Travel through the Qing Dynasty and become emperor

Chapter 968 The Minister's Bet

Forbidden City, Marquis Office.

Several ministers of the empire are here waiting for the emperor's summons.

"How about taking a gamble?" Minister of Science and Technology Kang Guangren suggested.

Foreign Minister Wu Tingfang tilted her head: "What are you betting on?"

"Now that Sino-US relations have taken a turn for the worse, the two countries have basically cut off trade relations, and their diplomatic relations are also in jeopardy. The two sides have assembled a large number of troops in the Pacific Ocean, posing as a big war. We are betting on whether this battle will be fought. stand up."

Yang Rui, Minister of Industry, pushed his glasses and said: "I don't think there will be a war. Nowadays, all countries are focusing on developing their own national power, especially the Soviet Union's development speed is extremely amazing. Once the Sino-US war broke out, it was not for nothing. Let the Soviet Union, Britain and France Does the big country read a joke?"

"However, gentlemen, don't forget that since the two world wars, local wars such as the Italian-Turkish War and the Balkan War have never been interrupted, especially as the empire has opened up territories around the world, and the world structure is facing profound changes. The contradictions in all aspects are tense, and a big war is inevitable. Other countries’ wars are consumption, but empires’ wars have always been development. According to the probability, I think it is [-]-[-].” Tang Shaoyi, Minister of Finance Seriously analyzed.

Minister of Justice Liu Guangdi thought deeply, twitching his chin and shaking his head: "The Pacific Rim is the fastest-growing region in the world. Whoever takes control of the Pacific Ocean will control the fate of Asia and America. I think China and the United States A war is inevitable."

"There's so much nonsense, if you want to bet, bet." Kang Guangren urged impatiently.

Wu Tingfang smiled and said: "It's better for Guangren to be happy. How about it? Is there anyone else who wants to play? The outbreak of the Sino-US war within this month will be a big one, and it will not be a small one. The market will open in a month. I, the banker, will bet two hundred first. It’s a big bet. Let’s talk about it first, the bottom line is three pays one, the winner will get back three times from the loser at least, no problem, right?”

Yang Rui shrugged, and took out his wallet: "Anyway, it's boring, I'll bet 100 yuan, it's a small bet."

Wu Tingfang took the hundred-yuan bill with the emperor's face on it, and waved it in front of his eyes, "Who else?"

"I also bet small." Minister of Agriculture Yang Shenxiu also bet one hundred yuan.

Kang Youwei bet two hundred yuan in one go.

Wu Tingfang sneered twice: "Okay, you just wait to be taken by the dealer."

"Stop talking nonsense, count the money quickly, and record the bet, and wait to be exploited in a month's time."

"My lords, it's so leisurely. Such a big official only gambles one hundred and two hundred, won't it make people laugh when you say it?" While speaking, Wang Shang brought a group of young eunuchs to deliver the decree.

Wu Tingfang blushed: "Gambling is banned in the empire, we are free and have nothing to do, just play casually, will the emperor summon you?"

"Yes, the emperor invites you to enter the palace to talk."

After the brief audience ceremony, Wu Tingfang took the lead to speak: "My Majesty, Germany has officially announced yesterday that it will increase its troops to suppress the riots in Alsace, and France today announced that it will take in refugees from Alsace. The ambassador met with his ministers in secret today, revealing his desire to form a military alliance with our country."

Guan Xu said calmly: "Germany's military strength has been greatly reduced after World War II, and the economic lifeline is in the hands of the empire. They have no confidence in fighting an all-out war with France, so they have to ask the empire for help. What do you think?"

"I think this is a good opportunity. The situation in the Pacific region is unclear, and the rivalry between France and Germany will attract the attention of all countries to Europe. I am willing to personally negotiate with the envoys of the other party." Wu Tingfang said eagerly.

"It may also be a trap. They just want to use the alliance with our country to force Britain and France to make concessions, and then sell our country so that Britain and France can point the finger at the empire." Kang Youwei said calmly.

Yang Rui agreed: "Master Kang is right, we cannot rule out the possibility that Germany is simply using the alliance as a diplomatic bargaining chip. Once this happens, our country will be completely isolated diplomatically, with the United States staring at it in the east, the Soviet Union sharpening its knives in the north, and Britain and France in the west." With nostalgia and hatred, all the planned plans are bound to come to naught. Besides, this time it is Germany who wants something from me. I think that Germany must either follow our pace or do it on its own. There is no room for negotiation. Wait until it is willing to follow our war plan When we act, it is possible to form an alliance as one."

Guan Xuqing said: "Indeed, it is necessary to be defensive, but even if Germany agrees to our conditions from the beginning, are we really ready?"

Tang Shaoyi and Yang Rui looked at each other, touched the black leather bag they carried with them, took out a stack of documents and put them on the jade table.

"Your Majesty, these documents were not prepared until the next report day, but today I brought them here in advance because I thought the Emperor would ask such a question. These are the briefings on the overall strength of the empire last year. The relevant data has been verified repeatedly. Enough to guarantee authenticity."

Guan Xuqing casually flipped through a few pages, which were full of dense numbers and charts, as if a lot of ants and spiders were crawling on the paper. He panicked for a moment, so he lost his mind to read it carefully, and casually told Yang Rui: "There are so many , I won’t be able to finish watching it for a while, Shaochuan can simply talk about it.”

"Yes, first on the industrial side. In terms of coal and steel production, the Reich produced 500 million tons of coal last year, followed by the United States at 800 million tons, ahead of Germany's 50 million tons. Steel output reached nearly 1.5 million tons, second only to the Soviet Union, ranking second in the world. Industrial output value reached [-] billion yuan, ranking first in the world, about twice the industrial output value of the United States in the same year. In addition, last year the national Automobile production reached [-] units, twice that of Germany and [-] times that of the United States."

"Secondly, in terms of agriculture, the empire's total agricultural output value was 4701 billion yuan last year, higher than the 2705 billion yuan of the United States, ranking first in the world. However, because our country's population is five times that of the United States, the per capita agricultural output value is still lower than that of the United States. However, in line with the needs Britain, which imports a large amount of grain, has an absolute advantage over Germany."

"Again, in terms of finance and finance, last year the empire's central government achieved a total of 30.00 billion yuan in fiscal revenue, ranking first in the world, of which 40% was used for military expenditures, and the navy's military expenditure alone reached 500 billion yuan. It has more than tripled before. The total military expenditure is three times that of France, much higher than that of Britain and the United States. In terms of finance, thanks to the massive export of high value-added new products, by the end of last year, the gold reserves of the Imperial Central Bank had reached 200 million billion, higher than the U.K.’s 350 billion U.S. dollars and the U.S.’s 280 billion U.S. dollars, ranking first in the world. The overall gold reserves of Southeast Asian provinces reached [-] billion yuan. All deposited in the Reich Central Bank."

Tang Shaoyi pursed her lips and continued: "Finally, in terms of armaments, the Imperial Navy had 34 aircraft carriers and 62 battleships in service by the end of last year, many of which were under construction, and had several unique aircraft carrier battle groups in the world. Navy The total tonnage of various types of ships in active service and reserve service exceeds 520 million tons, slightly higher than that of the Soviet Union and the United States, ranking first in the world. In addition, the total registered tonnage of the Imperial Merchant Fleet reached 410 million tons, second only to the United States, ranking second in the world .”

"At the end of last year, the empire had basically completed its reorganization plan. Its active-duty troops reached 340 million, including 80 marines, ranking first in the world. After mobilization for war, the empire's front-line troops will reach 170 million, and the total strength of 500 million people."

Guan Xuqing patted the pile of documents: "In other words, it's ready."

"Yes, ready."

"Convene all the ministers, veterans and military officials in Beijing, and hold an enlarged imperial meeting in three days' time."

Sea, "Huangshan" aircraft carrier.

"At five o'clock, the large fleet is now confirmed to be our army's fighter planes, and the second attack wave is back!"

Following the loud report of an observer on the aviation bridge, a sharp siren sounded, and the loudspeaker on the bridge also roared: "All deck crew are in position, ready to recover the second attack wave!"

After issuing the order, Major General Chen Jinrong, the team commander, was about to go to the landing command room at the rear of the aviation bridge to personally observe the landing operation of the second attack wave, but was stopped by the combat staff officer, Lieutenant Colonel Gui Yongqing.

"Report to the commander, just received an order from the fleet headquarters."

"read."

"Order: Your department should immediately stop the exercise and return to the home port."

Chen Jinrong pulled the brim of his hat: "Send the order to stop the exercise mission. After the recovery of the aircraft is completed, the whole team will immediately return with the flagship, heading to [-] or above."

"Understood, sir, we are suddenly asked to return, could it be?" Gui Yongqing had the word "war" clearly written on his face.

Chen Jinrong said kindly: "Something must have happened. In any case, let's go back to the home port first. Our next task is to return to the voyage. Besides, don't think about it and distract your attention."

"Yes!"

While speaking, a "Griffon" fighter jet with a five-clawed golden dragon pattern painted on its tail flew low and slowly past the stern of the ship. The tail hook was perfectly hooked to a winch-type arresting cable located in the middle and rear of the flight deck. , the plane stopped abruptly.The deck staff in blue vests swarmed up like ants, swiftly removed the tail hook of the plane from the arresting cable, and then quickly pushed the plane to the parking area in front of the deck, where the planes would be sent to the elevator in batches , into the hangar.

"It's Lieutenant Gao Xinxin's plane." Gui Yongqing muttered subconsciously. Through the large portholes of the aviation bridge, the situation on the deck was clearly seen.

"Are you really going to take them to the battlefield?"

Chen Jinrong glanced at him disapprovingly: "Who told you that women can't fight? Lieutenant Gao Xinxin is one of the best fighter pilots in this team, and Second Lieutenant Liu Yun also has excellent flying potential. My team needs them."

On the deck, the person who was discussed by the two officers sneezed as soon as he jumped off the fighter plane.

"Who's talking about me, really."

Gao Xinxin glanced at the sky, and the successor fighters of the second attack wave were circling and entering the landing route one by one, pouted, and walked towards the bridge.

(End of this chapter)