Chapter 41: Difficult Changes (Part 2)

  Zhang's mouth was agape in shock, and for a long time, he couldn't react. He had originally come to Hawaii to ask about the Chinese Americans, wanting to ask Zhou Yu for help to understand the situation.

  Now it's good! Emotional Zhou Yu is asking himself to come and get educated, emotional himself has done many things in the past that are not suitable, emotional those Chinese Americans are all sent by Zhou Yu. Rong Yun was stunned by Zhou Yu's rapid-fire speech.

  Rong Huang also discovered from Zhou Yu's astonishing words and actions; Zhou Yu's hidden powerful forces, his ardent hopes for the future of Huaxia, as well as a strong contemptuous attitude towards the Qing government.

  It took Rong Yu half a day to react. Mr. Zhou, in your words, the Great Qing is not our country, Huaxia is our country. The more I listen, the more confused I become!

  Zhou Yu looked at Rong Huang, who was already in his fifties, with a resolute face filled with deep confusion and incomprehension. Zhou Yu couldn't bear it and patiently explained and analyzed his own ideas.

  The Qing government is the ruling class, and it does not put itself on an equal footing with the broad masses of laboring people. Fundamentally, the ruling class and the laboring people are opposed to each other and contradictory.

  And the government I'm talking about is the same as laborers, they are engaged in mental labor, while most laborers are engaged in physical labor, they are essentially the same as the vast majority of Chinese people, only with different divisions of labor.

  Government officials are just substitutes for the people to govern the country, rather than ruling the country like the Qing government.

  That's what I said; The 'country' in patriotic education refers to the Chinese nation rather than the Qing government.

  Mr. Zeng, with your experience in the United States, you should know that the Qing government cares about its rule, not the lives and deaths of the Chinese people. Your current stay in the US instead of returning to serve is a manifestation of your disappointment with the Qing government and your indignation at the current situation of the Qing's foreign affairs faction.

  You don't have to get stuck in a dead end, staring at the Qing government all the time. The Qing government is like this cup of fragrant tea in front of us, it has already cooled down. If we drink this cup of fragrant tea tomorrow, it will be poisonous to our bodies.

  But what can we do?

  Since it's no longer suitable for people to drink, pour it away and brew a new cup of tea!

  Someone come! Bring me my new tea and brew another cup for everyone. Zhou Yu stood up and instructed the servant.

  Before long, the servant brought over several square paper bags and placed them in the water cups that had been refilled with hot water. After a while, the room began to fill with the faint scent of tea leaves.

  Master Rong, come and try some of the new tea I've made. I've added a special preservative to it, so it can be kept for a long time without going bad.

  It is the faith I have been talking about. With the faith of the Chinese nation, Hua Xia can maintain its lasting vitality. The Qing dynasty has become rotten and no longer adapts to the great times, so it must be overthrown and a new one established in its place.

  In this era of rapid technological advancements, for our Chinese nation to develop, grow and rise, we must have a government that truly represents the people's interests and wholeheartedly serves the people. This is what our Chinese nation needs most at present.

  Zhou Yu smiled and stood up, Mr. Rong, please have some tea first. Hey! Chen Fang, why don't you take the lead? In my place, we don't bother with formalities like serving tea to send off guests.

  He himself took the lead and started drinking loudly.

  Chen Fang and Rong Hong, both of them were at a loss for words due to Zhou Yu's erratic thinking, and could only pick up their teacups and pretend to drink the fragrant tea.

  At this time, Rong Yu felt that even the 'immortal soup' had no flavor.

  After a pause, Zhou Yu continued to express his astonishing and shocking views.

  Just now, I and Mr. Rong discussed the spirit of patriotism, now let's talk about the situation of the Qing Dynasty and various Western countries.

  Let's start with the economy!

  Western countries, including the United States, encourage industry and commerce, developing their economies. The total value of American production is more than ten times that of China, and this gap will only continue to grow. In 1882, the average annual income per person in the United States was around $45, while in China it was less than $3. This disparity will also continue to increase over time.

  Other countries such as France, Great Britain and Germany are also at a similar distance from China.

  Let's look at the industrial aspect again;

  I also use America to compare with the Qing Dynasty. In 1882 alone, the trade surplus of America reached nearly $10 million. What is a trade surplus? You all know, so I won't say more here.

  They bought back to the country at a low price our Qing Dynasty's energy, cotton, silk, hemp and other products, and after processing them through domestic factories, they resold some finished goods such as guns, ammunition, gasoline, diesel, cloth and clothing to our Qing Dynasty at a high price.

  Among them, countless domestic factories and workers were supported, what about our Great Qing?

  At home, the people are struggling to survive, unable to fill their stomachs or cover their bodies. The most advanced industrial products are not as good in quality and price as those smuggled from Japan. Why is this? It's all because our industry is underdeveloped, with technology, machinery, and manufacturing techniques far behind.

  There is also military:

  The Americans invent, produce giant warships, cannons, passenger ships, cargo ships, guns and ammunition, etc., sell them to the Great Qing at high prices, earning huge fees, while also making their own national industry develop rapidly, and technical workers get effective exercise.

  What about observing how the Qing dynasty did it again?

  After repeated requests from the domestic Yangwu faction, there were finally the Majiang Shipyard and Jiangnan Manufacturing Bureau, among others. A batch of military industries mainly imitating Western countries' weapons was in such a situation. The officials at home still indulged in private interests, corruption, and lawlessness, making these military enterprises unable to develop vigorously and effectively.

  Even our wicked neighbor, the little Jap with his nose full of snot, can build a real ironclad. Zhou Yu said this with a face full of indignation, suddenly stood up, pointed eastward with his right hand, and shouted loudly;

  Will China perish if things go on like this?

  Japan is a poor island country with scarce resources, and if they want to develop, they have no choice but to invade our Great Qing's fertile land.

  The northern border of Cathay also has a wicked neighbor - the Russian Empire, which is also eyeing our fertile land.

  France is even more necessary for me in the coastal areas.

  America and Great Britain, aren't they also excellent guests?

  All these things, how many more years of prosperity does China still have, and when will it finally make progress?

  Mr. Rong, you have studied in the West for many years, what solution do you have for the impending crisis of our China?

  This... Mr. Zhou's words are indeed true, but I am shallow and have not yet understood! I still hope that Mr. Zhou will inform me; how can I make China wake up and take off!? With a trembling hand, Rong Yun bowed to ask for guidance from Zhou Yu!

  Zhou Yu hastily stopped Rong Huan's actions, looking at him with emotion and sincerely asking:

  Mr. Rong, for the country and the people, has worked tirelessly, and I deeply admire him. You said that you are not satisfied with Mr. Rong; I also have many bases and factories all over the world, and like Mr. Rong, I am dedicated to developing and strengthening our Chinese nation, so that it can return to its former glory at the top of the world.

  As I said just now; I want to overthrow the corrupt rule of the Manchu Qing, and establish a free, democratic, great unity, constitutional monarchy harmonious China.

  I would like to invite you, Mr. Yung, to be the first Prime Minister of my China after overthrowing the Qing government. Are you willing to accept my invitation for the sake of our country and tens of millions of Chinese compatriots?

  This is absolutely impossible! Rong Yu hastily stood up and pushed back, his tone urgent, as if he feared Zhou Yu would interrupt him.

  One of them is that I am incompetent and lack knowledge, and cannot bear heavy responsibilities!

  Secondly; once the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty is desired, a civil war will inevitably occur, and when that time comes, it will again be a case of the people suffering and many lives being lost.

  Thirdly; The Qing dynasty is a centipede that dies but does not stiffen, once war breaks out, it will inevitably hurt the tendons and bones, harming the national body.

  Mr. Zhou should think thrice before acting! Rong Huang said with a tone that was almost tearful at the end.

  Rong Guang took a deep breath and continued: If Mr. Zhou has the ability, he can help me reform and change the Qing Dynasty's national policy, which would be the best decision!

  What the hell, why are all Chinese people at this time the same, shouting about reform and changing laws, but have they ever thought that if the roots are rotten, how can you reform? Reform my ass! Zhou Yu was speechless, his heart was about to explode from anger!

  Zhou Yu looked at the patriotic old man in front of him, who was standing there trembling with excitement, and couldn't help but feel that it was pathetic that he still had illusions about the Qing Dynasty at this time.

  Zhang Long stormed in from outside, his face red with rage, and flung open the door, ready to take further action.

  Zhou Yu weakly waved his hand at Zhang Long and asked him to leave.

  After a moment of contemplation, Zhou Yu stood up with a hearty laugh, first inviting Rong Huan to sit down, then sitting on the stool himself with a smile and asking Rong Huan:

  Mr. Rong knows how strong I am?

  Hong Yu's answer was straightforward and upright; Hong didn't know either, and he wished to hear more about it!

  Fine! Then I'll just tell you directly, sir, it's no big deal.

  My Zhongyong Military Group has countless factories, with annual revenues exceeding ￡100 million. I have numerous military-industrial enterprises that can produce equipment for all of China's armed forces within three years. Additionally, there are countless energy and mining industries, with an annual output value of over ￡300 million. The inventory of various finished products and raw materials I currently hold exceeds ￡200 million.

  I have countless overseas students and technical talents, with over 50,000 people returning after completing their studies each year. I have numerous giant warships and cannons, and can easily take down the entire coastal territory of the Qing dynasty.

  The army has nearly two hundred thousand fully armed regular troops, and any fifty thousand of them can easily conquer the entire Divine State.

  Our humble abode has countless schools, and all the personnel under its jurisdiction are literate, with almost no one being illiterate. Not a single person is unaware of what patriotism means. They also know: what duties they should fulfill, what rights they should have.

  What is our brave army afraid of? Afraid of how to govern the country, strengthen the country, and when can we surpass the Western countries!

  With the current strength of our loyal and brave army, it would be easy to overthrow the Qing dynasty. So why haven't we taken action yet?

  The reason is the same as what I just mentioned; we also don't want to see a civil war in China, nor do we want to point our guns at our own sisters and brothers.

  I would rather wait until the powerful departments of the Qing dynasty have been assimilated, at which time it will be the best opportunity to overthrow the corrupt rule of the Manchu imperial court. By then, our China will no longer have the possibility of civil war, and those who resist will only be a small number of ruling classes, not our Chinese people's sons and soldiers.

  Mr. Gong, if you don't believe me, you can go to Hawaii and take a look around, my Zhongyong Army will never be on guard against you.

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