pdf-ebookys Chapter 311 Consort Fucha
Chapter 311 Consort Fucha
As soon as Nian Gengyao left the palace, he quickly began to arrange for the detention of missionaries.
This beast, known as the "Longevity Beast," is truly the most vicious thing imaginable.
These foreigners are truly treacherous and ambitious.
This matter was of great importance, and Nian Gengyao dared not slack off in the slightest.
He secretly gathered a group of trusted subordinates and devised a detailed arrest plan.
Under the cover of night, Nian Gengyao personally led a team to quietly surround the church where the missionaries were staying.
They acted swiftly and stealthily, taking control of the missionaries before they could react.
During the search of the church, Nian Gengyao discovered some suspicious letters and maps.
The letters and maps were written in foreign languages, which Nian Gengyao could not understand.
Nian Gengyao carefully collected these pieces of evidence.
Upon returning to his residence, Nian Gengyao summoned all his advisors.
When asked if they could understand the letters, they all gave negative answers.
These staff members were able to read Mongolian or Manchu.
But they really didn't understand these foreign words that sounded like gibberish.
This displeased Nian Gengyao; the young emperor clearly had other ideas.
They will inevitably have to deal with foreigners in the future.
Not understanding foreign languages is no big deal.
Holding the letter in my hand
Nian Gengyao's heart sank; these letters and maps could very well be key evidence.
If it cannot be deciphered, important clues may be missed.
After a moment's thought, he decided to send the evidence to the palace for the young emperor to decide.
Nian Gengyao immediately instructed his trusted confidants to carefully seal away the suspicious letters and maps.
He personally carried these items to the palace.
He could interrogate those missionaries about these things.
But nobody understood English, so who knew whether what those missionaries said was true or false?
Throughout the journey, he kept wondering what secrets were hidden behind these foreign-language letters and maps.
Is it about the source of the opium, or some other, more sinister conspiracy?
He must show this evidence to Hongchang as soon as possible so that he can conduct further investigations.
When Nian Gengyao entered the palace
Hongchang was handling state affairs in the Imperial Study.
Upon hearing that Zhang Hude had come to report that General Nian was requesting an audience,
He immediately put down the memorial in his hand and said:
"Quickly invite General Nian in."
Nian Gengyao strode into the imperial study, knelt on one knee, and proclaimed in a loud voice:
"Your Majesty, your humble servant Nian Gengyao has an important matter to report."
Hongchang quickly stood up and personally helped Nian Gengyao up, saying:
"General Nian, there's no need for such formalities. Speak quickly, what is the important matter?"
Nian Gengyao took out sealed envelopes from his bosom, presented them with both hands, and said:
"Your Majesty, when I was arresting those missionaries, I found some suspicious letters and maps."
These letters were written in a foreign language, which neither I nor my staff could understand.
Your humble servant fears that a major conspiracy may be hidden behind these letters and maps.
Therefore, I have come specifically to request Your Majesty's decision.
Zhang Hude accepted the letter and map presented by Nian Gengyao.
It was handed to Hongchang, who took it and looked at it.
He could understand some of the letters and maps, but not others.
Hongchang's English was taught by Fucha Peijun.
The Empress Dowager should be able to understand this letter and the other things on the map.
This is a serious matter; it seems I'll have to trouble the Empress Dowager to come over.
Hongchang looked at Zhang Hude
"Zhang Hude, go to Kunning Palace and invite the Empress Dowager over."
After thinking for a moment, Hongchang added, "If Mother Nian is also here, please invite her over as well."
Zhang Hude accepted the order and respectfully withdrew.
Hongchang said to Nian Gengyao, "General Nian, please rest for a while."
When the Empress Dowager arrives, we will examine these letters and maps together.
My Empress Dowager knows some foreign languages.
Nian Gengyao was surprised that Lady Fucha knew foreign languages; she seemed to know far too much.
Fortunately, my younger sister didn't go against this Lady Fucha.
Nian Gengyao clasped his hands in agreement and sat quietly to the side, waiting.
Not long after, Fucha Peiyun and Nian Shilan rushed over.
Hongchang rose to greet her and explained the situation to Fucha Peiyun.
Fucha Peiyun took the letter and map and examined them carefully.
The letter contains Morse code.
She frowned at times, nodded at others, and her expression gradually became serious.
After reading the letter and map, Fucha Peiyun said in a deep voice:
"These letters and maps are indeed problematic."
The letters contained not only ordinary foreign language content,
It also contains Morse code, a secret communication method typically used to transmit important intelligence.
The map marks the locations of some coastal areas and important ports.
There are also some places marked with special symbols.
It's very likely their secret base or the target of their planned operation.
Upon hearing this, Hongchang's face darkened, and he said:
"These foreigners are indeed up to no good!"
They not only used opium to harm the people of our Great Qing Dynasty
They also attempted to use these letters and maps to transmit intelligence and plot nefarious purposes.
"Your Majesty, can these Morse code messages be deciphered?"
Fucha Peiyun nodded: "I can interpret it, but it will take some time."
These codes likely contain crucial information, potentially affecting the security of the Qing Dynasty.
Hongchang, arrange for these missionaries to be kept under strict surveillance, preventing them from having any opportunity to transmit any information.
Hongchang looked at Nian Gengyao, who was talking to his younger sister, Nian Shilan.
Upon seeing this, Nian Gengyao quickly said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, those missionaries are under close surveillance."
They had no chance to pass on any information.
Fucha Peiyun continued, "The appearance of these letters and maps..."
This shows that the foreigners' conspiracy was far more complex than just the use of opium.
We must ascertain their true intentions as soon as possible to prevent any potential problems.
Hongchang nodded and said, "Your Majesty, please go and decipher this Morse code first."
I will arrange for personnel to intensify the investigation in the surrounding area to see if there are any other clues.
Fucha Peiyun carefully put away the letter and map, and said:
"Okay, I will decipher it as soon as possible."
It's best to wait and see what these foreigners really want to do to the Qing Dynasty.
The most important thing is to find out how much of the opium and longevity drugs flowed into the Qing Dynasty.
Hongchang pondered for a moment, then said:
"Your Majesty, I will also send people to investigate along the coast."
Investigate any unusual activities by foreigners and the channels through which the opium was being distributed.
Fucha Peiyun nodded approvingly: "That's very good. We must not take this matter lightly."
General Nian, you must also keep a close eye on the movements of those missionaries and see if they have any other accomplices.
Furthermore, it is also necessary to investigate which of the Qing Dynasty's members were traitors.
"Colluding with these foreigners to betray the Qing Dynasty"
Nian Gengyao clasped his hands in acceptance of the order: "Your humble servant obeys and will certainly investigate this matter thoroughly."
These matters kept Hongchang extremely busy, and soon Zhang Hude reported that the Fifth Prince had entered the palace.
Hongchang immediately guessed that his fifth brother had entered the palace because of the glass matter.
Hongchang said while handling the matters at hand.
"Please invite Fifth Prince in."
Hongzhou was followed by several people carrying several large boxes into the imperial study.
Hongchang smiled slightly when he saw the boxes:
"Fifth Brother, it seems you've brought good news this time."
Hongzhou laughed heartily and said
"Your Majesty, my efforts this time were not in vain. Look at what's in this box!"
These are the glass products we developed.
As he spoke, Hongzhou had someone open the box, which contained exquisite glass vases, mirrors, and other items.
Hongchang picked up a mirror, examined it carefully, and praised it:
"This mirror is much clearer than the bronze mirror. Fifth Brother, you have done a great job this time."
Hongzhou smiled smugly and said, "That's right, the prescription given by the Emperor is indeed powerful."
I think these glass products will be very popular if they are launched on the market.
There were two life-sized mirrors, which I had delivered to Kunning Palace and Lingkun Palace.
Hongchang was very pleased to hear this; naturally, he would first offer this fine gift to his mother, the Empress Dowager.
"Well done,"
Hongchang mentioned the matter of placing a glass advertisement in the "Daqing Baixing Bao" newspaper, which he had previously discussed with Fucha Peiyun.
Hongzhou's eyes lit up, and he said, "That's a brilliant idea!"
Newspaper advertising can help more people become aware of these glass products.
Hongchang then brought up the matter of advertising fees, and Hongzhou pondered for a moment before offering some suggestions.
The "Da Qing Bai Xing Bao" newspaper was no longer only circulated in the capital.
It has already begun to radiate to the cities surrounding the capital, and will soon spread to the entire Qing Dynasty.
This glass has low production costs but high profit margins; anyone with a discerning eye can see that it's bound to generate a fortune.
Hongzhou became more and more excited as he thought about it, and said:
"Your Majesty, if our glass products could be sold throughout the country, we would be rolling in wealth!"
He also gets a 10% cut of that. Don't underestimate 10%; it's a considerable income.
Hongzhou was secretly delighted, and a smile spread across his face.
Hongchang was also very happy to see his fifth brother so excited.
He patted Hongzhou on the shoulder and said:
"Fifth Brother, I'm entrusting the promotion of these glass products to you."
You must seize this opportunity and make these glass products a bestseller nationwide.
However, we must also pay attention to quality; we cannot tarnish the reputation of our Great Qing Dynasty.
Hongzhou nodded quickly: "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will definitely ensure the quality."
I've had the craftsmanship of these glass products thoroughly reviewed; the quality is absolutely guaranteed.
Hongzhou glanced at Hongchang's imperial study.
"Your Majesty, you spend all day handling state affairs in the Imperial Study. If all the windows were replaced with glass windows..."
Not only can it make the study brighter, but it can also block out wind, sand, and noise from outside.
This will allow you to focus more on handling official business.
Hongchang thought it made sense and said:
"Alright, let's start with the Imperial Study and replace all the windows with glass windows."
When you send someone to install it, please make sure they are safe.
Hongzhou smiled and replied, "Don't worry, Your Majesty, I will personally supervise."
You'll definitely feel refreshed after these windows are installed.
Hongchang nodded
When is this glass shop scheduled to open?
Hongzhou scratched his head and laughed:
"Your Majesty, the shop is almost ready and will open in the next few days."
I was even thinking of inviting some high-ranking officials and dignitaries to make it more impressive.
With the publicity from the *Da Qing Bai Xing Bao* (People's Daily of the Qing Dynasty), some things can be skipped.
Fucha Peiyun quickly deciphered the Morse code.
She shared the interpretation results with Hongchang.
"The Morse code in these letters mainly concerns the transportation routes of opium."
Sales networks, and some instances of collusion with Qing Dynasty officials.
They plan to establish more secret outposts along the coast to further expand the channels through which opium is distributed.
Moreover, they also attempted to use these strongholds to transmit intelligence about the Qing Dynasty to the outside world.
Upon hearing this, Hongchang's face turned ashen, his fists clenched, and he roared:
"These foreigners are truly wolves in sheep's clothing! They have gone to such lengths to harm our Great Qing!"
He desperately wanted to send troops to attack these foreigners, but then he thought of the Qing Dynasty.
Given the current military strength and international situation, Hongchang knows he cannot act rashly.
Those foreigners can't be touched, but these traitors who don't even know who their ancestors are...
He, however, could not let it go.
Hongchang sent Zhang Hude to deliver the imperial edict to Prince Dun, Prince Zhuang, and Nian Gengyao.
Let them confiscate the property
After receiving the imperial edict, Prince Dun, Prince Zhuang, and Nian Gengyao
Without daring to slack off in the slightest, they immediately mustered their forces and began operations.
They followed the names provided in the imperial edict.
The residences of officials who colluded with foreigners were thoroughly searched.
For a time, panic gripped the capital.
Those officials who usually acted arrogantly and domineeringly were now trembling with fear.
They were terrified that they would be the next ones to have their homes raided.
The raid yielded a great deal, seizing not only a large amount of gold, silver, and opium,
They also found many letters exchanged with foreigners.
As Hongchang looked at the evidence, his anger intensified.
He ordered all the officials involved to be imprisoned and executed the following day.
As for the officials outside the capital, Hongchang also arranged for trustworthy officials to fill those positions.
Go to various places to capture them, making sure no one is missed.
A few days later, the largest page of the "Da Qing Bai Xing Bao" (People's Daily of the Qing Dynasty)
The news of the opening of the glass shop opened by Hong Zhou was printed on it.
This glass shop also has a very elegant name.
On the opening day of "Liyue Pavilion", dignitaries and wealthy merchants from the capital came to show their support.
The shop displays a variety of exquisite glass products.
From enormous dressing mirrors to tiny glass ornaments, the variety is dazzling and overwhelming.
Hongzhou personally oversaw the operation at the store, a smug smile on his face.
The high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital praised these novel glass products and rushed to buy them.
Hongzhou couldn't stop smiling as he watched the large sums of silver notes pour in.
At first, he was just happy that his sixth brother was willing to give him a chance.
I just want to get this done first.
But now, seeing this large sum of money coming in, he has come to enjoy the feeling of making money.
With the news of the opening of "Liyue Pavilion" published in the "Daqing Baixing Bao" newspaper,
The reputation of the glass products quickly spread throughout the capital, and people from surrounding cities also came to buy them.
These glass products were not only of superior quality but also featured novel designs, making them popular among both commoners and nobles.
The "Liyue Pavilion" made a fortune, which made those merchants very envious.
The advertising effect of the *Da Qing Bai Xing Bao* (People's Daily of the Qing Dynasty) exceeded everyone's expectations.
More and more businessmen began to realize the immense value of this newspaper.
In fact, as early as the Qing Dynasty People's Daily, the textile factories run by the princesses were already being publicized.
When the Daqing Baixing Bao (Daqing People's Daily) was recruiting workers, some businessmen realized the benefits involved.
Unfortunately, this "Great Qing People's Daily" was run by the princesses, and these merchants dared not get involved easily.
Seeing the tremendous success that "Liyuexuan" achieved through advertising in the "Daqing Baixingbao" newspaper,
They couldn't sit still any longer.
These merchants began to ponder how to use the "Da Qing Bai Xing Bao" (a local newspaper) to promote their shops and goods.
How can I get in touch with the princesses?