign his name on the contract and receive the contract, but Yan Pingyao took out a check from his bag.

"Mr. Fang, this is the signing fee of £1,000!"

With a smile on his face, Yan Pingyao had to admire the chairman's thoughts. In the past month, even those arrogant foreign experts were all surprised by the generosity of the company. They just signed a name, ranging from 1,000 pounds to 2,000 pounds. At the beginning, Yan Pingyao was also rewarded with 5,000 taels of silver. The signing fee was stunned, and the man sighed that he knew that he was dead.

Looking at the check, although he was moved, Xiao Lie pushed the check forward.

"Mr. Yan, what Fang Ping did is just an ideal, not money! If you don't learn for Fang Ping's development, Xie Moujie will still look for another job! Please forgive me!"

Yan Pingyao smiled awkwardly with wide eyes. There are really people who don't love silver! Unfortunately, even if Xiao Lie didn't want this money, he couldn't fall into his hands.

"The company will keep it for you temporarily! I believe you won't regret it!"

Xiao Lie lowered his head but ate the steak on the plate. As soon as he took two bites, he looked up at Yan Pingyao as if he remembered something.

"If you need special materials in shipbuilding, I can introduce you to someone!"

"Who?"

Ji Lila brought the teacup in front of her and asked Mrs. Arlo with a faint smell of tea.

Mrs. Yaro is the widow of an earl, a famous socialite in London. Half a month ago, maybe now Ji Li? Sterling is a well-known woman who has become the acquaintance of the whole London upper class. She will be the richest woman in the UK, but Mrs. Yaro knows the whole upper class.

"John, who has just been promoted to the second sea minister? Arbuthnot? Admiral Fisher!"

Countess Yalo said lightly that Ji Li, who was nearly 50 years old, couldn't help but be jealous of the beauty of this 19-year-old girl. Although she was only 19 years old, there was a mature and charming charm in the green, like a flower cultivated by the heart. The plump and soft lips are enough to make any man lose his eyes, petite but with a little plump figure, wrapped in an oriental-style thin gauze skirt, as magnificent as the sunset over the desert, walking around, very beautiful.

But the most enviable thing is the wealth she has. The oil field owned by Anglo-Monk Oil Company in Mexico is just an oil well. In just half a month, it spewed out millions of pounds of oil. According to the assessment of the London financial community, it is worth at least 1 billion pounds!

"Have a wealth comparable to that of Queen Victoria."

A London reporter once commented on her as the richest and luckiest woman in Britain in the 20th century. Who can imagine that the Sterling family, which went bankrupt ten years ago, could become the richest family in Britain and even Europe overnight?

No matter which newspaper people open, whether it is English, Scottish or Irish, they will always see one or two pieces of news about the world's richest women and their latest words and deeds. At the beginning, the news about her was put on the tail of the chat bar, and then her position exceeded that of the gentlemen. In this way, her position rose higher and higher, and her fame became louder and louder, and she didn't stop until she could not be high.

It is the wealth she has and the reputation brought by the amazing wealth that makes the nobles in London stand in front of her, competing to please her, flatter her, and pursue her, and Ya Luo is also a member of the flattering and flattering crowd.

"Mrs. Aro, does Admiral Fisher have anything to do with this?"

Ji Li blinked her beautiful eyelashes and looked at Countess Arlo. In the past half month, in addition to the support of the London financial community, she has also won the support of prominent officials, including the Speaker of the House of Lords, and may be received by the Prime Minister in the near future, but she still needs stronger support. Supported by the navy.

Although under the offensive of money, London's scientific and public opinion circles talk about the important surname of oil for Britain, and constantly reminding the public that no British company owns oil fields, and the British colonies also have no oil output, thus reminding them of the Anglo-Mexico oil company. The oil field is an important surname for Britain, but support from more powerful departments is necessary.

"Miss Sterling, at a public rally in September 1882, Lord Fisher, a British admiral who was still a naval colonel at that time, said: Britain must change the status quo of the navy's use of coal as a power fuel, and should use new oil fuel. Believe me, Lord Fisher will definitely become Britain and Mexico. The most staunch supporter of oil companies.

Mrs. Yalo's face with too much French makeup powder smiled. She gently put down the cup and looked at the richest woman in Europe beside her.

"Miss Sterling, although your company is working hard in London, it is not only Anglo-Mexico Petroleum in London. As the largest kerosene supplier in the UK, New Jersey Standard is also working hard. There are even rumors in the newspaper that you married a Chinese, right?"

Aro, with a slight smile, looked at Ji Li, as if waiting for her answer. Every nobleman who pursues her knows that Miss Sterling is married, and the diamond ring in her hand is the best weapon to reject those people.

"My husband doesn't seem to be in this question, does he?"

When Mrs. Aryo picked up the teacup, she looked at the sunny sky with a faint smile.

"But what if the actual owner of Anglo-Mexico Petroleum Company is an Oriental person surnamed Chen? Ji Li, there are many secrets in London, and there are no secrets!"

Yaluo's words only made Ji Li's heart tremble. After the initial panic, the charming and touching face shot aggressive eyes at Yaluo.

She has a special ability to put on a posture of scaring people, but in fact, what really makes people feel guilty is a certain temperament in her. The beautiful and palpitating face, the clear and gloomy eyes turned to Countess Aro, but he didn't say anything for a long time, just looked at her so coldly.

"Ji Li."

Feeling the gaze and gloomy in her eyes, Ya Luo took a sip of tea and said solemnly.

"You have to believe that I am your friend. Almost from the day I met you, I have regarded you as a relative like my niece. You must believe this, just like your father!"

Ya Luo looked at Ji Li with a smile in the blink of an eye, and a handsome man came to her mind. That was Viscount Sterling, who was once one of her lovers.

"Oh! Is that so?"

She answered softly, but Ji Li thought about the intention of Mrs. Aro's reference to this matter.

"There are many secrets in London, and there are no secrets! Sometimes, as long as you are willing, you can make some secrets become secrets forever! What do you think? Ji Li!"

Her words made Ji Li restrain the sight that made others a little hairy, but showed the sweet and charming smile. At this moment, she became the girl who fell in love with countless men.

"Mrs. Yalo, what do you need?"

"I just want to get... Well, a few outlined checks."

Take a deep breath, and Ya Luo specially reminded her again.

"Please believe me, the secret will definitely become a secret. I don't think you need to doubt my credibility, just like many people!"

Her eyes showed a charming smile in the blink of an eye. As a socialite of the upper class, she has her means of survival and credibility, otherwise she would have no upper-class foothold in London.

"Moreover, I can introduce Admiral Fisher to you! And he will definitely become the most staunch supporter of Anglo-Mexico Petroleum!"

(to be continued)