Chapter 1557: The Anglo-Saxons Are Not That Shameless (Second Update, Please Subscribe)
"Your Majesty, what about America?"
In the pavilion of the Imperial Garden, Cheng Dingkang asked while playing chess.
Playing chess with His Majesty is a very intelligent question, because... His Majesty is a terrible chess player. Not only is he bad at it, but he also likes to play it.
There is no way. There are not many entertainment activities in this era, and playing chess is one of the rare ways to pass the time.
But for the ministers, playing chess with His Majesty is indeed a blessing, but the only problem is...how to give up the chess piece without making a fuss, this is the most challenging part of chess skills.
Unlike His Majesty, Cheng Dingkang is very good at playing chess. He is even the honorary president of the Imperial Go Association. His chess level is comparable to that of a national player, but even a national player... has to find a way to give in.
Giving up chess moves is a headache, but not only that, His Majesty also likes to talk while playing chess, which tests one's IQ even more. After all, if one wins by accident, that would be bad.
“The United States… this is indeed a problem.”
Staring at the chessboard, Emperor Zhu said.
"If everything goes well, the war is expected to end by the end of this year or early next year. By then, the United States will most likely retain most of its territory, which will undoubtedly be detrimental to the Empire's American policy."
Seeing His Majesty's frowning brows, Cheng Dingkang glanced at the chessboard and thought, "All he needs to do is point his finger at His Majesty. Just one more move and you'll win."
"From the perspective of American policy, a fragmented America is in the best interests of the Empire. Simply splitting into a Confederate State is not enough..."
When talking about the Southern Alliance, Cheng Dingkang smiled. That was the last country in the world that insisted on "slavery". In the past ten years, although some people in the South had proposed to grant freedom to black slaves and let the South truly integrate into the "civilized world", every proposal was strongly opposed because hundreds of thousands of Southerners died in order to protect their way of life.
"The right to use black slaves was defended by hundreds of thousands of Southerners with their lives. If you want to free the black slaves, please give us back the lives of our fathers and children."
It was politically correct to implement "slavery" in the South. Of course, an agriculturalized South did not pose much threat to the empire. Even now, the empire is the largest investor in the South. Most of the oil fields in Texas are invested and exploited by Imperial Oil.
"Indeed, splitting into fifty countries may be a bit too much, but splitting into a dozen countries is in line with the overall interests of the empire. Even the Confederate States of the South can be split in the future, such as Texas..."
Although Emperor Zhu no longer has much ambition for the territory of the United States, it does not mean that he is willing to see the existence of the United States - only a divided America is the best America.
It shouldn't be split into two, but broken into pieces!
"In the future, when the time is right, you can be independent."
"Your Majesty is right. No matter how many divisions the United States has, it is not enough. After all, for the Empire, there can only be one strong country in America, the Empire. Well, if it is the Chinese, it doesn't matter..."
Who are the Zhu Xia mentioned by Cheng Dingkang?
Of course it is Mexico. As the Imperial Assistant Minister, Cheng Dingkang knows very well that according to the current proportion of Chinese in the newborn population in Mexico, in 20 years at most, 65% of the population of Mexico will be of Chinese descent, and in 30 years, it will reach 75%.
The Mexican Empire, where 75% of the population is of Chinese descent, is not Zhu Xia. That country is Zhu Xia. And Ecuador will surely become Sinicized in the future. A Sinicized powerful country is acceptable.
Nodding slightly, Emperor Zhu, who was holding the chess piece in his hand, thought for a moment and then spoke.
“So how to further divide the United States in the negotiations becomes the biggest problem.”
"Yes, how could the Americans divide themselves at the negotiation table..."
"At the negotiation table..."
Emperor Zhu, who was originally thinking about how to play chess, said as his eyes lit up when he muttered these words.
“It’s not that there is no solution.”
"What?"
"indemnity!"
After uttering these two words, Emperor Zhu placed a piece directly on the chessboard.
"Okay, I win!"
Seeing His Majesty's proud look, Cheng Dingkang finally breathed a sigh of relief. Okay, the game is over.
"Your Majesty's chess skills are far inferior to mine..."
While complimenting, Cheng Dingkang asked again.
"What is the compensation that Your Majesty just mentioned?"
"As the losing party, we must cede territory and pay compensation. Otherwise, wouldn't we have fought this war in vain..."
Looking at the chessboard in front of him, Emperor Zhu smiled.
"But the United States is different from us. The United States is a federal country. As a federal country, all states join the federation equally. How can other states allow Washington to cede land? This will definitely become a big problem in future negotiations. In addition to ceding federal land, the states will definitely not agree to cede their land. If..."
Emperor Zhu moved several pieces aside on the chessboard with his fingers and then spoke.
"What if a state declares independence to avoid being ceded?"
"Declare independence?"
His Majesty's words, let Cheng Dingkang speak.
"Your Majesty, if we declare independence, we don't have to cede land?"
"yes!"
Emperor Zhu said.
"Not only do they not have to cede land, but they also do not have to pay compensation. If we propose $10 billion in compensation at the negotiation table, those states will definitely not be willing to bear such a huge amount of compensation. In order to avoid paying compensation, or for the so-called interests of voters, they will definitely declare independence and withdraw from the federation, just like the southern states. In this way, wouldn't it be possible to avoid compensation and ceding land..."
Is this the biggest bug in the negotiations with the United States?
Of course!
But it is beneficial to the empire, because what the empire needs is a divided America!
"But, Your Majesty, if this is the case, then wouldn't our efforts be in vain?..."
Cheng Dingkang's reminder made Emperor Zhu think for a while, and then he spoke.
"It won't be in vain. After all, the reason we are waging this war with the United States is not just for land or compensation. In fact, this is secondary. What we need is to divide and weaken the United States. This is the most important thing. As long as we achieve this strategic goal, then the purpose of launching this war will be achieved, so..."
Emperor Zhu said as he spread out the chess pieces.
"As long as we can divide the United States, it is not impossible even if we do not get compensation."
Compared to reparations, splitting the United States is the most important thing. After all, from the future perspective, the only country that can truly threaten the empire and China is the United States. If the United States is disintegrated and turned into dozens of countries, then they will not be able to pose any threat to China's future.
indemnity?
It was also in history that Bismarck exploited France to the utmost and extorted 5 billion francs. He thought that with these 5 billion francs, he could weaken France to the greatest extent, but what he got in return was only the hatred of the French towards Prussia, and a revenge war decades later.
Reparations can sometimes be counterproductive.
"If they re-form a federation after the negotiations, wouldn't we be left empty-handed?"
When Cheng Dingkang said this, he even muttered in his heart - Americans can't be so shameless.
(End of this chapter)
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