The Australian Revolution of 1828

The following morning, the Governor's Office held an emergency meeting regarding the issue of foreigners landing at the port, and brought along the interrogation report from the previous night.

Inside the meeting room, Han Qingyun was furious. He threw the interrogation report at all the bureau chiefs present, practically pointing his finger at them and yelling, "Look at the wolves in sheep's clothing of these foreigners! It's utterly outrageous!"

"What exactly do they want? Are they trying to colonize us?"

Of the seventeen commissioners present, only Lok Ping-chung personally participated in a small portion of the interrogation and had some inside information, enabling him to make accurate judgments.

The other sixteen directors had heard about the shooting at the port, but they didn't know the specifics. Now, Han Qingyun's outburst of anger left the directors present completely bewildered.

As the Director of the Immigration Agency, whom Han Qingyun personally trained and promoted, Luo Bingzhong had no choice but to take on the responsibility.

The person who was sitting stood up straight, angrily rebuking the foreigners, saying, "Chief Justice, these foreign scoundrels are ambitious and their schemes are certainly not small."

Their ambitions are certainly not small; it's nothing more than colonization, the same old story!

However, Han Qingyun's purpose was not to prove the foreigners' wolfish ambitions, but to change Hanyang's existing war preparedness system through this incident.

He gestured for Luo Bingzhong to sit down, and then all the directors present reviewed the interrogation report one by one.

Han Qingyun then formally set the tone for the meeting, raising his voice to more than twice its normal volume, and said, "I called you all here today not to congratulate any of you on marrying a new wife or having a son."

"But I want to tell you a cruel and bloody fact: the foreigners have their eyes on Hanyang."

"Whether you believe it or not, the war horn has sounded. I hope everyone will put aside their ulterior motives, face reality, and defend Hanyang!"

Faced with Han Qingyun's almost commanding tone, a stark contrast to his usual amiable manner, Dai Zhicheng of the Civil Affairs Bureau could not accept it and adopted a negative attitude.

In response to the foreigner incident, Tai Chi-shing of the Home Affairs Department countered, saying, "I've read this interrogation report. What does it prove?"

"If what the report says is true, if we go to foreign territory to do business, will we also be arrested by the foreigners, and used as a prelude to war?"

This statement, which makes connections from one point to another, seems minor at first glance, but it's actually quite problematic. Especially since it was said by Dai Zhicheng, it makes him appear to have ulterior motives.

However, Han Qingyun wasn't entirely unprepared. He pulled back the curtain obscuring the map of Mingzhou (Australia) on the wall of the meeting room, pointed to the location of Hanyang Prefecture, and questioned Dai Zhicheng, saying, "The foreigners are already drawing detailed data on rivers, temperatures, population, and so on. Could it be that they've come to do business with you, Director Dai?"

"Even among merchants, who among you has ever seen a caravan without goods, but instead armed ships meticulously mapped with data on rivers, temperatures, population, and so on?"

A single sentence revealed the foreigners' true intentions, rendering Dai Zhicheng's conclusions untenable and causing several bureau chiefs present to change their minds and agree with Han Qingyun's assessment of the war.

However, Dai Zhicheng knew perfectly well that this was a common tactic used by colonizers, but he turned a blind eye and tried to argue his point, saying, "Rivers are one of the main routes for commercial transportation. Knowing the local population and temperature makes it easier to understand the local needs."

"Moreover, Hanyang's pastures are rich in resources. If we sell beef and mutton to foreigners, Hanyang can earn extra trade revenue. Why not?"

A malicious explanation is worse than no explanation at all!

In fact, Luo Bingzhong of the Immigration Agency, who was more business-savvy, objected, saying, "Director Dai, if you have this idea, I advise you to resign from your position at the Civil Affairs Department as soon as possible, so as not to harm yourself and others."

"For hundreds of years, whenever foreigners went to a place, they would draw up data on the local rivers, sea routes, population, and so on. Once the time was right, they would colonize the place."

"With so many facts right in front of us, Director Dai chooses to turn a blind eye. Isn't he afraid we'll also end up dead and our families wiped out?"

Luo Bingzhong spoke bluntly, leaving Dai Zhicheng speechless and unable to find a reason to argue. He tried to say something, but realized his argument was untenable, and could only watch helplessly.

Han Qingyun, sitting in the main seat, couldn't help but curse "idiot" when he saw this, leaving Dai Zhicheng glaring helplessly.

However, since this is ultimately a meeting to discuss matters, we cannot let our emotions run wild; we must stick to the facts.

Han Qingyun gave positive affirmation to Luo Bingzhong's remarks, saying, "Director Luo is right. The facts of colonialism are right in front of us, and we must open our eyes to see them."

"We cannot be like some people who disregard the life and death of Hanyang for their own petty interests. If we all close our eyes to make decisions, it will not only harm the people of Hanyang, but also all of you here."

The seventeen directors reacted differently, with some expressing approval and others scoffing.

Among them, Lin Moquan, the director of the War Bureau, stood up most clearly to disagree, saying, "Chief of the Military Intelligence Bureau, even if war breaks out, so what?"

"As long as foreigners dare to come to Hanyang, I, Lin, will defeat the invading enemy!"

Since Old Master Han passed away, the Governor's Office has clearly weakened its control. Ultimately, this is because Han Qingyun's military achievements are insufficient, and he cannot prove his abilities.

Those who held high positions had all fought alongside Old Master Han in battle. While they might not have fought side-by-side, it's possible they offered each other support.

Just like Lin Moquan at this moment, as soon as he expressed his attitude towards the war, a director echoed his opinion, showing a disdain for the British.

They're nothing but a bunch of insects, utterly lacking in strategic vision.

Considering the urgency of dealing with the foreigners and the fact that he couldn't control the situation at the moment, Han Qingyun said, "You all came here with my father and have been through hundreds of naval battles, big and small."

"In terms of naval combat experience, there's no doubt about that. But we can't let our guard down and forget about the Westerners' powerful ships and cannons."

Those present were all directors of various government offices. Apart from a few people recently promoted by Han Qingyun, the rest had all come from the naval battles with Old Master Han.

While Han Qingyun's words made sense, Lin Moquan disagreed and insisted on his own opinion, saying, "Generalissimo, you overestimate the foreigners. They're not some kind of superhuman, what can they do to me?"

"Back then, when I followed the old governor and roamed the seas with impunity, I was never afraid of foreigners. Now, Hanyang Prefecture has food, clothing, guns, cannons, ships, and fortifications. What do we have to fear?"

Lin Moquan, the Director of the War Bureau, was born on February 3, 1791, and is currently 37 years old, in the prime of his life. With his rich experience in naval warfare, he has always held the reins of the War Bureau.

If Grandpa Han were still alive, he certainly wouldn't dare to go this far.

Unfortunately, the one in charge now is Han Qingyun, an 18-year-old young man. Relying on his own merits and seniority, Lin Moquan naturally feels extremely superior.

The blatant pressure is nothing more than a desperate attempt to seize military power.

However, since this concerned the life and death of Hanyang Prefecture, Han Qingyun certainly could not back down, and said, "Director Lin, things are very different now than before, so let's not bring up the past again."

The battles of yesteryear were merely decorations for Lin Moquan's military achievements and glory; how could he not mention them? He shouted loudly, "Without those days, there would be no present!"

Hearing such thoughtless words, Han Qingyun was immediately annoyed. They already had Dai Zhicheng, and now Lin Moquan had appeared out of nowhere.

With a stern face, Han Qingyun was about to reprimand him when his father-in-law, Meng Xiong from the Industrial Bureau, offered his opinion, trying to smooth things over, saying, "Old Lin, this is your problem."

"Aren't we living a good life now? Do we really have to keep hiding and running like before?"

"If you had any conscience at all, you wouldn't say something like that!"

The two were old comrades who had fought side by side, so Lin Moquan gave him some face, lowered his voice, and said, "Old Meng, this is clearly not my fault!"

"The old governor always relied on us and even confided in us. But our new governor, as soon as he took office, dismissed you from your position in the Mining Department and demolished Old Dai's Civil Affairs Office."

"Look at the people he promoted, weren't they all our former subordinates!"

"Old Meng, do you think this makes sense? Don't side with him just because he's your son-in-law!"

They've gone around in circles, getting caught up in their own little schemes! I wonder if they were instigated by someone else to cause trouble during the meeting.

The fact that the government offices were split up is undeniable. However, Lin Moquan's misinterpretation of this is a slap in the face to Han Qingyun, and even somewhat unreasonable.

Whether Lin Moquan acted rashly or was instigated by others, it doesn't matter anymore. What matters is that Han Qingyun's prestige cannot be challenged any further.

If a few more people were to launch into a barrage of criticism, Han Qingyun would be unable to get anything done, and his position would become unstable.

Flipping the table is a hidden power of the governor, and Han Qingyun certainly has the ability to do so.

Taking advantage of Lin Moquan's reckless words, Han Qingyun was furious. He threw the interrogation report in his hand onto the conference table and shouted, "Lin Moquan, if you take back what you just said, I can let bygones be bygones!"

The words carried a warning, and the meaning was quite clear.

However, Han Qingyun underestimated Lin Moquan. This was a soldier who had been on the battlefield and seen a lot of blood; how could he back down just because of Han Qingyun's words? He cursed and said, "Han Qingyun, don't think that just because you're the governor, you can do anything to me!"

"Back when I was fighting at sea with the old governor, you were still cheering and waving the flag on the sidelines!"

To be honest, Han Qingyun was too young. Although he had participated in most naval battles, he had never demonstrated the ability to command combat, which led to Lin Moquan becoming a bit arrogant.

No wonder founding emperors throughout history had to eliminate unruly military generals; they were simply too arrogant and domineering. A moment's inattention could lead to them launching a brutal attack.

Although Han Qingyun was not a legitimate emperor, he was still a ruler of a region.

Now they've been given a chance to back down. If Lin Moquan says a few kind words and takes care of Han Qingyun's prestige, perhaps this matter will just pass, and only the few directors in the meeting will know about it.

Now that Lin Moquan refused to back down or back down, Han Qingyun had no other choice but to make an example of him. He called out towards the outside of the conference room, "Someone come here!"

Upon hearing Han Qingyun's voice, Han Shiwei, the captain of the guards who was on duty, led two men and barged in.

Just as they were about to use this incident to completely destroy Lin Moquan, his father-in-law Meng Xiong stepped in to stop them, saying, "Captain Han, Director Lin is not feeling well. Send a few people to help Director Lin home to rest."

His father-in-law Meng Xiong's actions calmed Han Qingyun down a bit. Meeting the gaze of the head of the guards, Han Shiwei, Han Qingyun nodded, tacitly agreeing.

Dealing with Lin Moquan is simple; the problem is that Old Master Han left behind a bunch of veterans. If things get too tense, Hanyang might be in danger of splitting apart.

While Han Qingyun could kill to establish his authority, once he drew his knife, it wouldn't just be a matter of killing one person; it could very well be a group of people.

This group of people were still mid-to-high-level officials in Hanyang, responsible for handling various administrative orders from the Governor-General's Office. Once these orders were processed, the intermediate links would be disrupted.