Chapter 61: I Want to Share the Danger with You

  On March 20, after the gathering at Fenhe Camp ended, Kangfan set out with his army towards Heilongjiang.

  At the suggestion of Mei Xiang's classmates, starting from 1900, every year on March 16th of the lunar calendar was designated as a memorial day for everyone to come to this era. Every time this day arrives, Kang Fan, Mei Xiang, Zhong Hanqiang and Mei Xiang's classmates would put down their respective work, come together to live in Fenhe Camp for a few days, where they would do farm work, chat freely, play, have barbecues, drink wine, sing songs, dance, etc., experience rural life, deepen feelings, cultivate body and mind, and discuss and formulate the next step of administrative work.

  This year, Kang Fan made it clear to everyone that he was determined to intervene in the Russo-Japanese War. Except for Mei Xiang, all the others expressed their approval.

  From 1900 to 1904, due to strong demand in both military and civilian fields, Shanxi and Heilongjiang's industrial and agricultural production was in full swing, with supplies of various minerals, raw materials, etc. becoming increasingly tight. The development of the Tianjin oil field and the subsequent development of the petroleum chemical industry injected new vitality into the economic development of the two places, with heavy industries such as coal deep processing and petrochemicals developing faster than other basic industries during this period. The various fuels, lubricants, solvents, and chemical raw materials produced were widely and massively adopted by Shanxi's machinery manufacturing products. Especially after the military and civilian departments in both places began to use automobiles and airplanes on a large scale, the demand for fuels, rubber, synthetic materials, etc. became increasingly huge, and the development of heavy industry timely met these demands.

  With this, both places have all the conditions to enter the internal combustion engine era. After entering this era, it means a greater demand for various industrial raw materials. Therefore, maintaining unobstructed and sufficient supply channels of raw materials with producing areas becomes extremely important.

  Therefore, it is necessary to increase the control over the surrounding provinces such as Zhili, Henan, Gansu, Shaanxi, Shandong, and Fengtian, etc. in terms of metal and non-metallic minerals, cotton and other agricultural economic crops, as well as imported foreign raw materials and places of origin. The methods adopted are: first, to strengthen control over these domestic provinces through the support of the imperial court and economic means; second, to strengthen ties with countries in Asia, America, Africa, and Europe through friendly mutual benefit cooperation, in order to obtain a stable supply of raw materials.

  The two methods mentioned above have a common means of promotion - money. Through large-scale investment in the places where these raw materials are produced, on the one hand, it can help increase the production of raw materials locally, and on the other hand, it can also guarantee the demand for Shanxi, killing two birds with one stone. Money is no longer a problem now, as the sales volume and profit of industrial products in both places have been increasing significantly every year, and with the acceleration of product updates, the huge trade surplus will continue to be maintained. Representative products, apart from daily necessities and medicines that have always maintained good sales, also include new types of hardware, machinery, electrical and chemical products, whose exports are rising strongly, with sales volume increasing year by year. However, Kang Fan did not plan to sell cars and airplanes, firstly to prioritize the domestic demand in both places, and secondly for the purpose of technical protection. Therefore, as long as there is enough money, everything can be easily handled.

  However, some things can't be solved just by throwing money at them. For more and faster chapters, please visit our website. The origin of raw materials and the sales market of products are not only coveted by Shanxi, but also by other powerful countries. The main purpose of launching aggressive wars by various powerful nations is to acquire sales markets for their own products and sources of raw materials, i.e., overseas colonies. And the Qing Empire can't even effectively protect its own inherent territory, let alone establish overseas colonies.

  For Shanxi, the primary strategic goal for now and in the future is to gradually control and possess the existing territory and resources of the Qing Empire, and provide substantial protection. The Qing Empire can be said to be the world's largest product sales market, the most abundant raw material supply place, and the most sufficient labor supply place. As long as various domestic resources are reasonably utilized, Shanxi's development will flourish.

  Kang Youwei felt that this was similar to the unique colonial system of Western powers: Shanxi could be considered as the small homeland of Western powers, and the entire Qing Empire could be considered as the vast overseas colonies of Shanxi. This system is different from the colonial system established by Western powers through military force, because it shares the same religion and ruler, occupies the advantages of heaven, earth and human harmony, so it is safer, more stable and more convenient.

  Thus, the emerging industrial body of Shanxi Province after 1900 almost extended its influence to all raw material production areas and sales markets in China, posing a substantial threat to Western powers' enterprises within the Qing Empire, resulting in continuous contradictions and frictions.

  The Empress Dowager Cixi, although firmly supporting Shanxi in this matter, ultimately did not dare to excessively offend the governments of various countries. On the surface, she could only play the role of a peacemaker, staying out of the matter and promoting peaceful negotiations between both parties. Under these circumstances, Shanxi used its massive funds to engage in equal and mutually beneficial commercial activities. More importantly, it utilized its advantageous geopolitical position to exert strong political, economic, and military influence, thereby controlling the production and sales of raw materials from various regions within the country. Western powers operating in the Qing Empire could only follow Shanxi's lead, purchasing raw materials at market prices and no longer engaging in their previous exploitative practices.

  The raw material producing areas and suppliers of the Qing Empire were able to carry out normal market operations under the protection of Shanxi, which was more comfortable than before in all aspects, thus becoming even more dependent on Shanxi.

  With this, maintaining Shanxi's industrial production with only the existing domestic raw materials supply would be worry-free. Moreover, by comparing the survey report provided by the Shanxi National Land Resources Department with the geological data from his own era that Kang Fan had grasped, he discovered that the vast majority of domestically naturally formed and fully equipped mineral resource reserves were still sleeping underground, and the developed and utilized mineral resources were far less than one-tenth of the total amount of all resources! This is national power!

  However, Shanxi will also seize the opportunity to make short-term investments in foreign raw material markets such as natural rubber in Southeast Asia and South America, and oil in the Middle East, expanding its supply channels for raw materials and energy. As soon as there is any sign of trouble, it will withdraw immediately, without suffering a fatal blow itself.

  By the end of 1904, major basic industrial products in Shanxi and Heilongjiang, such as coal, crude oil, steel, rubber, cement, and electricity generation, had become the first in Asia, leaving Japan, the strongest industrial power in Asia, far behind. They also caught up with Western powers in various aspects such as infrastructure construction, agricultural and industrial production capacity, people's living standards, cultural education, scientific and technological strength, and government execution. The political, economic, and military influence of Shanxi and Heilongjiang had spread throughout several major provinces in northern China, and no world power dared to underestimate them again. They had to consider how to face this emerging local force of the Qing Empire, and the United States set a good example for them: peaceful coexistence, friendly cooperation, and mutual benefit.

  Everyone understands that it is an utterly crazy idea to try to extort benefits from the Great Qing Empire with just one or two countries' thin military force, as the new power's strong combat effectiveness has already been revealed, and their hidden technological strength will only be more terrifying. Moreover, behind them stands a super-large empire - the Great Qing, which is already showing signs of decline but still counts as a major power.

  In that case, its development potential is indeed not trivial. As long as they are willing, it is already a very realistic thing to take control of the entire northern region of the Qing Empire. Therefore, from the perspective of self-interest, there are only two attitudes to choose from: either accept and give up part of their existing interests within the territory of the Qing Empire; or take advantage of its not being overly powerful yet and strangle it. This is probably one of the most painful choices currently facing the world's powers.

  But one mountain cannot accommodate two tigers. The struggle for interests will eventually surface, and at that time, there must be a result.

  For Kang Fan and his group, to avoid being strangled by the world's powerful forces, making each of these powers take an accepting attitude is the only way out. To achieve this rise to power, challenging or even defeating some of today's world powers is what they must do, and the impending Sino-Russian war will provide the best opportunity for this.

  Zhong Hanqiang, Mei Xiang and her classmates all understood the cruelty and significance of this war, and they had been working hard in their respective positions over the past few years. Under their influence, everyone was making an effort, and the achievements were also great. This not only created good external conditions for Kang Fan to focus on his own military construction work but also made a significant contribution to winning the war. However, their concern for Kang Fan deepened as the war approached, because among these people who came together, only Kang Fan was a direct participant in the war, while others were working behind the scenes. Even if they worked ten times harder, they didn't face the same danger as Kang Fan, which was what Mei Xiang always felt was unfair to Kang Fan.

  The regular army troops stationed in northern, central and southern Shanxi received Kang Fan's order through the wireless communication network at the same time, and completed the assembly within a week, and successively set out. Most of the troops had already departed for Heilongjiang in batches over the past few months. Kang Fan, the guard battalion, the special forces of the Security Bureau, and some personnel from the General Staff were among the last batch to depart. Zhong Hansheng, Mei Xiang and He Shuiyu all came to see them off. Although Mei Xiang's classmates had heard rumors, they did not know the specific purpose and time of the action, and for confidentiality reasons, they did not ask intentionally, so they were unable to come together this time.

  The loudspeakers on the spacious and clean platform of Taiyuan Railway Station continuously broadcast train numbers and troop numbers, occasionally playing some music to relieve the dull and tense atmosphere. The troops of the Inner Guard Department were on high alert at the railway station and nearby areas, seeing off one by one the military trains that came from all over Shanxi Province with a loud whistle, the officers and soldiers, various weapons and equipment, combat materials, etc. on the military train were all covered with green military canvas, and it was impossible to see what was loaded from the outside.

  "After I leave, this place will be handed over to you, Old Zhong." Kang Fan said to Zhong Hanqiang.

  Zhong Hanqiang nodded, "There's nothing to worry about here. More and faster chapters are available at [website]. You must take care of yourself."

  Kang Fan smiled, "Don't worry about me." As he spoke, he turned his head to look at Mei Xiang and He Shui Xiu, "Then I'll take my leave, two beauties?"

  Mei Xiang and He Shui looked at him silently, neither of them speaking, their expressions calm.

  Kang Fan felt it was unusual, and when he got on the car, he looked back at them with a puzzled expression. Mei Xiang's expression remained unchanged, but He Shui Xiu's mouth had an uncontrollable smile.

  "What bad idea is he coming up with again?" Kang Fan wondered.

  On the special train, the staff were already studying maps of Heilongjiang Province. These maps were based on the atlas brought by Kang Fan and revised by technicians from Shanxi Provincial Department of Land and Resources according to current actual conditions, absolutely the most accurate maps of the time.

  As he entered, several staff members stood at attention and saluted: "Good morning, Principal."

  Kang Fan returned the courtesy and said: "Maintain normal contact with each department that set out earlier and ensure coordination."

  Everyone responded in unison.

  The train was speeding along, with some shaking, but not enough to affect people's normal activities. In the carriage specially set up for himself, Kang Fan suddenly saw Mei Xiang and He Shui Xiu, and he was stunned.

  "What's going on?!" Kang Fan was very unhappy and turned his head to question Li, the captain of the Security Bureau's special forces team standing beside him.

  "Principal, the two of them insisted on following me, I had no choice." Captain Li explained.

  Several old soldiers of the guard battalion also chimed in unison.

  Kang Fan waved his hand in dissatisfaction. Captain Li awkwardly smiled and led the crowd to slip out of the carriage together.

  "What are you showing off for? I'm surprised you even bothered to follow me." Meixiang said irritably.

  Kang Fan's tense face relaxed immediately, "It's very dangerous over there."

  "It's more fun when it's dangerous." He Shui Xiu said with a mischievous glint in her eye, chiming in with a smile.

  "That's right." Meixiang chimed in from beside him.

  Kang Fan was also helpless and unwillingly muttered: "Just making trouble for me."

  Mei Xiang said, "I don't blame you for being troublesome now. This chaotic world needs people like you, and you've coincidentally arrived at the right time. So I've decided to support you with my actions, and not let you face danger alone like before. If we die, we'll die together, and I won't have to worry about you all the time."

  Kang Fan didn't say anything else, looking at these two women with blooming flowers in their hair, his heart felt warm.

  These years, everyone has been busy with their own work, and the peaceful times have made life relatively more tranquil. He Shui Xiu is clever and learns quickly, especially in medical skills, after studying under Mei Xiang's system and meticulous guidance, she has already acquired very high attainments. Over the years, following Mei Xiang closely, she has been influenced by her surroundings and has become a knowledgeable woman with modern thoughts, behavior, and techniques, gaining maturity and confidence, no longer the spoiled young lady from a traditional wealthy family.

  Due to He Shui Chang's lingering guilt over his daughter's marriage, he had always treasured her like a precious gem. This time, he was even more doting and protective, letting his daughter do whatever she liked as long as she was happy. Meanwhile, He Shui Xiu spent all day with Mei Xiang and her classmates, feeling as free and joyful as a bird set loose from its cage. However, the trees yearn for stillness but the wind will not cease, invaders' wicked hearts never die, peace remains fragile, and war is inevitable. At this time, she could accompany Mei Xiang, who knows how long He Shui Chang, the Shanxi Agricultural Minister, had been engaged in intense mental struggles?!

  "This war is no trivial matter, and the danger cannot be predicted. I must be careful." Kang Fan said to himself.