C1259 Fu Qing entered Jiangning (1/2)
With Fu Qing's current identity, maneuvering a small steam boat from Shanghai to Jiangning City only required two days' worth of time to send him to the dock.
The current Fu Qing was no longer the previous head of the Mausoleum Guard. He was now the deputy general of the Head Office, the trusted aide of the Empress Dowager Ci An, the chief of the reformist's forces, the founder of the Qing Empire's telegraph network, and an associate minister for the construction of the Qing Province … Layers of light enveloped his body, giving this second rank official a first-rank prestige.
When Fu Qing arrived at Jiangning, it was worth it for Ceng Guoquan to personally welcome him. The whizzing sound of the cannons on the dock was as deafening as the torrential rain.
”What is this? Isn't Jiu Shuai just giving up on the younger generation … I can't accept it, I really can't accept it. I'm not a messenger coming to Jiangnan, how can I fire cannons … ”Hurry up and put it away!”
Ceng Guoquan patted Fu Qing's shoulder and laughed, ”What messenger? In my eyes, brother, you're even worse than a waiter! Forget about other things. With just two years of time, you managed to create telegraph line s from the north and south. Your achievements are not any less than your military merits … ”
”What I am convinced of is that I am a person with true ability. Using cannon fire to welcome him is just a small matter … ”The marshal is waiting for you in the residence. The banquet has been arranged; you should at least have a few more drinks today!”
A group of people escorted Qing San Ye and rushed over to the Grand Commander's Estate Residence. Just as they arrived at the door, Fu Qing was surprised to find that there were many servants and servants packing boxes at the corner of the entrance.
”This is?” Fu Qing asked in confusion.
”Hey …” My big brother is preparing ahead of time, next month he will head north to become the Viceroy, if he doesn't pack up his belongings in advance, then everything will be in chaos! ”Master Fu, please come in. Back garden please …”
Fu Qing knew that the marshal was purposely putting on an act for him, to use his own words to tell the court that the marshal was already prepared to leave. Who said that it was easy to be an official of the daoyin. They had to be careful of the taboo of the imperial government every day, as the title of the King of Jiangnan was too big and too heavy.
The weather today was not bad. In the back garden, there was a table of wine in the open, and the dishes were very simple: Jiangning special dishes, such as salted duck, zigzag bean, bean fish, Ru Yi dry, Qin Huai He's cakes and pastries, as well as the exquisite steamed dumplings, the pot sticked dumplings, and finally the famous duck blood and silk soup.
When Fu Qing saw the dishes on the table, he understood that the Commander did not treat him as an outsider nor did he prepare any pretty and tasty warm Fire Cuisine. Instead, he would use local snacks to entertain him.
”Marshal's heart...” A junior! The younger generation is truly flattered! ” Qing San Ye cupped his hands and bowed.
Before Fu Qing came, the old farmer had just helped the great marshal smoke a pot of opium. Now, Ceng Guofan knew that his days were numbered, if he could endure for two or three years, it would already be considered to be a blessing from the heavens.
Jiang Nan had looked through all the genius doctors and none of them were able to do anything about it. The marshal's cough was a result of accumulated exhaustion, a condition that had run out of oil. Even an immortal would find it difficult to cure.
For such a patient, the poison of opium was of no concern. At the very least, it could help the marshal deal with some government affairs.
Ceng Guofan supported Fu Qing with his hands, showing no signs of politeness, ”This time, San Ye must be here for the Minjiang Estuary's Sea War, right? The imperial government wants to hear this old man's opinion, but you're too embarrassed to speak directly? Haha … I, Ceng Guofan, am a subject of the Great Qing Dynasty, and even if I die, I am still a subject of the Great Qing Empire, so there is nothing to be embarrassed about … ”
The three of them sat around a stone table, and after two or three cups of wine, the topic changed to the main topic. It was not because Ceng Guofan was anxious, but because he knew that he would not be able to sustain his energy for long with the help of the drugs.