Chapter Thirty-Four: Creatures in the Pond

Along the way, Feng Chengqian seemed somewhat sullen, to the point that Tirpitz was left uneasy.

Feng Chengqian was not troubled by the outcome of the impending war between the Qing dynasty and Japan, nor was he worried about changes in the course of history. Rather, his concern lay in his lack of understanding regarding the Donghak Peasant Revolution in Korea. All he knew was that this peasant uprising, led by the head of the Donghak sect, had provided Japan with a pretext to intervene in the Korean peninsula and declare war on the Qing. The military conflict on the peninsula would ultimately escalate into a full-scale war between the Qing and Japan.

In the history familiar to Feng Chengqian, this war sounded the death knell for the Qing dynasty.

Regardless of how history might shift, the fall of the Qing dynasty was inevitable; it was only a question of when.

Feng Chengqian was thus compelled to consider a much longer-term issue: having helped the German Empire through its difficulties, how should he return to his homeland and pursue development there?

Just as with his situation in the German Empire, in that ancient Eastern land, Feng Chengqian had no roots or support. Worse still, he could not hope to encounter an enlightened monarch such as Frederick III, for after the fall of the Qing, that country would be plunged into more than two decades of civil war, followed by foreign invasion, with peace not returning until the middle of the twentieth century.

Given this backdrop, how to grow and prosper was a question entirely without precedent.

These worries weighed heavily on Feng Chengqian’s brow. What vexed him even more was that he could only keep these troubles to himself, unable to confide in anyone.

Fortunately, Feng Chengqian was not alone in this era; at least he had friends like Tirpitz.

“These past days, you seem preoccupied. Are you worried about the situation in the Far East?” Tirpitz asked.

“There’s nothing to worry about. I fear it won’t be a year before war breaks out,” Feng Chengqian replied with a smile to Tirpitz, who stood beside him. “Perhaps you think that as a descendant of the Qing, I must have special feelings for the dynasty, and worry about its future.”

“That’s only natural,” Tirpitz remarked, aware only that Feng Chengqian was descended from Qing immigrants.

“In truth, I feel nothing for the Qing,” Feng Chengqian exhaled deeply. “I have no ties to that decaying dynasty, so its fate is of no concern to me. It is only that, when dynasties rise and fall, the common people always bear the brunt.”

“One can care for a country without caring for the dynasty that rules it,” Tirpitz said.

Feng Chengqian looked at Tirpitz in mild surprise. In his understanding, Westerners always conflated the kingdom with the royal house.

“Actually, your worries may be unnecessary. The Beiyang Fleet of the Qing is quite powerful. Who’s to say—”

“General, do you think that the outcome of a war is decided by ships, or by the officers and men who command them?”

“Well…”

“Warships are merely a material foundation. Even with such a foundation, if it cannot be put to effective use, victory is unattainable. A corrupt dynasty like the Qing, even if it possessed a fleet as strong as the Royal Navy’s, might still fail to defeat a weaker foe at sea. Was it not the same with Spain’s Invincible Armada?” Feng Chengqian sighed. “Although war has not yet broken out, the final outcome is not hard to predict. What worries me is that if Japan grows strong in the Far East, it might threaten the Empire’s interests.”

“Rather than worry, why not act?” Tirpitz suggested.

“Is that so?”

Tirpitz hesitated, then said, “His Majesty has entrusted you with full authority over Far Eastern affairs. Why not seize this chance to intervene in the war between the Qing and Japan?”

“Do you think it’s that simple?” Feng Chengqian replied.

“Well…”

“Let’s not speak of the outcome. Even based on the Empire’s influence in the Far East, we can hardly make a difference,” Feng Chengqian sighed. “The situation there is so precarious that any intervention would prompt Britain, France, and Russia to involve themselves as well. What benefit could we possibly gain?”

Tirpitz nodded thoughtfully, as though he understood Feng Chengqian’s point.

“For the sake of the Empire’s interests, we must maintain a strategic balance in the Far East. We cannot allow Japan to grow unchecked, nor let Britain, France, or Russia use this opportunity to expand their own spheres of influence.”

“And how do you intend to accomplish that?”

“That is precisely what troubles me,” Feng Chengqian managed a wan smile. “If the Qing were reliable, an alliance with them would be ideal. Unfortunately, the Qing is a crumbling wall. Even if we allied with them, no good would come of it.”

“If not the Qing, then…”

“Do you see any other option?”

“Well…”

Feng Chengqian heaved another sigh, his expression growing more somber.

After a long silence, Tirpitz said, “If there are no other options, why not create one ourselves?”

“Create one ourselves?”

“The Qing is beyond saving, and as you have judged, it will inevitably fall. Why not, then, take the raw materials at hand and, after the Qing’s demise, support a new power that can serve our interests?”

Feng Chengqian’s brow furrowed, betraying nothing of his true thoughts. He had considered this solution before, but had no idea where to begin. His request to Frederick III for a posting in the Far East had, at its heart, this very aim: to gain firsthand knowledge of conditions within the Qing and to search for a suitable figurehead.

“Before I accepted my appointment, I visited the construction site of the Kiel Canal a few times,” Tirpitz began. Feng Chengqian immediately turned his attention to him. Although Feng Chengqian had not put Tirpitz in charge of the canal’s expansion—that wasn’t within his remit—Tirpitz was nonetheless deeply invested, given the canal’s importance to the Imperial Navy.

“My understanding is not yet deep, but I must admit, the people of the Qing are incredibly hard-working and resilient, possessing a tenacity we lack.”

“Tenacity?”

Tirpitz nodded. “With such citizens, yet no wise ruler, it is truly a pity.”

“What exactly are you implying, General?”

“Count, there are only the two of us here, so I will speak plainly…”

“Please do. There’s no need for formality between us.”

Tirpitz nodded again. “Though you serve the Empire loyally and are devoted to His Majesty, you are, after all, not truly of the Empire. I imagine that one day…”

Feng Chengqian looked at him, signaling him to continue.

“I believe you are destined for greater things, Count. One day, you may well found your own empire, as Emperor Wilhelm did, and become a sovereign in your own right.”

“You have such confidence in me, General?”

“It’s not a matter of confidence. You are simply such a person.”

Feng Chengqian gave a strained smile; he had never dreamed of kingship.

“Perhaps I cannot help you, Count, but I can offer a word of advice.”

“What advice?”

“Regardless of what you think of the Qing dynasty, never underestimate its people. With the right leader, the Qing could become a great empire.”

“So you believe the Qing’s weakness stems from its leadership?”

“Well…”

Feng Chengqian smiled. “Even in the Empire, His Majesty cannot control everything. A nation’s strength lies not in whether its monarch is enlightened, but in whether it possesses an effective system. I trust your judgment, and I do not underestimate the people of the Qing. Yet we must also recognize that if the leader changes, the Qing would cease to be the Qing; it would become a different dynasty altogether.”

“Then your view is…”

“No matter what, let us focus on the task at hand,” Feng Chengqian said with a smile. “You must be wondering about our purpose in the Far East. As you mentioned, intervention is certainly on the agenda, but timing is crucial. We cannot act rashly, nor can we risk becoming everyone’s target.”

Tirpitz nodded in understanding.

“Most importantly, we must use this conflict to deepen our knowledge of naval warfare and develop more effective tactics,” Feng Chengqian exhaled deeply. “If I am not mistaken, the coming naval war between the Qing and Japan will be the first large-scale naval battle of the steam age. Its lessons will be invaluable for the Imperial Navy’s future development.”

“So your insistence on traveling to the Far East is to observe this war up close?”

Feng Chengqian smiled and nodded. “Without witnessing it in person, how can one hope to truly understand?”

“Then our Far Eastern policy…”

“Our future in the Far East will depend on the outcome of this war. Personally, I believe Japan has the advantage. What about you, General?”

“I agree with you, Count. I believe Japan will win.”

Feng Chengqian let out a long breath. “If Japan emerges victorious, we must expand our influence in the Qing, at the very least securing Jiaozhou Bay as the home port for the Imperial Navy’s Far East Fleet. As for our next moves, we will have to respond as events unfold—Japan will set the pace.”

“In that case, you will have time to learn more about this ancient land.”

“Don’t you also wish to gain a deeper understanding of this country, General?”

Tirpitz smiled. “If time permits, I would gladly accompany you on your visits. But I fear that, once we reach Qingdao, there will be little opportunity for leisure.”

Feng Chengqian understood and did not press further.

During the voyage, Feng Chengqian and Tirpitz discussed many topics related to the Qing. To Feng Chengqian’s mild chagrin, Tirpitz seemed to know more about the Qing than he did. Perhaps after Feng Chengqian promised to appoint him as commander of the Imperial Navy’s Far East Fleet, Tirpitz had devoted himself to studying that ancient land, whereas Feng Chengqian was too occupied with daily affairs to do the same.

Fortunately, the journey was long.

In this age without airplanes, traveling from Europe to the Far East by warship, even without rounding the Cape of Good Hope, still took over a month.

In that month, Feng Chengqian had ample time to learn about the Qing from Tirpitz.

Still, learning about a country from others could never compare to seeing it with one’s own eyes.

Though it was not his first visit to the Qing, Feng Chengqian hoped to spend more time exploring the country, especially to gain a deeper understanding of the lives of its people.