Li Hongzhang made fun of Bismarck.

Li Hongzhang himself said it was a scene. Of course, he also knew that Bismarck was talking about scenes. Since it is the scene, it is difficult to play a practical role.

Therefore, it is useless to ignore Bismarck's beautiful scene, because Li Hongzhang is not stupid, of course, because he can't be the master.

1895, 17 In April, Li Hongzhang signed the treaty of shimonoseki as a representative of the Qing government, which was reviled by almost everyone. In order to calm the storm, Cixi had to pour all the pots on Li Hongzhang, remove his official position and let him go home to rest.

But Cixi didn't forget her favorite after all, so she used him again soon.

1896, Tsar Nicholas II held a coronation ceremony. In order to congratulate Russia and thank Russia for intervening in Japan to return Liao, the Qing government specially sent Li Hongzhang, a heavyweight in the eyes of westerners, to Russia.

During Li Hongzhang's visit to Russia, he signed the Sino-Russian Secret Treaty on behalf of the Qing government, which enabled Russia to build a railway in the northeast of China and laid the foundation for future power expansion. This visit to Russia has also accumulated some political capital for Li Hongzhang's future comeback.

On June 13, 896, Li Hongzhang ended his visit to Russia and left for Germany by train.

Germany is very enthusiastic about Li Hongzhang's visit. Even Li Hongzhang's usual "cigar, blackbird" is ready for him.

On the second day of Li Hongzhang's arrival in Germany, that is, in June of 1896 and 14, he went to see the German emperor William II and expressed gratitude for Germany's intervention in Japan's return to Liao and Germany's sending troops to train for the Qing government.

1896 On June 24th, Li Hongzhang came to Hamburg, Germany, and later met Bismarck, known as the "Prime Minister of Iron Blood" on 27th.

Li Hongzhang is called "Bismarck of the East". At this time, what kind of dialogue will happen when "Oriental Bismarck" meets the real Bismarck?

When Bismarck met Li Hongzhang, he said something praising Li Hongzhang: "Wow, your country actually sent such a heavyweight minister to Germany, which really made me proud. What an honor! "

After sitting down, Li Hongzhang smiled and said to Bismarck, "I heard that someone called me Oriental Bismarck."

Bismarck also smiled and said, "Really? No one calls me Li Hongzhang of Europe. "

When Bismarck said this, Li Hongzhang was defeated. Bismarck's meaning is also very simple. I am better than you, so no one will compare me with you.

After Li and Bi exchanged pleasantries, Li Hongzhang formally entered the topic of meeting Bismarck: "I came to meet you specially to ask your advice."

Bismarck said, "Tell me, what is it?"

Li Hongzhang said seriously, "I want to revive China. Do you have any good ideas? "

Hearing this, Bismarck sneered in his heart. Hey hey, China has been revived. Where do we German benefit from it? Besides, who should I ask about this? I heard Bismarck say in a weak voice, "I am honored that you can ask me, but unfortunately, your country is too far away from our Germany, and I have never paid attention to your politics at ordinary times, so I really can't answer your question."

Li Hongzhang seemed to be psychologically prepared for Bismarck's answer, so he turned to ask, "Excuse me, how can we defeat the government?"

Li Hongzhang's question is a bit taboo. You, a slave, want to surpass the government? Do you want to rebel?

Bismarck rolled his eyes in his heart: "You said that you are a courtier and can't compete with the court, right?" So, if you have a quarrel with the government, you should either submit to the government's orders or speak out loud. "

Speaking of this, the conversation between Li and Bi is actually a slap in the face. It hardly said anything substantive, it was just talking about something.

But Li Hongzhang seemed tired, so he simply opened the skylight and asked Bismarck, "So, from the perspective of the government, how can we make a country rich and strong?"

Bismarck thought for a moment and said, "There is no better way to build a country based on training. The army does not depend on the number of people. A country's army does not need more than 50,000 people. Only by taking the elite route can we be invincible! Give "

Bismarck's words are doing whatever he wants, and there is nothing wrong with taking the line of elite soldiers. However, the situation in Germany and China is different. China equals several Germans. If there were only 50,000 troops, they would not be wiped out.

Even if there were no invaders, I'm afraid the Qing government could not maintain its rule by relying on this 50 thousand army alone.

Li hongzhang shook his head in his heart, fifty thousand? Are you kidding? But I can't say it publicly, so I listened to him continue to say, "We don't lack people, what we lack is the art of war and instructors. Your country is the best soldier in the world. When I return to China, I will definitely go to your army to practice new recruits. I hope your country can send some instructors to us. "

Li Hongzhang is very clever. You send an instructor, and then we'll decide how many soldiers to practice.

Bismarck also said: "I have better training methods here. A country needs to choose an important place to station troops, not scattered all over the country. Whenever and wherever the army is needed, as long as the military order is issued, the army can act immediately. However, this matter has to be planned in advance. I think you understand this. "

The conversation between Li and Bi ended without saying a word.

From the conversation between Li Hongzhang and Bismarck, it can be seen that Bismarck's advice to Li Hongzhang is to cultivate. In fact, it goes without saying that Bismarck, Li Hongzhang is also clear in his heart. He just plays dumb.

Why else would he recommend Yuan Shikai to go to tianjin railway station for training?

In addition, while Bismarck suggested training, he also specially dug a hole for Li Hongzhang, saying that the army should not exceed 50,000. Will Li Hongzhang jump into this hole? Of course not. At that time, the Qing government supported nearly a million troops, not to mention whether Li Hongzhang agreed that the Qing government would dare to abolish this million troops as long as it had 50 thousand troops.

Bismarck's pit is just talk. After all, he didn't believe that Li Hongzhang and the Qing government would be so stupid.

Therefore, what Li and Bi said from beginning to end is useless if they talk about the scene!

The highlight of Li Hongzhang's trip to Germany was actually to buy weapons and equipment from Germany to strengthen the fighting capacity of the Qing government troops.

What's more, Li Hongzhang is no worse than Bismarck in both training troops and learning western science and technology. He just can't make decisions.