Princess Charlotte, who was nearly seventeen years old at the time, and her entourage had an impression of China as a barbarous, backward, and desolate land before they came to China. And after they arrived in China... it was still a barbarous, backward, and desolate land.

  While passing through the mountains on the border of Guangxi and Hunan, Vice Premier and Finance Minister Rong Ker even complained: Paul must be an old fool who was cheated by his distant nephew who looks like a monkey. Does he want us to run into these mountains and become monkeys?

  But as soon as they arrived at the pass, they entered a state of constant astonishment just like patriotic educated youth from all over the country who came to Anjiang seeking a way out.

  However, the surprise of the two is still somewhat different in nature. The surprise of this Luxembourg team, which appeared under the name of an inspection team, was because they felt like they had returned to Europe; while the patriotic young intellectuals from all over the country were surprised because there were too many unheard and unseen things on this land of Xiangxi.

  Let's talk about the Luxembourg delegation, a diplomatic group that left an indelible mark in the history of the Chinese Federation (this diplomatic mission occupies the same amount of space in history textbooks as Shanghai gangster Du Yuesheng). Princess Charlotte asked Vice Premier Jungker in surprise: "Uncle Jungker, why did I see trains in this barbaric country?"

  Young's inner heart was also extremely shocked. In fact, he knew more than Princess Charlotte, who was still underage. The train in this mountainous area was actually an electric locomotive developed by Siemens of Germany. This seemed to be not yet widely popular even in Europe. However, he remained calm and composed: "Dear Princess, there's no need to be surprised. In the era of the old Buddha, the Chinese had already begun building railways. According to Phillips' report, this railway should be the Antung Railway led by the Belgian Compagnie Belge d'Orient. The end of the railway is our final destination for this trip to China."

  Fortunately, the next town we passed through was no different from any other run-down Chinese town, otherwise Deputy Prime Minister Yeo would have been extremely embarrassed.

  But the train that was supposed to come finally arrived, and everyone got off to take a look at the majestic and magnificent Jingzhou Railway Station. At this time, 200 meters away from the passenger platform, a whole train of cement produced by Jingzhou Cement Factory was being loaded. Vice Premier Kontek was an industrial capitalist and he curiously walked over there. After coordination with the accompanying reception officials, he opened a bag of packaged cement and grabbed some with his hand, immediately shocking him. Oh my god, Chinese people can also produce cement, and it's even standard European numbered cement! How is this possible?

  The urban area of Jingzhou has already appeared with buildings above three floors, and there are not a few. Everyone didn't say anything and continued to follow the train. In Jingzhou, another batch of military officers and soldiers came up, numbering around hundreds. It is said that they were dispatched to Guizhou to supplement the new division. It seems that Phillips' Zhongtian is expanding its own military power. But when I was in Guangzhou, my Belgian friend clearly told me that China's war had already ended. Is this warlord going to launch a new war? This is not good.

  In the newly renamed Du Ban Fu in Anjiang, Wang Zhenyu was guarding Ye Ziyuan's bedside. Our Ye Dajie has been seriously ill since being topped by Wang Zhenyu at the military parade, and has just recovered in the past two days, but still can't eat anything.

  "Dear, this time I was a bit too extreme, but you also need to understand the difficulties of being a husband. As my wife, your every word and action is seen as my intention by outsiders. You want me to build a summer resort, I didn't say no, did I? I've already let Zhenbang handle the financial issues, this project will continue construction, I'll arrange another batch of workers for the railway, it's official business that can't be delayed." Wang Zhenyu was like a tiger at home, but now he was holding a bowl of porridge and coaxing his wife to drink it. If Bai Chongxi and the others saw this, their glasses would surely shatter on the ground.

  But our Ye Dasao still wouldn't give up: "I won't go if you don't apologize, Guo Wei is still young, and you're beating him with a stick and sending him to the great prison, saying you want to sentence him, how can he not hate you, you're his brother-in-law after all"

  Wang Zhenyu's face immediately turned iron-green as soon as he heard his younger brother-in-law's name: "How can you still be dragging this matter on? Do you think protecting him is doing good for him? Don't you see what the national prestige has become now? It's all just a big thug, not giving him some discipline until he grows up a bit more, who knows what he'll do. And besides, this time you moved my guard team to the police station to grab people, do you know how bad the influence is?"

  Ye Zhiwen burst into tears again: "I don't care if he's my brother, I won't let anyone bully him, and neither can you. Take this porridge away, I'm not drinking it. You might as well just shoot us siblings to death, after all, you're the great general."

  After finishing speaking, Ye Zhiwen immediately turned over and pulled the quilt over her head.

  Wang Zhenyu was immediately flustered. "This old lady, ah!" He put the porridge on the bedside table and used his hand to pull Ye Zhiwen: "Okay, okay, I promise you, isn't that enough? You listen first, drink the porridge, and then I'll let Wang Hu go and get the person out, isn't that settled?"

  Ye Zhiwen hastily sat up and looked at Wang Zhenyu's face, saying: "Are you telling the truth or are you deceiving me?"

  Wang Zhenyu hastily scooped a spoonful of white porridge: "Really, really, I dare not deceive you, as a general, the most important thing is to keep one's word. Alas, quickly drink this porridge, it's almost cold."

  "Ah," Yeh Tzu-wen finally smiled through her tears and bowed her head to drink down the bowl of congee.

  Wang Zhenyu smiled and opened the door, with his back to the corridor and his face towards the inside of the room, saying: "You rest assured, Jing Sheng has let the wet nurse report to your mother, haha, I remember Guo Wei's matter, I'll go take care of it right away."

  As soon as the door closed, Wang Zhenyu's face turned iron-gray. Wang Chenhao immediately stepped forward, speechless, waiting for orders.

  Wang Zhenyu gritted his teeth and said, "Let Wang Hu go find the newly appointed Mayor of Anjiang City, Zhang Jingkun, and have him think of a way to get rid of Ye Guowei. If this kid causes me any more trouble, you'd better be careful. Create a fake scenario of human trafficking and send him to work on the railroad for a month. Then bring him back and let him learn a lesson."

  Wang Chenhao nodded and left. Wang Zhenyu thought for a moment, then walked to the study and made a phone call to Zhao Hengyi: "Brother Yi, I'm really sorry about this. You know how things have been lately, there's just too much going on. How was your inspection at that small military school? Are you interested in staying here with me? Let's not talk about anything else, just our brotherly friendship and your abilities. Being a deputy chief of staff is easy for you, if you're interested, being a regiment commander is also possible, haha."

  On November 5th, Wang Zhenyu welcomed the guests from Luxembourg with utmost reverence, just like all lottery winners who won ￡500 million. Accompanying him was his brother Zhao Hengduo. However, yesterday, Zhao Hengduo declined Wang's invitation after careful consideration, only accepting a high-ranking consultant title and treatment. The reason was that he had promised Tan Gong to follow him when he became the governor of Hunan again. Wang Zhenyu couldn't help but smile wryly at this. Tan Yankai wasn't just going to be the governor of Hunan again; historically, he had been the governor three times, or strictly speaking, four times. The fourth time, however, he had already been promoted and couldn't take on the role of Hunan's leader again.

  As soon as Princess Charlotte stepped out of Anjiang Railway Station with its thick Gothic style, she fell in love with this clean and tidy city.

  My god, the Chinese actually have cars! The vice-premier is already numb with shock. He really can't imagine that in such a backward country there would be a city that could rival Luxembourg. And this city isn't even a concession, it truly belongs to the Chinese people or should I say, to that certain clique. The honor guard that came to welcome us, judging from their military posture and equipment, seems like they could also be considered elite in Europe. It's just unknown how many of these elites there are and how they would perform on the battlefield.

  "Are you General Wang Zhenyu, whom Consul Phillips often mentions? You look really young." Princess Charlotte greeted Wang Zhenyu very politely.

  Wang Zhenyu didn't quite understand the Western etiquette of respecting women, so he didn't rashly extend his hand. Instead, with both hands placed flat on his body, he slightly leaned forward and said: "Welcome to our esteemed guest from Luxembourg! Please allow Zhang Jingkun, the mayor of this city, to present to Your Highness Princess Charlotte a golden key (gilded) symbolizing the friendship between China and Luxembourg, as well as confer upon you the title of Honorary Citizen."

  Zhang Jingkun, who had never seen a Manchu princess in his entire life, unexpectedly met a European princess and almost lost his composure. Fortunately, he was reminded by the staff to complete the key and certificate presentation ceremony.

  This dog-and-pony show was orchestrated by Phillips. If the Germans Hans or Belgians Frankie were there, they would tell Wang Zhenyu that this is not appropriate because you are just a local government head and this meeting without central government authorization cannot use formal diplomatic protocol. But no big deal, it seems like in Chinese history warlords have never been representatives with rules anyway.

  Later, Wang Zhenyu and Zhao Hengyi accompanied the Luxembourg delegation to visit the entire Anjiang New City, including the dock factory and garden community. Along the way, Princess Charlotte praised the city's sanitation, tidiness, beautiful architecture, wide roads, and the civilized and orderly residents (even when someone gave up their seat on the tram, it was actually a guard from the Imperial Guard disguised as a civilian).

  Princess Charlotte even asked Wang Zhenyu in a low voice through an interpreter while taking the tram: "Dear General Wang, can I live in this city from now on?"

  "Very welcome indeed."

  In his heart, he thought that apart from you, other Luxembourgers would be settled in Liuzhou.

  The final destination was a grand banquet at the Governor's Mansion waiting for these important guests from Europe.