Chapter 362 Li Zhongtang's Visit to Italy (Part 2)
Of course, the Corriere della Sera in Rome published a front-page photo of Li Zhongtang shaking hands cordially with Foreign Minister Bacona. The next day, major Italian newspapers also published this photo in a prominent position.
However, the newspapers' attention to Li Zhongtang and his party goes beyond this. All major newspapers sent people to follow Li Zhongtang and his party to report at any time.
For example, His Excellency Li Zhongtang, a statesman from the Qing Dynasty, laughed with Prime Minister Antonio at the welcome dinner and discussed the development of the Far East market. The two parties exchanged views and reached some consensus. (In essence, Li Zhongtang and Antonio were just talking about the development of the Far East market.
Talking about the weather, and Antonio's concern for Li Zhongtang's health.)
Newspapers rush to report on Li Zhongtang because people like to see this political elder from the Far East. This may be because distance creates beauty. The Far East is too far from Italy, so much news about both can only be known through newspapers and other media.
The media was full of praise for it, and even the Qing army's poverty and weakness were interpreted as being peace-loving.
As for Borneo, the local Chinese are relatively wealthy. Although their living habits are different, most of them are upright and highly praised for their character.
Therefore, this also led to the people's curiosity about the Qing Dynasty, especially when someone guided them. Moreover, Li Zhongtang was also a statesman and prime minister-level figure in the Qing Dynasty and had a huge influence on the Qing Dynasty. This further inspired the people to have more curiosity about the Qing Dynasty.
Li Zhongtang’s interests. Even what Li Zhongtang ate, what he said, who he reviewed, etc.
Do you feel that Li Zhongtang has the potential to be a superstar? Every move he makes can attract the attention of thousands of people. Well, even if Li Zhongtang knew it, he would not care about this, because he has many things to pay attention to.
At the testing ground of the Beretta Arms Company in Brescia, Li Zhongtang and his party looked at a newly built Maxim machine. Hiram Stevens Maxim, the company's chief designer, introduced the latest Maxim machine to Li Zhongtang.
Qin machine gun.
"Prime Minister Li, this is our company's latest machine gun model 1895. The total weight of the gun is 69kg, of which the gun body weighs 26.9kg, the cooling water is 4kg, and the tripod weighs 38.1kg. The ammunition supply system of this gun is still made of canvas.
It is made of a non-dispersible bullet chain. Considering that stray bullets and shrapnel may damage the cooling water sleeve, an additional small round shield is also installed.”
Maxim pointed at the small buckler behind the muzzle of the gun and introduced it. Then he briefly introduced some other changes. Of course, these were basically told to Li Zhongtang, and his intention was obvious.
Of course, just an introduction is not enough. Actual combat is the best test standard. Mr. Maxim personally operated this heavy machine gun and demonstrated it.
"Now we just need to aim at the target in front and pull the triggers on both sides."
Following Maxim's words, a roar of heavy machine guns sounded. "Da da da da da..."
Twenty or thirty targets standing in front were torn apart by machine guns at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Li Zhongtang, who was watching from the sidelines, was not surprised, but some of the attendants who had never seen Maxim's shooting were different. They looked at everything in front of them in stunned silence.
After the demonstration, Li Zhongtang asked.
"Mr. Maxim, how much does one of your new electric electric guns cost?"
"One machine gun costs 20,000 lire. If you purchase more than 50, our company can reduce the price to 19,000 lire. In addition, each machine gun comes with 3,000 rounds of ammunition."
Facing Li Zhongtang's inquiry, Maxim immediately gave the price and even offered discounts.
Since Maxim was so enthusiastic and this stun gun was really good, Li Zhongtang also placed an order for 50 of them. Anyway, it was not expensive at more than 200,000 taels and it was still affordable.
Li Zhongtang then continued to visit the Italian industry, including Milan's textile and chemical industries, where he saw the shocking sight of thousands of people working together.
Turin's steel and military industries made him feel the charm of heavy industry and the speed of mass production of artillery. As for Genoa's shipbuilding industry, the launch of a cruiser also left a deep impression on Li Zhongtang.
Of course, during this period, Li Zhongtang activated his currency capabilities. Rifles, artillery, and even warships were all within Li Zhongtang's purchase range. Of course, Li Zhongtang also purchased in moderation. For example, he purchased a two-thousand-ton fast cruiser.
, artillery rifles are also equipped with an amount of 5,000.
When Li Zhongtang was observing Italy's strength, he had been waiting in his heart for a reply from the Italian government. Yes, when the welcome dinner was held, Li Zhongtang took the opportunity to propose to Prime Minister Antonio that he wanted to borrow Italy's help to provide temporary support for the Huai Army.
Offers of help.
However, Antonio postponed this matter on the grounds that it was of great importance and was very likely to change Italy's foreign policy towards the Qing Dynasty and needed to be carefully considered.
Of course, Li Zhongtang could also dance with long sleeves. He then said that he understood the concerns of the Kingdom of Italy, so he could walk around first to see Italy's industrialization and then give him an answer when he came back.
Well, now I have spent a week wandering around, and I am almost done. Li Zhongtang is now preparing to return to Rome. When he thinks of the possible answers from Italy, he suddenly feels a little unsure.
"How will this person respond?"
Li Zhongtang was sitting on a float specially prepared for him, looking at the exotic scenery outside the window, and talking a little worried about gains and losses.
It stands to reason that he is already 74 years old, which is considered to be a rare age in ancient times. Why is he still so worried about gains and losses?
Isn't there a saying that the older you get, the less courage you get. Li Zhongtang, who has been a rare person for a long time, has held great power for most of his life. This man cannot be without power for a day. He is talking about people like Li Zhongtang, who worry about gains and losses when it comes to power.
It's completely normal.
"Father, I think Yiren will accept it."
When the eldest son Li Jingfang faced Li Zhongtang's questioning look, he explained his reasons. "I think this person only pays attention to practical benefits. As long as we give enough practical benefits, can this person shirk his ability?"
"Having said that, how should we give actual benefits now? My father has resigned from the post of Governor of Zhili and Minister of Commerce of Beiyang. It is not easy to give actual benefits now."
The second son Li Jingshu asked about his inner thoughts.
Yes, it is well known that Italians value practical benefits. The question is what Li Zhongtang should do to get involved in the court in a way that Italians cannot refuse. This is a problem.
Facing Li Jingshu's inquiry, the eldest son Li Jingfang was speechless.
Well, Li Zhongtang saw the behavior of his two sons. He was really not used to it when there was no one with any ideas around him. The court was really mean and ungrateful. Apart from his two sons, there was only one Yu Shimei.
, although he is also his staff, he is not good at strategy, but he is a first-class expert in writing memorials. If you ask him, it is better to think more about it yourself.
Of course, no matter what Li Zhongtang thought, the train took him back to Rome.
