Chapter 123: No guest

Beijing.

Ministry of Defense Building.

Zheng Yu looked at the famous visitor with his eyebrows.

The man's skin is slightly dark, with a big hooked nose and a big beard. His every move is elegant and decent, but he always has a shrewd smell.

"My dear Majesty, I am very happy to see you." This man bowed deeply, "On behalf of the Presbyterian Church and Shunhua Prefecture, I express my deep condolences for Your Majesty's death."

Zheng Yu nodded: "Elder Herzel, I am deeply honored to have you been here. The good intentions of the Presbyterian Church and everyone in Huhua Prefecture are ashamed of their leadership."

Herzl and a middle-aged white man beside him bowed deeply with gratitude.

"Sir Alfred, you have worked hard all the way." Zheng Yu turned to another middle-aged white man, "Now the coffin of his mother and father are in the Temple of Heaven. When the spirits are stopped, he will be temporarily buried in the Biyun Temple in Xishan. When the tomb is repaired next year, he will be transferred."

Alfred Rothschild's eyes were red and his voice was choked: "Your Majesty died young, and he felt sad when he was in the family. His brother Nathaniel is planning to come to China on a date to pay his respects."

Zheng Yu knew that the current Rothschild family came to China, and it was probably not just a simple condolence, but he just sincerely expressed his gratitude.

"Elder Herzl, the country has been in trouble recently, and I have been in a tight time," Zheng Yu said straight to Herzl, "I said it straight, please forgive me if there are any offenses. This time you come to Beijing, besides mourning Jia Yan and Jia Ci, do you have any other important tasks?"

Herzl was stunned, looked at the frank young man and nodded slowly: "Your Majesty, I do have some things, which is what the committee means... Of course, it is mainly to mourn the previous emperor and express condolences."

Zheng Yu nodded and just looked at the other person quietly.

Herzl took a deep breath and said sincerely: "This time, I am the representative committee to make a request to you, the respected Emperor Huaxing of the Chinese Empire."

Zheng Yu's heart moved: "Request?"

"Yes," Herzl straightened his body and his eyes were calm, "to expand the scope and autonomy of Hue Autonomous Prefecture and approve the independent establishment of the country after the war."

Zheng Yu said calmly: "Why?"

"According to the Zheng-Romian Treaty in 1876 and the Hanoi Treaty revised in 1879, if a war breaks out in Europe in the future, the empire will support the independent establishment of the Jewish Autonomous Prefecture." Herzl said frankly, "At present, the autonomous prefecture believes that the time for independent establishment has come and the conditions have been ripe. I would like to ask His Majesty to fulfill his promise."

"Elder, I don't know if you've made some mistakes." Zheng Yu said, "What is about to be held is the Asian War, not the European War. The previous secret treaty was mainly to reduce the resistance to Jewish founding when the European war powers had no time to take into account the situation in the Far East, and to attract Jewish immigrants and wealth transfer in Europe. But the current Asian War obviously cannot achieve this goal. Once it stimulates European anti-Semitism, how can your country handle itself? It is tantamount to adding fuel to the fire! This matter is definitely not feasible!"

"Your Majesty, please listen to the conditions of the Committee." Herzl still looked calm, "As long as your Majesty signs an edict to allow the establishment of the People's Republic of the People's Republic of China, in return, the Committee will provide 20 million pounds of unsecured and undiscounted interest-free loans to the Central Government of the Chinese Empire for the procurement of goods from various consortiums and enterprises of Hue Autonomous Region. In addition, the Committee will also provide 20 million pounds of free donations. In addition, in return for providing a defensive alliance to the Empire, the Jewish State will provide 3 million pounds to the Empire every year to supplement military expenses."

Zheng Yu looked at the wealthy Jewish businessman in Hungary, the famous founding father of the "Zionist" and the chairman of the Zionist League, the elder of the Presbyterian Church of Hue Autonomous Prefecture, and Theodore Herzl, and the expression on his face gradually became solemn.

This is not simply taking advantage of the situation or blackmail.

Jews are all businessmen, and they pay attention to J-East and are commercial contracts. It is not surprising to propose such a condition. But Zheng Yu knew that he could not simply consider the problem from a business perspective.

The Jews were just businessmen, but he was a politician.

"Mr. Herzl, do you know what your proposal means?" Zheng Yu stared at the other party very seriously. "Although the empire is mainly Han ethnic groups, it is a multi-ethnic country after all. The policy of autonomy given to the Hue Jews is completely different from the policy of the empire in other border areas. If the empire wins this war, its political prestige will be unrivalled and its homeland will be regained. By the time of the European War, this country can naturally be considered. But now you are given more autonomy and allow you to build a country. Once other border areas follow the example, it is tantamount to the division of the empire. Sorry, this is not a problem that money can solve."

"The loan of 30 million, the donation of 30 million... is pounds." Herzl continued, "It is not that the Committee has not considered your concerns. We have proposed this proposal after careful consideration. The Committee believes that you do not have to worry about other ethnic issues."

Zheng Yu swallowed, and the terrifying figure of 60 million pounds really forced him to take this issue seriously and carefully.

"I wish to hear high-profile words."

"First, the Jews are not an inherent nation of the Chinese Empire, but are purely from Europe. They are far from the main civilization of the Chinese Empire in both history and civilization; Second, Annan is not the headquarters of the Chinese Empire after all; Third, the local residents of Annan, who have experienced French colonial rule and influenced by Chinese culture, have now integrated into the Chinese Empire system. With the vast territory of the empire, it is not difficult to resettle; Fourth, Hue Autonomous Prefecture has laid the foundation, the framework of the entire autonomous system has matured, and the local order has stabilized, and it is not wrong to establish an independent country."

After Herzl said something, Zheng Yu was also moved.

Indeed, this is true. Annan has been lost since the Sui and Tang Dynasties. The most recent recovery was the Ming Dynasty five hundred years ago, but it was just a short ten years. The current situation of that place is that the northern town is well built, and the Annan people live in mixed with the Han people and are already promoting Chinese. In addition, around Hue, the Jews built that place to be known as the South Asia and London, and it is the most prosperous. Others, such as the land of Cambodian seized from the French, the upper and lower areas are mostly densely populated and sparsely populated. Giving the Jews real money and silver is not considered a loss?

But the question is what to do with this public opinion? How to write it in history books?

He touched his chin, looked at the Jewish elder, and said seriously: "Now that the Empire is about to fight, and there is a slap in the interior, and it is not the time to discuss these things."

"Your Majesty, in fact, this time the committee is mainly for the consideration of the imperial war."

As soon as Herzl said this, Zheng Yu couldn't help but be surprised.

"In the view of the committee, although the empire is strong, Russia and Japan have united, and their strength is still above the empire." Herzl said, "As a member of the empire, the autonomous region has participated in fundraising and subscribing to bonds, but it still wants to serve the imperial war expenses."

"Please continue."

"If the autonomous region wants to further raise funds to support the national war, it will inevitably convince the consortiums, and the best reason is undoubtedly the independent establishment of the Jews." Herzl took a deep breath and stared at Zheng Yu with bright eyes. "Using this as a reason, the committee is confident that it will provide the empire with financial support that can change the outcome of this war in various ways! Your Majesty, you should know the strength of the consortiums! As long as they unite and stand on your side, Russia and Japan will not be afraid at all!"

Zheng Yu's eyes gradually contracted: "What do you mean is that if I don't support you, these forces may be on the other side?"

"I dare not." Herzl bowed slightly, "The Russian royal family and my Jewish nation are as deep as the sea, and the committee has no intention of helping Russia. But after all, my Jewish nation has been a businessman since ancient times, and everything is inevitably considered from the perspective of economic interests."

Zheng Yu had no expression on his face and just stared at the Jewish elder.

"Your Majesty, with the original intention of the Committee, I really hope to do my best to help the empire win." Herzl said frankly, "With the anti-Semitism inspired by Tsarist Russia, once Russia wins, our Jewish Autonomous Region may not survive. The elders of the Committee are well aware of this. However, my Jewish ethnic group has been scattered in Europe for thousands of years. Although the country has revived nationalism because of the great anti-Semitism in Europe, it is inevitable that someone will forget his righteousness when he sees profit."

Zheng Yu stared at him for a while, and suddenly smiled: "Elder, what you said makes sense, but I'm afraid it's not close or true."

Herzl was stunned, and then looked at Zheng Yu with a slight surprise.

Zheng Yu was calm at this time: "It's rare for a few people to come from all the way today. It's such a big deal again. Let's sit down and taste the tea and chat slowly. Dawn, give me some good tea!"

Qiu Haiyang understood it.

Herzl looked at the free young emperor of the old god, and somehow had an unknown premonition.

The steaming Pu'er tea was served up, and Zheng Yu greeted enthusiastically: "Come on, both of them are from the tea ceremony, please taste my palace Pu'er."

The more Herzl was unable to grasp the young emperor's pulse, he felt a little nervous. Zheng Yu looked like a kung fu tea, making tea, scraping foam, pouring jars, and waxing cups, and holding it meticulously, completely leisurely, and there was no sign of the war. Herzl and Alfred looked at each other, but they were confused.

Herzl took a few sips and both sides began to talk about something irrelevant. Seeing that the young man opposite was still free, Herzl had to sigh inwardly and asked first: "Your Majesty, the war is about to begin, are you not in a hurry at all?"

"I'm anxious? Why not?" Zheng Yu smiled. "I'll finish this battle early, so I can make sure that the domestic affairs are steadily correct. I wish I could start the war early and finish it early."

Zheng Yu had already figured out this matter clearly. To put it bluntly, the Jewish man also wanted to take advantage of the current domestic and foreign troubles of the empire and take the initiative to provide war expenses as bait, so that the empire can grant independence in advance and occupy an independent country under the legal system. In the future, even if the empire is defeated in the future, the Russians would not be able to issue some clauses such as abolishing the Jewish state in the peace agreement.

But if the empire was not afraid of Russia, these people would have fewer bargaining chips after all.

Zheng Yu took a sip of tea, tasted it, and said slowly: "Elder Herzl, I actually know that the committee is in trouble now, and you are also in a hurry."

Upon hearing this, Herzl couldn't help but look at Zheng Yu in surprise.

"To put it bluntly, this is not something that the empire asks for you, but you ask for it from the empire." Zheng Yu leaned on the back of the chair, closed his eyes, and said slowly, "I also know a little about the situation within the Jewish people. There have been several factions within the Jewish people who have been arguing about the future direction. In addition to the left-behind European factions, one faction advocates independence and establishment of the country; the other faction uses the American Jewish people as the Jewish people, and advocates immigration to the United States. However, since the latter faction has always been very alert to the main Jewish families and consortiums in Europe, opposing them to threaten their status in the United States, and only hopes to absorb middle and lower classes of Jews, the current committee faction occupies the mainstream in the upper class of the European Jewish world."

Herzl and Alfred Rothschild both changed their faces.

"I heard that you are under great pressure within the Jewish people recently." Zheng Yu sighed, "There are many American factions and European left-behind factions who have proposed that once the empire is defeated in the war, the promise of the establishment of the Jewish state will not be fulfilled. The investment over the years has been wasted, especially now that my father has passed away, the domestic situation is unclear. There are also a group of radical factions among the independent founding factions, who advocate that a spiritual common holy land should be used to gather the power of Jews in the world, that is, to return to Palestine and the Holy Mountain of Zion. This time, the Muti mutiny incited anti-Semitism in the army. Several wealthy Jewish businessmen in Beijing were also robbed, and the pressure on you is even greater. These two factions took the opportunity to incite them everywhere, and your situation is also very difficult."

"So, you need me to fulfill my contract in advance." Zheng Yu said slowly, "As long as I help you achieve your country's commitment, the prestige of the Committee within the Jewish people will be at its peak. Then Jews in the world will flock in, and this Jewish country will be the world of several people! The new David family may not be able to escape Rothschild! And you, my respected elder, is the contemporary Moses!"

Herzl swallowed hard and looked at Alfred Rothschild.

"Your Majesty," Herzl said carefully, "Frankly, the Committee does have some considerations in this regard, but this is not only for the Committee, but also for the future of the Jewish people, but also for the future of the Empire!"

Zheng Yu stared at the Jewish elder with bright eyes.

"Indeed, many people are worried that if the empire fails, it will be difficult to fulfill the contract. But from another perspective, this is precisely the common interest of the empire and the autonomous prefectures!" Herzl said frankly, "The committee is very clear that the future of the Jews is closely related to the fate of the empire! In this war, the committee is firmly on the side of the empire! But your Majesty should also understand that if we want to mobilize the funds of the Jewish people and let the chaebol increase the assistance, there must be something practical to convince. And to establish a Jewish state, there is the strongest persuasion!"

"As long as you agree to the Jewish state-building plan, we can mobilize and raise funds on a large scale within the Jewish people and buy national debts." Herzl said firmly, "The Jews can pay to be able to end the thousands of years of flow and build their own new Israel!"

Zheng Yu thought for a while and said slowly: "This is not a trivial matter. This is a use of the empire's territory for money! If someone is exposed, the parliament and newspapers may scold me for stolen the country."

Herzl swallowed and gritted his teeth and said, "We only need the current 12,000 square kilometers of Hue Autonomous Prefecture and the 20,000 kilometers of Xialiao in the west, and the annual funds can be increased to 4 million pounds. Your Majesty, Japan and Russia are about to attack, and military expenditure is urgently needed. The elites of the empire will eventually have the country in mind and can understand..."

"This money is actually not a big deal. The empire's annual income this year has reached 1800 million pounds." Zheng Yu shook his head, "Is it necessary to sell such a large piece of land just for a few months of income?"

Herzl's face changed slightly, obviously he didn't expect that Zheng Yu would be so tough.

"This is to buy a country, elder." Zheng Yu said calmly, "a country, a country where the Jews decide themselves. Since ancient Rome and the occupation of Pakistan, the Jews have dreamed for thousands of years. For us, territorial sovereignty is the most sacred part of the country and cannot be measured casually with money. What's more, some lands have masters, how can we convince them? They are all fertile land with sufficient rain and sufficient sunshine, and so many buildings, civilization monuments, large tropical rainforests, minerals... No, my elder, you are causing you to commit crimes."

Herzl touched his forehead, obviously having a headache.

"Annan Autonomous Prefecture, the taxes paid to the central government every year have reached 24 million yuan," Zheng Yu said. "You are just changing the taxes that the empire deserves to be replaced with a name, right? As for the 60 million pounds, to be honest, I can win this battle without this money, and it is just easier to have it. Is it because of this little money that I will be ruined? My father is expanding territory, and I am selling my master's land?"

Herzl was speechless for a moment and had to look at Alfred Rothschild with help.

Alfred looked at Zheng Yu and said slowly: "Your Majesty, when it comes to land, it is common in civilized society. For example, the great Emperor Napoleon once sold Louisiana to the United States, and His Majesty the Russian Tsar Alexander I sold Alaska to the United States. But no one thinks that they are selling their country."

"Alfred, this is different." Zheng Yu shook his head, "What you said is to sell overseas colonies to the surrounding powerful countries. It is based on the inability to effectively implement the rule, and will sooner or later be lost, and it is necessary to do so. But you should also know the current situation in Annan. It is the cause of my father and was incorporated into the imperial system very early. I must be cautious when giving up the territory here. If I cannot give the people a J generation, I will not be able to make a decision."

Herzl obviously heard some meanings, was excited, looked at Alfred and said solemnly: "A loan of 50 million pounds, donated 50 million pounds, each pays 20 million pounds for each period, and the rest is paid in three years, and in addition, pays 5 million pounds per year."

Zheng Yu swallowed and finally started to think seriously.

I'm the dividing line of history

"What do you think?"

After seeing off Herzl and Alfred, Zheng Yu quickly summoned Xu Fan, Liu Ding and other important officials and close staff members, and told the situation.

Everyone looked at each other and was still lingering for a while.

Xu Fan was silent for a while and said, "It's better to agree to them."

His eyes turned to the remaining marshal.

"The Jews are actually a group of people that the empire is difficult to deal with." Xu Fan smiled bitterly, "These people have broad vision, flexible minds, and fierce business operations, and they don't care much about it. Over the years, they have gained a lot of benefits from the empire. But many people have settled in Hue and entered the imperial nationality. Although they were set to provide preferential treatment according to foreign capital, they also imposed industry access restrictions. However, many Jews have entered many industries and fields that were originally restricted through various means. If this continues, the country's economic and cultural lifeline will be more and more eroded by these people. The Jewish business philosophy is to use any means for profit, and now it has begun to affect the industry and businessmen in our country. In the long run, it may not be a good thing."

Zheng Yu nodded silently.

"The teacher's idea back then was actually to assimilate them." Xu Fan glanced at everyone, "But this Jew is really strange. No matter where the country he went, he believed in his own religious culture. After years of experience, his assimilation was not very successful. Instead, many of the things they brought began to become popular in China, especially in the middle and upper class. European and American rains are already very serious, and these Jews are doing something very marketable."

Everyone knew that Xu Fan was right, and here he was the only one who was qualified to criticize the late emperor's policies.

Zheng Yu looked at Tang Shaoyi: "This matter concerns the finance department. What do the Finance Minister think?"
To be continued...