In an inconspicuous alley near the north bank of the Elbe River in the center of Hamburg, in the attic of an old three-story building, a crazy middle-aged man was doodling on paper holding half a bottle of whiskey.

There can only be a wooden bed and a table in the triangular attic. On the ground, there are manuscripts full of words on the table. Thick English books are mixed with stacks of black and white photos, and dirty clothes are thrown all over the floor.

This is a bachelor's apartment. It is impossible for a man without women to take care of him to be neat and orderly. It is already very rare without rats in the small attic.

"Hamburg is the free city of Germany, but the Prussian government has put pressure on it to increase trade taxes by 15%. This is a challenge to the free city... No, no, no, this kind of news has no highlights at all. Hamburg people have long chosen the Kingdom of Prussia, and they will not have any complaints..."

"The new army training camp has added another 30,000 troops within two months, and the training intensity has doubled... No, although this news is interesting, the photos are really ugly, and it cannot be published at all..."

The man wearing highly myopic glasses kept muttering, writing quickly in his hand, and matching his photos from time to time. When he was excited, he raised his hand and whiskey, as if he had no fine wine, he would not have literary talent.

This is an active freelance writer in Europe. His job is to go everywhere to find the best news to provide to mainstream media in Europe at that time, such as the Times in the UK, the Le Figaro in France, and even the Baltimore Sun in the US, who opened their doors to receive his manuscripts.

Because of his deep qualifications, he has stricter requirements. One news after another has been rejected in his mumbling. He is looking for the most explosive news, the kind of big news that can take his position to the next level.

The laptop with the cover of the lambskin records the latest information he got from the streets and alleys. After tossing and turning, he finally found a very attractive news for readers.

"A very strange rumor has begun to circulate among the citizens of Hamburg. It is said that someone saw a group of Eastern Confucian troops appearing in the Hamburg recruit camp, and they also brought countless silver coins... Now the Hamburg recruit camp has reached the highest alert level, and no one can get close to the core area..."

"No, really good. The Prussian recruit camp, coupled with the mysterious army of the East, and even countless silver coins. Every keyword can arouse the curiosity in the hearts of European people. This is a top news, but it's a pity that there are no photos..."

Just as he was muttering to himself, a voice suddenly came from behind him, "There is easy to do with the photo, you can take a photo after you turn around..."

The man in glasses was so scared that he almost fell off the chair. When he turned around, he saw his old acquaintance, Yonas, with two Asians in suits, standing at the door.

"Oh God, Yonas, you're so surprised me. Didn't you go to the far east? When did you come back, these two?"

Yonas smiled and hugged his old friend, "I'll introduce you to you. One of these two guests from China is General Xiao Hexin and the other is General Sima Yun, who is Chinese, but the current military rank is awarded by the Ryukyu Kingdom... This sloppy gentleman with a pen face is my friend, freelance writer Leo!"

"Oh, God! Are they really Chinese? The rumors are actually true. Are these Chinese people brought by Jonas?" Leo quickly wiped his hands on the hem of his clothes, shook hands enthusiastically with the two of them, completely ignoring the ink and rubbed against Sima Yun's back.

After a few simple greetings, Jonas said their purpose. "Leo, what I will reveal to you is the core secret of the Kingdom of Prussia. I hope you remember your nation and do not publish these things, because it is harmful to the country..."

Leo had never seen his old friend be so serious, so he nodded quickly, "I am a freelance writer, but first of all, I am a Prussian. I will not hurt my motherland..."

Before Jonas could speak, Xiao Hexin began to use stumble German and mixed with some English, and began to describe his plan. Unexpectedly, Xiao Hexin's language talent was really good, and he actually expressed it very clearly.

"We came from the far east and escorted a war loan from the Ryukyu Prime Minister to Prussia, a total of 1.35 million silver coins..." Xiao Hexin slowly explained the causes and consequences of their visit to the hamburger little by little. In the end, Leo excitedly raised his head and killed the last whiskey, and slapped the table excitedly.

"China is actually China! That magical ancient Eastern country, a civilized country that can be traced back to ancient Greece and Egypt, actually took the initiative to establish diplomatic relations with our Prussia? This is the courtesy that even the British and French people cannot get. This is the first diplomatic attempt in that country... Well, you have moved me, now tell me what you are looking for me?"

Sima Yun took over the conversation, "We want to hire you all the time, yes, you heard it right. As long as our army is in Germany for one day, you will be the full-time reporter we hire..."

"We need to record our lives, training and even war throughout the process. We hope you can eat and live with us and learn about us in depth. We need your camera and your pen to let Europe realize what we Chinese really look like..."

"Yes, you guessed it right. This is a journey of clearing our name by the Chinese. We will try our best to participate in the European war as mercenaries. We want the whole Europe to look at us with admiration. We want to tear the lies of Britain and France. We Chinese are not sheep, we are a group of real warriors!"

Now Leo finally understood that they wanted to hire themselves as their mouthpieces, to set off a war of public opinion in the media across Europe, and the Chinese were going to reshape the image of the country.

"Oh, my god, you let me drink a little wine to suppress my shock!" Leo took out another bottle of wine from under the bed, and this time he did not forget to give the guests a glass.

"Oh my God, this is no longer news. This can be regarded as a long topic. The mysterious Eastern army is fighting in Europe. The title of light can attract the attention of all the Western world. This is my dream!"

"But you have to know that this kind of topic is very time-consuming and requires a lot of photography equipment. I wonder if your funds can be..."

Before he finished speaking, Jonas spoke, "You don't have to consider the issue of funds. Prime Minister Benmay has secretly established a foundation with a principal of 1.35 million silver coins. The funds are withdrawn directly from here, so you can tell me how much monthly salary you want."

Leo touched his nose a little embarrassedly. "As a professional writer, I can earn at least 12 tale silver coins per month... Oh, don't disbelief, I'm a veteran who has worked in the Times for three years. I'm not a wild idea..."

Xiao Hexin smiled and nodded and said, "I don't know how many 12 tales can be exchanged for, but I can give you a double commission. What do you think of the monthly salary of 30 chews? And all the expenses are actually reimbursed."

With a gurgle, everyone heard the sound of Leo swallowing. He usually earned ten tale silver coins in a month, but today he received no double, three times the high salary.

"I did it, I did this task. From today on, you will get the best pens in Europe and the best news brain. I can even shape you into gods! Well, let me write a few letters to my old friends. I want to prepare them and leave me the biggest page. I want to become the number one contributor in Europe!"

Leo went crazy. He ignored the surprise gaze of the guests and opened the pen to write a letter. He wanted to seize the news page for the entire topic, and he wanted to use all his connections to create momentum for these Chinese people.

In the mid-19th century, although human society already had news media, it was just a few newspapers with a small circulation, far from reaching the power of media during the information explosion in later generations. People during this period were not aware of the power of public opinion wars at all. The so-called truth and justice were actually in the pens of those media people.

Xiao Letian will not forget this powerful force. Propaganda wars and public opinion wars are actually more important in his heart than warships and giant cannons. Now Xiao Letian has boarded an Italian merchant ship docked in the port of Serbia and is setting sail towards the famous French port of Marseille.

"Master Long, when we arrive in Marseille, we will take a boat north along the Rhone and Thorne River, pass Lyon and Dijon, and then take a carriage and go north to wait for the German Federation, and we will be safe..."

Master Long said with a bitter face, "It would be great if it was so easy. You also said that France and Prussia are not in dealing with each other. If we leave France, they will agree? Now we are getting closer and closer to the nest of the great powers. My heart is thumping and thumping, and I always feel something is going to happen..."

Xiao Letian patted Long Ye on the shoulder and said openly, "It's okay, what is my identity? I am the prime minister of Ryukyu Kingdom at least now. I am protected by the Public Law of All Nations. I have diplomatic immunity. Even if I enter the hinterland of Europe without notice, they have to be polite to me..."

"What's more, I had contacted German intelligence officials in the port of Serbia yesterday. When we arrive in Marseille, there will be Prussian intelligence officials to help me, so don't worry..."

While the two were chatting, the wing king Shi Dakai walked out of the cabin and said with anger, "Since ancient times, gentlemen have not stood under the dangerous wall. You are the prime minister of the Ryukyu Kingdom and the backbone of the brothers. Can you come here just by saying that you can come? You are irresponsible..."

Xiao Letian stuck out his tongue and quickly persuaded him, "I know, I know everything the prince said, but think about it carefully, since Europe is a dragon's nest, I have to come here to make it happen in person, so that Xiao Hexin and the others are really worried about dealing with me..."

"The situation in China and Ryukyu is in a delicate balance. The struggle between all parties has fought three or four times last year. No one has won completely, and no one has lost completely. Now everyone is breathing and accumulating strength. Even if I have been away for a year or two, there is no problem."

"Prince, this world has really changed. Without external assistance, it is no longer possible to rely on ourselves to do so. Not only are we lagging behind the entire era, but more importantly, as long as our national destiny begins to move upward, the great powers will definitely try their best to restrain or even directly suppress them. Can we do this without a few strong allies?"

Xiao Letian looked at the bow of the boat and said, "I can't do it if I don't take action personally..."
Chapter completed!