Nanyang Storm 1864

Chapter 488 The Berlin Conference Begins

September 6th, 2025

After a relaxing and pleasant visit in Spain, the Chu King's fleet arrived in Germany and received a formal and grand welcome, which we will not discuss here.

The King of Chu's motorcade consisted entirely of cars and trucks full of soldiers, with royal flags fluttering and the royal guards in neat uniforms. All of this caused a great sensation.

The news effect was as explosive as the one generated during the visit to London.

The Germans are rigorous, orderly, rigid, and introverted, which is very similar to the Chinese people in many ways. This is a powerful European empire that pays attention to details, which is reflected in every aspect of production and life.

In terms of the etiquette and many other aspects of welcoming the King of Chu, everything was done impeccably.

No one expected
The King of Chu's convoy that caused a huge sensation was not attended by the king from the East himself. During this period, more than a dozen European kings arrived one after another, as well as a large number of grand dukes and dukes, and the Germans became numb.

The focus of public opinion was the sleek and graceful cars and powerful trucks. Along the way from Hamburg to Berlin, the roadsides in almost every town and village were crowded with onlookers.

Everyone wants to witness with their own eyes this invention that represents the latest technology of the steam industrial revolution, a "mechanical creation that can run on its own without emitting smoke", which has completely overturned the three views of science and engineering men.

The so-called "no smoke" means that compared with the large clouds of smoke emitted by common steam engines, the small amount of exhaust gas emitted by internal combustion engines is simply ignored.

On the streets of Berlin
German engineer Karl Benz was also among the welcoming crowd. Everyone wanted to see with their own eyes how a horseless carriage could run, and the streets were full of onlookers.

The first to come over were the Berlin mounted police in brightly-coated armor. They rode on tall horses and divided into two rows, separating the crowd of onlookers to both sides of the road, leaving the middle road empty.

Following closely behind were the Chu State Royal Guards Cavalry. They were fully armed and carried flags on their backs. Their military uniforms with unique oriental characteristics were impressive. The center of the gilded iron hats on their heads was inlaid with the gilded Chu State Royal emblem.

He came riding on a tall, shining horse, and was greeted with loud cheers from the crowd.

Following closely came the state guest motorcade with national flags flying on the front of the vehicles. The streamlined black bodies revealed an invisible luxury and nobility, and their shape still showed some shadows of luxurious aristocratic carriages.

The sedan is taller and has smaller wheels than a carriage. It has radial cast iron spokes and solid rubber tires, and is equipped with leaf spring shock absorbers, which greatly reduces vibration and the "clatter, clatter" sound of rolling on the stone slabs during driving, so it must be more comfortable to ride.

Many Berlin residents saw a horseless carriage for the first time and were immediately attracted by this novel creation.

Karl Benz couldn't take his eyes off it. Just from the exquisite design of the exterior, he felt refreshed and his inspiration was sparked.

His obsession with machinery is a love that runs deep in his bones.

When these diesel locomotives, which were far ahead of Karl Benz's design concepts, appeared before him, he was instantly conquered and his body couldn't help but jog along with the convoy.

His action quickly alerted the Chu Royal Guards cavalrymen guarding on both sides. They quickly drew their swords from their waists, pointed the shining blades at Karl Benz, and shouted, "Stop immediately!"

Karl Benz was quickly tackled by the surrounding police. He struggled hard and shouted, "Damn it, don't stop me, let me take another look, I just want to see it more clearly."

No one listened to his explanation at this time. Several policemen quickly twisted his arms and pulled Karl Benz up.

Karl Benz struggled hard, turned his head and looked at the cars and trucks passing by one after another, his eyes full of excitement...

He has decided.

He immediately closed his simple internal combustion engine research and development workshop, packed his luggage, took his wife and children to Manila, thousands of miles away, which had become a holy place that Karl Benz longed for.

You will never understand the enthusiasm of a science and engineering man, who can pour infinite passion, even his life and everything, into cold machinery.

The highly mature internal combustion locomotives he saw before him completely shattered Karl Benz's original perception.

He decided to throw everything he had developed into the trash, as those broken gadgets had no value and were out of date.

Karl Benz needed to go to Manila immediately and absorb the world's most advanced internal combustion locomotive design experience like a sponge, break the traditional cognition, and embrace the upcoming new world of automobiles with all his strength.

This little incident during the state guest motorcade's journey did not cause much stir.

What King Zheng Guohui of Chu could never have imagined was
The subsequent response caused by the convoy appearing on German soil was far from over. A large number of German engineers who loved mechanical design soon went to the Chu state to study further, like a pilgrimage.

Many of these German engineers stayed in universities and research institutes in Manila, partly because of their passion and partly to fully display their talents.

Here we have excellent laboratories, ample R&D funds and Chinese colleagues who are good at learning. Everything is the best.

The third reason is that the science and technology support fund of the Chu government and the royal family provided these highly qualified German engineers with generous treatment, allowing them to live an enviable and wealthy life.

As long as you are hired as a university teacher or researcher, you can get free residence in a townhouse or even a detached villa depending on the level of your assessment, and you will be provided with 2 to 4 maids, all of whom are young Malay indigenous women.

The living environment is quiet and beautiful, and the salary is generous. One person's work is enough to support a family of seven or eight people to live a worry-free life.

Isn't such generous treatment much better than having to spend your own money on research and development in Germany, always facing the risk of funding shortages and bankruptcy?

The last reason is that the warm climate and beautiful scenery here make it much more livable than cold Germany. It is indeed a great place to linger.

King Zheng Guohui of Chu did not know that his trip to Germany would actually attract a large number of German engineers who were passionate about mechanical design, which would greatly advance Chu's mechanical design and R&D capabilities and reach the world's top level.

He has been almost busy during his visit to Berlin.

After going to the German Royal Palace to formally pay a visit to the German Emperor Wilhelm I, he immediately met with German Chancellor Bismarck, Russian Crown Prince Nicholas and Russian Foreign Minister Alexander Mikhailovich Gorchakov, Belgian King Leopold II and other big figures who dominated the European situation. He had no time to spare.

Through personal contact during this period, the colorful scenes on the international stage in the late 19th century became increasingly clear in the eyes of King Zheng Guohui of Chu, and he felt that he had gained a lot.

Seeing is believing; the ancients were right.

Once again controlling the pulse of world affairs, King Zheng Guohui of Chu felt more confident and appeared more calm and composed.

The only issue that remains unresolved is the northern demarcation of the border with French West Africa.

The message from King Zheng Guohui of Chu to Foreign Minister Zheng Xin was simple and clear: if negotiations are possible, then negotiate; if not, then further colonization northwards. At worst, a war!

The Congo River colony already had a solid foundation, and this inspection had also strengthened it with the addition of more than 170 middle and senior-level military officers. It had ample resources, including weapons, food, and even war horses.

According to the new plan of the Ministry of Colonies, large-scale immigration will be focused on the Congo River Basin in the next ten years, with the average annual number of Chinese immigrants reaching 40.

This was the second stage of deepening and expansion of colonization, and also a powerful move to fully control the Congo River colonies. It was based on confidence in strength.

"Your Majesty,
Under the personal intervention of Prime Minister Bismarck, my negotiations with the German side on the division of colonial boundaries have progressed smoothly. The two sides have reached many consensuses and have drawn up a draft of the border division.

The border demarcation between the German East African colony and the Governor-General of Congo of our Great Chu State is agreed upon by both parties:
Using the East African Great Rift Valley running from north to south as the boundary benchmark, a winding center line is drawn, passing through Lake Malawi, Lake Victoria and Lake Tanganyika. They are all divided by the geographical center line, sharing the East African Great Rift Valley region and plateau lakes, and jointly planning roads and bridges connecting the two places.

Further discussions were held on border control, exchange of colonial experience and economic and trade exchanges, and all of these topics went smoothly.

The attached draft of border demarcation is submitted herewith and will be formally implemented after approval by the parliaments of both countries.

If there are any deficiencies, please advise me, Your Majesty."

The Berlin Conference, a world-class diplomatic event, provided a stage for Foreign Minister Zheng Xin to show his talents. He has made many important diplomatic achievements recently and his face was full of energy when he presented the report.

Deputy Secretary-General Zheng Jingxi took the petition and respectfully placed it on the imperial desk in the study with both hands, then quietly stepped back and stood half a step behind the throne.

In this way, if the King of Chu had any instructions, even if he turned around and whispered, Li Jingxi would bend down and listen attentively. The distance was just right, neither too much nor too little.

During this time with the King of Chu

Li Jingxi watched carefully, listened attentively, understood seriously, and pondered deeply. He felt that his abilities in all aspects were growing rapidly, as if a magnificent picture was slowly unfolding before his eyes.

The face of the world can be seen more clearly.

This is probably a change that everyone in the King of Chu's delegation to Europe can feel. It has greatly broadened their horizons and deepened their understanding of the European continent. They are less confused like a blind man touching an elephant, and the improvement is obvious.

King Zheng Guohui of Chu did not rush to read the thick draft of the boundary demarcation plan. Instead, he nodded and said kindly, "My dear Zheng, you have worked hard these days."

"I am grateful for your kindness, Your Majesty. How dare I not serve you with all my might?"

"Ok!"

After picking up the teacup on the table and taking a sip, the King of Chu opened the draft of boundary demarcation and read it seriously.

The draft boundary demarcation was accompanied by a map, which was not the traditional freehand map of China, but a relatively rigorous European map. The mountains, lakes and plateaus were depicted very clearly, no less than the maps of later generations.

The benchmark for the colonial boundary between the two countries was the Great Rift Valley of East Africa, which drew a winding center line. This demarcation principle was clear and easy to implement.

This also reduces the hassle of wrangling. There is no need to argue about which East African Rift Valley or which lake is yours or his. They are all shared areas by both parties, and the lake is divided into two.

What we are discussing now are issues of principle. Once the demarcation principles are established and come into effect after approval by the parliaments of the two countries, they will be universally recognized by the international community and have sacred and inviolable legal significance.

Specifically establish the boundary line, erect boundary markers and other follow-up work.

In a few years, Chu and Germany will send a joint border survey team to determine the land border between the two sides along the way and erect boundary markers. The agreement will take effect after confirmation and signing by both sides.

In the wild continent of Africa

Before the arrival of European and Southeast Asian colonists, there were no real borders; this was one of the new concepts that Europe brought to the world.

Europeans are very serious and persistent when it comes to geographical dividing lines, which is inseparable from their historical status quo.

The North German Confederation, covering an area of ​​more than 22 square kilometers, has principalities and ecclesiastical states of varying sizes, as well as three free cities. Each country covers only a few thousand square kilometers, almost the size of a town in Northern China.

If we don't make the boundary line clear, it would be painful to lose a village, so of course we have to take it seriously.

Especially the Germans, they are so particular about details that they can give you a headache.

King Zheng Guohui of Chu expressed satisfaction with this demarcation principle. It could not be said that he was taking advantage of others or suffering any loss. The overall principle was relatively fair and it would be good if it could be implemented in the future.

If you feel unbalanced, then you can just grab a piece from somewhere else, it won’t be too little.

For example, the northern border of the Congo River Colony, which is currently being negotiated with Britain, is located in the east of Portuguese Angola, and the Chu State ultimately succeeded.

The southern border of the Congo River Colony involved the northern parts of Portuguese Angola and British Rhodesia.

Opinions on the division of Chu

It is an extension of the border line signed with Portugal, a geographical latitude that traditionally included the northern part of Rhodesia, which was about 4.6 square kilometers, within the Congo River Colony.

The advantage of doing this is that it is simple and clear. As the boundary is divided by geographical latitudes, there is no dispute over the boundary line.

The British side's opinion on the division

It is divided based on the traditional geographical scope of northern Rhodesia. It is a tortuous border line with many specific disputed areas.

Where should it fall under traditional geographic boundaries?
Where shouldn't it be included?
Based on the differences in cognition between the two sides, this is almost an unanswered debate, because Rodencia itself is a vague geographical concept.

After some negotiation and under-the-table dealings, the British side reluctantly agreed to adopt the Chu-Portuguese Treaty plan, which divided the border between the two sides along geographical latitudes, extending eastward to the Great Rift Valley of East Africa.

In this way

The border issues to the east and south of the Congo River Governorate have all been resolved and there will no longer be any disputes, which is a major benefit of this trip.

(End of this chapter)