Chapter 1172 Bull Strategy (3rd update, please subscribe)
One plus one equals two!
In fact, in Emperor Zhu's conception, the Ming Dynasty and China should be natural allies, and the kind that would advance and retreat together.
It's like the "Five Eyes Alliance" from another world.
The "Five Eyes Alliance" may seem like an intelligence organization, but in fact they are a natural military alliance. They share military technology, jointly formulate military plans, and even their armaments complement each other.
"If Tang can become our ally and stand together with us, then for every battleship they add, Britain will need to add a battleship in India or Singapore to fight against Tang. This will reduce our pressure. Even in the future, if war is inevitable, Tang can send troops from Myanmar and other places to support our offensive in other directions."
Emperor Zhu paused and continued.
"Of course, the Tang Kingdom will also receive very generous rewards. Burma, Siam, the Malay Peninsula, and even the Philippines and Java can all be handed over to them. After all, China also needs their colonies!"
Emperor Zhu was very generous. In his opinion, if China could participate in the last wave of colonial division, it would be a hundred benefits to China with no harm at all.
"Take the present for example. China has changed from a grain exporter to an importer. It needs to import 2 million dan of rice every year. If Nanjing is included, it needs to import almost 4 million dan. Having a colony is very important for ensuring the food security of the Tang Dynasty."
Historically, China began to import large quantities of grain, marked by the "Dingwu Great Famine". By the 1920s, China needed to import more than 16 million dan of grain every year. This was not the so-called dumping of foreign rice, but a real demand - after all, people always need to eat, and the increase in population has created a demand for food.
"But your majesty, the Tang people have no desire for expansion. Their biggest dream is unification. As for colonies, except for a few people who have this idea, most people, from Li Hongzhang himself to his senior officials, have no idea about colonies at all."
Zhuge Jun's answer made Emperor Zhu sigh helplessly, hating him for not fighting back!
"Moreover, according to intelligence from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Li himself is unwilling to participate in the competition between the Empire and him, and he has privately communicated with Britain and declared that the Tang Dynasty has never intended to intervene in disputes among the great powers, nor is it willing to be an enemy of Britain. If there is a conflict between the Ming Dynasty and Britain in the future, the Tang Dynasty will remain absolutely neutral..."
Just like this... The Ming Dynasty had worked so hard to support this kind of character, and the great Emperor Zhu couldn't help but feel a little depressed. How could he not be depressed? He spent so much money and so many years, only to support a "friend" who wanted to "maintain absolute neutrality".
Seeing that His Majesty frowned and remained silent, Zhuge Jun thought for a while and then spoke.
"Your Majesty, in fact, I think we can still consider that plan. Now that the Li family is in chaos, it is our opportunity. If the time is right, we can implement the plan. With the support of all parties, I think the success rate is still very high. At that time, the Seventh Prince can return to the country to govern..."
Why the Seventh Prince?
Because the seventh prince's mother, Song Yu, was Chinese, Emperor Zhu's lovers were not only Europeans, but also several Chinese. Song Yu's sister Song Bing was the Chinese teacher of Countess Elizabeth. Song Yu basically grew up with Elizabeth, and everything went smoothly afterwards.
If replacing Li, the Seventh Prince would be more suitable than anyone else because his mother is Chinese, which is his natural advantage.
"I know!"
Emperor Zhu neither opposed nor agreed. The plan Zhuge Jun mentioned was a plan that had been brewing for many years - the "Red Plan". The Ming Dynasty had never forgotten China, so how could the Chinese forget their roots?
The reign title of Emperor Taizu of the Ming Dynasty was Hongwu. Hong and red are homophones, and red and Zhu are the same color, implying the surname of the Ming Dynasty. The so-called "Red Plan" not only means to restore the country and expel the Tartars, but also means the rule of the Zhu family in China.
This plan was not proposed by the central government, but by civil groups - involving many young people who were eager to restore China's territory and expel the Tartars. However, at the official level of the Ming Dynasty, in order to avoid missing the last opportunity for colonial division, Emperor Zhu turned his attention to overseas, which also resulted in the "Red Plan" always remaining at the grassroots level.
However, the "level" of this civilian level is not low, involving many high-ranking officials or their children. Even when the empire was fully implementing overseas expansion, they were steadily advancing this plan.
What stage has the plan reached now?
Emperor Zhu was not clear about it, but one thing was certain: they had already selected the candidate for the imperial throne, the seventh prince.
"For the empire right now, the most important thing is overseas. There is no such thing as missing this opportunity. As for China, no one can take it away. No matter what the future holds for China, it will always belong to the Chinese people in the end."
As for whether the Jiangshan is surnamed Zhu or not, the great emperor Zhu doesn't care at all! As long as they are Chinese, it's fine. Of course, it would be great if they could become close allies like the "Five Eyes Alliance". If not... then use integration to form a close alliance!
While speaking, Emperor Zhu changed the subject.
"How are our relations with the Boer Republic progressing?"
The reason why he mentioned the "Boer Republic" was because it was the first stumbling block that would trip up the British Empire. In Emperor Zhu's plan, since it was a stumbling block, it must be utilized.
From the 1830s to the 1850s, some Boers who were dissatisfied with British rule left the Cape Colony and established the Natal Republic, the Transvaal Republic and the Orange Free State in the inland areas of South Africa. These three countries were collectively called the Boer Republics. These three republics were also recognized by Britain one after another.
"Your Majesty, although the Boer Republic is recognized by the British, they refuse to establish diplomatic relations with other countries. According to the report of our ambassador in London, the British believe that they have an indisputable right to protect the three countries. Based on this reason, they believe that our establishment of diplomatic relations with the three countries will cause damage to British interests. Therefore, the Foreign Office in London hopes that we will fully consider their attitude, Your Majesty."
"Taking their attitude into full consideration..."
Emperor Zhu raised his eyebrows slightly, smiled coldly, and then said,
"What is their attitude? Do they want to prevent us from establishing diplomatic relations with the Boer Republic?"
(End of this chapter)
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