Chapter 338: The Fall of a Powerful Official

Chapter 338: The Fall of a Powerful Official

Chapter 338: The Fall of a Powerful Official
As an ally of Prussia, it is not surprising that the Qing Dynasty announced that it would join Prussia when the Franco-Prussian War broke out.

The great powers, including Britain, had anticipated this. Britain even secretly believed that it was the mastermind behind Shao Quanzhong's stupid act, and that Hart's negotiations had served Britain well.

Because of Napoleon's existence, the impression that the French Army is the best in the world has long been deeply engraved in the hearts of foreigners.

Prussia? A small country that had been in chaos for hundreds of years and had just been unified, the shame of Europe, a weakling with only three ironclad ships. At this moment, no one believed that Prussia could win the Franco-Prussian War.

The Huai Army defeated the Russians and its combat effectiveness was recognized by the world, and the Qing Dynasty was therefore recognized as a great power.

But if you travel thousands of miles to Europe, even if 50,000 Huai Army troops go there, what role can you play in a modern war where the total number of troops involved on both sides exceeds 1.5 million?
Still holding a press conference at the Palace of Versailles? This press conference was most likely held by the French in Berlin.

The Nanyang Fleet, which has been bullying others everywhere, will most likely suffer a bloody defeat at the hands of the second-best navy in the world, the French Navy. It would be good if only 10,000 of the 50,000 Huai Army troops could return. By then, the Qing Dynasty will most likely have to bow to France.

This was what most of the reporters present were thinking.

The British also deduced the same thing, but after this war, France would definitely be severely damaged.

By then, Britain will have no choice but to rally the powers that be to demand a ceasefire, wield the stick of trouble-making, and maintain the strategic balance on the European continent.

France's efforts to catch up with Britain have been halted, and Britain can just sit back and watch, reaping the benefits, and continue to be the world's leader.

As for Shao Quanzhong, his loyal younger brother who suffered losses and shed blood and dedicated himself to Britain's hegemony, the British boss should compensate him during the mediation and not let the French demands be too excessive.

This is the wishful thinking of the UK. The reporters present are all smart people and have deduced the direction of the world situation.

What happened in the Qing Dynasty was transmitted to the whole world by telegram, but it did not make the headlines. The headline had to be the Franco-Prussian War.

The Qing Dynasty's suppression of France's Far East influence was considered by the world to be an unimportant local branch of the Franco-Prussian War.

Countless "strategic analysts" have written endless articles and made witty remarks to demonstrate their "foresight" about the world situation.

They all said modestly that they risked their lives to protect the conscience of an independent observer by exposing the British conspiracy to instigate the Huai Army to commit stupid acts so that readers could see the truth.

Europeans are used to being the center of the world, and it will take them a while to correct their mindset. They don’t realize that the world is unpredictable.

Not only will the Prussians surprise the world this time, but the Huai Army, whom they regard as "running dogs betrayed by Britain" and "abandoned pawns paid for Britain's continued dominance of the world", will also perform beyond their imagination.

Shao Quanzhong was full of confidence. He waved goodbye to the reporters wearing white gloves. The photo of them meeting again in Versailles will be published on the second page of major newspapers around the world.

However, the comments were mostly sarcastic, such as "the overconfident Far Eastern warlords are about to suffer a bloody defeat in Europe."

None of the reporters present had plans to go to Versailles, but those who had the conditions all went to Europe, preparing to go to Berlin to see Shao Quanzhong and Bismarck get slapped in the face.

…………

San Francisco, California, West Coast of the Federal Continental.

President Andrew Johnson met with the first group of 50,000 new Chinese immigrants and delivered a speech on the spot.

"Welcome friends from across the ocean, welcome to join the big family of the Federation. The Federation will fulfill its promise and give each of you 160 acres of land."

"I came to the West Coast for an inspection this time by taking the Transoceanic Railway that opened last year. The Chinese, together with the Irish, made great contributions to the Federation in the construction of the Transoceanic Railway. The Federation will never forget your contributions."

"There is a vast expanse of land in the western part of the Federation, waiting for hardworking and intelligent Chinese citizens to develop. You are the first batch, but you will definitely not be the last batch of Chinese immigrants."

"The Chinese ethnic group will become one of the mainstays of the Federation. I believe that in the near future, there will be a Chinese president in the Federation. I am happy to see it happen. Let us work together for the prosperity of the Federation!"

After the press conference, the president personally called Mark Twain, vice president of the California Land, who had come to interview him, to stay for lunch.

"Mark, the California Terra is the only world newspaper that puts the news about Shaw's upcoming expedition to Europe on the front page. The news about Napoleon III declaring war on Prussia is put at the back."

"I know you know Shao best. Do you really believe that what Shao boasted about will succeed?"

Mark Twain nodded solemnly, "Mr. President, I followed Shao Xizheng and traveled tens of thousands of miles back and forth. No one knows Shao's strength better than me."

"Arrogant Europeans do not understand Shao's true strength and think he is a clown. This is a good opportunity for our Federation."

"Nurhaci, the founder of the Qing Dynasty, once said, 'Giving iron when poor is better than giving gold when rich.' If the Federation supports Shao at this time, it will be richly rewarded. I will definitely go to Versailles and wait for the honor of obtaining exclusive reports."

Johnson nodded. "That's what the financial capitalists who support me told me. I just want to get a more definite guarantee from you. Otherwise, my decision might make me look like a clown."

"Due to the alliance and cooperation with the Qing Dynasty, the capitalists of the Federation have gained huge benefits. It can be predicted that a large amount of profits will flow back to the Federation from the Qing Dynasty, and the economic strength of the Federation will increase rapidly."

"The rapidly increasing national strength has increased the self-confidence of the people." President Johnson pointed to the west. "I have adopted the proposal of Charles Crocker, the builder of the Central Pacific Railroad Company, to build a cross-sea bridge here in San Francisco. The western part of the federation will become another support for the federation's economic growth due to the arrival of Qing immigrants."

On the same day, President Johnson announced that he would provide the Huai Army with an interest-free loan of 30 million silver dollars through Citibank to support the Huai Army's westward expedition to Europe.

At the same time, the federation will promote the construction of the Panama Canal in the form of national investment and invite the Wen Group as the representative of the Qing Dynasty to jointly build the Panama Canal.

…………

In the Forbidden City, in the West Warm Pavilion, the Empress Dowager has summoned the officials of the Grand Council to hold an emergency meeting.

The ambassadors to Britain, France, the United States, and Russia, and the diplomats to France who had been demoted to consuls, compiled telegrams from newspaper reports in various countries and presented them to the emperor for his perusal.

With the arrival of ambassadors to various countries, the Qing Dynasty's top leaders were no longer closed off and began to passively open their eyes to the world.

Wenxiang had already finished reading it in advance. When Cixi had finished reading it and Emperor Tongzhi, who was preparing to take power, had also finished reading it, Wenxiang was the first to jump out.

"Shao Quanzhong is such an idiot, doesn't he read the newspaper? The foreigners all said that he was sold out by the British and took the lead for the British to weaken France. This time, I'm afraid that the Nanyang Navy and the elite Huai Army will be defeated in Europe."

Shen Guifen interrupted Wenxiang and asked, "Aren't the American barbarians strongly supporting Prince Rui?"

Wen Xiang curled his lips and said, "The Americans are our allies and have important interests in our Qing Dynasty. They can't do anything about it. When the time comes, their 30 million British dollars will probably be wasted."

Master Qiao was a little anxious. "Should we send a letter to Yu Ting to ask him not to be so honest and serve the British as a pawn?"

Yihuan showed a sly smile on his face, "Prince Rui is the sole decision-maker of the government, and he has the authority to make decisions on the spot by the imperial envoy. Can he listen to us? We should not make trouble for ourselves in the Grand Council."

"I suggest that we immediately approve the proposal by Prince Rui to promote You, the former governor of Tongzhou, to the position of governor of Jiangsu Province, to rectify public order and maintain stability in Shanghai after the French Concession is taken back. We should support Prince Rui, right?"

"I second the proposal."

Baojun stood up.

"I second the proposal."

Ronglu and Shen Guifen went out together.

Seeing that Shao Quanzhong had so many followers in the Grand Council and Wenxiang was the only loyal minister, the young emperor looked annoyed, but Cixi rolled her eyes and said, "It's settled, you go down, and Prince Chun stay."

All the ministers left, and Wenxiang looked disdainful, "Humph, they are all trying to trick Shao Quanzhong."

Master Qiao pulled Zhang Zhidong, who had been silent, and said, "Xiaoda, why don't you say anything? We can't just watch Yuting being used as cannon fodder by the British and suffer losses."

Zhang Zhidong looked mysterious, "The Grand Master doesn't understand your adopted son. Don't worry, don't worry, and wait and see."

In the West Warm Pavilion, Prince Chun Yihuan, who was left behind, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, you are wise and understand our thoughts."

Cixi stared at the young emperor with a look of disappointment, "Emperor, you are going to rule the country yourself. The world is yours. You should learn more from experienced people like Prince Chun, and don't be led astray by the simple-minded Wenxiang."

The young emperor was confused. How come Yihuan, Baojun, Ronglu, and Shen Guifen, who supported Shao Quanzhong's expedition to Europe, were regarded as loyal ministers?

Yihuan bowed and said, "Your Majesty, if we take back the French Concession and seize the property of French merchants, we can get at least tens of millions of silver. This year's treasury revenue will double in an instant."

"For this matter, the foreigners can only blame Prince Rui. Prince Rui brought the Nanyang Navy and the Huai Army to France, and they came back with blood and wounds. The Huai Army was seriously injured. Isn't this a good thing? When the time comes, hehe..."

Tongzhi suddenly woke up from his dream, "Why don't we drive this traitor Qiao Songnian out of the Grand Council?"

Cixi taught her son, "The emperor is young, so he should not act rashly. He should learn to be prudent from the old ministers. We have to wait until Shao Quanzhong's troops can no longer return before we can do this."

The little emperor was already fifteen years old. Although he behaved recklessly, his brain was still basically acceptable. After thinking for a long time, he was overjoyed. "It seems that my Shengqing still has many loyal ministers. No wonder Shao Ni has never dared to rebel."

Suddenly he stepped down from the throne and knelt before Cixi, "Mother, you have endured humiliation and hardship, but I have always misunderstood your efforts. I will be obedient in the future and serve as the emperor of the Qing Dynasty."

Cixi looked at the little emperor lovingly, "Emperor, after all, you are my biological son. This world also belongs to the Aisin-Gioro family. No one else can take it away. Powerful officials will not have a good end."

The little emperor fell to the ground and cried, and Prince Chun beside him also shed tears.

In the West Warm Pavilion, the mother is loving and the son is filial; in the Grand Council, everyone is in court, all waiting for Shao Quanzhong to run into a wall and the powerful official to fall.

(End of this chapter)