King of Beiyang

"Third brother! You're really not getting any younger. You'll be twenty-three after the New Year."

When your eldest and second eldest brothers were your age, they had already started their own families.

The saying "to establish a family and then a career" means to establish a family first, and then establish a career.

It's time for you to consider this issue!

Li Hongzhang also raised this question with a serious expression.

Although Li Hongzhang has several sons and even quite a few grandsons.

But the third son is still single, how can that be acceptable?

Li Jingyuan frowned, seemingly not expecting the topic to come up.

Being 23 years old and still unmarried is indeed considered an "older single man" in this day and age.

Of course, this excludes those poor families who simply cannot afford to get married.

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Li Hongzhang was the Governor-General of Zhili and Minister of Beiyang, a truly high-ranking official. Li Jingyuan himself was already the Vice Admiral of the Beiyang Fleet at a young age.

It's true that not being married at this age will cause a lot of gossip.

There are even rumors that when Li San Gongzi was studying in Europe, he went too far and became impotent.

However, Li Jingyuan also had his own ideas.

In his view, next year would be the Year of Jiawu (1894)! That means the war was less than a year and a half away. To be precise, it was only a dozen months before they would go to war with the Japanese.

This is a war that concerns the fate of the nation and its people!

Li Jingyuan originally intended to wait until after winning this battle before considering marriage and having children.

Besides, even next year, he will only be twenty-four years old.

In later generations, this age would be just one or two years after graduating from university, a time when people should be working hard and starting their own businesses.

"Father, the Japanese are eyeing us covetously, and war is imminent. I predict that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, war will likely break out by the middle of next year."

Prior to this, both the Beiyang Fleet and the Marine Corps were required to strengthen their combat readiness.

In particular, I plan to expand the Marine Corps by the middle of this year, from one division to three. These units need to achieve combat readiness by the middle of next year.

At that time, they will become the main force in resisting the Japanese.

So let's wait a bit longer before discussing the wedding.

"It's not too late to talk after we've finished this battle and defeated the Japanese!"

Li Jingyuan expressed his attitude.

Li Hongzhang and the others all became serious.

Although this was merely Li Jingyuan's own deduction, everyone knew that since Li Jingyuan dared to make such a assertion, the possibility of war breaking out next year was undoubtedly very high.

Even though Li Hongzhang and Li Jingfang both knew long ago that war was bound to break out and was inevitable.

Furthermore, the Beiyang government had been preparing for this.

But if war were to break out in a little over a year, they would also consider it too soon.

"If the Japanese want to fight, then let them fight. We, the Beiyang Army, are not made of clay. Besides, with those generals and officers in charge of troop training, why do you need to supervise us every single moment?"

Doing everything yourself has never yielded good results; you must learn to delegate!

Besides, you're now a general leading troops into battle, even though you won't be charging into the fray. But who can truly predict what will happen on the battlefield?

In case something happens to me, at least I'll have someone to remember me by!"

Li Hongzhang's attitude became even more resolute.

Li Jingyuan did not expect that his reasons would make Li Hongzhang even more determined to get him married as soon as possible.

Seeing this, Li Jingyuan had no choice but to give up resistance and let Li Hongzhang do as he pleased.

"Alright, Father, please arrange everything!" Li Jingyuan said.

In this era, arranged marriages by parents and matchmakers are undoubtedly very important. As for free love, let's just forget about it.

Besides, the most important thing in choosing a wife is to marry a virtuous one.

Especially in large families like the Li family, the primary requirement for a principal wife is that she be virtuous and kind.

As for stunning beauties, we can simply take them as concubines.

Even if all else fails, there are still brothels to visit.

What kind of women aren't in brothels?

This is perfectly normal in this era.

Li Hongzhang was even more pleased to see that Li Jingyuan had agreed.

Subsequently, Li Hongzhang began to ponder which family's woman was worthy of his third son.

Li Jingfang and Li Jingshu also offered their opinions from the side.

First and foremost, the couple must be well-matched in terms of social standing and economic status.

Those from royal or noble families were definitely excluded. Intermarriage between Manchus and Han Chinese remained a strict prohibition. Although some commoners had violated this prohibition, the imperial court had not ultimately abolished it.

Large families like the Li family require special attention.

Besides, Li Hongzhang has quite a few political enemies. Many people even hope that Li Hongzhang will make a mistake so they can remove him from power, or even kill him. Therefore, caution is necessary.

Among the many Han officials, those who were truly well-matched in terms of social standing were probably only the Grand Councilors and the regional governors.

Secondly, one must also be presentable in appearance.

Although it is said that one should marry a virtuous wife, Li Jingyuan would definitely not agree to marry an ugly woman.

Having finally been reborn, even if I can't have a harem of three thousand like my predecessors, I can't just settle for anything, right?

Finally, there is one more point: one cannot marry a woman from the family of Li Hongzhang's political enemies.

Putting aside whether it will succeed, doing this is definitely humiliating.

After much deliberation, the father and his sons finally came up with a candidate.

"Third brother, what do you think of the second daughter of Zhang Zhidong, the Governor-General of Huguang? I heard she'll be sixteen by the end of the year. Not only is she pretty, but her family's academic background is also quite impressive."

Lord Zhang, holding the position of Governor-General of Huguang, was a true regional governor.

His actions and style also greatly pleased me.

Li Hongzhang inquired.

Li Jingyuan certainly knew Zhang Zhidong; he was one of the four most famous ministers of the late Qing Dynasty, and also the youngest of them.

Zhang Zhidong is only fifty-six years old now, much younger than Li Hongzhang, who will soon turn seventy.

Although he was not as senior or in position as Li Hongzhang.

But among the nine governors-general, he was considered quite good.

If the Li and Zhang families could form a marriage alliance, it would undoubtedly be a powerful combination. It would also bring considerable benefits to both families.

However, this will undoubtedly attract attention.

After all, Li Hongzhang had already reached the pinnacle of his official career. And he had even become related to Zhang Zhidong by marriage. So, were they planning a rebellion?

Li Jingyuan couldn't help but frown.

Not even sixteen years old yet, in later generations, this would definitely be the age to be sent to jail!

However, in this era, this is considered normal.

Furthermore, Li Jingyuan would not object if Zhang Zhidong could truly become his father-in-law.

Zhang Zhidong was a renowned and capable minister.

"Father, I have no objection. However, I'm afraid the court will have objections. In fact, many people in the court may not be able to sleep at night," Li Jingyuan reminded him.

"Hmph! Do you expect the officials in the court to be satisfied when my son gets married?" Li Hongzhang sneered.

As Li Jingyuan returned to China and gradually built up his power, Li Hongzhang also became increasingly powerful.