Chapter 16: I'll just be this official then

  Kang Fan was well aware of the complexity and chaos of this era. While dispatching Blue Demon team members to escort He's merchant caravan along the way, he also helped He select robust men from his own workers to form a guard team to provide on-site protection for He's industries in various places. Kang Fan entrusted Duonowan to purchase a batch of Winchester M1894 lever-action rifles and bullets from the United States, which were equipped with the guard team. Compared with the Mosin-Nagant M1891 rifle equipped by the Blue Demon team, this gun was less powerful and had a shorter range, but it was lightweight, compact, easy to carry, and moderately powerful, making it very suitable for use by the guard team that only performed low-intensity conflict tasks in cities. The guard team was led by several retired Huai Army veterans who were specially hired as captains of each squad, using their combat experience and skills to train the guard team members and command various actions. The guard team members still did their own things during peacetime and only gathered when there was an action, forming a loose civilian organization that combined peace and war, flexible and efficient.

  It so happened that Donovan and his three American partners were all from families who had moved westward with the development of the American West, settling in San Jose, California. Of course, they did not know at the time that the famous Silicon Valley would be born there. At that time, San Jose was just a center for processing and trading agricultural products, and it developed as an immigrant settlement to supply goods to gold prospectors. Most residents were engaged in agriculture-related work. The Donovan family was in the agricultural products business, and his three partners were all from farming families. Because of their good family background, Donovan studied hard under his father's supervision from a young age, although he did not run wild like his three rough partners, but occasionally would slack off and go out to play with them, thus forming a deep friendship. Later, Donovan went abroad to study, and his contact with his partners became less frequent. The reunion was because Donovan returned home to get married, and his wife was of Spanish descent, born into a local merchant family, whose parents were close friends with Donovan's parents, which can be described as an arranged marriage. Donovan had known his wife since childhood, and his wife was also very familiar with his three partners. Since Donovan was the only son among five children in his family, during his absence from home, his three partners naturally became the protectors of the elderly and women in the Donovan family. Later, Donovan's sisters got married one after another, and their husbands took over the responsibilities of the three partners, which led to the three partners' trip to China to find Donovan. The three partners were skilled in using guns since childhood, especially proficient in using the Winchester M1873 rifle. The Winchester M1873 rifle was hailed as the gun that conquered the American West, making great contributions to the development of the American West. The Winchester M1894 rifle was an improved version of this gun, with better performance but no significant difference in operation. It was very suitable for these three Americans to train the guard team. Kung Fu gave them generous rewards and corresponding powers, letting them serve as members and instructors of the guard team. These three Americans finally found their place, were dedicated to their work, and while continuing to follow Donovan on his business trips, they had a fixed career and a stable life. Donovan was also relieved of a worry.

  Dun Wunan's success in import and export trade between China and Western countries is inseparable from his good relationship with Robert Hart, the then Qing government's Inspector General of Customs. Hart was born in Northern Ireland, UK, and his family and Dun Wunan's family are of the same clan. Although one was in Britain and the other in America, due to the close exchanges between their ancestors, their relationship remained solid until this generation.

  Here is the translation:

  Hart was appointed as the Inspector General of Customs by the Qing government in 1863, and it has been 32 years since then. This man has gained the trust of the Qing government and has held the position for 50 years. During his tenure, he not only controlled the financial revenue of China's customs but also interfered with China's internal affairs, military, diplomacy, as well as monopolizing port, maritime, postal services, etc. In addition, due to his long-term service to Western powers invading China, he has also been commended by European governments. On the other hand, Donovan arrived in China and started doing business only ten years ago. During this period, he mainly focused on missionary work and free medical practice, which did a lot of good for the Chinese people. Doing business was only something he did recently, especially after getting to know Kang Fan. He sensitively realized that this strange Chinese man would definitely achieve great things: This person is very different from other Chinese men with long queues; he speaks fluent English, has a thorough understanding of worldly affairs, possesses vast knowledge and superhuman abilities, is tall and strong, broad-minded, quick-witted, and resolute. He has almost no obvious shortcomings. There are too many secrets about him, which is the most attractive thing about him.

  Kang Fan had a strong dislike for Hurd, but he highly valued Duowan's character and ability. Without this American, the students' intelligent minds would not have been enough. In contemporary China, the technical equipment and various chemical raw materials needed by the students were simply unavailable for purchase. For example, advanced steam-powered machinery, turbo generators, various advanced machine tools and industrial equipment, as well as those chemical drugs and chemical instruments that even Kang Fan couldn't name. Now, through Duowan's cooperation with the American Embassy, not only did they have their own territory in Tianjin, but some products were also exported, which was a significant progress. Especially with Duowan as an intermediary, the American Embassy openly supported Kang Fan and his team in the name of the US government, using the excuse that the Tianjin base was still an American concession. This invisibly gave Kang Fan and his team a stronger backing than the Qing government, ensuring that their products could participate in fair competition in the market. And for Kang Fan and his team, who were more than 100 years ahead of other competitors in terms of technical ideology, they now had a huge asymmetric advantage!

  Your God sent you to me, and I got a very precious gift. I am very satisfied with the quality and appearance of this gift. Kang Fan smiled.

  Duonowan smiled meaningfully and said: I know Mr. Kang has great ambitions and the personal ability to achieve this ambition, but in this chaotic world, without the support of the government or foreigners, it is impossible to realize your ideals with just a passionate heart.

  Do you have the support of He Jia brothers, you and Yu Hao, isn't that enough? Asked Kang Fan.

  Duonowan shook his head. The best result is: you are the official yourself, you have the power, and you can do your own thing with less or no restraint.

  "If I were the emperor today, my country wouldn't be in such a mess," said Kang Fan with a serious face.

  Duonowan smiled and said: In your China, saying this sentence is punishable by beheading.

  "In that case I'll run away with you to America. Will you take me in?" Kang Fan asked with a smile.

  Dunowan shook his head, you can't bear to leave your motherland. This is something I'm very clear about.

  Kang Fan smiled and didn't say anything.

  Duonowan changed the subject: What Ningwu Prefecture lacks now is a fifth-grade military officer - Zhongjun Shoubi. If you are willing, from today on, this position will be yours.

  Kang Fan, have you found He De?

  Yes. For you and for me. Dono Wan is very pleased.

  Kang Fan burst out laughing, "A British man and an American helped me become an official in China's Qing Dynasty?!"

  Duonowan looked at him inexplicably until he calmed down and said: As a business partner, I only seek the profit of our cooperation; as a friend, I want to help you achieve your ideals. You treat me as your friend, so I will do my best to help you achieve your ideals. Please, Mr. Kang, respect everything I have done for you.

  Kang Fan hastily nodded solemnly, I respect and thank you for everything you've done for me, Mr. Duonuo Wan.

  God is now on our side. Donnovan repeated what Mei Xiang had said and smiled mysteriously.

  After the First Sino-Japanese War, the Qing government, in order to pay war reparations to Japan as soon as possible, not only borrowed from Western powers but also solicited donations from domestic civilians and stipulated that donors could be appointed officials according to the amount donated. The Qing dynasty had a system of buying official positions, and this time it opened up the precedent for raising funds to become an official, so there were not a few people who plotted to do so. However, due to the large amount of donations required and the small official position obtained, only a handful of people actually did so. Before Kang Fang met Hart, Duonowan had already donated 10,000 taels of silver to the Qing government in Kang Fang's name and obtained an insignificant official position. Duonowan was very embarrassed, which is why he decided to introduce Kang Fang to Hart. After much persuasion, Hart finally managed to secure the current official position, overseeing the defense of the Ningwu Prefecture, at a cost of another 10,000 taels of silver, bringing the total cost to over 20,000 taels of silver. Although the official position was still not high-ranking, it was at least an entry-level position that allowed Kang Fang to receive an official salary from the imperial court.

  Kang Fan was deeply moved by Duonowan's kindness and truly felt the American's good intentions. This fifth-grade military officer position gave him real military power, which was a great thing!

  Kang Fan said: If I'm not mistaken, the current governor of Shanxi should be Hu Pinzhi. This person rose to prominence through imperial examinations and generally supports and executes the Guangxu Emperor's ideas for reform and strengthening. Our development stance aligns with his personal thoughts, so we should be able to achieve good cooperation. However, Shanxi's overall agricultural resources can't compare to those of Northeast China, Hebei, or Henan. The Sanjiang Plain, Hebei Plain, and Nanyang Basin in these regions are famous nationwide for their wheat and cotton production. Currently, the Central Plains region, including Hebei and Henan, has no room for us due to the concentrated imperial power, well-developed industry and agriculture, and large population. We can consider expanding our agriculture beyond the passes: when the Qing army entered the passes, they occupied the entire Central Plains region. Hundreds of years later, they began to neglect their ancestral land - Northeast China. The Northeast has vast lands, sparse population, fertile soil, and crisscrossing rivers, making it an ideal place for agricultural development. We should find a way to make use of this land and establish our 'granary'.

  Duonowan smiled, your goal seems not only Shanxi or Northeast, you are interested in the whole China.

  "Yes. Confucius replied without reserve, I am a Chinese, and I am interested in everything that is Chinese."

  I am honored to be able to provide you with all the help that I can. Said Donnovan sincerely.

  Kang Fan's eyes stared intently at Donavan's sincere and clear blue eyes, saying word by word: I want my motherland to be as rich and powerful as your country - the United States.

  I've seen it all along. Donavan said, this is your ideal.

  Kang Fan understood that his ideal was almost an empty fantasy, but he couldn't persuade himself to give up. No matter the outcome, he was willing to take it one step at a time until he couldn't go on anymore. Duonuo Wan knew more about the dangers of the world than Kang Fan did, but after seeing through Kang Fan's thoughts, he threw away all imaginable and unimaginable difficulties and chose to help without hesitation. He understood the weight of his decision: this might be the most meaningful thing he had ever done in his life. Therefore, he decided to do it no matter what, even if it meant giving up everything.