Chapter Thirty-Five: Timely Aid in the Snow

The fleet did not go to Ningbo; after replenishing coal near Kinmen Island in the Taiwan Strait, it sailed directly to Jiaozhou Bay.

Because there had been no prior notification, the fleet was intercepted by the Beiyang Navy upon entering Jiaozhou Bay, almost causing a major incident. Fortunately, Baron Richthofen responded swiftly and decisively, preventing disaster. Upon learning of the matter, Li Hongzhang severely punished the admiral stationed at Jiaozhou Bay.

With the Far East Fleet stationed there, control of Jiaozhou Bay by the Imperial Navy became an established fact.

What Feng Chengqian had not expected was that it was not Baron Richthofen, who was specifically responsible for the matter, but rather Li Hongzhang, the Grand Secretary of the Qing Empire, who proposed the lease of Jiaozhou Bay.

At the end of April, Feng Chengqian accepted Li Hongzhang’s invitation to travel to the Qing Empire’s capital.

By this time, the Korean Peninsula was already in turmoil, and war between Qing and Japan was imminent.

The peasant uprising that had erupted at the end of February ended by early March, but just over a month later, unable to endure oppressive governance, the peasants rose once again. As Feng Chengqian traveled to the Qing capital, the Korean peasant army had already captured Baishan and declared their intent to march on the capital.

In the history familiar to Feng Chengqian, the peasant army would soon advance to Jeonju.

If history had not taken a drastic turn, then by now, the Korean authorities would have already requested the Qing for assistance in suppressing the rebellion.

At such a critical moment, Li Hongzhang’s invitation to Feng Chengqian was clearly of great import.

Feng Chengqian did not go empty-handed. He sent Baron Richthofen ahead by a day to Beijing to gather intelligence.

Because of his meritorious “surveying work” in the Qing, Richthofen had been ennobled as an Imperial Baron by the Kaiser the previous year.

The very evening Feng Chengqian arrived in the Qing capital, Richthofen also arrived.

“Any findings?” Feng Chengqian inquired.

“The Grand Secretary’s invitation does indeed concern Korea,” Richthofen replied.

Feng Chengqian nodded and invited the Baron to sit. Although the proposal to elevate Richthofen to baron had not originated with Feng Chengqian, Richthofen understood well that without Feng Chengqian, the Kaiser would never have known of this Far East official.

Now that Feng Chengqian was in overall charge of Far East affairs, Richthofen was naturally diligent in his service.

“Korea has already requested the Qing for assistance, hoping the Qing will send troops to suppress the rebellion.”

Feng Chengqian nodded thoughtfully. This was no different from the history he knew; it seemed his arrival had not yet affected events in Korea.

“However, the Grand Secretary is still hesitating.”

“Hesitating?”

“Although Korea is a vassal state of the Qing, and the Qing is obliged to help suppress the rebellion, a few years ago Japan forced Korea to sign the Treaty of Ganghwa, openly declaring Korea an independent country and excluding the Qing. Japan has yet to reveal its stance. Li Hongzhang is clearly concerned. If Japan also sends troops to Korea, then conflict between Qing and Japan will be unavoidable.”

“Then what is Li Hongzhang’s purpose in inviting me?”

“It must relate to Korea, but as for his true intent, it remains unclear.”

Feng Chengqian smiled, knowing that Richthofen was holding something back.

“Baron, my intention is—”

“Baron, there are only the two of us here. I sent you ahead precisely to obtain reliable information. His Majesty has entrusted me with full authority in Far East affairs, and you yourself are an official personally appointed by His Majesty,” Feng Chengqian paused briefly, then continued, “To serve the Empire’s interests and relieve His Majesty’s concerns, we must work as one. If anything comes to mind, don’t hesitate to say it.”

Richthofen smiled and said, “Clearly, Li Hongzhang wants some form of support from us.”

“What kind of support?”

“With his acumen, Li Hongzhang would not unrealistically hope for military intervention from us, nor would he regard Korea as anything but an internal Qing matter, so he would not request we send troops.”

Feng Chengqian nodded in understanding.

“If war breaks out, what the Qing will lack most is armaments.”

“You mean—?”

“Perhaps you are unaware, Baron, but the Qing spent considerable silver for the Empress Dowager’s sixtieth birthday.”

Feng Chengqian frowned. “So Li Hongzhang lacks funds and hopes to obtain a loan from us?”

“Or to purchase arms on credit.”

“That’s no small matter.”

“It depends on how you handle it, Baron.”

“Baron, you understand the Far East best. What do you think are the Qing’s chances of victory?”

“Almost none—virtually zero.”

“So certain?”

“Though Li Hongzhang has worked tirelessly and achieved some results, the Qing’s problems are too deep-seated for one man to reverse their fortunes. By contrast, after the Meiji Restoration, Japan has shown national unity, and though not as wealthy as the Qing, may not be the weaker adversary.”

“In that case, there’s no reason for us to make a losing deal.”

“If that’s your thinking, Baron, you are gravely mistaken.”

“Oh?”

Richthofen smiled. “Baron, you are proficient in the Qing’s language, so you must know an idiom.”

“Which idiom?”

“To send charcoal in the snow,” Richthofen replied.

Feng Chengqian furrowed his brow, feigning contemplation.

“Is it better to send charcoal in a snowstorm, or embroider flowers on brocade?” Richthofen paused, then continued, “If you intend to use this opportunity to enhance the Empire’s influence in the Far East, you are bound to be involved in this conflict. There are only two choices: help the Qing or aid Japan. Even discounting Japan’s ties with Britain and our past rebuffs from them, even if we help Japan fully, they may not appreciate it. If we help the Qing, even if they lose, it earns us a favor.”

“You’re right—I never considered that.”

“In fact, even if the Qing lose, Japan cannot swallow the Qing whole, at most nibbling away bit by bit. First, Japan’s national strength is still limited, far from able to conquer the Qing outright. Second, the great powers will never allow Japan to become too strong. If I am not mistaken, after the Qing’s defeat, France and Russia will intervene, at which point we can step in once more.”

“France and Russia will certainly intervene?”

“Russia has always coveted Manchuria, and Japan’s strategy is to use Korea as a springboard into Manchuria, making a clash between Russia and Japan inevitable. France and Russia are currently in their honeymoon period, and France has little interest in Japan. As soon as Russian interests are threatened, France will act.”

“But assisting France and Russia...”

“Baron, do you think our intervention is to help France and Russia?”

Feng Chengqian smiled, indicating he understood Richthofen’s point.

“I believe, if Li Hongzhang proposes to purchase arms on credit, you can agree, only do not commit immediately. Say you must consult with the enterprises involved, and only then reply to Li Hongzhang.”

“Why?”

“We must treat purchasing on credit as a loan, and then play our cards on the loan.”

“Loan?”

“Baron, haven’t you always wanted to lease Jiaozhou Bay?” Richthofen smiled. “If the Qing are defeated, their treasury will be empty. When the time comes to propose leasing Jiaozhou Bay, even if Li Hongzhang is a thousand times unwilling, he will have no alternative but to lease it to us.”

“Baron, it seems you have thought of everything.”

“We both serve His Majesty, and must do our utmost.”

“You’re right. We can use this war as an opportunity to lease Jiaozhou Bay from the Qing. As for providing loans to purchase arms, the Imperial Treasury is not exactly flush; I fear we cannot provide much.”

“What do you suggest, Baron?”

“It would be best to have entrepreneurs and bankers provide the loan, with us merely guaranteeing the interests of Imperial enterprises and banks in the Qing.”

Richthofen pondered, then said, “That is also a way, though somewhat tricky to handle.”

“You have good relations with the Krupp Company, don’t you?”

“Well...”

“I hear several Qing orders were secured with your assistance. You must have some dealings with Krupp.”

“You flatter me, Baron. I merely did what I could.”

“I think you are best suited to coordinate with the enterprises.”

Richthofen nodded. “With your trust, Baron, I shall not fail in my duty.”

“I will see Li Hongzhang tomorrow. You must contact Krupp and other firms at once and have them prepare the loan arrangements. We will discuss the next steps once there is progress.”

“Then I shall return to Qingdao tomorrow.”

After seeing Richthofen off, Feng Chengqian reflected for a while before retiring for the night.

Richthofen indeed knew the situation in the Qing well and understood that Li Hongzhang had no other options. This conversation gave Feng Chengqian a basic strategy.

Since the Qing had no chance of victory, it was not unreasonable to take advantage of the situation for a significant benefit.

Early the next morning, Feng Chengqian followed the Qing officials who had come to escort him to meet Li Hongzhang. Just as Baron Richthofen had predicted, Li Hongzhang straightforwardly requested to purchase a batch of arms from Imperial enterprises, either on credit or by loan.

Feng Chengqian readily agreed, but insisted that a reply would only be given after consultation with the business representatives.

Five days later, Richthofen hurried back from Qingdao.

With Deutsche Bank and Württemberg Bank agreeing to provide loans, the Krupp Company explicitly stated its willingness to supply arms to the Qing on credit.

Feng Chengqian did not immediately seek out Li Hongzhang, but instead had Richthofen draft the loan agreement.

On May 5th, Feng Chengqian took the draft agreement to Li Hongzhang, proposing that the Qing obtain a loan from several Imperial banks to purchase military supplies.

Evidently, this was not Li Hongzhang’s original intention.

However, with the situation in Korea growing dire, the Donghak army approaching Jeonju, and the Korean royal envoys repeatedly urging the Qing to send troops, Li Hongzhang was under tremendous pressure.

Faced with this rather inequitable loan agreement, Li Hongzhang hesitated.

Feng Chengqian did not press him, knowing that as the Korean situation worsened—especially once Japan acted—Li Hongzhang would have no choice.