Beijing, the Embassy of the Unsetting Empire in the Qing Dynasty.
Prince Qing Yikuang, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Qing Dynasty, was meeting with the British Minister to the Qing Dynasty, Sir Walsingham.
“Your Excellency, my Qing Dynasty has purchased a large number of weapons and equipment from your country. However, so far, your country has delivered less than one-third of the weapons and equipment we ordered.
We hope that Your Excellency can urge them to deliver these weapons and equipment as soon as possible.
Our army is waiting for these weapons and equipment!”
Prince Qing Yikuang made his request.
“Your Highness, I will convey your request to my country. But the production of weapons and equipment takes time. After production, it will take more time to transport them to the distant East.” Sir Walsingham replied.
In fact, this was entirely because the Qing Dynasty had placed a huge order at once, and the arms dealers of the Unsetting Empire were overwhelmed.
It was no wonder. Although the Unsetting Empire was the world hegemon, the world's strongest country.
But compared to the world's strongest navy, the Unsetting Empire's army was much weaker.
The Unsetting Empire's standing army was only a few tens of thousands of men.
To ask them to produce enough weapons and equipment to arm two hundred thousand men at once was really too much to ask.
Furthermore, the Qing Dynasty was in such a hurry, so the Unsetting Empire had to rush production.
Prince Qing Yikuang nodded, acknowledging Sir Walsingham’s reply.
“Well, Your Excellency. But the Qing Dynasty still hopes that the Unsetting Empire can deliver the goods as soon as possible.” Prince Qing Yikuang said.
“Of course, Your Highness, we will deliver everything in the shortest possible time.” Sir Walsingham immediately replied.
“Your Excellency, given the current domestic situation, as you know very well. Our country hopes that your country can help us suppress the rebellion. The rebels have not only occupied Lu Province, but have also attacked Zhili, Henan and Jiangsu Province. If this continues, the entire Qing Dynasty will be thrown into chaos. The Unsetting Empire has a lot of interests in the Qing Dynasty, which will inevitably lead to the Unsetting Empire's interests being harmed.
The Old Buddha has already said that if the Unsetting Empire can help us, we will definitely not forget your kindness.
Please, in view of our friendly relations, you can help us in time.”
Prince Qing Yikuang acted as if the Qing Dynasty had money to spare, and as long as the Unsetting Empire helped the Qing Dynasty quell the rebellion, they would be rewarded handsomely.
Sir Walsingham's eyes lit up.
Although the Unsetting Empire had many concessions in the Qing Dynasty, as well as many treaty ports with extraterritorial rights.
But if it could further expand its sphere of interests in the Qing Dynasty, it would undoubtedly be very beneficial to the Unsetting Empire.
You see, although the Qing Dynasty was poor, it was a huge country with a population of over four hundred million.
All the Western powers were trying to expand their sphere of influence in the Qing Dynasty in order to extract more wealth from it.
Although the Unsetting Empire was the world's hegemon, it could not prevent other powers from entering the Qing Dynasty.
But this time, the Qing Dynasty was taking the initiative to invite the Unsetting Empire to help them quell the rebellion, which was undoubtedly a great opportunity.
If successful, it would inevitably further strengthen the relationship between the Unsetting Empire and the Qing Dynasty, enabling the Unsetting Empire to gain more interests in the Qing Dynasty.
This would be of great benefit to the Unsetting Empire in extracting more profits and wealth, and even in maintaining its world hegemony.
“Your Highness, I will report the Qing Dynasty’s request to my country immediately. I believe that the Empire does not want to see the peace and stability of the Qing Dynasty, and would not tolerate the destruction of the Qing Dynasty’s order.” Sir Walsingham replied.
“That's great, Your Excellency, I'll leave it all to you!” Prince Qing Yikuang was overjoyed.
In his view, Sir Walsingham had already said so.
Then, this time the British would help the Qing Dynasty quell the rebellion, it was obviously a sure thing.
“Your Excellency, just a little something, not a token of appreciation.” Prince Qing Yikuang's face was full of smiles, and then he handed Sir Walsingham a box wrapped in cloth.
Sir Walsingham was also very familiar with the Qing Dynasty's way of doing things, and took it directly.
The box opened, inside was a golden Buddha statue.
He weighed it in his hand, it weighed at least a pound.
Sir Walsingham’s face couldn't help but show a satisfied smile.
Although this was the god worshipped by the infidels, but who would have thought it was gold?
Who could refuse gold?
Probably not even God could.
“Your Highness, please rest assured, I will do my best to speak for you, and do my utmost to make this happen!” Sir Walsingham immediately stated.
“That’s great, Your Excellency. After this is done, the Qing Dynasty will never forget your kindness.” Prince Qing Yikuang guaranteed.
Sir Walsingham's smile widened.