Travel through the Qing Dynasty and become emperor

After the chaos in Europe.He has never been as afraid as others. On the contrary, he has always believed that only in troubled times can he show his value. Therefore, he has been waiting for an opportunity, and even tried his best to find a way to transfer from the foreign department that others dream of to the domestic military department. .Even if it is to go to war with the old superior Liu Jintang.Because he believes that the most effective and direct way to attract the emperor's attention is to make military exploits.

When I was in distress, I didn't expect an opportunity to suddenly appear by my side.

Due to the war, the Berlin embassy only kept a temporary diplomatic corps of more than a dozen people. As the only person in the Chinese embassy who stayed in Berlin after the war in Europe and was currently the highest-ranking diplomatic chief, Xu Jingcheng made a decision right now. This decision was also a matter of helplessness. When a telegram was sent to the country for consultation, there was always no specific opinion on how to deal with it. It was just that the Minister of Foreign Affairs Wu Tingfang sent him a telegram, requesting not to compromise the country's prestige and the dignity of the empire.However, the Ministry of War, the General Staff, and even the emperor did not hear any response.

After repeated weighing, Xu Jingchun finally decided not to wait any longer, and then domestic telegrams also confirmed his judgment. Both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of the Army sent telegrams to express that Xu Jingchun had handled the case in a decent manner, and asked him to maintain this position.

This time, Xu Jingcheng had a clear mind, and he immediately made a bold decision to hold a press conference on behalf of the Chinese government and military the next day.

Soaring: World War I Chapter 324 Press Conference

The next day, Xu Jingchun held a press conference at the Chinese embassy in Berlin. The reporters attending the press conference were all journalists from European media, and most of them were from the Allied countries.

Xu Jingchun solemnly announced a strongly worded official statement. China sent troops to Europe out of Sino-German friendship. He severely accused the German side of depriving China of the command of the reinforcements without authorization, detaining Chinese diplomats without authorization, and spying on China. The embassy said that such behavior seriously offended the dignity of the Chinese Empire and the royal family. The statement demanded that the German side immediately take effective compensation actions, immediately stop all behaviors that harm Sino-German relations, and immediately apologize to Chinese diplomats.Finally, Xu Jingchun proposed a time limit: eight hours.Germany must make an effective and affirmative reply within eight hours within the time limit, otherwise all serious consequences arising therefrom will be borne by the German Empire.

The reporters present were in an uproar. They couldn't imagine that the two most powerful allies in the world would have such a serious diplomatic conflict in a short period of time, and it would tend to evolve into a worse direction.

A reporter from the British "Times" immediately asked Xu Jingchun, "Will this incident and this statement have a disastrous impact on the developing Sino-German relations, and will it affect China's plan to send troops to Europe?"

Xu Jingchun replied without hesitation: "China-Germany relations have indeed reached a critical point. If the German military and foreign affairs departments continue to go their own way and do things that hurt the feelings of the two peoples, then the breakdown of Sino-German relations It may happen. Germany can only continue to gain the friendship of the Chinese Empire only in strict accordance with China's requirements and try its best to make up for the adverse effects of this incident. As for whether to send troops, it still needs a response from the Chinese government and the military. Diplomats should not make too many judgments."

A female reporter from the "Berlin Times" asked: "There are still many rumors that are unfavorable to China in various countries. One of them is that China's purpose of sending troops this time is not to mediate by force, but to get involved in European affairs. I would like to ask the ambassador What is your comment on this?"

Xu Jingchun's face was gloomy, and he was very dissatisfied with the female reporter's question. This was obviously an open provocation, but he calmly replied, "I don't know where you heard this rumor. Since it is a rumor, I don't think there's a need for an answer to that at this formal press conference. Thank you."

The female reporter smiled awkwardly, and then sat back in her seat.

After a long time, a reporter who claimed to be from the French "Marseille" asked: "Your Excellency, the development of Sino-French relations in the past two years has been very gratifying. Large financial groups have also invested huge sums of money in the French financial market. However, if the cloud of the European War casts a shadow over the developing Chinese and French economies, and the many uncertainties of this war make the future of the French economy uncertain, may the Minister Your Excellency, under such circumstances, will China continue to strengthen trade relations with France and increase investment in the French market?"

Xu Jingchun secretly took a deep breath. This French reporter was polite on the surface, but his words were full of wit. Will it stand on the side of France or the opposite side in this war.He thought for a while, and then replied: "War does have a fatal impact on economic development, but China and France are closely interdependent and complementary economically, just like China and Britain, China and Germany, China and Italy, and China and Austria. Just like economic relations, they will never be easily interrupted because of a war. Don’t forget, war is destruction, while economy is construction. If this war cannot be stopped, we will also try our best to maximize economic growth. make up for the losses caused by the war to a certain extent."

Xu Jingchun's answer was very vague and ambiguous. On the one hand, he put the Sino-French economic relations in the same perspective as relations with other countries. It does not show any tendency, which is elusive.

A reporter from the American "Washington Post" stood up and said: "Your Excellency, I heard that Kaiser Wilhelm II has secretly arrived in Beijing and had a friendly consultation with His Majesty the Emperor. Can you disclose it here? Also, did this meeting directly lead to China’s decision to send troops to Europe?”

Xu Jingchun replied: "I haven't heard of this incident. I don't know where you got the news. But one thing is certain, even if the two heads of state meet, this is a very normal meeting in the development of state-to-state diplomacy. We don't want this matter to be used as a fuss by some people with ulterior motives."

Xu Jingchun cleared his voice and added: "The emperor of our country often said that there are no eternal friends between countries, only eternal interests. I believe that all peace-loving countries in the world will become friends of China."

The reporters on the stage burst into thunderous applause.

The next day, major European newspapers published Xu Jingchun's press conference in Berlin on the front page. Xu Jingchun immediately became a hot topic in the media.

Zaiying presented a copy of "China Times" to Guan Xuqing. The first page published a photo of Xu Jingchun's impassioned speech. Zaiying pointed to the photo in the newspaper and said: "This Xu Jingchun is really brave enough. He never asked the emperor for instructions. Second, without asking the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for instructions, you dare to hold a press conference privately..." Said, Zaiying secretly looked at the emperor's expression.

Guan Xuqing smiled: "Xu Jingchun? Good job. I need such a talent. I told Wu Tingfang later that he must send a commendation. He, a small minister in Berlin, actually said what I wanted to say but didn't say, solemn, decent, Concise and accurate, if such a person is not reused, who else will he reuse?"

Zaiying was still sweating for Xu Jingchun just now, but now he was relieved after hearing what the emperor said.

Guan Xuqing looked back at Zaiying and said, "I heard that Xu Jingchun was introduced to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by you, right?"

Zai Ying broke out in a cold sweat immediately, thinking that the emperor was staying in the Forbidden City all day, how come there is no major event in the world that he doesn't know, for a while, he hesitated and didn't know what to say.

Guan Xuqing chuckled: "What are you afraid of? I haven't finished talking yet. If you hadn't introduced him to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I wouldn't have found this talented person. I still want to praise you for your meritorious service."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness." Zai Ying wiped the cold sweat off her brow, knelt down and thanked her.

Guan Xuqing waved him to get up: "You came to see me not only because of Xu Jingchun's matter, right?"

"Your majesty is holy, this servant really has a big event to announce."

"Oh? What's the matter!"

Soaring Front: World War I Chapter 325 At the Foot of the Son of Heaven

Zaiying sighed softly and said, "Your Majesty, the waste in the flag affairs is really astonishing. The Ministry of War roughly estimated that the imperial cavalry will spend at least 4000 yuan to fight this big battle in Europe. [-] yuan, according to the servants, this is still a small amount. Nowadays, the bannermen have to pay hundreds of dollars a month for the imperial court. There are millions of bannermen in Beijing, Liaodong and Russia, and the money spent every year is enough to fight two big battles. What makes people sad is that many banner people do nothing all day long, just relying on the little achievements of their ancestors to go to teahouses, watch birds and listen to storytelling, if they don't rectify, they may chill the hearts of frontline soldiers in the future."

Guan Xuqing took a deep breath, nodded and said: "If these people's annual salaries are rashly stripped, a group of seven-foot-tall men will not be able to do anything, and they will make trouble. I have been determined to reform the flag affairs in all dynasties. But sell land for him, give birth to him and sell property. In short, I don’t want to live an honest life.”

"What the emperor said is true." Zaiying interjected: "Nowadays, some of the subordinates are walking birds and fighting dogs all day long. A bird costs hundreds of yuan at every turn, and the highest slaves are said to be sold for thousands or even tens of thousands of yuan. 1000 yuan is enough for an ordinary household to eat and drink for a year..."

Guan Xuqing took it for granted, and asked, "What do you think? Tell me."

Zaiying bowed and said, "Returning to the emperor, the slaves think that now that Eastern Siberia is vast and sparsely populated, it is a good time to make a living. The current Russian provisional government is nothing more than a puppet of the empire... Faithful friends, they are also looking forward to that day." Someone was going to open up a large piece of land. The slaves thought that it would be better for the national treasury to allocate a sum of land reclamation expenses. The amount can vary according to the merits of different bannermen. Starting from this money, the imperial court will no longer give money, and the future banner salary will be cut off. In this way, there will always be some people who want to go, and those who don’t want to go, and it is also stated that the banner salary will gradually decrease in the future. Mingzheng will set a time limit to completely abolish the flag salary. The burden on the flag affairs will gradually disappear."

After hearing what he said, Guan Xuqing did not express his position for the time being. This method sounds feasible, but it is extremely difficult to implement, not to mention how the banner people will react. I went out to spend a while, and went back to the Banner Bureau to make a fuss as if I had spent all the money, and the troubles behind were even bigger.

After thinking for a while, Guan Xuqing said: "Your intentions are good, but you are a little anxious. I thought about adding three things. First, my dynasty has always attached great importance to military merits. If bannermen do not have military merits, they will not be able to receive so much land money." Second, those who have no military merits in the third generation will be expelled from the country. Finally, the Banner Affairs Bureau has set up a branch in Hailanpao since the end of the year. .Also, we can't issue a decree for the time being, this matter has to be done slowly."

Zaiying said: "The emperor's sacred candlelight, I understand. Just now I made a rough calculation. A while ago, I issued a decree. For those who have no military achievements in the third generation of the banner, the landed money will be reduced to 500 yuan per year. But this group of people There are only a small number, more than 7000 million bannermen. In the third world, they can always find a reason to get some military merits. Especially in the past few decades, the country has been suffering from internal and external troubles. According to statistics, the total number of bannermen who have been brushed down this time is only 4. There are about [-] people in multiple households, accounting for less than one percent of the total number of banner people. It seems that there is still a long way to go."

Guan Xuqing nodded: "I asked Prince Su to specialize in flag affairs in Liaodong and East Siberia. The current focus is on how to use the Far East Joint Stock Company to mobilize more banner people to invest with some local currency, and declare If the investment is not profitable, the future landing currency will remain the same. If the profit exceeds five times the investment, then the future landing currency will no longer be available. Moreover, if there is a way to educate the banner people, the country cannot give it forever Today, the far-sighted bannermen have reaped rich rewards in East Siberia. The rich mineral and natural resources there have given the Far East Joint Stock Company a huge space to display, and the bannermen who are willing to invest have also gained a lot from it. I have benefited from the pen, and I have ordered the Far East media to focus on this matter. Through such an operation and management method, I believe that within a year, the infrastructure construction there will be improved. All bannermen who are willing to invest and operate there, The Far East Joint Stock Company will present a set of real estate to each family. At the beginning, they don’t need to pay any money. As long as they sign a repayment agreement, they can get real estate, real estate, production tools and production materials, etc., which forces the banner people to invest. If you expand your income, those who gain benefits will naturally settle down there, and if a bannerman who has nothing to gain is unable to repay the mortgage funds such as real estate, he can directly strip him of his land bank. This is a thing that kills multiple birds with one stone."

"The emperor's candle illuminates the future, and he can see thousands of miles." Zai Ying said respectfully.

On the wharf of the Beijing Canal, although it is nine days old, there are scenes of busy workers sweating profusely everywhere. There are no large-scale lifting machinery and loading and unloading equipment here, and there are only cheap manpower. A pair of shoulders can shuttle back and forth in a day Loading and unloading all the cargo of a small cargo ship, and the reward is just enough to go to the house once, whoring a woman once, plus eat the sauced mutton from Yueshengzhai once, and drink the old white dry from Taibaiju once.

Among the busy crowd, there was a young man in white clothes, who was particularly conspicuous. He was sitting carelessly on a box of goods with his braids in his braids. Touching the minor tune, it seems very leisurely.

"Oh, Ying Er Er, you are quite at ease, wait for the foreman to trouble you later." A man carrying a sandbag scolded as he passed by.

"Gou San'er, your name is Erye Ying, you've been so poor all your life, you're not happy to see Erye take a break, and if you don't like it, you're still pretty good at rest. Crap!" Yinger sneered.

Gou San'er turned around and said: "Yes, you are, Second Master Ying, you think this is when you fucking people just entered the customs, the banner man is now that grandma doesn't care ÷ uncle doesn't love, so give me this pretend You fucking..." Before Gou San'er could finish speaking, his eyes slipped away, and he found that dozens of people around him had put down their hands and glared at him. There are so many banner people, Gou San'er shrinks his neck and sticks out his tongue, not daring to be serious with Ying Er anymore.

"What the hell! If it was ten years ago, my family was big, rich and powerful, and a fart would kill you! Fuck!" Yinger could not stop cursing and whining.

At this time, a foreman found Eiji who was sitting idle, pointed at Eiji's nose and cursed: "You kid is lazy again, what is your excuse this time, is it a backache or a pain in the egg? You are fucking working at the dock. You look like a worker. I thought you were Eiji, the uncle of Dongsi, who was buried in the ground with your father's coffin back then. Do you work? Don't you want today's wages again? Bear like !" The foreman sprayed Eiji with scolding blood, and Eiji stared at him angrily, just about to explode.The foreman glared at him and said, "He, you still want to go against the sky, boy. If you want to do quick work, you don't want to get out as soon as possible. Three-legged toads are hard to find, and two-legged living people are everywhere."

Eiji came to the foreman with his hands behind his back and smiled, bowed his body and said, "Master, I'm not a thing, I'm a fucking bastard, can I make a mistake?" Eiji leaned over as if he was going to kneel Down.The foreman hugged his shoulders and shouted: "You are such a fucking bitch, you don't eat a toast and you get fined wine. Everyone come and see, the banner man kowtowed to me."

When the foreman was arrogant and bluffing, Eiji suddenly handed out his hand behind his back. Under the shining sun, he saw a shining dagger in his hand. Everyone gasped when they saw this, and the foreman hadn't waited for a response. When he came over, the blade of the dagger pierced into his chest, and blood sprang out immediately.Ying Er's face was distorted, he kicked the foreman's body to the ground, waved his arms and shouted: "Banner brothers, we can't live like this anymore, our ancestors have been honored by the emperor for generations. People, how can you let Han people ride on their necks to piss, it’s a man who robbed the goods on the pier!”

As soon as the words fell, hundreds of dock workers poured in from all directions, all of them carrying things in their hands, and fought with the Han dock workers. The Han people were caught off guard. The whole body of the killer was covered with blood, and he shouted: "Go grab the cargo space!"

These bannermen rushed into the cargo warehouse in a swarm, killing everyone they saw, and looting everything. I don’t know who even set the cargo cabin ablaze. The fire took advantage of the wind to burn more and more vigorously. The flames and thick smoke completely covered the blue sky. Reality.

That night, Zaiying came to see the emperor in a hurry, and as soon as they met, she said: "Your Majesty, the big... the big thing is not good! The bannerman on the canal made trouble, killed and injured dozens of dock workers, and... also turned the pier The cargo on board was burnt to pieces!"

Guan Xuqing was stunned for a moment, and did not speak for a long while.

"However, fortunately, the police from Shuntian Mansion arrived in time and arrested all the bannermen who caused trouble...the leader is a dilapidated bannerman named Yinger."

"We must thoroughly investigate! These banner people are really rebellious, how dare they do such a thing at the feet of the emperor! I must not let it go!" When he said this, the muscles on Guan Xuqing's face were twitching.

"Your Majesty, this servant is about to ask you how to deal with these troublesome bannermen?"

Guan Xuqing's face was livid, and it took a long time for him to utter a few words between his teeth: "Kill! Not killing is not enough to establish prestige!"