Chapter 258 The End of Li Hongzhang

Hu Chuyuan has always hoped to defeat the French and Russian Allies at the same time economically and militarily. However, with the gradual accumulation of military advantages, the acceleration of domestic economic growth has exceeded his expectations. Now he still has to hope that the international economy can remain stable.

As a businessman, he always welcomes an economic crisis in the world. As long as he is well prepared, it is his bottom fishing feast, which can make him easily defeat his competitors.

As the prime minister of the empire, he had to consider domestic economic problems.

It is a complex proposition not only to pass on the expansion of the domestic economy to foreign countries, but also to avoid the foreign economic crisis and further drag down the domestic economic problems.

Hu Chuyuan felt more and more difficult to control.

At present, he can only take one step at a time.

After sending Hu Zhenyuan back to his room to rest, he returned to his room.

Most of the time, he lives with Wu Shuzhen. In the dormitory, Wu Shuzhen was still waiting for him, lighting a lamp and sitting on the sofa looking at a magazine.

Seeing that he was back, Wu Shuzhen asked with a smile, "The third uncle went to rest?"

Hu Chuyuan hummed, turned around to wash up, and came back to sit down on the sofa, trying to calm down and think about tomorrow.

Wu Shuzhen seemed to have figured out his mind and said, "Don't think about it. Go to bed early. I have to go to Hefei tomorrow... By the way, Limei has been busy with the dairy business these days. She must not be able to go to Hefei. Otherwise, I will put aside the matter of the Women's Normal University and go with you tomorrow?"

Hu Chuyuan nodded, thinking about those who had left.

He thought that life was really cruel and in a trance. Twenty years ago, it seemed to be just yesterday. Perhaps, looking back after a few decades, it was just a matter of trance.

Thinking of this, he made up his mind more and more firmly.

This is his first and last term as Prime Minister.

He is still in his prime, and he still has 20 years to do something that he is really interested in. It is not that saving the country and strengthening the country is not something he is interested in, but that he feels that he should have done almost done it.

To be honest, from the bottom of his heart, he felt that he had done enough.

He can't be a great man, and he doesn't want to be a great man, let alone care.

The next day, Hu Chuyuan, accompanied by his wife Wu Shuzhen, took a special train to Hefei. The journey was long. Three days later, he arrived in Hefei in the evening.

Hefei people call it "Lifu Half Street". The Li Hongzhang family lives on a street, occupying almost half of the street. The big house is connected with the big house, which is quite grand. The six brothers have six large houses, plus the back gardens of each family, which is half the size of the city.

Hu Chuyuan drove along the street in a Shenbao car. After a rough visual inspection, he estimated that the total floor area of Li's house should not be less than 300 mu, which is not a little worse than his yongyuan in Shanghai!

This street is very close to the Drum Tower of Hefei Mansion, which is very lively. A long time ago, there were dozens of sesame oil workshops, so it was called Youfang Lane. Now there are no oil workshops. There are banks, money banks and pawnshops.

The car stopped in front of the door of the Li family and couldn't see Bai Ling, which means that Li Hongzhang is still holding on... Maybe he is still alive.

Hu Chuyuan got out of the car with his wife Wu Shuzhen. The surrounding guards were surrounded by water. The army served as the outer district guard and escorted him all the way to the house.

Li Hongzhang is the only one left in the six Li Hongzhang brothers. Now in charge of Li's house is Li Jingfang, the eldest son of Li Hongzhang, who was adopted by Li Hongzhang from his sixth brother Li Zhaoqing. He is also 45 years old.

Li Jingfang, who had been with Hu Chuyuan many times, was a little lonely at the door, waiting for Hu Chuyuan to welcome him into the inner hall.

In the main hall of Fushou Hall, there is a plaque with the words "junheng Duxuan", which are written by Emperor Guangxu. Junheng is the most important minister of the court. Only people like Hu Chuyuan and Li Hongzhang can use it. Duxuan means the greatest blessing.

Such a plaque is also found in Hu Chuyuan's family, and also in his Prime Minister's Office. Except for Zai Tuan, no one else dares to write such four words.

Of course, the current treasure is also worthless.

Everyone knows this in their hearts.

Li Hongzhang didn't seem to be too sick to walk. Hu Chuyuan and his wife had just entered the lobby accompanied by Li Jingfang, and Li Hongzhang also staggered out with the help of their youngest son.

When the two met, they had mixed feelings in each other's hearts.

Whether it's hate, appreciation, or regret... It seems that they are all things that should be in the past. Looking around China, I'm afraid they are the people who can understand each other the most.

At the beginning... If the two of them hadn't worked together, the Qing court would not have agreed to build the railway. Without the construction of the railway, how could there be today's capital market development and capital economy development?

They worked together to build the railway and work together as the mainstay of the coastal defense faction, supporting the construction of the Chinese navy in the early years.

Unfortunately, the shrewd Li Hongzhang thought that he controlled the whole chess game, and he was still tricked by Hu Chuyuan. The huge Huai system was divided into the Li system and Liu Ming's system by Hu Chuyuan. From then on, Li Hongzhang was no longer Hu Chuyuan's opponent.

Seeing Hu Chuyuan again, only he knows what Li Hongzhang's mood is like at this moment.

He arched his hand tremblingly and said, "Lord Shoufu, it's all right!"

Hu Chuyuan also made a compilation and said, "Lao Zhongtang is safe and sound!"

"Sitting, sitting!"

Li Hongzhang was very polite and even enthusiastically invited Hu Chuyuan to sit down. He is already 78 years old this year. His face is full of wrinkles, his eyes are swollen, his eyes are dizzy, his beard is thin, and he has a silver braid.

Hu Chuyuan sat down with his wife Wu Shuzhen, and the Li family immediately gave them tea.

Although he was very careful in words, Hu Chuyuan could feel the hidden hatred of the Li family. Yes, they hated him. It was he who kicked the Li family off the peak of China's political situation.

Wu Shuzhen carefully observed all this, but smiled and sighed with Li Hongzhang, "Sometimes I don't see the old middle hall. I don't expect that the old middle hall still looks so good. It must be a blessing for a long life of 100 years. My family is envious."

After a pause, she said, "My husband had a lot of things to do. As soon as he heard that Lao Zhongtang had something to do, he hurriedly brought me here."

Listening to this, some comforting smiles also gush out on Li Hongzhang's old cheeks, but he sighed with Wu Shuzhen, "I'm afraid it's just a return to the light, and the old man's life can't last long. It's very satisfying to see the nobles and the old man today.

Wu Shuzhen replied with a smile, "The old man's words are heavy."

At this time, Li Jingfang's wife and Li Hongzhang's eldest daughter-in-law also came to visit Hu Chuyuan, and Wu Shuzhen found an excuse to leave with her.

Only Hu Chuyuan and Li Hongzhang were left in the lobby, while Li Cunyi and others were guarding the courtyard outside the door, more than ten meters away.

At this time, Li Hongzhang and Hu Chuyuan sighed, "Chu Yuan, I still want to thank you. If you are in a hurry to come back to see the old man at this time, the old man is also satisfied."

Hu Chuyuan said, "Lao Zhongtang is really serious. I don't know if Lao Zhongtang asked me to come over. Is there anything to explain?"

Li Hongzhang suddenly coughed a few times, and waved his hand reluctantly and said, "There is nothing to ask you. Chu Yuan, the old man is dying. It's just that the old man is always worried about the affairs of this country. Therefore, I want to ask you to come back and talk for the old man, so that the old man can close his eyes and have no worries.

Hu Chuyuan thought for a while and said, "The old middle hall looks rosy and healthy, and he must be able to live for a hundred years. Don't worry so much. A long time ago, I told Zuo Gong that the rise and fall of the world, 30 years in Hedong, 30 years in Hexi, gas number, everything should let nature take its course, don't care too much. The land of China is prosperous for a hundred years and declines for a hundred years. It cannot prosper forever, nor can it decline forever. Whether you are good or me, a lot of worries are unnecessary. In a thousand years, it will be history.

Li Hongzhang nodded slightly and said, "Yes, it's just that the old man finally failed to look at it like you. The old man can't help asking, how sure are you of the battle of the Far East? Since there was already a victory in Ryukyu at the beginning, France and Russia were willing to talk about peace. Wouldn't it be better to accept it when it was good? Why did you provoke the legal person again?

Hu Chuyuan knew that although he had gone to the field, he was unwilling after all, so he said, "Don't worry, I know it in my heart. In fact, think about it, in the 25 years of Guangxu, the total national product of China's economy has surpassed that of France, second only to the United States, Britain and Germany. The world powers have always been unwilling to recognize China as a powerful country. What is the reason for this? In the final analysis, it is not an economic problem, but a race issue. The white supremacy that Europeans firmly believe in is the source of this war. Since they firmly believe that only white people can control the world, and we yellow people are only a second-class race and only deserve their control, then we can only completely defeat them to prove that we can In charge of Asia.

The ethnic problem is beyond Li Hongzhang's traditional understanding. He didn't know how to answer it for a moment, but he just thought about it silently in his heart.

Hu Chuyuan added: "Since the 26th year of Guangxu, our total industrial output value has exceeded that of France and Russia. Since this year, our gross national output value has increased by at least 23% compared with the same period last year. Next year, this will be even greater. This shows that by 1905, China's gross national output will surpass that of Germany and rank third in the world. I expect that around 1907, our gross national product and foreign trade import and export volume will officially surpass the United Kingdom and become a world power second only to the United States in terms of economy. As an economic power, we must have the status of a corresponding political and military power. Only in this way can we ensure the long-term development of the economy and our national interests. When a big country like us tries to rise again, it is bound to face a big war around the world, which is a historical necessity. Just like the Anglo-French War, the Anglo-Western War, the German-French War, the Far East War is actually our crisis and an opportunity.

Li Hongzhang hummed slightly and sighed in his heart that he might be really out of date.

He really didn't expect that China's national strength was stronger than France's, and it was last year.

Wrong, it's not last year. China has surpassed France in its overall national strength almost in 1895.

Li Hongzhang can't think of it, and others can't think of it. Only people like Hu Chuyuan who have been talking with data can understand.

Seeing him for a moment, it was difficult to understand, Hu Chuyuan continued: "The war period itself is also a special economic situation. Now I want to use such a special period to complete a great improvement in the Chinese people's national industry, economy, culture and national self-confidence, so that the Chinese people and the world can understand that after 20 years of gradual Recovery, we have become a world power again.

Li Hongzhang then replied, "Okay, the old man understands now. Since you have confidence in your heart, the old man won't say much. Over the years, the old man has finally understood that as long as you are still in the court, there will be no big problem in China... There is only one problem in the old man at the moment. There are no outsiders here. You say... The emperor has no children at the moment. Who will be appointed in the future? Can there be a conclusion in the Manchu clan?

He asked this question very cleverly.

Hu Chuyuan said, "Lao Zhongtang, I don't even care about this kind of thing. What the hell do you think? Things in the world, of course, there is a gas number and conclusion. Everything is three points for heaven, and seven points for manpower. Let's... walk and watch. You said that I am in charge of this court, and there is no big deal in China. Then you have to say that one day I will be gone, and there is no big deal in China. That's a real good thing.

Both of them are hiding half a sentence.

As soon as he heard this, Li Hongzhang understood that whether what Hu Chuyuan said was true or not, the meaning of his words was already obvious... He would definitely not be an emperor. As for whether others did it or not, he didn't care.

This is bullshit. Besides him, who else in the world has the courage to be an emperor?

Li Hongzhang is very clear that even if Hu Chuyuan retreats again, even if he retreats abroad, his control over domestic politics, military and economy is still very amazing. Unless he dies, it is absolutely impossible for anyone else to replace him and surpass him.

In a word, what Hu Chuyuan just said is empty words and nonsense, which is equivalent to saying nothing.

Li Hongzhang didn't know what to say for a while. In fact, he just wanted to ask two things. First, how sure is the Far East War? Second, how long can the Qing Dynasty survive?

After thinking about it, Li Hongzhang decided not to talk about this again.

Immediately, he called his eldest son Li Jingfang back and prepared a dinner at home to entertain Hu Chuyuan and his wife, as well as Li Cunyi.

He knew that Hu Chuyuan was willing to come, which gave him a lot of affection. This was the last glory of the Li family in his life.

When he dies, the Li family will really learn to be a man with his tail between his legs.

Speaking of which, there is no one in the Li family who does not hate Hu Chuyuan. However, in the past two years, Li Hongzhang himself has figured it out that whether it is the talent of governing the country or the ability to deal with foreigners and use the international situation to make profits for the country, including the ability and skill of governing the army, he is far inferior to Hu Chuyuan.

The afterlife is terrible.

After half of the dinner, Li Hongzhang began to cough and spit blood violently. He could only leave the table and go back to his room to rest and drink medicinal soup.

Soon, the specific situation reached Hu Chuyuan's ears... Li Hongzhang went back to the dormitory and coughed up a small bowl of blood. After drinking the medicine, he fell asleep. The doctor clearly said that he could not last until the end of the month.

After listening to the reply, Hu Chuyuan didn't say anything.

After dinner, accompanied by Li Jingfang, Hu Chuyuan and his wife went to the west courtyard to rest first. The Li family had been preparing for a long time, especially leaving a luxurious courtyard for the couple to live in.

After waiting for a while, Li Jingfang came to see him again. He generally wanted to ask how long Hu Chuyuan and his wife could live. By the way, he also wanted to ask questions about the Li family in the future.

Hu Chuyuan was talking to him, and Li Cunyi hurried in, presented a sealed telegram and said, "Your Excellency, there is an emergency call from the Army Department!"

Looking at the two triangular stamps with urgent encryption on the telegram, Hu Chuyuan can generally know how urgent the situation is.

He pulled out the telegram and couldn't help frowning just by looking at the first line.

(to be continued)