Information! intelligence! Xiao Letian was suffering from the weak European intelligence network at this moment. Although the foundation led by Yi Wang and Fangguan had successfully established an efficient intelligence network in Europe, they had also discovered many important secrets.
But the time is still too short, and high-rise buildings are not built in a day. Especially for an important target like the Queen, the Chinese intelligence network has no clue at all and cannot get any valuable clues at all.
If Xiao Letian knew that a document drafted by Gladstone was on the Queen's desk at this moment and had received the Queen's attention, then Xiao Letian's plan would definitely be bolder, and even bolder.
In Buckingham Palace, the queen in full dress was sitting on a chair with her eyes closed and concentrating. Her attendants came every five minutes to report on the progress of the envoy.
From the Thames Estuary to Tower Bridge to St. Paul's Cathedral, nothing that happens within the mission escapes the Queen's eyes.
How Benjamin made things difficult for Xiao Letian, and how Gladstone disrupted the situation, including how Xiao Letian tried to show off his tricks, and Zai Chun's outstanding speech, all of this was under the absolute control of the Queen.
The queen, who is now fifty years old, is at the peak of her political life. In the eyes of ordinary people, fifty years old has entered her twilight years, but for politicians, fifty years old is the peak of her career.
Half a century of study and accumulation of experience have made her extremely proficient in controlling the political situation. In addition, she has been in power for a long time and almost all the officials and nobles in the entire kingdom have been promoted by her.
The rich experience coupled with the huge group of direct officials makes the Queen's power almost unlimited. Although the UK is a constitutional monarchy at the moment, everyone knows that the Queen's reputation has long been above the Constitution.
The queen can overturn the decision of any prime minister with just one sentence, or even directly remove the cabinet and government without worrying about public backlash. It can be said that the queen does not need to find any excuse for whatever she wants to do. The people who love her will take the initiative to help the queen find excuses.
In fact, most people in the British Parliament disagreed with the First Opium War. Later, the Queen clearly supported the dispatch of troops. This influenced a large number of MPs at the most critical moment, and finally the war proposal was passed.
The queen, who closed her eyes and rested, listened to the report of her subordinates. Even though she was an old fairy who had practiced politics for many years, she was also a little excited at this moment.
This is how people are, when her power has reached the top of the world and no one on the entire earth is more powerful than her, she will naturally consider the issue of her reputation behind her.
Because power is no longer pursued, naturally the greed for prestige becomes more intense!
Therefore, the Queen seems to be calm, but in fact, she desires the success of this diplomatic event more than anyone else.
"The Emperor of China took the initiative to show me off! I am the first king in European history to have an audience with the Emperor of China, and she is also a woman!"
"The achievements that all European emperors and generals have not accomplished, the great feats that all European men can't even dream of! It will be realized in my hands today, I look forward to it! I really look forward to it..."
The people under her command did not know the fluctuations in the Queen's heart. Only the most sensitive aide-de-camp could find out some clues. When the Queen heard that France and Russia were attacking the Chinese like mad dogs in St. Paul's Cathedral, the Queen's eyebrows actually jumped a few times. .
It's very, very subtle. People who don't know the Queen best can't even detect this tiny change.
The Queen opened her eyes and subconsciously glanced at the filing cabinet next to the desk. Inside was an Oriental survey report specially made by Gladstone, which introduced in detail a series of changes in the Chinese nation.
In it, Gladstone greatly praised the Chinese compulsory education reform, and even the leader of the Liberal Party used the word great.
"Xiao Letian's Chinese nation is the first country in mankind to initiate compulsory education. In the main island of Ryukyu and the areas actually controlled by the Chinese, universal compulsory education has been written into the constitution..."
“The children of all Chinese people living in China must enter official schools for basic education after the age of six, and each family only needs to pay a nominal tuition fee. If the family is really in difficulty, the local government will also provide some education subsidies. …”
"No one dares to disobey Xiao Letian's order. Any Chinese family that violates the Compulsory Education Act will be severely punished!"
“The first warning, the second time a hefty fine, and the third time if parents still obstruct their children’s education, they will be expelled!”
"Under such severe punishments, no one in the entire Chinese nation dares to hinder the advancement of education. The atmosphere of seeking knowledge among the entire Chinese nation has far surpassed that of the British Empire..."
"It is foreseeable that in ten years' time, the Chinese will have an inexhaustible talent pool, and the quality of the entire nation will undergo earth-shaking changes!"
"Looking back at our British Empire, compulsory education is still only in the folders of some MPs, and the entire society is completely immersed in the illusory prosperity of resting on one's laurels..."
"Talent! Although the advancement of the times requires the endless hard work of the basic people, it also requires top talents to guide the people. And only education can ensure that the empire has more and more excellent talent reserves!"
"Chinese people say they should be prepared for danger in times of peace. Although we are already at the top of the world, we are still so cold! Countless countries hope to tear off our flesh and blood to enrich themselves. If the British Empire wants to ensure its continued strength, it must vigorously promote compulsory education! "
"I have no personal grudges against Benjamin. He and I have completely different political ideas. I am not against Benjamin's colonial ideas. Of course I know the importance of colonies to the empire on which the sun never sets!"
"But please, Her Majesty the Queen, think deeply. Governance has always been about balance. There is never a black road. The pace of outward expansion has been too fast and has consumed a lot of national power. At this moment, there has been a gap between input and output. The incongruity..."
"Are we going to continue this? Continue to ignore domestic infrastructure construction such as education, medical care, and people's livelihood? Continue to invest money in colonial expansion?"
"Are we going to watch helplessly as the Chinese reserve a large number of talents year after year and remain indifferent?"
"The empire has reached a point where it must change, and the conflict between Chen and Benjamin focuses on this point!"
The Queen closed her eyes again, and Gladstone's words kept reappearing in his mind. Every sentence was profound and made the Queen extremely frightened.
"Be prepared for danger in times of peace! The Chinese describe it so well! The empire is really about to be prepared for danger in times of peace!"
