There is a famous saying in ancient China: "Governing a big country is like cooking small fish." It means that the most important thing to govern a country is prudence. Just like cooking small fish, don't take risks and mess around, otherwise it will become a pot of chaos. .
This philosophy of governance is certainly reasonable, but during the Second Industrial Revolution, when science and technology were developing rapidly, and at a time when the entire earth was undergoing tremendous changes, its one-sidedness became apparent.
This is an era where gamblers are rampant. Countless nations are trying every possible means to challenge the iron network of the Empire on which the sun never sets. In order to expand the living space of their own nations, all countries are racking their brains to use conspiracies and intrigues to weaken them. competitors.
For example, the three major battles of the revival of the German Empire were basically diplomatic gambles first, making the opponent angry and losing their mind first, and then military adventures. The Franco-Prussian War is the most classic example. Bismarck angered Napoleon III by interfering in the succession of the Spanish royal family. As a result, France took action first.
When the French army provoked the war, Bismarck quickly promoted nationalism in the country, turning the entire Germany into a mourning army. In diplomacy, Bismarck shouted grievances everywhere and gained the sympathy of many countries. Take the moral advantage.
War is a gamble, and diplomacy is even more of a gamble. Gone are the days of living behind closed doors. Countries need very complex diplomatic wars to avoid suffering losses. In an era of vertical and horizontal alliances, different nationalities must be tied together by the bonds of interest.
Xiao Letian's plan to borrow money for this war actually encountered a lot of resistance, the biggest of which came from his own subordinates. These middle and high-level officials couldn't figure out what the rise of a nation in the distant continent of Europa had to do with China.
"My lord, it doesn't matter if you get closer to the United States. Even if you suffer a small loss in business, it doesn't matter. After all, the United States has provided us with direct support, just for shipping ship after ship of silver, without the protection of the U.S. Pacific Navy. Who can luck it out?"
"But what does Prussia have to do with us? You also said that it is a landlocked country in Europe. Even its ports are blocked by the British. What potential can a country without an outlet to the sea have?"
"One million taels of silver, that's a full 2.5 million US dollars. After that, you will add another 1.5 million taels of silver a year for three consecutive years... Oh my God, 5.5 million taels of silver were sent to Prussia for free. Did you go? Give them $13 million for free in four years? You are a waste of money..."
The brothers all accused Xiao Letian of his prodigal behavior, and even shopkeeper Fan Lian quit his job. "Don't you feel sad if you sell my father's land! You are killing me! Even if most of the money in the foreign bank is made by you, Yes, don’t forget that there are many other people’s shares in this, how can you be so arbitrary!”
Xiao Letian was criticized so much by his brothers that he couldn't speak for half an hour. He knew that the small peasant mentality unique to the Chinese nation was once again stirring.
This is the tragedy of the agricultural people. All they want in their hearts is to keep their own small life and live a stable life. I don’t owe you money, and you don’t owe me money. It’s great to have a wife and children behind closed doors.
Europeans are different. Europeans, influenced by mercantilism, regard diplomacy as a business and are very good at using investment to exchange for future benefits.
The enemy of your enemy is your friend, so what if your enemy has no obvious enemy? Then just spend money to support one.
Isn’t it true that Russia now invests huge amounts of money in Aqub in Xinjiang? This military maniac from the Han Kingdom in Central Asia has now controlled most of Xinjiang, and the Manchu Qing government has not yet spared its hands to deal with him.
There was also the October Revolution in the Soviet Union in the previous life. If Lenin did not have the financial support of the German Emperor, he would not be able to support such a huge revolution. Is this not an investment by the German Emperor?
After the end of World War I, why was Germany able to quickly recover its economy after Hitler came to power? If there was no financial support from the United States, it would be unthinkable.
Even the Marshall Plan after World War II erased Germany's World War II reparations and added large sums of investment, in exchange for West Germany's economic miracle.
Xiao Letian rubbed his temples in pain. He really couldn't explain to his brothers what happened in his previous life. Such a large war investment that can affect the course of mankind is simply not something that these people who have been influenced by Confucian culture since childhood can understand. of.
After a long time, Xiao Lecai slowly said, "Brothers, you should know very well that the world today is even more chaotic than during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. No country or nation can survive in isolation in this world. The Chinese nation wants to If you want to survive and not be bullied, you cannot rely solely on self-improvement..."
"We can no longer live our lives behind closed doors. We must actively participate in the change of the world. We must find countless allies. Cooperation is the only option..."
"Why did I choose the United States and Germany? Because I know that these two countries are important countries that can influence the world structure in the future, and are also the birthplaces of countless new technologies. Our investment of more than 10 million US dollars will be placed in our Rakuten It’s an astronomical figure in a foreign trade, but for our nation, it’s a pitiful sum!”
Xiao Letian was a little excited. He stood up and walked around the room, "We are wiping the Manchu Qing's stupid foreign policy. We are trying to win allies for China. We are trying to do diplomacy. We are trying our best to do diplomacy." Find a way to win more and more allies!"
"What does more than five million taels of silver mean to the Qing Dynasty? It's nothing! It's enough to sweep away the cracks in the warehouses of those corrupt officials. If the Qing Dynasty can give some moral support in the process of the rejuvenation of the German nation, support, even financial support of millions of taels of silver, this is a huge favor..."
"Needless to say, this little kindness is enough to break the technical barriers woven by Britain and France. The Germans can't repay the principal, so they can use technology to repay it. We can easily obtain all kinds of high-tech. Already..."
"To tell you the truth, I have long been interested in a famous German gun, and that is the Mauser! This is a better rifle than the Spencer, and it will be the king of the future battlefield! There is also German shipbuilding Technology, you can’t even imagine how deep the industrial foundation Germany has, and its talent pool is something we can’t even imagine..."
"There is another piece of information I haven't told you. Just this year, Swedish scientist Nobel officially settled in Hamburg, Germany with his patented nitroglycerin technology. This will bring revolutionary changes to human industry and military. China wants to To get it, we have to find a way from the Germans..."
Xiao Letian took three or four deep breaths and finally calmed down his emotions. He regained his usual composure and spoke in an unquestionable tone.
"I know what you are thinking! Aren't you just afraid that this money will be wasted? Aren't you just afraid that the Germans will default on their debts? I can tell you for sure that this is impossible..."
"First of all, I believe in the credibility of the German nation. This stubborn nation has very strict self-discipline and rarely does anything treacherous... In addition, and most importantly, if we can help Germany, we can also help German generations. Enemy France, if Bismarck dares to betray its promise, don’t blame me for being rude..."
This is Xiao Letian’s background. He knows all Germany’s secret war plans and national strategies. If Xiao Letian spreads these things, the blow to Germany will undoubtedly be fatal. The shrewd Bismarck cannot do anything for this little money. Put the national destiny on the edge of a dangerous cliff.
Xiao Letian's good intentions finally moved all his elites. They looked at each other and stood up almost at the same time. "Since your lord wants to make a big bet, we can only follow. Brothers, let your lord earn five million taels of silver!"
Fan Jian also became excited at this time, "Okay, okay, in ancient times, Lu Buwei invested in foreigners, and today, Xiao Letian invests in Germany. Since ancient times, investing in a country has been a top-notch business in the eyes of businessmen. I don't believe in Mr.'s plan to make money. Can’t make five million taels in one year? Just do it!”
Unifying his thoughts, Xiao Letian began to formulate a specific plan for three companies to enter Germany. "This time I will send three companies to Germany with Jonas. They are nominally volunteers called by Jonas in Ryukyu and China, but you His true identity is that of a student soldier..."
"In the past six months, our new army has been popularizing English. I want to select 300 people who are proficient in foreign languages to form three companies and escort Jonas back to Europe..."
"I only give you two tasks, one is to learn, and the other is to establish authority...Learn the advanced German army tactics, command skills, and the application of various new technologies..."
"It is very dangerous to establish prestige. I need you to do everything possible to participate in the battle. In the upcoming Austro-Prussian War, you can show the prestige of the Chinese people and make the entire European military look at us with admiration and let them know What kind of soldiers do I, Xiao Letian, lead?"
These were the words Xiao Letian said through clenched teeth. The murderous aura in them made the veterans around him shudder.
"Three hundred soldiers alone, going deep into the unfamiliar continent of Europe, and showing our majesty in the melee of foreigners! Hahaha... It's so enjoyable, so flavorful. How can this war be without me, Xiao Hexin!"
"And me, Sima Yun!"
"I, Luo Huo, must not be left out. I am your first musket warfare disciple. If I don't go, who will?"
Xiao Letian didn't know what he was feeling, and his eyes suddenly turned red. "This mission has a narrow escape. I can only tell you one thing, even if the whole army is destroyed, the majesty of our new army will not be lost... The biggest character on that side is "Xiao Letian" You take away the broken flag, and when the broken flag is raised... you will all die there!"
Suddenly Xiao Letian's mood collapsed and tears poured out. "I'm sorry, brothers, I'm really sorry... Wuwuwu, we have no other choice..."
"This is a time when wolves are everywhere. The Manchu Qing Dynasty has knelt down in front of the global powers. Now all the powers look down on us and call us the sick men of East Asia! We are using our lives to pay off the debts of those bastards. !”
"Maybe this adventure, maybe the sacrifice of our three hundred people, can scare the beasts in Europe and let them know that in the far east, the blood of that nation has not been lost, so that they can show their fangs to us. Think again and again!”
