External factors have also created a good atmosphere for this visit to Germany. Pen × fun × Pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 infoAfter being forced to back down on the Mongolian issue, Russia began to focus its attention on Europe. Construction of a strategic railway to the German border began, and the Navy was strengthened, with plans to increase the number of active military personnel to 1.3 million within three years; France also began to expand its army, planning to increase the number of troops to 800,000 in 1913, and this year's military budget increased to 1.3 billion francs, accounting for 38% of France's total national budget.

A full-scale arms race was finally brought to the fore, which greatly influenced Germany's attitude. At a time when China is stepping up its efforts to build ships and ships, it is indeed difficult to meet China's large demand for submarines. The German government finally agreed to send a large number of engineers and technicians to continue to help China build submarine docks and guide China in building submarines. And this is what Chen Wenqiang hopes for the most, it is better to rely on others than on himself.

The objects of alliance and hostility between the great powers in the world have been fixed, and the coordinated diplomacy of the European powers has reached a dead end. For Chen Wenqiang, there are some expectations and some uneasiness. Crises and opportunities coexist, and it's up to you to seize them.

With the outbreak of World War I, whether China can accumulate relatively sufficient strength to face the pressure of Japan alone is what Chen Wenqiang is most worried about. Judging from the current domestic situation in Japan, Chen Wenqiang feels a little optimistic.

The Japanese economy did grow after the Russo-Japanese War, but in 1897 it moved in the opposite direction, and between 1900 and 1901 there was a great economic panic. In order to stimulate economic development, the Katsura Cabinet adopted a policy of strengthening the development of heavy industry and telecommunications industries, which required a large amount of money from financial institutions and a large amount of financial investment from the government.

At the same time, it is inevitable to increase the budget for the expansion of the navy. When the Katsura Cabinet failed in its plan to raise foreign debts in the United States, it wanted to solve the problem by straightening out the administration, postponing public utility projects, and including the compensation for the Northern Qing Incident in general accounting. The parliament considered the reparations revenues to be unstable, strongly opposed their inclusion in the budget, and strongly resisted the government's implementation of a five-year increase in land rent and the reorganization of the administration.

January 7, 1906. Katsura Taro recommended Saionji Konobo as prime minister. Previously, in order to quell the people's anger over the Portsmouth Treaty, under the promotion of Hara Kei, the cooperation and mutual support between Katsura Taro and Saionji Konobo were realized under the impetus of Hara Kei, and the support of the government was made possible by the Seionji Association, and the so-called "Katsura Period" was formed.

July 1908. Saionji Konozo's cabinet resigned due to financial difficulties and the disadvantage of banning socialists, and Katsura Taro once again assumed the position of prime minister. On the surface, Katsura Taro is "impartial and non-partisan, and does not discriminate," but in fact he will not be able to pass the parliamentary hurdle without compromising with the Political Friends Association.

In January 1911, Katsura Taro had a direct meeting with Saionji, the president of the Sei Friends Association, and the two sides "fell in love". As a result, the government's Meiji 14th Budget was passed with minor revisions at the 27th Diet session. On the recommendation of Katsura Taro, who submitted his general resignation after the signing of the Third Treaty of Alliance between Japan and Britain, the Second Saionji Konozo Cabinet was established on August 30.

The issue facing the Saionji Konozo Cabinet is the fiscal issue. The Japanese government raised 1.28 billion yen in public bonds at home and abroad for the Russo-Japanese War, and in addition, it maintained and developed its power in Manchuria and the military headquarters to fight Russia in order to manage the colonies such as Huatai and Korea. Securing the expansion of armaments in Huatai, Korea, and Manchuria became a heavy burden for the government.

Faced with the issue of the budget for the increase of the landing navy, the Saionji cabinet, which has an absolute majority in the House of Representatives, rejected the army's request for two additional divisions and the navy's request for the construction of three warships. aroused the dissatisfaction of the army and navy, and another cabinet was in jeopardy.

Let's fight, let's fight, Chen Wenqiang can't wait for Japan's political situation to be unstable and has no intention of going outside. Now the attention of the European powers has shifted. Less pressure on China. And China, which has the support of both the United States and Germany, is fundamentally different from the historical situation.

Potstang Sanssusi Palace. King Friedrich II of Prussia made it the seat of his summer palace and built Versailles in Prussia. Ironically, this monarch spent his entire life in reckless warfare, plundering cities and lands, but his achievements were only fleeting, leaving no trace. Only this famous place with a world reputation will be left to future generations.

This is similar to China's Qin Shi Huang and Sui Yang Emperors, both of whom were historically known as tyrants who built the Great Wall and the Grand Canal at the expense of their people. But the tyrants were spurned, and the two huge projects they left behind were praised by posterity and became the capital to show off.

"Dr. Chen. What is your perception of Germany? Wilhelm II asked with a smile.

Chen Wenqiang smiled faintly, this title made him know what Wilhelm II was going to say, and he was also mentally prepared for this. That's right, penicillin, the Germans definitely tested the ingredients and determined its bactericidal effect. With red eyes, he wanted to rely on the power of Germany to obtain the secrets and try to industrialize production on his own.

"Germany is such a beautiful country and the people are very friendly to us." Chen Wenqiang made a parting evaluation, and the goal was basically achieved, of course, he had to praise it.

"Our country's support for your country can be described as sparing no effort, from military to science and technology, to the best of our ability." Wilhelm II said slowly: "We sincerely hope that your country will become strong, but for the time being, the level of science and technology industry in your country is still in its infancy. ”

"Of course it is." Chen Wenqiang frankly admitted: "That's why China is in great need of the support and help of a friendly country like Germany. ”

Wilhelm II nodded and said with a smile: "For the medicinal value of penicillin, Chinese scientists have studied it and believe that as Dr. Chen said, its prospects are very bright. Moreover, Chinese scientists also believe that if China tries it, the effect may be better than that of your country. After all, China's scientific and technological level and scientific and technological talents are much stronger than those of your country. ”

Chen Wenqiang nodded and said frankly: "There is no doubt about this, out of sincere gratitude to your country for your selfless help, my country is willing to exchange the results of the current research with your country. But there is one thing, please pay attention to secrecy in your country, this is a priceless treasure, and it is of great significance, I think, His Majesty the Emperor understands in his heart. ”

Taking out a penicillin sample, Chen Wenqiang expected such a result. But if you don't come up with anything heavyweight, you may not be able to exchange it for Germany's strong help. Of course, Chen Wenqiang was not stupid enough to disclose all the situation to the Germans, as long as a few key steps were omitted, it was almost impossible for the Germans to spend less time than the Chinese to develop an industrial production method of penicillin.

Historically. The invention and practical application of penicillin has gone through nearly 20 years, and it has been successful on the basis of the development of science and technology to a considerable extent.

China's leading position in the practical application of penicillin research is inseparable from Chen Wenqiang's guidance. In Germany, there are no such talents. From freeze-drying purification, to irradiating Penicillium with ultraviolet light to improve penicillin-producing capacity, to using cottonseed cake flour and peanut cake powder as nitrogen sources, and finally to cultivating Penicillium by deep fermentation, I don't know how much time has been saved in such a straight line. How many experiments were done, how much money and manpower were saved. And none of this was something that the Germans could have thought of and expected.

Chen Wenqiang's seemingly sincere expression moved Wilhelm II very much, you must know that German scientists have come to the conclusion through experiments that the effect of penicillin will not only exceed Chen Wenqiang's introduction, but also a strategic resource. Just imagine, after the outbreak of war, experienced soldiers will be an asset. It is the guarantee of the country's victory. And penicillin will save the lives of thousands of wounded soldiers, in other words. It is to give thousands of experienced soldiers the opportunity to reuse, which will greatly enhance the resilience of the troops.

Of course, the economic benefits that penicillin can bring are definitely an incalculable wealth. In order to cure the pain and prolong life, no matter how expensive it is, people will not hesitate to pay for medicine.

"It was a really touching decision." Wilhelm II said with a smile: "In order to make the Secretary of State's visit to Germany a complete success." My Government has decided to follow the example of the United States and return the excess Gengzi indemnity. ”

Chen Wenqiang expressed his gratitude for this windfall, and said that he would use the money as the fund of the Sino-German Institute of Science and Technology, so that the Sino-German cooperation could bear fruit as soon as possible.

The nearly month-long visit to Germany is coming to an end. The deepest impression that Germany left on Chen Wenqiang was that it attached great importance to the cultivation of national qualities and used this as the foundation for national rejuvenation. Chen Wenqiang expressed his deep appreciation and sent a telegram to China, introducing Germany's experience and practices in carrying out education, and hoped that the government of the Republic of China would implement it as soon as possible.

In Prussia, education and military service were regarded as compulsory obligations of citizens, and the State was obliged to provide its citizens with the opportunity to receive education. Free education has been in place since the mid-19th century, and on the eve of German reunification, 97.5 per cent of school-age children were enrolled. In Germany, students go to school almost free of charge, mainly in kind, and parents are penalized if they do not attend school.

In Germany, the younger generation has to learn from the outset not just to live for themselves, but for the nation as a whole. As King Wilhelm III of Prussia pointed out the way out for Germany, "the country must compensate for the loss of the body with the strength of the spirit." It is precisely because of poverty that education is necessary. I have never heard of a country running education that is poor and ruined. ”

However, if China wants to learn from German education, it has many practical difficulties, which makes Chen Wenqiang very troubled.

First of all, the Chinese population is large, but the teachers are far from enough; Second, in the case that the majority of people have not yet obtained food and clothing, the policy of compulsory education and fines will inevitably cause resistance and dissatisfaction among many people; The last point, of course, is the problem of money, the lack of funds.

Sure enough, the government of the Republic sent a telegram back, which, on the one hand, felt that it had benefited greatly from the German approach and was determined to follow suit; On the one hand, it also reveals concerns about the lack of funds.

Money, the final problem still falls on the money. Everywhere is spending money, infrastructure construction, army building, equipment renewal, etc., Chen Wenqiang is also scratching his head about this. China's primary problem is poverty, and in such a vast country with a large population, it is always more difficult to do something than other countries, and there is no way to do it.

At the end of his visit to Germany, Chen Wenqiang re-boarded the refurbished Haiqi ship, and in the midst of the wind and waves, Chen Wenqiang did not have the excitement of the first voyage across the Atlantic Ocean by the officers and men of the navy, and his mind began to spin rapidly, and he was worried about raising more funds.

On August 10, 1911, after two weeks of continuous sailing, the ship crossed the vast ocean of more than 4,000 nautical miles and arrived in New York, USA.

Like Germany, the United States held a very grand welcoming ceremony to welcome the Chinese delegation. The Admiralty dispatched the 10,000-ton cruiser USS North Dakota as an escort ship to anchor alongside Haiqi and designated a lieutenant colonel officer to be the liaison officer to coordinate with the ship.

The day after his arrival in the United States, the US Secretary of State and Secretary of the Navy met with Chen Wenqiang and others. On the third day, the two military and political dignitaries jointly held a grand reception to entertain the delegation. On the fourth day, Chen Wenqiang and others were invited to Boston to meet President Taft, who was on vacation at his summer house.

…………

In the nineteenth century, the United States did not play an important role in the world, however, when the wheel of history just entered the twentieth century, the United States extended its tentacles to the whole world. Roosevelt, the predecessor of the current US President Taft.

Theodore. Roosevelt was a strong international leader, however, when his term of office expired, because he had already declared that he would not run in the next presidential election, those who pursued politics no longer regarded Roosevelt as an important figure, so they no longer supported Roosevelt's work in office, which led to Roosevelt's last State of the Union address, which led to his last State of the Union address being ruthlessly rejected by Congress.

One reason is the recession in the United States. Business people blame him for the recession, saying it was he who allowed the government to interfere in the economy that caused the recession. The other reason was Roosevelt's own doing. At that time, there was no legislation in the United States that limited a person to several consecutive terms of president. Washington has created the practice of serving only two terms as president. When Theodore. After Roosevelt won the presidential election in 1904, he announced that he would no longer run in the 1908 presidential election. He completed one of McKinley's presidential terms, and he completed his own presidential term, and that was enough. Later he said: "If I could retract the statement at that time, I would rather have my own hands chopped off." ”

Roosevelt refused to abandon the policies he thought were necessary for the United States, and he himself could no longer work for them, but he wanted to find a presidential candidate who could work for them, and he believed that the people would vote for his choice. His choice was his close friend, the Minister of War, William Brown. Howard. Taft. (To be continued.) )