Beiyang Dream

Chapter 101: A Trap to Protect Against Japan and Russia, Blowing Out the Lamp and Pounced On

Chang Desheng, holding his wine glass, walked towards the small table where there was only one person.

That person was Kijuro Okura.

He is a special guest today! He shouldn't have been here, but because of Haruko and the "Otsu Incident" that happened more than a month ago (the Japanese devils killing Nicholas II), he became a guest invited by Luo Jingrou.

Over the past fifteen minutes, this warehouse has heard a lot of things.

He first went to Hong Jun and said that the Qing Dynasty court favored the Hanyang Ironworks. ...

He then heard Chang Desheng say that the North Factory would produce 50,000 tons of steel, and the South Factory would also produce 50,000 tons of steel. In three years, that would be 100,000 tons! He then heard Zhang Bishi say that the Southern Ocean would fully support the Northern Ocean and that there was plenty of money!

He then heard Luo Zhenxing say that railways were going to be built in Borneo, Malaya, and Sumatra.

He also heard a man named Yin Chang say that the Qing Dynasty was going to train the Eight Banners New Army and send people to Germany to study military science!

These messages sound so scary!

Luanzhou: 50,000 tons; Hanyang: 50,000 tons; totaling 100,000 tons.

And what about Japan? The Kamaishi iron mine produces just over 10,000 tons of ore a year, and it frequently shuts down. Other iron mines are even less noteworthy.

Compared to that 100,000 tons, the steel production is less than 10%!

Even the Qing army has made progress; at least the new Eight Banners army is about to start training!

This Qing Dynasty seems a bit scary!

However, Kijuro Okura remained completely unperturbed. His family were the army's "official merchants." The stronger the Qing Dynasty became, the more military spending Japan would have, and the more military spending Japan would have, the bigger his business would be, and the more money he would make!

Therefore, the stronger the Qing Dynasty became, the richer his family became!

Yo-shi, that's great!

Chang Desheng walked up to him, smiled and raised his glass: "Mr. Okura, thank you for coming from afar to drink my celebratory wine."

Da Cang stood up, holding his wine glass, and lightly clinked it against Chang Desheng's, his face beaming with congratulations on his fortune.

"Congratulations! On behalf of the Okura Group, I sincerely wish you and your wife a long and happy marriage."

Chang Desheng smiled and nodded, about to turn and go to the next table, when Da Cang suddenly said in English:

"Mr. Chang, may we have a private conversation?"

Chang Desheng paused in his steps.

A private conversation? At this wedding? Is it that urgent? Oh, it seems the Russians are putting you on a tight spot.

He glanced at Okura, whose face still wore that same "Wishing you prosperity" smile.

Chang Desheng replied in English, "Of course, please."

The two men, holding their wine glasses, walked to a relatively quiet window in the corner of the main hall, right under everyone's noses.

Okura took a sip of his drink, remained silent for a few moments, and then spoke in English. His English wasn't very good; it was standard Japanese-accented English, but Chang Desheng could still understand him:

"We're both observant people, so I'll cut to the chase. You must have heard about the assassination attempt that happened in Otsu City last month, right?"

Of course I know, it's about the Otsu Incident!

Nicholas II, the future Tsarevich of Russia, was stabbed by a Japanese policeman. Unfortunately, he wasn't killed, but it was still a relief. Chang Desheng was about to go to Korea to become a warlord, and at this critical moment, he didn't want the Japanese to protest to that cowardly old man Li Hongzhang... The fact that Nicholas was stabbed by the Japanese came at just the right time.

Okura sighed and said with a wry smile, "Last month, when Russian Crown Prince Nicholas visited Japan, he was stabbed in the head by a Japanese policeman in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture."

Chang Desheng remained outwardly calm, only slightly frowning: "I've heard that your country handled it quite well, haven't they?"

"Is that alright?" Okura gave a wry smile. "His Majesty the Emperor personally went to Kyoto to offer his condolences, the Prime Minister and cabinet ministers lined up to apologize, and the judge was almost forced to commit seppuku to atone for his sins... But the Russian warships still patrolled the waters near Japan for several days before withdrawing."

He picked up his glass and downed it in one gulp.

"Through observation, and to be frank, there is currently extreme panic within Japan regarding potential retaliatory measures by Russia. And if Russia were to invade Japan, it would most likely do so via Korea..."

He looked directly into Chang Desheng's eyes: "Therefore, our country is now genuinely willing to work with your country to defend against Russia in Korea... We East Asian countries should unite to jointly resist the aggression of Western powers!"

Chang Desheng began to make plans in his mind.

These words from Kijuro Okura certainly didn't represent his own opinion. The Okura family were merchants favored by the Japanese Army, so these words were definitely on behalf of the Japanese military. ...This shows that the Japanese military is truly afraid now.

Although historically, Nicholas II ultimately suffered a beating without consequence, and Russia did not launch a war as a result, the Japanese today are unaware of this. After all, the Russians have a notorious reputation for ruthlessness; for the Japanese to have beheaded their crown prince would be like stirring up a hornet's nest—no, a Russian bear's den! It's perfectly normal for them to be on edge for a year or two.

At least until 1891, defending against Russia remained the primary task for the Japanese.

Since they want to guard against Russia, they must form an alliance with Qing.

"Lianqing" means he allied himself with Yuan Shikai!

Naturally, we shouldn't make a fuss about Yuan Shikai and Chang Desheng's armed activities in Korea.

As for simultaneously being hostile to both the Soviet Union and the Qing Dynasty... the Japanese devils of today aren't that arrogant!

The Russians, wanting to advance south to attack Japan, also needed a springboard; launching an attack directly from Vladivostok was inconvenient. Firstly, the distance was somewhat far; secondly, Vladivostok had a four-month ice season. In the 1890s, floating ice typically began to form in November, and the ice in the port wouldn't clear until March or April of the following year.

This meant that for up to four months, the Russian Pacific Fleet was unable to go to sea to fight or to supply the troops landing in Japan.

This war is unwinnable!

But if the Russians were to capture Wonsan Port in North Korea, the situation would be very different!

Thinking of this, he nodded with an expression of agreement.

"Mr. Okura, the fact that you're telling me all this shows you consider me a friend. In that case, I won't hide it from you. Actually, my primary mission in North Korea is to guard against Russia! After all, Russia has seized vast swathes of our territory over the past few decades, and now it's eyeing Northeast my country and North Korea. We have to be on guard!"

He paused, then continued, "Recently, the Russians have again set their sights on Wonsan, the port of Korea. One of their armored cruisers is currently in Wonsan..." If Wonsan becomes a base for the Russian Pacific Fleet, it will be extremely detrimental to your country, to Korea, and to our country! In fact, Chang Desheng quite hoped to lease Wonsan to Russia... However, Li Hongzhang, who was supposedly adept at "using barbarians to control barbarians," would certainly not agree, so they could only wait until the Sino-Japanese War broke out to discuss it further.

However, before that, the defenses of Motoyama must be strengthened! We can't let the Japanese take Motoyama so easily, otherwise how can we let the Russians enter the fray?

"Really?" Okura looked a little nervous.

"Of course it's true! The Russians have always been insatiable when it comes to territory, and an ice-free port is even more fatally attractive to them!" Chang Desheng raised his glass. "Okura-san, now, the Russians have become a common enemy of us, you, and Korea!"

Okura raised his glass, a hint of sincerity finally appearing in his smile: "Yes, we have a common enemy!"

The two wine glasses clinked together gently, making a crisp sound.

They each finished their drinks and smiled at each other.

Okura turned around and went back to his small table.

Chang Desheng turned around, his smile still on his face, but he was already plotting how to trick the Japanese:

If the Japanese devils are now trying to get him to join them in defending against Russia because they are afraid of Russia, then that would be exactly what he wants.

Resisting Russia...it has to cost money!

The "golden ticket" to strengthen the defense of Motoyama should, of course, be paid by the Japanese!

Use Japanese money to train soldiers to fight against the Japanese!

By the time Japan realized what was happening, Motoyama was already impregnable.

By the time of the First Sino-Japanese War, the Yuanshan Fortress built by Japan was used as a bargaining chip to lure the Russian bear into the game!

This deal is done.

Chang Desheng put down his empty wine glass, nodded to Da Cang, turned and walked towards the foreigners' table to offer toasts. He had to continue...

After finally finishing toasting in the main hall, there were still two side halls and a flower hall to toast.

After toasting everyone in the circle, Chang Desheng felt like his throat was on fire.

Fortunately, Cao Sanshazi, aside from being slow at studying, was quite clever in other aspects. He had already switched the wine for a pot of "special brew"—it looked and smelled like wine, but upon tasting it, he discovered it was mostly water with only a thin layer of alcohol on top. Otherwise, he would have been dead drunk long ago. However, he was still a bit too weak to handle it, so he greeted Cao Kun: "Old Cao, I'm going to rest for a bit. Could you keep an eye on things and make sure the guests don't complain?"

Cao Kun patted his chest and said, "Don't worry! With me watching over things, nothing will go wrong!"

Chang Desheng patted him on the shoulder, walked through the bustling main hall, around the screen, and along the corridor to the backyard. Soon, he arrived at the door of the new house, stood there for a few moments, and suddenly felt a little dazed.

In my previous life, I lived for over thirty years, and getting married was always fraught with two major hurdles: housing and dowry.

Now things are much better; he's married, he's got the money from Southeast Asia, and he's even made his way into Korea.

I just don't know... when will I be able to send the Qing Dynasty away and become president?

He shook his head, banishing those thoughts, and pushed open the door.

A faint fragrance of osmanthus wafts over.

Luo Jingrou sat on the edge of the bed, her red veil already lifted. She had changed into a light red silk dress, and her hair was loosely tied in a bun. She held a round fan in her hand, idly waving it. Seeing Chang Desheng enter, she looked up and smiled, "Finished the toasts?"

"I'm done with the toast." Chang Desheng plopped down next to her, leaned against the bedpost, and let out a long sigh. "I'm exhausted. This is more tiring than fighting a war. You didn't see it, that old fox Hong Jun poured cold water on the Luanzhou Factory right in front of my third uncle! He said that the court favors Hanyang and told me to take it easy."

Luo Jingrou gave a soft hum: "Third Uncle caught it, didn't he?"

"Of course." Chang Desheng laughed. "My third uncle immediately said, 'There's plenty of money,' and even pulled out his father-in-law and Huang Zhonghan to stand up for him. You didn't see Hong Jun's face. He was holding a teacup, smiling on the outside, but he was probably cursing in his heart."

Luo Jingrou covered her mouth and laughed for a while, then stopped laughing and said seriously, "Zhenbang, there's something I want to tell you."

"you say."

"I want to go to North Korea with you."

Chang Desheng paused for a moment, then turned to look at her: "You're going to North Korea? It's not like Tianjin there, it's very chaotic."

"I know," Luo Jingrou said with a smile. "You'll be training troops, mining, and dealing with the Japanese over there. You'll need someone from your own side to keep an eye on things. And..."

She paused, looked up at him, a subtle, enigmatic smile playing on her lips: "Haruko will definitely go too!"

Chang Desheng raised an eyebrow: "Qingzi? What's she doing in North Korea?"

Luo Jingrou chuckled softly, twirling her fan in her hand: "Of course, I'm going to seduce you."

Chang Desheng nearly choked on his own saliva: "What the hell?"

Luo Jingrou gently tapped him with her fan and laughed, "Look how scared you are. That little fox has been seducing you ever since the Battle of Pontianak, don't you think? Every time she sees you, the way she looks at you, the tone of her voice, she practically wants to be glued to you. And in front of me, she acts all humble and subservient, serving me tea and water, more attentive than a maid. What do you think she's after?"

Chang Desheng shook his head repeatedly: "Don't talk nonsense. I only love you! I have no interest in concubines or wives."

"I'm not that petty," Luo Jingrou patted him and laughed. "Don't push her away. She's a really nice girl, pretty, gentle, and the daughter of a big Japanese zaibatsu. Maybe you two are destined for each other. When you get to Korea, you'll run into each other all the time..." Before she could finish speaking, Chang Desheng pounced on her, grabbed her waist, and pressed her down on the bed.

"Are you going to talk or not?"

Luo Jingrou chuckled and used a round fan to block between the two: "I'm not going to say anything more... You get up first, this fan will break..." Chang Desheng didn't get up.

The candle went out with a puff.