November 1899, Forbidden City, Imperial Study.
Chen Ling leaned on the recliner and listened to Wu Pingquan's report with his eyes closed.
"…The roads and railroads of Hei Long Jiang, Ji Lin, Feng Tian, and Zhi Li have all been connected. At present, the Ministry of Railroads is planning the railway network in Shanxi.”
After Wu Pingquan finished speaking, he waited for Chen Ling's instructions.
"Has the selection of officials been completed?”
Chen Ling didn't even open his eyes as he asked directly.
"Your Majesty, the selection of officials has been completed, and there are sufficient reserves.”Wu Pingquan replied.
After Chen Ling heard this, he softly hummed in agreement and then closed his eyes to think.
Wu Pingquan didn't say anything else, and the royal study fell silent.
After a while, Chen Ling sat up and said to Wu Pingquan,"Inform the selected officials to give them a period of leave. Let them bid farewell to their families and prepare to take office.”
"Yes, Your Majesty. I will immediately arrange it.”
Wu Pingquan answered excitedly.
"Alright, you can go back to work."
Chen Ling waved his hand, indicating that Wu Pingquan could leave.
After Wu Pingquan left, Chen Ling took out the map and looked in the direction of Shanxi.
As early as half a year ago, Chen Ling had already formulated a plan to attack Shanxi.
However, at that time, the Chinese Empire was busy with internal construction, and the reserves of officials were insufficient, so they gave up.
Now that all aspects were fully prepared, Chen Ling was also prepared to make a move on Shanxi.
As for why it was Shanxi, it was for the resources.
The large number of machine tools and industrial equipment purchased from the country was enough for Chen Ling to build another industrial base.
The location of this industrial base had to be in a place with abundant resources.
The coal resources in Shanxi and the mineral resources in Wulanchabu League (part of Inner Mongolia) could support an industrial base.
"Your Majesty, Lord Zhang of Germany sent a telegram.”
Just as Chen Ling was about to deploy his troops to attack Shanxi, a eunuch knocked on the door to report.
"Bring me the telegram." Chen Ling said.
Soon, the young eunuch came in with a telegram.
"Eh…William II is quite smart. He knows how to give it away for free.”
Chen Ling muttered with a smile after reading the telegram.
The content of the telegram was about the results of the negotiations on the recovery of Jiaozhou Bay.
It was obvious that William II chose to give up Jiaozhou Bay in order to obtain more cheap resources from the Chinese Empire.
This was very normal, especially the weapons he prepared for Germany. It was the last straw that broke the camel's back.
It could be said that Germany was already shameless for the sake of supplies and weapons.
Previously, when the Chinese Empire and the western countries signed the agreement, they had already acted shamelessly.
Even though all the unfair agreements were abolished, their land had to wait for the Chinese Empire to take over.
This was because they had signed an agreement with the Chinese Empire, not the Manchu Empire.
However, in reality, the land rented by the western countries was basically in the south, not under the jurisdiction of the Chinese Empire.
Therefore, the western countries had not given up on renting land.
Chen Ling also understood what the western countries were up to, so he didn't care.
After all, the abolition of the unequal treaty was just a formality. If the Chinese Empire did not attack, the western countries would not give up on the land.
Even if you managed to fight your way through, the western countries might not give up.
However, none of this mattered. Back then, the Chinese Empire had not even figured out what was going on within their jurisdiction. How could they have the time to fight?
But now, Germany had given them a good start.
He would voluntarily give up all rights and benefits of the land and return everything to the Chinese Empire.
Although Germany would lose face by doing so, they would gain something.
The Chinese Empire, on the other hand, had gained face.
It could be said that returning Jiaozhou Bay was a win-win situation.
Crack!
Chen Ling stamped the Jiaozhou Bay Return Agreement and sent it to the German Legation.
This matter was settled just like that.
The next day, the German envoy made a public statement that the German Empire was willing to give up all the land rented in Jiaozhou Bay and was willing to be friends with the Chinese Empire. They hoped that the friendship between the two countries would continue in the future and create a better future together.
Chen Ling also published the contents of the Jiaozhou Bay Return Agreement in the China Daily. At the same time, he expressed his appreciation for the German Empire's spirit of contract. At the same time, he expressed his admiration for the German Empire's Emperor William II. He hoped that William II could visit and that he would personally receive him.
The whole world was dumbfounded by this exchange.
What was going on?
Had William II gone mad?
The Chinese Empire hasn't even reached Jiaozhou Bay yet, and you're already returning Jiaozhou Bay to the Chinese Empire.
Didn't everyone agree to shoulder the concession problem together? Why did you quietly betray us?
Especially the Ying country and France. They only have one feeling now, that is, a traitor has appeared among us.
When this news came out, it shocked not only foreign countries but also domestic countries.
The governor of Shandong, Chen Rong, was dumbfounded when he heard the news.
If Germany returned Jiaozhou Bay, did that mean that the Chinese Empire was about to attack?
After Chen Rong heard the news, he immediately sent a telegram to Liu Kunyi, the governor of the two rivers, asking what to do.
He was relying on Liu Kunyi, and now that he was faced with such a difficult problem, he could only understand Liu Kunyi's thoughts.
If Liu Kunyi wanted him to fight with the Chinese Empire and not allow the Chinese Empire to occupy Shandong…
Then I'm sorry, I'm going to betray you.
Chen Rong had already thought it through. If Liu Kun gave up on him and asked him to go to war with the Chinese Empire, he would immediately join Chen Ling.
As long as Chen Ling could spare his life, he did not want anything else.
Liu Kun was also shocked when he received the news.
He was shocked by the strength of the Chinese Empire. Even the German Empire had voluntarily given up the concession.
As a Han, he was very excited and proud.
To be honest, if he did not have so many subordinates, he might have gone to seek refuge with Chen Ling.
However, in this position, he not only had to consider his own problems, but also the problems of his subordinates.
They were working for you, but you went to cling to them. What about your subordinates?
"Bring your men to Jiangsu."
Liu Kun thought about it and gave Chen Rong an answer, asking him to bring his men to join him.
Three days later, Chen Ling was preparing his army to attack Shanxi. The battle plan had been formulated and he was ready to launch the attack tomorrow when he received news from Shandong.
Shandong Governor Chen Rong fled with his subordinates?
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