Chapter 20 The Abacus of the Empire where the sun does not set

The non-falling empire refers to an empire where the sun sets on part of the territory and the sun on another part of the territory is still high. It is usually used to describe an empire that is prosperous and powerful, with colonies all over the world and hegemony at that time.

The term "imperial" was first used to describe the Spanish empire in the 16th century. It comes from a statement by King Carlos I of Spain.

"In my territory, the sun will never set."

But in the 19th century, the word was generally used as a nickname for the British Empire, especially in the Victorian era, when the British published world map marked the British Empire in pink, vividly showing Britain's global hegemony. The 24 time zones on the earth have the territory of the British Empire. The international order under the leadership of British hegemony is called "peace under British rule".

British economist Jevins described it in 1865: the plains of North America and Russia are our cornfields, Canada and the Baltic Sea are our forest areas, Australia is our pastures, Peru is our silver mines, South Africa and Australia are our gold mines, and India and China are our tea. Plantations, the East Indies are our sugar cane, coffee and spice plantations, and the southern United States is our cotton plantations.

This is by no means Jevans's show. What he said is the truth. In fact, in the hundred years since the Battle of Tragafa, no country in the world has as powerful international influence as Britain, no country dares to challenge "peace under Great Britain", and no one can shake it. Britain's status as the only "superpower" in the world.

But this does not mean that peace under Great Britain will never be challenged. In fact, there are always challengers on the European continent and in North America. Some challengers eventually become "friends" of Britain, while others become enemies of Britain.

Britain has the largest overseas colonies and overseas markets in the world, and for the backward countries of Europe, this is undoubtedly their dream. In order to let their flag enjoy the glory of the sun setting, there will always be someone to stand up and challenge Britain, starting from industrial economic competition, and then When it comes to the arms race, the last thing is war.

Now, at this time, in the 109th year after the Battle of Tragafa, the peace under Great Britain has been subverted, and a powerful challenger is trying to challenge the order of Britain by force.

The war has begun. In London, the birthplace of peace under British rule, it is said that it does not fall into the heart of the empire. At this time, it is full of patriotism**. Britain is involved in the war. Britain is involved in the war that has really affected the lifeline of the country since the Battle of Tragafa. In the face of challenges from Germany, Britain decisively chose Respond to the war.

"The British [***] team has no clocks and no calendar... Britain once defeated Napoleon in 20 years... In this war, as long as it takes, the war will go on. Britain will fight to the end until we completely defeat our enemies!"

Minister of Finance? George's words showed Britain's determination to face the challenge.

"Do we have any other options?"

In the Prime Minister's Office, 16 Downing Street, Herbert? Henry? Prime Minister Asquith gently tapped the desk in front of him with his fingers. At this time, he looked tired and annoyed. As he spoke, he looked up at Churchill, the Secretary of the Navy, in front of him.

"I don't think we have any other options at this time,"

Churchill said with certainty.

"At least not now!"

"Do you really mean that the current situation is really so desperate?"

"You know, China's population is almost twice that of Britain, France and Russia. Their local resources are very rich. Although there is no oil, their southern self-governing territory of the Dutch has oil production rights and a garrison. They can take charge of the southern self-govere at any time, so as to obtain 10 million tons of oil per year. The output, and through nine years of development, China, which has been industrialized, can provide any weapon needed for war, from Zhiyuan ships to aircraft, any kind of weapon needed on the battlefield!"

"Let's take a look at the letter of the Chinese emperor."

At this time, the First Secretary of the Navy, Fisher, suddenly said that after the outbreak of the war, he was invited by Churchill to be reappointed as the First Secretary of the Navy, the Minister of the Navy, and now he is presiding over the combat readiness of the whole navy.

It is well known that Fisher is a pro-China faction in the United Kingdom. After he stepped down from his post as the First Secretary of the Navy four years ago, he visited China and stayed in China for three years. It can be said that the progress of the Chinese navy has nothing to do with Fisher's many times during his tenure.

The letter from the Chinese emperor was conveyed by the Chinese Embassy. In fact, it was a telegram from China, which was then written by the embassy civil officer. The content of the telegram explained its military operations in German East Africa and the German New Civil War.

"Respect Prime Minister Asquis.

China's establishment of a modern military force is to defend the country from foreign aggression. The painful lessons of the past tell us that only with a strong military force can the country and the nation maintain dignity, and the people can enjoy happiness. Building a strong military force requires not only strong military strength, but also comprehensive strength. Great, Fang has a strong army. Because of this, we learned from Germany from the army, from Britain, from the navy, and from the United States... As we all know, after the founding of the Chinese Empire, the German Empire was the first European power to wait for me. After that, China and Germany signed an alliance treaty because of the needs of the two countries, and Germany gave it to China. With a lot of help, in nine years, more than 150,000 Chinese students have studied in Germany, and nearly 30,000 German experts have worked in Chinese political axes and enterprises. With their help, China has achieved the modern transformation of the country, and the political axe has been built into a responsible political axe, and enterprises have become modern enterprises. It can be said that without Germany, There will be no progress and development of China!"

The content of the letter only surprised everyone. Yes, this is a well-known fact, but the reality is that China has done something against such a country that has "gratitude" to its country.

"It can be said that there are a wide range of pro-German forces in China. It is certain that without the delay and gentle persuasion of me and the cabinet, the renewal of the Sino-German alliance treaty would have been approved by the parliament. At this time, China has long been an alliance of Germany and declared war on France, Russia and Britain!"

When the secretary reads this sentence, everyone's expression becomes very complicated. No one will doubt the pro-German faction in China. This is a country that has achieved industrialization with the help of Germany and has become a member of a civilized country. Indeed, just like this As the emperor said, it is not surprising that China will become Germany's ally under such a deep pro-German sentiment. In fact, until China declared war on Germany, Britain was most worried about China's direction.

China's naval strength may be far inferior to that of Britain and France, but when all the naval forces of Britain and France fall into the European battlefield, no force in the entire Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean can prevent the Chinese navy. Even the United States, with 13 Zhiyuan-class warships, can't guarantee that it can defeat only 1 The Chinese navy with 0 Zhiyuan-class and super-zhiyuan-class warships.

Except for China, no country's Zhiyuan ship has ever fought in a naval battle. The Chinese navy may be young, but it has rich experience in naval warfare, especially the experience of using Zhiyuan ships.

"... The German Empire challenges the international order by force, which seriously affects the interests of all countries. At this point, China and Britain hold common views and have common interests. Moreover, more importantly, the reason why China has established a military force is to maintain its own security, not for The interests of other countries or the expansion of their own countries,..."

Everyone smiled. In anyone's opinion, this is just a lie. They can be said to know the emperor very well. In his eyes, there have always been only interests. All this is just his excuse.

"...However, if I can't take corresponding measures, now China may have declared war on France and Russia, which is undoubtedly what I don't want to see, and it is also not in line with China's interests. China yearns for peace, for the great peace of its country, and pays at all costs. In order to prevent China from being completely involved in the war, only Only by taking corresponding measures can we ensure peace in our country..."

Although they understood the facts mentioned in his letter, in this letter, they still saw the real intention of the emperor - China's expansion and China's interests.

Six years ago, when the China-Poland Oil Company, which was renamed "British-Persian Oil Company" and renamed "China-Persian Oil Company" under the name of the Queen of China, extracted oil in the oil field in Persia. In the face of Britain's request to share shares, he refused without hesitation, and even sent a training fleet to the Persian Gulf.

Benefits! There are only interests in his eyes.

It is not in China's interest to declare war on Britain. He won't do it, but he can get some rewards for declaring war on Germany, so he will declare war on Germany. As for seizing the German colony, it is just "blocking the mouth of the Chinese pro-German faction".

"What do you think?"

Herbert? Henry? Prime Minister Asquith raised his head.

"The purpose of occupying 1.2 million square kilometers of colonies is to force the domestic pro-German faction to acquiesce to the declaration of war with real interests, so as to prevent China from being an ally of Germany and declaring war on the Allies!"

Fisher smiled faintly, and what his old friend said to him after the banquet when he returned to England from China.

"Your Excellency, last year, when I returned to the United Kingdom, His Majesty China personally mentioned to me that he was worried about the existence of a large number of pro-Germans in China. The reason was China's position after Germany was involved in the war against Britain. At that time, he mentioned that if such a thing happened. Love, he can only take measures categorically, but I didn't expect him to do so.

"What do you think--"

Herbert? Henry? Prime Minister Asquith hesitated for a moment, as if he was thinking about something.

"In fact, the Chinese emperor is pro-British?"

This sentence is equivalent to not saying that he will not be pro-British, but between Germany and Britain, the Chinese royal family may be more inclined to Britain. It is by no means that the Chinese emperor is a British nobleman. The fundamental reason is that the Chinese emperor clearly knows the power of Britain and the determination shown by Britain in the face of challenges.

"At least he doesn't want to go to war with Britain!"

Fisher said seriously.

"If we try to force China to hand over these two German colonies, then he will certainly not be able to make an announcement to the pro-German faction in the country. At that time, even if he is like him, he can only choose to hold peace talks with Germany. In fact, the Chinese parliament will still agree to declare war on Germany!"

When Fisher said this, he turned his eyes to the Foreign Secretary, and the news came from him.

"Yes, the House of Lords and the House of Commons have not passed the declaration of war. According to the Chinese Constitution, the right to declare war belongs to the emperor, but after the declaration of war, it still needs to be confirmed by both houses, and it is not ruled out that Germany will try to change its camp through diplomatic efforts in the future!"

"It seems that the current situation is actually not optimistic about us."

Herbert? Henry? Prime Minister Asquith said thoughtfully.

"Yes, if China turns to the Germans, then at least before defeating the German navy, it is impossible for us to send a cruiser to the Far East, and we must even be prepared for the Chinese to occupy India."

When Fisher boldly said this idea, he seemed to be very sure.

"They can even force Russia to withdraw from the war!"

"If we were at war with the Germans."

Churchill added that in fact, he looked down on the Chinese in his heart, but now he has to face up to the impact of those Chinese people turning to Germany on Britain, which will be destroyed. At that time, unless the United States participates in the war, Britain will not only lose its Asian colonies, but even Australia, New Zealand is a nightmare anyway.

"What about the United States? What is Wilson's attitude now?

Prime Minister Asquith turned his attention to the Foreign Secretary.

"Americans will not declare war on Germany! At least not now!"

No one in London will doubt that the United States will form an alliance with Germany and then declare war on Britain. The British do not need to doubt this at all.

"Now the Chinese have occupied German New Guinea!"

Prime Minister Asquith said alertly.

"This will definitely worsen the public opinion of the United States. The United States is a country that is easily influenced by public opinion."

"Yes, Mr. Prime Minister, so we should further increase the expenditure on American public opinion to ensure that the United States always stands at our step and eventually joins the war."

Churchill said confidently.

"Please go on."

Prime Minister Asquith nodded.

"Public opinion, no country can occupy such an important position as the United States. Public opinion in the United States can easily influence the politics of this country. I think we should increase the advertising fee of 100,000 pounds originally scheduled to be paid to American public opinion to 200,000 pounds per month. Maybe this is a Huge expenditure, but it is far from comparable to what we can get!"

In this office, Churchill can talk about the "advertising fee" of American public opinion without hesitation, which is a British secret. In fact, in the past few years, the British political axe has been paying the "advertising fee" of American public opinion to make American public opinion more beneficial to the UK.

"Well, there's nothing wrong with this?"

Prime Minister Asquith did not object to increasing advertising spending.

"We only need to ensure that the public opinion of the United States will not fall to Germany. As for how the public opinion of the United States rejects the Chinese and resists its expansion in the Pacific Ocean, in fact, this is in the interests of the United Kingdom."

At this time, Churchill was not a naval minister at all, almost like a prime minister, considering the interests of Britain in all aspects. In fact, for Churchill, nothing in the world can be compared with the interests of Britain.

"Is it possible for these two things to be carried out at the same time?"

Fisher frowned slightly, and he doubted the possible surname proposed by Churchill. Maybe he has a good personal friendship with the Chinese royal family, but he is also an Englishman. First of all, he considers the interests of Britain.

"Now, when Britain has no power to stop China's expansion, we must use the power of the United States to stop China's expansion. When the contradictions between the United States and China are intensified due to the Pacific Ocean, it is Britain's opportunity."

After a while, Churchill continued:

"Now, perhaps Britain's power can't control the two countries, but neither China nor the United States has the ability to defeat each other in the Pacific Ocean, so no matter how the public opinion of the two countries deteriorates, the political axes of the two countries will remain restrained, which may last until the end of the war! And after the war..."

Before Churchill finished speaking, a sudden idea flashed through Prime Minister Asquis's mind.

"You mean that China and the United States will have a new arms race because of the Pacific Ocean."

"This is inevitable!"

Churchill said seriously, and then immediately said what he thought.

"When China and the United States fall into a maritime arms race, both the United States and China must consider a problem. In their competition, Britain is on that side!"

"At that time, no matter which side Britain stands on, which side will be the real winner of the Pacific Ocean!"

Prime Minister Asquith smiled and touched his chin.

"It is really in line with the interests and future of the United Kingdom."

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, who has not expressed his opinion, Lao He? George took the initiative to say at this time.

"If China and the United States have a naval arms race, then both China and the United States must do their best to win the support of Britain. Only in this way can they become winners!"

"So, what we need to do now is..."

Churchill paused for a moment, smiled and then continued to speak.

"We acquiesce to China's occupation of German New Guinea, and we can tell the Chinese through appropriate channels that we can accept their occupation of German New Guinea, but in return..."

"What?"

"The Chinese must make certain concessions in German East Africa!"

(to be continued)