Travel through the Qing Dynasty and become emperor

Chapter 196 After Countering the Rebellion (1)
Just after the Qing Dynasty successfully suppressed the domestic rebellion, Britain also completed a transfer of power in the country.It was replaced by Liberal leader William Gladstone, who flaunted policies of "glorious isolation" and "free trade".Different from the colonialist diplomacy that the Conservative Party adheres to, William Gladstone, who represents the Liberal Party, adheres to the "balanced" foreign policy of support and pursuit in Europe during the old empire era.

The specific policy is to achieve the goal with as little movement as possible and mainly by supporting the enemy's opponents, so as to maintain the free trade system established by Britain since the Cromwell era.Such a policy once accumulated a lot of national strength for the United Kingdom, and defeated powerful enemies in Europe such as Spain, the Netherlands, and France.Since the reform of serfdom in Russia in 1861, the rapid growth of industrial strength has made Britain feel a personal threat. First, it launched the tenth Russo-Turkish war and controlled Romania and Bulgaria, which originally belonged to Ottoman Turkey. Reis and Constantinople, Russia has completed the task of leading to the Mediterranean; then it invaded Afghanistan in an attempt to open up a passage to India; on the other hand, Russia also captured Jiaozhou Bay and Jeju Island in East Asia, and finally achieved The ice-free ports along the Pacific Ocean have enabled the Russian fleet to have a strategic base for cruising the Pacific Ocean even in winter.These are all stirring the nerves of the British, but fortunately, after the rise of the Qing Dynasty, they quickly took back Jiaozhou Bay and Jeju Island.The Russian fleet was driven back from the Pacific Ocean.

Therefore, the series of actions of the rise of the Qing Dynasty were put on the back burner by the United Kingdom, and the short-term hostility between China and Russia during the civil strife in the Qing Dynasty gave William Gladstone a wonderful idea of ​​using the Qing Dynasty to contain Russia. It also became the basis for the signing of the Sino-British New Testament.Some clauses in the treaty that are beneficial to the Qing Dynasty have greatly improved Sino-British relations. If this development continues, Guan Xuqing, who is in need of external forces to develop industries, may really fall into the arms of Britain.

However, such a thing cannot be tolerated in Germany.However, after the British frequently flirted, the German Foreign Ministry came to the capital twice to negotiate with Feng Xianghua.William II even personally sent a message to inquire about the development progress between Guan Xuqing and the United Kingdom, and promised that everything that the United Kingdom can give to the Qing Dynasty, Germany can still give to the Qing Dynasty.

Unexpectedly, after clearing up the civil strife, the short-term hostility with Russia actually made him a favorite of the world.Originally, the basic national policy of the Qing Dynasty had already been determined, but now Guan Xuqing has the right to re-examine and choose. Should he join the camp of the old powerful countries headed by the United Kingdom or the camp of the world's upstarts centered on Germany?

Just when Guan Xuqing was indecisive, news came that Britain and France had quickly signed a trade alliance.The content of the treaty imposed joint restrictions on the Qing Dynasty, which brought great trouble to the Qing Dynasty.We all know that even nearly a hundred years after the invention of the airplane, the sea is still the lifeline of all the world's great powers.In the 19th century, Britain and France represented the highest level of the world's shipbuilding industry. The naval tonnage of Britain and France accounted for more than half of the world's total naval tonnage, and their colonies all over the world provided them with convenient naval bases. Qing's import and export trade has always faced their threat.And this period was the time when the industrial development of the Qing Dynasty most needed external funds and technology.

This news made Guan Xuqing quite dissatisfied. He didn't know why Britain joined forces with France to impose trade restrictions on him immediately after taking the initiative to show his favor.Guan Xuqing may have guessed that all of this was done by Germany in the middle, and Germany desperately pulled the Qing into its camp.

But today's Guan Xuqing will not explain anything in order to please Britain. In his opinion, there will always be a war between China and Britain.And if you stand in the British camp and defeat Germany, it is impossible for the Qing to share too many benefits, and the UK may develop more rapidly because of the huge benefits, so that the Qing will never catch up with the British footsteps.It would be better to unite with Germany to defeat Britain and then compete with Germany for hegemony.

Thinking of this, Guan Xuqing smiled lightly, and said to Peng Yulin who was kneeling in front of him to announce the news: "Get up, since the British are ignorant of current affairs, I don't need to be polite to them. Tell Feng Xianghua and publish immediately Announcement: The zero-tariff policy of Britain and France will be cancelled, and the normal tariff system will be implemented. In addition, the tariffs on all goods from Britain and France in the Qing Dynasty will also increase by [-]%."

Peng Yulin opened his mouth wide in surprise, and asked incredulously, "Your Majesty, in this way we will completely offend Britain and France."

"Hmph, I'm not afraid of the enemies outside, but I'm afraid of the internal discord." Guan Xuqing pointed to the memorial on the copy and continued: "How is Shiduo's interrogation going? Why can't I ask a fart after so many days? ?”

"Back to the emperor, Shi Duo refused to say a word. The emperor doesn't need to interrogate such rebellious officials and thieves. Wouldn't it be easy to deal with it directly?" Peng Yulin asked suspiciously.

Guan Xuqing seemed to be thinking about something, and after being silent for nearly 10 seconds, he said firmly: "Since the founding of the Qing Dynasty, there have been eight princes with iron hats who have been passed down from generation to generation. Five of them are directly related to this assassination plan. I guess the other three have received some rumors more or less, but they have been favored by the emperor for so many years, and they actually watched me being assassinated without revealing any news to me. What's the use of keeping the rebels?"

After all, Peng Yulin has been in the officialdom for so many years, how could he not hear the sound of the emperor's words?

"Returning to the emperor, Shiduo has already subdued the law, and confessed that the other seven princes participated in the assassination plan. But Shiduo committed suicide in prison!" Peng Yulin said immediately.

Guan Xuqing looked at Peng Yulin with satisfaction, and said: "Since this is the case, let Shuntian Mansion go to the other seven princes' mansions to get people, and let Qidong take a team of imperial guards to search their homes together. As for Shiduo Well, if you think he has meritorious service in reporting, leave his whole body for burial!"

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After Peng Yulin withdrew, Guan Xuqing was alone in the huge Hall of Mental Cultivation, thinking about everything he had done. Although the eight princes were not very supportive of his new policy, it would be okay to say that they joined forces with Shiduo to conspire against him. There is no evidence. If these seven people were arrested this time, it is estimated that some of them will be wronged.But he can't take care of so much anymore, he needs to take this opportunity to completely wipe out the forces opposing him in the court.

Fortunately, these princes are not really bad, and the court does not need to find someone to take over their jobs immediately, but even so, Guan Xuqing still feels that such a big country is short of people!He sighed countless times in his heart that the Qing Dynasty was developing and growing, and there was no shortage of resources, no shortage of labor, and no shortage of markets. Even capital and technology, after establishing good relations with Germany and the United States, did not seem to be in short supply.What is lacking is talent.Although there are many people in the Qing Dynasty, and there are many people who study, the shortage is the talents who are able to deal with the world.

However, this is not a problem that can be solved overnight. The reserve of talents is inseparable from the popularization of education. Just like a pyramid, only when the bottom is well-off can there be outstanding talents at the top.

But now the bottom is not well-off, so how can we hope that the court can produce a few talents who are capable of using the world every year?

Guan Xuqing was lost in thought when Wang Shang walked in quietly and said softly, "Your Majesty, Zhan Tianyou, Director of Railways, please see me."

"Oh? What is he here for? Xuan!" Guan Xuqing said doubtfully.

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After a while, Zhan Tianyou appeared in front of Guan Xuqing.

"Sir, see the emperor." Zhan Tianyou fell to his knees.

"Let's get back on your feet, what is God's business with me?" Guan Xuqing still admired and favored the young man in front of him.

"My Majesty, I feel that the Qing Dynasty should build the Beijing-Ulan Railway from the capital to Ulaanbaatar and the Lanzhou-Xinjiang Railway connecting Longhai Road. These are all related to the backbone of stability." Zhan Tianyou continued: "A few days ago A few days ago, several princes colluded with Russia to rebel. If there is a railway running through Ulaanbaatar to the capital, then the Northeast Army can deploy at least one division to guard the capital. Even if there is chaos in the Northeast, it will only take one day from the capital to Ulan Bator .”

(End of this chapter)