Chapter 282: Evil Words to Mislead the People

"Rewards, all of them are very generous!"

The Qing Dynasty has not been peaceful since Emperor Xianfeng ascended the throne. There are aggressive Western powers such as Britain, France and Russia outside, and the Taiping Rebellion in full swing inside. This uprising is getting more and more intense and sweeping across the southeast half of the country.

At this time, the Qing Dynasty was already old and weak, and it was in a precarious situation. Pan Zhengwei's words can be said to have touched the heart of Emperor Xianfeng.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The recipient kowtowed in a hurry to thank him. Even Walker, who didn't know why the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty was so happy, followed Pan Shicheng, Pan Zhengwei and others to express his gratitude verbally.

"Your Majesty, America has paid tribute to you with a lot of interesting things this time. Why don't you take a look and appreciate the Western scenery?"

Taking advantage of Emperor Xianfeng's excitement, Pan Zhengwei said hurriedly.

"I have heard that the West has many strange and wonderful things. I want to see what strange things the West has." Emperor Xianfeng said.

After obtaining Emperor Xianfeng's permission, the tribute from the United States was carried outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

The tribute from the United States this time mainly included 100 Dreyse needle guns, 100 Walter M1851 rifles, 10 American cannons, a miniature Pioneer train model, a walking beam steam engine, and some small items.

It can be said that the guns, locomotives and steam engines placed in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony at this time represent the highest level of American military industry and steam engine technology.

"This is a Western quick gun, fast and accurate, Western soldiers are equipped with this

This is a new Western cannon, not only can it shoot far and fast, but it can also fire shrapnel, which is very powerful

This is a Western train, which can travel by itself without human power and travels very fast

This is a Western steamship, which can travel without relying on wind power, whether it is downstream or upstream, it can come and go freely." Pan Zhengwei and others introduced them to Emperor Xianfeng one by one.

"If my Qing soldiers are equipped with these foreign guns and cannons, wouldn't the long-haired people in the south be defeated overnight?" The young Emperor Xianfeng looked at these tributes thoughtfully and said.

"Your Majesty is wise!" Pan Zhengwei said.

"Your Majesty, my Qing Dynasty was founded on horseback archery, and horseback archery is the foundation of my Eight Banners. The foundation of our ancestors must not be lost."

Grand Secretary Su Shun saw that Emperor Xianfeng was interested in these foreign guns and cannons, and hurried forward to say.

The rest of the Eight Banners dignitaries also echoed and denounced these foreign guns and cannons as unorthodox. Only Yizhen remained silent.

"Your Majesty, I think if all the children of the Eight Banners learn to use foreign guns, won't it be useless?"

Senggelinqin, who was beside Emperor Xianfeng, said.

"Foreign guns are small and exquisite. If they fall into the hands of people with ulterior motives, they will cause endless harm. But this foreign cannon can be used."

Senggelinqin was very averse to foreign guns, but he still showed some interest in foreign cannons.

It seems that the Eight Banners are not abolished now. Pan Zhengwei secretly complained in his heart, but this is something that can only be understood and not brought to the table. Even if Pan Zhengwei was unhappy, he had to keep these words to himself.

He was just an imperial merchant, and the monk king was now a favorite minister. Not only was he favored by the emperor, but he was also a member of the Eight Banners. The status of the two in the heart of Emperor Xianfeng could be said to be worlds apart. Pan Zhengwei was not stupid enough to offend Senggelinqin.

Seeing so many people dislike foreign guns and cannons, Emperor Xianfeng felt a little disappointed. Pan Zhengwei immediately asked someone to start the train model to relieve Emperor Xianfeng's fatigue.

Emperor Xianfeng found it very interesting to see the train start by itself, and asked: "What is the use of this thing in Western countries?"

"Reporting to the emperor, trains are used to transport goods and passengers in Western countries. Their capacity is greater than that of horse-drawn carriages, and their speed is faster than that of ships. It is very convenient." Pan Zhengwei introduced.

"If a railway can be built along the canal, whether it is drought or flood, whether the canal is open or blocked, the grain and tribute from the south can be transported directly to the capital through this road, unimpeded. The goods from Jiangning can reach the capital from Jiangning in just three or four days, which is very convenient."

Although the train model was reduced to the size of a mule, the noise made by the train was still very loud when it was running. These Manchu dignitaries who saw the train for the first time all showed a look of horror.

There were also a few Manchus who turned their heads away and did not look at the train emitting black smoke.

"Pan Zhengwei, you are just a businessman. How dare you spread rumors and confuse people in front of the emperor!" Sai Shang'a, the chief military minister, jumped out and rebuked immediately.

"The canal connects the north and the south. It is the lifeline of our Qing Dynasty. Millions of canal workers depend on it. If this railway is built, how can millions of canal workers make a living? If the canal workers lose their livelihood, won't the world be in chaos!

And what kind of steam engine is this? Humph! No manpower! No manpower, won't the people have nothing to do? If the people have nothing to do, our Qing Dynasty will be ruined!"

After saying that, Sai Shang'a bowed to Emperor Xianfeng: "Your Majesty! I ask Your Majesty to kill Pan Zhengwei, the evil businessman with evil intentions, to correct people's hearts!"

"Your Majesty, spare my life! I have no such intention, and God can see it clearly!" Pan Zhengwei's forehead immediately broke out in cold sweat, and his back felt cold.

Pan Shicheng and Wu Yuanhua also knelt down and confessed their crimes. Walker was stunned. He didn't know why these high-ranking officials and the emperor of the Qing Dynasty were so happy inside the palace, but they became tense outside the palace.

"Your Majesty, today is a great day for the American envoys to pay tribute. It is not appropriate to use force on such a festive day."

Seeing this, Yi Xin, who was standing beside Emperor Xianfeng, stepped forward to help Pan Zhengwei and others.

"Kneel down and be at peace."

Emperor Xianfeng felt very disappointed, turned around with a gloomy face and entered the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

After leaving the Forbidden City, Pan Zhengwei breathed a sigh of relief, and his head was finally saved.

"Tingyu, I think you have been in California for too long, and your mind is confused. Have you forgotten what we should say and what we shouldn't say?"

Pan Shicheng scolded Pan Zhengwei.

The Guangzhou merchants are just the money bags of the court, and money bags must have the awareness of money bags.

"Going to America and returning to the Qing Dynasty, it seems like a lifetime ago." Wu Yuanhua also sighed, "Tingyu, you and I have lived for most of our lives, but we didn't expect that we couldn't see things as clearly as Liang Yao, a young man. We lost the bet with Liang Yao. This kid is really accurate in seeing things."

Wu Yuanhua recalled the bet he made with Liang Yao when he returned to the Qing Dynasty, and sighed at Liang Yao's foresight.

"What kind of young man is Liang Yao? This guy is smarter than the two of us combined. I even doubt whether he has become a spirit." Pan Zhengwei said.

"I have read Liang Yao's "Universal Mirror" several times and gained a lot of insights. He is a rare person who can write such a book in his twenties." Pan Shicheng said, holding a walnut in his hand.

"This guy should be in Japan now, but I don't know how he is doing in conquering Japan. Last year, I bought a plantation in Texas, but the local black slaves are very expensive. It would be great if I could capture some Japanese slaves in Japan and plant cotton in the plantation."

After that, Wu Yuanhua asked Pan Shicheng and Pan Zhengwei.

"When will you return to Guangzhou?"