Chapter 184: The Kaiser's Reception
It took only a few days for the revolutionary army to achieve victory in southern Yunnan, but the preparations to support the victory lasted for a year. Pen, fun, pavilion www. biquge。 This is a solid foundation and guarantee, and with Gao Ping, a base in Vietnam, the current revolutionary army may certainly lose the battle, but as long as the foundation exists, it is no longer very realistic to completely defeat the revolutionary army.
And Chen Wenqiang boasted that he was not a talent who led the army, but he still wanted to return to China as soon as possible, and he could pay attention to the bloody battle between the revolutionary army and the counterattack against the Qing army nearby, and maybe he could think of other ways to help. It's just that, judging from the point of view of time, it seems that it is a little too late.
Despite the high level of industrial manufacturing in Germany, the improvement of processes and equipment is not a task that can be completed in a short period of time.
Taking advantage of his precious leisure time, Chen Wenqiang visited Krupp, Siemens and other companies, and reached an agreement of intent to continue in-depth cooperation. In addition to old customers, Chen Wenqiang also met and negotiated with new customers, such as Deutsche Airship Transport (founded by Zeppelin), the world's first commercial civil air transport company.
Although there are still many things to improve and perfect in the Zeppelin at this time, the technical level is already the most advanced product in the world. And the heavier-than-air aircraft is an ugly newborn that can only carry one or two people. Airships can easily carry tons of goods. Compared to the dinosaur-like airships that soar in the sky, heavier-than-air aircraft are just inconspicuous, harmless little mammals.
Those who fly in the air, and those who run on land. Chen Wenqiang also approached Daimler AG of Germany and reached an agreement of intent to establish a joint venture car company in China. The automobile industry is just emerging, and it is easy to catch up and close the gap at this time. Moreover, the automotive industry is highly technology-intensive. There are many new materials, new equipment, new processes and new technologies in the field of science, which is also a great promotion for other ancillary industries.
The industrialization of ammonia synthesis finally became a reality when BASF added a layer of wrought iron lining to the reaction tube of mild steel according to Chen Wenqiang's suggestion and design, solved the problem of hydrogen corrosion, and made relevant improvements to the production equipment. And that's three years ahead of history.
Before the XIX century. The main sources of nitrogen fertilizer required in agriculture come from by-products of organic matter, such as manure, seed cake and green manure. A large mineral field of sodium nitrate was discovered in Chile in 1809 and was soon mined. On the one hand, due to the limited nature of this mineral deposit, and on the other hand, the military industry also needs a large amount of saltpeter for the production of explosives.
The realization of atmospheric nitrogen fixation, which fixes the abundant nitrogen in the air and converts it into a usable form, has always attracted the attention and concern of many scientists. The success of laboratory production is of course epoch-making significance, and people can see the dawn of nitrogen fixation. The success of industrial production has made it a reality. The significance is also extraordinary, and the chemical expert Bosch has also won the Nobel Prize for this in history.
The BASF company was ecstatic, not only because it accelerated the development of world agriculture and the problem of being able to make bread out of air, but also catered to the psychology of the German government and even Kaiser Wilhelm. Although the German military and political leaders have not yet launched a large-scale war to annex Europe and dominate the world, the importance attached to the military aspect is obvious to all.
When Haber's process was demonstrated, even the German emperor deigned to ask Haber to take up the post of director of the Wilhelm Institute in Germany. BASF has completed industrialization and the future is bright. The support of the government and the attention of military and political dignitaries. And the steady stream of orders, how can you not make BASF excited?
Before the warm atmosphere of the celebration party dissipated, Chen Wenqiang was received by Kaiser Wilhelm II. This should be regarded as the second royal summons, when he first arrived in Germany, the crown prince received and hosted a banquet for Chen Wenqiang, and thanked and appreciated the large-scale cooperation between China and Germany promoted by Chen Wenqiang. And this time the specifications have been raised again. Chen Wenqiang also decided to come up with something substantive to achieve greater benefits.
The growing power of a new imperialist country is clearly not commensurate with the benefits it has gained in the world. When Wilhelm II impassionedly said to all Germans: "The German Empire is going to become a world empire." In the far reaches of the earth, there should be our fellow citizens everywhere. German goods, German knowledge, German diligence to cross the seas??" Worldwide. In particular, Britain, France, and Russia in Europe listened to this declaration of world domination with horror, and felt that a huge powder keg was beside them, which could explode at any time and cause disaster to themselves.
When Kaiser Wilhelm wanted to find "a place under the sun" for Germany, and abandoned Bismarck's continental European policy and pursued the so-called world policy instead, not only Wadsey, Tirpitz, Holstein and others enthusiastically cheered, but a large number of bourgeois industrial giants represented by Stum were even more ecstatic, and they salivated and looked at the overseas market.
Obviously, when Germany went directly from feudal society to imperialist society, the old bureaucratic class represented by Bismarck was no longer able to adapt to the changes in the relations of production and the social changes caused by them. As the supreme representative of the German imperialist class, Wilhelm II's world policy of peace, although it had a strong militaristic color, met the needs of the German ruling class at that time, and was supported and embraced by the majority of capitalists.
Wilhelm II, however, was unable to maintain a rational approach to German foreign policy because of a serious illness that caused him to suffer from brain problems that made him ambitious, impulsive, and reckless, as well as arrogant in his dealings with others.
"German trade should be 'trade with the world', and Germany and the world are in the same sense, because German policy ...... should be reflected everywhere in the world."
"I couldn't agree more. I was deeply impressed by Germany's world-leading scientific and technological level and the rigorous and dedicated work spirit of the Germans. This is the main reason why I have been expanding my cooperation with German companies until now. As for the world policy pursued by His Majesty the Kaiser, I also think that Germany should have an international status and living space commensurate with its great national strength. Chen Wenqiang complimented half-truthfully, wearing a top hat, everyone is happy.
Wilhelm II looked excited, waved his hand vigorously, and emphasized: "It is true. China, on the other hand, is a big country. The cooperation between Germany and China will have far-reaching consequences. ”
"China is a big country and a weak country." Chen Wenqiang said in a deep voice: "But deepening cooperation with your country and complementing each other's advantages is a good thing for both countries." This is because now is a period of great development of the international division of labor. German management experience and advanced technology. China has millions of simple, tame, amazingly thrifty, and intelligent workers. Combining the two, the products manufactured by the Sino-German joint venture will be extremely competitive, thus occupying a larger international market. ”
International division of labor? Complementary? Wilhelm II was curious about the new term, but he understood the main meaning of Chen Wenqiang's words.
"I know something about China, where Chinese workers work tirelessly and happily to get a pay that they can live comfortably, and that kind of pay that Westerners can't use to make ends meet." Wilhelm II shook his head with regret and said: "And the workers of the West strive to get more for less every day." But he always thinks about raising wages, which is really irrational. ”
According to China's current situation, it is inevitable and the best choice to take the road of labor-intensive economic development. And the rise as the "factory of the world" is obviously closer to reality.
"Your Majesty knows something about China, but it's obviously not comprehensive." Chen Wenqiang made deletions and additions, and gave William an introduction and explanation of the political situation in China. "China is huge, even if it's one or two provinces. There is also a lot of room for development. The current government's control over foreign provincial governors is decreasing, in other words, the central government's authority is weakening. Therefore, His Majesty could not pursue an alliance with the central government representing China for the time being, and instead focus on establishing a solid presence in the provinces. ”
"For example, Huguang, Guangdong and Qiongzhou." William was intrigued by the map that Chen Wenqiang had laid out. Although it is not the first time I have seen it, through Chen Wenqiang's introduction, he has a more intuitive and accurate understanding.
"The size of just one or two provinces is already the same as Japan." Chen Wenqiang pursed his lips slightly, stretched out his finger and said, "It is precisely because of China's vast territory. There are also great differences in different places, and not every place is suitable for modern economic development. But if a few provinces develop well, China as a whole will gradually have the strength to compete with Japan. ”
Japan! Wilhelm II frowned slightly, which was the root of the "Yellow Peril" he proposed. And even if China is poor and weak, even if it wants to become a "yellow peril", it will not be able to get it. In the Far East, it seems that if Germany wants to contain Japan, it can only support the weak and large China. The meaning of Chen Wenqiang's words is also very clear: it is very difficult to form an alliance between countries, but it does not hinder Germany's ultimate goal of supporting China and containing Japan.
"After the First Sino-Japanese War, China's navy was destroyed in one fell swoop, and Japan forcibly ceded Taiwan. Chen Wenqiang added another handful of dry firewood, and his expression became resentful and hideous, "From the number of people, from the land area, and from the resources and minerals, China is invincible to Japan." Now it's just a long way from technology and industry, and we have to catch up. Therefore, the selfless help of your country is crucial. ”
When you think of Japan, you naturally come to the UK. Britain's relations with Germany had long been strained by the arms race. Under Kaiser Wilhelm II, Germany began mass-building battleships in 1890, and in 1900 passed a bill to double Germany's naval power, which Britain saw as an attempt to challenge his maritime supremacy.
Although Wilhelm's personality and ideas made Germany's foreign policy towards Britain, France, and Russia always waver, it was not mentally prepared for war with any of them. But his vigorous advocacy of militarism, his support for German military expansion, and his support for the development of the military industry (especially the Krupp company) had already drawn Germany into an arms race with its neighbors. When this military race becomes difficult to end, war is inevitable, and it is not subject to the will of any one person.
Regarding Chen Wenqiang's more direct statement, Wilhelm II did not respond immediately, but nodded thoughtfully.
"Japan is an extremely ambitious and aggressive country, and the mentality of the islanders is even more narrow-minded." Chen Wenqiang continued to recount quietly: "They will never be satisfied with their current position, especially after the Russo-Japanese War, Japan is full of expansion in the Pacific region. The United States is also aware of this. Moreover, the United States had to take a concession ......"
With the formation of a confrontation between the United States and Japan in the Pacific region, the hostility between the two sides has become more and more serious. In 1906, the San Francisco School Board in California announced that it would segregate all Japanese students. When the news reached Japan, the Japanese public regarded it as a great shame and a great disgrace, and immediately set off a fierce anti-US demonstration to slander the Americans, and the Japanese Government also strongly demanded that the US Government give an explanation for this.
Japanese public opinion even shouted: "The whole world knows that the poorly equipped US Army and Navy are no match for our highly combat-ready Army and Navy." Japan's Mainichi Shimbun roared even more: "When our great admirals appear on the other side of the Pacific, it will be easy to break the stubborn dreams of the United States." Why don't we insist on sending warships? Seeing that the conflict between the two sides was about to erupt, Roosevelt immediately persuaded the San Francisco School Board to revoke the anti-Japanese regulations, and the situation was eased.
"Yes, I also noticed the arrogance of Japan, as well as the weakness of the US military in Asia." Kaiser Wilhelm II agreed, "Japan's aggressive expansion in the Far East and the Pacific has threatened the interests of the United States, and in a sense containing Japan should be the common aspiration of Germany, China, and the United States." ”
"We're preparing." Chen Wenqiang said in a timely manner: "Quietly, try not to arouse Japan's vigilance in war preparations. For example, the formation of a new army, such as the manufacture of guns and artillery, such as—" After a deliberate pause, he continued: "For example, by what means to counter the Japanese navy, and other auxiliary measures that are beneficial to the war. ”
As he spoke, Chen Wenqiang took out a small bottle of medicine from his pocket, as well as a German instruction manual wrapped in the medicine bottle, handed it to Wilhelm II, and said: "Just like this, if war breaks out, it will also be a very favorable condition for our army." ”
William stretched out his hand to take it, briefly read the manual, and did not understand the significance of it, but still politely accepted it, and continued to talk with Chen Wenqiang.
…………… (To be continued.) )