Chapter 67 of Part One

  When Li Keming said this, Zhao Zhe and Bao Xue didn't dare to say anything else. They hastily followed behind him to the front of the battle map. At this time, Li Keming was not joking either, saying "You two come take a look at this place, this place, and that place." Li Keming pointed to three places on the map in one go.

  Zha Zhe looked at the three places and thought for a moment, saying "Ke Ming, are you thinking that the best way is to advance to the Ural Mountains and the Ural River on the Western Front, while the Eastern Front is mainly around Qixingbao, and the place you just pointed out is not the area where Siberia's largest oil field is located?"

  Bao Xue's eyes sparkled with surprise as she stared at Zhao Zhe without speaking. Li Keming nodded and said, "Not bad, Commander Zhao! I actually spent a few days searching for information in the military data research room and library in Beijing before coming to Russia, and I didn't expect you to know it just now."

  Zhao Zhe secretly glanced at Bao Xue and said, "Where, where, I just happened to see it too."

  Li Keming and Bao Xue didn't continue to delve deeper into the topic, but rather changed the subject. "Yes, I've studied the map of Russia several times, and after researching, I think the best way to achieve a lasting victory on the Western Front is for us to control the boundary between Asia and Europe. In the future, if we have conflicts with European countries, our troops can charge out of the Ural Mountains and directly enter Europe to participate in the war. And when defending, relying on the Ural Mountains and the Ural River, it's as if we have an additional layer of natural protection. With the enemy's current military strength and technological capabilities, I'm afraid they would be beaten like a sieve if they tried to sneak across."

  Bao Xue also said, "Well, Ke Ming's strategy is indeed feasible. As long as the Western Front makes a move, Old Alexander on the Eastern Front will definitely rush to open up the passage between East and West. Otherwise, he will be trapped in the East sooner or later. So, according to Ke Ming's plan, when we are well-rested at Qixingbao, the enemy will come over with fatigue, and our troops will be fundamentally not on the same level."

  Zhao Zhe nodded and said, "Not bad. And it's a good place to name this oil-rich area New Changsha." He pointed to the map and said, "You see, this city is only over 50 kilometers away from Qixingbao. We can completely take care of it. At the same time, Qixingbao also provides food for the factory workers on that side." After finishing speaking, he unconsciously looked at the map, nodded, and muttered to himself, "Not bad, indeed not bad."

  "Since everyone agrees, I'll arrange for the next step. This time, the Eighth Army Group has been equipped with new weapons, so you will first rest in Qixingbao. Our Seventh and Eighth Army Groups will conduct joint military exercises against the Blood Dragon troops to improve our combat capabilities. The commander of the Engineering Corps has received my notification and will lay many landmines and traps along the eastern route. They are also preparing for the new mechanical construction equipment that is being transported over. They have confidence in building a strategic defense on the western front within the shortest time possible. Now, we three armies still need to overcome some difficulties. Once the railway is repaired, our supplies will no longer be restricted."

  Tianjin Port, more than 40 ten-thousand-ton ships were packed with immigrants. The port was crowded with people seeing them off. This time, Xu Jin personally attended the farewell ceremony for the immigrants. This is the third batch of immigrants to Penglai Province and also the first long-distance voyage of a ten-thousand-ton ocean-going transport ship after its completion. A total of nearly 800,000 people collectively immigrated to Penglai Province this time. Although Penglai Province has many volcanoes and earthquakes, under the attraction of central policies, young people who want to go out and make a fortune are eager to immigrate, so old people have no choice but to follow them.

  At the same time, the population of the empire is still maintaining a momentum of sustained growth. Due to imperial policy, each citizen only needs to bear the cost of two children, and the government provides economic assistance for all other children until they are 18 years old. So now it can be said that the whole country has entered a period of having children, with the support of national policies, and without fear of their children dying from hunger. Always hoping for a full house of grandchildren. The Chinese people who value having many children are particularly enthusiastic. According to statistics, since the implementation of the immigration policy three months ago, the monthly population growth has not been significant, but the number of marriages and pregnancies has shown a high growth trend.

  Xu Jin looked at the departing fleet, and a stone in his heart finally fell to the ground. Japan? The world of the future would no longer have this country, only the Hokkaido Special Administrative Region remained. From the day the treaty was signed, this plan had been lurking in Xu Jin's mind.

  A secret came running up from behind and walked to Xu Jin's side, whispering a few words in his ear.

  Xu Jin's originally calm face shook, and he said with a joyful tone, "Immediately return to Beijing, go directly to the Electronic Experiment Center of the Royal Academy of Sciences."

  Imperial Royal Academy of Sciences Electronic Experiment Center.

  Han Zhi was directing a few young people who had gone through layers of mental and loyalty tests, tapping on the few computers. Doing various calculations. These young people were all the best in the world. After going through a series of tests, they were selected to come here to study 21st-century science.

  Xu Jin walked up and gently patted Han Zhi on the back, saying "Dr. Han Zhi, did it really succeed?"

  He nodded and said, "Yes, after the improvement of wireless telegraphy, we have successfully manufactured a radar that can transmit television signals. Although the coverage is not as wide as satellite TV, we can install a receiving radar and a transmitting radar between cities, as long as the distance between radars does not exceed 200 kilometers."

  Xu said excitedly, "No problem. If the distance between cities is over 200 kilometers, we can just build a radar station in the middle and dispatch troops to guard it. But when will there be TV programs? Can it be done before the Spring Festival?"

  Han Zhi roughly calculated the time and said, "I'm afraid it's not going to work out. There is only one month left until Chinese New Year. Although the production rate of TVs can be rushed, it is limited to some domestic provinces with stronger economic strength. Moreover, some of the TV stations' work is still immature, and personnel are being trained here."

  Xu Jin said dejectedly, "I was thinking of having Ah Xiang do a live national TV broadcast speech. Looks like it can only wait till next year now, and the number of people signing up to go to South China is still not even 75%. The number going to America is even fewer. If they could air some promotional videos for America, I think the number of people going might increase a bit."

  Han Zhi comforted Xu Jin by patting his shoulder and said, "Brother, things can't be rushed. There are some things that are unavoidable in the grand scheme of things. So you don't have to worry about it."

  Xu Jin nodded in agreement and said, "Alright, Dr. Han Zhi, the task of building the radar station and receiving station, as well as the tasks of the television factory and the construction of the TV station, are all yours now. I'll head back to prepare for my negotiations with Alexander."

  The second Chinese New Year after the founding of the country was finally ushered in with a joyful atmosphere on New Year's Eve, this is the beginning of an article from the Imperial Daily.

  This year's Spring Festival newspapers across the country used high-end wireless transmission technology to send back news reports written by reporters dispatched to various parts of the country to their headquarters.

  I looked at the report brought by Xu Jin and said to him, who was sitting opposite me, "Not bad, this year the people in various places should be able to have a good year. The goods for the Spring Festival are sufficient everywhere." After a pause, I seemed to remember something and asked Xu Jin, "Has the patriotic drama that I arranged to be performed nationwide during the Spring Festival started yet?"

  Xu Jin put down the teacup and said, "The actors have basically arrived. They were allocated according to their place of residence, considering that they also need to spend the Spring Festival, so on New Year's Eve, the first day, the second day, and the third day, they will rest for four days. Starting from the fourth day, they will all be in place in cities and towns across the country, performing an average of two shows per day, until after the Lantern Festival."

  I nodded, and the stone in my heart fell. I said with relief, "Then we can also have a good year now. Let's relax well this year. Next year may not be so lucky for us. At that time, even having the opportunity to celebrate the new year might be a luxury for us."

  As firecrackers went off everywhere, people were in high spirits celebrating the increasingly better New Year. Meanwhile, several factories under Han Zhi's command were also brightly lit as they worked day and night. Black-and-white and colored TVs came off the assembly line one by one, neatly packaged and placed in warehouses.

  At the same time, the preparatory personnel and the first batch of television station workers all took their positions. With the green light shining in the television station within Beijing City, a young female announcer and a male announcer sat at the broadcasting desk to start the first broadcast of China's first television station. As a result, their names were also written into the annals of history - they are Zou Qinglian and An Changxiong.

  "The Imperial Central Television Station of the Chinese Empire, officially launched." Along with An Changxiong's voice and appearance appearing on the TV in the factory office 100 miles away that Han Zhi was supervising. The whole office erupted in thunderous applause, people gazing at Han Zhi with reverent eyes, this person, this ordinary-looking person, he is the one hailed as the Father of Science and Technology of the Chinese Empire - the President of the Imperial Royal Academy of Sciences. The Minister of Science and Technology of the Empire. Created countless miracles.

  As the joy of Spring Festival slowly passed, many people started their own work on the eighth day. Alexander also came back to his senses from the excitement of Chinese New Year and urged Xu Jin to negotiate as soon as possible.

  In the vast and empty conference room of Zhongnanhai, Alexander sat alone on one side, while Xu Jin and a group of negotiators sat opposite him, forming a stark contrast. The two sides began to exchange credentials, indicating that they were fully authorized representatives of their respective countries with full capacity to sign any agreement.

  The first day's negotiations ended in a long-winded talk by Xu Jin. Alexander shook his head, which was about to be confused by Xu Jin's words, and left with a bad mood.

  The next day, Xu Jin pushed to entertain the various gentlemen and nobles in Beijing, as well as important figures such as the Mongolian Grand Duke, the Tibetan Living Buddha, and the Goryeo Prince, and refused to attend the negotiation meeting. Finally, when Alexander raised all the questions and the negotiating representatives agreed one by one, they were about to sign, but those representatives pushed that they had no right to sign. Enraged, Alexander threw his pen 1-2 meters away on the spot, ending the second day's negotiations.

  It's dragging on at this pace, today it's not this minister, but tomorrow some prince or lord will invite our esteemed Mr. Alexander to dinner. Social obligations.

  Xu Jin looked at the program playing on TV and said "Not bad, now promote it nationwide for me immediately. I need immigrants."

  The promotion of television was no less than the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the past. The ordinary people of the empire watched dramas being performed inside what looked like a magic box. A buying frenzy swept across the country. Since TVs were sold at a small profit, most ordinary people could afford to buy one, and it was possible to buy a 7-inch black-and-white TV with savings of five or six months. Many newspaper owners also began to inquire about how to apply for a television station, and when they heard that only the provincial council and government agencies were allowed to build television stations, they expressed their willingness to invest.

  After the promotional videos of South China and the Americas were played on TV, a wave of immigration swept across the country. At the same time, the first, second, and third batches of immigrants from Siberia are rushing to Qixingbao and New Changsha, and equipment, workers, and management personnel from Northern Industrial Group, Southern Military Industry, and other large enterprises have also begun to move into Siberia.

  All immigration and military work was being carried out in secret, Alexander's negotiations had been dragging on until March. Xu Jin sat in his office with a smile, thinking that he would play a negotiating game with me after I learned for a few years. Just as Xu Jin was thinking this, the national affairs secretary came in and said, "Sir, Mr. Alexander requests to restart the negotiations immediately. Otherwise, he will leave the country in three days."

  "Ah, tell Mr. Alexander that tomorrow I've cleared my schedule and can spend the whole day chatting with him." But in his heart, he sneered, "After half a year of rushing to meet deadlines, the Beiyang Fleet, Inner Sea Fleet, Pacific Fleet, Fourth Fleet, and Fifth Fleet are all fully manned and equipped. Our naval power has surpassed that of any European country by twofold. I'm not afraid of anything. The expansion of the Flying Corps is also going smoothly and perfectly. Now I just hope you'll engage in a fight with me."

  The negotiations finally began in March as scheduled under Xu Jin's arrangement. This time, Xu Jin did not wait for Alexander to speak first and said, "Respected Mr. Alexander, according to our understanding of the Chinese Empire, your country spans across Europe and Asia. May I ask you a question, do you consider yourself a European or an Asian?"

  Alexander stood up, looking very majestic, adjusted his appearance and said "Of course, I am a thorough European." He added, fearing that Xu Jin might not know, "Eastern European, at your service."

  Xu Jin clapped his palms and said "Let's all applaud."

  The other negotiators, who didn't know what was going on, also followed suit and applauded.

  Xu Jin said quietly, "Alright, gentlemen, we are delighted that we Asians can meet such a noble European aristocrat. So," Xu Jin's tone suddenly changed as he said, "Mr. Alexander, I'd like to discuss something with you. If those Arabs in the Middle East were to start a fast-food chain in Europe, would you think it's possible?"

  "Absolutely not, that's completely out of the question. Good heavens, how could you even think such a terrible thing?"

  Xu Jin shook his head and said, "Sorry, Mr. Alexander, to show my apology, please state your conditions first."

  Alexander was very satisfied with Xu Jin's performance today, and smiled: "Of course, the requirements of our Russian Empire are not many, just hoping that your esteemed Chinese Empire can recall the troops gathered on our border. After all, this is a bad thing for both sides to waste financial resources, materials and manpower. What do you think, Premier?"

  "Ah, no, no, Mr. Alexander, you know that our military has always been personally commanded by His Imperial Majesty himself. He is the supreme commander of my troops, and I am only in charge of government affairs for our empire, such as making new policies or handling immigration matters."

  "Then, Mr. Xiang, may I ask if it's possible for me to have an audience with His Imperial Majesty?" Alexander asked dejectedly.

  Xu Jin made a nonchalant expression and said, "It doesn't matter, but the Emperor has already gone to inspect the southern part of China. So if you want to see him, you'll have to wait until six months later. Why don't you just stay in our empire and enjoy the scenery while waiting for the Emperor's return?"

  "Mr. Xi, you said it yourself, what exactly does your country want?" Alexander asked helplessly.

  Xu Jin immediately showed a smile and said, "That's right, Mr. Alexander, we don't want to waste your precious time either. His Majesty's intention is just to redivide the border with your country. It's just this small matter, and His Majesty has authorized me for it. I believe you have also been authorized."

  "Then how exactly do you want to divide it? Is it a mutual retreat of ten miles with a buffer zone in between?"

  Xu Jin shook his head, and Alexander continuously proposed over a dozen plans. After Xu Jin's continuous shaking of the head, Alexander finally said, "Mr. Xiang, I've thought of all these ways to divide it up, but none of them work. Just say it directly."

  Xu Jin heard this and sat up straight, saying "That's good, our intention is actually the same as yours. You see, you are a standard European nobleman. Of course, including your father, old Mr. Alexander. And I asked you earlier that Asians cannot occupy European land, so our emperor's intention is that since you are a European, it's not necessary for you to occupy our Asian land. So we hope to use the Ural Mountains and the Ural River as the boundary. The Asian side belongs to our Chinese Empire. The European side belongs to your noble Russian duke. Of course, we have no intention of taking your European land, because we just want to be Asian nobles, so we don't plan on becoming European nobles. I hope you can understand."

  Alexander finally understood the purpose of Xu Jin and the Chinese Empire. He stood up in anger, "I will return to my country immediately, you damn Chinese, just wait for the Russian iron cavalry to trample your land."

  Xu Jin stood up fearlessly, shrugged his shoulders and said "You see, you've completely lost face as a European noble. You're just an ill-mannered child. Well, I'll consider suggesting to Old Alexander that he teach you how to treat a foreign minister properly. Alright, please leave at your convenience, I'm afraid you won't be able to leave the Chinese Empire afterwards. So please hurry up and leave. Twelve hours after your departure, our country will declare war on you and your homeland. Well, no need to see you off." After finishing speaking, he turned around and left the conference room.

  I hope everyone will continue to provide materials. Also, Yu Zhou Ke brother, can you please send the information about Europe and Russia at that time directly to my email aiji88885@... I'm deeply grateful.