Republic of China: Guandong Ginseng King

Chapter 447 Reform
From July to August, the water levels of Yinma River and Yitong River surged to the highest point in a hundred years, and Gaya River and Toudao River were flooded.

Yitong, Nong'an, Changchun, Jiutai, Yongji, Lishu and eastern Jilin all suffered from floods and suffered serious losses.

Linjiang is close to the Yalu River, and some areas were also affected by the disaster. Fortunately, the patrol team was properly deployed and evacuated urgently, so there were no casualties.

On September 26, Chen Xiuyun gave birth to a son safely. This is Qu Shaoyang's sixth child.

Qu Shaoyang rushed back from Andong when the child was one month old. After discussing with his family, he named Xiaoliu Qu Zhentang.

Jilin and Fengtian provinces suffered floods in succession, and the people lived in hardship, which indirectly led to a severe shortage of cash in the local area.

Therefore, Yiktang'a petitioned the imperial court to build the "Fengtian Machinery Bureau" next to the Dadong Gate of the provincial capital.

All equipment of the Machinery Bureau was purchased from the German company Lihe & Co. in Tianjin. It was powered by steam engines and was used to manufacture silver dollars as well as weapons and ammunition.

Yiktang'a appointed Chang Qing, the Manchurian assistant commander with the title of deputy governor, as the general manager. On the recommendation of Zhang Xiulan, Yiktang'a transferred Qu Shaoyang to Fengtian to serve as the assistant director of the Fengtian Machinery Bureau.

The silver dollar factory cast silver dollars based on the "Longyang" model of Guangdong and Hubei, collectively known as "Guangxu Yuanbao".

Manufacturing began at the end of the year, and by November of the following year, a total of five kinds of silver coins had been minted, totaling 440,000 taels, with a net profit of 37,000 taels.

While minting silver dollars, the Machinery Bureau also focused on the research of various types of weapons manufacturing and gun repair.

Qu Shaoyang was more experienced in this area. Under his insistence, the Machinery Bureau recruited a number of researchers from abroad and other places to focus on developing various types of explosives.

Because the quality of domestic steel is not up to standard and it is still difficult to imitate guns and artillery, the Machinery Bureau has specially opened two production lines to produce bullets, artillery shells, etc.

The explosives researched by Qu Shaoyang are very effective. They are used to load bullets and artillery shells, and are quite good, with the effect being no worse than the original ones.

Qu Shaoyang also took the opportunity to cultivate a number of confidants in the Machinery Bureau and carried out a number of research projects.

Anyway, the court is paying for the research, so just do it. As for when the results will come out and how they will be used in the future, we can talk about it later.

On the other hand, Chen Xiuyun's pharmaceutical factory officially started production and operation at the end of the 22nd year of the Guangxu period.

The pharmaceutical workshop not only produces berberine, but also produces more than a dozen kinds of finished medicines. The medicines produced have been clinically verified in various aspects and the effects are indeed very good.

Therefore, the German pharmaceutical company signed a long-term supply contract directly with this side.

After obtaining permission from Doctor Chen, Chen Xiuyun began to study the aged mustard brine, trying to find a way to extract the effective ingredients of the aged mustard brine.

Mainly the large-scale production of penicillin, which is not possible at present.

However, the technology for making aged mustard greens brine is already relatively mature. If it can be refined, the effect will be even better.

In the same year, Shengjing Shi Hospital established a women's hospital, and the Scottish Church sent two female doctors to take charge of medical treatment and deliver babies according to Western obstetric methods.

British doctor Gao Jishan also opened the Jilin Shi Hospital in Jilin City.

Through his connections, Qu Shaoyang arranged for a group of boys and girls around 14 or 15 years old who were interested in medicine to go to Shi Hospital in Shengjing and Jilin to learn medical knowledge.

In the summer of the 23rd year of the Guangxu period, Linjiang City was officially completed.

He Houqi was appointed by the court as the magistrate of Linjiang County, Sun Huanzhang was appointed as the prefect, and Zheng Tieniu was transferred to the county government's bandit-catching camp.

At the same time, the Qu family's private school was moved out and became the Linjiang Primary School, which enrolled a large number of students.

In early July of that year, Meng Lanxin gave birth to a son. The seventh child of the Qu family was born and named Qu Zhenzong.

In October, under the leadership of Meng Lanxin, the Qu family compound was built in front of Miaoling, the first road of Shuangdianzi.

A 5,000-meter-long ginseng garden was set up nearby, and a deer farm was built to raise animals such as sika deer, red deer, musk deer, otters, and sables.

Qu Fu was the main person in charge of the ginseng garden and deer farm. Qu Laokouer and his wife, along with their four children, also moved to Shuangdianzi.

With the help of the reputation of Liu Dongshan and others, Qu Shaoyang took over gold mines in Huairen, Kuandian, Hailong and other places. The number of Qu's gold mines has reached eight.

Since the construction of the Chinese Eastern Railway required a large amount of timber, in order to compete with the Russian Yalu River Timber Company, Qu Shaoyang secretly joined forces with several merchants to establish Huayang, Huasheng, Huaxing and other timber companies.

They also hired foreign engineers to lay forest railways in Wudaogou, Badaogou, Shisandaogou and other places for timber transportation.

Qu Shaoyang had previously built a port on the Yalu River, and later purchased several steam locomotives from abroad for cargo transportation.

They purchased various local products such as grain and mountain products from the upper reaches of the Yalu River and transported them to Andong and other places for sale.

Then purchase various industrial products from Andong and other places and transport them back upstream.

This mode of transportation is convenient, fast and safe, and soon became popular along the Yalu River, with many officials and businessmen participating in it.

Therefore, it also boosted the Yalu River shipping, making the area along the river more prosperous.

All of the Qu family's industries are booming and profitable.

With financial support, local armed forces such as the forest patrol team, tax inspection team, public security guard team, patrol camp, and militia security team under the inspection office also developed rapidly.

The equipment has been completely replaced, and it is now equipped with the most advanced weapons.

In the 24th year of the reign of Emperor Guangxu, just after the first month of the lunar calendar, the Russian army forcibly took control of the four city gates of Jinzhou.

The people were forbidden to enter or leave, and food was forcibly collected from the local people, causing the villagers, young and old, to cry out everywhere.

Shengjing General Yiktang'a had to report to the court to seek a solution.

On February 24, Pavlov issued an ultimatum to the Qing government, requiring it to sign the Treaty of Leasing Port Arthur before the 27th.

On February 27, the Russian army landed in Lüda and plundered everywhere, causing the people to suffer and anti-Russian struggles broke out everywhere.

On the fourth day of March, the Qing court appointed Li and Zhang as plenipotentiary ministers for the Sino-Russian treaty. Under the coercion and inducement of the Russian envoys, Li and Zhang agreed to sign the treaty.

As soon as the news came out, there was an uproar in the country.

Scholars from Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, Guizhou, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Jiangsu and Zhejiang wrote to the Censorate, demanding an alliance with Japan to fight against Russia, an alliance with Britain to fight against Russia, striving for the capture of Dalian, and carrying out reforms to strengthen the country.

In the same month, the Russian soldiers set up a checkpoint in Piziwo to collect grain, and the local people rose up in resistance. The people of Gaipingnan Township also launched a struggle against the Russians occupying the land to build the railway.

Faced with the relentless pressure from the great powers, the Chinese people gradually awakened, and the voices calling for reform became louder and louder throughout the court.

"Shaoyang, what do you think about the reform?"

Taking advantage of Qu Shaoyang's errands in the Phoenix Hall, Chen Yunzhe sought out Qu Shaoyang to discuss matters and asked him about his views on the reform.

"Several of my former classmates are working hard for the reform.

Some time ago, they found me and hoped that I would sign a joint petition to request the court to reform.

I'm a little unsure about this matter, and since you're here, I'll ask you what you think."

Unknowingly, Qu Shaoyang had become the backbone of the group. Whenever anyone had any problems, they would think of him first and ask for Qu Shaoyang's opinion.

When Qu Shaoyang heard this, he was shocked and hurried to persuade him.

"Brother, I advise you not to have any thoughts and not to get involved.

The purpose of the reform is good, but it is not suitable for the national conditions. At present, the court is in turmoil due to disputes among various factions. If we get into trouble, we will never be able to get out. Remember my words, no matter who succeeds or fails, we will stay outside the Great Wall in peace, do our duty, and avoid disasters and troubles. "

"It's not easy for you and me to get to where we are now, so please don't ruin your future because of a momentary impulse.

In the past three years, you have made remarkable achievements in Phoenix Hall, and the people under your rule live and work in peace and contentment. Your term of office will soon be completed, and there is a good chance that you will be promoted to another position.

If you are implicated in the reform, not only will your position be in jeopardy, but even your parents, wife, and children will be implicated. Don't do anything stupid."

Qu Shaoyang's current idea is to lie low, keep a low profile, and develop slowly.

It was not easy for them to get to their current position. There was no need to take risks for a dying dynasty, nor was there any need to sacrifice their lives for justice.

Just guard your own power steadily, develop it bit by bit, move forward if you can, and expand if you can.

Anyway, the Qing Dynasty doesn't have many years left. By the time the dynasty collapses, they should be able to do well and maybe even become the head of a province.

Wouldn't it be nice if the time comes and we brothers join hands and do something big?
Chen Yunzhe was instigated by his classmates and was a little hot-headed. As a scholar, this was normal.

Fortunately, Chen Yunzhe has experienced a lot and looks at things rationally. Although he is full of passion, he does not act impulsively.

Qu Shaoyang's words at this time were like a bucket of cold water poured over Chen Yunzhe's head, making him sober up all of a sudden.

"From what you said, it seems that you are not optimistic about the reform?" Chen Yunzhe asked.

"Reform will affect the interests of all parties and it will not be easy.

I still say the same thing, wait and see what happens, and don’t put yourself in danger.”

Qu Shaoyang couldn't say much about things that hadn't happened yet, and could only advise his brother not to take any risks.

The two chatted in the study for a long time, and finally, Chen Yunzhe gave up the idea of ​​writing a joint letter.

Qu Shaoyang suddenly remembered Xiaozhi who was still studying at the Beiyang Military Academy. He immediately wrote a very long letter and sent it to Tianjin.

The letter warned Xiaozhi not to be misled by anyone and not to participate in the reform no matter who advised him.

Qu Shaoyang's letter was delivered in time, and thanks to the strict discipline of the Military Academy, Xiaozhi did not have the opportunity to participate in outside affairs.

After receiving the letter, Xiaozhi also wrote back to Qu Shaoyang, saying that he was doing well in school and should have the opportunity to study in Germany.

So Xiaozhi is now actively preparing to go abroad and has no time to participate in those things.

After receiving Xiaozhi's reply, Qu Shaoyang finally felt relieved.

As long as Xiao Zhi doesn't interfere and Chen Yunzhe gives up calling for reform, this matter will have nothing to do with them.

As I said, the most important thing is to stay alive and develop slowly.

Of course, even if Chen Yunzhe gave up, others would not give up.

Countless people called for reform, among whom Kang, Liang and others had the loudest voices.

Finally, on April 13, Emperor Guangxu issued an edict, announcing his determination to reform the country to the world.

A reform led by the Qing government and started at the national level was officially launched.

At the beginning of the reform, people were very excited and everyone was looking forward to it.

The court and the country once again had a chance, and the people once again saw hope.

Everyone is looking forward to this beginning, whether the future will be bright or dark, going to heaven or going to hell, everyone is waiting for the ending.

However, this vigorous reform lasted only 103 days before ending in failure.

Emperor Guangxu was imprisoned in Yingtai, and the Six Gentlemen of the Reform Movement of 1898 were sent to the Caishikou execution ground.

Chen Yunzhe was so frightened when he heard the news that his face turned pale. He went to Fengtian City overnight to find Qu Shaoyang.

"God, I'm glad I listened to you and didn't get involved. Otherwise, I really don't know what the result would be."

“It’s nothing, you don’t have any foundation in the court anyway.

Even if you get involved, you'll just be waving flags and cheering on the sidelines. You won't be able to enter the military affairs council, and you won't be a key member of the reform.

I guess at most he will lose his job and never be employed again." Qu Shaoyang deliberately made fun of his uncle.

Chen Yunzhe was stunned for a moment, then he understood, shook his head and smiled bitterly.

"From now on, I won't dare to get involved. I'd better just stay at Phoenix Hall and be the deputy governor."

Yes, although Chen Yunzhe did a good job as the deputy governor of the Phoenix Hall, he had no foundation and little experience.

So after his three-year term was over, he was not promoted to another position, but was re-elected as the Tongzhi of Phoenix Hall.

This is a good thing. After the term of office of many officials expires, they have to wait for a replacement position until a vacancy occurs somewhere else before they can take up the position.

I don’t know how long this wait will take, so I might as well run for re-election.

It was a rare occasion for the husband and uncle to get together, so they had a long chat all night. Afterwards, Chen Yunzhe hurried back to Phoenix City.

Because the Russians needed a large amount of wood to build the Chinese Eastern Railway, it was impossible to transport this wood from the Russians, so they had to use local materials.

The Russians established the Yalu River Timber Company, which cut down timber from the Dongbiandao area, exiled it to Andong, and then transported it to Lüda.

Many merchants also saw the business opportunities here and set up logging companies to go deep into the hinterland of Changbai Mountain to cut down trees.

Qu Shaoyang is the tax supervisor of Dongbiandao, so he is responsible for all these matters.

So he submitted a memorial to the two provinces of Fengtian and Jilin, requesting the establishment of relevant regulations. Soon after, the generals of the two provinces jointly issued a logging regulation.

All Chinese and Russian merchants who were responsible for the timber needed for the Chinese Eastern Railway had to register at the Timber Tax Office, pay a certain deposit, and receive a receipt before they could recruit loggers to go into the mountains to cut wood.

In addition, the tax on timber was increased from 6% to 10%.

The Russians committed crimes all over the Northeast and plundered everywhere in order to build railways, which caused dissatisfaction among the people of the Northeast.

Many civilians gathered together, attacked the Russian tax checkpoints, and clashed with the Russian army.

There were even some bandit gangs who took the opportunity to attack the Russian vehicles transporting food and wages, causing considerable losses to the Russians.

Therefore, the Tsarist Russian government issued an order to the Qing court, asking it to send troops to suppress the rebellious people and arrest the looting bandits.

As expected, this task fell on Qu Shaoyang again.

So, Qu Shaoyang resigned from his job as assistant at the Fengtian Machinery Bureau and was ordered to go and suppress the bandits.

Of course, Qu Shaoyang has learned his lesson now and is unwilling to put in any effort.

On the surface, he led people to suppress the uprising and eliminate bandits, but secretly, he recruited those people to strengthen his own strength.

(End of this chapter)