Chapter 48 Changes

Indian Ocean!

A huge fleet slowly sailed to the north. At this time, anyone who witnessed the fleet could not help admiring the size of the fleet, which was perhaps the largest fleet in the world. Even the White Fleet had never had such an intuitive auditorium impact.

In the middle of the fleet, more than 27,000 tons of the front deck of the "Pingyuan"-class "Pingyuan" battleship of the Royal Guards Navy, the 14-inch main gun muzzle of the black hole pointed to the front, and the warship cut the waves and sailed straight ahead. The "Pingyuan-class" battleship was the Royal Guards Navy at the end of the "Chinese Navy Holiday" The most powerful warship built by the Ministry of Naval Administration has just entered service at the end of last year. It has become a "first-class warship" in Jane's Navy Yearbook. The armor and firepower of the battleships are not inferior to the speed of the battlecruisers. It is the service of the "Pingyuan" class, which enables the Chinese navy, which has been silent for many years, to return to the "naviary power". Columns.

Pingyuan, which sailed into the Indian Ocean for the first time, appeared in the Indian Ocean as the flagship of the Indian Ocean Task Force and the main force of the expeditionary escort fleet. At this time, the six warships, battlecruisers and two aircraft carriers led by it were escorting 197 requisitioned merchant ships. For China As far as it is concerned, this is the largest overseas dispatch since the conflict between China. Compared with any country in the world, China, which has landed on this island, is undoubtedly the only army with large-scale landing experience.

With a huge fleet and up to 120,000 landing troops, it can be said that both the navy and the army do not have any doubts about future landings.

At this time, Cheng Biguang, the commander of the fleet, was strolling in the unique bright sunshine of the Indian Ocean, accompanied by three lieutenant generals and an air force major general: Duan Qirui, the commander of the expeditionary force, the chief of staff of the expeditionary force, and Major General Li Guoan of the air force contingent, which was formed by the air force six years ago. For the first time, the Air Force was sent abroad.

Cheng Biguang lifted his marshal's staff and pointed the marshal's staff to the north.

"It's time to end the confrontation in the Persian Gulf."

Mo Ming sighed, flying seagulls, standing masts, hunting and fluttering naval flags, something is waiting. Yes, a tiger that has been in a cage has attacked!

"General Duan, how much do you know about the Persian Gulf?"

Cheng Biguang turned his head and looked at Duan Qirui, the commander of the expeditionary force beside him with a smile. Duan was very much like a professional soldier and was not happy to laugh. At this point, most army officers imagined that the goal of the army was to train people into unsmiling chess pieces.

"Uh..."

Duan Qirui suddenly fell silent. It was really unexpected for him to be the commander of the Expeditionary Force this time. As a veteran of Beiyang, he thought from the future that he would get this appointment before he was about to retire. In the Guards, Beiyang had always been a hidden existence. After all... But the marshal's words could not be answered. After a moment of silence, Duan Qirui opened his mouth and replied.

"The name of the Persian Gulf comes from Persia, between the Arabian Peninsula and the Iranian plateau. From the mouth of the Arabian River in the northwest to the Strait of Hormuz in the southeast, it is about 990 kilometers long and 56 to 338 kilometers wide. It covers an area of 240,000 square kilometers. As early as the 20th century BC, the Persian Gulf was a maritime trade channel for the Babylonians. Since then, they have been controlled by Assyrians, Persians, Arabs and Turks. Since 1506, Portugal has occupied the Gulf for a century. In 1622, Britain and Persia captured Qashm and Holmuz. In 1625, the Netherlands entered the Gulf, and then Britain and the Netherlands competed here. Britain gradually controlled the Gulf from the 19th century.

After saying these words, he turned around.

"In 1908, the Anglo-Polish Oil Company drilled the first oil well in the Shushtel region in the northern Persian Gulf. Subsequently, China had many diplomatic disputes due to the ownership of the Anglo-Polish Oil Company. Finally, under China's tough attitude, it finally made a commitment in the form of a diplomatic treaty in China in the next 20 years. 70% of the production of Sino-Polish oil companies supply the United Kingdom at 10% lower than the market price. Subsequently, the United Kingdom made concessions and recognized the oil exploration rights of Sino-Polish oil companies in Persia. Since then, China has increased oil exploration in Persia. Last year, the oil production of Sino-Polish oil companies exceeded two million tons, all of which were exported to the United Kingdom..."

When Duan Qirui mentioned "consignment", Cheng Biguang's eyebrows jumped slightly. In the eyes of the navy, the concession was almost equivalent to shame. In fact, if the naval force was strong enough, the country would not make any concessions at all.

"The purpose of this battle is to send a large number of troops to the Persian Gulf when taking advantage of Britain's attention to Europe, so as to ensure our military advantage in the Persian Gulf, so as to create a fact that it can be a fact, and force Britain and France to recognize our occupation of the Arab region with relative military advantage!"

It's a fact!

After the start of World War I, in the face of China's occupation of the German colonies, the angry British could only protest feebly, because hundreds of thousands of their troops were bleeding on the western front, and China skillfully took advantage of the severances of the European battlefield to achieve their goals.

And now the Persian Gulf is the same. It is not only China that can see the oil potential of the Persian Gulf. The British, Germans and French are also aware of the oil potential of the Persian Gulf.

According to intelligence, German geologists have found oil between Mosul and Baghdad - parts of Mesopotamia. The last journey of the Berlin-Bagda railway under construction just passes through this area, and it is also believed that there must be a large amount of oil resources.

Not only German geologists have made such a conclusion, but British geologists have also made the same conclusion. It can be said that in the face of the presence of British and French forces in the Near East, the action taken by China now is simply a tooth extraction.

"Actually, I have always been curious about why the main force of the fleet was sent here. You know, now the British are in the Indian Ocean, and the largest tonnage is only an old cruiser that served 20 years ago. They have less than 30,000 troops in the whole Near East, and most of them are British and Indian colonial corps, but we Send it like this..."

Just as several people were talking, the fleet had already headed for the Strait of Hormuz. At this time, the white Arabian triangular sails unique to the Arab region had appeared on the sea. The Arabs on the fishing boats stared at it with surprise. This was perhaps the largest fleet they had ever seen in their lives. The waves squeezed out by the fleet can even overturn an Arab slam.

And in the distance of the fleet, an old steel cruiser with a weak rice flag hanging down. On this armored cruiser, several British [***] officers looked helplessly at the fleet, which almost existed like a demonstration. Although the dignity of the British Empire forced them to send a signal to the Chinese fleet, he But they know that they alone can't stop the Chinese fleet from entering the Persian Gulf.

"Answer them, our fleet is ordered to enter the Persian Gulf to negotiate with the Ottoman Empire."

" Negotiation?"

In the face of Shi Zhaoji's answer, Gray looked at the British envoy of the Chinese Empire in front of him in surprise. In any case, he did not expect that the other party would give such an explanation.

At first, when China sent the fleet and army, London thought that they had sent troops to the former German Central Africa. There were still German armed forces in Central Africa. Although the Germans were limited, they caused great trouble to the Chinese. Therefore, they could send a large number of troops to Central Africa. To understand, although Britain is still on alert.

And the Chinese have told them that the army destination of the fleet and a legion is German Central Africa! The previous speculation and the Chinese's response made Britain calm down some people, but what Britain didn't expect was that after the Chinese fleet entered the Indian Ocean, they suddenly adjusted their course and headed for the Persian Gulf. If they hadn't received an urgent call from the British and Indian political axe, they would have been afraid that the whole of London would still be confused.

"Yes, Your Excellency, the Chinese merchants in the Ottoman Empire were massacred, and the property of Chinese commercial societies was lost. As a country that needs to be responsible for national security, the Chinese Empire must make the most powerful response!"

Finally, Shi Zhaoji added.

"I think that Britain, as an Allied party, will naturally not confess to the responsibility of the Ottoman Empire in this incident!"

Shi Zhaoji's words only blocked Gray's mouth, but as a professional diplomat trained in Britain, Gray immediately replied.

"Of course, now that the Ottoman Empire has declared war on Britain, it is naturally impossible for Britain to confess this decadent and ignorant empire. However, when your country is determined to give an ultimatum to the Ottoman Empire, do you consider the special interests of Britain in the Arabian Peninsula?"

Taking a deep breath and suppressing his dissatisfaction, Gray continued.

"In London, there are some comments that the sudden turn of your fleet to the Persian Gulf is actually a carefully planned operation. For the non-declaration of war deterrence, there is no need to send such a large-scale military force, but..."

"Your Excellency, in 1859, didn't your country and France also go to Dagukou to conduct "diplomatic negotiations" with the Qing Dynasty? Military power is the backing of diplomatic negotiations. At this point, the Chinese Empire is very grateful to your country and any other powerful country for its teaching. In international diplomacy, the Chinese Empire is only a young student, but he will follow the internationally recognized basic diplomatic principles for independent diplomacy!"

When Shi Zhaoji answered, he used "diplomacy", "backing" and "strength" to remind Gray from time to time that now Britain has no power to stop China at all, and his so-called diplomatic principle is just a statement of "strength diplomacy", but even so, he continued to say.

"Your Excellency, please believe that as an ally of Britain, we are very happy to carry out construction cooperation with Britain at any time and anywhere. As for Britain's interests in the Arabian Peninsula, I think that even after the Ottoman Empire refused to negotiate, the army had to use force to defend the Chinese Empire. When we discipline the Ottoman Empire, we will still safeguard our British interests in the Arabian Peninsula. Please rest assured that the British colonies in the Arabian Peninsula will not be affected in any way!"

"Diplomacy", "backing", "strength", "basic diplomatic principles"!

Shi Zhaoji's answer only made Gray dumb. As the British Foreign Secretary, he clearly knew that after the outbreak of the war, "the lights of the whole Europe were going out". When European civilization fell into the flames of war, new powers like China were eager to show their minions to the world, almost again. It's a natural thing.

At the beginning, in Gray's view, the German Central African and German Pacific territories should be barely able to fill the appetite of the Chinese people. If Britain makes appropriate concessions, it may be able to firmly tie China to the British chariot. For this reason, Britain acquiesced in their occupation of the two places.

Even when China started private negotiations with Germany, Britain told China that to a certain extent, Britain supported the reading power of the Dominion of Dutch Borneo to ensure that China was on the side of the Ally, rather than being lured by Germany's promise to "re-division the world".

Reseal the world's sphere of influence!

For any backward country, this is full of **, especially for China, a country with a large population and limited land resources. In the past few months, for Britain, it will be a nightmare for China to turn to Germany, which does not only mean that one-sixth of the world's population has joined. The Allies also mean that the Chinese navy, which ranks fifth in tonnage, will attack British merchant ships and colonies in the Pacific, India and even the Atlantic Ocean. The most terrible thing is that under the containment of the German navy, it is impossible for Britain to even send a fleet to intercept the Chinese fleet.

At the same time, the Chinese army will attack British Myanmar, Mayaya and India. Subsequently, under the escort of the fleet, millions of [***] teams will appear in the Indian Ocean known as "Lake Britain". They will appear in Africa, occupy British colonies in Africa and the Suez Canal. Then they will enter the Mediterranean Sea.

In the end, all this will lead to another nightmare. Italy, which has been wavering, will fall to the Allies and declare war on Britain and France. Then the Chinese [***] team will appear in the Italian peninsula, and millions of Chinese [***] teams will attack France from Italy. In the end, the Chinese army will Meeting with the German [***] team in France.

As for the Russian battlefield, which Britain once hoped for, it will also collapse due to China's fall to the Allies. Millions of China [***] teams will attack Russia along the Central Asian Railway and the Siberian Railway. In the face of millions or even tens of millions of [***] teams, those Russians will "speak It is impossible to stop their attack at all. In the end, Britain will have to face a completely collapsed situation - the whole Eurasian and African continent, leaving only the allies and their allies. At that time, the United States, as a neutral country, will make a wise choice, and they will stop providing loans to Britain. Any banker will be willing to provide loans to a country that is likely to perish at any time.

What will happen next?

Perhaps in the waters near Britain, the Royal Navy needs to face a joint fleet composed of the navies of Germany, China, Italy and Austria-Hungary. After the world's largest naval battle, the pride of the Royal Navy will sink into the cold sea, and British history will end after that naval battle.

Of course, this is the worst situation. As Britain's foreign minister, Gray certainly understands that in the middle of these events, for London, it will take the initiative to seek the possibility of making peace. Britain will not hesitate to hand over the colony to the Chinese and Germans, and then Using the colonies as weapons to provoke the Allies and eventually leading to the collapse of the Allies, Britain may lose its colonies, but Britain will survive.

That's why Britain has all kinds of patience with China and made concessions on many issues. Gray does not doubt that both Shi Zhaoji in front of him and the Chinese emperor and officials in Nanjing are well aware of this, so they have to take an inch and constantly challenge the British bottom line, trying to use the British bottom line to maximize their own interests in this war.

Stop them, be sure to stop them!

Deep in his heart, a voice shouted in Gray's heart, constantly reminding him that Britain could no longer make concessions, but rationally and clearly told him that Britain must learn to compromise!

Maybe... When Gray was lost in thought, Shi Zhaoji picked up the teacup and drank the tea. The tea was Dajiling black tea. When tasting the tea, Shi Zhaoji couldn't help thinking of a time in Nanjing. When a friend saw that there was a Dajiling black tea for sale in Nanjing, he gritted his teeth and said, one day It must lead troops to burn all the tea plantations in Dajiling. In the eyes of many people, tea should only be available in China. It's really short-sighted. Even one day, China will have to break with Britain. After the two countries fight, and China hits India, then it should turn India into China like the British. The supply of agricultural products is the place. If you say that, there is no long-term vision at all.

Thinking of this problem, in connection with the success of the British governing the colonies, Shi Zhaoji couldn't help but think of the current China. After acquiring German Central Africa and German New Guinea, China has become a colonial country. At the same time, China has to face problems that have never been encountered before and defend a new point. The scattered empire, at the same time, began to develop this empire in order to digest the "fruit of victory" of the economy, which has become impossible for China to avoid and avoid strategic and administrative problems. However, China lacks the colonial experience and administrative ability of European powers. In German New Guinea, this problem may not be obvious, but in German Central Africa, there are still millions of black people there.

China's only experience of "govering colonies" comes from North Korea. In North Korea, although Yuan Shikai's governance was very successful, he made the mistake of using the army to enforce the same severe military rule. North Korea is different from other countries. China's thousands of years of patriarchal sovereignty over North Korea makes North Koreans not Reprimand China's rule, and North Korea is included in China as a province. At least to a certain extent, North Koreans are equal to China. Only a few North Korean elites oppose North Korea becoming a province of China. Therefore, the core of military rule is to use high-pressure policies to disintegrate the opposition of North Korea's elites, but if North Korea's experience extends to German East Africa. This rule will only alienate the people from China and even be used by other powers. In the end, the colonies that originally created wealth may even become the root cause of chaos.

Colony management, China not only needs to learn from the oldest and largest colonial country in the world, such as Britain, but also needs to learn from the Germans. Germany's scientific cultivation may be the object that China should learn. Thinking about this problem in his heart, Shi Zhaoji He had to be a little distracted, but his distraction was in Gray's eyes, but it had other meanings.

"Why are you absent-tweed?"

Shi Zhaoji's absent-mindedness was in Gray's eyes, but he raised a trace of vigilance in his heart. As a professional diplomat, he knew that Shi Zhaoji in front of him was not the diplomats in the Manchu Qing Dynasty. Now most of the Chinese diplomats are also professional diplomats. They will never make the same mistakes as the officials of the Manchu Qing Dynasty. Wrong, it is also impossible to make such a low-level mistake on such an occasion.

But his absent-mindedness is the fact. What made him distracted? Is it that he came here today to explain, but it's just a blindfold!

When this idea came to his mind, Gray immediately contacted the many secret negotiations between China and Germany. Although the Chinese had directly informed Britain of the content of the negotiations many times out of the needs of handing over, who could guarantee that China could do it without reservation, not to mention, when China withdrew from the negotiations before The Germans have agreed to make concessions. They have agreed to "give" German assets to China free of charge, provided that China withdraws from the Ally.

Will the Chinese still step on the wire rope?

When this idea came up in his heart, Gray's heart couldn't help shivering. If China, which has joined the Ally on the surface, is still stepping on the wire rope, then it means that China is still holding the mentality of waiting for the price. They are waiting for the bids of Germany and the United Kingdom. In the end of this mentality What is the result?

It's like an auction - the one with the highest price gets it!

From Shi Zhaoji's absent-mindedness, Gray also contacted China's unpositive attitude towards France's return of Guangzhou Bay. It seems that for them, they are not willing to waste too much time and energy on the issue of Guangzhou Bay. Instead of their interest in the Near East at the same time, these actions undoubtedly show that One problem, to some extent, China is ready - once they can't get what they need here in Britain, they would rather choose war to solve the problem, so as to get more trophy through war!

He felt as if he had seen the core secrets of China. While he was vigilant, he did not notice that his tone and attitude had also changed.

"Your Excellency! Britain is not against your country's defense of your country's interests by force!"

Gray did not notice that there was no British pride and conceit in his tone, but Shi Zhaoji, who came to his senses, noticed that the discussion revealed in Gray's tone, while making Shi Zhaoji surprised, he carefully observed Gray.

At this time, although Gray's face did not show his face, the pride of both eyes completely disappeared! Although it is not known what caused such a change before and after Gray, the foreign minister of the British Empire, this is a good phenomenon for Shi Zhaoji, which at least means that the resistance is by no means as great as Nanjing and himself imagined.

At the beginning, Nanjing even considered that if Britain was repeatedly tough, they did not mind having a "to some extent" small impulse to create a new diplomatic breakthrough opportunity. However, Shi Zhaoji knew that it was simply stepping on the wire rope, and once the gun went off. No one can ensure the future direction. Now the other party's show of concessions has made him relieved.

"However, Britain's interests in the Arabian Peninsula must be safeguarded!"

Maintenance!

If there was no previous consideration, Gray would prefer to say, "Britain's interests in the Arabian Peninsula must be guaranteed!", and he would use a rude tone, but now, he is negotiating with Shi Zhaoji in a negotiated tone.

"Of course, there is no problem. Nanjing does not want to see it, because of the Ottoman problem, and your country has differences. After all, China and Britain are allies. We make any decision based not only on our own interests, but also on the interests of our allies, and then consider them comprehensively!"

I didn't think that Gray's attitude had changed so much. Shi Zhaoji immediately replied, which was also Nanjing's attitude.

"So how did your country decide to ensure Britain's interests after declaring war on the Ottoman Empire?"

Gray's smile was exchanged for Shi Zhao's doubts. What's wrong with today? As far as he knows, Gray is by no means an easy person to deal with, but today he behaves like... "Hmm..."

He meditated and looked at Gray, who had made a substantial concession. When he meditated, Gray took the initiative to propose.

"Maybe we can have a direct discussion on this issue. For example, our two countries can send diplomats to directly divide geographically to ensure the interests of our two countries in the Arabian Peninsula!"

Although he was surprised by Gray's concession, Shi Zhaoji thought about it quietly, and the other party's consideration made Gray relieved. At least now he understands China's bottom line. China's bottom line is to occupy the whole peninsula. They just hope to get a piece of it! Get a colony in the Near East.

And the reason why they did this is probably related to the fact that they have no substantive privileges in Persia and no garrison in the Persian Gulf. They need a colony to ensure the security of the Persian oil fields, which at least means that they don't have much appetite.

What you get through the negotiation table is better than what you get through war. Gray, who knows this well, certainly knows how to persuade Shi Zhaoji.

"At the same time, the UK can make a commitment that in due course, we will support the implementation of the open door policy to China in Persia!"

As soon as he opened his eyes, Shi Zhaoji looked at Gray with an incredible look. This... Did the British take the wrong medicine?

"This... Well, I need to report to Nanjing!"

Although he wants to agree, Shi Zhaoji, who is only an ambassador abroad, does not have that power at all. Although he knows the bottom line of Nanjing, he also understands that the division of influence is not necessarily beneficial to China. When China holds diplomatic negotiations with Britain, he is afraid that the army has reached Mesopotamia, which is the most fertile region in the whole Near East. The British obviously do not want China to completely control the whole of Mesopotamia, and as a big country, it is bound to be impossible for Britain to accept China's proposal, which must be the bottom line of the military, so the negotiations may not be All right, in this case, he can't agree.

"Of course, this is a very important thing. You are fully responsible for notifying Nanjing, but I hope we can hold negotiations as soon as possible!"

Gray responded cheerfully. Shi Zhaoji did not agree, but in his expectation. On the contrary, if Shi Zhaoji agreed directly, Gray would probably deny the previous speculation.

Until he left the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Shi Zhaoji, who was in extreme shock, still couldn't react. He didn't understand why Gray made concessions. Although he knew what Gray was worried about, as Britain's foreign minister, Gray had no need to worry about this problem at all. As a new power, China's roots It is impossible for the whole country to bet on the table again. What he is doing now is just to take advantage of the fire. If the owner comes out with a gun, China will make a "proper response", but Gray's performance completely reversed his view.

"Has the situation on the European front line further deteriorated?"

After thinking about it, there is only one answer that Shi Zhaoji can get. Unless the situation on the European battlefield deteriorates, Britain will not have to make such a huge concession at all. Although he knows that the military may oppose the division of sphere of influence by negotiation, he knows that His Majesty will definitely support it in the end. The sphere of influence is determined through diplomatic channels, so as to avoid conflict with Britain while ensuring one's own interests.

" Major Chen!"

Thinking of the situation in the European battlefield, Shi Zhaoji quickly asked the officer in the position of the co-pilot.

"Are there any major changes in the European battlefield recently?"

"Mr. Ambassador, we have not received any information in this regard. If this happens, we will definitely get a report, as long as our colleagues in the mainland can get the corresponding information!"

The intelligence officer in the co-pilot's position answered truthfully.

"Well, no, there must be some changes. In this way, can you contact your colleagues and inform them to increase their reconnaissance efforts. What must have happened on the Western and Eastern Front!"

"Mr. Ambassador?"

"Believe me, there must be something changed, otherwise..."

Halfway through the words, Shi Zhaoji stopped talking. There were some things that could not be revealed to the intelligence officers.

"Wait for the domestic decision!"

(to be continued)