Shanghai Pier.

Under the guards of the two rows of soldiers who were in an orderly manner and with strong steps, Li Hongzhang walked along the coast of the pier. On the side near the sea, there were a row of soldiers standing straight like javelins. In the sea water behind these rows of soldiers, there were a row of warships of varying sizes, like steel beasts, quietly lying on the sea.

It turned out that this was a welcome ceremony held by Wadesi, the commander of the German fleet, for the arrival of Li Hongzhang. Although the army was not large, it naturally showed a strong and brave iron-blooded spirit.

When walking in front of the German team's array, Li Hongzhang felt a lot of emotion. Although the German army's welcome ceremony was not uncommon and it was enough for him to face him, this still could not change the gap between the strength and weakness between the two sides. The weaker side was himself, otherwise he should not have come to see Wadesi at the dock, but sat in his apartment waiting for Wadesi to come to the door.

Li Hongzhang had a deep relationship with Germany. When he founded the Huai Army, he bought a large number of German weapons. Most of the warships of the Beiyang Fleet were produced in Germany, and Li Hongzhang's most trusted foreigner De Cuilin was a German.

In 1896, after attending the succession ceremony of Russian Tsar Nicholas II in Russia, Li Hongzhang began his own trip to Europe and the United States. This was the first time in Chinese history that a major official made a national visit.

At that time, China was a major overseas patron of German-English affairs, and Sino-German relations were in a good period. Therefore, German Emperor William II held an unprecedented grand welcome ceremony for Li Hongzhang. A few days later, at the invitation of German Emperor, Li Hongzhang visited the training and exercises of German team. German Emperor also specially prepared a tiger leather chair for Li Hongzhang. Seeing the excellent equipment and high morale of German team, Li Hongzhang couldn't help but sigh: If I had an army like the Tenth Battalion, I would not be afraid of Japan.

However, this visit to Germany did not leave Li Hongzhang all the memories. When visiting Bismarck, the famous iron-blooded prime minister of Germany, although the famous European politician gave Li Hongzhang a very grand reception and made his political experience very frankly to Li Hongzhang, Li Hongzhang claimed that he was called "Bismar of the East". Bismarck's answer was "He did not think Bismarck of the East is a respectful title", and said "I do not want to be Li Hongzhang of the West."

At that time, Li Hongzhang had just signed the Treaty of Shimonoseki with Japan on behalf of the Qing court, and was unanimously accused of being a traitor. Therefore, after hearing Bismarck's words, he couldn't help but feel embarrassed and learned the Germans' rigorous and serious style. Just a year later, Germany used the Juye Church as an excuse to occupy Jiaoao and forced the Qing court to rent Jiaoao to Germany, allowing Li Hongzhang to understand what "no eternal enemies, no eternal friends, only national interests are forever."

Now seeing that the German army's appearance is still solemn and serious, Li Hongzhang himself fell from the peak of the Qing court's political arena and gradually became marginalized. The situation in the Qing court is getting worse and worse. Now he has also been from the guests of the German Emperor, and he has to condescend to the German ship to meet the German commander Wadesi.

At this moment, Li Hongzhang's eyes were suddenly attracted by several German ships anchored on the shore. He couldn't help but stop and looked around.

It turned out that what Li Hongzhang saw was four Saxon-class ironclad ships in the German fleet this time. Although at this time, the Saxon-class ironclad ship was an outdated warship, this type of ironclad ship had a very special status in Li Hongzhang's heart, because the Saxon-class ironclad ships were the prototypes of the two main battleships of the Beiyang Navy, the original Beiyang Navy's two main battleships, the Dingyuan and Zhenyuan. The parts below the deck were almost exactly the same, so Li Hongzhang could recognize them at a glance.

At this time, Li Hongzhang was also mixed with emotion. Founding the Beiyang Navy did exhaust Li Hongzhang's lifelong efforts, and at the same time allowed Li Hongzhang to reach the peak of his personal political career. However, with the defeat of the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, the destruction of the Beiyang Navy, Li Hongzhang completely fell from the peak. Although the Beiyang Fleet was later rebuilt and most of the people who were activated were survivors of the original Beiyang Navy, the strength and influence of this Beiyang Navy are no match for the original Beiyang Navy, and they have no relationship with Li Hongzhang.

Now that he saw the Saxon-class iron armored ship again, Li Hongzhang couldn't help but think of the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895 and the Beiyang Navy. If he had not been worried about gains and losses, and had been at a loss, his behavior would have been more firm, the situation of the war would not be uncontrollable. If he could have urged the court to buy the Yoshino and with his power and influence, as long as he persisted and forced the court to squeeze out hundreds of thousands of taels of silver to buy the Yoshino, he would have been able to do it. In this way, the strength of the Beiyang Navy would be greatly enhanced.

, enough to shock the Japanese joint fleet; if he could have replaced the Beiyang Navy with rapid-fire cannons at the time, even if the court did not withdraw money and with his own financial resources, the result of the Battle of Dadonggou might be different, and the Japanese army would not have obtained complete control of the sea after the Battle of Dadonggou, and then the Sino-Japanese War would have become a protracted war, and Japan could not be able to afford it. So now, the situation of both Li Hongzhang and the Qing court would probably be very different.

At this time, the person around him said, "Zhongtang, Zhongtang."

Only then did Li Hongzhang wake up from his meditation and find that he was actually lagging more than ten meters behind by the German ceremonial guards that were greeting him. At this time, he was stopping to wait for Li Hongzhang.

Therefore, Li Hongzhang hurriedly took a few steps, caught up with the German guard of honor, walked hundreds of meters, crossed four Saxon-class ironclad ships, and came to the German fleet's flagship Earl Bismarck armored cruiser. On the left and right of the Earl Bismarck armored cruiser were three Brandenburg-class battleships. These four battleships all had larger and more majestic hulls and thicker artillery than the Saxon-class ironclad ships, and naturally had more powerful energy than the Saxon-class ironclad ships. At this time, this huge warship representing the current highest shipbuilding technology in Germany, had already laid down the gangway and led to the coast.

When Li Hongzhang saw this, he couldn't help but sigh, and found that what he had just thought was useless, because even if the Qing court won the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, what could it be? Such a German fleet is not comparable to the Beiyang Navy, unless it continues to buy more powerful warships after the Sino-Japanese War of 1895 to enhance the strength of the Beiyang Navy, just like Japan now.

However, Li Hongzhang knew that it was absolutely impossible, because even if he really won the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, his political career would probably end. The four words "high achievements shock the lord" are a taboo for ministers in any dynasty. Therefore, if he won the Sino-Japanese War of 1895, he would never have the opportunity to live in harmony with the court. Unless he honestly handed over military power like his teacher Zeng Guofan, there would be only one way to rebel, and the court would not allow him to buy new ships and expand the Beiyang Navy.

Thinking of this, Li Hongzhang suddenly realized that this was an unsolvable problem. Whether it was winning or losing in the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, the ending was the same.

At this moment, a German team came to Li Hongzhang with a standard pace, saluted and said, "Master Zhongtang, Marshal Wadesi is waiting for Zhongtang on the warship, please follow me on the ship."

Li Hongzhang looked up and followed the officer to board the armored cruiser of the Earl Bismarck from the gangway.

At this time, the commander of the German fleet, Marshal Wadesi, Deputy Commander Major General Falkenheis, Chief of the Quartermaster Major General Ger and Chief of Staff Major General Schwartzhoff, all of the main officers of the German army, were welcomed by Li Hongzhang on the deck of the armored cruiser of the Earl Bismarck.

Seeing Li Hongzhang climbing onto the deck, Wadesi stepped forward a few steps and said, "Old Master Zhongtang, welcome to the armored cruiser of the Earl Bismarck."

During his visit to Germany, Li Hongzhang had a relationship with Wadesi. Although the two of them were only seen in a general manner and had no close relationship, it was a good excuse to bring them closer together. Therefore, Li Hongzhang also took two steps forward and said: "Marson Marshal, it has been more than four years since he left. When he saw him today, the marshal's style is still the same. Your Majesty the emperor of your country is so good."

Wadesi downed his head and said, "His Majesty the Emperor has always been concerned about Lord Zhongtang, and this time I also asked me to say hello to Lord Zhongtang."

This sentence is quite sarcastic, because Wadesi led the German fleet to China not to visit, but to fight. Fortunately, Li Hongzhang was also a person who was used to the scene, so he blew up and said, "It turns out that His Majesty the Emperor of your country still remembers me, the old man."

Wadesey said: "Master Zhongtang, let's talk in the cabin."

Li Hongzhang raised his head and said, "Okay."

So everyone came to the reception room of the Count Bismarck armored cruiser, and the guests and hosts sat down. Wadesi took a sip of coffee when the guards brought them to him. Then he said, "Li Zhongtang, I don't hide it from you. We came to China this time to calm the rebellion and rescue the northern expatriates in our country. But you must have known the situation in the north that a group of troops claiming to be overseas Chinese have intervened in this war and will be our main opponents. We also know that the local officials in the southeast of your country have reached a Southeast mutual protection agreement, and Lord Zhongtang is one of the main promoters. Therefore, we want to know what does this army have to do with the officials participating in the Southeast mutual protection?"

Li Hongzhang was silent for a while before saying, "Marson Marshal, I can assure you that this group of overseas Chinese have absolutely nothing to do with the officials participating in Southeast Mutual Protection."
Chapter completed!