Chapter 76

New book, seeking recommendations, seeking collections.

Zhu Jishi came to Rome under the pretext of an audience with the Pope. After meeting the Pope, he did not return to the castle in Viterbo but went directly back to Paris, staying in the villa arranged by Maria Clementina. Bai Siwen and Han Si also lived there. Additionally, Brother Trigo returned to Paris with Zhu Jishi and stayed in the same villa arranged by Maria. According to the plan, Zhu Jishi would wait for Isabella in Paris and then travel to the German Confederation.

After staying for about a month, Isabella had not yet arrived, but an event related to China came first.

He sat in the room, trying to organize his thoughts and consider what beneficial proposals he should make for the country and its people when he arrived in Hong Kong as a descendant of the Ming royal family, whose authenticity was unclear.

First, the theory of the nation-state. The more successful countries in the world today are all nation-states. Any country that tries to govern the world, whether in the East or the West, is a weak country. So, no matter what the Qing court thinks, this principle must be upheld. Later, he could find some books by Mazzini, copy and modify them to make them his own ideology—let's call it Zhu Jishiism, which sounds very impressive! Of course, whether the Qing Dynasty is willing to listen is one thing, and whether Zhu, the great thinker, promotes it is another.

Second, the principle of "Chinese learning as the essence, Western learning for practical use." Although historically this idea was somewhat disdained, Engels said that there is no reform in this world that touches the root immediately. The reform and opening up of the Heavenly Kingdom in later generations also proceeded step by step. They did not abandon the planned economy and directly adopt the market economy from the beginning. If even an economic reform is like this, how can a comprehensive transformation involving politics, economy, military, and ideology be achieved in one step?

Third, the emphasis on commerce. This is similar to the path Japan once took, and it is now a good time to adopt it. The country's doors have already been forced open by imperialism, so locking the country again would not lock others out but lock itself in! As for emphasizing commerce, it means vigorously developing capitalist industry and commerce...

Fourth, military and national defense... He had not yet figured this out when he heard Maria Clementina's voice outside, "Jason, can I come in?"

Maria asked this without waiting for a response and pushed the door open, bringing two people in. Zhu Jishi saw that they were Bai Siwen and Andrew Jones.

Zhu Jishi raised his hand, signaling the three to sit down. Maria and Jones pulled chairs and sat down, while Bai Siwen stood there respectfully, smiling obsequiously, looking like a sycophant...

Zhu Jishi smiled, "Andrew, you're in Paris too?" His gaze, however, was on Bai Siwen, whose smile could not be hidden, as if he had encountered some good news.

Maria smiled and said, "The Laennec mission is about to set off for China, and Mr. Jones and Mr. Bai are here to say goodbye to you."

Zhu Jishi said, "Oh," thinking, "Time really flies!" Suddenly, he looked at Jones, "Andrew, you're going to the East too?"

Andrew Jones nodded with a smile, "Jason, have you forgotten that you own 2000 acres of land in Hong Kong?" He pulled out a document from his briefcase and handed it to Zhu Jishi.

It turned out to be a land ownership certificate, stating that 2000 acres of land in Hong Kong's Deep Water Bay now belonged to Baron Zhu Jishi!

What a huge gain! Zhu Jishi thought, Li Ka-shing's house in Hong Kong is in Deep Water Bay, right? If this land were in 2014, it would be worth billions! He must find a good feng shui location in Deep Water Bay to build a mansion for himself. He wondered which part of the land Li Ka-shing lived on; the feng shui there must be excellent...

Returning the land ownership certificate to Jones, Zhu Jishi smiled, "Andrew, are you going to Hong Kong to manage this land for me?"

Andrew Jones nodded, "It's Cosper's idea. He believes that the Jishi Bank should open a branch in Hong Kong as soon as possible, given the huge Chinese market."

"Good, Cosper's idea is excellent, but... do we have enough funds?"

"I'm not sure, but Cosper just spent 60,000 pounds on three armed merchant ships and hired 200 Irish sailors and over 300 Irish workers, who will go to Hong Kong with me. Additionally, Cosper gave me 40,000 pounds in cash, 20,000 of which is the Jishi Bank's advance payment of your 1843 annual dividend."

120,000 pounds spent at once! The Jishi Bank has such ample cash reserves?

"Is the deal with the French government for the hand grenades finalized?" Zhu Jishi asked uncertainly.

"It's finalized. Willy returned to Manchester at the end of last month with the French deposit. Additionally, the British, Prussian, Austrian, Russian, Spanish, Ottoman, and American governments have all decided to purchase ammonium oil hand grenades!"

Andrew Jones said excitedly, "The total amount of the purchase contracts from eight countries exceeds 1 million pounds! Additionally, France, Prussia, Austria, Spain, and Russia have provided a total of 100,000 pounds in subsidies to set up explosives and ammunition factories in their countries. The DuPont family in the United States has invested 20,000 pounds to cooperate with us in setting up explosives and ammunition factories. Moreover, the pharmaceutical and rubber products companies are operating well, and our Worry-Free has received many orders from various national armies. The Hero Pharmaceutical factory can no longer meet the production needs and has just purchased new facilities to expand operations."

Indeed, weapons and drugs (though Worry-Free is not actually a drug) are the best sellers! Zhu Jishi thought, "It's a pity that Europe is so peaceful now. If there were a war, the ammonium oil hand grenade business would probably be several times better!"

"Svenson," Zhu Jishi turned his gaze to Bai Siwen, who was standing respectfully, "When are you planning to set off? Has Cosper sent you money?"

"Your Lordship, the French mission is scheduled to depart from Marseille in early December. I will travel with Mr. Jones. Mr. William has already allocated 10,000 pounds to me, which is now in Mr. Jones's custody. I plan to purchase some gifts in Europe to take back."

"Alright, Andrew, give the money to Svenson." As he spoke, Zhu Jishi took a stack of manuscripts from his desk drawer and handed them to Bai Siwen. "Svenson, these are my manuscripts. They include the 'English-Chinese Dictionary' and 'English Grammar' that I personally compiled, the 'Western Military Tactics' and 'Western Political Strategies' that I translated, and a book on 'The Success and Failure of Reforms in Egypt and the Ottoman Empire.' There is also 'A Journey to the West,' written by Mr. Jones, which introduces the situations in European, Middle Eastern, and Indian countries, as well as the European colonies in the South Seas. I believe these books will be needed by the Qing court. With these books, they will not be able to ignore you."

"Your Lordship, that's enough, more than enough. With these books, you will surely become famous, and I will also benefit from your success," Bai Siwen said with a smile. "I have been thinking about this for a while. According to the Marquis Laennec, the Sino-French negotiations are at a critical stage, and the imperial envoy is in Guangzhou. When I return, I will go directly to the imperial envoy to offer my services and present your books. I should be able to get a fourth or fifth-rank position. If the Sino-French negotiations go well, I might even get a customs commissioner position. Then, I can send people to Hong Kong to study Western learning under the pretext of training customs personnel."

Zhu Jishi glanced at Bai Siwen and nodded without speaking. This Bai Siwen could be a chance for the Qing Dynasty to reform itself, though the chances of success are slim. However, it could stir up the stagnant waters and benefit his future educational endeavors.