Steel Dynasty - Chapter 943

[Chapter 938 Welfare Outlook]

“Embassy? Really?”

Schroeder smiled. He originally thought that the Emperor of Chongqing would not care about their stay in Qingzhou, but he did not expect that he would make such a perfect suggestion.

“That’s right. With the embassy, the envoys you send to Dayu can handle affairs between the two countries here and promote trade, culture and other exchanges between the two countries.”

Facing Schroeder, Xiao Ming The specific functions of an embassy are roughly put forward. In fact, in contemporary Europe, consulates have appeared that can only be similar to embassies.

Tracing the history of consulates back to the Middle Ages, when Western capitalism had emerged, merchants were doing business in various European countries and even settled in cities where they were doing business.

These people often have trade disputes with their country of residence, and in order to resolve the disputes, they act as arbitration or mediators for each other. So the merchant arbitration consul appeared.

Now, Western civilization is basically in the middle and late eighteenth century. Generally speaking, this is a period of prosperous international trade. Western countries have paid more and more attention to the value of the consular system and even formulated laws for consulates abroad.

However, compared to the West, the diplomatic system of the Great Chongqing is still relatively backward. After all, the Great Chongqing ten years ago basically did not establish relations with countries outside the tributary system.

Countries within the tribute system only pay tribute annually and do not have so many affairs to speak of.

But now there is the Netherlands first, and now Prussia. He believes that as the Great Chongqing shows its prominence in the world, more and more countries will go to the Great Chongqing to establish embassies.

At the same time, in his view, with the rise of Great Chongqing, the brilliance of civilization he brought from the technological crystal will also spread to the world with Great Chongqing as the center, whether it is Asia, Europe or the Americas.

After all, people in this world are constantly moving, and the expansion of commercial activities in the Great Chongqing will inevitably be accompanied by the culture, economy, and technology of the Great Chongqing. This is just like when the West colonized, it also brought its own technology and culture to the colonies.

“This is exactly what we hope for.” Schroeder felt a stone fall in his heart. Judging from the attitude of the emperor of Chongqing, they were very willing to cooperate with Prussia.

Moreover, in his view, the only one that can cooperate with the Great Chongqing is Prussia. First of all, Tsarist Russia’s interests in the Far East doom the two to no cooperation. The Netherlands is too small, has a limited population, and a weak army, and is simply unable to compete with the major European countries. Total war, and Austria and Hungary are not monolithic. While the Austrian emperor also serves as the Hungarian emperor, the Hungarian nobles are also seeking more rights.

As for Poland, this country is being encroached on by the European powers, not to mention France and Britain. Portugal and Britain signed the “Anglo-Portuguese Alliance Treaty” hundreds of thousands of years ago. This treaty has been maintained to this day. It can be said to be Britain’s iron ally, and also It will not be used by the Great Chongqing, and Spain also has many colonies overseas, so it will naturally be a long-term ally.

Thinking of this, Schroeder seemed to see through the limitations of Dayu’s current exchanges with European countries, so he boldly said: “Your Majesty, I have one last request. I hope that we can send noble children to study in Dayu. I hope your majesty will make it happen.”

“Study abroad?”

Xiao Ming rolled his eyes. He had thought about this question before Schroeder came, and now he had an answer.

After pondering for a moment, he said: “I agree to your request.”

Schroeder was ecstatic when he heard this. He did not expect these aristocratic children studying abroad to learn the most advanced technology of Great Chongqing, but he just hoped that what they learned would not let Prussia be destroyed. Britain and France were left behind. They could not think of using the internal war of Great Chongqing to seize talents from Great Chongqing like Britain and France did.

After agreeing to Schroeder’s last request, Xiao Ming discussed some details of cooperation with Schroeder. Finally, he asked Pang Yukun to entertain Schroeder.

Watching the group leave, Fiji said at this time: “Is this Prussia really so important? The emperor actually agreed to their request to study abroad.”

“It’s very important.” Xiao Ming said, “Now Britain and France have obtained the traitors. Help, it will inevitably surpass the current European countries in technology and firearms. In this way, the process of colonization by the Great Chongqing will become difficult, and Europe will be unbalanced as a result. A unified Europe is not what I want to see. Therefore, now we must help Prussia as much as possible. The rise of a European power will inevitably cause chaos in Europe. “

After a pause, he continued: “In addition, studying abroad is not all bad. Through the cultural influence of Great Chongqing, At least a group of pro-Da Yu nobles can be cultivated among these overseas students. After these nobles return to the country, they will influence the decision-making of Prussian high-level officials. This is extremely beneficial to Da Yu. Otherwise, even if there is cooperation now , It is also difficult for us to control Prussia’s diplomatic direction. “

The old minister is still a little worried about the leakage of technology. After all, this is a weapon for Great Chongqing to defeat other countries.” Fiji is now paying more and more attention to technology.

Hearing this, Xiao Ming laughed softly, “Fei Ge’s worries are unnecessary. Now the overall technical level of the Great Chongqing cannot be surpassed by just a few foreign students returning home. We will also require strict confidentiality for cutting-edge technologies. They What we have learned is only the backward technology that we have abandoned. “

He still has something to say, that is, with him, Dayu’s technology will always be at the forefront.

“In this way, the old minister feels at ease. In fact, the cabinet has been discussing this issue recently. Now with the emergence of electricity, some steam engine technologies have become backward and obsolete technologies. There is no need to invest money in research. The cabinet has also stopped investigating some backward steam technologies. investment, but it is a pity to let these steam engine industries disappear like this. After all, the imperial court spent a lot of money to establish this industry. Therefore, instead of dusting it, it is better to use these backward technologies and products in exchange for money to improve the country of Chongqing. People’s lives, after all, these technologies are not far behind other countries, what is the emperor’s intention?” Fiji said carefully.

Xiao Ming looked at Fiji with relief. After ten years of hard work, this former great scholar had now kept up with the development of the Great Chongqing and was able to think about some unique issues.

“You have a good idea. Instead of letting these technologies and industrial products rot, it is better to get real benefits. I can always think about having enough money to make education and medical care free in the Great Chongqing country, and to build my own country like the Dutch.” Welfare system.

In a conversation with Brandon, he learned that the Netherlands had established a social welfare system fifty years ago with the generous donations of many entrepreneurs.

They use these funds to vigorously fund scientific research, invention and innovation, and improve residents’ income levels.

These have become the soft power of economic development, attracting European scientific and technological elites and businessmen like a magnet.

(End of chapter)