Chapter Eleven: Taking the Initiative
Upon meeting Salisbury, Feng Chengqian’s first impression was of the thick beard covering half the prime minister’s face. It seemed a feature of this era—men favored beards as a mark of masculinity, believing the denser the beard, the greater the manly spirit.
Salisbury, too, was sizing up Feng Chengqian, though his expression betrayed no emotion. Truthfully, Feng Chengqian’s appearance disappointed Salisbury somewhat; this distinctly featured Oriental man neither sported a beard nor possessed particularly striking looks.
“Prime Minister, do I look familiar to you?” Feng Chengqian couldn’t help himself. Ever since arriving in this era, he’d found himself asking this question to everyone, for each person would scrutinize him with uncomfortable curiosity.
“Certainly not. This is my first time meeting you, my Lord Count.”
“You are too gracious, Prime Minister. His Majesty said you wished to discuss matters concerning France and Russia?”
“You are well aware, my Lord Count, which makes our conversation easier,” Salisbury replied with a faint smile. “France is aiding Russia in the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway—this presents a grave threat to your nation. I propose we act together to exert pressure on France and Russia.”
“You mean this also threatens the British Empire?”
Salisbury’s brow twitched but quickly returned to its usual calm. “You are quite right. This railway will revitalize Russia, and a rejuvenated Russia will disrupt the current balance of power, posing a real threat to both your country and ours.”
“So, what do you suggest, Prime Minister?”
“I believe that as long as our two countries stand together, it is the best response.”
“Stand together?”
Salisbury nodded. “First, we should issue a diplomatic statement expressing serious concern over France’s assistance to Russia in building the Trans-Siberian Railway.”
“Your intention is simply to voice concern and let them proceed?”
“Well…”
“Merely expressing concern accomplishes nothing—it might make France and Russia hesitate, but even if it delays matters, the nightmare will eventually come to pass.”
“What would you suggest, my Lord Count?”
Feng Chengqian smiled. “To truly stop France from aiding Russia, we must take substantive action.”
“What sort of action?”
“That depends on you, Prime Minister.”
Salisbury frowned, unsure of Feng Chengqian’s meaning.
“If we’re speaking pragmatically, my advice is to respond in kind—take measures directly opposing theirs.”
“For example…”
“For instance, build a railway of comparable strategic value, one that threatens both France and Russia—such as a line from Berlin to Baghdad.”
Salisbury was momentarily stunned, gazing at Feng Chengqian in disbelief.
“Of course, this is merely a temporary measure to meet the current threat.”
“You mean there is a long-term solution as well?”
“France’s aid to Russia in constructing the Trans-Siberian Railway aims to cement a Franco-Russian alliance. You must realize, Prime Minister, if France and Russia become allies, the present continental equilibrium will be shattered, threatening my nation and rendering your European policy obsolete.”
Salisbury remained silent, indicating he did not oppose Feng Chengqian’s view.
“Since this concerns a long-term strategy, the approach must be far-sighted. Thus, I suggest your nation must alter its traditional diplomatic stance.”
“You mean…”
“If we could sign an alliance treaty with your country, I believe…”
“That is impossible!” Salisbury could not contain himself and immediately realized he had spoken out of turn. “Such an important matter is beyond my authority.”
“You misunderstand me, Prime Minister. It is only a suggestion.”
“My Lord Count, you know as well as I do, something so momentous requires parliamentary backing. In the Commons, I doubt anyone would support such a proposal.”
“If it’s never attempted, how can anyone know the outcome?”
“Well…”
Feng Chengqian chuckled inwardly. Salisbury was clearly in a quandary now.
The idea of building a railway from Berlin to Baghdad—later known as the “Baghdad Railway”—was not original to Feng Chengqian; he had borrowed it from others. Years previously, there had been plans in the Empire to construct a railway from the Bosporus directly to the Persian Gulf. With this line, the German Empire could control Asia Minor, establish bases in the Persian Gulf, threaten the Caucasus, menace Egypt, and plant a stake in Britain’s route to India—laying the foundation for the Empire’s global strategy.
Without Feng Chengqian, Bismarck would have taken action within the year.
In the history familiar to Feng Chengqian, it was the German and Württemberg banks that commissioned Kolha to secure operating rights for the Izmir-Ankara railway, thereby founding the Anatolian Railway Company. Five years later, the plan was abandoned under opposition from the great powers.
Familiar with this history, Feng Chengqian proactively brought the matter up to Salisbury.
Initiating the proposal was certainly better than letting Britain intervene later.
Let it not be forgotten, at present it was the British Prime Minister proposing a joint effort to restrain France and Russia. Even if the German Empire was the beneficiary, the initiative remained in their hands.
Even if Salisbury dismissed Feng Chengqian’s words, the conversation would still have repercussions.
For example, it might prompt Bismarck to formally propose building the Baghdad Railway, sharing benefits with Britain, thus reducing conflict between the interests of Britain and Germany.
However, negotiations between Feng Chengqian and Salisbury ended on a sour note.
Feng Chengqian wasted no time and promptly reported the situation to Frederick III.
“You proposed building the railway yourself?”
“I merely brought it up, since Britain is the supplicant now.”
“But…” Frederick III sighed. “The Persian Gulf is one of Britain’s core regions—they would never tolerate interference. Though your timing is exceptional, this will only breed resentment and does nothing to foster Anglo-German friendship.”
“Does Your Majesty believe we share a friendship with Britain?”
“Well…”
“The essence of an alliance of interests is to gather while profits last, and scatter when they end. Though we currently share common interests with Britain, such cooperation is inherently unreliable. Britain can ally with us today for profit, and tomorrow will ally with France and Russia for greater gain.”
“You are correct, but…” Frederick III sighed again and said no more.
“I understand Your Majesty’s concern. But if we do not state our position now, it will be even harder in the future.”
“In the future?”
“Even if I do not raise the issue, others will. Some years ago, there were proposals to build a railway through the Bosporus to Baghdad, and several imperial banks are interested. With such immense interests, even if Your Majesty opposes…”
Frederick III’s brow furrowed; it seemed he was unaware of these developments.
“In any case, what’s done is done.”
“That’s all we can do then,” Frederick III mused for a moment. “You bringing it up now is better than letting Britain later use it as a pretext for accusations.”
Feng Chengqian nodded and said no more.
“Let the Chancellor handle this matter,” Frederick III exhaled deeply. “Tomorrow, the Queen will review the Royal Navy’s main fleet and has invited us to observe. You’ve long wished to see the British fleet—prepare well, don’t miss such an opportunity.”
“The Queen is showing off to us?”
Frederick III chuckled. “More or less. If the Queen visits in return, I’ll accompany her to review the Imperial Army.”
“Is Your Majesty envious?”
“Envious?”
“The Queen possesses the world’s most powerful fleet, while Your Majesty only…”
“I have the world’s strongest army.”
“But without a fleet, even the strongest army cannot cross the English Channel. Napoleon couldn’t do it, and I doubt Your Majesty’s army could either.”
“I’ve told you—you speak too frankly, leaving no room for diplomacy.”
Feng Chengqian smiled. “To have Your Majesty’s trust, how could I flatter you with empty words?”
Frederick III laughed as well. “To be honest, I am somewhat envious. If only we had such a powerful fleet—even a slightly weaker one—I would be content.”
“However…” Frederick III glanced at Feng Chengqian. “You know what I’m about to say?”
“If I’m not mistaken, Your Majesty would say that the fate of the Empire is decided not by the navy but by the army, so what the Empire needs most is a powerful army.”
Frederick III smiled; that was indeed what he intended to say.
“Has Your Majesty ever considered that even with the strongest army, the Empire might still achieve nothing?”
“You mean…”
“Does Your Majesty know that several years ago, an American living in Britain invented a potent automatic weapon?”
“The Maxim gun?”
Feng Chengqian nodded. “Has Your Majesty considered that such a weapon will change history, transforming the nature of war?”
Frederick III’s brow twitched; he seemed doubtful of Feng Chengqian’s assertion.
“It matters little if Your Majesty does not believe it now, but we must understand that in this era of rapidly advancing science and technology, it is not just methods of production that are changing, but much else besides. The next war will be a contest of comprehensive national strength. Without a strong navy, the Empire will have no overseas trade, no access to foreign resources. Relying solely on domestic resources, can the Empire be confident of winning the next war?”
Frederick III neither agreed nor refuted Feng Chengqian.
Feng Chengqian said no more; after all, changing the mindset of an emperor of a land-based power formed since youth could not be accomplished in a few words.
The German Empire needed time, and so did Frederick III.
Feng Chengqian believed that, given time and repeated exposure, Frederick III would come to appreciate the importance of sea power and resolve to build a mighty navy—so that the German Empire, already Europe’s foremost power, would become a true global nation.
Perhaps, upon witnessing the Royal Navy’s main fleet, Frederick III would have an epiphany.