Part 4 Chapter 13: See you

"Shen! I can't understand why Pyongyang stopped moving forward? Why didn't North Korea become the second Vietnam? What's the point? You shouldn't be a person who cares about the past." As one of Chen Congyun's closest partners, Stephen came to Tianjin for the first time and spent the Spring Festival at Shen Congyun's home.

Chen Congyun glanced at the other table, and the group of people were discussing something enthusiastically, and pulled Stephen into the study.

"The winter weather in North Korea is too bad. When I left, it was already minus 40°. Most of the new troops were mainly southerners. They could succeed if they had a short sneak attack. Long-term attacks were not in my interest when the Japanese army still had the spare strength to fight." Chen Congyun said as he picked up a box of cigarettes from the table and handed Stephen one.

"There is another point that I must consider. The attitude of the top leaders of the Chinese government towards this war. They are not concerned about the benefits brought by the war, but the consumption brought by the war will affect their continued life of luxury and their ability to maintain rule. For the top leaders of the Chinese government, North Korea is just a vassal state. Even if it completely takes down North Korea, the top leaders of the Chinese government will not consider any economic benefits obtained from North Korea, and will even pay a little capital for the so-called face. It should be said that the Qing government of the Chinese government has always had this problem in dealing with the vassal states. North Korea is different from Vietnam. I can use military means unscrupulously to turn Vietnam into my personal colony. But in North Korea, this is absolutely impossible, because after crossing the Yalu River, it is the Liaodong Peninsula, and you can reach Fengtian in a few days. Fengtian is the so-called place of dragon prosperity in the Qing government." Chen Congyun took a deep breath of cigarettes and said slowly.

Stephen couldn't help but nodded and said, "What I said makes sense, but I seem to hear something else from your words. For example, when you mentioned the Chinese government, you used the word Qing government. Can you tell me what other meanings are there?"

Chen Congyun glanced at Stephen and smiled meaningfully and said, "Are you interested in politics?"

"Politics and economy have always been inseparable from each other." Stephen said with a smile.

Chen Congyun frowned and nodded, "You are right, the Rothschild family likes to use economic means to control a country."

Stephen shook his hand repeatedly and said, "Shen, don't get me wrong. The family's current interest in the East is just to stay on how to recover investment and get more returns. Moreover, I am fully responsible for the affairs of the East."

"Okay, let's not talk about politics, let's talk about the gains of your trip to Europe this time." Chen Congyun quickly changed the topic, and it would be a bit disgusting if he continued.

"Haha, you bastard, only your career and interests are related to your career and interests." Stephen laughed and cursed, he took out a small notebook from his pocket, opened it and looked at it before saying: "The European economic crisis in 1890 was mainly caused by the huge productivity brought by the electrical revolution. Overproduction and insufficient market, especially in later countries like Germany and the United States, large amounts of unemployment are inevitable. According to your intention, I have proposed letters of intent to purchase the latest technology equipment to many German companies, and at the same time, with a monthly salary of 20 marks, he signed a work contract for more than 3,000 skilled workers in the next 30 years. Since the amount of the planned purchase is as high as 30 million taels, which is about 40 million silver dollars, Mr. Hu Xueyan proposed that he must obtain your consent before he can allocate funds."

Chen Congyun nodded gently, thought for a while and said, "What do Germany think about this Sino-Japanese War?"

"The German industrial giants I contacted all expressed concern about the war between China and Japan. In principle, they did not agree with the intervention of Britain, the United States and Russia. This time, the three countries joined forces to intervene in the Sino-Japanese War. The British strategy was to continue to safeguard their interests in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River in China. The Americans hoped to use interference to achieve the goal of China's full opening to it. The Russians' attention was on the Liaodong Peninsula. The purpose of Russian interference was to gain control in Northeast China. The above is the intelligence provided by a German friend."

Chen Congyun had known what Stephen said long ago. In history, Russia and Germany and France forced the Japanese to return the Liaodong Peninsula, forcibly rented Dalian and Lushun on the Liaodong Peninsula, which eventually led to the outbreak of the Russo-Japanese War in 1910.

"After the defeat of Pyongyang and the Yellow Sea War, the peacekeepers in the Chinese government had already proposed peace talks. Empress Dowager Cixi activates Prince Gong, who was dismissed by her, to support the affairs of the Zongli Yamen, and made suggestions for mediation to the United States, Russia, Germany, France and other countries, but they were not responded. In my opinion, the purpose of waiting and watching is to see how much China's fat sheep can be slaughtered to. After the fall of the Liaodong Peninsula, Prince Gong once again asked the Americans to mediate. This time the Americans came forward to express their willingness to mediate, and also decided to send Prime Minister Zhang Yinheng and Hunan Governor Shao Youlian to Japan for negotiations. As a result, Japan The conditions I offered were too harsh, and Qingliu of the government and the country even proposed to execute Li Hongzhang. What's ridiculous is that after Zhang and Shao arrived at Hiroshima, the Japanese actually refused to negotiate on the pretext that they were inadequate in their full power. Hirobuki Ito threatened to ask Li Hongzhang to negotiate in person. As a result, our new army was born in the northeast and Liaodong, and they won consecutive battles. Now the Japanese have to negotiate on the contrary. Britain, the United States and Russia have actively asked for interference. I heard that the Japanese and Zhang and Shao have already negotiated. If Li Hongzhang had not insisted on discussing again and again, they would come to China to negotiate, and the contract had been signed." Chen Congyun said sneered repeatedly, and Stephen shrugged his shoulders and spread his hands with a wry smile:

"War is a continuation of politics, and the loser of the battlefield will always be eager to seek peace."

"Stephen, I need the support of Germany and the United States. I now authorize you to exchange 100 million silver dollars for European and American orders for support from European countries. Remember, it is for me personally, not the Qing government."

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In the Tianjin and Guangdong Guild Hall, it was already late at night, and the candlelight in the room was still lit. Two figures were whispering on the window.

"During the Qianlong period, after the Industrial Revolution, Britain, which had become the world's number one power, sent a mission to celebrate Qianlong's 80th birthday, but had the intention of leaving China with the intention of leaving China. When normal trade means could not achieve a balance in trade, Britain imported a large number of opium into China. During the Daoguang period, the British humiliated China with guns and cannons. During the Xianfeng period, Britain and France burned the emperor's palace, the Old Summer Palace. Now, the Japanese dared to attack China. Even so, looking around, a few people opened their eyes to see the world on the long land of China? We won the Sino-Japanese War, but we had to stop and negotiate. These were all caused by the incompetence of the Qing government. So I thought that to completely save China, we must adopt an armed uprising to overthrow the corrupt rule of the Qing government and implement a republic."

"Yixian, it's right! If the corrupt Qing government is not overthrown, there will be no hope in China."

"Haodong, I have an idea to go to see Chen Congyun tomorrow and convince him to launch a mutiny in the northeast, Shandong, and then occupy Beijing and overthrow the Qing government. If not, I plan to go to Honolulu and gather a group of patriotic people with the same ambitions and establish a political party with the purpose of overthrowing the Qing Dynasty. I think I can put forward such a slogan to expel the Tartars and restore China."

At the same time, the same scene was almost staged in another room of the Guangdong Association Hall. Under the dim candlelight, the two were talking in a low voice.

"Zhuo Ru, the capital's examination is about to be held. I hope that before this, I will meet Chen Congyun. He advocates reform. If he can get his introduction and meet the emperor, his ambition will be revealed."

"Sir, maybe this exam, you are the top scorer in high school, and it is unknown."

The gentleman smiled proudly, as if he was confident in himself, nodded slightly and said, "It's best, even if you can't, you should look for an opportunity to meet the emperor and explain the way to reform and strengthen."

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Chen Congyun was interviewed by a reporter from the "Xin Kuaibao" and proposed that reform is the fundamental way to strengthen the country, the court and the country were talking about Chen Congyun's remarks.

The Military Affairs Office, Zongli Yamen, the Six Ministry, Guangxu, and Cixi kept silent in unison about what Chen Congyun said. The outbreak after silence was terrifying. Li Hongzao submitted three major crimes to Chen Congyun. One was to resist the order to send troops to North Korea, causing uneasiness in various countries and undermine peace talks. The second was to hold troops to self-respect and intend to rebel. The third was to discuss national policies and promote reforms, which violated the ancestral teachings and laws of ancestors and could not be changed. This crime was equivalent to treason.

After Li Hongzao's actions, Xu Yongyi and Sun Yuwen wrote letters to the agreement, proposing that Chen Congyun must be severely investigated and punished to calm the hearts of the people.

When the conservatives in the clear stream showed their hideous faces, Weng Tonghe miraculously chose silence, which means that the imperial party chose silence. Prince Gong, who came back, also chose silence. Emperor Guangxu had never expressed his opinion, and Cixi had not expressed his opinion.

Li Hongzhang, who made meritorious deeds with guilt, chose to stand up at this time. A memorial was written with thousands of words, and while refuting the conservatives, he tried to protect Chen Congyun. In the memorial, Li Hongzhang emphasized that "Although Chen Congyun's words have some mistakes, his loyalty to the court and his concern for the country and the people are worthy of the heaven and earth. What Chen Congyun said is exactly what Li Hongzhang wanted to do but did not dare to do it."

The governor of Huguang, Zhang Zhidong, also stood up and reported to the court, saying, "Although Chen Congyun is suspected of being a lie, what he said is reasonable. The so-called loyal words are unpleasant, so what he says is unpleasant, so what he says is not bad, so you don't have to make a fuss or shout for killing."

Li Hanzhang, the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, reported: "The new army led by Chen Congyun turned the tide in a time when the war situation was in a turmoil. It seems inappropriate to deal with it because of a single word."

At this moment, the capital city was when all the students gathered. As soon as the memorial to impeach Chen Congyun was released, it was immediately equivalent to stabbing the hornet's nest.

"Li Hongzao, Xu Yongyi, Sun Yuwen is a traitor! He did not think about serving the country in a dangerous plan, but instead planned to make great contributions to the court. Everyone was punished!" When a scholar in the teahouse shouted loudly, the waiter came over with a teapot and pointed to the sign hanging on the pillar and said, "Sir, help!"

Several juren on the table turned their heads and looked at the sign saying "Don't talk about state affairs."

"Brother Zhuangfei, why not join hands with students from all over the world and come to the traitors of the Three Kingdoms to scold them!"

The young man known as Zhuang Fei Brother, shook his head with a smile and said, "I plan to go to Tianjin and meet this Lord Chen Congyun."

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Tianjin, Chen Congyun, in the center of the storm, is leisurely basking in the sun in the back garden, and his wife is very comfortable with her.

At the gate of Chen Mansion, when Mr. Sun and Lu Haodong appeared in front of the door, Kang and student Liang, who had beards, also came to the door at the same time.

They met each other unexpectedly, and after nodding slightly, Liang walked to the door, held the prepared post in his hand and walked to the guards at the door and smiled: "Two soldiers, Kang Youwei, a juren from Nanhai, Guangdong, please see Lord Shen, this is a greeting." When he handed over the greeting, Liang was carrying a piece of silver.

The guard took the post, pushed the silver away, looked at Kang, wearing a long gown and jacket, and a melon-skin hat. He ignored Liang's embarrassment and turned his head to Mr. Sun and said, "Where are you two?"

"Haha, please inform me, Sun Wen, Zhongshan, Guangdong, please see Lord Shen." Mr. Sun just smiled and bowed, not preparing to pay a reply.

"Wait!" The guard turned his head and walked in.

After a while, when Chen Congyun, who was in the back garden, was putting his hand into Ruan Xiaozhen's arms, Sheng Xiaoqi came in, coughed heavily, and turned his head over.

"Xiao Qi is right? What's the matter?"

Chen Congyun retracted his hand in unhappyness and took the tea cup that Qingxian handed over.

Sheng Xiaoqi stepped forward and whispered: "Master, four people came to the door to ask for a visit, two of whom were Sun Wen from Zhongshan, Guangdong, and the other was Kang Youwei from Nanhai, Guangdong."
Chapter completed!