Chapter 325: The Powers with Their Own Motives (Second Update, Please Subscribe)
"airship!"
Putting down the newspaper, Edward Thornton turned around in his chair, took out a cigar from the cigar box on the table, skillfully cut off one end with his thick fingers, then he opened the lighter with a "click" and lit the cigar.
Then he looked at the lighter in his hand and said.
“They always surprise us.”
The lighter invented by Nanhua was also popular at the World Expo. Although it was just a small gadget, it can be seen from here that Nanhua is a place completely different from other South American countries.
"…Should I say frightened, sir?"
Captain Frank's voice seemed a little hesitant.
"If we didn't know that the airships and nails caused nearly 20,000 casualties among the Argentines, it would be hard for us to imagine that the tiny nails..."
Captain Frank had seen the "nail" before. He found it hard to imagine that the inconspicuous 4-inch-long iron nail with a flattened tail could be so powerful, even more powerful than a cannon!
"It can kill so many people. I dare say that if the war continues like this, Argentina is likely to be the loser of this war."
"If Argentina fails, it will most likely affect our position here."
It was Ned who spoke, looking at the ambassador.
"This is obviously not in our interest, and we have to stop them."
"Don't talk nonsense, Ned. We all know that we are powerless against airships, not to mention the Argentines. The Argentines have no chance of winning this war. Are we going to be the losers?"
As a naval officer, Captain Frank has the arrogance of the Royal Navy, but arrogance is not arrogance. Although the "nails" are of no use to warships, it is obvious that warships cannot help the Argentines win the war, and the Royal Navy's warships have not arrived here yet.
"We go down? This is not in line with our tradition!"
Edward Thornton said.
"Now we have to prevent the war from expanding further and also obtain the secret of the airship."
Even as a diplomat, Edward could realize the changes that airships had brought to warfare.
"The secret of the airship?"
Frank retorted bluntly.
"Will they tell us its secrets? We are on the side of the Argentines in this war."
"That's not important. What's important is that we have to find a way to get their secret, the airship. Of course, we can build an airship, but we have never built an airship that big. What's more important is how their airship flies in the air and adjusts its direction. This is what we need. If we don't find a way, the French will also find a way to get this secret. If the French succeed, then we will definitely be at a disadvantage."
Captain Frank nodded in agreement at the ambassador's words.
"I understand. That is to say, we must find a way to obtain these secrets. Only in this way can we ensure the balance between us and the French."
"Yes, we have no advantage over the judge. So we have to try every possible means."
"I think they are definitely willing to sell. After all, Nanhua is just a group of businessmen."
Ned said from the side.
"Since they are businessmen, how could they miss the business that comes to their doorstep?"
"But the airship is their biggest advantage at the moment. How could they possibly sell their treasure to us?"
Captain Frank's words made Edward raise his eyebrows. Then he said.
"Maybe the French will help us!"
"French? How could the French help us? They will definitely try every means to stop us! You know, for the French, Britain is the real enemy!"
Captain Frank immediately retorted.
"I think the most likely people to stop us from getting the airship are the French."
"That may not be the case."
Ned said, looking at the ambassador.
"I think what the ambassador said makes sense. Maybe the French won't take the initiative to help us, but I think the French definitely want to get the airship. This is our chance. The French's desire may help us get it."
…
When the British were jealous of Nanhua's airship and began to plan how to get it, Lesseps Bonaparte, the French ambassador to Nanhua, had already stood in front of Zhu Xianhai. He first congratulated Nanhua on its victory, and after the compliments, he took the initiative to put forward his ideas.
"Airship, my dear brother-in-law, you used this secret weapon unexpectedly. I dare say that the mode of war has been changed because of it. Soon, the whole of Europe will talk about this powerful guy. Darts, I heard that you used airships to drop darts to kill tens of thousands of Argentines, right? This is simply the greatest victory since the Napoleonic era!"
In response to Reseb Bonaparte's compliment, Zhu Xianhai just smiled casually.
"It's just a weapon. In the end, it's people who decide the outcome of a war."
This is of course an understatement. If we could invent the Maxim machine gun now, we don’t know whether we could win the war, but one thing is certain: it would definitely change the course of the war.
"My brother, what you said is indeed true, but as we all know, airships are extremely powerful weapons. I mean your airships. And you should know that the relationship between France and Prussia and other countries is extremely tense due to the issue of succession to the Spanish throne. I think that if France has airships, it can be used as a deterrent!"
Lesseps Bonaparte was not shy and directly put forward his ideas, or rather his requests.
"So, France wants to buy an airship?"
Zhu Xianhai asked with a smile.
Many people know about the Franco-Prussian War, but they don't know that the trigger of the Franco-Prussian War was the issue of succession to the Spanish throne. In 1868, Queen Isabella II of Spain was overthrown because of her dissolute private life and chaotic political situation, resulting in the throne being vacant. The Spanish cabinet meeting decided to find a suitable successor, among which Prince Leopold of the Hohenzollern family, who was a distant relative of King William I of Prussia, seemed to have the hope of becoming a candidate. Unfortunately, the news leaked at the end of June 1870, which angered the French Foreign Minister, Duke of Gramont. After the person concerned refused, he also threatened William I and asked him to guarantee that he would never touch the Spanish throne. William politely rejected the other party's request. But Bismarck, who deliberately provoked the war, deliberately exaggerated the telegram, which is the so-called "Ems Secret Telegram", which angered the French government and eventually led to the war between the two countries.
Now, both in France and Prussia were convinced that war would break out. Even a few months ago, France purchased a batch of Spencer and Gatling machine guns from South China to strengthen its military power. After all, the Spencer and Gatling manufactured by South China are definitely better brands than American ones!
"Buy……"
Lesseps Bonaparte shook his head and smiled.
"My brother, I think if you can present an airship to His Majesty as a private gift, it will undoubtedly help promote the relationship between South China and France. Most importantly, as the war progresses, I am very sure that in the next six months to a year, it is only a matter of time for South China to occupy Argentina. Since the Napoleonic era, although the borders of countries have changed, no country has ever been annexed, just like your annexation of Chile, which has not been recognized to this day. If France stands on your side and recognizes South China's occupation of Chile and Argentina in the future, or recognizes the birth of a new country, then for you, this is obviously more important than a few airships, what do you think, my brother?"
Uh... goodness, it turns out he just wants to get it for free!
(End of this chapter)
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