On the second day after arriving in St. Petersburg, Wang Chenhao had basically grasped the situation in Heilongjiang, and at the same time made a detailed assessment of the positions of Qing and Russia, as well as the attitudes of the European and American powers.

Before the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway, Russia's war machine could not be effectively and quickly delivered to the Far East, and the Russian economy had just experienced a silver crisis, and its poor economic situation and overstretched fiscal revenues were not suitable for a full-scale war against China in the Far East.

From the analysis of the information known to Wang Chenhao, he believes that Russia's purpose at the present stage is at most to occupy the three northeastern provinces, followed by maintaining the status quo and retaining the military occupation of Heilongjiang Province, and the best strategy is to return Heilongjiang Province, but it will demand reparations and force the Qing government to sign a series of unequal treaties.

Wang Chenhao has received confirmation from Li Hongzhang that Heilongjiang Province is the birthplace of the Yehenala clan, and Cixi has made it clear that he will not cede Heilongjiang Province. In Wang Chenhao's view, it was extremely stupid for the Qing government to blindly hope to solve the Heilongjiang issue through political means, because it was impossible for Russia to easily spit out the meat in its mouth.

The war between Qing and Russia was inevitable, and a single Tsarist Wang Chenhao still had a way to deal with it, and he only hoped that the other powers could strictly maintain neutrality and not take advantage of the fire to rob, otherwise it would be troublesome to brew into a war similar to the invasion of China by the Eight-Nation Alliance.

Wang Chenhao and Xu Jingcheng discussed on the way back to the legation, and both agreed that there was no other way to make the powers of various countries strictly neutral than to promise them appropriate benefits.

Xu Jingcheng asked: "What methods are you going to use to make other powers and countries strictly neutral?" This is not a good errand, the promise is small, it doesn't work, and the promise is too big for the court to explain. ”

Wang Chenhao smiled faintly, of course he understood this truth. It's just that he wants to gamble, taking advantage of the invasion of Russia, it is the best time for him to fully control the power of the army. There is no better time to hold the power of the army than to fight.

"As far as Britain is concerned, there is a fierce conflict of interests between Britain and Russia in Northeast Asia, Central Asia, West Asia, Eastern Europe, Southern Europe, the Mediterranean and other regions, and in the Tenth Russo-Turkish War, Britain even directly sent troops to help Turkey, but simply confined the Russian navy to the Black Sea. The contradiction between Germany and Russia is secondary, not to mention that Germany supports Russia in the Far East, but there are deep contradictions between Germany and Russia in Europe, especially on the Turkish issue, Germany supports Austria-Hungary in sending troops to help Turkey fight Russia, so it is easy for us to give Germany some benefits to make Germany neutral. As for France, because they are allies, we have to make big concessions. ”

Xu Jingcheng asked, "What do you mean by the performance of adults?" ”

"The Beiyang Army has already formed combat effectiveness in two towns, and at present, the Russian army in Heilongjiang is only one division, and we can launch a counterattack!"

Xu Jingcheng said: "But the imperial court is bent on peace, and it will never allow the Beiyang Army to provoke the Russian army!" ”

Wang Chenhao smiled: "We are not really fighting!" It is only necessary to pull the new army of the two towns over and put it in front of the Russian army, which can not only deter the Russians, but also let the British see our determination to resist. ”

Xu Jingcheng was a little puzzled, and asked again: "But haven't the Russians already sent tens of thousands of troops from Central Asia to Heilongjiang?" ”

Wang Chenhao replied: "When their reinforcements arrive, I believe that our remaining new army in the six towns will also form combat effectiveness, and we can completely compete with the Russian army militarily." ”

It would take half a year for the Russian reinforcements to arrive in the Far East to participate in the war, and at that time, the new army of the eight towns of Beiyang would also complete the training program and form combat effectiveness.

Xu Jingcheng was immediately relieved and said: "Since this is the case, then what are we afraid of, why don't we fight with the Russians?" ”

Wang Chenhao said with a smile: "The imperial court is timid, afraid of a full-scale war with the Russians. And with our current military strength, if a full-scale war breaks out with Russia, we will definitely lose. ”

Xu Jingcheng said with questions: "But didn't the adults say it?" The Russians will not have a full-scale war with us until the Trans-Siberian Railway is repaired! ”

Wang Chenhao smiled bitterly: "That's really the case, but it's useless for us to say, you have to persuade the Queen Mother to agree, do you think she can communicate with the old man?" ”

Xu Jingcheng suddenly laughed dumbly.

"Plus!" Wang Chenhao saw that Xu Jingcheng was silent, and continued: "The strength of the Russian Far East Fleet is greater than that of our Beiyang Naval Division, and if a naval battle breaks out, our situation is worrying. ”

At this time, the Russian Far East Fleet had one armored battleship, two shore defense ironclad ships, four large armored cruisers, three armored cruisers, two protective cruisers, two unprotected cruisers, and 24 torpedo boats, far surpassing the Beiyang Naval Division. It is the latest large armored cruiser Rurik to be deployed to the Far East, with a displacement of 11,690 tons, 4 203 main guns and 16 152 rapid-fire secondary guns, 12 88 rapid-fire guns, and a large number of 37 machine guns, its combat power is enough to destroy all warships except Dingzhen 2. Because of this, the Russians had nothing to fear, because their navy could easily gain sea supremacy and threaten coastal cities, which was one of the things that the Qing court feared.

Xu Jingcheng sighed: "You can fight with the Russian army on land, the gap in strength at sea is too big, if the Dengyun-class battleship can be completed and returned to China as soon as possible!" ”

Wang Chenhao said: "I have a way to gain sea superiority in a short period of time, but I'm afraid the imperial court will not agree!" ”

Xu Jingcheng asked: "My lord, please say, now that the national disaster is at hand, it is better to have a way than not to have it." ”

Wang Chenhao glanced at Xu Jingcheng and said, "To deal with the Russian Navy, we can't wait for the Dengyun-class battleship to be completed." My suggestion is that the imperial court pay for a batch of ready-made warships, so that the Beiyang naval division can be replenished in a short time, and it is beneficial for us not to defeat the Russian fleet, as long as we can maintain a balance of power. ”

Xu Jingcheng frowned and said: "The price of buying ready-made warships is extremely high, and the imperial court may not be able to come up with this fund." Moreover, buying ready-made warships is not familiar to our sailors, and combat effectiveness is a problem. ”

Wang Chenhao took the opportunity to say: "What if we hire a fleet? ”

"Hire a fleet?" Xu Jingcheng paused for a moment.

"Yes!" Wang Chenhao nodded and said, "Spend money to hire a fleet and form a joint fleet with the Beiyang Naval Division." ”

Xu Jingcheng looked at Wang Chenhao in surprise, and said after a long time: "But where can I find a mercenary fleet?" ”

Wang Chenhao smiled mysteriously and said, "I have my own way to do this!" Lord Xu just needs to report to the imperial court, as for the financial problem, if the imperial court can't come up with the money for a while, then I can pay it first. ”

Xu Jingcheng suddenly grew his mouth, which was enough to stuff a goose egg.