Chapter 196: Tang Poetry, Song Lyrics, and Qing Dynasty Treaty (Third update, please subscribe)
Use Francisco Lopez to contain Argentina!
It not only contains Argentina, but also Brazil.
In South America, at least east of the Andes, the only truly powerful countries are Brazil and Argentina, and the others are just supporting roles.
Nanhua wants to gain a foothold and develop here, and will sooner or later come into conflict with them. In this case, it is certainly beneficial to its own development to properly use some contradictions to contain them.
"When playing chess, no matter how small the piece is, it will always be useful. The only question is how big of a role it can play!"
Zuo Zongtang nodded in response to his lord's words.
"My Lord, although Paraguay's national strength is not as strong as Argentina's, it is known as the "Prussia" of South America. Even neighboring Argentina and Brazil are afraid of it. If we can form an alliance with it, we should be able to contain Argentina. Especially last year, Francisco Lopez inherited the throne. After the dismissal, he changed the old Lopez's flexible foreign policy. I think he will definitely conflict with Argentina in the future."
Zuo Zongtang's analysis made Zhu Xianhai nod his head with satisfaction. Perhaps these people had never heard of South America in the past, but now they have been working hard to change themselves. While understanding the situation and political situation of South American countries through various channels, they are studying diplomacy and adapting to the changes in the world.
In fact, diplomacy is not complicated. The key is to understand the other party. Only after having the most basic understanding can you make corresponding judgments based on the situation.
Just like the judgment Zuo Zongtang made now! If he didn't have the corresponding understanding, he wouldn't know what kind of judgment he should make.
"This also means that we can completely use Paraguay to contain Argentina."
"Indeed."
Zhu Xianhai, who knows history, how could he not know that guy was absolutely stubborn. In 1853, Lopez was sent by his father to Europe to purchase arms. In Paris, he met Napoleon III and was fascinated by his "civil and military achievements". From then on, he aspired to be the "Napoleon III" of South America. I really don't understand this guy. He is obviously known as the "Prussia" of South America. He is not obsessed with Frederick the Great, but Napoleon III, who is not very good at it. However, little Lopez is very lucky and did not have the opportunity to see his idol being beaten up by Prussia later.
Then what?
After he ascended the throne last year, he began to want to emulate Napoleon's dominance in South America and achieve great things, but he lacked the strength and was eventually defeated and almost destroyed.
However, for Zhu Xianhai, it is not important whether Paraguay is destroyed or not. What is important is that he needs the war next year. He needs that war to draw the attention of Argentina, Brazil and other countries and to consume their strength. Only in this way can the balance of power between the two sides be fundamentally changed.
"But as for an alliance, there is no need for that at the moment..."
Shaking his head, Zhu Xianhai said.
"For the time being, we will just send an envoy to visit Paraguay to establish contact. The great dictator is a proud and arrogant person. He definitely looks down on us right now. We should be prepared for any delay..."
Then he looked at Zuo Zongtang and said.
"Now you seem to have some understanding of the political situation in South American countries. How about it? Do you want to travel as a consultant?"
"Staff trip?"
Zuo Zongtang asked in confusion.
"Yes, but not to Chile or Argentina, but to Europe, to England, France, Prussia, to see these countries, to understand the local customs and political situation. After all, the world is a chessboard, and small countries are chess pieces on this chessboard. The real chess players are still the big countries in Europe. I hope you can visit Europe and meet our international students in Europe. How about it? Are you interested?"
Go visit Europe!
Zuo Zongtang was stunned for a moment, then immediately agreed.
"That is what I wish for."
In fact, after witnessing modern industrial civilization in Nanhua, Zuo Zongtang was also full of curiosity about Europe. He always wanted to visit Europe and experience the customs and cultures of various European countries.
Zhu Xianhai hoped that Zuo Zongtang and his team would realize that only by learning from the West with an open mind can a country become truly strong through their investigation of European countries. Just like the Iwakura Mission in Japan in history, they would devote all their energy to field investigations of the politics, economy, military, culture and education of Western countries. They would understand the "tricks" of the law of the jungle in international politics.
When did the destinies of China and Japan diverge?
The gap was truly opened during the Meiji Restoration, when Japan chose to "seek knowledge from the world" and sent the Iwakura Mission to conduct in-depth investigations of European and American countries. What was the Qing Dynasty doing at that time?
They were still obsessed with the dream of "the Celestial Empire". They didn't even know why the Western countries were so strong, but kept signing traitorous treaties with others. Not to mention the unequal treaties signed with European powers, they also signed unequal treaties with South American countries, even with Nepal across the Himalayas. What kind of power is this? It was once a vassal state, but it could still shit on the neck of the Qing Dynasty. They also signed unequal treaties with others, and it was a few years ago - in 1856, the Qing Dynasty and Nepal signed an unequal treaty - the Tibet-Nepal Treaty, which granted Nepal extraterritoriality and trade privileges, and a certain amount of annual tribute.
A few decades later, in 1891, Nepal continued to obtain various privileges in Tibet, including the right to station troops, permanent lease, cultural privileges, etc.
Well, there is also the Congo Free State, which is separated by the Himalayas and the Indian Ocean. Yes, it’s the one in Africa, which can also force the Qing Dynasty to sign unequal treaties.
What's this?
Tang poetry, Song lyrics, Ming novels, and Qing treaties!
Not to mention, if the filial sons and grandchildren were not afraid of people knowing, studying the Qing treaties might really become a 21st century academic discipline, which could support many people.
It’s nothing, just there are so many of them!
What is my Qing Dynasty?
I don't know if he has any achievements in civil and military affairs, but he would definitely sell to any country and sign any treaty! After studying so many treaties one by one, he might even create a discipline called "Qing Dynasty Treaty Studies" to solve the food problems of filial sons and grandsons.
What is the reason?
On the one hand, it is because of the country's weak national strength, and on the other hand? It is because of ignorance of the outside world.
Therefore, Zhu Xianhai hoped that Zuo Zongtang and his colleagues could visit foreign countries, experience the world through visits and learning, and understand international politics.
It is obviously not realistic to rely on one person's independent thinking to promote the reform of Nanhua. Therefore, he needs to send his future team out, like the Iwakura Mission, to focus all their attention on a detailed investigation of the West. They spent one year and ten months to investigate 12 countries including the United States, Britain, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Russia, Denmark, Sweden, Italy, Austria, and Switzerland, and spent millions of yen, which accounted for more than 2% of the Meiji government's fiscal revenue in 1872. Let them intuitively feel the changes in the world through detailed investigations and understand the future of the world. Only in this way can they truly abandon their old burdens and welcome the arrival of this era of great contention...
Of course, what do we ultimately rely on to welcome this era of great contention?
It depends on national strength!
What does a country rely on? Of course, it relies on industry!
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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