Chapter 356: Experts Take Action (Second Update, Please Subscribe)
"destroy?"
George nodded.
"Sir, even without our warships, they will still occupy Argentina. It's just a matter of time. It can be said that since the rise of South China on the grasslands and the day they occupied Chile, our layout in South America has been disrupted. What are we facing now? An aggressive, industrially developed, and scientifically oriented opponent. No!"
Shaking his head, George's expression became a little serious.
"South China is not a rival of the UK at all, but it certainly affects our interests in South America. What we need are South American resources and markets, and South American countries that are under our control and influence. What is our policy towards South America?"
After a pause, George continued.
"Just like Europe, what we need is a divided South America, an America where there are conflicts and even wars between countries. This has been our goal in South America for many years. A divided and conflict-ridden South America meets our needs. But the emergence of South China has changed all this. They have revealed their ambitions almost without concealment - they have annexed Chile and now want to annex Argentina. That's why we have to suppress them, but as of now, the Chileans have failed to stop them, and the Argentines have also failed. What is the price of their failure?"
George took a puff of his cigar and thought thoughtfully for a while.
"It is annexation. Chile and Argentina will be annexed by South China as losers. Maybe in a few months or a year, we will see the emergence of a 'South China Empire' in South America."
South China Empire!
Gladstone raised his brows slightly. He had thought of this situation before. It was precisely to avoid this happening that he ordered the fleet to sail to Argentina to stand on their side and express his support for them.
"The emergence of the South China Empire is not in the interests of Britain, but now that we cannot prevent it from appearing, let's lend them a helping hand! What do you think, sir?"
George's words made Gladstone think for a moment, then he spoke.
"If God wants to destroy a person, he must first make him crazy! You mean, we can use their annexation of Argentina to promote a broad opposition alliance?"
"Yes, sir. We need to use the demise of Chile and Argentina to tell the rulers of the South American countries that if they cannot form an alliance, a new Spanish Empire will soon replace them on that land. Of course, the Brazilians will also face this threat. All we need to do is to stir up conflicts between countries as we did in the past and let them kill each other like hounds! Just like..."
At this moment, a bright smile broke out on George's face.
"Just like France and Prussia, sir, only when those hounds fight each other can England benefit..."
"Indeed, this is exactly our purpose..."
After thinking for a moment, Gladstone asked.
"It seems that Argentina is bound to fail!"
"Losers do not deserve any sympathy, sir, but losers can be used. Rosas is in London."
Rosas, mentioned by George, was the former ruler of Argentina. In 1835, Rosas became a senior official of Buenos Aires Province again and gained unlimited power, becoming the first representative of the localized dictatorship in South America, the caudillo, which combined warlords, large landowners and the church. After ruling Argentina for nearly 20 years, he was defeated by the Argentine Confederation Army led by Urquiza in 1852, and then he fled to Britain and lived in London.
For the UK, they always have a lot of choices.
"Rosas may be a loser, but after the fall of the country, Argentina will definitely need a strong figure to lead the resistance movement. What we need is to use him to lead this movement, create unrest within Nanhua, and create opportunities for external breakthroughs!"
It has to be said that these British diplomats in the 19th century were quite strategic. Before Argentina failed, George, as Foreign Secretary, gave up on them directly when their defeat became apparent. After making some targeted adjustments, in addition to building a broad alliance against South China externally, he also thought of creating turmoil within the country.
Of course, they didn't know what the outcome would be, but over the past few decades, Britain had been carefully using diplomatic means to consolidate their control over the world.
In order to strike at France, Austria and other countries, Britain has cautiously stood behind Prussia over the past decade or so, becoming the biggest behind-the-scenes contributor to Prussia's rise. When the relationship between Prussia and France became increasingly tense due to the issue of succession to the Spanish throne and was on the brink of war, Britain was watching the outbreak of war with joy. Now, they are just applying the same method they used on the European continent to South America.
"In addition, we have received news that the United States, that is, Washington, seems to be willing to mediate to end this war."
Gladstone laughed when George mentioned America.
"The United States after the Civil War is not worth mentioning at all. Even if they come forward to mediate, what can they do? The victor will never abandon the spoils of war. We don't need to worry about the United States at all!"
In the past, Britain viewed the United States as a threat, but what about now?
The United States has split into two countries, the North and the South. Even though the industrial and commercial economy in the North has made great progress, what is the point?
It's just a divided country where war could break out again at any time.
"Yes, that's all we have to do now. Just to prevent the emergence of an America in South America, that's all."
Smoking a cigar, George said in an extremely relaxed tone.
"In fact, after they annexed Argentina, it seemed that their territory had expanded, but there would still be some potential internal problems. Would more than one million Argentines be willing to accept their rule? Argentines are completely different from the mixed-race Chileans. They are all Europeans. I believe that the resistance to South China will continue. All we need is to ignite this fire at the right time."
For many years, Britain has always been like this - professionally fanning the flames for three hundred years...
Ministers make decisions, but in the end they need to hand it over to their secretaries. The so-called secretaries are actually civil servants. Ministers come and go, but civil servants remain. After returning to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, George handed the matter over to his secretary Stanley, who in turn called in his co-secretary Ted.
"...In short, the Prime Minister and the Ministers have agreed to your plan to use the expansion of South China to form a national alliance in South America, at least in the Spanish-speaking region, just like we did when we opposed Napoleon. Let's implement it according to your plan, but there are still some places that need to be improved."
Ted, who joined the Foreign Office at the age of 19, was a behind-the-scenes hero of the empire's foreign policy. Like many senior civil servants, he quietly continued Britain's foreign policy and provided various advice to a succession of foreign ministers.
"It does need further improvement. We did not expect them to attack so quickly at first, but what is certain is that once the news of the South China Army entering Buenos Aires comes, it will definitely cause shock and anxiety in South American countries. Peru, Uruguay, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela are all likely to become participants in the alliance, but the only question is, who will become the leader of the alliance?"
As a senior professional diplomatic officer, Ted certainly knew those South American countries. He even traveled to South America when he was young.
"Brazil? They are speaking Portuguese. It is because of their atrocities in Paraguay that they have aroused the hostility of the Spanish-speaking regions. Of course, this is exactly what we needed in the past, but now, Brazil is obviously unable to become such a leader. But what other country besides Brazil has such national strength?"
The so-called leader of an alliance is not the leader’s personal charm, but the national strength. The reason why Britain became the leader of the anti-French alliance was precisely because of Britain’s national strength.
"This is indeed a problem. None of those countries have this capability. However, what we need now is to build this alliance first and then use Brazil!"
Stanley said, looking at Ted.
"The alliance is just a tool to distract South China. Brazil is the main force! You should make a plan first!"
As an expert in fanning the flames, Britain is naturally very clear about what role those countries play in their plans?
They naturally would not use an alliance that is only in name only to implement their plan. Compared with an alliance that is only in name only, Brazil is undoubtedly the best choice.
"Brazil? Brazil has not yet withdrawn its troops from Paraguay. How can they be used by us?"
Ted asked back.
"Ambition and security!"
Stanley said.
"After South China annexed Argentina, Brazilians will definitely want to annex Paraguay. We can stimulate their ambitions in this regard. Plan the conflict between them and South China. After all, Paraguay also ceded part of its land to Argentina. How could Brazilians be willing to watch those lands become South China's land? As for security, it is absolutely unsafe for any country to have a powerful neighbor around. All we need to do is use these two points to stimulate the ambitions of Brazilians and at the same time increase their sense of uneasiness. Trigger everything at the right time. This is what we need to do..."
Before you fan the fire, you must first prepare the fuel, or if you don't have any, you can make it. This is exactly what this fire fanning expert in England is good at doing...
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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