"Come on, serve this young man our flower cake."

Zhang Zhidong naturally understood that Chen Tianhua was not full. Originally, the flower cake was served as a drunken snack at the end, but Chen Tianhua ate it too quickly, so he simply served it to him first.

As soon as he finished speaking, a man came out with a plate of flower cakes made in Neifu's kitchen, and gently placed them on Chen Tianhua's desk.

This kind of golden flower cake is called plum blossom cake, which is a famous snack in Jiangnan. It originated in the Ming Dynasty and was used as a tribute.

According to legend, when Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty went to the south of the Yangtze River, he saw that it was shaped like a plum blossom and had an attractive color, so he tasted it.

I found that it was sweet but not greasy in the mouth, moderately soft and crispy, and had an endless aftertaste. It was better than the imperial dessert. I clapped my hands and applauded it, so I named it Plum Blossom Cake.

Plum blossom cake is made of fine flour, a round rice cake like a basin, with a thick layer of jujube paste on top, plus osmanthus, jam, nuts and other fruit ingredients, and then steamed.

After steaming, cut it into pieces with a knife and distribute them for everyone to taste.

It was the first time for Chen Tianhua to taste such exquisite Jiangnan food. Of course, he was not polite. He reached out and twisted a piece and stuffed it into his mouth. It tasted really good.

He couldn't help but swallowed the small plate of cakes one after another into his stomach.

Then, Chen Tianhua raised the plate with both hands high in the air and said loudly: "Thank you, Lord Governor, for the plum blossom cake."

At the end, he added casually, "Today's wine, food, and flower cakes taste really good."

Many attendants and maids nearby, including the five major staff members, were secretly surprised.

When ordinary people go to banquets hosted by the governor, or receive flower cakes or other snacks given by the governor, they eat them carefully and slowly, and do not forget to say a few words of praise while eating.

As for Chen Tianhua, he was just devouring it like a starving ghost reincarnated. At the end, he said this cliché, it tastes great.

Zhang Zhidong has witnessed countless banquet scenes. This must be the first time for someone like Chen Tianhua, and he finally couldn't help but laugh out loud "Porch...".

This smile made Jiang Ning's fatigue and anxiety in the past half month seem to be relieved, and he felt particularly comfortable.

He raised his wine bottle and responded to Chen Tianhua:

"Young master, you are the true nature of a young hero. He speaks quickly and quickly. He is vigorous and resolute in everything he does. He is not sloppy or pretentious. He is good... You are worthy of the young talents of the Qing Dynasty. No wonder Zhengyuan Industrial Association was defeated at your hands.

"

When Chen Tianhua heard Zhang Zhidong mention Zhengyuan Industrial Club, his heart trembled slightly, but he said calmly:

"Thank you very much for your compliments, Governor-General. The common people are actually wild men in the countryside. They are rough and rude. I am not polite here. Please forgive me."

It's not that he doesn't understand, but he doesn't intend to pretend, because although his acting skills are not bad, which one of the "Six Gentlemen of Jiangnan" in front of him is not a good person?

They were eating and drinking without any expression on the surface, but in fact they were secretly observing and analyzing him.

This is just the beginning, the real war of words is yet to come.

He never thought that this banquet was a relaxed and happy one.

Therefore, he was determined not to pretend to relax as much as possible, just like an athlete relaxing before a game. Otherwise, he would go wrong if he was too nervous.

If you make a mistake in front of Zhang Zhidong, the consequences will be serious. In some cases, he will make all your efforts go to waste with just one word.

However, he had calmed down from the nervousness he felt when he first went up the mountain. He felt that acting according to his true nature, or even being a little more reckless, might have unexpected effects.

Sure enough.

In fact, the reason why Zhang Zhidong was so diligent and worked tirelessly was not because he was willing to do so, but because he believed that engaging in the Westernization Movement and developing industry would always lead to the gradual recovery of the Qing Dynasty.

Today, there are too few capable ministers in the Qing Dynasty who can solve problems for the country.

There are too many officials who are either just trying to cover up their faults and speaking out of ancient admonitions with exaggerated words, or they are asking for money, they are corrupt, they are just hanging around and waiting to die.

How much he longed for talents like Chen Tianhua who were down-to-earth, did not reach out to the imperial government, were self-reliant, and did not act pretentious but were still ordinary people.

"Young Master, I'm here to ask you, what are your views on the entire Westernization Movement and industrial rejuvenation of the country in the Qing Dynasty, including Western learning and Eastern learning?"

Chen Tianhua was shocked when he heard this. He did not expect Zhang Zhidong to bring up such a topic, and the topic was too big. He didn't know where to start.

He put down the wine glass that was at his lips, then stood up, cupped his hands, and said in a deep voice:

"Reporting to the Governor, young Chen Tianhua is a common man with little talent and little knowledge. He has only been in the society for a few years. Now, the common people are allowed to talk about national affairs, and the humble ministers dare not."

"But it doesn't matter. No matter what you say, I will not punish you. Just say it boldly." Zhang Zhidong pardoned him first.

"Yes, young master, you were able to solve the disappearance case of Englishman Charlie in Meishan Town, Changxing. Because you also received the title of Royal Knight and the Knight Medal, you are the first person in the Qing Dynasty so far. Is there such a common man?"

"?" Gu Hongming suddenly became angry and raised his first question.

"Yes, young master, we have a very clear understanding of your situation. Being too modest is dishonest. Disguising, do you need to pretend in front of Xiangshuai?"

This was the speech made by the staff member Wu Dianying. His words were sharp and cut like a blade.

"Young Master, we have carefully analyzed and deduced your entire action plan for Changxing Yaojin Mining. We found that your thoughts are meticulous and interlocking, and you push your opponents into a desperate situation step by step. It can be called the most successful case in conspiracy theory.

Is this your masterpiece?"

Zhao Fengchang finally said what he had been holding in his heart for half a month.

"..."

Having said this, any further excuses would be tantamount to trapping oneself in a cocoon. There is no three hundred taels of silver here, and it would be suspected of deceiving the Governor.

Zhang Zhidong can truly be said to be powerful and powerful.

As for the New Army alone, he was not afraid of Yuan Shikai's Beiyang Army at all, let alone Li Cunzhi's Zhejiang New Army.

His 12,000 Nanyang Self-Strengthening Army has been established for three years and is scattered in Jiangsu, Jiangxi and Anhui.

There are also garrison troops in Wusong, Shanghai, as well as the Yangtze River Navy, Wusongkou Fortress, etc.

The sixth town of Hubei New Army, which was just established, has 15,000 sergeants, all equipped with Japanese-style equipment and uniforms, and the instructors and instructors are all sent by Japan.

Therefore, if he falls out, no one can do anything to him.

It seems that if you don't tell a few truths, you won't be able to pass the test.

Thinking of this, Chen Tianhua stood up, bowed his hands to Zhang Zhidong and his staff, and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty the Governor, seniors, I have the courage to state some of my immature views. If there is any inappropriateness, I ask Xiangshuai for your understanding.

"

"But it doesn't matter." Zhang Zhidong continued to encourage.

Their strategy today is to cooperate between the lord and the staff, each playing favorites and flattery, but no matter what, they have to get Chen Tianhua to reveal his true thoughts.
Chapter completed!