Chapter Nineteen: Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way

Upon seeing Chen Jitong, Feng Chengqian felt a sense of familiarity, for this was the first face he had encountered in this era that bore some resemblance to his own. Yet Feng Chengqian knew little about Chen Jitong. He was aware only that Chen was a renowned diplomat, fluent in English, French, German, and Latin, and a favorite of Li Hongzhang. However, Chen was also known for his unruly nature—he had married a Frenchwoman, had been involved in extramarital affairs, and was plagued by lawsuits over debts.

By later standards, Chen Jitong would hardly qualify as an outstanding diplomat—he might not even be considered competent. Though Bismarck was present, Chen spoke Chinese upon meeting.

"I have long admired your reputation, Count. Meeting you in person surpasses all I have heard."

"You are too kind, Counselor. I am hardly worth such praise."

Chen smiled, then switched to German. "Count, are you from the Great Qing, or...?"

"You are mistaken, Counselor. I have no relation whatsoever to the Great Qing," Feng Chengqian replied with a smile, his words directed as much at Bismarck, who stood by, as at Chen. "I have long wished to visit the Qing Empire, but have never had the opportunity. Is your presence here related to the procurement of warships?"

"Indeed, my visit concerns just that matter."

"Then it seems that Grand Secretary Li is quite interested in this proposal?"

"Grand Secretary Li has made it clear that, should the price be reasonable, the Qing would consider ordering several more warships. Of course, any decisions must await negotiations."

Bismarck and Feng Chengqian's interplay made Chen Jitong slightly awkward.

Feng Chengqian smiled and said to Chen, "Negotiations over price are always possible. I am, after all, responsible for the Empire’s naval development; there are certain matters in which I might be of service."

"Grand Secretary Li wishes, if the opportunity arises, to invite you for a personal discussion."

"A personal discussion?" Feng Chengqian’s brows raised in surprise—he had not expected Li Hongzhang to invite him for a visit to the Great Qing.

"That is, in fact, why I invited you here," Bismarck interjected. "Since you are in charge of the Empire’s naval construction, it is only fitting that you oversee the sale of our warships. If you are able, you should visit the Qing. Should you succeed in this matter, it would greatly benefit the Empire."

Feng Chengqian did not immediately reply, still processing the proposal.

"Naturally, all expenses will be covered by us. You need not concern yourself," Chen added.

"You are too generous, Counselor, but as for this matter..."

"I will report to His Majesty. I am sure he will not object," Bismarck assured him.

Feng Chengqian glanced at Bismarck, feeling that such a visit might be unwise. In order to gain Frederick III’s trust, he had always tried to distance himself from any ties to the Qing.

"Count, what do you think?"

"If His Majesty agrees, I would be glad to undertake the journey," Feng Chengqian replied with a smile, brushing aside his concerns. "Of course, I must rely on your assistance for all the necessary arrangements."

The following day, Bismarck proposed to the Kaiser that Feng Chengqian, in his capacity as Minister of War, visit the Qing Empire. Frederick III raised no objection, merely requesting that Feng use the opportunity to persuade Li Hongzhang to purchase more arms from the Empire.

With the matter settled, Feng Chengqian set about making preparations. According to the Kaiser’s instructions, Feng’s mission to the Qing was not only to promote the sale of Imperial warships but also to market other arms as well—the aim being to have the Qing spend as much as possible on German weaponry.

To this end, Feng made additional arrangements. Several days later, he dispatched Schmidt to Britain, where he purchased a Maxim machine gun from Hiram Maxim himself at great expense, along with an order for one hundred thousand rounds of ammunition. As instructed, Schmidt also invited Maxim to Berlin to demonstrate his remarkable invention.

Though some, such as the Duke of Cambridge, had already recognized the immense power of the Maxim—having been astonished after witnessing a firing demonstration and encouraging Maxim to refine his creation—no one grasped its true, transformative potential as Feng Chengqian did. He knew that Maxim’s invention would utterly reshape warfare, consigning the cavalry that had dominated battlefields for centuries to oblivion and turning war into a meat grinder for infantry.

Such a significant invention could not be allowed to remain solely in British hands. There were other crucial discoveries that had drawn Feng’s attention as well. Months earlier, he had sent agents to France, seeking a chemist named Vieille in hopes of acquiring smokeless powder. This was no easy task; long-standing animosity between Germany and France meant that Vieille would hardly be willing to hand over such an important secret to an enemy nation.

Before departing, Feng made a special trip to Potsdam Palace to accomplish something of great importance.

After witnessing a demonstration of the Maxim gun, Frederick III was left speechless in astonishment. Operated by just two men, the gun fired nearly six hundred rounds in a minute; even the best-trained soldier with the finest rifle could manage at most ten shots in the same period. The Empire’s existing Gatling guns, already in service, could only fire three hundred rounds per minute and required a crew of six.

"Your Majesty, what do you think?" Feng asked.

"Where did you acquire this device?"

"When I visited Britain, I mentioned to Your Majesty an American named Maxim."

"This is his invention?"

Feng nodded. "Just a few days ago, I had Schmidt travel to Britain and purchase this gun, made by Maxim himself, at great cost."

"How much did it cost?"

"Twenty thousand pounds sterling."

Frederick III was taken aback, then smiled. "It was money well spent. If we can produce these in quantity, our army will be invincible."

"But such a weapon will surely fall into enemy hands as well."

"That is true..."

"Your Majesty, my purpose in arranging this demonstration was not merely to show the power of the machine gun, but to impress upon you a certain truth."

"And what is that?"

"Rapid advances in science and technology inevitably lead to revolution. If we seize this opportunity, surpassing the old empires will soon be within our grasp."

Frederick III nodded thoughtfully, evidently persuaded.

"Your Majesty, if possible, I would like to establish a dedicated institution."

"What sort of institution?"

"One dedicated to the Empire’s scientific endeavors, providing state support for vital research and inventions, and actively acquiring advanced technology from abroad."

"Is that really necessary?"

"Absolutely necessary—the sooner it is established, the better."

Frederick III pondered for a moment. "You are right. We must take science and technology seriously. But establishing a separate department will meet with opposition—not everyone shares our vision. To avoid trouble, it would be best for you to use your existing authority."

"Your Majesty means..."

"Set up a specialized agency under the Ministry of War, nominally focused on military technology; you may handle its actual operations as you see fit," Frederick III said with a smile. "If you believe this office is of great importance, you may begin organizing it at once."

"I will report to Your Majesty once there is further progress."

Two days later, Feng established a special division, the Bureau of Military Science and Technology Research, under the Ministry of War. Lacking a suitable candidate for its head, Feng took personal charge. He soon reported the arrangement to Frederick III.

With these matters settled, his departure for the Qing Empire was imminent.

On January 10, 1889, Feng Chengqian boarded a steamer bound for the Qing, accompanied by Chen Jitong, embarking on an official visit as Minister of War of the German Empire. According to his plan, Rear Admiral Tirpitz was also included in the delegation.

Throughout the journey, Feng and Tirpitz were deeply impressed. At nearly every port of call along the route, British Royal Navy warships were present—one could see their presence almost everywhere. Upon entering the Indian Ocean and approaching India, this phenomenon became even more pronounced. Even on the open sea, it was common to encounter British warships.

In this era, the Royal Navy was the world’s only truly global naval force, present and deployed everywhere. No other nation could begin to match its worldwide influence.

During the long voyage, Feng discussed many naval matters with Tirpitz, especially the navy’s role in national strategy. Though still young and not yet the renowned admiral he would become, Tirpitz already possessed a profound understanding; in some ways, he surprised Feng with his insights. To Tirpitz, the crucial point of building a fleet was not its prestige, but whether it could be decisive in war. Simply put, a fleet’s value lay in its actual use in combat.

Taking the opportunity, Feng also learned much about the Qing from Chen Jitong. As in the history he knew, Li Hongzhang was Grand Secretary and a vigorous promoter of the Self-Strengthening Movement, advocating the adoption of Western methods to counter Western powers, sending students abroad, and procuring foreign arms to strengthen the Qing military.

Could the Self-Strengthening Movement succeed? Chen Jitong was optimistic; Feng saw no reason to dampen his hopes. History had already shown that mere imitation of the West was doomed to end badly—for all Li Hongzhang’s abilities, he could only prolong the Qing’s decline for a few decades.

What interested Feng most was not Li Hongzhang, but someone even more famous. At present, this individual was only twenty-two, sent away from home for his Christian leanings and still a student at the Hong Kong College of Medicine.

As for whether this man would make his mark on history, Feng could not say. The reason was simple: in reality, the Qing had purchased only two warships—the Dingyuan and Zhenyuan—from Germany. But with Feng’s influence, it was likely that the Qing would procure more, which could change the outcome of the Sino-Japanese War six years hence, and alter the course of history itself.

Feng was deeply conflicted over whether to build more warships for the Qing. The root of the Qing’s malaise lay in its corrupt political system, not in the lack of warships. Perhaps the war’s outcome would be different, perhaps there would be no war at all—but the Qing’s fall seemed inevitable, and no one could foresee what such changes might bring.

Fortunately, the future remained in human hands.