With the constant strengthening of military deployments by the Anglo-French Allied Forces and other nations along the coast, the dark clouds of war hung over the Great Qing like a heavy leaden sheet, growing increasingly oppressive. Each gust of sea breeze seemed to carry the stench of war, a chilling scent of impending danger. Su Ran knew well that the time left for the Great Qing to prepare was slipping away; every minute, every second, was as precious as the last few grains of sand in an hourglass.
In the Capital, Su Ran was simultaneously intensifying military preparations—urging soldiers to train day and night and inspecting weaponry to ensure nothing went awry—and keeping a close watch on the shifting dynamics of domestic and foreign factions. Amidst this tense situation, he discovered that some forces within the country, once staunch supporters of the New Policies, were beginning to waver under the predatory intimidation of the Great Powers. Some were motivated by family interests, fearing that a war would reduce their industries to ashes and their wealth to nothing; others were beguiled by the Powers' threats and lures, delusional in their hope that through compromise, they might continue to enjoy splendor and status under the protection of the invaders. They calculated in secret that if the Great Qing fell in battle, the New Policies would naturally vanish, and rather than be destroyed along with the state, they would prefer to find another way out. Thus, behind the court’s back, these individuals made clandestine contact with the Powers, attempting to negotiate compromises, utterly indifferent to the nation’s interests and dignity.
Upon learning of this, Su Ran was consumed by fury. He slammed his hand against the desk, causing the teacup to leap and spill its contents. His face flushed a deep crimson, his eyes wide and burning with rage. He cursed inwardly, "These traitors! To dare betray the nation at such a critical juncture!" He knew that internal instability was like woodworms hidden in the foundation of a building—a threat far more terrifying than any foreign invasion. If the interior collapsed, the Great Qing would fall without a fight.
And so, while maintaining a calm exterior, he meticulously arranged for trusted confidants to launch a secret investigation into these suspected factions. Like a hunter tracking prey, they left no stone unturned, gathering ironclad evidence. At the same time, he repeatedly emphasized the Great Qing’s stance and resolve in the imperial court, hoping to awaken the patriotism of those officials who might be wavering.
"My esteemed ministers, the Great Qing’s implementation of the New Policies is intended to foster self-strengthening and independence so that our people may live in peace, never to provoke the Great Powers. Yet, the Powers have bullied us beyond measure; they cannot bear to see the Great Qing rise and hope to strangle our efforts in the cradle. If we retreat or compromise now, not only will the achievements of the New Policies be destroyed, but the centuries-old foundation of our Great Qing will be lost forever. I will never permit anyone to act against the interests of this nation at this critical hour!" Su Ran’s gaze was like a burning torch, sweeping across the ministers like a pair of swords. He spoke each word with deliberate weight, his voice firm and forceful, as if it could pierce every man’s soul.
The ministers knelt in unison, shouting that the Emperor was wise, their declarations of loyalty echoing through the hall. But as Su Ran looked at them, he understood that some were merely putting on a show, their hearts already occupied by fear and greed. However, on the eve of this great war, the situation was as precarious as treading on thin ice; he could not yet sweep them all away for fear of triggering greater unrest. He could only watch them from the shadows, waiting for the opportune moment.
Internationally, diplomatic envoys sent to various countries brought back mixed news. The envoy to Germany, after grueling negotiations, had finally reached some preliminary cooperation agreements. Germany, an ambitious power on the European continent, saw the immense benefits to be gained from cooperating with the Great Qing. They expressed a willingness to provide some level of military technological support, provided the Great Qing remained neutral in future European conflicts and granted Germany certain economic concessions. This news was like a glimmer of light in the darkness, offering Su Ran a hint of a turning point; Germany’s support might, to some extent, serve as a check against the Anglo-French forces, providing the Great Qing with a measure of confidence for the upcoming war.
However, the envoys sent to smaller, neutral nations to garner public support faced immense difficulties. Most of these nations, terrified by the might of Britain and France, were like frightened birds. Though they expressed sympathy for the Great Qing’s plight, they dared not speak out publicly. They knew that in this international jungle of "eat or be eaten," the slightest misstep could bring disaster upon themselves. They would only promise to maintain neutrality as far as they were able, refusing to participate in the actions taken by the Anglo-French forces against the Great Qing.
Su Ran understood that it was unrealistic to expect substantial help from these small nations in terms of international opinion, but securing their neutrality at least reduced some potential trouble for the Great Qing—at the very least, they would not stab him in the back.
Just as Su Ran was making final preparations to face the offensive, new reports arrived from the coast. The Anglo-French Allied Forces seemed to have completed their military buildup; all signs indicated that they would soon launch an attack on an important port along the Great Qing’s coast. Su Ran stood before a map, staring at the marked ports, his brow furrowed in deep contemplation. He had to accurately discern the Allied Forces' target to make his deployments in advance and seize the initiative in the coming battle. Yet, the enemy’s movements were devious, and the information obtained by the Great Qing’s intelligence agencies was limited. One report claimed unusual activity near Port A, while another mentioned Allied ships spotted near Port B. These vague clues only left Su Ran more conflicted. How was he to pierce through this dense fog, make this crucial judgment, and face this life-or-death battle? The fate of the Great Qing hung by a single thread.