King of Beiyang

Berlin, the German Empire.

Upon receiving the telegram from the Qing Empire's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Herbert von Bismarck, immediately picked it up and went to the Prime Minister's residence to report the situation to Prime Minister Otto von Bismarck.

You can tell from their names that they are related.

That's right, Herbert von Bismarck was Otto von Bismarck's eldest son.

The father and son, one serving as the Prime Minister of the Empire and the other as the Foreign Minister, wielded immense power.

However, Wilhelm II clearly disliked Bismarck after ascending to the throne. It was just that, having just taken the throne and with his power not yet consolidated, he dared not act rashly.

Two years later, Wilhelm II secured his throne and dismissed Bismarck and his son.

"Father, the Imperial Minister to the Qing Empire, Baland, reports that Li Hongzhang, the Governor-General and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Qing Empire, wishes to send a group of students to study in the Empire. The total number is about twenty. Among them is his son."

These cadets wanted to study at the Kiel Naval Academy and the Prussian War Academy in Berlin.

I believe this is a good opportunity to expand the empire's influence within the Qing Empire, and we can certainly agree to it.

After all, Li Hongzhang was a powerful figure in the Qing Empire, controlling not only the most important provinces but also the country's foreign affairs. He also commanded the Qing Empire's most powerful army and the most powerful fleet in the entire Far East.

Maintaining a good relationship with him would greatly help expand the empire's interests within the Qing Empire.

We shouldn't refuse their request!

Herbert von Bismarck expressed his opinion.

Otto von Bismarck nodded.

"Li Hongzhang is indeed someone the Empire should court. The Beiyang Fleet has already become a major client of the Empire. If we want to secure more orders, we need to further strengthen our relationship with them!" Otto von Bismarck said.

The German Empire has already made a considerable profit from the arms trade involving the sale of the ironclad battleships Dingyuan and Zhenyuan, as well as the cruisers Jingyuan and Laiyuan.

Next, they hope to get more orders from the Beiyang Fleet.

Therefore, it is undoubtedly necessary to win over Li Hongzhang.

"Yes, Father. In addition to warships, the Empire can also sell them rifles, machine guns, and artillery for the army. I believe that as long as we can establish a more friendly or even close relationship with Li Hongzhang, these will not be problems!" Herbert von Bismarck proposed.

Otto von Bismarck nodded repeatedly.

  

For the German Empire, the Qing Empire was undoubtedly a huge market.

Especially given that they have fallen far behind the British Empire, they need to seize the time and even find alternative paths.

"I will speak to the navy and army. They should cooperate in order to coordinate with the Empire's actions in the Qing Empire and expand the Empire's influence there!" Otto von Bismarck said.

"Yes, Father. However, we also need to inform His Majesty the Emperor. In addition, His Majesty is young, and Father needs to communicate with him more often. Otherwise, if misunderstandings accumulate, it may affect His Majesty's opinion of Father," Herbert von Bismarck reminded him.

Otto von Bismarck frowned slightly.

As the Prime Minister of the Empire, Otto von Bismarck served as the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Prussia for a long period, even before the unification of the German Empire.

He has been in charge of the entire country for over twenty years.

In other words, Otto von Bismarck was the unsung emperor of the German Empire.

But Wilhelm II, young and ambitious, clearly no longer wanted to be a rubber stamp and wanted to rule the entire empire himself.

In addition, some diplomatic disagreements made the conflict between the two irreconcilable.

The final result was that both Bismarck and his son were dismissed from their posts.

"I know what to do!" Otto von Bismarck said.

Subsequently, Otto von Bismarck sent messengers to the navy and army to coordinate matters concerning this group of students from the Qing Empire.

At the same time, Otto von Bismarck also reported the matter to Wilhelm II.

Although Wilhelm II outwardly expressed his agreement, he was actually very disgusted by Bismarck's practice of making a decision before informing him of it.

However, Wilhelm II had only recently ascended the throne and did not want to break ties with Bismarck.

Furthermore, winning over Li Hongzhang and strengthening the influence of the German Empire within the Qing Empire would also be highly beneficial to the German Empire.

After receiving a reply from the German Empire, Li Jingyuan could finally relax.

Meanwhile, Li Jingyuan hosted a banquet for his future classmates at the Astor Hotel. This is Tianjin's largest hotel catering to foreign guests, as well as the tallest building in Tianjin and the most luxurious hotel in the entire Far East.

Li Hongzhang was the founder of the Beiyang Group, and Li Jingyuan was the third son of the Li family.

This time, Li Jingyuan personally selected the candidates to study in Germany.

This made all the students of the Naval Academy and the Military Academy, or those who had already graduated, extremely grateful.

Upon receiving the invitation, no one refused and they all arrived on time.

"Gentlemen, from this day forward, we are classmates. As the saying goes, the four pillars of life are inseparable, and we are about to become classmates. If nothing unexpected happens, we will also be carrying guns together in the future."

As for the other two, they are not impossible either.

From this day forward, I, Li Jingyuan, will treat you all as brothers. On the battlefield, I will regard you all as brothers with whom I can entrust my life.

I hope that we can all work together in the future and have a bright future!

Li Jingyuan raised his glass and addressed everyone.

Everyone stood up and downed their drinks.

"Third Young Master..."

Xie Baozhang, who was sitting next to Li Jingyuan, spoke up.

"There are no three young masters of the Li family here, only your classmates, or rather, your comrades. Just call me Jingyuan. If that's not possible, I'm the youngest, so you can all call me Brother Li!" Li Jingyuan interrupted.

Li Jingyuan knew very well that if he wanted to get along with these soldiers, he absolutely could not act like the third young master of the Li family.

Otherwise, it will only alienate everyone.

"I am honored by your kind words, Third Young Master. I will then call you Brother Jingyuan!" Xie Baozhang said, his face flushed.

Li Jingyuan's down-to-earth and unpretentious manner deeply moved these students from impoverished backgrounds. Their goodwill towards Li Jingyuan skyrocketed.

Especially since they knew that their opportunity to study in the German Empire was entirely due to Li Jingyuan persuading Li Zhongtang to allow them to do so. They were all just accomplices. But for them, it was undoubtedly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Therefore, everyone is very grateful to Li Jingyuan.

Otherwise, they would never have had such an opportunity.

"Alright, everyone, let's drink! There's plenty of food and plenty of alcohol today, so drink as much as you like!" Li Jingyuan was extremely generous.