Chapter 300: Expansion
Chapter 300: Expansion (Added to thank the book friends for voting)
In the capital, inside Longzong Gate, south of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, is the office of the Grand Council.
A lot of people have been replaced in the current Military Affairs Council.
Prince Gong was imprisoned, and Cao Yuying and Li Tangjie had both passed away.
The current leader is Grand Tutor Qiao, and the ministers in charge include Wenxiang, Prince Chun Yihuan, Ronglu who is in the limelight after the Dingmao coup, the former veteran Grand Councilor Baojun, the newly promoted Right Vice Minister of Rites Shen Guifen, and Shao Quanzhong who is not at work in name only.
Even though Shao Quanzhong was not on duty, no one suggested canceling his qualification as the Grand Councilor. As the number six always brings loss, with him taking up a spot, it seemed like there were seven people in total, and everyone felt at ease.
"I don't agree to reward Shao Quanzhong after he returns."
It was Wen Xiang who spoke. "This time he spent 20 million silver coins from the court to buy a lot of territories whose locations are unknown. They must be barren lands where no grass grows. They are money-losing goods. He must have been fooled by that old woman, the Queen of Spain. I heard that Puerto Rico can make money, but he gave it to the Americans right away. No one would sell out his country like this."
Shen Guifen is well versed in foreign affairs, "Luzon is a very large territory."
Wen Xiang curled his lips, "Wasn't that giving it to Sulu? Besides, of the vassal states he took over this time, Lan Fang was a rebel of the Tiandihui, and Sulu was said to be ruled by the remnants of the rebellion from America. Isn't this inviting a wolf into the house?"
Ronglu said something fair, "When Zuo Jigao sold the rebellious remnants to America through the French, the officials of the court all acquiesced. Otherwise, how could we have the money to reward the Chu army at that time? Even if this was wrong, Zuo Jigao should be held responsible, not Shao Quanzhong."
Wen Xiang shrugged like a foreigner, "So Shao Quanzhong at least has no credit, right?"
Yihuan looked down on Wenxiang for always rebelling against Shao. "He made contributions in Japan before. Without the compensation from the Japanese, how could we afford to approve Zhang Zhidong's proposal and start building Western-style primary and secondary schools and universities in various provinces? Besides, we have troops stationed in Spain, and Spain has basically become our vassal state now."
Wen Xiang was not afraid of the three enemies, "Has Spain become a vassal? I heard from the foreigners that the old woman Isabella II is the best at seducing men, and the garrison troops are all paid by Spain. The foreigners told me that if Liu Buchan and Zhang Zihuai were seduced by the foreign woman, our garrison troops would be like throwing meat buns at a dog."
Wen Xiang was very proud. "So, just based on the 10 million silver coins he got from Japan, Shao Quanzhong is already a prince. His merits are definitely not enough to be promoted again—"
"My Lords, this is a letter from the French envoy who stayed in Beijing after the pilgrimage."
Wen Xiang took it and his eyes widened. "Did the French take the initiative to send Macau back?"
Another official came in with a telegram. "Shao Zhongtang called. He led his fleet to Lisbon yesterday. The Portuguese are afraid of Spain's newly acquired Royal Navy and 40,000 mercenaries. They are afraid that after the Spanish have lost a large number of colonies, they will start to annex Portugal again. They asked the Qing Dynasty for a security guarantee and are willing to hand over Macau. In return, they asked the court to send someone to hand over Macau.
At the same time, Shao Zhongtang submitted a memorial requesting that the Fujian Shipyard Navy be reorganized into the Qing Dynasty's Pacific Fleet, with Admiral Li Chengmou garrisoning Guam and patrolling the Caroline Islands, Marshall Islands and Mariana Islands in the South Pacific. He also sought opportunities to intimidate the Kingdom of Hawaii, making it admire China and prepare for its vassalage.
Recommend Hudun Baturu and Wu Changqing, the nominal admiral, to be appointed as the admiral of the Guangdong Navy. Request the Guangdong Navy to annex the former Spanish Far East Fleet and reorganize it into the Qing South Sea Fleet, stationed on Natuna Island under the Lanfang Republic, patrol Borneo, the Sulu Islands, and the Luzon Islands, and eliminate pirates.
Looking at the stunned Wen Xiang, Master Qiao smiled and twirled his beard, "This time, our Qing Dynasty's coastal defense has advanced thousands of miles. It's too early for Yu Ting to return from his visit, so there's no need to discuss rewards now. Who knows what else this kid can do."
…………On September 1868, 9, the Townsend docked at the Port of London.
Shao Quanzhong walked ashore slowly in a marshal's uniform, wearing a blue ribbon, and wearing the Order of Carlos III, the Order of Isabel, and the Order of the Golden Fleece. With the medals on, he looked even more like a marshal.
The red carpet was laid all the way to the springboard. Shao Quanzhong stepped onto the red carpet in his military boots, followed by his concubine Ping'er and his fiancée Maria.
Countless spotlights flashed, Shao Quanzhong and the experienced Princess Maria kept smiling and waved to the reporters frequently. Ping'er quickly adapted from her panic and soon developed the style of "the Marshal's wife".
Mark Twain, the reporter on the ship, shook his head and sighed. It was over. His exclusive interview was no longer useful in London.
London is now the center of the world, gathering envoys from all over the world and reporters from major newspapers. Any small incident can become world news, let alone the first visit to Britain by a Qing prince-level official.
This prince was a key official in the Qing Dynasty's Military Affairs Council, and also held positions equivalent to the Minister of Defense and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The news of such an important official visiting London would definitely immediately make the headlines of major newspapers around the world.
British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli and his wife Marianne Evans went to the port to greet Shao Quanzhong. They shook hands cordially with Shao Quanzhong, maintained the handshake gesture, and smiled at the reporters who were taking pictures.
The military band played "God Save the Queen". The Qing Dynasty did not have a national anthem at the moment, so when the Qing national anthem was played, the British thoughtfully found "Kaiser Wilhelm's Training Song" as a substitute.
This is the score that Herd sent by telegram. Prussia was not an empire at all, and there was no Kaiser. The Prussian envoy confirmed that Prussia did not have this song, and the name was a false rumor. When Herd sent it, the name was changed to "Shao Dashuai's Training Song", and the composer was marked as Shao Quanzhong.
Escorted by royal guards wearing bearskin hats, Shao Quanzhong, his wife and fiancée boarded the British royal carriage pulled by six white horses to meet Queen Victoria.
The carriage was magnificent and luxurious. Maria was able to handle it calmly and gracefully, but Apple was a little overwhelmed and excited.
This is basically the treatment of a phoenix chariot. I had contacted Rong Hui in Lisbon beforehand, but Rong Hui said she wanted to stay at home to take care of the children and didn't want to be in the limelight, so Maria and I had this opportunity.
Sister Ronghui is a low-key person, but I am willing to be in the spotlight. In the future, I can be responsible for being in the spotlight, no problem.
Shao Quanzhong was sitting in the carriage, feeling a little uneasy about meeting the Queen of England.
He is not afraid of big scenes. He doesn't care how big the scene is.
I heard that Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, has passed away. The queen was 49 years old this year and still in her prime. Like Empress Dowager Cixi, she had been living alone for seven years.
After seeing the behavior of the Queen of Spain, Shao Quanzhong was a little afraid of the queens of Europe.
Damn it, how come so many middle-aged and elderly women have the final say in this world? Is a handsome guy like me in danger?
(End of this chapter)