Chapter 353 Hateful Face
The Vladivostok Shipyard currently does not undertake the fishing boat business, but only builds warships and large ocean-going cargo ships.
The four 10,000-ton shipyards at the shipyard are currently occupied, and no shipyards will be vacated until at least early next year.
Compared with the Siberian Fleet, St. Petersburg was most concerned about Qing loans.
Loans from the Russian Empire came with strings attached.
In the first phase of reparations to Japan, the Russian Empire obtained the right to build the Middle East Railway and the land management rights along the railway.
In the third phase of reparations, the Russian Empire hopes to extend the southern line of the Middle East Railway to Dalini, complete the Grand Cross Plan, and completely turn the northeastern region of the Qing Empire into the sphere of influence of the Russian Empire.
This plan was strongly opposed by Britain and Japan.
Just after Russia forcibly leased Dalini, Britain forcibly leased Weihaiwei and once again put its bayonets on the ribs of the Siberian fleet.
Germany was unwilling to be left alone. Wilhelm II sent warships to break into Jiaozhou Bay and implement military occupation of Jiaozhou Bay on the grounds of protecting the church members.
In mid-August, Prince Ukhtomsky, the chairman of Dowson Bank, arrived in Vladivostok to discuss with George the settlement of the loan.
That’s right.
The third phase of compensation against Japan is about 140 million rubles. For such a large amount of money, it is obviously not appropriate for the Far East General Manager of Daosheng Bank to come to discuss with George, and the levels are not equal.
Ukhtomsky hopes that the Bank of Siberia will provide 100 million rubles, and the remaining 40 million will be taken care of by Taosheng Bank.
It’s okay to ask George to pay. The key is what George can get.
If it's just 4% interest, it won't make George's heart tempt.
“The Qing Empire is preparing to build a new army and is preparing to restore the Beiyang Navy. Once the loan is implemented, the Qing Empire’s purchases in the Russian Empire will be undertaken by Amur Enterprises.”
Uhtoms The information Key provided shocked George.
The preparations for the establishment of the new army are indeed real, and the person in charge is the leader who once supervised the new army in Goryeo.
George didn’t even know about rebuilding the Beiyang Navy.
George has always attached great importance to intelligence work on the Qing Empire, spending more than one million rubles on intelligence every year.
Officials of the Qing Empire had little awareness of confidentiality. For George, the Qing Empire was basically transparent.
In this case, even George did not know that the Qing Empire wanted to rebuild the Beiyang Navy, nor did he know how Ukhtomsky learned the news.
This matter has to start with the 60th anniversary celebration of Queen Victoria of England.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of Queen Victoria’s accession to the throne. The Qing Empire sent Zhang Yinhuan to England to congratulate her.
After the celebration, Zhang Yinhuan visited St. Petersburg and was awarded the Order of Santa Anna, First Class by Nicholas.
While in St. Petersburg, Zhang Yinhuan once inquired about Russia's new heavy cruiser. This was the origin of the Qing Empire's reconstruction of the Beiyang Navy.
"False, at least in the short term, the Qing Empire has no plan to rebuild the Beiyang Navy."
George sneered. The Qing Empire had to borrow money to even pay compensation and had no money to buy warships. .
“This is impossible. Doesn’t the maritime territory of the Qing Empire need fleet protection?”
Ukhtomsky believed that the Qing Empire would realize its shame and become brave.
George can only say that Ukhtomsky overestimated the rulers of the Qing Empire——
But that’s not necessarily the case. In two years, the Qing Empire will have to challenge 11 countries. Declaring war.
"If it were just the South Manchuria Railway, there would be no need to pay such a high price."
George did not bother with the Qing Empire Navy. Even if the Qing Empire bought ships, they would not look to Russia.
Russia has never been good at its navy. Nowadays, when countries buy warships, most of them look to the United Kingdom and France. Germany can only mix in the water after Britain and France have eaten their fill.
The Russian Empire cannot even drink water from the pot in this regard.
The battleship for its own use has been built for 5 years, and even the naval guns have not been outfitted. This kind of efficiency will hardly win foreign orders for Russian shipyards.
Although the performance of the Vladivostok Heavy Cruiser is outstanding, it has not been tested in war, and it is still uncertain how good it will be.
And considering the consistent nature of the Russian Empire, there is still a question mark as to whether the performance of the Vladivostok Heavy Patrol is as good as boasted.
"The Qing Empire will build more than one railway next."
Ukhtomsky has a big appetite.
In other words, St. Petersburg has a big appetite, and the China Eastern Railway has not yet digested it, so it can’t wait to continue south.
During the Sino-Japanese Sino-Japanese War, the troops recruited by the Qing Empire from inland areas did not reach the battlefield until the Beiyang Navy was annihilated. They went back halfway.
After the signing of the "Treaty of Shimonoseki", the Qing Empire learned from the pain and determined to change the backward transportation situation. The Eastern Railway was just the beginning. Next, the Qing Empire wanted to build railways throughout the country.
The Qing Empire itself was limited in strength and technology. It was basically impossible to complete this plan and could only rely on foreign technology and funds.
Countries that borrowed money to build railways from the Qing Empire had a lot of additional conditions. For example, after the completion of the Middle East Railway, the land within 30 miles on both sides of the railway line will be owned by the Russian Empire.
So if you want to expand your sphere of influence in the Qing Empire, railways are the best tool.
If this is the reason, George can accept it.
But things are not as simple as Ukhtomsky thought.
Russians all know how to expand their sphere of influence through railways, and other countries naturally know it too.
So it was not the Qing Empire that prevented Russia from expanding its sphere of influence in the Qing Empire, but the European and American powers led by Britain.
In St. Petersburg, Witte bribed Li Zhangtong to induce him to sign the "Treaty of Mutual Assistance between Qing and Russia in Defending Enemies".
This scene of Ukhtomski’s coming to the Far East also carries Werther’s check.
Ukhtomsky prepared one million rubles, which was deposited in the Siberian Bank and paid by check.
This means that no matter who it is, as long as they take out a check, Siberian Bank will pay the money.
Since the Bank of Siberia would rather close its doors some time ago and not disclose depositor information to the Qing Empire, the security and privacy of this money can be guaranteed.
“With a loan of 140 million rubles, isn’t 1 million a little too little?” Only now did George know how wealthy the Qing empire was.
An unnamed senior official in the Qing Empire had more than 50 million rubles in deposits in the Bank of Siberia alone.
This is just Siberian Bank.
George knew very well the Qing people's habit of not putting all their eggs in the same basket.
The cunning rabbit has three caves.
So no one knows how much foreign savings this person has except himself.
“It’s quite a lot, and there are rebates——”
Ukhtomsky was generous.
Daosheng Bank's first loan to the Qing Empire totaled 100 million rubles, with a 10% discount, and the actual payment was 90 million.
Based on this ratio, the final actual payment for a loan of 140 million rubles is about 126 million.
The 14 million discounted is all kinds of losses.
George didn’t know how the 10 million discounted from the first loan was distributed. Anyway, Daosheng Bank actually provided 100 million rubles.
After taking care of George, Ukhtomsky set out to clear the empire.
Ukhtomsky's trip to the Qing Dynasty did not go smoothly. Britain also forced the Qing Empire to borrow money from Britain, becoming the biggest opponent of the Russian Empire.
It’s amazing, the two empires are rushing to give money, even if you don’t want it.
After Ukhtomsky arrived in the Qing Empire, he first visited Li Zhangtong and received Li Zhangtong's support.
The British loan was supported by Zhang Yinheng.
The conditions proposed by both sides were similar, and the Qing Empire was in a dilemma.
George sent a telegram to Mulinder, instructing Mulinder to cooperate with Ukhtomsky's work.
Mu Linde was looking for Li Jingfang.
Li Jingfang was angry because the final payment from the Russian Empire had not been paid.
When the Qing Empire and the Russian Empire agreed on the first loan, Witte promised to give another 500,000 after the matter was completed.
The 500,000 yuan has not yet arrived.
"The Grand Duke has deposited the agreed 500,000 rubles into the designated account, which can be withdrawn at any time."
Mu Linde is already familiar with this.
Mu Linde had such a good relationship with the important ministers of the Qing Dynasty that he was always successful in the Qing Empire, and money played a key role in clearing the way.
The Bank of Siberia has an excellent reputation and is the bank most trusted by Qing officials.
Li Jingfang was very satisfied, but not satisfied yet.
"The British also want to provide loans, and the conditions they propose are similar to yours. How can this give you an advantage?"
"Regardless of whether this loan can be implemented, the South Manchuria Railway will It is imperative.”
Mu Linde is very serious.
Whether the South Manchuria Railway is implemented has a lot to do with the smooth implementation of the "Qing-Russia Mutual Assistance Treaty against Enemies".
The Russian Empire has no troops stationed in the Qing Empire. If the Qing Empire faces foreign aggression, the Russian Empire can send troops from the Amur Military District to reach the Qing Empire as quickly as possible.
If it is not possible to pass the railway, the Amur Military District can only reinforce it by sea.
The Qing Empire's Beiyang Navy has been completely wiped out.
The Siberian fleet only has a few broken ships and not even a battleship, so the safety of the waterway cannot be guaranteed.
So the Nanman-Manchuria Railway is the safest and most convenient way.
"The conditions of the South-Manchuria Railway cannot be equated with the Middle East Railway."
Li Jingfang did not accept Mu Linde's blackmail.
The Middle East Railway is only within the territory of the Qing Empire, with a total length of more than 1,400 kilometers. After the completion of the railway, 30 miles of land on both sides of the line will be under the jurisdiction of Russia, which is equivalent to ceding land.
The northeastern part of the Qing Empire was the land of Longxing for the Qing royal family.
The land of Longxing was directly drawn by Russia with a line, and the north of the line has become the de facto sphere of influence of the Russian Empire.
If the South Manchuria Railway follows the conditions of the Eastern Railway, then the entire Northeast will become the sphere of influence of the Russian Empire.
If Li Jingfang dares to agree to this condition.
Li Zhangtong couldn't even protect him.
"If the railway line is under your jurisdiction, can you ensure the safety along the railway line?"
Mu Linde was not questioning, but threatening.
The meaning of this statement is very clear.
If the railway line is not under the jurisdiction of the Russian Empire, then even if the railway is built, it will not run smoothly.
Li Jingfang frowned, this matter was beyond his ability.
I agree to Mu Linde’s request, but the court can’t explain it.
The consequences of not agreeing are even more serious. The construction of the China-Eastern Railway will be in vain.
Having made this clear, Li Jingfang felt disgusting when he looked at Mu Linde again.
(End of this chapter)