In November 1875, Zuo Zongtang was filled with joy when he went to see Vézé. The 63-year-old old man did not expect that he would be able to do so many things in the last few years of his life that made him feel no guilt.
Taking back Hong Kong was, of course, a milestone. Pulling out the poisonous fang of the British at the Pearl River Estuary meant that the big powers had truly been driven out of China. Unable to command and have no opportunity to carry a gun to participate in the battle, Zuo Zongtang did his best to help with logistics.
The core of the Five Year Plan was to deepen the land reform. Of course, Guangdong completed it very well. The core of the Two Year Plan was to improve compulsory education and the health and epidemic prevention system. Guangdong also completed it quite well. Many of the experiences gained by Guangdong were promoted and publicized throughout the country. This was something that was extremely eye-catching. It was also Zuo Zongtang's achievement.
Of course, Zuo Zongtang was very clear about his own affairs. The biggest reason why he was able to achieve results like a fish in water was because he asked Vézé for advice on a long-term development plan. For example, Zuo Zongtang already knew that the core of the Three Year Plan was to strengthen the construction of hydropower and water conservancy projects. Vézé's thoughts on governing the country could be said to be very complicated, but the actual implementation method was much simpler and more straightforward. Before he planned to implement anything, he would set up a project to do research. After the research was done, he would conduct an experiment. After the experiment was completed, he would start to promote it.
Guangdong's industrial strength was quite strong, and the foundation accumulated over the years was also very strong. All they had to do was to cooperate with the corresponding departments to do a good job in this area. The other provinces felt that these projects were bitter and tiring, and they were projects that did not bring any benefits. Zuo Zongtang did not think so. These projects were all major projects that would benefit the future. The country also invested a lot of money into them. When the Three Year Plan came, Guangdong had experience and connections, and it would be much easier to implement it. It was natural for them to become the most advanced in the country again.
To put it bluntly, these were preparation in advance and revision afterwards. Needless to say, there were some people who avoided difficult work. Even the very serious and smart provincial leaders, when they first came into contact with a new job, Guangdong had already had several or even more than ten experiences. In comparison, it would be a miracle if they could beat Guangdong. This was not only Zuo Zongtang's experience, but it was also a valuable experience that allowed Guangdong to surpass the rest of the country.
When he saw Vézé in a relaxed mood, Vézé asked Zuo Zongtang a question. "Old Zuo, have you ever thought about retiring?"
"Ruling the world?" Zuo Zongtang asked curiously. Vézé had never mentioned retirement, so Zuo Zongtang could not immediately determine which word it was. It was not until Vézé wrote down the words "retire" that Zuo Zongtang finally understood. This time, Jin Liang was very unhappy.
In ancient times, officials' normal retirement was called "retirement". Of course, Zuo Zongtang knew about this system. However, Vézé asked him as soon as they met, "Have you ever thought about retiring?" Moreover, he asked Zuo Zongtang, the oldest official in the new government. This made Zuo Zongtang feel sad.
"I'm old and useless. It's time for me to go home and rest!" Zuo Zongtang pretended to be calm.
Of course, Vézé could hear the anger and resentment in Zuo Zongtang's voice. He said seriously, "From my perspective, I don't think so."
"Then what does Your Majesty think?" Zuo Zongtang asked angrily.
Vézé smiled and said, "There are too many incompetent people who haven't made any mistakes holding the positions. I need to establish a system for them to give up their positions. If they hold the positions, young people won't have a chance. Many people are envious of you, Old Zuo, but they are also not convinced. So, if you propose the retirement system now, I personally think there will be little resistance. Many people will be happy to see you make a fool of yourself. However, they won't be able to see you for long. It will be their turn to give up their positions. Old Zuo, as the first comrade to retire with honor, you will be recorded in the history books. "
After listening to Vézé's explanation, Zuo Zongtang was silent. Even though Zuo Zongtang boasted that he was close to the light, he didn't dare to look down on Vézé. Moreover, Vézé was always very straightforward when he talked about things. He didn't try to hide anything, which made Zuo Zongtang admire him even more. When a person told the truth, especially the truth about the political system, Zuo Zongtang felt that he had to respond with the same straightforwardness. He replied, "Commander in Chief, I don't want to retire. I still want to contribute more to the country."
"Sixty-five years old is the minimum for a ministerial reappointment. Of course, you can still be reappointed and complete your term. After this term is completed, you must retire, "Vézé said.
After listening to this, Zuo Zongtang couldn't help but show a sad and angry expression.
Vézé said seriously, "Old Zuo, there aren't many outstanding people like you. Most civil servants are very ordinary people. From my perspective, I can only think about how to improve the overall efficiency. I can't search for a group of geniuses and put them in the most suitable official positions. The advantages of the system are greater than the individual. With a normal exit mechanism, young people will have the chance to stand out. The competition will be fierce. Those outstanding talents would emerge victorious. This is more effective and fair than choosing geniuses. "
Seeing that Zuo Zongtang still didn't agree, Vézé said, "Old Zuo, working hard for the revolution is a contribution. Sacrificing a bit of your own interests for the revolution is also a contribution. I don't know if you are willing to make some sacrifices. "
Zuo Zongtang wanted to immediately tell Vézé that he was not willing. The words were at the tip of his tongue, but Zuo Zongtang felt that he couldn't say it. The history of "retirement" popped up in Zuo Zongtang's mind. In ancient times, rulers and ministers also had to have "etiquette." The ministers had to repeatedly ask for retirement, and the rulers had to repeatedly ask them to stay. In the end, there was a drama of the ruler and his minister knowing each other well from beginning to end. He had never seen Vézé ask his subordinates to retire so frankly. And according to Vézé, there would be a set of very strict standards for retirement in the future. When the time was up, they would have to leave.
Thinking that he would be the first to leave under the retirement system, Zuo Zongtang wanted to criticize Vézé for doing this because he was looking down on people. But after thinking about it, Zuo Zongtang felt that it was meaningless to criticize him. Once the retirement system was confirmed, Zuo Zongtang might be the first to retire. The next to retire would be Vézé's old subordinates. From the perspective of winning the lottery, Zuo Zongtang would definitely be the first to retire. The next to retire would be Vézé's old subordinates. The thousands of people after him would be nameless.
Thinking of this, Zuo Zongtang asked, "Commander-in-chief, why do you want to do this now?"
Vézé answered calmly, "If I do it now, everyone is still young, and the backlash will be smaller. When these people reach the retirement age, once the regulations are announced, they will have to retire immediately or in two or three years. This will be much more difficult. If you are willing to help, I will be very grateful. If you are not willing to help, then I will do it myself. Since there is a civil service system, there must be a set of regulations. It is impossible for there to be no complaints, but once the system is finalized, I will not be the one to carry it out. I will not have to face so many complaints. "
Zuo Zongtang thought for a while and replied, "Since Your Majesty has said so, I will accept it!"
Zuo Zongtang would not go back on what he had accepted. At the Central Committee meeting, Zuo Zongtang put forward a proposal to improve the retirement system. Just before Zuo Zongtang spoke, Foreign Minister Li Xin listened to the Central Committee member put forward his own opinions with a relaxed mood. The army's mine exploration team found a lot of gold placers on the newly purchased land of more than 500 million square kilometers. There was no shortage of water in the northern ice fields, and they could start panning for gold with equipment there. Last summer, more than a dozen tons of gold were dug out.
With such a huge stimulus, the Liberation Army had been ordered to expand its territory in North America. The Sixth Army broke through the Magenot Mountains in the east and advanced frantically along the Rocky Mountains in the west. Along the way, they kept planting flags at various key points and establishing strongholds. The Navy began to occupy the uninhabited islands in the North Pacific and Arctic Oceans and set up China's logo on them.
Li Xin knew very well that sooner or later, there would be a serious conflict with the British. The Military Commission was also very clear about this. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Military Commission both agreed that even if China did not do this, there would be a serious conflict with the British sooner or later. Only by muddying the water could the stronger party get more benefits. In a sense, this was also a diplomatic trick learned from the British.
When the Military Commission no longer blamed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the other departments naturally stopped. On this trip around the world, Li Xin made it clear that China's biggest enemy in the future was the United Kingdom. In the west, which the Central Committee had not yet fully controlled, Xinjiang and Central Asia would have to face the power of Russia, and the power of the British could not be underestimated. In Tibet, they would have to face the British.
Not only did the Sino-British conflict not resolve because of the armistice, but it had deepened. In the future, there would definitely be an unprecedentedly large scale liquidation. It was not just China and the United Kingdom that would participate in that liquidation.
France and the Netherlands had been liquidated after surrendering their colonies in the Pacific. But Vézé had drawn a few circles on the Volga River with a stroke of his pen. If China had not entered the industrial age, this would have been Vézé's idealistic thoughts and a few daydreams.
For a materialist, the construction of the railway from Mongolia to Xinjiang was in full swing. The purpose of this railway was not only to enter Xinjiang, but also to Central Asia. It would continue westward in the future. Once the railway entered Xinjiang, the Taiping Rebellion led by Shi Dakai would enter the countdown stage.
Once the railway was built to Central Asia, the struggle between China and Russia for Central Asia would begin. Once the railway was built to the Volga River, the circles that Vézé had drawn on the Volga River would no longer be a fantasy, but a fact that would be watered with blood.
At present, China would carry out a major liquidation with the United Kingdom and Russia. These two countries were powerful in Europe. If they were touched, what would happen to the situation in Europe and the world? Li Xin did not want to make a simple judgment. This judgment involved too many interests and countries, and it was not a simple list to make clear.
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