“Come, come, try this… roasted lamb leg, roasted squab, lemon pumpkin pie, buttery sweet treats, not greasy at all… and this foreign wine, German Riesling from the eleventh year of Tongzhi reign, much better than our Chinese wine…”

In an upscale restaurant by the Thames, waiters with white towels draped over their shoulders whispered among themselves, quietly discussing the Chinese guests at that table with their peculiar clothing and hairstyles.

The two were of similar age, both in their mid-thirties. The man wore a waist-length queue, had a round, pale, refined face, and dressed in an ankle-length robe. The woman was fresh and beautiful, her demeanor far more mature than her appearance suggested, with a commanding presence that surpassed his—she didn’t seem like his wife.

“Shh, Qing Dynasty diplomats. Keep your voice down. Go fetch the finest tea.”

When the “finest tea” was served, with sugar cubes and fresh milk on the side, Lin Yuchan thanked the waiter. Without adding sugar or milk, she first took a sip, her expression complex.

“This… this is tea from my family…”

Xu Jianyin nearly spat out his drink laughing. He beckoned to someone and ordered in stilted English: “Coffee, coffee.”

In his view, coffee tasted much better than tea.

Lin Yuchan shook her head helplessly. Who could have imagined that this foremost expert in Western affairs in the Great Qing, who led the team that developed domestic nitric acid and new-style breech-loading rifles, and single-handedly planned the Shandong Arsenal—this military industry powerhouse—would be so slavishly devoted to Western tastes in food and drink.

Finding such an exquisite establishment in the so-called culinary desert of the British Empire was quite an achievement on his part.

She turned to look out the window. London was perpetually shrouded in thick fog, but when it occasionally cleared for a brief moment, one could see the gleaming new Big Ben. The enormous British royal standard flew from the roof of Buckingham Palace, indicating that Queen Victoria was in residence. The dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral was visible. A full hundred years later, Diana would become the granddaughter-in-law of Queen Victoria in this very place. Across the Thames, a layer of black smoke hung over the busy Waterloo Station.

“And this—foie gras, imported from France, you absolutely must try it.” Xu Jianyin introduced enthusiastically. “The embassy gets a monthly dining allowance, and if we don’t spend it, it all goes into the gentlemen’s pockets. I wish I could grow two more mouths every day.”

Xu Jianyin currently serves as Second Secretary at the Great Qing Embassy in Germany, with his main duties being engineering and technical investigations. He had been stationed abroad for two years, traveling throughout major European countries including Britain, France, and Germany. Besides hungrily absorbing firsthand Western technology, his only hobby was sampling local delicacies. Lin Yuchan hadn’t seen him in many years and almost didn’t recognize him at first glance—he had gained quite a bit of weight.

Since the court was paying, she didn’t stand on ceremony. However, she still politely declined some of the more extravagant and expensive dishes. Perhaps because she had started as a member of the proletariat, some things she used without pressure in modern times gave her a sense of guilt when enjoyed in the nineteenth century.

“I haven’t thanked you yet.” Xu Jianyin skillfully carved the squab, speaking sincerely. “That Gatling gun from last time—when it was shipped back to the country, Lord Li specifically sent a telegram saying even the Empress Dowager praised it. Miss Lin, your eye for quality is excellent! When will you teach me?”

Lin Yuchan smiled. “Just for this, you called me to London for dinner?”

The Gatling gun was an American high-tech product that had been widely used since the Civil War era and was now a very mature piece of modern military equipment. Lin Yuchan had chanced to meet inventor Gatling in New York and suddenly felt the name was familiar.

Though she was a complete amateur regarding firearms, she immediately realized—wasn’t this the classic weapon from many war games and movies? It was still being used during World War II!

At this time, war clouds in Europe and America had just begun to disperse, and the military equipment market was flourishing with mixed quality. When the Great Qing court sent people to purchase Western firearms, they were often cheated and deceived, traveling thousands of miles over several months only to buy a pile of defective goods. But there was no alternative. Relevant talent was scarce, and in the eyes of Western profiteers, the Qing government was foolish with deep pockets, deserving to be swindled.

But Lin Yuchan was certain that this Gatling gun wouldn’t fail them.

However, as a civilian merchant and a woman at that, she couldn’t get involved in the arms trade. After much thought, she wrote to Xu Jianyin, who was then in Germany, asking him to come to America for a look.

Xu Jianyin was an expert who fell in love with the Gatling gun at first sight. He immediately reported back to Beijing and made a substantial order for fifty units, asking Lin Yuchan to help negotiate the contract details. Now that the machine guns had been shipped back to the country, everyone who used them praised them. Xu Jianyin basked in reflected glory, his name reaching the imperial ear, with even Cixi praising him a few words, saying that when he returned to the country, he would be well rewarded.

Xu Jianyin was devoted to scientific research. Although he wouldn’t sharpen his head trying to pursue promotion and wealth, when “promotion and wealth” fell from heaven, and years of effort were finally recognized, he was still delighted to be struck by such good fortune.

He quickly wrote back to Lin Yuchan to thank her. Seeing that she was currently in New York, he thought it over—he didn’t have many resources at hand, only knowing a group of reliable Western engineers and factory owners who all had partnerships with the Qing government. So he invited her to take a ship to London, where he could introduce her to them. If there were opportunities for cooperation, she could ride the court’s coattails and get preferential pricing.

Lin Yuchan naturally agreed readily. China’s national capital was now developing vigorously, with Boya already operating multiple tea and silk factories under its umbrella, and she had used her savings to invest in shares of domestic machinery plants and textile mills. She couldn’t donate for official positions or titles like other merchants, nor did she participate in those greasy men’s social gatherings. Her only advantage was appealing to technology, introducing more advanced and efficient machinery than others, which was the only way she could compete with veteran merchants and compradors.

Of course… when brokering with the Gatling company, taking a five percent commission according to arms market convention was something that didn’t need to be reported to the Great Qing court.

“By the way,” after thanking her, Xu Jianyin suddenly asked quietly, “in your letter, you also told me to withdraw my savings from Fukang Bank. Why exactly?”

“Intuition. That bank has excessive risk.” Lin Yuchan smiled casually. “Even if nothing happens, you don’t lose anything.”

Fukang Bank was the enterprise of Hu Xuyan, currently Jiangnan’s richest man. Hu Xuyan was both official and merchant, currently backed by Zuo Zongtang and at the height of his power. Wealthy people competed to deposit their family savings in his bank, thinking it was secure.

But when Lin Yuchan heard that Hu Xuyan was hoarding raw silk, attempting to monopolize the national raw silk market, she knew this red-capped merchant’s days were numbered.

Countless historical books and documentaries described how this failed speculation not only buried all of Hu Xuyan’s wealth but also triggered a nationwide financial crisis. In the current year of 1881, Shanghai’s speculative atmosphere was intense, with mining and industrial stocks soaring. For new merchants entering the market, opportunities for overnight wealth were everywhere, but for Lin Yuchan, everything seemed familiar.

Though she had money, her wealth couldn’t compare to Hu Xuyan’s, nor could she use individual strength to oppose major economic trends. So she began gradually contracting her risky investments, storing silver, and hinting to friends and family to quickly cut ties with Hu Xuyan’s enterprises.

But she couldn’t tell Xu Jianyin all this. Even if she spoke directly, he wouldn’t believe her. After all, Hu Xuyan had many enemies who cursed his bankruptcy daily—she wasn’t the only one.

So she sipped her foreign wine and said only with mysterious profundity: “I’ve always had good instincts about crashes.”

In business, you place your bets and accept the consequences, willing to gamble and accept losses. If someone insisted on grabbing chestnuts from the fire, she couldn’t stop them. But Xu Jianyin’s savings were all earned drop by drop from laboratories, mines, and munitions workshops at the risk of his life—they couldn’t just be taken away for bubble speculation.

Xu Jianyin looked at her calm, confident face, recalling her previous financial advice, and nodded hesitantly.

“Alright. I’ll send a telegram back. Thank you.”

Having a friend in business was indeed a blessing, helping him avoid many pitfalls.

After Lin Yuchan was toasted for the third time, she laughingly declined: “You’re too kind. So tell me, what did you want to see me about?”

A batch of Gatling guns and the favor of one letter wouldn’t warrant inviting her to London for an expense-paid trip to build relationships and introduce business opportunities. She had already noticed the bulging document bag at Xu Jianyin’s feet. Seeing his embarrassment in bringing it up, she took the initiative, smiling as she looked at him.

Xu Jianyin was indeed feeling guilty. He coughed twice before saying awkwardly: “You… your relationship with Lord Hede, who manages the customs—it’s still good, right?”

Lin Yuchan frowned slightly, watching him stuff a whole piece of suspicious cheese into his mouth.

“Is there something wrong?” she asked directly. “When dealing with him, the depth of the relationship doesn’t matter. He only cares about ‘reason.'”

Xu Jianyin took another large gulp of Riesling, draining half the glass, before saying: “It’s about buying ships. I came to Europe this time, actually to buy ships.”

After the Ryukyu Incident, the Qing government was determined to prepare coastal defenses and began planning the Beiyang Fleet. The Jiangnan Arsenal had completely degenerated into a bureaucratic facade. Western shipbuilding technology was becoming increasingly advanced. Xu Jianyin’s current official trip abroad was ostensibly for investigation, but had another secret mission: to order the best warships for the court.

After investigating multiple countries, Xu Jianyin finally favored the Saxon-class ironclad warships from Germany’s Vulcan shipyard. When he telegraphed back to the country, he was met with cold water. Customs Inspector-General Hede thought the German ships were too expensive, treating the Great Qing as a fat sheep for slaughter, and refused to allocate funds. Hede recommended British-made gunboats, saying they were excellent value, with three ships costing only as much as one German ship.

Xu Jianyin, who only cared about data, stubbornly said: “That Lord Hede doesn’t understand military matters at all. When I came to London this time, I saw the ship type he recommended. Slow speed, thin armor plating—in bad weather, the recoil from firing cannons might flip the ship. I… I suspect he’s taking kickbacks. But my superiors all say that’s impossible—under his administration, the customs are most cleanest, without a penny of corruption.”

In Xu Jianyin’s simple scientific thinking, he felt Hede had fallen into the money trap. If Lin Yuchan had enough influence, she must help him lobby to make Lord Hede see the error of his ways and stop having amateurs command experts.

Lin Yuchan held her forehead and gently closed her eyes. The several drinks Xu Jianyin had toasted her with were beginning to take effect, making golden stars appear before her eyes.

Warships…

Having been around Su Minguan for years, she knew a bit about ships, but knew nothing about warships.

Seeing her hesitation, Xu Jianyin grew anxious. He lowered his head to search his bag, found a document folder, and slapped several papers in front of her with sharp sounds.

Lin Yuchan saw the “Confidential” official seal on the document folder and thought, “I’m done for, I’m on a pirate ship now.”

The waiter, with great perception, cleared away the leftover food, wiped the table, and brought over a small cart with walnut pieces in sour cream tart, coffee, and Portuguese rosé wine.

Xu Jianyin directly showed her blueprints of two types of warships.

“Look here, this speed, this number of cannons, and this thickness of the iron hull… maneuverability…”

Lin Yuchan: “Wait.”

She skipped over the pile of parameters under Xu Jianyin’s finger, her gaze fixing on the outline sketch of the German ironclad, and suddenly shivered.

She recognized this ship!

Wasn’t this the Dingyuan?

She had not only seen it in history textbooks. She remembered that during her high school years, there had been major news about underwater archaeologists confirming the location of the Dingyuan’s wreck from the First Sino-Japanese War, recovering a batch of sunken ship artifacts, and salvaging the remains…

Thanks to archaeologists and omnipresent online media, she recognized the 360-degree restoration of the Dingyuan at a glance.

In the current year of 1881, the Dingyuan existed only on blueprints. It was the optimal battleship selected by Xu Jianyin after investigating multiple European shipyards.

Undoubtedly, the other similar ship on the blueprints was the future “Zhenyuan.”

The main fighting force of the Beiyang Fleet. They would directly elevate the Qing Navy to world-class standards.

She had never known that these two famous warships of later generations were purchased under Xu Jianyin’s supervision.

Without hesitation, she pointed to the German blueprint and said, “Of course, this one is better.”

Xu Jianyin: “You haven’t looked at the British one yet…”

“This one is good. This is the best ship.” Her eyes suddenly grew moist, and she raised her voice: “But having ships alone isn’t enough—ammunition must keep up, naval officers and men must receive adequate training, the court must be prepared for danger in times of peace, always ready for war, and can’t wait for others to launch surprise attacks… The key is, absolutely no one can be allowed to embezzle the funds, otherwise it’s like trying to cook without rice…”

“That’s natural.” Xu Jianyin smiled. “These are all basic principles of military strategy that military officers understand. Once we buy the ships, we’ll naturally maintain and use them properly.”

Lin Yuchan smiled, not knowing what else to say.

Lin Yuchan immediately took to the ship he had chosen. Xu Jianyin felt he had found a kindred spirit and happily downed another half cup of wine.

“So you agree to go talk with Lord Hede…”

“Hede has countless advisors under him who certainly know that British mosquito boats are inferior to the Saxon-class ironclads you favor.” Lin Yuchan said quietly. “He’s not seeking petty profits through kickbacks. He’s just greedy for merit, wanting to insert himself into the new Naval Yamen from its very formation to ensure his influence.”

People change. That earnest young man who once declared “China’s navy must be commanded by Chinese, foreigners cannot interfere” had spent many years struggling in the Qing bureaucracy. If he hadn’t cultivated some inflated ambitions, he would be a saint.

Controlling both money and troops—if he achieved this, he would be the first foreigner with real power in the Great Qing.

Xu Jianyin: “Then… then what should we do?”

What could Lin Yuchan do? Her former boss had treated her well, but when his private interests began to conflict with China’s interests, she still knew which side to choose.

Of course, she couldn’t offend him either. The customs were the big boss hanging over all businesspeople’s heads.

She looked up and said seriously to Xu Jianyin: “Actually, you’re only responsible for investigating warships, not managing naval military affairs, right? You know in your heart that with the Great Qing’s current national strength, if we went to full-scale war with the great powers, to the point of needing to deploy the entire Beiyang Fleet… whether Saxon-class ironclads or British mosquito boats, neither would be the key to turning the tide of battle…”

She thought of the final fate of the Dingyuan and Zhenyuan in the First Sino-Japanese War. Even if Xu Jianyin couldn’t personally witness the battle, he would certainly hear how his precious warships, selected parameter by parameter, ended up paralyzed like trapped beasts outside Weihaiwei—one scuttled, one captured by Japanese forces, used, decommissioned, and its parts displayed in Tokyo as trophies…

Was it necessary?

Xu Jianyin naturally understood her meaning and lightly punched the table, splashing a few drops of wine.

“I don’t know about the future, but everything must have a beginning to have hope. If we’re intimidated from the start and don’t take it seriously, how can we face the court and the common people who hope for a strong country? What I must do is give them the best beginning. As for future matters, others will naturally take over and won’t do worse than I. The sage said, ‘A gentleman does not think beyond his position.’ At least on my watch, everything must be as perfect as possible.”

He tilted his neck and drained his cup, his refined face showing rough redness from the wine, his eyes flashing with an unusual light.

Lin Yuchan nodded, pondered for a long while, slowly finished her dessert, and stood up. Xu Jianyin quickly followed her out, signing a Great Qing Embassy voucher for the restaurant to collect payment later.