The Empire will continue to win

Chapter 93 The First Great Power to Intervene!

"What are you leaving behind?"

"Save their seed!! Let them carry your children."

Serious yet lively, united yet tense.

There are three kinds of unfilial piety, and no one is the greatest.

With that thought in mind, Shen Moqing's acting skills instantly became on point.

"The Superbrave's armor is only so thick, and it's tasked with ramming the enemy flagship during battles. Xiao Fang, your chances of dying are very high. Why don't you leave some offspring?"

"Me, me~"

"Of the three unfilial acts, the greatest is to have no offspring. Hurry up and leave many offspring!!" Shen Moqing raised his right hand, his brand-new white silk glove gleaming in the sunlight. "My ladies, I beg you. With a great battle imminent, you cannot let Fang Boqian board the warship with regrets."

Yes~

The two women blushed and bowed in unison.

A man who is domineering, handsome, and bold—whatever he says is right!

Yes! We women are naturally drawn to strength, and we like professors who disregard ethics and speak recklessly.

Click click click.

At that moment, more than one hundred army soldiers carrying the flag of the Third Army Auxiliary Heavy Battalion happened to pass by the station square, and their pupils were collectively shocked.

Old Hai~

Didn't we all agree to go into battle together, enduring hardships? Why are you all still indulging in romance? And you're even hugging some really pretty girls?

Why should I?

"Sergeant Fang Boqian, what are you standing there for? Execute the order."

"Yes, ma'am."

Fang Boqian was overjoyed. He stood at attention decisively, snapped to attention, saluted, then hugged the one on his left and hugged the one on his right, and strutted confidently toward the waiting hall, leading Huang on his left and Qingcang on his right.

Ugh~

On the platform, a steam train belching white smoke suddenly sounded its whistle and slowly drove away into the distance.

Amidst the sound of steam whistles.

The wife turned her head and looked back, asking in a low voice, "Who is he?"

Fang Boqian kept his eyes straight ahead and his steps didn't falter: "British... Brigadier General."

The wife was terrified.

Brigadier General, that's quite a lot.

Although the maidservant didn't understand the military rank system, she patted her delicate chest and exclaimed, "No wonder he had such a powerful aura; I was so scared I didn't dare to look up just now. Boqian, a brigadier general must be quite high-ranking, right?"

"Hmph~"

The wife was overflowing with a sense of superiority and looked down on the country bumpkin.

Fang Boqian suppressed his nausea, looked straight ahead, and explained in a low voice, "As the saying goes, a higher rank can crush a person, and he is seven ranks higher than me."

"That's really big."

The wife was also surprised; she knew he was old, but she didn't know he was *this* old. Normally, it takes three years to be promoted one rank, and twenty-one years to catch up with others.

"Then why is he so young?" the wife asked again.

"They have connections in higher places!"

"Who is it?"

"Empress Dowager!"

C6

,

As they spoke, the three of them walked hand in hand into the warm waiting hall.

Fang Boqian approached the army officer on duty at Xizhimen Station, requesting a clean room to perform his military duties. Although the army and navy are at odds, considering the young naval officer was about to be deployed to the front lines, they decided to try their best to accommodate him.

Shen Moqing and Deng Shichang stood there, watching the three figures disappear around the corner.

"Shichang, do you envy that bastard Fang Boqian?"

"A little bit."

"After the war, I'll invite you to the Hefeng Pavilion."

"I've been to Hefenglou many times, but I only ever drank there. I don't think openly patronizing prostitutes has a bad influence." - Deng Shichang

He spoke very seriously.

"You're just being antisocial," Senior Shen said with a pained expression. "I've heard that the atmosphere in Guangdong is quite open-minded, isn't it? How can someone as conservative as you operate a warship?"

The professor of national politics hates conservatism more than anything in his life!

To engage in international politics, one must boldly go out and earnestly interact with people from all countries, regardless of gender, age, or character.

"I... I think it's a bit dirty," Deng Shichang said shyly, scratching his head.

Alright~

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) sufferer.

Then you'll be cut off from political life for the rest of your life.

Professor Shen tightened his cloak: "After the war, I'll have your sister-in-law introduce you to a well-educated, virtuous woman with a respectable background. Be honest, what type do you like?"

"I like fair-skinned, tall women with dimples when they smile," Deng Shichang said hesitantly. "They should preferably not eat spicy food."

"Why don't you eat spicy food?"

"Because I'm from Guangdong."

Shen Moqing fell silent, letting the snowflakes fall on his shoulders.

"Senior, was the strategy of sending fast cruisers to attack the logistics ships of East Sang really your idea?" Deng Shichang suddenly asked mysteriously.

"Yes, what are your thoughts?"

"Why don't we engage in a decisive battle with the East Asian Combined Fleet?"

"Because we are not ready for the final battle yet." Shen Moqing looked at the reporter standing outside the blockade line, his golden hair flying in the wind, and said in a low voice, "I can tell you two sets of top-secret data: the seaworthiness rate of the warships at Weihaiwei Base is 48%, and the seaworthiness rate of the warships at Lushun Base is 38%."

(The so-called seaworthiness rate refers to the proportion of warships and aircraft that can be deployed from a base at any time, and it should generally not be lower than 70%. If it is lower than 50%, it is considered a serious lack of combat readiness and complacency.)

"What?" Deng Shichang exclaimed in shock. "Is the source of this data reliable?"

"A secret telegram personally overseen by the Minister of the Navy, which was burned immediately after being sent in Weihaiwei and then burned immediately after being read in the Forbidden City—how could it be wrong? Shichang, the Empire has enjoyed peace for too long, and we are simply not prepared for war. Therefore, we must train while we fight."

Regarding the significance of the fleet, senior naval officers did not intend to explain further to junior petty officers; explaining only the military factors would suffice.

How do I play?

The navy is not the army; willpower cannot overcome steel.

"Shichang, this is top secret information from the imperial court. You must not tell anyone else. Oh, by the way, Liu Buchan also knows, but don't ask him about it."

"Understood." Deng Shichang's eyes blazed with fury as he clenched his fists.

A young dispatcher wearing a gray double-breasted coat walked under the station corridor and rang the signal bell.

The clear chimes echoed throughout the square.

Everyone fell silent, craned their necks, and pricked up their ears.

"Naval officers, gentlemen of the Naval Petty Officer School, the military train will be arriving in 15 minutes. Prepare to board." The dispatcher shouted as he held up a small blackboard.

The blackboard read in chalk: "Haishe, board the train at Platform 2 in 15 minutes."

This is quite similar to the way orders are relayed on naval warships, combining auditory and visual methods for double protection.

"There are still fifteen minutes left. Will Fang Boqian make it in time?" Deng Shichang asked worriedly. He had to admit that honest people can be quite endearing sometimes.

-

More than enough.

"He has two."

"Shall I bet you a silver dollar?"

"make a deal."

At this moment, everyone gathered around.

Lin Tai-tseng, Deng Shih-chang, Yeh Tsu-kuei, Lin Yung-sheng, Chiu Pao-jen, Huang Chien-hsun, Lin Lu-chung, and several naturalized military officers, such as Lang Wei-li, Yu Hsieh, and Nigel Lush.

An open empire, embracing all rivers.

Lang Weili, dressed in a naval-style double-breasted wool coat, with brown hair and blue eyes, asked seriously, "Shen, are you also going to Weihaiwei?"

Shen Moqing shook her head.

"I argued with the Empress Dowager, but my arguments were rejected. She said that although it was not bad for me to go out to sea to fight, it would be more convenient for me to stay in the command post."

-

Moreover, Liu Buchan from the command headquarters has already gone to Weihaiwei, so a naval staff officer must be left behind.

As a soldier, I regret that I cannot fight alongside you all.

That's all~

She looked up at a 45-degree angle, her eyes slightly red, and she held back her tears, letting the cold cherry blossoms fall on her shoulder.

These words weren't entirely acting; they contained a degree of genuine emotion.

The young man, full of youthful vigor, longed to personally bombard Togo Heihachiro and Ito Sukeyuki. But reason told him that staying in the central command and taking control of the overall situation was the best choice.

There were disdain, sarcasm, and understanding in the eyes of the crowd.

"Shen, frankly speaking, I approve of your harassment tactics to avoid a decisive battle, but the tactic of blockading the Yellow Sea is entirely feasible." Lang Weili spoke solemnly, perhaps he knew some inside information.

"Thanks."

Suddenly~

"Classmates, wait for me!"

Everyone turned to look and saw that it was the lively Fang Boqian carrying a military belt and running over. When he reached them, his face was flushed, he was panting, and his military bearing was disheveled.

Deng Shichang sighed sadly.

One silver dollar gone.

This made the already impoverished family's situation even worse.

As Fang Boqian fastened his belt, he said loudly, "Fellow students, we should take a group photo to commemorate this moment. When we're old, we can show it to our children and grandchildren and tell them that we fought several famous and fierce battles in the Yellow Sea back then."

"Yes."

"That's right."

"Great idea, but isn't there too much time?"

"I'll give it a try."

Shen Moqing strode out of the station square.

"Take a picture for me, and I'll pay you."

Dunliao, the bearded foreigner carrying a huge camera blushed and shyly turned to look at Michelle. He was Michelle's assistant.

"Sir, how about we make a deal? You take us into the station, and we'll take your picture for free," Michel said, seizing the opportunity.

"Who are you people?"

"Louis Michel, AFP correspondent in Yanjing, this is a good citizen certificate issued by the Ministry of Rites. I have no other purpose than to take a picture of the young soldiers boarding the train. You can supervise me from beginning to end."

The foreign woman extended her right hand; it was hairless and fairly smooth.

Looking him up carefully, he was dressed smartly: leather ankle boots, blue jeans, a single-breasted gray men's coat with brass buttons, and a beaver hat. His attire was somewhat androgynous.

"make a deal."

After shaking hands, Shen Moqing negotiated with the soldiers on duty. The golden seal of the Forbidden City front-line command was too intimidating, and the soldiers decisively let him pass.

"Gentlemen, front row, half-squat; back row, stand tall, heads held high, chests out, relax, relax even more. We'll need about three minutes, so please try not to move."

The black and white camera of this time was shaped like a wooden box with a large lens in front, mounted on a wooden tripod.

It looks bulky, but it's actually very advanced.

The bearded photographer operated his camera with great care; he was a dedicated photographer, except for his rather odd hobby.

One minute.

Two minutes.

three minutes.

The exposure is finally over.

OK!

Where should the printed photos be sent?

"Nanyuan Gun Factory, or the Shen residence in Zhenxian Hutong." Shen Moqing took out a pen and left the address.

Two minutes later.

The group arrived at the platform.

"Gentlemen, hold on for three minutes."

To capture the most stunning photos, the round-faced, bearded photographer dismantled his tripod on the spot and lay down on the cold cement ground.

It must be admitted that AFP knows how to take pictures.

With their backs to the camera, the marines stood in line outside the train car for three minutes without moving an inch.

"alright."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Fang Boqian muttered to himself, "Damn it, taking a photo is more tiring than getting a hymen repaired."

The officer on duty, Lin Zengtai, glared at him and shouted, "Everyone, line up and get on the train!" The next second, everyone strode into the carriage with their heads held high.

On the platform, the childhood sweethearts were crying their eyes out.

Ugh~

With a clang, the military train slowly started moving.

"goodbye."

"You must come back alive."

"we love you."

Those delicate, sweet-looking childhood sweethearts, dressed in gorgeous clothes, tucked their elbows together and took tiny steps to catch up with the whistling, smoking military train.

On another train on the other side of the platform, the carriage windows were crowded with bald men, and the army soldiers stared intently.

Oh shit.

In my next life, I want to be a navy officer!

Bitches

"6~

Shen Moqing was startled and turned to look at Michelle, the foul-mouthed female reporter beside him.

"Sorry, I wasn't insulting you."

nonsense!

Of course I know that "bitch" isn't an insult used against men.

"So, are you insulting them?" Shen Moqing pointed at the women on the platform.

-

"Yes, they are a bunch of hypocritical urban petty bourgeoisie, pretentious and disgusting, with nowhere to go but balls, salons and beds."

So vicious, how strange.

"Michelle, are you affiliated with the embassy?"

"No, the embassy is full of idle nobles. As for me, I'm a poor wretch from Paris." Michel stood with his hands on his hips and legs apart, his profile somewhat resembling Sophie Marceau, but he spat on the ground.

That's so rude!

She doesn't act like a woman at all!

"A poor wretch?"

Shen Moqing couldn't help but sneer, "To be a newspaper reporter, you must have gone to university, right? So, are all the poor people in Paris nowadays university graduates?"

The power of sarcasm is immense.

After a full ten seconds of silence.

Michel turned his head, his arms trembling, his face flushed, his eyes filled with tears, and uttered a classic French phrase: "Le..."

révolutionnaire n　a rienà se reprocher.

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Then he and his bearded assistant strode away.

The professor, who didn't understand French, cursed at the man in jeans from behind: "You're crazy!"

The mockery is justified; in this era, AFP's foreign correspondents are no ordinary people, but have already reached the fringes of high society.

After seeing off her lovely classmates, Shen Moqing slowly walked out of the station and saw a horse-drawn carriage parked outside the police line.

Hello~

"Salut~Xiao Shen."

The carriage curtain was lifted, and the voluptuous Countess Maria leaned out of the carriage, throwing him flirtatious glances. Was this woman trying to rekindle their ballroom romance?

Sigh, not a single Parisian woman is easy to deal with.

That's not right.

How did she know where I was?

I walked a few steps through the dirty snow.

Suddenly, a biting wind carrying sand blew by, and Shen Moqing's left eyelid twitched twice. She slowed her pace...

It seems that Hirobumi Ito was assassinated at the train station.

Superstition is the best thing to believe.

Shen Moqing reached into his coat pocket, gripped the gun handle, glanced at the two armed guards he had brought with him outside the station, and walked slowly.

"Shen, it's been a long time."

"Madam, how have you been? So, was this a chance encounter, or were you waiting for me here on purpose?"

"Even the dogs in Dongjiaomin Lane know that Imperial Seamaster is departing today, and Xizhimen Station is the only station. Want to board?"

"Let's get in my car."

"As you wish."

Maria promptly paid the coachman off, then lifted her long, elegant dress and trudged through the snow.

They got on the bus without hesitation; Parisian women had never done anything like this before.

Shen Moqing felt slightly relieved, so he helped by pressing on it from behind. Wow, the feel was amazing, as if he were pressing into a pile of cotton, quite interesting.

The carriage was warm and crowded.

Maria deftly pulled the carriage curtain shut, removed her white fox fur scarf, revealing her astonishingly large breasts, and winked mischievously: "Shen, are you hot?"

"I'm not hot."

"I have some news to share, and I guarantee you'll be excited after hearing it. Five months ago, Takahashi Korekiyo, the president of the East Asian Imperial Bank, arrived in Europe and has been lobbying bankers to issue war bonds." The lady paused deliberately at this point.

Shen Moqing's heart skipped a beat.

Holy crap! Holy crap!

No way?

The Eastern Empire is desperately short of money! If they had sufficient military funds, they could even mobilize 50 divisions.

"Hahaha, President Takahashi has failed. As far as I know, not a single banker is willing to deal with him." He laughed loudly, to the point that his hands trembled.

"Is Madam here to amuse me today?" Shen Moqing asked, somewhat annoyed.

"Shen, don't worry. Although the war bonds failed, he still purchased four of the latest battleships from the Brest Shipyard (a famous Frankish shipyard). Ten days ago, these warships set sail from Brest port, bound for Nagasaki."

Nani?

Instantly, sweat beaded on Shen Moqing's forehead. Four new battleships were a significant asset, potentially causing the balance of power in a local war to shift.

Thinking about it~

A delicate hand from Paris rested on her thigh.

"Shen, you are a true patriot." The noblewoman looked at her tenderly. "Me too."