I'm playing whack-a-mole in Siberia

Chapter 353 Hateful appearance
The Vladivostok Shipyard currently does not undertake the fishing boat business, but only builds warships and large ocean-going cargo ships.

The four 4-ton shipyards at the shipyard are currently occupied, and no shipyards will be vacated until at least early next year.

Compared with the Siberian Fleet, St. Petersburg was most concerned about Qing loans.

Loans from the Russian Empire came with strings attached.

In the first phase of reparations to Japan, the Russian Empire obtained the right to build the Middle East Railway and the land management rights along the railway.

In the third phase of reparations, the Russian Empire hopes to extend the southern line of the Middle East Railway to Dalini, complete the Grand Cross Plan, and completely turn the northeastern region of the Qing Empire into the sphere of influence of the Russian Empire.

This plan was strongly opposed by Britain and Japan.

Just after Russia forcibly leased Dalini, Britain forcibly leased Weihaiwei and once again put its bayonets on the ribs of the Siberian fleet.

Germany was unwilling to be left alone. Wilhelm II sent warships to break into Jiaozhou Bay and implement military occupation of Jiaozhou Bay on the grounds of protecting the Catholics.

In mid-August, Prince Ukhtomsky, the chairman of Dowson Bank, arrived in Vladivostok to discuss with George the settlement of the loan.

George didn't even know about rebuilding the Beiyang Navy.

If it's just 4% interest, it won't make George's heart tempt.

The Russian Empire can't even drink the water out of the water in this regard.

Ukhtomsky believed that the Qing Empire would realize its shame and become brave.

Countries that borrowed money to build railways from the Qing Empire had a lot of additional conditions. For example, after the completion of the Middle East Railway, the land within 30 miles on both sides of the railway line would be owned by the Russian Empire.

Ukhtomsky hoped that the Siberian Bank would provide 4000 million rubles, and the remaining million would be taken care of by Daosheng Bank.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of Queen Victoria's accession to the throne. The Qing Empire sent Zhang Yinhuan to England to congratulate her.

The information provided by Ukhtomsky startled George.

The preparations for the establishment of the new army were indeed real, and the person in charge was the chief who had supervised the new army in Goryeo.

During the Sino-Japanese Sino-Japanese War, the troops recruited by the Qing Empire from inland areas did not reach the battlefield until the Beiyang Navy was annihilated. They went back halfway.

After the celebration, Zhang Yinhuan visited St. Petersburg and was awarded the Order of Santa Anna, First Class by Nicholas.

George is not obsessed with the Qing Empire's navy. Even if the Qing Empire buys ships, it will not look for Russia.

But things were not as simple as Ukhtomsky thought.

This matter has to start with the 60th anniversary celebration of Queen Victoria of England.

If this is the reason, George can accept it.

In other words, St. Petersburg has a big appetite, and the Eastern Railway has not yet digested it, so it can’t wait to continue southward.

But it’s not necessarily true. In two years’ time, the Qing Empire will declare war on 11 countries.

The third phase of compensation against Japan is about 1.4 million rubles. For such a large amount of money, it is obviously not appropriate for the Far East General Manager of Daosheng Bank to come to discuss with George, and the levels are not equal.

"If it were just the South Manchuria Railway, there would be no need to pay such a high price."

After the signing of the "Treaty of Shimonoseki", the Qing Empire learned from the pain and determined to change the backward transportation situation. The Eastern Railway was just the beginning. Next, the Qing Empire wanted to build railways throughout the country.

Therefore, it was not the Qing Empire that prevented Russia from expanding its sphere of influence in the Qing Empire, but the European and American powers led by Britain.

George could only say that Ukhtomsky overestimated the rulers of the Qing Empire——

Russians all know how to expand their sphere of influence through railways, and other countries naturally know it too.

"This is impossible. Doesn't the Qing Empire's maritime territory need fleet protection?"

"False, at least in the short term, the Qing Empire has no plans to rebuild the Beiyang Navy."

Officials of the Qing Empire had little awareness of confidentiality. For George, the Qing Empire was basically transparent.

"The Qing Empire is preparing to build a new army and prepare to restore the Beiyang Navy. Once the loan is implemented, the Qing Empire's purchases in the Russian Empire will be undertaken by Amur Enterprises."

"The Qing Empire will build more than one railway next."

The Qing Empire itself was limited in strength and technology. It was basically impossible to complete this plan and could only rely on foreign technology and funds.

Therefore, if you want to expand your sphere of influence in the Qing Empire, railways are the best tool.

Although the performance of the Vladivostok Heavy Patrol is outstanding, it has not been tested in war, and it is still uncertain whether it will perform like this.

The battleship for its own use has been built for 5 years, and even the naval guns have not been outfitted. This kind of efficiency will hardly win foreign orders for Russian shipyards.

And considering the consistent nature of the Russian Empire, there is still a question mark as to whether the performance of the Vladivostok Heavy Patrol is as good as boasted.

Russia has never been good at its navy. Nowadays, when countries buy warships, most of them go to the United Kingdom and France. Germany can only mix some water after Britain and France have eaten their fill.

George has always attached great importance to intelligence work on the Qing Empire, spending more than one million rubles on intelligence every year.

Ukhtomsky had a huge appetite.

now it's right.

Under this situation, even George did not know that the Qing Empire wanted to rebuild the Beiyang Navy, nor did he know how Ukhtomsky learned the news.

While in St. Petersburg, Zhang Yinhuan once inquired about Russia's new heavy cruiser. This was the origin of the Qing Empire's reconstruction of the Beiyang Navy.

George sneered. The Qing Empire had to borrow money to pay compensation and had no money to buy warships.

It's okay to ask George to pay. The key is what George can get.

In St. Petersburg, Witte used bribes to induce Li Zhangtong to sign the "Treaty of Mutual Assistance between Qing and Russia in Defending Enemies".

Ukhtomski comes to the Far East for this scene, which also carries Werther's check.

Ukhtomsky prepared one million rubles, which was deposited in the Siberian Bank and payable by check.

This means that no matter who it is, as long as they take out a check, Siberian Bank will pay the money.

Since the Bank of Siberia would rather close its doors some time ago and not disclose depositor information to the Qing Empire, the security and privacy of this money can be guaranteed.

"With a loan of 1.4 million rubles, isn't 100 million a little too little?" Only now did George know how wealthy the Qing empire was.

An unnamed senior official in the Qing Empire had more than 5000 million rubles in deposits in the Bank of Siberia alone.

This is just Siberian Bank.

George was well aware of the Qing people's habit of not putting all their eggs in one basket.

The cunning rabbit has three caves.

So no one knows how much foreign savings this person has except himself.

"It's quite a lot, and there are also kickbacks——"

Ukhtomsky was generous.

Daosheng Bank's first loan to the Qing Empire, totaling 9000 million rubles, was paid at a % discount, and the actual payment was million.

Calculated based on this ratio, the final actual payment for a 1.4 million ruble loan is about 1.26 million.

The 1400 million discounted is all kinds of losses.

George didn't know how the 1000 million discounted from the first loan was distributed. Anyway, Daosheng Bank actually provided million rubles.

After taking care of George, Ukhtomsky set out to clear the empire.

Ukhtomsky's trip to the Qing Dynasty did not go smoothly. Britain also forced the Qing Empire to borrow money from Britain, becoming the biggest opponent of the Russian Empire.

It's amazing, both empires are rushing to give money, even if they don't want it.

After Ukhtomsky arrived in the Qing Empire, he first visited Li Zhangtong and received Li Zhangtong's support.

The British loan was supported by Zhang Yinheng.

The conditions proposed by both sides were similar, and the Qing Empire was in a dilemma.

George sent a telegram to Mulinder, instructing Mulinder to cooperate with Ukhtomsky's work.

Mu Linde was looking for Li Jingfang.

Li Jingfang was angry because the Russian Empire's final payment had not yet been paid.

When the Qing Empire and the Russian Empire agreed on the first loan, Witte promised to give another 50 after the project was completed.

The 50 yuan has not yet arrived.

"The Grand Duke has deposited the agreed 50 rubles into a designated account, which can be withdrawn at any time."

Mu Linde is already familiar with this routine.

Mu Linde had such a good relationship with the important officials of the Qing Dynasty that he was always successful in the Qing Empire, and money played a key role in clearing the way.

The Bank of Siberia has an outstanding reputation and is the bank most trusted by Qing officials.

Li Jingfang was very satisfied, but not satisfied yet.

"The British also want to provide loans, and the terms they propose are similar to yours. How can this give you an advantage?"

"Regardless of whether this loan can be implemented, the South Manchuria Railway is imperative."

Mulinde speaks with a strong heart.

Whether the South Manchuria Railway is implemented has a lot to do with whether the "Qing-Russia Mutual Assistance Treaty against Enemies" can be successfully implemented.

The Russian Empire has no troops stationed in the Qing Empire. If the Qing Empire faces foreign aggression, the Russian Empire can send troops from the Amur Military District to reach the Qing Empire as quickly as possible.

If the railway is not possible, the Amur Military District can only reinforce it by sea.

The Qing Empire's Beiyang Navy had been completely wiped out.

The Siberian fleet only has a few broken ships and not even a battleship, so the safety of the waterway cannot be guaranteed.

Therefore, the South-Manchuria Railway is the safest and most convenient way.

“The conditions of the South-Manchuria Railway cannot be equated to those of the China-Eastern Railway.”

Li Jingfang did not accept Mu Linde's blackmail.

The Middle East Railway was only within the territory of the Qing Empire, with a total length of more than 1400 kilometers. After the completion of the railway, 30 miles of land on both sides of the line would be under Russian jurisdiction, which was equivalent to ceding land.

The northeastern part of the Qing Empire was the land of Longxing for the Qing royal family.

The land of Longxing was directly drawn by Russia, and the area north of the line has become the de facto sphere of influence of the Russian Empire.

If the South Manchuria Railway follows the conditions of the Eastern Railway, then the entire Northeast will become the sphere of influence of the Russian Empire.

If Li Jingfang dares to agree to this condition.

Even Li Zhangtong couldn't protect him.

"If the railway line is under your jurisdiction, can you ensure the safety along the railway line?"

Mu Linde was not questioning, but threatening.

The meaning of this statement is very clear.

If the railway line is not under the jurisdiction of the Russian Empire, even if the railway is built, it will not run smoothly.

Li Jingfang frowned, this matter was beyond his ability.

Agreeing to Mu Linde's request, the court could not explain it.

The consequences of not agreeing will be more serious, and the construction of the China-Eastern Railway will be in vain.

Having made this clear, Li Jingfang felt disgusting when he looked at Mu Linde again.

(End of this chapter)