Chapter Twenty-One: The Grand Chancellor of Great Qing
The first impression Li Hongzhang had of Feng Chengqian was of a shrewd and capable, experienced, and lean old man.
“I have heard that the Count is His Majesty the German Emperor’s savior, but I wonder, are you an expatriate Chinese in Germany, or...?”
“My ancestors settled in Europe many years ago, so...” Feng Chengqian did not finish his sentence, for he was not adept at fabricating lies. Li Hongzhang was clearly skeptical, as Feng Chengqian’s Chinese was exceptionally fluent.
“Forgive me, Grand Secretary, though my ancestors lived abroad, they never forgot their homeland.”
“No wonder the Count’s Mandarin is so fluent.”
Feng Chengqian merely smiled, paying no heed to this remark. Now, he was the Minister of War of the German Empire, a subject of Kaiser Friedrich III—German was his mother tongue.
“The Count has traveled a great distance, so I have prepared a modest banquet in your honor.”
“You are too kind, Grand Secretary. However, my visit is not for this feast.” Feng Chengqian smiled and continued, “I grew up in Europe, so I speak more directly than some, and I hope you will forgive me.”
Li Hongzhang, seemingly a little embarrassed, forced a smile. “The Count’s straightforwardness marks you as a man of candor. Then let us set aside idle talk and speak of more pressing matters.”
“Then, does the Grand Secretary intend to purchase warships immediately?”
“For the rejuvenation of the Qing, we must reform our military—more than just warships are needed.”
“You must know, Grand Secretary, that my country is Europe’s foremost military power, having defeated France at the Battle of Sedan over a decade ago, causing the fall of the French Empire.” Feng Chengqian deliberately mentioned France, as the recent Sino-French War was still fresh in memory. “I can assure you that whatever weaponry other nations can produce, we can as well—and ours are of superior quality and performance, at more reasonable prices.”
“The Count seems more like a magnate than a minister.”
“To serve one’s sovereign is not unlike managing a business. A minister’s duty is to help His Majesty govern and manage affairs.”
Li Hongzhang chuckled. “The Count is quite right. We both serve our respective lords, so naturally we understand one another. However, purchasing armaments is no trivial matter, so...”
“In fact, I have brought with me a new weapon, which I believe will greatly interest you, Grand Secretary.”
“Oh?”
“If you have the time, perhaps you would care to observe its demonstration?”
“Well...” Li Hongzhang hesitated.
“There’s no time like the present. We can arrange it this afternoon.”
After a moment’s thought, Li Hongzhang nodded. “Very well, I have no other engagements this afternoon. Since the Count is so eager, I would not refuse.”
“The matter of the warships...”
“We shall discuss it after the demonstration, shall we?”
Feng Chengqian did not press further and immediately instructed Schmidt to make the arrangements.
Before arriving in Ningbo, Feng Chengqian had already hinted to Chen Jitong that he had brought the latest machine gun, and Chen Jitong had surely relayed this to Li Hongzhang.
If Feng Chengqian remembered correctly, just a year ago, when he first arrived in this era, Maxim had also brought his gun to the Qing for a demonstration. However, after inquiring about the details, Li Hongzhang and the other officials found the weapon, which could fire hundreds of rounds per minute, too expensive and did not make a purchase.
Feng Chengqian understood the reason perfectly.
It was not that the Maxim gun itself was costly, but the ammunition was. Despite the boom in industry after the Self-Strengthening Movement—Zhang Zhidong in Huguang and Zuo Zongtang in Jiangzhe had both established military industries—the Qing still lacked a complete industrial base. Even ordinary bullets had to be purchased from abroad. If the ammunition was bought from Britain, a single Maxim could expend rounds worth dozens of taels of silver in a minute—a sum that could recruit more than a dozen soldiers in the Qing. In Li Hongzhang’s eyes, buying machine guns was less effective than recruiting more men.
During the machine gun demonstration, Li Hongzhang showed no surprise at all.
Clearly, Feng Chengqian’s guess was correct—Li Hongzhang remained uninterested in such an “expensive” weapon.
“Grand Secretary, this is the latest model—a unique piece in the world.”
“Is that so?”
“With this gun, the Qing army would be invincible.”
Li Hongzhang smiled. “Count, perhaps you are unaware, but last year an Englishman named Maxim came to the Qing to sell such a gun, but...”
“This is not the same gun.”
“What do you mean, Count?”
“Maxim is American, working for the British. I, however, serve the Kaiser.”
Li Hongzhang studied Feng Chengqian, sensing a deeper meaning in his words.
“Doing business with the British is purely commercial, but cooperation with us is more than that.”
“What are you suggesting?”
“The gun is good, but the ammunition is costly, am I wrong?”
Li Hongzhang forced a smile, silently acknowledging the truth.
“My proposal is to establish an arsenal in your country to produce ammunition locally, thus saving on shipping costs and dramatically reducing the price.”
“You mean your country’s enterprises would open factories here?”
“We could do it independently or as a joint venture. With your approval, Grand Secretary, these are minor details.”
Now, Li Hongzhang was intrigued.
The movement he had initiated was, at its core, about learning from the Western powers, mastering their industrial technology, and strengthening the Qing. German firms establishing factories in the Qing was certainly welcome.
However, Li Hongzhang was a cautious man.
“The Count’s proposal is excellent, but such an undertaking is of great importance and must be carefully considered.”
“Of course. Armaments are a matter of national concern and must be handled with utmost caution,” Feng Chengqian smiled. “However, I have heard that Japan has been purchasing large quantities of armaments recently, clearly preparing for war. While the Qing is a great nation and need not fear such a small country, it is always wise to be prepared.”
Li Hongzhang’s brow twitched—Feng Chengqian had hit a nerve.
Since the Sino-French War in Annam, Japan was his greatest concern. Despite what Feng Chengqian said being true—that nobody in the Qing took Japan seriously, not even Li Hongzhang—nonetheless, two tigers cannot share one mountain, and Japan’s rise would inevitably threaten the Qing and bring endless trouble.
“Count, your visit is not merely to sell this machine gun, is it?”
“That is but an appetizer.” Feng Chengqian knew Li Hongzhang was now interested. “His Majesty the Kaiser has expressly instructed me to build a lasting alliance with the Qing. As for the purchase of warships, we can be flexible. My suggestion is that the Qing need not pay silver for them.”
Li Hongzhang frowned, listening intently.
“The Kaiser is planning to expand the Kiel Canal, but there is a shortage of labor in Germany. He hopes to cooperate with the Qing on this matter.”
“How would such cooperation work?”
“The Qing would provide laborers, their service offsetting the cost of warships and other armaments.”
“This...”
“Of course, if you wish to establish armaments factories here, the same arrangement could apply.”
Li Hongzhang pondered for a moment. “This is not difficult, but the people are the foundation of the state. Even if they only work in your country temporarily, it is a matter of national importance.”
“Of course, all must be voluntary. The Kaiser would never force Qing subjects to do what they do not wish.” Feng Chengqian smiled. “As for their wages, they will be paid in full. Not a single coin will be withheld. If you assist us, the Kaiser will be most grateful.”
After another pause, Li Hongzhang replied, “If that is the case, nothing could be better.”
“Then...”
“Since His Majesty holds this in such high regard, I cannot object. Still, the details must be thoroughly negotiated.” Li Hongzhang smiled. “No doubt the Count is in no hurry. Please stay here for now. Once we reach an agreement, we shall make the final decision.”
With Li Hongzhang’s interest secured and his tentative approval, Feng Chengqian did not press further.
That evening, Li Hongzhang hosted a banquet for Feng Chengqian, far more cordial than at noon.
It was well past midnight when the socializing ended and Feng Chengqian returned to his lodgings.
The day was not yet done, for someone had been waiting for him for hours.
“Who is he?”
“Richthofen from the Colonial Office, sent by the Chancellor.”
Feng Chengqian sighed. “Invite him in and prepare some refreshments.”
Schmidt brought Richthofen in, along with the tea and snacks.
“Count!”
“Mr. Richthofen, I hear you’ve been waiting for hours. My apologies.”
“The Count is busy, as I expected. Were it not important, I would not trouble you so late at night.”
“What is so urgent?”
Richthofen glanced at Schmidt, hesitating to speak.
Feng Chengqian nodded to Schmidt, who then waited outside.
“Is this your first time in the Qing, Count?”
Feng Chengqian smiled. “Though I may look like a Qing native, this truly is my first time in this country.”
“Then, are you familiar with the situation here?” Richthofen, having spent over ten years in the Qing, knew it inside and out.
Feng Chengqian shook his head candidly.
“In that case, it’s only natural you might make mistakes.”
“Mistakes?”
“Did you discuss arms deals with Li Hongzhang today?”
Feng Chengqian nodded. “Li Hongzhang has basically agreed, though he says further discussion is needed.”
“Further discussion?” Richthofen smiled. “Count, did you not catch the subtext of Li Hongzhang’s words?”
“What subtext?”
“In the Qing, price is secondary in business—the key is smoothing relationships.”
Now Feng Chengqian understood.
“It seems the Count came unprepared.”
“You’re right. For someone like Li Hongzhang, one should...”
“Everyone has private interests, don’t they?” Richthofen paused. “I have already made preparations for you.”
“Oh?”
“A hundred thousand taels of silver will be delivered tomorrow, mainly for greasing the palms of Li Hongzhang’s people. You need not trouble yourself over this—dealing with his subordinates does not require your personal attention. However, there is one matter that you must attend to yourself.”
“What is it?”
“Kickbacks.”
Feng Chengqian was stunned, then shook his head with a wry smile.
If even the Grand Secretary was like this, the decay of the Qing was all too evident.