Chapter 437: Yearly Gamble
Chapter 437: Ten-year Bet
The second round of negotiations ended unpleasantly on the first day, but there was no breakdown, and both sides agreed to continue the talks the next day.
The reason why both sides retained their final rationality was that the New Army felt that the Huai Army was too powerful and they would probably not be able to win the civil war.
Shao Quanzhong doesn't want to start a civil war unless it is absolutely necessary.
If you want to fight in peacetime, just fight. Now the European war has become a dog brain, and the great powers have no energy to contain China. This is a good opportunity for new forces to rise.
If we fight a civil war for a few years, even though we are confident that we can win, it would be a pity to miss this golden period of development.
…………
After participating in the peace talks, Zhang Zhidong returned to his residence.
After drinking a few cups of tea and leisurely reading a few newspapers, he went to find Shao Quanzhong with a few newspapers he had selected in recent months.
He had resigned from the position of the Minister of Finance of the Qing Dynasty and the head of the Military Affairs Council, and in theory was a commoner. He wore a scholar's cap, a Taoist robe, and black straw sandals, looking elegant and refined.
Everyone in Prince Rui's palace knew him, and the guards at the gate even saluted him. Zhang Zhidong put his hands behind his back and strolled into the palace.
In late spring, the three seas are filled with intoxicated willows like smoke, which is the most magnificent scenery.
Zhang Zhidong was inspired to write a poem, "I spend my days in leisure, and occasionally linger in the villa. The green grass is filled with the air of spring, and the red flowers are covered with the morning mist..."
Well, it’s evening now, not dawn, and Zhang Zhidong doesn’t care.
He was actually a political talent who was used to being involved in all kinds of things. He usually wrote poems about history and rarely did anything romantic. Now that he was free from official duties, he was actually not indifferent.
Huh? Shao Quanzhong was not working in the study. Zhang Zhidong walked along the lake and saw Widow Sun, who had changed into palace clothes.
Widow Sun is now the housekeeper of Prince Rui's palace. Old Changtou, who sells tofu, is in charge of purchasing for the palace, and Mr. Yang is the accountant.
The Qing court moved its capital, but still paid Prince Shao Quanzhong an annual salary of 10,000 taels of silver, which was managed by Mr. Yang to cover the expenses of this huge garden.
"Granny Sun, where is the Marshal?"
"The two Empress Dowagers of the Qing Dynasty are also going to Osaka. Now they are taking the four concubines in the harem, served by Madam Ping'er, to say goodbye to the Marshal on Yingzhou Island."
Well, the current situation on Yingzhou Island is definitely not suitable for onlookers. Zhang Zhidong shook his head and smiled, then went to the guest room to find his younger brother Zhang Siwen.
The two brothers talked until late at night. At ten o'clock the next morning, Zhang Zhidong met Shao Quanzhong who had just woken up in his study.
Peace talks? Because Marshal Shao was "busy with official duties", the talks were postponed to the afternoon.
"Marshal, with the fighting power of the Huai Army, it will probably take no more than three years to defeat the New Army coalition and unify China by force."
"This will ensure that there will be no future troubles, and the country will be forever secure. It can be said that this will be the foundation of the Shao family for eternity. But the commander-in-chief is hesitant and still wants to negotiate with the new army. What is his purpose?"
Shao Quanzhong yawned, still looking like he hadn't gotten enough sleep, and knocked his fists on his lower back, "Brother Xiaoda, I think China's opportunity for rapid development will only last for ten years at most. It's the golden ten years, and I can't bear to spend three years fighting a civil war."
"But if I don't fight, these bastards from the literature club will not obey and won't give me the time. I'm in a dilemma now. Brother Xiaoda, do you have any good ideas to teach me?"
Zhang Zhidong laughed loudly, "That's why I came here! I have a plan that can postpone the civil war for ten years. But, Marshal, are you willing to postpone becoming emperor for ten years?"
Shao Quanzhong grabbed Zhang Zhidong's hand and said, "Brother Xiaoda is truly my Zhuge. What's the point of being a shitty emperor? What's the point of that empty title?"
"Good! It's China's good fortune that the Marshal is not seeking fame for nothing. I talked with Sven until midnight last night. If Sven's methods can really help China develop in great strides, then in ten years, there may not be a need to fight this civil war."
"But if Sven's strategy doesn't work, the new army may become stronger and the Huai Army may lose. My lord, you have to think carefully."
this--
Shao Quanzhong hesitated.
If we act now, the Shao family will be an ironclad kingdom in three years. If we postpone it for ten years and bet on the possibility of rapid development for China, the kingdom may not be named Shao. This is really too difficult for Mr. Shao, okay? If Shao Quanzhong had the temper he had before, he would definitely declare war without hesitation. What could be more important than the old Shao family's kingdom?
But having served as Prince Rui in the Qing Dynasty for several years, he had long regarded himself as the head of the Chinese family and had always worked diligently for this end.
He was basically either in the saddle or on the boat. He had already contributed too much to China, and the excessive sunk costs made him hesitate.
"Ring ring ring!"
The telephone line on the desk rang.
Shao Quanzhong picked up the phone, and Rong Hui's cheerful voice came over, "Brother Shao, I have good news for you. The analytical machine of Xiaoxiangya Academy of Sciences has been built!"
Um, what’s the name of that old English guy with hemiplegia, right, Babbage, the computer?
This thing is a magic weapon in basic science. Although it is considered great news in the scientific community, it seems to have no practical use in the short term.
Since his wife was so serious in announcing the good news, Shao Quanzhong had to cooperate. "Okay, congratulations. If you want to reward the meritorious personnel, just give them money directly. Don't you have an unsealed checkbook from Wen's Bank?"
"Eh? Brother Shao, you sound very unhappy. Why are the negotiations not going well?"
"Hui Er, I have a choice now. Should I pray for the eternal prosperity of the Shaw family, or gamble on the uncertain opportunity of China's revival in ten years?"
"Hehehe, don't you always dislike women interfering in politics? But, Brother Shao, throughout history, have you ever seen a dynasty that remained unchanged for thousands of years?"
Shao Quanzhong laughed out loud, "Okay, Huier, go and reward the scientists and senior technicians. I have made a decision."
…………
On May 1875, 5, the peace talks at Prince Rui’s Palace were announced to have concluded successfully, and a press conference was held.
The two sides of the talks announced that they would cooperate to establish a temporary government, with Shao Quanzhong serving as the commander-in-chief of the navy and army, theoretically commanding all the armed forces of Daxia.
Yung Wing was appointed as Foreign Minister, representing Great Xia in negotiations with other countries.
Daxia imitated the Ming system and established two sets of six ministries in the north and south.
The former Jiangning Provincial Administration was renamed Nanzhili, Hailing became the temporary southern capital, and Zhang Siwen was appointed as the advisor of the Privy Council, in charge of the overall affairs of the south.
Chen Siqi, the "first hero of the uprising" in the north, was appointed as the general governor, Tian Xing was appointed as the president of the Senate, and Zhang Zhidong was appointed as the prime minister. Six ministries were established and the provinces were managed.
The two parties agreed to jointly develop the economy for a period of ten years and merge after ten years.
If Zhang Siwen's side gains a decisive economic advantage, Shao Quanzhong will become the emperor of the Great Xia Empire.
If Zhang Zhidong wins, Shao Quanzhong will have to retire.
A war that was about to break out was changed to a war, and the people were relieved, as they no longer had to worry about enduring the suffering of war.
However, some people spoke up for Shao Dashuai, saying, "I think Shao Dashuai should just become the emperor."
"Hehe, let's see who dares to compete with Marshal Shao for the world in ten years. I will be the first to disagree."
At the celebration banquet, Zhang Zhidong held Zhang Siwen's hand and said, "Brother, the people in the Literature Society are very cunning. They pushed me to the position of prime minister. I will not let you off the hook."
"With me and your elder brother Tian Xing in the north, your second brother won't be able to take advantage of the resource allocation. I sincerely hope you can win."
Zhang Zhidong's words were full of grace, but Zhang Siwen did not have his brother's elegance. He said firmly, "Brother, you don't understand the power of the common people. You will lose."
(End of this chapter)