In Yantai in November, the cold wind was blowing, but ten gunboats built by the Fujian Shipbuilding Bureau were moored in the port, and two battleships bought from Prussia were cruising in the port. The sailors on board were freshly dressed, and various colors of flags were hung high.
On the mast, the whistle blew and the salute rumbled, accepting Li Hongzhang's review.
Today is a great day to celebrate the signing of the Treaty of Friendship between China and Britain, known in history as
After the Western-style pre-dinner banquet, there was a formal luncheon to entertain guests from all over the world. Li Guolou forced a smile and chatted with the American Minister Xihua nearby about the customs and customs of Taiwan Island. He felt quite strange that Xihua was talking about Taiwan Island.
, what is the purpose?
Li Henian, the governor of Fujian and Zhejiang, did not come this time. Xihua discussed with him the difference between raw and cooked food on Taiwan Island. What was his ulterior motive?
Although Taiwan Island was included in the territory of the Qing Dynasty, less than one-third of the area was actually controlled by the Qing Dynasty. The other areas were controlled by some aborigines and were uncivilized wilderness. Liu Mingdeng, the commander-in-chief of Taiwan Town, collected aboriginal tribes every year
Even if the tribute was paid, the task was completed. The Qing Dynasty had not yet developed plans to immigrate to Taiwan. Taiwan Island was a semi-civilized land.
Due to the backwardness of water conservancy construction and the lag in mountainous reclamation, Taiwan was not self-sufficient in food at this time and had to be transported from the coastal areas of Fujian. The Qing Dynasty stationed troops in Taiwan and Penghu, with nominally 2,000 troops each, but these 4,000
The men and horses have become a maritime transport team, which has long been unable to fight. There is a serious shortage of troops, and most of them are large wooden ships.
Li Guolou thought for a while and asked in a low voice: "Mr. Xihua, have the two obsolete battleships of your Americans been delivered to the Japanese?"
American Minister Xihua said with a smile: "Master Li is indeed the smartest person in the Qing Dynasty, but his guess was wrong this time. A total of four battleships were delivered to the Japanese and the transaction was in the form of merchant ships, so few people knew about it.
"
Li Guolou took a breath and asked, "What about the British? What did they do?"
Xihua shook his head and said: "The British will not sell anything except two troop transport ships to the Japanese. They have only done a little arms business in the past two years. The Japanese navy was trained by our country. I will say this.
, take care of yourself."
"Thank you, Mr. Xihua, for reminding me. I know who my true friends are. When I return to Tianjin, I will definitely visit you." Li Guolou bowed slightly, showing the demeanor of a diplomat. He was not satisfied with the food and could not even drink. Fortunately, it was winter.
It's coming soon, everything is dormant, everything has to wait until next spring.
Li Guolou walked out of the door to urinate, walked past Li Hongzhang, leaned over and said: "Master Fu Xiang, please stop drinking. The state is in danger and urgent." After saying that, Li Guolou walked out of the banquet hall and went out to enjoy the cold northwest wind and discuss family matters.
It's just a trivial matter. A man who doesn't stick to trivial matters can be misunderstood. He wants to deceive everyone. Only a high-minded and upright national hero will desecrate himself, just for the revitalization of the nation.
After hearing what Li Guolou said, Li Hongzhang was not drunk. After bidding farewell to the diplomatic missions from various countries, he walked into the living room with Li Guolou, Ding Richang, and Shen Baozhen. Xu Qian wanted to accompany Guo Songtao to England and was stationed in France as deputy envoy.
Li Guolou drove Xu Qian out of the living room and refused to let Xu Qian hear state secrets.
Seeing Li Guolou's fake appearance, Ding Richang dealt with it calmly and said with a smile: "Master Yushi of Youdu, who are you planning to blackmail? It's so mysterious."
Li Guolou ignored Ding Richang's cynicism and closed the door to the living room. The room became dark and there was a depressing and tense atmosphere. He turned around and said: "Don't cross your legs and be happy. Disaster is coming. The Japanese are going to deal with it."
Taiwan Island has taken action. Our navy is no match for the Japanese!"
Li Hongzhang raised his eyebrows and shouted: "Li Guolou, you took the wrong medicine. I didn't invite the Japanese minister, and you were shocked. What does it look like?"
Li Guolou rushed forward and said: "Master Fu Xiang, it is a golden opportunity for the Japanese to take revenge. Our country is still fighting a civil war, and Xinjiang has not yet been recovered. If we don't fight now, when will it be worse? It will be difficult to wait for our country.
After reunification? Even if they can't defeat us, the Japanese will
They are not afraid of our retaliation. They will definitely use Taiwan's killing of Ryukyu immigrants as an excuse to attack the island of Taiwan. If it is a small fight, they will attack the land of Shengfan. If it is a big fight, they will attack Anping Castle and take it straight to the throat of Taiwan. You guys
You are not old yet, don’t become an old fool.”
Shen Baozhen stroked his shiny black beard and asked, "Master Li, what evidence do you have?"
Li Guolou said: "Just now, the American Minister Xihua made some insinuations and secretly told me."
Ding Richang said angrily: "Li Guolou, you are stupid! You believe this too."
Li Guolou was so angry that he flicked his official sleeves and said angrily: "Ding Richang, I'm not kidding at all. No one knows the virtues of the Japanese better than me. They are single-minded people. They must avenge their losses, even if they fly away
We will not hesitate to turn a moth into a flame. We ourselves
We have built an iron-clad ship with a gun body so thin that it is used to fry fish. There are explosives in that small wooden ship, so it was blown to pieces. Don't think that foreigners are fools. Even a layman like me can see that Wetoma is on the way.
They must be laughing at us."
Shen Baozhen's expression changed, and he shouted in a deep voice: "Master Li, be careful, don't pretend to understand. This is the first foreign military exercise of our mighty navy. How can foreigners see our real skills?" [
Li Guolou pointed at his nose and said angrily: "Master Shen, don't rely on your old age to show off. I won't understand. Even if I don't understand, I learn quickly and I can figure it out at a glance. With our current navy, we can fight in offshore waters."
With the firepower of the fort, who can you defeat in the open sea? Fishermen or pirates. I advise you to recognize the reality and stop telling lies."
Li Hongzhang waved his hand and said: "Stop arguing, Li Guolou, tell me exactly what Xihua told you."
Li Guolou repeated the words of the American Minister Xihua exactly as they were, and also repeated his own analysis, asking Li Hongzhang to make an early decision and only have one winter to deal with the armed invasion of Japan.
Li Hongzhang stood up and said: "What Xiaolou said makes sense, so let's sound the war alarm. Shen Baozhen will still base it on facts. We will not confront the Japanese head-on at sea. I will mobilize troops to strengthen the defense of Anping Castle first.
When the Beiyang Navy reaches combat effectiveness, the Japanese will retreat."
"Hey! When will the Qing Dynasty have a real navy!" Shen Baozhen beat the case dejectedly. Can the Nanyang Navy win? His heart was as bright as a mirror.
Li Guolou said to himself: "Master Fu Xiang, you'd better leave your two battleships to my command. Put the two battleships in Mawei Port, Fujian Province. I'm a quick learner. You can send the Weiwei and Weili back.
What's the use of Weihaiwei? Water far away can't save the fire nearby."
"No!" Li Hongzhang replied firmly.
"Master Fu Xiang, at worst I will compensate you with two ships, and I guarantee that the jade will be returned to Zhao intact." Li Guolou knew how to negotiate with Li Hongzhang.
"Master Fu Xiang, just agree. Our Nanyang Navy needs battleships. I will give them to the students you like with both hands." Shen Baozhen gritted his teeth and said the cruel words, feeling extremely distressed. If two battleships were stationed in Mawei Port
, the combat effectiveness of the Nanyang Navy has immediately reached a higher level. Now that it is here, will it leave? Everyone understands this truth.
"Hey! This is not a matter of money. Talents are rare. I only have this little wealth." Li Hongzhang softened his words and looked at Li Guolou. He was extremely happy. He became the iron-blooded prime minister of the Qing Dynasty, all because of Li Guolou.
financial support. Without Li Guolou’s blood transfusion, his ocean dream would still be planned on the blueprint, and there would be no naval military exercises today.
The Qing Dynasty's path to national prosperity and military strength was all due to the vigorous support of the Li family, the leaders of which were him and the second-ranked Li Guolou. Li Hongzhang had already regarded Li Guolou as a confidant, and widely publicized that Li Guolou was
His successor will adhere to his idea of saving the country through science and technology. As for Li Guolou's secret tricks and his desire to form his own sect, he discovered them one by one. How could Sun Wukong escape from the palm of the Tathagata Buddha?
Li Guolou's high status can be seen from the seat. Li Guolou usually sits on the right side of Li Hongzhang, and even the governors from various places sit under Li Guolou.