Beiyang Dream

Chapter 19 Oh my god, we're really going to see William II!

August 4th, 15th year of the Guangxu Emperor's reign, 11:00 AM. Berlin, Qing Dynasty Legation.

The sound of the carriage wheels rolling over the stone pavement hadn't even stopped when Chang Desheng jumped off the carriage shaft. His feet had barely touched the ground when he heard Guo Shigui's loud voice booming from the front:

"Zhenbang! How is it?"

In the courtyard of the legation, Reiner stood there with his hands behind his back, craning his neck. Several errand boys and servants also looked over. Duan Qirui stood under the eaves, leaning on a pillar, his face expressionless, except for dark circles under his eyes, probably from staying up late studying again last night.

Shang Dequan, Kong Qingtang, and Wu Dingyuan hurried out of the house to greet him, all with smiles on their faces, looking like younger brothers welcoming their elder brother's triumphant return.

Chang Desheng grinned and patted his chest:

"I won!"

Guo Shigui took two steps forward: "Did you win?"

"First place!" Chang Desheng gave a thumbs up, "plus the qualification to be an intern in the General Staff Map Room... From now on, I can also go and have a look in that room where the Germans drew maps before the war."

The courtyard suddenly erupted in a lively atmosphere.

Guo Shigui slapped his thigh: "Alright! I told you you could do it! We have to drink a whole pot tonight, we absolutely have to drink a whole pot!"

Reiner's smile was as if he had won the lottery. He stepped forward, shook Chang Desheng's hand, and spoke rapidly in German: "Congratulations! Mr. Chang, this is not only an honor for you, but also for our entire instructor team..."

Chang Desheng responded while glancing at Duan Qirui out of the corner of his eye.

Duan Qirui was also smiling, but the smile was only on his face; his skin didn't move.

"Duan Zhiquan definitely didn't pass the exam," Chang Desheng muttered to himself. "But he's arrogant and stubborn; it seems he's unwilling to bow down and follow me. However, with his intelligence and diligence, he'll definitely learn real skills at the Berlin Military Academy. Besides, he's from the same hometown as Li Hongzhang, and his family came from the Huai Army; he'll undoubtedly be highly valued in the future..."

The mental ledger automatically opened, and a note was made on the page of "interpersonal relationships": Duan Qirui, proud and unwilling to follow, needs to be watched.

But he didn't show it on his face. Instead, he walked over to Duan Qirui and said, "Brother Zhiquan, don't be discouraged. After graduating from the Berlin Military Academy, you can take the exam for the War Academy again."

Duan Qirui twitched the corner of his mouth, not responding to the conversation, but simply cupped his hands in a gesture of respect: "Congratulations, Zhenbang. I still have some homework to do, so I'll head back to my room first."

After saying that, he turned and left, his back ramrod straight.

Chang Desheng watched his retreating figure and thought to himself: Well, I didn't fool him... But if he really finishes the Berlin Military Academy and then takes the War Academy entrance exam, it will take several years, and he won't be involved in the First Sino-Japanese War.

We can't worry about him right now; we need to settle the "account" with Hong Jiafang first.

......

Hong Jun's study. 11:30 a.m.

Eight hundred marks in cash were laid out on the mahogany table, a thick stack that looked quite pleasing.

Hong Jun sat in his armchair, truly satisfied this time: "Zhenbang, excellent! This time you've really earned face for our Great Qing, for Minister Li, and for this very academy!"

Chang Desheng stood upright, but his mind was already racing with his own little schemes.

Eight hundred marks, that's quite a lot, equivalent to two hundred taels of silver. But he's currently the "top student at the Prussian War Academy" and a "trainee in the General Staff's Map Room." With that status and resume, if he goes back to Li Hongzhang to ask for an official position, he'll at least be a clerk in a battalion affairs office. Two hundred taels? Not enough, he'll need more money!

"This student thanks you for your guidance, sir," Chang Desheng said respectfully, but his words carried a hidden meaning. "If it weren't for the opportunity you gave me, I would not be where I am today. However..."

"Just what?" Hong Jun's smile faded slightly.

"But once students get access to the map room, they'll inevitably have to deal with high-ranking German military officials. These social interactions cost money at every turn." Chang Desheng glanced at the 800 marks. "Students only get a 200-mark monthly stipend, barely enough to eat in Berlin. To maintain a respectable image and build connections, it probably won't be enough."

The smile on Hong Jun's face vanished completely.

Two hundred marks isn't enough? An average worker in Berlin only earns fifty or sixty marks a month, and that's to support a family!

He picked up his teacup, blew away the foam, and said slowly, "Zhenbang, I understand your difficulties. But the imperial court has its rules, and the embassy has its regulations. This month's allowance... is the same for all international students, and I cannot make an exception for you."

What exceptions are you making?! Can't you just give me a job at the embassy? There are so many people here, what's wrong with one more? Besides, I can even help you gather intelligence on the German military!

Chang Desheng cursed inwardly, but kept a smile on his face: "You're right, sir. As for the matter of recommending candidates for substantive positions..."

"Don't worry about that." Hong Jun put down his teacup and tapped his fingers on the table. "This court will do its utmost to negotiate and secure the best position for you. However, this matter still needs to be reported to Minister Li for his decision. It cannot be rushed, it cannot be rushed."

Did you report to Li Hongzhang?

Isn't this just blatant passing the buck?

Chang Desheng understood. That old fox Hong Jun had accurately predicted he was a member of the Beiyang clique and didn't want to waste his recommendation quota on him; he just wanted to get the credit for himself. What a cunning old fox!

He was pondering how to bring it up again when he suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside.

"Sir! Sir!" the doorman called from outside, "Major Golts of the German military is here, saying it's urgent!"

Hong Jun frowned: "Please invite him to the front hall."

Chang Desheng's heart skipped a beat. What was Goltz doing here at this time?

......

In the lobby, ten minutes later.

Major Goldz held a gold-embossed hardcover folder in his hand, his expression as serious as if he were attending a military conference.

In the front hall, Guo Shigui, Reiner, several international students, and servants who had come over after hearing the commotion all crowded under the eaves at the entrance, craning their necks to look inside.

Hong Jun strode in, with Chang Desheng following behind.

"Major Goldz, what brings you here in person?" Hong Jun asked in an official tone.

Guo Shigui quickly translated the words into German.

Golts snapped to attention and saluted. Then he opened the folder, took out a piece of paper with the royal coat of arms, and began to read it aloud in clear, slow German:

"By order of His Majesty the Emperor."

The room fell silent instantly; everyone held their breath.

"His Majesty Emperor Wilhelm II, in order to demonstrate the Empire's emphasis on military exchanges and to encourage talented individuals from all countries, hereby orders that, three days from now, at 3:00 PM on September 11th, the eight foreign students admitted to the Prussian War Academy will be received in the West Annex of Sanssouci Palace."

hum...

A murmur of discussion erupted.

Golts raised his voice and continued reading:

The list of admitted students and their rankings are as follows.

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd before finally settling on Chang Desheng's face.

"First place, Qing Dynasty, Changde won."

Chang Desheng was secretly pleased, but he kept a straight face.

"Second place, Japan, Hideaki Tojo."

Chang Desheng remained expressionless—this was not unexpected; the top student at Lu University certainly had the ability.

"Third place, Japan, Shogo Iguchi."

Fourth place: Japan, Keizo Yamaguchi.

"Fifth place, Shigeta Fujii, Japan."

With each name read aloud, Chang Desheng's heart sank a little more—four top students from the first class of the Japanese Army Academy had taken second through fifth place, proving that the Japanese Army Academy was no joke; they truly possessed profound knowledge.

On the Chinese side, he's the only one who's "capable of fighting," and he was even a product of the new China.

"Sixth place, the Ottoman Empire, Mehmed Esaad..."

Golts read out two more Turkish names, none of which involved Duan Qirui, then closed the folder, took out a letter sealed with a large wax seal, and handed it to Chang Desheng with both hands:

"Mr. Chang Desheng, this is your formal invitation. Please be sure to attend on time."

Chang Desheng took the letter and stuffed it into his sleeve.

Hong Jun's expression changed three times in just a few seconds—first surprise, then calculation, and finally joy. He stepped forward and grasped Chang Desheng's hand:

"Zhenbang! This is great news, you'd better do your best!"

Hong Jun had a very clear political calculation in mind:

This was a group meeting. Students from both China and Japan were present. Chang Desheng was ranked first, and the Japanese were four elite students from the first cohort of the Army University.

This was no simple audience. It was a contest, a face-to-face competition between military academy students from China and Japan before the German Emperor.

If Changde wins, the Qing Dynasty will save face. And for Hong Jun, it will be a political achievement.

If Chang Desheng loses...

Golts stepped forward again, lowered his voice, and spoke quickly and urgently in German, at a volume only Chang Desheng could hear: "Mr. Chang, His Majesty is very interested in your 'arithmetic' skills demonstrated in your defense. In addition, His Majesty has already read the letter."

After he finished speaking, he saluted, turned around, and strode away.

In the courtyard, Shang Dequan, Kong Qingtang, and Wu Dingyuan gathered around.

"Brother Zhenbang, you've really made us proud!" Shang Dequan grinned.

"First place!" Kong Qingtang rubbed his hands together. "You'll have to tell us about the defense later, how it was all done."

Wu Dingyuan was quite frank: "Zhenbang, do you think the three of us... can get into the Berlin Military Academy?"

Chang Desheng looked at the three of them and suddenly felt a pang of emotion. These three brothers might not be as quick-witted as Duan Qirui, but they weren't as arrogant, and they were willing to endure hardship and follow orders. If used properly in the future, they could all be capable of handling things independently—this had been proven by history! Every single one of you was a warlord of the Beiyang Army!

In order to become a good warlord, they now have to study hard!

In the future, the Beiyang clique cannot be left with only him holding things together.

"Listen to me, you three," Chang Desheng said, straightening his expression. "You must get into the Berlin Military Academy. Once you're in, you have to study like crazy. Prussian military academy is truly something special—the artillery, fortification, and infantry departments at the Berlin Military Academy are the best in all of Europe. How our Qing army will operate in the future will all depend on what we learn from there."

He paused, then lowered his voice: "When you return to China after completing your studies, the foundation of our Beiyang Army will still depend on our own people."

The three looked at each other and nodded emphatically.

At the same time, Duan Qirui was already studying hard in his private room—he had made a fool of himself in the War Academy exam, and he couldn't afford to fail the Berlin Military Academy exam again; he had to get first place!

......

Hong Jun's Study.

As soon as the door closed, Hong Jun became much closer to Chang Desheng, pulling on Chang Desheng's arm and pointing to a chair with a smile: "Zhenbang! Sit down, sit down quickly!"

The way he was addressed changed from "Chang Sheng" to "Zhen Bang".

He pressed Chang Desheng into a chair, turned around and walked behind the desk, opened a drawer, took out a stack of marks, and slammed them on the table with a "thud".

"Here is one thousand marks. Prepare yourself well to meet the German Emperor; you cannot embarrass the Qing Dynasty!" Hong Jun said gently. "Regarding the recommendation, this court will immediately telegraph Minister Li and the Zongli Yamen to strive for the best position for you!"

Chang Desheng looked at the thousand marks on the table, but felt no joy whatsoever. Fighting four Japanese devils alone was certainly troublesome. But the letter he had brought to Germany, delivered through Waldersee, and written in Yin Chang's name, was the real problem!

What exactly did Li Hongzhang ask of the German Emperor?

Could they really be planning to buy a large warship?

Moreover, he had just asked Waldersee to deliver the letter that morning, and the Kaiser arranged an "audience for the students" that afternoon... Was this a coincidence? Or did the Kaiser actually want to see him, the messenger?

Wilhelm II was a man prone to reckless actions, single-mindedly trying to transform the Second German Empire into a world empire. Perhaps Yin Chang and Li Hongzhang's letters really hit him where it hurts...

Seeing Chang Desheng looking a bit dazed, Hong Jun also became a little worried. Staring at Chang Desheng, he instructed him, word by word:

"You will have an audience with me in three days. You represent not only yourself, but also Minister Li's discerning eye for talent, and the dignity of all Qing Dynasty students studying abroad!"

"Those four Japanese are promising talents being groomed by the Japanese army. If you show weakness in front of them, you'll be disgracing the Qing Dynasty!"

"This court only requires one thing of you: in terms of both presence and eloquence, you must outdo the Japanese!"

Chang Desheng quickly composed himself and said respectfully, "This student will do his utmost to live up to your expectations."

But then he started thinking about it again:

Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany occupied Qingdao in just a few years in history, and he may already be eyeing it now. This could be an opportunity... Qingdao is not going to be given up, and we can't make that decision ourselves, but North Korea still has a chance!

Ideally, Germany and Russia would both be involved in Korea; that would be truly exciting! But how do we get Wilhelm II involved, and how do we bridge the gap between the Beiyang government, the Zongli Yamen (Foreign Ministry), and Korea...?

......

Late at night.

Chang Desheng blew out the lamp and lay down on the bed. However, he was having trouble sleeping. He lay awake, staring at the dark ceiling, seemingly lost in thought.

In the shadows of the street corner, a furtive figure moved, glanced at the window on the second floor of the embassy that had just been turned off, then pulled up the brim of his top hat, turned around, and disappeared silently into the night.