Nanyang Storm 1864

In the following days, King Zheng Guohui of Chu inspected several important military camps and naval bases, and delivered a live speech at Base No. 71 encouraging officers and soldiers to train diligently, serve the kingdom, and obey the king's call at any time, which caused a huge sensation.

September 13th, 2025

When the King of Chu and his entourage were returning on their special train, they received the latest transatlantic telex report from South Africa;

The Boers officially declared war on the British on the 11th. The Boer militia took the initiative to attack the British army in South Africa, and the Second Boer War officially broke out.

It had been two days since the war broke out.

When the Chu State's top military and political officials heard the news, they did not look surprised at all.

In South Africa
The conflict between the British and the Boers had been going on for several years. During negotiations, they exchanged harsh words and threatened war more than a dozen times, with both sides taking very hard-line positions.

On October 1899, 10, the Transvaal government issued an ultimatum to Britain;

The United Kingdom was asked to stop sending additional troops to South Africa, withdraw all troops that had arrived in South Africa, and submit all disputes to diplomatic arbitration, with a reply time limit of 48 hours.

On October 10, British Colonial Secretary Chamberlain telegraphed Cape Town Colony Prime Minister Milner, asking him to flatly reject the conditions put forward by South Africa.

This is such a joke that anyone can issue an ultimatum to the British government. Is the pride of the British Empire still there?

At 1899:10 p.m. on October 11, , the Federal Parliament of the Transvaal Republic and the Orange Free State Republic declared war on Britain, and the Second Boer War officially broke out.

Upon hearing this news, the expression on King Chu Zheng Guohui's face became strange.

It was as if the dream lover I had been waiting for for many years suddenly appeared before my eyes, so charming, graceful and beautiful.

Okay...okay!
Just fight like this, the more intense the better, the better, the more heads you beat into dog brains.

Outside of the influence of the Chu State, world history still firmly followed its original trajectory, and some major historical events occurred as scheduled, which gave him more confidence.

King Zheng Guohui of Chu has always been worried that the rapid rise of Chu in Southeast Asia will affect the historical process of the world or East Asia, making the future even more confusing.

It now seems that such worries were unnecessary.

Looking at the town scenery that was constantly receding outside the car window, King Zheng Guohui of Chu was in a particularly good mood. He leisurely picked up the tea on the table and took a sip, saying;

"Lord Fan, it's almost the end of the year. It's time to put the national economy and people's livelihood statistics work on the agenda before the end of the year. We need to review our financial situation, review the development achievements so far this year, and examine whether there are any shortcomings in the government's work. We all need to make plans early."

Prime Minister Pham Tri Thanh arrived in Batangas three days ago to accompany His Majesty the King on his final inspection tour. He also took time off to inspect the Batangas Industrial Zone and accompanied him on the special train back to Manila.

Hearing His Majesty talking about current political affairs, Prime Minister Fan Zhicheng bowed and replied respectfully:

"Your Majesty, this matter has been comprehensively arranged at the regular cabinet meeting in the second week of this month. Compared to previous years, this year, over a thousand more outstanding students from the University of Manila will be selected to participate in the compilation and verification of industrial and commercial data. Starting from the beginning of next month, statistical review teams will be dispatched to each Governor-General's Office, state, and island prefecture and county to cooperate with the Audit Office."

"Well, this is a good idea. Let some outstanding students who are about to graduate participate in social practice. Accumulating social experience as quickly as possible, gaining experience, and expanding knowledge are much more useful than just studying in school."

"Your Majesty is wise, and I, your humble servants, have also considered this."

"You can boldly implement these good measures. Given the vastness of the kingdom, we need more young officials who are full of vigor, ideals, and responsibility to shoulder the heavy responsibility. The way to govern officials is to rely on institutional supervision and encouragement. We cannot afford to slack off for even a moment."

"I, the Minister of the Province, have instructed the Ministry of Personnel to compile a 'Social Experience Assessment Form for Enrolled Students' to provide a fair assessment of these young students who have undergone social experience, which will serve as an important basis for future assignments."

"Yes, that's fine. The people involved in the evaluation should be rotated from time to time to ensure fairness and impartiality, so as not to discourage the students."

"I, your humble servant, will follow His Majesty's instructions. The evaluation will not be limited to the Ministry of Personnel. We will also invite reputable individuals from the education sector and the public to participate, and we will rotate them from time to time."

"Yes, open and transparent government affairs are also a good way to eliminate corruption."

King Zheng Guohui of Chu nodded in approval, and the personal secretary of the royal secretariat sitting on the side wrote down the king's wishes and conversations with his ministers with flying hands.

There is no need for an imperial edict for such ordinary oral instructions, and the Grand Council of the Cabinet will handle them accordingly.

If the parliament raises objections during questioning and seeks legal basis, it can be found in the daily records of His Majesty the King of Chu.

This is also one of the important tasks of the royal secretary, recording the words and deeds of His Majesty the King, especially the consultations and responses with important ministers, which are the basis for the cabinet's administration.

The constitutional system of imperial dictatorship in the State of Chu was similar to that of the German emperor and the Russian tsar. The monarch could abolish or establish parliament, dismiss the chief minister and other cabinet ministers, and the monarch's will dominated the country's social development process.

Just like the current German Empire, due to the influence of Emperor William II's strong ambition for external expansion, the huge German Empire is sliding towards the abyss of head-on confrontation with the British Empire.

Less than two years after William II officially ascended the throne in June 1888, he ordered the resignation of Prime Minister Bismarck, whom he felt was an eyesore, and completely abandoned the policies advocated by the latter, including the "Three Emperors' Alliance" which was regarded as the cornerstone.

After the expiration of the "Triple Alliance", it was not renewed. William II publicly humiliated the Russian Empire with rude words, which led to a deep rift between Germany and Russia and indirectly promoted the alliance between France and Russia.

After the Johnson incident, William II immediately sent a telegram to Transvaal President Kruger, expressing his congratulations to him without restraint. This is the famous "Kruger Telegram" incident.

The incident caused an outburst of anger among the British, and the traditional friendly relations between Britain and Germany were on the brink of collapse.

To know

Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom was William II's grandmother. His various actions that rebelled against the British made the British feel betrayed, and their anger can be imagined.

As early as 1897, German Emperor Wilhelm II personally promoted Alfred von Tirpitz to be the Minister of the Navy and allocated 7000 million German marks to build three world-class battleships, foreshadowing a major shift in the policy of the German Empire.

This was the German Empire's formal challenge to Britain's maritime hegemony. The sensitive British quickly noticed this and hoped to make a final effort.

Unfortunately, William II's various actions on the South African issue made the British feel completely disappointed, and they no longer had any unrealistic hopes for Germany.

The Anglo-German maritime arms race began from then on.

From this
In a constitutional monarchy with authoritarian monarchy, if the leader goes astray, how much serious harm will it cause to the country and the nation?
That afternoon
The royal train landed safely at the designated platform in Longshouyuan District, concluding its week-long tour. After the accompanying ministers and military and political leaders respectfully bid farewell to the King's motorcade, they each climbed into the waiting cars and packed up their belongings before dispersing.

In today's Chu political circles
Senior administrative officials would purchase one or several BMW sedans for daily transportation and commuting between government offices. The cars were all black.

There is no mandatory regulation for this, but it is an implicit rule in official circles.

Officials buy a lower-level BMW sedan called the Executive Edition, a streamlined four-door sedan.

In addition to the tall carriage and some shadows of a horse-drawn carriage, the shield-shaped front, streamlined wheel covers and two round headlights basically have many elements of a modern sedan from a rear view.

The black executive version of the BMW sedan is stable and dignified, and has always been favored by officials and nobles. It is almost a symbol of their status, and it is so common for senior officials to own one.

The purchasing qualifications of BMW sedans will also be strictly reviewed. Only officials and nobles at or above the prefectural level are eligible to purchase the executive version of the black BMW sedan.

Such a car is worth 16600 silver dollars, which ordinary officials really cannot afford.

The elite version of the BMW sedan, which is one level lower, is available in white, silver, brown, and two-tone colors, but its cabin is shorter than the executive version and is far inferior in imposing manner.

When the two cars are parked next to each other, you can see a significant difference.

Such an elite version of the BMW sedan costs only 13200 silver dollars. It lacks the dazzling front logo, exquisite accessories and noble badges on the body, and has reduced features in the engine and tires to distinguish the two levels of sedans.

Elite BMW sedans are sold to businessmen, middle and low-level officials, capitalists, factory owners, plantation owners and wealthy urban families, so there is no need to review any qualifications.

As long as you have money, you can buy it. Just pay and place an order.

Invisibly, people were divided into different levels.

However, BMW cars thrived in Chu society despite this, and developed into the representative of luxury cars and the most powerful automobile company.

In this day and age

The users who can afford expensive products like cars must be just a small group of people at the top of the pyramid, who take the high-end route.

Some affordable car factories in the State of Chu would charge five to six thousand, or even seven to eight thousand silver dollars for a single car. Sedans were much more expensive than trucks.

This is because cars use expensive gasoline internal combustion engines, which have the advantages of smooth operation, low vibration, quick response, and less pollution. The disadvantage is that they are expensive and are not suitable for use as car power.

Diesel engines used in trucks are cheaper, but they also have obvious disadvantages.

The black smoke produced by combustion causes heavy pollution, and the "thump thump thump" noise is also loud. It gets better after you step on the accelerator and the shaking basically stops.

If you release the accelerator, the truck's diesel engine will shake violently and easily stall. Sitting in the car is like sitting in a shaking sieve, so there is naturally no sense of comfort.

This is related to the level of diesel refining in today's era, which contains more impurities.

In the case of incomplete combustion, the truck often emits smoke while driving, which is simply like a moving black dragon. You can imagine how it feels.

Even so
It is also a subversive change to the old mode of transportation, and is gradually entering thousands of households.

more than a month later
Purple Palace, Imperial Study

"Is Governor Vic leaving?" King Zheng Guohui of Chu was reading the latest war report from South Africa. He looked up and asked.

The new secretary general, Li Jingxi, reported respectfully:
"In reply to your Majesty's words
Governor William Rossebohm, appointed by the King of the Netherlands, had arrived in Batavia three days ago. He arrived on the British cruise ship "Cabas" together with his wife and two young daughters.

After a grand welcome ceremony and dinner, Governor Wick took over the reins of power with the new governor and set off for the Netherlands on the same day.

News from Bazavia indicates that
Governor Wijk will leave on a cruise ship tomorrow morning. His trip is very rushed. His wife, daughter and family returned to Amsterdam at the end of last year.

Governor-General Vick is returning to the Netherlands and may serve as Minister of Finance."

"Oh... not bad!" King Zheng Guohui of Chu said this lightly, and there was no further comment.

When such an important colonial governor leaves office or takes office, the Chu Ministry of Foreign Affairs will follow the old practice of sending congratulatory telegrams, and there are corresponding procedures for welcoming and seeing off the governor, so no further instructions are needed.

Secretary General Li Jingxi wisely presented a document and said, "Your Majesty, this is information regarding the new Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies, Lord William Rossebaum, as well as the Secretariat's forward-looking analysis. Please review it."

"Well, put it here. I will take a look at it when I have time." King Zheng Guohui of Chu gestured slightly and turned his attention back to the South African military intelligence information in his hand.

Secretary General Li Jingxi quietly put down the information in his hand. He knew that His Majesty would definitely pay attention to this information, so he collected it in advance and submitted it to the emperor instead of waiting for orders.

The most critical core task of leading such a large department as the Royal Secretariat is to serve His Majesty the King well, and everything else is secondary.

Secretary-General Li Jingxi has been working overtime to read recent military news about South Africa and Java Island, including geography, humanities and social conditions, and even memorized them firmly in his mind.

Make sure that whatever His Majesty the King asks, we can answer it fluently and immediately.

Now I am always by His Majesty the King's side. I see His Majesty the King often goes to the side hall to look at maps and sand tables, so I already have a general idea of ​​what is going on.

A new round of strategic expansion of the Chu State is imminent, and this will be a prelude to the leap forward of the state.

After successfully taking over the remaining territories of the Dutch East Indies and personally picking up the shining pearl of Java Island, it was only natural for him to ascend the throne and become emperor.

From then on, the Great Chu Kingdom was promoted to the Great Chu Empire, and a great cause that would last forever was established. The military and political ministers around the King of Chu were promoted to high positions. What an exciting moment that must have been!
The more this happened, the tighter Secretary-General Li Jingxi kept his mouth shut. He repeatedly warned the secretaries in the secretariat not to leak a single word.

Otherwise, you will be punished according to the family rules. (End of this chapter)