Liu Jichuan received the report from his subordinates at night. When he learned that Liu Hai, the admiral of the Nanyang Navy, was already outside the port, but did not enter the port due to his order, he was still very satisfied.
He didn't know why the admiral of the Nanyang Navy came to his treasured island, but the fact that these soldiers below could withstand the pressure of Liu Hai and hang him on the sea showed his prestige in the military.
Even though he said this, Liu Mingchuan was not prepared to be rude. As soon as it got light on the second day, Liu Mingchuan led his officials to the dock, preparing to welcome the Nanyang Navy Admiral.
After the sky got brighter, the cruiser Nanchen that Liu Hai was riding on slowly approached Baodao Mansion under the guidance of the boat.
After the boat docked, Liu Hai stepped on the gangplank and came to the shore. The first thing he saw was an old man in his sixties. Although he was older, he had a majestic presence in front of and behind him.
Liu Hai saw this senior and hurriedly came forward to salute him, "Junior Nanyang Navy Admiral Liu Hai has met Mr. Liu, the governor of Treasure Island."
Liu Mingchuan hurriedly stepped forward to help him, "A good nephew doesn't need to be polite."
It's not rude for Liu Mingchuan to say this, because Liu Mingchuan fought side by side with Liu Hai's uncle Liu Kunyi back then.
After the two sides exchanged a few polite words, Liu Mingchuan took Liu Hai to the Governor's Yamen of Baodao Prefecture.
In the flower hall of the governor's yamen, the two parties sat down separately, and then the servant came up to serve fragrant tea.
Finally, Liu Mingchuan asked: "If you don't want to train navy in Shanghai, why do you come to my treasure island?"
Liu Hai hurriedly handed over his hands and replied: "It's not for anything else, just because I submitted a memorial to the imperial court and wanted to build a naval base on Baodao. The imperial court approved it two days ago and agreed to the junior's suggestion. That's why I took the warship.
I came to Baodao Island and wanted to check out the terrain, so I have prepared a naval base for construction."
Liu Mingchuan had actually known about this for a long time. This Liu Mingchuan was not without people in the court. He was originally a powerful general of Li Hongzhang. Although he had some bad relations with Li Hongzhang because of his appointment as the governor of Baodao, for this powerful general
, Li Hongzhang still took great care of me.
Therefore, as soon as Liu Hai's memorial was delivered to the military aircraft office, Li Hongzhang got the news and immediately ordered someone to convey the meaning of the memorial to Liu Mingchuan.
Although Liu Mingchuan was said to be from the Huai Army, he himself was an upright man who cared about national affairs. Therefore, he said that he heard that Liu Hai's Nanyang Navy wanted to build a naval base on the island, and naturally he supported it with both hands.
"This is exactly what I want. Although I have taken some measures to strengthen defenses on the treasure island, train Huai brigade, and practice foreign affairs, I am unable to deal with matters at sea. Although the Beiyang Navy is strong, the main defense is in the north. For
The South still has to rely on my nephew’s Nanyang Navy.”
"Don't worry, sir. As long as our Nanyang Navy builds a base on Baodao, we will definitely ensure the safety of Baodao's water surface."
Next, the two began to discuss the location of the Nanyang Navy's base on Baodao.
It can be said that the Nanyang Navy does not need Liu Hai for the time being in the Taiwan Strait, because there is a Fujian Navy there. Although the Navy was damaged due to the Sino-French War, it can still be done as an early warning.
Then their main direction should be defense, aggression from the outer sea, of which defending Japan is the first priority.
Finally, Liu Hai and Liu Mingchuan agreed that the naval base should be built in Keelung. Liu Mingchuan introduced to Liu Hai the water conditions in Keelung. The water here is wide and the water depth is very good in some places. It is very suitable for building large military docks, and it faces the
The north happens to be the best position to defend Japan.
Liu Hai naturally accepted Liu Mingchuan's suggestion, but the specific construction location could only be finalized after Liu Hai personally inspected the site and then sent foreigners to draw a map.
Next at noon, Liu Mingchuan hosted a banquet for Liu Hai in the most famous restaurant in Baodao Mansion.
After the banquet, Liu Mingchuan and Liu Hai separated, and Liu Hai took the ship straight to Keelung.
Then Liu Hai spent several days of effort and wandered around Keelung for a long time, and finally selected a place that could be used as a naval base.
The water here is gentle, but the water depth is very suitable, and there is a small gap. If necessary, cannons can be set up on both sides of the gap to block the waterway and help the warships in the base defend themselves.
After Liu Hai selected the place, he immediately returned to Shanghai on the cruiser Nanchen.
After Liu Hai came back, he was immediately warmly welcomed by his wife and concubines. The previous unpleasantness was long gone.
Liu Hai rested at home for a few days, and by the way moved his home from the small rented house to the luxurious villa built near the Nanyang Navy Yamen.
This garden was built by Liu Hai in the style of Jiangnan gardens. It has pavilions, bridges and flowing water, and is no different from those famous gardens.
Just saying that Liu Hai's house cost him a lot of money. According to the prices at that time, Liu Hai spent a total of 1.2 million taels of silver.
If Liu Hai's business was not doing well and he was making a lot of money, I'm afraid that just this little money would have wiped out the little money he had in his hometown.
After the family affairs were arranged, it was natural to turn to business. Liu Hai was very concerned about the construction of a military base in Taiwan. In the future, this place might be the forefront of his fight against Japan.
Therefore, Liu Hai was very concerned about this military base. First, he went to the British Consulate and wanted to ask the consul which British company could contract to build this naval base?
Jesse Mullan, the British consul, was very friendly to bangs, because bangs seemed to have identified Britain's thigh, and he never relaxed when he hugged her.
Therefore, the current British government and opposition parties have a very positive evaluation of Liu Hai. They believe that Liu Hai is the maintainer of British interests in the Far East.
Therefore, when the British consul heard that Liu Hai wanted to build a military base in Taiwan and hoped that a British company would undertake the construction, he was naturally very satisfied.
You must know that building a naval base costs a lot of money. If domestic companies make money, how many people's work problems will be solved?
"Mr. Liu, I will send a telegram to the country and ask the country to dispatch a qualified construction company with a long history and superb skills to serve you."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Consul. I am very satisfied with the serious and responsible attitude of the British company. The shipyard I built in Shanghai was contracted by the British company. They are not only skilled in technology, but also very fast. I am very satisfied with this."
Satisfied, this shows the advantages of British companies in the world."
After listening to Liu Hai's compliments, Consul Jesse Mullan couldn't keep his eyes open with laughter. At the same time, he also recognized Liu Hai in his heart as the maintainer of British interests in the Far East.
Then the conversation between the two parties became more and more harmonious. In the middle of the conversation, Liu Haihan expressed the hope that Britain could help him build a gun factory.
The British consul did not immediately agree to this matter, because although people said that Liu Hai was a lackey of the British, he, the consul, could not make the decision on such a big matter without the approval of the British government.
So the consul comforted Liu Hai and promised him to report to the country immediately.
Liu Hai was just testing the British. When he saw the British leader, he knew there was a way if he didn't refuse immediately.
Naturally, the host and guest then had a great time. Jesse Mullan finally sent Liu Hai out of the consulate gate in person. It wasn't until his carriage disappeared that he went back to report Liu Hai's request to the government.
This time Liu Hai proposed that Britain help build a gun factory because he was frustrated in purchasing an artillery factory in modern times.
He understood in his heart that the current government had set up so many obstacles for him. It said that supporting facilities could not be built. In fact, it just didn't want to give him such advanced technology. In this case, he could only find a way out in the Qing Dynasty plane.
At the same time, Liu Hai also had plans in his mind. Although those military machines were strictly confidential, civilian machine tools and equipment could indeed be purchased at will. As long as he owned the guns and cannons built by the British side, he could purchase some civilian machine tools in modern times.
, is enough to ensure the manufacturing of guns and artillery. If there are design drawings, we can even produce rifles and artillery that are far higher than those of the Qing Dynasty.
Furthermore, the British government received a telegram from the consul in Shanghai that their friend Liu Hai in Shanghai wanted to build a military base in Taiwan, China, and hoped that a British company could come forward to undertake this business.
Naturally, the British government did not hesitate at all and immediately dispatched specialized personnel from the Royal Construction Company to the Far East.
As for Liu Hai's request to build a gun factory, they thought about it and agreed, because the gun factory in the Qing Dynasty was now completely monopolized by the German Krupp Company.
If they could open a gap in the bangs area, they could be considered to have developed some business in the Qing Dynasty.
However, they are still very cautious when it comes to artillery. In this artillery factory, Liu Hai is not provided with the production equipment and information for the production of cannons with a caliber of 105 mm or above, which can be regarded as a restriction on Liu Hai's artillery factory.
Seven or eight days later, Jesse Mullan, the British Consul General in Shanghai, personally visited Liu Hai at the Nanyang Navy Yamen.
He also conveyed to Liu Hai the decision of the British government, which was that it had agreed to help him build a gun factory.
Liu Hai is naturally happy about this. With this gun factory, at least there is a foundation. Some army equipment can also be produced through this gun factory, reducing dependence on modern times.
From this incident, we can see that Liu Hai still has a grudge against Hyundai for not supporting him at the artillery factory.
Next, Liu Hai began his busy daily life. Now he has three major projects starting at the same time, one is the Nanyang Navy Shanghai Shipyard, the Nanyang Navy Gun Factory, and the Nanyang Navy Keelung Base.
If Liu Hai hadn't made a lot of money from Panacea, he really wouldn't have been able to support the start of these three major projects at the same time.
Because the shipyard and gun factory are about to start construction soon, Liu Hai is in urgent need of talents.
For the illiterate people in the Qing Dynasty, it was extremely difficult for them to operate machinery.
Liu Hai recognized this situation and knew that if he did not take immediate action, he might eventually complete the construction of his shipyard and gun factory, leaving him with no workers to use them.