Travel through the Qing Dynasty and become emperor

Chapter 222 The War Without Gunpowder

Guan Xuqing was in a very good mood these past few days. After returning to Luan from Hangzhou, he heard that Concubine De was pregnant for more than three months, so he went to Yonghe Palace more recently. "I heard that people of mixed race are very smart. Give me a prince who combines Chinese and Western styles, and I will reward you well. Haha"

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Concubine De snuggled into the Emperor's embrace, with indescribable expressions on her face.

"My lord, Li Hongzhang, Sheng Xuanhuai, and Yan Shiming are already waiting in the study." Wang Shang came to report.

"I'll be there soon." Guan Xuqing kissed Concubine De on the face, and said, "I have business to do, so I'll come to see you in the evening." Concubine De nodded and helped the emperor tidy up his clothes, her eyes filled with deep tears love.

Guan Xuqing came to the upper study room and said to Li Hongzhang: "How are you preparing for the trip to the United States?"

"It's all ready. I don't know when I should leave. I'm here to ask the emperor for orders." In front of the emperor, Li Hongzhang was always so respectful.

"The sooner the better, let's set off tomorrow. This time I'm going to the United States, I don't want you to have fun. I want to learn the most advanced financial management experience from others, and have extensive contacts with people in the economic circles. It is of great benefit. Remember, the future economy is a war without gunpowder, and whoever wins will dominate the world." Guan Xuqing urged.

"Follow the instructions of the emperor."

The news of the Chinese delegation's visit to the United States quickly spread across the ocean. Well-known media such as the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the San Francisco Express all published the news on the front page. Statement: "The great Emperor Guangxu of the Chinese Empire sent a good envoy to the United States. The population of the empire under his rule was larger than that of the monarchs of all Europe, and their industrialization began in this country. After progressing and demonstrating their strength in wars many times, the prospect of this country is fascinating, and I am afraid that in this year, the name of the Qing Dynasty will be included in the list of the top four powers in the world."

The U.S. Navy, which had just returned triumphantly from the Caribbean Sea, lined up a welcome queue with almost the highest courtesy. The USS Miami, the USS Texas, and the USS Soyuz, including the USS New York where the commander of the Federal Fleet, General Gangs, lined up at the pier in New York Harbor. When the cruise ship St. Louis chartered by His Excellency Li Hongzhang, Prime Minister of the Qing Empire, arrived, the U.S. Navy fired a [-]-gun welcome salute to pay respect to Li Hongzhang.On the wharf, Chinese immigrants welcomed the head of state from the motherland in the most traditional way. Various dragon dances and lion dance teams danced on the street. The entire New York Harbor was in a commotion. The port is overcrowded.After landing, many Chinese immigrants could not help but shed tears of excitement. After publicity in the press, they were moved by Li Hongzhang's tough stance on the political and economic status of Chinese immigrants. What could be more exciting for people than such support?
Among the welcoming crowd in New York.There was one person in particular that attracted Li Hongzhang's attention. He knew that with the help of this person, his mission would be completed extremely smoothly.The man's name was Morgan.His private motorboat is in the front row of the welcome queue. At the bow, the banker is waving his top hat enthusiastically, matching the colorful streamers on his boat and fluttering in the wind, just to express his sincerest welcome.

The wealth and strength of the United States are undoubtedly displayed in New York. Under the 20-story building by the pier, more than 200 cavalrymen of the Sixth Cavalry Brigade wore blue uniforms with braids, and yellow feathers on their hats fluttered in the wind. The mighty and majestic lined up to welcome Li Hongzhang to land.He got into a sedan chair, was carried off the ship by four sailors, boarded the carriage prepared by the Americans, and the newly appointed Assistant Secretary of State Lewis sat with him. All this expressed the grand welcome of the American officials to Li Hongzhang.

The carriage passed the bustling Broadway, and everyone cheered. The brokers of the New York Stock Exchange also gathered to cheer enthusiastically. The highest standard of welcome regulations was hung on the roof of the exchange, and four flags were flying in the air.There are many high-rise buildings on both sides of the road, mutual benefit insurance company, post office building, etc., every floor is full of people, and the people of New York also welcome him as a distinguished guest.Maybe it was because they heard about the opportunity to make a fortune, people in New York did not seem to pay too much attention to Li Hongzhang's speech before his visit as they did in California.

The fifth avenue hotel in New York, where the welcome state banquet of the United States was held. The state banquet was hosted by Secretary of State Dulles, and senior officials, business celebrities, bankers, and financial experts were all present.The accompanying ten shopkeepers of the Shanxi bank were looking around like idiots, which aroused the ridicule of Stephen, the executive director of the New York Stock Exchange. He said to the oil tycoon Rockefeller beside him: "Why did the wise Chinese emperor send this A few bad old men, it looks like they all look like old scholars in Chinese private schools. Haha"

"Mr. Stephen, I want to remind you that these ten Chinese hold one-fifth of the wealth of the ancient country. Any one of them can buy the entire New York City if he wants!" Rockefeller said solemnly Said.

"Really?" Stephen no longer dared to underestimate these people, but instead wanted to find an opportunity to get close to them.

At the welcome banquet, Li Hongzhang expressed his admiration for the financial industry and economic system of the United States, and showed great interest in stocks. President McKinley even explained to him with great interest that this kind of stock is very beneficial to economic development. The system comes, all kinds of others.For example, industries such as education, mining, private telecommunications, iron and steel, railways, etc., Li Hongzhang has shown a certain interest.Especially the mining industry, which is extremely important in China today.From Li Hongzhang's description, Americans gradually saw a China with booming business opportunities and money to be made there.Where there is friendship, this is the real pursuit of interest flow.

Americans who are chasing interests are naturally more sensitive to this aspect. For example, Morgan, the banker who paid a donation to attend the dinner, said on the spot that his consortium is willing to subscribe for 500 million US dollars in the national bonds of the Qing Empire, and other rich people are also interested in investing in China. Express interest.

Sheng Xuanhuai was very busy. A welcome banquet allowed the Imperial Investment Bank to reach more than a dozen important cooperation intentions. The construction of the Houston Industrial City, the mining of California, the United States, the development of Atlantic oil, the operation plan of the Orleans Railway, etc., are all worthy of consideration. It is called a large-scale project of the United States' foreign economic cooperation.

Sheng Xuanhuai remembered what the emperor said to himself before leaving: "I will give you 2000 million silver, and you have to find a way to invest this money in infrastructure projects in the United States. Now let's scatter the fry and wait until the net is collected. It will definitely fill your cabin. There is also a more important layer. These projects are the economic lifeblood of Americans. They are in urgent need of external financial support. It can cause an earthquake in the White House. This is a war without gunpowder."

(End of this chapter)