I can't die

The current military steel in the Qing Dynasty mainly comes from two places, one is produced by the Ordnance Institute in Anqing, and the other is imported from overseas in Shanghai.The iron and steel production technology of the Anqing Nei Ordnance Institute originated from ancient Chinese traditional techniques, and later combined with some Western techniques, which is relatively new, but it is not enough for large-scale construction of warships.In the final analysis, the output is really unable to keep up. The traditional steelmaking method is too complicated, and it is quite a test of the skills of skilled workers. Naturally, the demand for steel imports has always been great.

This point has always been a serious concern for Zai Chun, Zeng Guofan, Li Hongzhang and other military leaders. The country's artifacts are too dependent on imports, which must have given foreigners many excuses to interfere in the internal affairs of the Qing Dynasty.

Hearing Liu Xiang's words, Liu Xingzhi felt a shock in his heart.Now that the Liu family has become an imperial merchant by relying on various nepotism, it is natural to know the many benefits that the imperial court can get from doing business, not to mention the military industry. It will definitely be connected with all parties in the Ministry of War, making the Liu family a giant tree that is hard to shake by others.

"This matter is more important than Haishi." Liu Xingzhi couldn't help sighing.

"That's why I thought it would be better to use my own family." Liu Xiang asked himself, it is definitely impossible to have no selfishness, but it is true that in terms of understanding of Shang Jia, after all calculations, the Liu family is indeed the most trustworthy.

"Where is the emperor? Will the emperor agree? Also, you are from the Liu family, will others...?"

Liu Xiang waved his hands when he heard the words: "The emperor knows in his heart, no matter how you say it, he still has the face of Rongshou."

Indeed, ever since Liu Xiang got married to Rongshou, the Liu family had become a member of the Aixinjueluo clan, and even raised the flag.

Liu Xingzhi thought about everything in his heart, knowing that Liu Xiang could tell him about this matter, basically this matter could be taken down by the Liu family, but. . .

"It's just that the art of steelmaking has never been touched by us."

The Liu family made their fortune in the timber business, and had never been in contact with such things as mineral deposits.

"It doesn't matter." Liu Xiang smiled slightly: "It won't be too difficult to do, it will be done with dedication and loyalty."

At the beginning, Li Hongzhang cheated a lot of skilled workers from Brand, so that in the future, if the newly-built Military Industry Bureau in Shanghai was not too eye-catching, I am afraid it would not be the Liu family's turn.Liu Xingzhi had no choice but to agree, and then had a detailed talk with Liu Xiang about the opening of the Ryukyu Sea Market. After such a discussion, it took another hour before he finally left.

the second day.All the rich merchants of the Qing Dynasty got up, and originally wanted to talk about Liu Xiang and Zhang Zhidong's life together like Liu Xingzhi in the middle of the night, but it seemed that Liu Xiang and Zhang Zhidong were busy with other things today, so they temporarily shirked. Instead, they called soldiers and wealthy merchants to invite Pachari and Uncle He to go to the sea to see the customs and customs.

Hearing this, Bacharley also wanted to take a closer look at the surrounding terrain of the Ryukyu Kingdom, so he agreed to the invitation.A group of people left Shuri Castle in a mighty way, and rode horses for sightseeing under the leadership of the guide.The main island of Ryukyu is not that big, and you can ride a horse for a day or two. If you go to the highest mountain, you can have a panoramic view of the territory of Okinawa in half a day.

Everyone took the lead to go to the highest peak in Okinawa.The wealthy merchants of the Qing Dynasty regarded climbing the mountain as a game, and it was easy. On the contrary, Bacharley and He Bo waited and watched for a long time on the upper peak with binoculars.But seeing that the west of the Ryukyu Kingdom is high and the east is low, the coasts on all sides are different, there are beaches and cliffs, the north is the most dangerous, and there is a big island across the sea, and the mainland of Japan can be seen faintly after the island is covered.

"The Qing Dynasty still has some conscience."

Bacharley looked at the terrain in the northern part of Ryukyu and nodded inwardly.The islands that the Qing Dynasty and Britain agreed to cede to Britain in the future are indeed not small, and their geographical location is also located between Ryukyu and Japan. Once a British military base is established here, it will undoubtedly serve as an excellent military deterrent to Japan. Lest those people with lofty ideals come to play tricks when they have nothing to do.

"However, there may be the possibility of being attacked by the enemy." He Bo also said the truth at the moment, the island is sandwiched by Okinawa and Japan, if Japan and the Qing join forces, it is inevitable that they will be flanked.

Bacharley shook his head at this: "I only want Japan in Britain, and only for money. The Qing government will never join forces with the Japanese pirates." It is a western country, and its homeland is in Europe, unlike Japan. If the Japanese pirates want to rise, they must bear the brunt of their neighbors.Bacharley, Zai Chun, Li Hongzhang and others are very clear about this.

Hearing Pacharley's words, Uncle He understood three points in his heart, and there was no need for it. Then he began to calculate in his heart how to build a military base here.

After climbing the highest peak in Okinawa, everyone went to investigate the largest seaside village in Okinawa.The seaside villages in Okinawa can be regarded as relatively affluent villages due to the prevalence of fishing and bead fishing industries, but they have just recovered a bit from the harassment they received from Japanese pirates.

After coming to the seaside village in Okinawa, these wealthy merchants were obviously very enthusiastic, because there are stalls everywhere in this village, and many local pearl divers will sell goods at their doorsteps, and there are many good ones among them. This is what it means to rely on mountains to eat mountains and rely on water to eat water.Ordinary fingernail-sized pearls can be exchanged for half a catty of rice, and those rare powder and ink beads only weigh seven or eight catties.The merchants calculated the profits in their minds, and they couldn't help being jealous, and some of them carried money with them, so they had to buy a lot of cheap things first, as if they didn't want money, which surprised many Ryukyu locals.

This day's investigation was quite fruitful. When everyone returned to Shuri Castle, many businessmen promised in words that they would participate in the establishment of the Ryukyu Sea City.Seeing this, Liu Xiang and Zhang Zhidong knew it was inevitable, so they weren't too surprised, it was just that they had to hit each stick and candy.

Bacharley saw that the Qing merchants were encouraged to be successful, and he was also happy. He thought that when the time comes, the British sea market and the Chinese sea market will be opened together to exchange what they need. This will not only save the cost of military guards, but also interact with the economy. Prosperity is a win-win.In this way, the Ryukyu inspection team ended successfully, and the wealthy merchants of the Qing Dynasty happily returned to the homeland of the Qing Dynasty with Bacharley, preparing for the opening of the sea market.The admiral of the British Navy stayed and began to establish a Ryukyu sea base.