Chapter 92 of 100
Chapter 92
16 min read3,883 words
First update, seeking recommendations, support, and collections, and votes for the Three Rivers.
In the dead of night, Zhu Jishi was still slowly strolling in the courtyard of Villa Maria.
He stood with his hands behind his back, facing the darkest part of the eastern sky, quietly observing.
That was the direction of his homeland, vast, rich, and populous, yet still slumbering, unaware of the impending disaster. And he, himself, was the one who would awaken the nation and its people!
However, the way to awaken the nation and its people would likely be very different from his original plan! Not with a humble pen, a school, and a few books, but with blood, fire, and a revolution, a war to sweep away the old empire, and then, what next?
Establish a powerful and unified new empire on the ruins of the old one? Would the British agree? Would the French consent? And the Russian Empire, which had long been eyeing northern China, would it stand idly by and watch a vibrant new empire take the place of the aging and feeble Qing Dynasty?
The lesson of Ali Pasha was still fresh in his mind. The ** was almost reborn under his hands, if not for the joint intervention of Britain, Russia, Austria, and Prussia. Throughout Ali Pasha's rise, these powers had provided him with no small amount of assistance! The source of Ali Pasha's military funds was the export of Egyptian cotton to Britain, wasn't it? Wasn't Ali Pasha's Egyptian army trained by French officers? It was even rumored that the once wise and mighty Ali Pasha had gone mad, driven to insanity by imperialism!
Thinking of a certain mad old man, Zhu Jishi sighed heavily, just as he was about to turn and go back inside, he saw a graceful figure appear before him. It was his temporary lover, Maria Clementina.
"Maria," seeing the beauty, Zhu Jishi's face instinctively broke into a smile, but it quickly faded. "I might be leaving Europe soon. I hope we can still be friends in the future?"
Maria smiled, "Of course, perhaps at some point in the future, I will consider becoming an imperial concubine in China. You should save a place for me in your **."
Zhu Jishi said coolly, "I'm not sure I will rebel, and even if I do, I might not succeed!"
Maria said softly, "So, are you hesitating to rebel because you're worried about not succeeding?"
Zhu Jishi countered, "Maria, if Charles Bonaparte were in my position, what would he do?"
Maria smiled but said nothing.
Zhu Jishi said, "Let's talk about how you plan to support my Jishi University and Jishi Academy." He held up a hand, "50,000 pounds, and I'll give you a place as an imperial concubine. How about that?"
Well, the emperor hasn't even ascended the throne yet, and he's already selling official positions! Uh, does selling a place as an imperial concubine count as selling an official position?
"I'll give you the 50,000 pounds, and I'll keep the place as an imperial concubine," Maria said with a smile. "You have a good chance of becoming the Emperor of China. When that happens, I might really come to China to be your imperial concubine. If your empress can't bear a son, and I can, I'll be the future Empress Dowager of China."
Zhu Jishi was speechless.
Maria laughed, "France is not Britain; we don't have naval supremacy or many colonial interests in the East. So, China and France can establish a lasting friendship. For the friendship between our two countries, I am very willing to enter your **."
But that sounded unbelievable!
Zhu Jishi said coldly, "Why do I feel like you've been inciting me to rebel against the Qing? And wasn't it partly your doing that I was recognized by the Pope as a descendant of the Ming royal family?"
"That depends on the final result. If you really become the Emperor of China, I will have made a great contribution," the beauty said with a seductive smile.
"If I lose my head for rebelling, it will be your fault!" Zhu Jishi muttered, then turned and walked back into the house, with Maria following behind. In the living room, whale oil lamps were lit, and Han Si and the two Lius were waiting there.
Zhu Jishi was taken aback and had not yet spoken when Han Si stepped forward and bowed, "I congratulate my lord." But this mannerism looked more like something from a modern stage play.
"Where is the joy coming from?" Zhu Jishi plopped down on the sofa, and Maria sat beside him with a smile, looking like a lady of the house.
"Prince Albert's messenger has just arrived."
Han Si presented the invitation and letter with both hands, which bore the mark of the Hanoverian royal family. Zhu Jishi opened it and saw that Prince Albert was inviting him and Maria to Windsor Castle to discuss the establishment of the Hong Kong Jishi University and Jishi Academy, and he particularly emphasized his intention to help establish a military academy at the Hong Kong Jishi University!
Zhu Jishi smiled bitterly, "Britain won't help us establish a university and a military academy for nothing. Prince Albert's goal is just to use me to split China!"
Han Si, however, looked delighted, "I congratulate my lord!"
Zhu Jishi was stunned and looked at the two Lius, who also had excited expressions. He immediately understood that the three of them were traitors plotting to split the country!
"My lord, did Prince Albert really promise to help us establish a military academy in his letter?" Liu Peng's voice trembled as he asked.
Prince Albert himself... Zhu Jishi nodded, thinking to himself, "Liu Peng probably wishes he could embrace Prince Albert's thick legs instead of me. This guy can't be trusted!"
"My lord, what conditions did Prince Albert set?" Liu Jiong suppressed his excitement and asked in a low voice.
"None!" Zhu Jishi replied.
Liu Jiong smiled, "In that case, I also congratulate my lord!"
Of course, Britain had its own agenda, but it was not good to sign a traitorous treaty! Some benefits could be given, but if they were written down in black and white, it would bring disgrace! Besides, when had he ever said he wanted to restore the Ming Dynasty?
Zhu Jishi sighed inwardly and turned his gaze to Maria. She was just beginning to learn Chinese from Zhu Jishi and naturally couldn't understand the conversation between him and the two Lius and Han Si, but she could guess the general content.
Maria spoke confidently, "Jason, you can refuse the weak support of the French Orleans Dynasty, but you must not refuse Britain, or you will accomplish nothing! Britain is the world's hegemon, and Hong Kong is a British colony! If you really intend to rebel in southern China, the British Empire will definitely support you, because China is too big for them. They would be delighted if China split into two or even three countries, so they can profit from the chaos. If the country you rule becomes strong and shows signs of unifying China, the British Empire will treat you like they treated Ali Pasha. But I still advise you to accept British support! Because the situation in Europe is very volatile, and no one knows when a new European war might break out, at which point Britain will have no time to focus on other matters."
This analysis was very thorough! The noblewomen of this era were truly remarkable!
As Maria said, Britain certainly had no good intentions toward China, but for now, Zhu Jishi knew that his relationship with Prince Albert was still in the honeymoon phase. In the British prince's mind, he must have political ambitions, whether to rebel and become an emperor or to push for reforms in China. Both would inevitably stir up the stagnant Chinese political scene, and causing chaos was to be expected. How Britain would profit from the chaos would depend on the situation.
As for himself, even if he knew he was dealing with a tiger, he had no choice! Unless he was willing to give up the wealth and the dream of changing China he now possessed, and become a pure "scientist" to contribute to the scientific endeavors of the Europeans.
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