"Europe has never been monolithic. Conflicts between countries are far more intense and frequent than here. A small war every three years and a big war every five years are the norm in Europe..."
"I can now tell Her Majesty the Queen Mother that the two powerful countries in Europe, one is Prussia and the other is Austria, have now assembled millions of troops, and they are about to fight to the death..."
"This is a war that the Qing Dynasty could not even imagine. Millions of people are using advanced foreign rifles and large-caliber artillery. Each one is far more powerful than the soldiers who invaded Beijing..."
"What? His Majesty asked if there is anything going on between Britain and France here. This is a good question...Although Britain and France did not directly participate in the war, they also have secret support for each other..."
"The British are leaning towards Prussia, while the French are leaning towards Austria. The outcome of this war can change the situation in Europe... Look, Mr. Xiao's "Wandering to the West" is right. There are many contradictions between foreigners. , as long as we play diplomacy well, we can still take advantage..."
Er Mao had to come forward today. When he learned about the French fleet's bombing of Ryukyu, the first thing he thought of was how the Manchu and Qing court would respond. Xiao Letian and the others knew this group of people very well, and they were the ones they were talking about. They would beat them up. Reservoir dogs are their specialty.
What's worse is that they are too stupid. Seeing that Xiao Letian has offended the French and his life and death are unknown, I am afraid that they will declare war as soon as they get angry. Then they will fight to the death and everyone will be scattered. The time for peaceful development that Xiao Letian wants will be gone. .
Er Mao was worthy of being Xiao Letian's disciple. He figured out all the key points in a flash. Without saying a word, he left the gold warehouse and went straight to the Yangxin Hall. Thanks to Ci'an not issuing a ban, there were no mistakes along the way. People hinder him.
Er Mao knew that if he didn't reveal the truth, it would be difficult to convince these rigid and decadent royal families. Only the most stimulating and intense words could move their hearts.
After much deliberation, only the scene of killing foreigners was the most exciting.
When Er Mao revealed just 50% to 60% of Xiao Letian's plan to join the Pu-Austrian war, it was enough for everyone in Yangxin Hall to be dumbfounded.
Andehai stood behind Cixi holding a fly whisk. Now his mouth was wide open and even crystal liquid flowed from the corner of his mouth. This time he could be regarded as hearing a real Western joke. Er Mao's boast was so big that it had no edges. Looking back, I think about the bragging made by those Eight Banners men and alley gangsters in Sijiucheng. They are not worthy of these Biti shoes.
"Oh, Ermao can...suck..." As soon as Andehai opened his mouth, a mouthful of saliva started to flow down. He had to react quickly and sucked back half of the big sucker.
"Oh, Ermao, you are so good at boasting. You are going to kill foreigners. Are we the ones we can kill? Foreigners all over the world are cannibals of human flesh. Even Xiao Letian's past is not enough to satisfy people's appetites... Lafayette , don’t listen to this kid bragging, it’s better to fight him out..."
"Shut up." The little emperor Tongzhi quit this time. Just when he was hearing the most exciting part, Ande Hai interrupted him like this, and the atmosphere was ruined.
"Fuck slave, let's go. Then Xiao Letian doesn't dare to kill the foreign devils. Have you forgotten the photos in the foreign newspapers? The battle on the border between France and Switzerland was recorded. How can that be done? You can’t lie to people.”
Andehai shrank his neck and was so frightened that he stopped talking. Emperor Tongzhi rolled his eyes at him and said to Ermao, "Go on, tell me what benefits Xiao Letian has from getting involved in the fight."
"Of course there are benefits. Since ancient times, national wars have always been dangerous. Xiao Letian stood on the side of Prussia and fought against Austria. Of course he has confidence in Prussia. As long as he can earn credit in the battle that Prussia must win, then he Naturally, we can get the greatest benefits from the Prussians..."
"What interests?" Cixi was sensitive to this word and asked on the spot.
Ermao smiled, "Of course it's technology, top-notch technology that we don't have in the Qing Dynasty. This is the foundation for strengthening the country and enriching the people..."
"Hey...it's this useless Object-Keeping Technique again...wait a minute, why should I believe your lies and dare to risk your life just for some Object-Keeping Technique? You think Ai Jia is a fool."
Cixi was suspicious by nature, so it was normal for him to ask this question. However, his question was only met with Ermao's long sigh: "Oh...it's useless. Queen Mother, you have to know that if you want to run this industrial zone successfully, many technologies are not expensive." You can buy it, but you have to pay for it with your life..."
Speaking of this, Ermao's eyes were hot and tears almost flowed down. He held back to prevent himself from crying. Thinking about his adoptive father, in order for this country to catch up with the footsteps of powerful countries, he would even give up his life. You can personally take risks and join the European war, and now you don't know whether you will live or die.
But look at these high-ranking officials of the Manchu and Qing royal families. They all think about interests, and even if they pursue interests, they are just money and rights that have been snatched away for thousands of years. Who can stand at the height of history? Take a good look at what our nation needs now.
My adoptive father has answered this question countless times. Of course what we need is technology. The first thing China needs most now is technology, and the second thing is to find ways to implement these technologies and turn them into productive forces.
The European navies are still in the era of sailing battleships, and they have already defeated China. If the steel battleships mentioned by Mr. Xiao are popularized in the future, by then, even if they want to add more lives, they will not be able to win. .
"Your Majesty, didn't it say in the intelligence that a French warship was sunk in Ryukyu? It seems to have shattered the myth of the invincibility of the foreigners. But don't forget that it was just a primitive wooden warship. In the next few decades, Europa is about to popularize pure steel battleships. By then, it will be useless even if we want to send dead soldiers..."
Er Mao shook his head. He decided that he would only talk to the little emperor about science and technology in the future. Only the childlike emperor would like to hear these things from him. As for the empress dowagers of the two palaces and those princes and ministers, let's save it.
"Queen Mother, I have already made it clear what I need to say. What benefits will Xiao Letian get from going to Europe? This is a matter for later. However, our court must make a decision on the matter at hand."
"Just a word from my slave, Mr. Xiao went to Europe to fight. This war must have offended one party but made good friends with the other. France and Austria definitely hope that our Qing Dynasty will fall out with Mr. Xiao, but the United Kingdom, the United States and As for Prussia, do these countries want the Qing Dynasty to deal with Mr. Xiao?"
Er Mao's tone was unusually solemn, and he almost gritted his molars when he said the last words, "Queen Mother, let's not be confused. Don't go along with one family's wishes and create three enemies for the court. Or As the old saying goes, Europe is not a monolith."
The only thing Er Mao feels now is that he is tired. It is really tiring to talk about the outside world with these people who have closed their doors and windows and dare not look outside.
There was a dead silence in the Yangxin Hall. The Queen Mothers of the two palaces really didn't understand any technology, but they could understand politics. China had a history of melee wars for thousands of years, conspiracies and intrigues in the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, and the alliance between countries. They always knew this. I understand.
Er Mao turned the topic to this, and the two queen mothers were completely speechless. Er Mao's words hit the point that they were most worried about. Using barbarians to control barbarians was now a last resort for the court, but how and who would do it was a big problem. , if the response is slightly careless, the situation mentioned by Ermao may occur.
He pleased one family but offended three families. The Qing Dynasty could not do this kind of loss-making business. It took a long time for Cixi to say, "Er Mao, what's the use of talking so much? Now can you tell me if Xiao Letian is still alive?" The key to all problems is Xiao Letian's life and death. I think a dead man is just a dead man, no matter how useful he is to the foreign devils..."
Er Mao froze immediately. Ci Xi's counterattack was so sharp that he was speechless. But strangely enough, just when Er Mao didn't know how to respond, the dark clouds in the sky suddenly dispersed. The rainstorm stopped at that moment.
It was around six o'clock in the evening. The sun had not yet set during the long summer days. Only the sunset in the west was shining brightly. People could even see the traces left by the sunlight penetrating through the clouds in Sijiu City. .
The cumulonimbus clouds had dispersed, and the dazzling blue sky that leaked out was so clean that it made people want to scream twice. The little emperor was immediately attracted by the beautiful scenery, and rushed out at a trot, looking up at the blue sky.
Er Mao's mind suddenly became brighter due to this feeling. He turned around and kowtowed to the two queen mothers, "Mrs. Lafayette, I have said everything I need to say. There are still many errands to be done in the gold room. I'm going to resign now..." After saying this, Ermao didn't even wait for the Queen Mother to speak, and actually turned around and left.
Ci'an and Cixi both forgot to scold this dog slave who didn't understand the rules. Their eyes were shocked by the thousands of rays of light outside the window, and a strange feeling emerged in their hearts at the same time. This Xiao Letian was really What a monster, I can’t even mention this name.
Facts have proved that Forty-Nine City is not a place that can keep secrets at all. After the heavy rain washed away the heat of the day, and when the blue sky hung over the capital, the entire capital suddenly came to life again.
People who had been waiting all day in the streets and alleys came out, feeling refreshed and enjoying the long-lost coolness. The women took advantage of the moment to quickly prepare a better dinner, while the men walked around the streets. Talking about mountains and rivers.
Teahouses, wine shops, opium shops and even brothels, which had been quiet for a day, were suddenly flooded with regular customers. People gathered together to drink tea, listen to plays, smoke cigarettes, and catch up on chatting.
"Gentlemen, have you heard that the big overseas island of Ryukyu has started to attack. French warships bombarded Naha Port four days ago. The whole city was in ruins. The French soldiers have already landed. …”
"Ah, what you said is true or false. How come there was no trace at all before?"
"Haha, nonsense, this is the news that just arrived in the capital this afternoon before the heavy rain. There is someone in Prince Gong's palace."
Well, these Eight Banners uncles couldn't hold the big secret in their stomachs until they had to urinate. God, as soon as they finished urinating, their lives would all be in vain.
