King of Beiyang

The Japanese high command was well aware that their territory was small, resources were scarce, and natural disasters were frequent.

There is absolutely no hope of rising to become a world-class superpower by relying solely on one's own strength.

Even the British Empire, whose geographical location was highly similar to that of the Eastern Empire, was able to rise to become a world hegemon by plundering its vast overseas colonies.

Therefore, the Japanese devils' objective was very clear.

For more than 20 years, the Japanese have been making related preparations.

"Your Excellency, what should we do now? Should we take any necessary action?" A murderous glint flashed in Fukushima Yasumasa's eyes.

For officers like Yasumasa Fukushima, who were deeply influenced by the Bushido spirit, anyone who might hinder the rise of the Eastern Empire was an enemy and had to be eliminated both mentally and physically.

"Mr. Fukushima, this is the German Empire, not the empire itself. Li Jingyuan has a deep relationship with the German imperial family, and even closer ties with military giants like Krupp."

Removing him would inevitably cause a major diplomatic dispute.

At the same time, he is also Li Hongzhang's son, and may become the successor of the Beiyang Group.

"If we kill him, Li Hongzhang will definitely go insane."

Saionji Kinmochi directly refused.

The current Japanese empire is biding its time and is far from the powerful nation it will be a decade or so later, having defeated the Russians and officially joined the ranks of the world's great powers.

Therefore, these Japanese devils are not as arrogant as they will be a decade or two later.

"But Your Excellency, if Li Jingyuan is allowed to continue living, he will make even more money."

With money, you can build more factories and even buy more weapons.

  

"At that time, we will face an even more powerful enemy!"

Fukushima Yasumasa's attitude was very tough.

"No, Fukushima-kun, killing cannot solve all problems. Especially if the assassination plan fails, the consequences will be extremely serious!" Saionji Kinmochi reminded him.

"Your Excellency, if we fail, I will bear all the responsibility. For the sake of the Empire, I am willing to give my life!" Fukushima Yasumasa appeared to be indifferent to life and death.

Saionji Kinmochi was very hesitant.

"How about this, we can test Li Jingyuan and see what his attitude is towards the empire."

If he is not hostile to the Empire, we might be able to cooperate with him.

For example, obtaining patent licenses for new drugs from him in the Far East and even throughout Asia. This could make the empire a fortune.

Even if Li Jingyuan established industries in the Far East, it would be impossible for the Qing Empire to rise in a short period of time.

The Qing Empire was utterly corrupt and had been decadent for a long time. In particular, the entire ruling class was completely corrupt. It was simply impossible for any one person to bring about a radical transformation in the entire country.

The empire's preparations are almost complete.

When the empire launches a war and defeats the Qing Empire, everything Li Jingyuan is doing now will become spoils of war for the empire.

The empire can take all of this away, thus allowing it to grow even faster!

Saionji Kinmochi proposed it.

Fukushima Yasumasa thought about it for a moment, and finally nodded.

The wealth in Li Jingyuan's possessions made him extremely envious.

At the same time, if the factories that Li Jingyuan established in the Far East could become spoils of war for the Eastern Empire in the future, it would also be very beneficial to the Eastern Empire.

"Alright, Your Excellency." Fukushima Yasumasa nodded.

Soon, Kinmochi Saionji and Yasumasa Fukushima took a train from Berlin to Hamburg, intending to meet with Li Jingyuan.

July 18, 1888 (the 16th year of the Guangxu Emperor's reign), Hamburg, headquarters of the Oriental Pharmaceutical Company.

Li Jingyuan is currently on vacation and spends most of his time at the company headquarters in Hamburg.

"Third Young Master, the Minister and Military Attaché of the Eastern Empire to the German Empire hopes to meet with you," Jin Kaili reported.

"The Japanese devils? What are they doing here?" Li Jingyuan was taken aback.

But then he realized his oversight.

In this era, the Japanese had a much clearer understanding of the international situation than the rulers of the Qing Empire.

Although Li Jingyuan always regarded the Japanese as the first target to be defeated after his rebirth.

But after arriving in Europe, he seemed to have relaxed his focus on the Japanese.

Or perhaps he's been too high-profile lately, which has attracted the attention of the Japanese.

"Third Young Master, if you don't want to see them, I'll make them leave right now," Jin Kaili said immediately.

As the general manager of Dongfang Pharmaceutical Company, and also receiving one percent of the company's profits as dividends, Kim Gae-ri was completely devoted to Lee Kyung-won.

"Let them in!" Li Jingyuan shook his head.

"Yes, Third Young Master!" Jin Kaili replied.

"Oh, and have the company's security personnel stand by in the next room," Li Jingyuan instructed.

Kim Kye-ri was taken aback for a moment, then realized Li Jing-yuan's intention and nodded.

A few minutes later, Saionji Kinmochi and Fukushima Yasumasa were invited to Li Jingyuan's office.

"Third Young Master, it's a pleasure to meet you. You built such a vast empire from scratch in the German Empire, and even developed a new drug that can save many lives. This is truly a glory for all the countries in the Far East!"

Upon meeting Li Jingyuan, Saionji Kinmochi immediately began to boast.

"Your Excellency, it's all just luck." Li Jingyuan wouldn't be easily fooled.

In fact, Li Jingyuan was extremely wary of the Japanese.

Having gained knowledge from later generations, he was well aware of just how cunning and treacherous the Japanese devils were.

"Young Master is too modest," Saionji Kinmochi continued.

After some insincere pleasantries, Saionji Kinmochi got straight to the point without beating around the bush.

"Third Young Master, we've noticed that the new drugs produced by Oriental Pharmaceutical Company are mainly sold in Europe. In North America, they are sold through patent licensing."

Therefore, we hope that the Third Prince can sell us the patent licenses for the Far East region. If the price is right, we can buy the patent licenses for the entire Asian region.

Saionji Kinmochi made a request.

Even a fool would know that buying the patent license from Oriental Pharmaceutical Company would be a huge way to make money.

Therefore, it's not entirely incomprehensible that the Japanese wanted to obtain patent authorization.

But Li Jingyuan would never sell the patent licenses in the Far East to the Japanese, much less the patent licenses in the entire Asian region.

Even if Oriental Pharmaceutical Company's current production capacity cannot cover the Far East region, let alone the whole of Asia.

But next, Li Jingyuan planned to establish a pharmaceutical factory in the Far East and start selling medicines.

This will undoubtedly bring new profit growth points to the entire company.

"Your Excellency, I can sell you the patent licenses within the Eastern Empire. But for other regions, we will handle the sales ourselves," Li Jingyuan replied.