Super Dictator

On June 20, 1895, a new private company called Kuaima Freight Company was registered in Tianjin: the capital was one hundred thousand taels.

At this time in China, after so many years of Westernization Movement, private capital became enthusiastic about investing in and setting up factories.

Due to the continuous erosion of foreign capital, the country's economic lifeline is almost falling into the hands of the great powers. The imperial court encourages private companies to start factories and enterprises. Especially now that Guangxu is working hard to reform and reform, and change China's backwardness. .

First of all, in the economic aspect, private industry was promoted. There was news within the imperial court that a national bank was to be established.

Historically, next year, China's first government-supervised commercial bank, China Merchants Bank, will also be established.

And even after Cixi launched the 1898 Coup, although the State Administration of Agriculture, Industry and Commerce was abolished, the court's policy on opening factories and companies did not change much. It was still supportive. All Cixi wanted was not to allow people to interfere with politics and infringe on her rights. Benefit.

The head office of this fast horse freight company is named Yan Dunyuan. He only bought a dilapidated warehouse and two small rooms.

No one would notice it at first, but on the day of the opening, the citizens of Tianjin were extremely surprised. Wang Wenshao, the governor of Zhili, and Li Hongzhang, who was still waiting to reorganize the Huai Army in Tianjin, both sent congratulatory gifts and opening speeches, even if they were traveling on ships with enemies. Sheng Xuanhuai, the General Office of the China Investment Promotion Bureau, also did not drop any congratulatory gifts.

It was impossible not to cause a sensation, and other officials, big and small, immediately sent congratulatory gifts.

For a while, citizens speculated about the background of this company. When they learned that Kuai Ma Freight Company had not yet started business and that the company only had two small freighters, and one of them was still in a scrapped state, countless people did not know what to say. , they all thought it was the young master of that family playing a house game.

The other 30-ton cargo ship is an old ship that Wei Jichen bought at a very small price from the China Shipping Merchants Group. The China Shipping Merchants Group is definitely a giant now. When the assets are liquidated, there must be several million taels. Its shipping business has already started. To North America, Europe and other places.

Even Singapore has its Nanyang branch, and now it is investing heavily in other industries, integrating government and business, making it convenient to do things.

Sheng Xuanhuai was surprised at first when he heard that Wei Jichen had opened such a small freight company, and then found it very funny, but since he was from the Beiyang family, he still gave him some support.

What's more, Yan Dunyuan was originally Li Hongzhang's staff and had many connections. Therefore, Wei Jichen's small company could be opened as a handbag company. He just wanted to make money, but he didn't know that it would be the Year of the Monkey and the Horse.

At this time, Wei Jichen had returned from Qinhuangdao and was heading to Dagu. The soldiers of the Dingliao Army had been recruited in various numbers and were waiting to be gathered together.

After seeking Liu Buchan's opinion, Beiyang Minister Wang Wenshao also agreed that the Beiyang Fleet would transport the Ding Liao Army into Liaodong by sea as soon as possible.

Wang Huaiqing was ordered by Wei Jichen to pick up Su Zhimiang and more than a hundred soldiers recruited from his hometown. The army would eventually meet at Dagukou and then head north in one fell swoop.

Wei Jichen felt relaxed after finishing his big work, but he didn't expect that he would run into a little trouble today.

"Go west to east from the south to the sea, north to the sea, and you will see that floating life is always empty. The sky is also empty, and the earth is also empty..."

Wei Jichen, Duan Qirui, Li Chun and others were galloping towards Tianjin on horseback, when a melodious and profound song suddenly floated from the front.

Not long after, I saw an old monk holding a rosary in one hand, wearing a cassock, an incense ring on his head, with white eyebrows and beard, appearing at the intersection, floating over.

Wei Jichen saw that he was getting older and was afraid of bumping into the old monk. He pulled the reins, stopped his mount, and waited for him to pass by first.

Unexpectedly, the old monk met everyone in a moment, but suddenly stopped in front of Wei Jichen's horse, his eyes were dull, he put his hands together and saluted: "Amitabha, the Buddha said, it takes 500 times of looking back in the previous life to get the best results in this life." It is the most auspicious thing for a donor to have good character, help relatives and have flawless behavior."

Wei Jichen was stunned and looked at Duan Qirui. He knew that Duan Qirui's family believed in Buddhism, and he seemed to be slowly becoming a Buddhist himself.

"Sir, he is asking for alms from you." Duan Qirui replied, staring at the old monk's eyes as calm as an ancient well.

Wei Jichen smiled, took out a few coins from his arms, and gestured to hand them to him.

The old monk did not answer, and shook his head and said: "People in the world have too much gold, but I love a moment of tranquility. Too much gold confuses people's hearts, and in silence one can see the true nature."

Wei Jichen was stunned, since you don't ask for gold or silver, why did you come to me to make a fortune?

"Master, I have nothing but gold and silver. If you don't want it, master, please get out of the way."

"The donor is bad. The donor is murderous and violent. I don't want anything else. I just want the donor to give me some violence?" the old monk said seriously.

It seemed that the old monk was deliberately trying to cause trouble for him.

Wei Jichen narrowed his eyes slightly, turned around and said to his entourage: "Let's go."

Wei Jichen turned his horse slightly, trying to pass by the old monk. However, the old monk seemed to be trying to get in trouble with him, so he took a step sideways and blocked Wei Jichen's horse. He was almost hit by the horse. Fortunately, Wei Jichen His sharp eyesight and quick hands saved him from disaster.

"Old monk, are you really desperate for your life?" Wei Jichen asked angrily.

"How can I leave without turning some violence from the donor!" The old monk seemed to have not seen the danger just now, and still spoke calmly and peacefully.

When Wei Jichen saw that he was looking for trouble, he laughed angrily and said, "Vicious! Hmph, if you have the ability, just take it from me."

"As the donor said." The old monk retreated to the side of the road a little. Wei Jichen was a little confused, but when he saw that he was no longer blocking him, he stopped fussing and rode with the others on horseback.

After walking a few miles, Wei Jichen was a little upset by the old monk's words. He turned around and asked Duan Qirui, "Is it possible that I look murderous? Why did the old monk say that I have murderous intent and strong hostility?"

^.^，

Duan Qirui thought for a while and replied with a smile: "Your Excellency is now well known throughout the world. Maybe the old monk knows you."

Wei Jichen nodded when he heard this. The old monk must have known his identity, so he dared to come and play tricks.

"Sir, look, the monk is catching up." Li Chun, who was riding at the back, exclaimed and shook his finger backwards.

Wei Jichen looked in the direction he pointed and saw the old monk following him slowly on the slope at the other end of the mountain.

"Don't worry about him. This place is not far from Tianjin City. Maybe he is also going to Tianjin City." Wei Jichen replied nonchalantly.

After passing Tianjin and arriving in Daku, Wei Jichen had almost forgotten about the matter.

At this time, Dagukou had long become a large military garrison place, with war horses neighing, flags fluttering, and sergeants coming and going.

More than 6,000 soldiers of the Dingliao Army came from all over the country one after another, and they would arrive in three to five days.

In the lobby of Dagu General Military Office, Wei Jichen was expressing his gratitude to Luo Rongguang for his help these days.

After Ruan Zhongshu, the general office of the Ordnance Bureau, made the announcement, he walked in with a happy face.

"Sir, the first batch of new Mauser rifles and Krupp 37 fast guns have arrived and are waiting for you to receive them. In addition, more than ten German instructors have come together." Ruan Zhongshu said excitedly while breathing heavily, obviously He just ran over here like crazy.

"Oh, how many have been shipped?" This is why Wei Jichen wants to train the new army. Look, all the new weapons and ammunition are leaning towards the new army.

In view of the wide variety of weapons in the Huai Army, Wei Jichen strongly requested the higher-ups to specify the standard weapons used by the Liao Army. The Military Affairs Office had Li Hongzhang's full support. After careful consideration, the Type 92 Mauser rifle fell into Wei Jichen's eyes. The reason why Wei Jichen chose the Type 92 Mauser rifle, that's because he knew that the K98 rifle produced by Mauser Company in 1898 was used by the German army until World War II.

Naturally, Wei Jichen would not let go of such a classic series of guns. In addition, Beiyang had purchased old Mauser and Krupp cannons from Germany, and had a good foundation for cooperation with Mauser and Krupp companies. It was natural that this matter would come naturally. Things.

There are no technical restrictions in this era. As long as you have money, you can buy a lot of the latest weapons.

"Five thousand guns, and countless ammunition." Ruan Zhongshu said happily, thinking in his heart: This court has really spent a lot of money. On the one hand, it has to pay compensation to the Japanese, and on the other hand, it is willing to spend such a large sum of money.

As everyone knows, some of these guns had been bought back during last year's war, but they were just too late to be transported to the battlefield. Now they were given to the Ding Liao Army.

"Come on, let's go take a look." Wei Jichen stood up and said with a smile.

Luo Rongguang also stood up with an envious look on his face and said with a smile: "The imperial court is really caring about the Dingliao Army. I will go and take a look."

Luo Rongguang had served in Gordon's foreign gun team. He was one of the first Chinese generals to see the power of foreign guns and artillery. He had a profound understanding of strong ships and powerful artillery.

The group went to the arsenal. Wei Jichen asked as they walked: "Are there any German instructors who understand Chinese?"

Although there are translators on hand at all times, translators are not professional military talents. When German instructors train soldiers, the orders given by German instructors may change when they are relayed by them.

"The leader can speak Chinese." Ruan Zhongshu looked unfazed by the German instructor.

Seeing Wei Jichen looking at him curiously, Ruan Zhongshu explained: "These Germans not only look arrogant, but also don't understand the rules. I originally asked them to come to see you, but I didn't expect that after they arrived, they would go first They went to the training ground, it was in vain that we spent a lot of money to invite them.”

"Have the Germans gone to the playground?" Wei Jichen was stunned, stopped and said, "Then let's go to the playground first."

The German Army is recognized as the world's best army, and the Germans are rigorous and conscientious in their work. Wei Jichen is very in favor of hiring them. However, some habits and customs between the two countries are different. Wei Jichen is afraid that the German instructors will cause some problems after they go to the training ground. Things come up.

A moment later, Wei Jichen and others appeared outside the training ground.