Master Yuan, start!

Therefore, even if Yuan Shikai is still respectful at the moment, we must not easily agree to his request, otherwise the example of Japan is right in front of us.

"It's not what you think." Ogene smiled, put down the black tea and said:

"Yuan Xiangcheng did nominally say he wanted to reclaim tariff autonomy, but according to the news from Sir Robert Hart, he seems to be well versed in the ways of Whitehall."

"The way of doing things in Whitehall?" Dounal looked suspicious, not knowing what Eugene was trying to say.

"That bunch of civil servants could argue for a year or two over a trivial matter like the reconstruction of London's sewers. After the vote was passed, they argued for another year over where to start construction." When he said this, Ogene's eyes revealed a hint of contempt.

Sometimes, he felt that democracy was not so good. After staying in a dictatorial colonial country for a long time, he thought more than once that enlightened dictatorship was a good system.

Yuan Shikai decided to work with Sir Robert Hart to determine tariff rates for each of the 3782 types of import and export commodities since China opened its doors to the outside world. If new categories of goods were encountered during the negotiations, additional tariffs would be added. After negotiations on all commodities were completed, a final decision would be made on how to regain tariff autonomy.

According to Mr. Hurd, they plan to close one deal a week. 3782, well, that's 50 a year, let me do the math," Ogene began counting on his fingers.

"75 years, at least 75 years!"

Dou Nale, who came from the artillery, was very good at mathematics and got the answer after a little thought.

"Hahaha, yes, 75 years. The negotiations won't be completed until 1970!" Ogene laughed heartily. "By then, we'll probably be gone. Whether the customs revenue is recovered or not, what business will it have of us?"

"Great, that's great! This is what a loyal servant of the British Empire should look like!"

Dou Nale clapped his hands happily and celebrated, and felt an inexplicable liking for Yuan Xiangcheng, whom he had never met before.

In 1970, I am afraid that my newly born grandson would be unable to walk. Whether China was a colony at that time was good or bad, it has nothing to do with me anymore.

Before this, I was promoted and danced as usual, which was perfect!

"As for the Japanese, we shouldn't give up completely." After calming down, Dou Nale felt that it would be a good idea to have an extra layer of insurance.

"Before I left, the London government told me that they could provide war loans to the Japanese through HSBC, but the prerequisite was that they would fight the Russians, a warship-to-ship battle, not a fake battle where they would land on an island for exploration and then slip away.

I will discuss this matter with the Sasebo Far East Fleet's navy. We will then dispatch an observation ship to follow the Japanese fleet from a distance, fully recording the battle process and guarding against false reports."

"How about sending the vanguard of the 4th Hussars Regiment led by Winston Churchill to Yuan Shikai?" Since he had decided to show goodwill, Eugen had to follow through.

So he immediately proposed that the British army should join Yuan Shikai's national defense army as individual advisors.

"it is good!"

Dou Nale smiled and immediately agreed.

At this moment, Churchill, who was standing guard diligently outside the consulate, had no idea that he had been "sold" to North China by his two superiors.

In this way, Churchill, who was originally going to South Africa to experience the Boer War and prison adventures in history, came to China by accident and was deeply involved in China's reunification cause.

In the future, he will be honored with the title of "Old Friend of the Chinese People" and climb the city wall to watch the founding ceremony of the People's Republic of China.

Chapter 241 Minister of Water Resources

The cold wave on the East Asian continent retreated to Siberia, intending to accumulate strength in the icy frigid zone and move south again in winter.

In early spring in Tianjin, willow trees sprouted tender buds. Due to the high latitude, the ice and snow melted later, so the Haihe River that runs through Tianjin city ushered in a small spring flood.

Therefore, large ships have now appeared in the middle and upper reaches of the Haihe River, which were difficult to reach in the past due to insufficient runoff.

虽然只是内河2轮船，9但相比于4过去只0能划桨的传统4漕船来3说，毫无疑5问是翻6天覆地的提4升。

As the National Defense Army attacked southward, Tianjin, located at the diplomatic border of the interior, welcomed more than 10 steamships every day. Although they were small river ships of only more than 1000 tons, they were not as good as the 2100-ton standard ships popular outside the Great Wall, not to mention the ocean-going ships that could cut through the waves.

But as long as the share of water transportation can be expanded, Yuan Xiangcheng will be happy.

Walking on the streets of Tianjin in the morning breeze, Yuan Xiangcheng's destination was the Haihe Wharf.

"Master Yuan, thanks to you for ordering me to dredge the river at the end of last year, otherwise this small flood this spring would have submerged half of Tianjin City.

Now, not only is there no disaster, but we can even take advantage of the spring floods to allow river boats to enter the Haihe River, speeding up the transportation of military supplies for the National Defense Army."

Liang Pushi looked at the bustling freight scene on the Haihe River and admired Yuan Xiangcheng beside him.

He was the person in charge of civil engineering within the Red Confucian Society, and the expansion of Incheon Wharf was originally proposed by him.

As far as he knew, Tianjin had also had spring floods in previous years, but at most the floods would just overflow the riverbanks and soak your trouser legs when walking on the streets. The people of Tianjin had long been accustomed to it.

However, what was unexpected was that the spring flood of 1895 would be so fierce. If the chief instructor had not ordered people to raise the river channel and dredge the silt in advance, Tianjin would probably have become a swamp.

"The spring floods were all calculated by the instructor of the Incheon School of Mining. I was just relaying the information."

When Yuan Xiangcheng heard Liang Pu's generous praise, he scratched his big bald head in embarrassment.

At the end of last year, the weather turned cold and the progress of various projects outside the Great Wall entered a semi-suspended state, so Yuan Xiangcheng summoned Liang Pushi to Tianjin to take advantage of the dry season to renovate the river.

He just wanted to open up the Haihe River shipping as soon as possible and make Tianjin a port that focuses on both river and sea transportation. He did not expect that it would coincide with the historical flood in the Beijing-Tianjin area in 1895.

The scale of this flood was not large, so there is not much mention of it in historical records. However, it still caused the flooding of Tianjin, causing tens of thousands of people in Tianjin to be displaced and thousands of people to die from subsequent diseases.

The order was originally issued to improve navigation capabilities, but unexpectedly it achieved two goals at once. Yuan Xiangcheng felt embarrassed to take all the credit on himself, so he pushed it to the teacher at Incheon School.

Of course, we should not be stingy with rewards for those who actually work.

"Liang Pushi, the wise one, I gave the order, but you did the work." Yuan Xiangcheng slowed down his pace, leaned over, shook Liang Pushi's hands, and said, "Either way, half of this credit belongs to you."

"Sir Yuan, as long as we can serve the country, there is no distinction between you and me." Liang Pushi was also excited in his heart when facing Yuan Xiangcheng's earnest gaze.

The chief instructor is indeed considerate. Liang Pu Shi feels so sorry for the days after returning to China.

As a young boy studying in the United States, Liang Pushi felt that after returning to the Qing Dynasty, he was inferior to others in every way. According to the words of the Western Bible, he was like having "original sin".

Everyone thinks that these guys have been bewitched by foreigners and have believed in their evil gods.

Liang Pushi knew that a small number of his classmates had been secretly baptized and converted to the Western Christian faith, but he himself had not.

However, no matter how Liang Pushi explained, officials at all levels of the court did not believe him, and he was really in tears.

At the darkest moment in his life, Liang Pu Shi received a letter from Tang Shaoyi, inviting him to go to Korea to work.

Liang Pushi seemed to have found a life-saving straw at that time. He didn't even ask for his monthly salary and rushed to Incheon from Tangshan overnight.

After arriving in Korea, he was not disappointed. Yuan Shikai personally met him and asked him what major he studied. Not only did he give him the title of Yuwenlang of the Ministry of Works, but he also hired him as the chief consultant for road and bridge construction outside the Great Wall.

In this way, Liang Pu Shi became the exclusive civil architect of the Red Confucian Society.

Nine...

4. “Chief Engineer Liang is here!”

"Chief Engineer Liang, have you eaten yet? Here are our Jianbing Guozi. Would you like a set?"

4. "Chief Engineer Liang, this is the hot and fresh Gabacai I just cooked. You must try it!"

three...

As Wu strolled along the Haihe River, Yuan Xiangcheng witnessed with his own eyes the smiles and enthusiasm on the faces of the people along the Haihe River when they saw Liang Pushi.

He had a higher opinion of this civil engineer from the late 19th century.

Si is a person who gets things done, and he completes everything he is assigned to do in an orderly manner.

"Kuan Ming, since ancient times, it has always been easy for the superiors to issue orders, but difficult for the subordinates to actually carry out the orders." Yuan Xiangcheng stopped and looked at Liang Pushi with a smile:

"Since the people of Tianjin treat you this way, I'm sure you've put a lot of effort into repairing the Haihe River."

"I dare not." Liang Pushi bowed and declined.

“This is a matter within the ordinary time.”

"Whether it's my job or not, you've been in this corrupt officialdom for many years, so you naturally know better than me." Yuan Xiangcheng waved his hand, interrupting Liang Pushi's polite words:

"What I said just now was not quite right. You don't deserve half the credit. You are the main contributor to the renovation of the Haihe River!"

"Thank you, Master Yuan!"

Having said that, Liang Pu Shi stopped being polite and bowed deeply to Yuan Xiangcheng.

肿zhuan?郡9*66?79-1-零5：

"Haha, no need for such a grand ceremony." Yuan Xiangcheng helped Liang Pushi up and told him his plan:

"Kuan Ming, since you have completed the Haihe River restoration project, your rank of Fifth Rank Gongbu Yuanwailang should be promoted."

Huh? Is he going to be promoted? Liang Pushi was very excited when he heard this.

"The first position in the Six Ministries is Yuanwailang, and the next one up is Langzhong, a fifth-rank official." Yuan Xiangcheng whispered softly, outlining Liang Pushi's future development direction:

"But since ancient times, talent in river management has been quite scarce. Even if I give you a fourth-rank official position, no one else will say anything."

From the fourth rank! Liang Pushi never dreamed that he would one day be able to wear the official robe with cloud and wild goose patterns.

"It's just" Yuan Xiangcheng changed the subject and began to persuade:

"I intend to include you in the Central Committee of the Red Confucian Society and establish a water conservancy committee or water conservancy department to oversee the rivers outside the Great Wall. Are you willing to serve as the Minister of Water Conservancy?"

"I..." Liang Pu Shi was stunned. He didn't expect that Yuan Xiangcheng had said so much before, but suddenly made a big turn at the end.

After staying outside the Great Wall for a long time, Liang Pu Shi had heard of the Red Confucian Society and knew the names of some of its ministers, such as Zhang Jian, Tang Shaoyi and others.

In his opinion, these people are all people of great talent.

Now Lord Yuan actually proposed to set up another "Ministry of Water Resources" and asked me to be the minister. Liang Pu Shi was a little nervous, but at the same time, there was a hint of imperceptible fanaticism in his eyes.

It is said that only less than a hundred people from the Red Confucian Society can participate in the Central Committee. Their identities are usually kept secret and never revealed to others.

The party releases information on a daily basis in the name of the Central Decision-making Committee.

But no one thinks that the Central Committee is unimportant, because the Central Decision-making Committee is elected based on the members of the Central Committee.

Although Liang Pushi usually did not want to be involved in this matter, he knew very well that such a tightly organized and airtight "secret society" was not just a secret society.

He glanced at Yuan Xiangcheng in front of him. He thought to himself, "Master Yuan, I'm afraid you have many plans. Now that I have become a member of the Central Committee, doesn't it mean that I have become your real one?"

"Master Yuan, no, Chief Instructor!" Liang Pushi straightened his chest and bowed again:

"Thank you for your trust. I will definitely live up to your trust!"

Chapter 242: Minister of Water Resources Continuation 1

The reason why Yuan Shikai attached so much importance to inland waterway transportation was simply that he wanted to stimulate the vitality of the north to a greater extent in the future.

The inland waterway shipping industry in modern China involves a wide range of issues and is a confusing matter. Historically, Li Hongzhang only knew to open the China Merchants Steam Navigation Company in Jiangnan, but ignored the need to upgrade river shipping in the north.

The four famous towns of the Qing Dynasty are Foshan, Jingde, Hankou, and Er!9si46 Private Middle School DN: Zhuxian.

Of these four, Hankou had the best luck, becoming the provincial capital after merging with Wuchang and Hanyang;

Next is Foshan, which consistently ranks among the top five non-provincial capital cities in terms of GDP and is thriving under the leadership of neighboring Guangzhou.