Chapter 1046 The British's Wishful Thinking (First Update, Please Subscribe)
reason!
What is the reason?
For the British Indian authorities, what have they always been most worried about?
Why did the British Indian authorities send troops to Afghanistan in 1879?
Faced with George Robinson's seemingly embarrassed statement, Zhu Zhenwen knew very well what the other party wanted - the Roman Empire!
That is the Russia of the past!
Although Russia transformed itself into the Roman Empire after occupying Constantinople, it did not change the Russians' expansionist nature.
Expansion is almost the polar bear's instinct!
The British did not want them to threaten India, which was why they went to Afghanistan. They had to stop the polar bear from moving south.
After all, the Queen of the British Empire is the Emperor of India! India is the brightest jewel in the crown of the British Empire!
"Your Excellency the Governor, you may be allies with Russia, but after they occupied Constantinople, they not only extended their hands to the Mediterranean, but also to Persia and even to the Western Regions of China."
Staring at the young man in front of him, George Robinson said without concealment.
"Perhaps, they will eventually reach out to the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean, but, Your Excellency, in the process, they will definitely get involved in the Western Regions!"
It is not news that the Russians extended their hands to the Western Regions - the Russians captured Ili in May 1871.
"Sir, as we all know, the Russians' involvement in the Western Regions is directly related to your support for Yakub Beg, and is largely intended to prevent the continued growth of British influence in Central Asia."
This... is simply the specious reasoning of the imperialist powers. Is it intended to prevent one country's power from expanding in a certain region and invading another country?
But, these are the international rules of the game.
The weak ones are eaten by fish, while the strong ones eat until their bellies are full.
This is the rule by which everything in the world operates.
"It's all in the past. Maybe Britain supported Yakub Beg to a certain extent, but we all know that Yakub Beg has been defeated by your people, your people!"
George Robinson emphasized the words "your people" because the whole world knows that the Heavenly Kingdom regime currently occupying the Western Regions is supported by the Ming Dynasty.
Six years ago, Shi Dakai, the King of the Heavenly Kingdom who occupied Gansu and Qinghai, ordered his generals to lead 20,000 troops out of Yumen Pass to the west. Soon they recovered the ancient pastures, Dihua, Manas and other places. The following year, they divided their troops into three routes and marched into southern Xinjiang. Within half a month, they captured the three cities of Dabashan, Toksun and Turpan. A year later, they recovered Hotan and won the final victory in the battle to recover Xinjiang.
Later, facing the occupation of Ili by Russia, Shi Dakai did not continue the attack, but chose to negotiate the return of Ili. At that time, Russia was fully preparing for the war with Turkey. The negotiations were conducted in St. Petersburg, and the mediator was none other than the Ming Dynasty. It was also with the support of the Ming Dynasty that Russia agreed to withdraw from Ili. The Western Regions thus returned to China.
It is for this reason that Shi Dakai is regarded as a "Ming Dynasty man".
"Now, in Central Asia, there are only the Russians, the Khanate of Kokand, the Khanate of Khiva, the Khanate of Bula Khanate, and the Turkmen in northern Persia. The Russians are eyeing that region covetously. Once they occupy it..."
Zhu Zhenwen spoke before George Robinson finished speaking.
"If they occupy that place, they will further threaten Persia. They will even send troops across Persia, and then the Roman Empire's military boots will extend to the warm Indian Ocean, Your Excellency..."
Looking at the Indian vice king in front of him, Zhu Zhenwen asked back.
"But what does this have to do with the Ming Dynasty? Central Asia... We have no interest in it! Even the Persian Gulf..."
Zhu Zhenwen shrugged helplessly.
"If it weren't for the common interests of the alliance, who would want this desert? There is only worthless sand here..."
No one has ever doubted the Ming Dynasty's view. The Ming Dynasty accepted the desert with all kinds of "grievances". Of course... this is just the appearance, and even Zhu Zhenwen's current statement is just a silent statement at the negotiation table.
In fact, he was now a little excited in his heart, because just as his father had expected before he came to the Persian Gulf - the British would negotiate with the Ming Dynasty on the Central Asian issue.
"Now that you mentioned Central Asia, I'm sorry, sir, we have no interest in it at all. Occupation... requires costs!"
Are you rejecting this?
George Robinson secretly thought that this was not good. Didn't he know that occupation would cost money? If it wasn't for the cost, would the British Indian authorities have to withdraw their troops from Afghanistan?
It was because of the high cost that the British Empire did not want to bear. That is why they had to trick the Ming Empire into taking over.
"Oh, Your Excellency the Governor, I am not referring to your own troops, but the Heavenly Kingdom regime in the northwest!"
Taking a deep breath, George Robinson looked at the colonial governor of the Ming Dynasty and the eldest son of His Majesty the Emperor and said.
“Britain did not object to their occupation of the three major khanates in Central Asia and the areas controlled by the Turkmen.”
Of course, Britain did not object. If Shi Dakai occupied the three major khanates in Central Asia, it would be equivalent to creating a buffer zone between Russia and British India, and this buffer zone was still supported by the Ming Dynasty.
If the Russians wanted to take action in this region, it would inevitably intensify their conflict with the Ming Empire.
Britain is completely reaping the benefits!
What is driving wolves and swallowing tigers?
This is what it means to drive out wolves and swallow tigers!
Of course, the most important thing is that Ming Dynasty’s intervention in Central Asia will inevitably sow a gap of distrust between the two countries, and this gap will inevitably become the flashpoint of potential conflict between Ming Dynasty and Russia in the future.
Digging pits and laying mines are what the politicians of the British Empire are best at.
"Of course Britain has no objection,"
Zhu Zhenwen flatly refused.
"The southern part of Central Asia under Shi Dakai's control is a buffer between the British Indian colonies and Russia. Britain allowed it, but what about Russia? This is bound to cause conflicts between us and Russia."
George Robinson had long expected his refusal.
"It is indeed possible, but we all know that both the Xuzhou regime and the Nanjing regime in China will definitely promote unification in the future, and Shi Dakai, who lives in Gansu, will never be able to fight against them. After all, his military strength, equipment, and economy are far from comparable to those of the two."
Taking a puff of his cigar, George Robinson spoke bluntly.
"In this situation, their best choice is to withdraw from Gansu, withdraw from the Western Regions, occupy the lands of the three khanates, and survive in Central Asia. This is the best choice for them. What about the Ming Dynasty? Sir, are you sure that your alliance with Russia will exist forever?" After asking this question, George Robinson emphasized it deliberately.
"There are only eternal interests between nations, and that is why we are sitting together now, Your Excellency."
After he finished speaking, George Robinson lit up his cigar and looked at the young man who was frowning and thinking. He knew that the other party began to hesitate, so he spoke lightly again.
"Huaxia, after the ambitious Russia has achieved its expansion in the West, will they stop in the East?"
I have set up a book club: 335260551. Everyone is welcome to join and discuss and deduce the plot together.
(End of this chapter)
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