The Qing Dynasty is about to end

Chapter 400 Imperialism (Request for subscription and votes)

When Maria and Zhou Xiuying returned to Prince Wu's Palace, Luo Yaoguo was speaking English in the Yin'an Hall with Wen Xian and Bulbulon who were visiting together.

The reason why he had to wait for Maria to act as an interpreter was not because he had forgotten how to speak English, but because as the King of Wu of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, he had to speak Chinese when conducting formal negotiations with foreign envoys.

During the formal talks, Wen Xian and Bourboulon had to speak English and French. Therefore, Luo Yaoguo had to have a translator who was proficient in Chinese, English and French. There were many people around him who could speak English, but Maria was the only one who could speak French fluently.

In addition, Luo Yaoguo also needs to find an opportunity to show Maria to Wen Xian and Bulblom - he has to let people know that Maria is now his woman and he can accept "future affairs consultation" on her behalf.

"Lord Luo, I never expected to see you on the throne of King Wu's Palace. You really deceived us. You made us all look like fools! I want to protest to you for this!"

"Lord Luo, what you did is truly unheard of. I don't know what to say except to protest. Hahahaha!"

Wen Xian and Bulblom had already recognized that Luo Yaoguo and Luo Xueyan were actually the same person. The reactions of these two friendly foreigners were of course inexplicable surprise, and then they half-jokingly protested.

Luo Yaoguo laughed and said, "I am the King of Wu of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and the Shanghai Governor of the Qing Dynasty at the same time. This is my country's internal affairs. Although you are friendly people, you should not interfere in my internal affairs! This is not in line with the principle of neutrality of Britain and France. I think Britain and France will not change this principle before defeating Russia, right?"

Speaking of "defeating Russia", Luo Yaoguo's tone has become heavy: "This will be a war with heavy casualties. You will definitely need me!"

Wen Xian and Bulblom frowned at the same time, and then looked at each other.

The Far East battlefield of the war against Russia is a big project that they have jointly operated! If this big project is done well, both of them can be promoted, get rich and be awarded titles, and Luo Xueyan is the key to the success of this big project!
After all, it was because they had witnessed the fighting power of the New Nanyang Army that they decided to involve the Qing Dynasty in this major project.

But now Luo Xueyan has "changed his identity". He is gone! He did not surrender to the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, but he did not exist. He directly "merged" with Luo Yaoguo, the King of Wu of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. This made them all confused.

They were originally planning that "the two Luos would fight and Britain and France would benefit", but it turned out that the two Luos would unite into one. No wonder Luo Xueyan was not afraid at all when Britain and France said they would sell weapons to Luo Yaoguo.

Now that the two Luos have become one, if Wen Xian and Bulblom still want to continue pushing forward this major project of attacking Russia's Far East, they will have to negotiate with Luo Yaoguo.

Who is Luo Yaoguo? He is the "Holy Messenger" who has come down to earth. Shouldn't the angel speak loudly?
Moreover, he had just said something about "heavy casualties" and that Britain and France "will definitely need him". These words came from the mouth of a "holy angel" or a "prophet", so they could not treat them as nonsense and must think carefully about them.

The Russian Empire that Britain and France are now dealing with is the world's number one land power. Napoleon I, the uncle of Napoleon III, had 600,000 troops in and only 30,000 out. If Napoleon III had fought this kind of war, the Bonaparte dynasty would have been destroyed!

Once the Bonaparte dynasty fell, could the British still send their army to fight the Russians in the ice and snow of Russia?

Totally impossible.
So it’s good that Bonham and Bulblom can get more help for their country!
What’s more, this help also includes a "holy angel" or a "prophet". No matter what it is, it is a "non-human"!
"Your Highness, King Wu, are you looking for me?"

A seductive voice suddenly came from outside the hall. It was Maria, who had changed into a Chinese-style jacket and skirt. However, the jacket was a bit tight and could hardly cover her plump body.

"Maria, come in. We've been waiting for you." Luo Yaoguo greeted Maria to come in and introduced her to Wen Xian and Bourboulon with a smile: "She is Maria de Clementine, my translation secretary."

Both Bonham and Bourboulen knew Maria. When Maria came to China with Archbishop Doria, she met them at the bishop's residence in Dongjiao Du, Shanghai.

The two of them also knew her identity, and now seeing her in the Wu Wang Mansion, they were a little surprised, and of course a little envious of Luo Yaoguo.
"Maria respectfully wishes Your Highness the best of health."

Maria walked up to Luo Yaoguo and knelt down in front of Wenxian and Bulbulon. She first kissed Luo Yaoguo's boots, then took up Luo Yaoguo's right hand and kissed it. She was so respectful that Wenxian and Bulbulon were shocked. "Maria," Luo Yaoguo smiled and pointed to a table and chair that had been set up nearby. "You sit there and be responsible for translation and recording."

"Yes, Your Highness." Maria then slowly stood up, and then nodded slightly to Wen Xian and Bulblom as a greeting, then sat down on the chair prepared for her, picked up the quill pen, dipped it in some ink, and prepared to take notes.

When Wen Xian and Bulblom saw Maria's performance, they no longer envied Luo Yaoguo, but were jealous of him. Is this the charm of an "angel" or a "prophet"?
He could actually make a woman like Maria willingly become his slave!
This is in public, I don’t know what it’s like in private!

"Minister Wen, Minister Bu, before the formal talks begin, I must first inform you two that our country is now a United States with a population of 200 million!"

Before Wenxian and Bulblom could recover from their jealousy, Luo Yaoguo had already started today's formal talks in Chinese.

Maria immediately translated Luo Yaoguo's words into English and French, and quickly wrote them down with a quill pen.

Wen Xian and Bulblom also brought translators and secretaries to take notes. They also quickly completed the notes and then waited for their respective bosses to speak - whoever's boss spoke would be responsible for the translation.

When Wen Xian and Bulbron heard Maria's translation, their faces became solemn.

"But your country has not yet completed internal unification!" Wen Xian immediately pointed out to Luo Yaoguo.

"Isn't it just a matter of time?" Luo Yaoguo said confidently.

(Omitted here.)

Although the requirements proposed by Luo Yaoguo are a bit high, they are necessary for the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom today!

Feeding 200 million people is a huge problem in today's era where there are no chemical fertilizers, no good seeds, no pesticides, and no large-scale grain trade.

The land distribution policy implemented by the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom could only ease the situation but had no way of solving this problem.

In order to solve this problem, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom must find a way to export its population!
It is best to export population through spheres of influence and colonies.

Without colonies, where would the people go?

Although a lot of people were exported in recent years by "selling piglets", the increase in birth rate brought about by the distribution of land brought more newborns to the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.

In a sense, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom is now even more difficult than the Qing Dynasty.

Moreover, the Qing Dynasty still owned large tracts of fertile land outside the Great Wall that had not been cultivated, so it could always rely on incremental growth to resolve the crisis.

But the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom can only grow in Southeast Asia!

However, Wen Xian and Bulbrunn just frowned slightly and did not comment on Luo Yaoguo's request.

The requirements of this "angel" or "prophet" seem a bit high!
Seeing that the two of them were silent, Luo Yaoguo understood what the other party meant!
But they did not raise any objection immediately, indicating that the issue was still open for discussion.
(End of this chapter)