Despite all these shortcomings, the Rothschild did a very good job, not only increasing the propensity of the well-to-do families in the society to save (so that they could accumulate investment funds in peacetime), but also accumulating a large amount of taxable wealth during the war, so that Britain could levy higher land and direct taxes to meet the urgent needs of the country during the war.

However, however remarkable this achievement, its importance pales in comparison with the Rothchild family's achievements in public credit. In fact, for the vast majority of wars in this century, almost three-quarters of the additional funds raised for additional war expenses came from borrowing. And because of the help of the Rothschilds, Britain has a decisive advantage in this respect more than anything else. The first is the evolution of institutional structures that allow for efficient financing of long-term loans, while at the same time being responsible for regular repayment of the interest (and principal) on the debt that arises. The Rothschild family helped and participated in the creation of the Bank of England (initially as a contingency in the war) and later adjustments to the national debt, as well as the boom in bond trading and the development of "country banks", both of which opened up sources of finance for the government and businessmen. In an era of scarcity of coins, the issuance of banknotes of all stripes has brought great benefits without triggering inflation and leading to a decline in credibility. However, if the securities of the State are not secured by successive parliaments and their powers to impose additional taxes; If it had not been for the efforts of successive British governments to convince bankers and the public that they were "thrifty" governments without exception acting in accordance with financial norms; This "financial revolution" would hardly succeed without the continuous development of commerce and industry and in some respects by leaps and bounds, which provided for a simultaneous increase in customs and excise revenues. But as long as the Royal Navy protected Britain's overseas trade and kept the enemy at bay. Even the war failed to stop this growth. Britain's "credibility" is built on this solid foundation. Despite the early turmoil. Politically, there was fierce opposition from the opposition, but Britain still managed to preserve the gains of the "financial revolution". The "financial revolution" made the British government find that its own economic strength and the funds available at home were very different from what it had in the past, and that domestic investors could borrow almost exactly what it needed. British historians have observed, "Britain was more trustworthy and efficient than any other European country in the latter part of the century, despite its ills in dealing with its public finances." "And all that. They are all inseparable from the help of the Rothchild family.

The strategic significance of the "financial revolution" was that Britain was able to "spend money in well excess of its tax revenues for war, so that it would throw its ships and forces of decisive superiority into wars with other nations, without which all the manpower and material resources it had previously invested would be wasted." Although many British commentators have been frantic about the sheer amount of British debt and its possible consequences, the fact is (in the words of Bishop Berkeley) that credit is "Britain's first advantage over other countries". The dramatic increase in state spending, especially the huge and sustained demand for pig iron, timber, cloth and other supplies caused by orders from the Admiralty, created a "feedback loop" that boosted British industrial production and stimulated a series of technological breakthroughs. This, in turn, gives the UK a significant increase in its inherent advantages.

As a de facto beneficiary of the "financial revolution" led by the Rothchild family. Unlike the mid-level officers of the Royal Navy, who were made up of swingers who did not know the height of the sky, Vice Admiral Seymour was like many senior generals in the British royal family and the Royal Navy. A special respect is maintained for the Rothchild family.

"No matter how you deal with this incident, I have no opinion, and I fully support your order." Captain Ramsay said.

"Well, I will now give the order that all the officers and sailors of the ironclad ship leave the ship, and that the battleship shall be taken over by the Marines for the time being," Lieutenant General Seymour stood up, "and then set up a court-martial, let them argue in court, and everyone involved in this incident shall bear their share of responsibility." ”

"Your decision was very wise, so that further conflict can be avoided." Captain Ramsay said happily, "You can also shut up those Admiralty guys." ”

"You're wrong, Captain Ramsay, they've been waiting for their chance, and this incident has given them a good chance." Vice Admiral Seymour said, turning his head to look out the window, looking at the battleships moored at the dock, "We just need to protect ourselves, as for what will happen after this incident, there is nothing we can do, just watch." ”

Listening to the strange words of the commander of the Mediterranean Fleet, Captain Ramsay felt a little incomprehensible, but he wisely did not ask any more.

A month later, the military court was on the spot.

"Defendant James? Rotschild? Chen, is there anything else you would like to state? ”

Chen Wei took a deep breath, stood up, nodded slightly to the people on the trial seat, and slowly glanced at the collegial panel and the auditorium, "Thank you, I'm relaxed now, because this is almost over, and it's a relief for all of us." I know exactly what I'm up against, but at this point, I still don't regret what I did. ”

All eyes were on the young and handsome second lieutenant candidate.

"One might think that I should not use such drastic means to fight against the injustice that has been imposed on us all, but should have resorted to more peaceful means to avoid bloodshed—yes, to avoid bloodshed—but how can we avoid bloodshed when those who oppress us put their pistols at my head and put their swords against my throat? Endure those humiliating means? I'm sorry, I don't want to endure it, I won't put up with it, in order to save myself, there are more partners who are oppressed by this gang, I have to do it, it's my duty from God! All the consequences caused by this are also my responsibility, and I have no regrets! I will take my responsibility and pay the price for it. If this is my fate, I accept it! There was a pause. Chen Wei's eyes suddenly flashed with a compelling heroic spirit. "Everything I did. All for the sake of preserving the glory of Her Majesty's Navy! As for those who have been wounded by me, what you have done is no longer worthy of the honor of Her Majesty's navy, you are a bunch of rotting and stinky parasites, and your presence will only corrupt our fleet, so I pity you - I don't care about your condemnation, I don't care about your curse, and I don't need your forgiveness, because I just did what I had to do and took the price I was supposed to pay. That's all - my account has been settled, and your account will be slowly settled with you. That's the end of my words, thank you. ”

After Chen Wei's free statement was completed, the courtroom was silent for a while.

After a long while, a young lieutenant officer in the auditorium stood up, looked at Chen Wei, and clapped one after another.

With crisp applause, one after another officers and sailors in the auditorium stood up and clapped vigorously. Then the officers in the collegial panel applauded. Soon, the sailors standing around the auditorium joined in the applause. The applause in the hall was thunderous for a while, and it lasted for a long time.

Chen Wei looked at the officer in the auditorium who was the first to stand up and applaud himself, a tall officer with a thin face, with a very kind face, and was smiling kindly and encouraging at him.

Chen Wei recognized him, it was the communications officer on the "Alexandra", John? Lieutenant Jericho, the only one among the mid-ranking officers who would like to talk to him.

At this moment, Chen Wei didn't know that John in front of him? What did Jericho do for his sake? And it was from this moment that the two of them formed an unbreakable friendship because of their common beliefs.

Buckingham Palace, London, United Kingdom.

Buckingham Palace is located in the city of Westminster, London, there are more than 600 halls and rooms such as the ceremony hall, the concert hall, the banquet hall, the gallery, etc., and there is a vast imperial garden outside the palace, which is the royal palace and residence of the British royal family. The main building of Buckingham Palace is 5 storeys, and the outbuildings include the Royal Gallery, the Royal Mews and the Gardens. Buckingham Palace was named after the Duke of Buckingham, and after being resold to the British royal family, it was renovated several times and gradually became a British royal palace. Since the 30s of this century, successive kings of England have lived here. Queen Victoria was the first monarch to live here. The Queen's important state events, such as summoning the Prime Minister and Ministers, receiving and entertaining visiting foreign heads of state or government, and receiving credentials from foreign envoys, are held in the Palace. The palace is guarded by royal guards dressed in ceremonial dress. Every summer, the British royal family holds a grand royal reception in the Imperial Garden. In addition, foreign heads of state and envoys who came to the UK for state visits also stayed in the palace.

And today, Buckingham Palace welcomes a group of Orientals dressed in blue embroidered gold dragon gowns with short hair.

For Buckingham Palace, Guo Yunxian, the minister of the Qianguo State to the United Kingdom, is no stranger. But what surprised him today was the honor guard that the British had put up to greet him.

The pomp and circumstance of the British Royal Horse Guards in gorgeous costumes and swords, the sound of salute trumpets, the red and gold dragon flags fluttering on the flagpole, and the huge dragon flags hanging in the corridors of the palace all show the importance attached to the arrival of the Qianguo Mission.

Soon, under the personal guidance of British Prime Minister Gladstone, Guo Yunxian and Deputy Envoy Zeng Jie just entered the palace, and the two stopped in front of the iron fence outside the gate for a while. Facing the fence and walking to the right and walking to the northwest corner is the best way to see the palace in the north wing, and it is also the private suite of the Queen of England, where her "home" is located. The Queen's private suite is divided into two parts: one is the daily working quarters, including the reception hall and the office, and this room is most recognizable from the outside, as only the windows are vaulted.

Another part of Queen Victoria's "home" includes a private dining room, bedrooms, bathrooms and wardrobes. The wardrobe is connected by an internal staircase to a storage room on three floors, where there are also many washrooms. The furnishings in the palace were quite simple, and the queen and her husband were not overly luxurious. However, the furniture is all gold-clad, which is not only beautiful but also functional, and bears the mark of a famous mahogany furniture maker. A sign of the Queen's wealth is the oil paintings hanging on the walls of her residence – all of which are masterpieces by the masters. Not only do these paintings bear the signatures of European masters, but they are often hung in rotation from famous paintings from the British royal collection.

Under the leadership of Gladstone, Guo Yunxian and his party came to the west wing of the same floor not far from here, and entered a very luxurious suite. This is where Queen Victoria received her guests, the White Drawing.

The white living room is decorated in white and gold, with exquisite furniture and luxurious carpets. Most of the furnishings are works of art by skilled craftsmen from England and France. There are crystal chandeliers hanging in the interior. As far as the eye can see. It's splendid.

Not long after, Queen Victoria and members of the royal family, led by the palace attendants, appeared in front of Guo Yunxian.

Although the 62-year-old Queen Victoria is not young, she looks like a woman in her 40s because of her proper maintenance, and her figure is slightly obese, but at a glance, you can still imagine her youthful style.

Queen Victoria has a distinct personality. Sincere. She is loyal to her duties and has a talent for governing the country; She spends her time not only at work, but also on housework; She was faithful to her husband and strict with her children, becoming a role model for a generation. In the history of Britain and even the world, there are very few women who sit on the throne of God who can fulfill the duties of the queen so well like Queen Victoria, and at the same time have such ordinary happiness as a woman. Her unremitting efforts have not only made England's literature, art, and science prosperous. The economy prospered, and the British way of life (such as the afternoon tea of the British aristocracy) began to be emulated by people all over the world from the time of her reign. The "Victorian era" became the pride of the British. In the Victorian era. Although Britain is a constitutional monarchy, Queen Victoria still has a lot of influence on her ministers. During her reign, the British Empire expanded to unprecedented prosperity.

Guo Yunxian and Zeng Jiegang bowed three times to Queen Victoria in accordance with Western etiquette, and then recited the national letter. After reading the national letter, Queen Victoria smiled and said to Zeng Jiegang: "Honorable Mr. Special Envoy of the Emperor of the Qianguo, you have come from afar this time to communicate the friendship between the Great Qianguo Empire and the British Empire. ”

"Your Majesty, the gracious, wise and beautiful Queen, I have sailed from far east to extend my sincerest greetings to Your Majesty, and wish Your Majesty eternal health and happiness! On this special and beautiful day, I am thrilled and happy to meet Her Majesty the beautiful Queen and to receive her so much hospitality. I wish that the friendship between Qianguo and Britain will be strong and will be passed on forever. Without waiting for the interpreter to translate the Queen's words, Zeng Jiegang replied in fluent and pure British English.

Hearing Zeng Jiegang answer in standard English, Queen Victoria looked extremely surprised.

Guo Yunxian can speak English, she actually knows it, but she didn't expect that the new envoy of Qianguo in front of her could speak English so authentically, it was no different from the British.

Queen Victoria then extended courtesy greetings to Emperor Guangxu and the two Queen Mothers, and Kwok Yunxian also paid a eulogy to the Queen. Soon, the official audience ceremony ended. Then the two parties went to the blue living room and began to talk in a small talk.

"I originally thought that the Emperor of Qianguo would send another very old man to England." Queen Victoria looked at Zeng Jiegang and said to Guo Yunxian with a smile, "But I didn't expect that the Great Emperor would send a young man who is so familiar with Britain. ”

"Your Majesty, this Deputy Envoy Zeng is the son of Mr. Zeng Bohan, the most famous minister in our country, he is very knowledgeable, and he is a rare talent in our country, so this time the Emperor of our country will send him to present his credentials, and act as a deputy envoy to stay in your country." Guo Yunxian said, "As Her Majesty the Queen just said, I am too old to take on the heavy responsibility of minister, and the deputy envoy Zeng is the person who will succeed me in the future. ”

"You remind me of your father, Governor Zeng Bohan, Mr. Zeng." Queen Victoria looked at Zeng Jiegang and said, "I have great admiration for your father, I have always wanted to meet him, but unfortunately I didn't have the opportunity, and being able to see his son today is enough to fulfill my wish." ”

"Your Majesty, I would like to know what you think of my father." Zeng Jiegang smiled slightly and asked.

"I know a lot about Mr. Zeng Bohan, and I have heard a lot about his deeds." Queen Victoria replied, "He gave me the impression that he was enlightened, wise, insightful, very upright and courageous, who loved the ancient country and its people from the bottom of his heart, and who was infinitely loyal to the Emperor." He was able to give his life for the country, the monarch and the people without hesitation, and I have rarely seen such a great man in my life. The loss of such a person in Qianguo really cannot but be said to be a huge and irreparable loss. ”

Hearing that Queen Victoria spoke so highly of her father, Zeng Jie just remembered his dead father, and the corners of his eyes were a little moist.

Guo Yunxian noticed the change in Zeng Jiegang's expression, and couldn't help but glance at him, reminding him that in addition to submitting the credentials today, there was another important matter. Zeng Jiegang saw Guo Yunxian's eyes, and he couldn't help but laugh secretly at how anxious he became in order to save his students.

Zeng Jiegang calmed down and said: "Your Majesty, I am here today on behalf of our great emperor for the friendship between the two countries, and my government hopes to send some students to your country to study the navy, but when I came, I heard that there seems to be discrimination against our country in the navy of your country. (To be continued......)

PS: When I was in junior high school and studying at night, I was sleeping at the same table, I patted him on the head, and he said, "Don't make trouble." ”

After a while I slapped it again, and he said, "I'm angry if you shoot it again." ”

I went down to sleep again, and suddenly our homeroom teacher Zhang Luoya came.

He came over and slapped his tablemate, who immediately got up and yelled: "Slap you MLGB." ”

And then there was no then.

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