The Empire will continue to win

Chapter 90 We have a traitor among us!

Gu, the scholar, was the first to offer his suggestion, and everyone else followed suit.

Shen Lian: "Old Gu is right. Using private funds for public purposes is a major taboo. What kind of logic is there in the world to use one's own money to serve the court?"

A playboy, but with a deep understanding of human nature.

Gu Hongming added, "Young Master Shen is right. Serving the country requires proper methods and approaches. One cannot act blindly out of passion, or one will only end up losing one's life."

Only a trusted confidant would dare to speak like that.

Shen Moqing smiled and said, "Then, what's your opinion?"

Before Gu Hongming could speak, Uncle Lian shook his head and said, "Sixteen words: eat, drink, be merry, indulge in debauchery, smooth things over, and everyone will be happy."

The crowd laughed.

Browning said sincerely, "It is important for people to know their own limitations. Like my father, I am only good at studying technology, and I will not say anything about things outside of technology."

That's what a smart person is!

-

Although technical experts may not become presidents, they can serve the president for generations.

Shen Moqing pondered for a moment: "I'm willing to serve you like an ox! Alright, Browning, you have a large family and a heavy financial burden. Do you have any brothers over 13 years old? Come work in the factory."

"I have two younger brothers and one older sister, which all meet the requirements."

"Come on, everyone."

"Thank you, sir."

This is a sure-fire way to make money.

You have to believe in family genes. Not to mention blood relatives, even the Browning family dog ​​could stand on one leg and shoot black people violently.

Shen Moqing suddenly turned her head and stared at Tang Tingshu, who was bowing his head and remaining silent.

"Old Tang, why aren't you saying anything?"

Tang Tingshu suddenly raised his head, his cheekbones prominent, but his eyes gleaming. He was a native Cantonese, and speaking in somewhat broken Mandarin, he said, "This humble official has a bold suggestion in mind, but I don't know if I should say it or not?"

"explain!"

"Why don't we use this money to invest, using the government's name as a shell, and create the world's largest and most profitable military industrial group in Southeast Asia?"

"How dare you!"

Everyone shouted in unison.

Tang Tingshu was from Xiangshan County, Guangzhou Prefecture. In the original timeline, he was one of the participants in the Self-Strengthening Movement. He had close ties with many European capitalists, firmly believed in saving the country through industry, and had a keen business sense.

He himself was relatively unknown, but he had a very famous cousin named Tang Shaoyi.

at this time.

The rebel from Guangdong, his eyes gleaming, said, "My lord, we have the start-up capital, the technology is readily available, and the technicians are at your disposal. And with the war between our two nations, this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"

Using the imperial court's money, technology, and workers, we can replicate a military industrial base in Southeast Asia.

-

I've already thought of a location for the factory for you—Sumatra, where there are iron ore mines, coal mines, ports, and abundant freshwater resources.

Blessed by nature!

Borneo actually has better conditions, but it's already taken.

Currently, there are three main powers in Southeast Asia: first, the Imperial Navy base; second, the European colonial base; and third, the Zheng Ming Kingdom (a Han Chinese kingdom established by the descendants of Zheng Sen, the King of the State of Zheng, in Borneo and a few surrounding islands).

grown ups.

The world is vast, and there is much to be done.

Holy crap~

Everyone was dumbfounded.

We never expected that a traitor would emerge from among us.

Only Gu Hongming, who was born and raised in Southeast Asia, seemed to be deep in thought. He knew very well that the Zheng Ming Dynasty, a vassal state of the United Empire that lasted for a hundred years, was a force to be reckoned with, with elite land forces but terrible naval warfare.

Coincidentally, Dong Weng happened to have a naval background.

Don't say it.

You know what?

Tang Tingshu has probably been secretly planning this for a long time.

After a long time~

Shen Moqing slowly stood up, his tone cold: "Old Tang, are you openly instigating me to rebel? I come from a noble family and enjoy the Emperor's favor. Tell me, what reason would I have to do what you're suggesting?"

Tang Tingshu also stood up, his tone excited: "No! I believe that the United Empire's political system is complex, and its history is even more complex. In the future, there may be a possibility of the restoration of feudal imperial power. You can refer to the bloody century-long history of the Franks."

The Bourbon dynasty, the First Frankish Republic, the First Frankish Empire, the Bourbon Restoration, the Orleans dynasty, the Second Frankish Republic, the Second Frankish Empire, and now the Third Frankish Republic. They changed like a revolving lantern.

"Tang Tingshu, what exactly are you trying to say?!" Gu Hongming suddenly slammed his hand on the table and roared.

Shen Moqing glanced at it silently.

-

I suspect these two are putting on a show.

"I would like to remind you, my lord, what is the price of the repeated changes of the Frankish regime? Kings, nobles, intellectuals, high-ranking military officers, revolutionaries, and peasants were all sent to the guillotine in turn."

My lord, we are in the midst of a transformation that is unprecedented in three thousand years. A massive storm is about to sweep across the entire world.

I dare say that no empire in the world can remain unscathed from this storm, and few rulers will be able to avoid being swept up in it.

We are not plotting a rebellion, but seeking our own safety.

Is the United Empire currently stable?

Of course, things were not stable. Externally, there was the smallest country with wolfish ambitions, and internally, there were powerful gentry in the southeast who were vying for power.

To put it bluntly, what do the gentry of the southeast want? Do the officials of the court really not know? Of course they know, but they dare not say it aloud. Because if they did…

"Enough, shut up." Shen Moqing interrupted decisively.

Tang Tingshu's face was flushed, still not satisfied. The Cantonese people's emphasis on commerce and their unyielding spirit were vividly displayed in him.

In fact, didn't Shen Moqing know this herself?

During his undergraduate years, an old professor openly said in class:

Of the 600,000 square kilometers of land in Guangdong, it is the only region that has not been thoroughly influenced by Confucianism. Remember, it is the only one!

Why?

Because the Cantonese people have a long tradition of seeking survival from the sea, maritime civilization and Confucian civilization are naturally incompatible.

Therefore, that famous saying was born in the late Qing Dynasty:

Traitors have always come from Guangdong! If we execute all Cantonese people, there will definitely be innocent people, but if we execute every other one, there will definitely be some who escape.

The room was eerily quiet.

Everyone was pondering Tang Tingshu's prophecy in their hearts.

Yes.

Once the era of changing dynasties begins, no matter who is righteous or evil, noble or lowly, kind or cruel, no one can escape the judgment of fate.

There is only one kind of person who can seize control of their destiny: **.

Gu Hongming stood up: "My lord, I think what Old Tang said is an exaggeration. It's not that serious, it's not that serious. He's overthinking it. But his intentions are good, and his stance is on your side. We are definitely not plotting a rebellion; we are seeking self-preservation."

Shen Lian remained silent.

Browning remained silent.

After a five-minute silence~

Shen Moqing suddenly waved his hand: "Tang Tingshu, don't say such presumptuous things again. Our primary task right now is to build Yanshan Heavy Industry into the Krupp of the empire, and at the same time, to create a highly disciplined and skilled workforce."

Everyone nodded vigorously.

"With money, things become much easier."

"First, in addition to the original production targets, we will set an extra 30% production target, and workers who can complete these targets will receive additional piece-rate bonuses. Second, we will recruit more employees."

"There are three ways to expand recruitment. First, internal referral. We recommend anyone, regardless of personal relationships. All workers can be recommended, as long as they are technically competent and have a good attitude. No matter what the relationship is, they can be recommended. However, there is one condition: if someone is found to be unqualified, the recommender will be held jointly liable. At best, they will be fined; at worst, they will be dismissed."

Everyone was thrilled.

That's great, everyone gets a share of the benefits!

"Second, we will publicly recruit a group of employees who are literate, capable of numeracy, and possess a three-year education in a county-level school, with an age requirement of 16."

Applicants must be under 30 years old, honest and healthy, and from Zhili province, with verifiable family history for three generations. We will train our own people starting as apprentices.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"Third, poach workers. Whether it's a branch factory or a small workshop, as long as they have excellent skills, we'll recruit them. The person who recommends them will receive 2 silver dollars."

"Gentlemen, are there any other questions?"

"have."

Gu Hongming, the person in charge of finances, took out an account book from his sleeve.

"Sir, we are facing two serious problems. First, there is a shortage of raw materials. Second, the finances are not independently accounted for."

"Let me explain in detail~"

"Yes. Yanshan Heavy Industry Group adopts a non-individual accounting financial system. Simply put, each branch factory is not responsible for its own profits and losses, but rather the group centrally allocates funds. For example, if our factory has a surplus in its accounts, the group will allocate funds to the neighboring factory as appropriate."

Shen Moqing nodded: "Continue."

"The various factories within the group are in an upstream and downstream supply chain relationship. For example, the coking coal plant provides us with coking coal, the steel plant provides us with steel, the timber plant provides us with gunstocks, the leather plant provides us with slings, the metallurgical plant provides us with parts, and the gunpowder plant now belongs to us in large part."

"

"The problem now is that the raw materials supplied to us by the various branch factories are of very poor quality. Old Tang, who is in charge of the materials department, can testify to this."

"Yes. The substandard rate of raw materials is generally over 30%. The most outrageous case is the timber mill, where they actually used pine wood to make gunstocks. And the coking coal mill, where there are more than ten kilograms of coal gangue in every hundred kilograms of coal."

Judging by appearance alone, it's difficult to distinguish between coal and pyrite. Like using pyrite to impersonate gold, it's a classic scam that could be used until humanity goes extinct.

The crowd was filled with righteous indignation upon hearing this.

Shen Moqing wasn't surprised; it was all part of the egalitarian system, which lacked motivation.

Asking questions is for the purpose of solving them.

Gu Hongming's small eyes were full of expectation: "Therefore, we hope to proactively separate from the group's various branch factories, operate independently, and become a self-contained entity."

-

Tang Tingshu quickly offered a suggestion: "Yes, yes, I've inquired. Raw materials such as coal, steel, timber, straps, rivets, screws, etc. can all be supplied by private merchants, and the price can be reduced by at least 30% from the current level."

"What about the quality?"

"How dare these private businessmen cheat us? They're asking for trouble!"

Everyone burst into laughter.

Yes, apart from Royal Enterprises, no one dares to cheat us.

Shen Moqing thought to himself, it's time to put some pressure on the Empress Dowager's slender waist, and it's also time to test his revolutionary friendship with her. So he nodded: "From today onwards, this factory will operate independently with its own accounting and procurement. Gu Hongming, you will draft the relevant written documents, and I will personally sign them this afternoon."

"Yes, ma'am."

Everyone stood up in unison.

Tang Tingshu and Gu Hongming's eyes were filled with admiration.

When faced with a major decision, it is extremely irresponsible for an organization to issue orders verbally. Without a superior's signature or a written document, who will be held accountable if the matter is investigated later?

Clearly, the subordinates are taking the blame.

Over time, the subordinates also understood.

Protect yourself!

Tactical retreat!

Gradually, the organization lost control over its subordinates, and everyone's first reaction upon receiving a verbal order was to observe, hesitate, and weigh their options.

Thousands of miles away.

The Governor's Office in Jinling City.

High security.

Outside the gate, soldiers from the Fourth Division of the Jiangsu Army, leading fierce dogs, paced back and forth behind the barricades, their eyes gleaming.

If Shen Moqing were here in person, he would immediately notice the problem: damn it, the color of the military uniforms is different!

The Northern Army wore khaki uniforms, while the Fourth Division wore light blue uniforms. Despite belonging to the same country and the same army, a difference in color arose.

-

The rebellious South.

A powerless central nervous system.

Everyone pretended not to see the elephant in the room.

The back hall of the governor's office.

A two-story French-style villa with exposed red bricks, quiet, elegant and unique.

When the young aide Zhao Liewen arrived in a hurry, the guards did not ask any questions and simply pushed open the two heavy wooden doors.

The Governor-General had stated beforehand that Zhao Liewen could see me at any time without prior notice. This honor was unique in all of Jiangsu.

After entering, Zhao Liewen untied his fox fur coat and took off his hat.

It's so hot!!

The temperature inside the building was close to 30 degrees Celsius.

The second floor.

-

Beneath two large, latticed glass windows, the elderly Zeng Guofan, wrapped in a thick fur coat, leaned back in a recliner, his knees covered by a blanket, with two pretty maids dressed in light clothing standing beside him.

"Teacher, this is the latest issue of the 'Beijing Daily,' you must take a look."

"Sit down, have a seat."

With the help of his maid, the elderly man from Xiangxiang struggled to his feet, then shakily put on his reading glasses and stared at the newspaper for a few seconds.

"You should read it."

I'm getting old, and my eyesight isn't what it used to be.

"Front-page headline: 'Nationwide War!!!' followed by three bold exclamation marks."

puff~

Zeng Guofan laughed out loud. It seemed quite different from the rigid and serious "Capital Daily" he remembered.

"continue."

"Enough is enough. In view of the recent provocations by the tiny country of Dongsang against the suzerain state, the two empress dowagers and His Majesty the Emperor have decided to abandon the long-standing pursuit of peace and teach this ugly country a lesson by force."

First, the central government will deploy elite army and navy forces to launch a cross-sea strike against the Ugly country, and Kyoto will become the battle zone.

Second, impose a complete blockade on the East Sang Islands.

Third, regardless of location or age, everyone should spontaneously boycott textiles from enemy countries.

Fourth, all industry associations should proactively sever commercial ties with enemy countries, consciously join the cause of justice, and never become traitors despised by everyone for the sake of petty gains.

"slow!"

"Teacher, what's wrong?"

Has the Ministry of Rites changed its leadership?

"Yes, Wang Wenzhao's era has ended, and now Weng Tonghe is in charge."

"No, it's not him, this tastes wrong."

"Then, I'll ask my friends in the capital to inquire about it later."

"Hmm, this article in the *Beijing Daily* is quite meaningful, full of veiled allusions."

"What did the teacher detect?"

"Cutting the feudal lordship!"

"That's right."

"Liewen, what do you think?"

"The *Jingshi Bao* is the mouthpiece of the central government. Its probing public opinion is a prelude to future central policies. But I believe that even if the central government wanted to weaken the power of the regional military governors, it lacked the power to do so. Twenty years ago, perhaps there was an opportunity to do so, but now, on what basis?"

"The southeast has taxes, and the central government has great principles."

"Yes. Then why is the central government using this vague and unfounded sword of righteousness to behead us?"

"The answer lies in the last two words you just read."

"Traitor??"

"Yes, in five thousand years of glorious history, there has never been a more offensive infamy than 'traitor'," Zeng Guofan said wistfully. "By the way, what else was written at the end?"

"It's quite interesting. They say that for every bolt of Dongsang cotton cloth that ordinary people buy, it's like sending a cannonball to the enemy army. Conversely, for every bolt of domestically produced cotton cloth they buy, it's like firing a cannonball at the enemy army. Everyone has a responsibility to serve their country. Traitors and running dogs deserve to be killed by everyone."

"And then what?"

"We arrested several typical cases, including both positive and negative figures."

Who is the author of this article?

"Weng Tonghe and Shen Moqing."

"Based on the second author, could you inquire about Shen's background?"

"Shen Moqing!"

"right."

The temperature inside was too high. After standing and talking for a while, Zhao Liewen's back was sweating profusely, so he took off his padded jacket and wore only a single layer of clothing, making him look a bit disheveled.

Zeng Guofan laughed and said, "I'm old and afraid of the cold, so I always instruct my subordinates to keep the floor heating burning brightly."

"The teacher may not grow old, but the winters in Nanjing are just too cold."

"It's no use denying that I'm getting old. If it weren't for the repeated entreaties of this province, I would be sitting by the fireplace in my hometown enjoying the snow right now. Oh, and later, I'll have the Jinling Daily publish an article on its front page."

"Could you please tell me the main idea of ​​the article?"

"Fight!"

"War-oriented?"

"That's right."

Supported by his pretty maid, Zeng Guofan slowly walked up to Zhao Liewen: "Advocating war is always right, advocating peace is always wrong. Therefore, we not only support the central government's decision to go to war, but we also want to add fuel to the fire."

Instantly, Zhao Liewen's hair stood on end.

Wonderful, beyond words.

Older gingers are more spicy!

"The students will always keep this in mind."

At this moment, the teacher's cloudy eyes probably held three parts mockery, three parts shrewdness, and four parts a desire to see the drama unfold.

"Political struggles are unpredictable and ever-changing. But I'm old and don't want to be unfairly smeared."

"Go and make a big fuss, get the Chamber of Commerce to pay for more performances in various prefectures and states, spread the word far and wide, and try to make sure that the people of the province know that the imperial court is going to wage a major war."

Sudden.

-

Footsteps echoed on the stairs, damp with sweat.

The steward, who had been brought from his hometown in Hunan, came up and said in a low voice, "Master, Mitsui Hisashi, the representative of the Mitsui valve, is secretly requesting an audience with you at the back gate of the governor's office."

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