Chapter 388 The British with Evil Intentions (Second Update, Please Subscribe)
Don’t feel it!
It's simply perfect!
There was not much debate. The client was above all else. Moreover, the design modified by the client was so scientific!
Based on the original design of Ruanda, the design was further improved, and the Coast Guard Ship Administration Office issued an order a week ago. And now, even though only a few keels have been laid, it is openly placed in front of Seymour and others.
In fact, the construction of warships by various countries in those days was not kept secret at all. Take the "Indomitable", the first ship in history to adopt the "central ironclad" technology. During its construction, the two sides argued in newspapers for a year or two over whether to adopt the "central ironclad" technology, and the construction of the warship was even suspended several times.
In order to show their respective views to the public, they even directly published their drawings and designs in newspapers.
As for confidentiality?
They all wanted to show all the drawings directly to the outside world, and even add a little explanation, for fear that the outside world would not understand.
At this moment, facing this cutting-edge battleship that even had its sails cancelled, Seymour was a little uneasy. He stared at the model of the warship.
"You canceled the sail?"
"Yes, although using wind power can save coal, if the sails are removed, the weight saved can make the armor 50% thicker and save half the crew under the same displacement conditions!"
Li Xuelin's answer made Seymour feel ecstatic. This information could not be more important!
"Nanhua has no plans for overseas expansion!"
Seymour made this judgment almost subconsciously.
"If my guess is correct, the South China Navy's demand for warships should be to serve in the waters around South America, but they only need to be able to sail at sea. This is the fundamental reason why they cancelled the sails. Because in this mission context, warships only need to be fast and can appropriately ignore endurance. In other words, the main power comes from steam engines. In order to ensure the thickness of the armor, they directly cancelled the sails!"
At the British Trade Office in South China, in front of Edward Thornton, Seymour made his judgment quite proudly.
This is the most important information he collected on this trip!
"So they have indeed built a capital ship?"
The answer is of course yes.
"It seems that we no longer have any bargaining chips in our hands!"
Edward Thornton frowned and then spoke.
"Now, if they don't want our warships, then the question is, how are we supposed to get them to agree to sell us the airships!"
Looking up at South China outside the window, Edward Thornton thought of London as he gazed at this prosperous city. If Britain did not have airships, it would have to face a realistic problem - French airships might fly over London in future wars, and drop heavy bombs on London one after another. In the fierce bombing, tens of thousands of British people would die, and tens of millions of wealth would be reduced to ashes...
"We must get the spaceship, and we can do it at any cost!"
In the reception room, there were bursts of hearty laughter. Edward Thornton, the British ambassador, was meeting with Zuo Zongtang. This was not their first meeting. In fact, they were old friends, and they had communicated and met for no less than twenty times.
"As far as I know, the price of rubber in the Brazilian market has increased by 30%. Almost all industrial countries in the world are rushing to buy rubber. I heard that you have established the world's first artificial rubber plantation in the Congo River."
After a pause, Edward Thornton said half-jokingly:
"I have to admit that your Majesty has the most unique vision in the world. Perhaps a few years ago, you had the foresight to predict that airships would be an important weapon in the world, and its construction would be inseparable from rubber. Before that, you had already stockpiled thousands of tons of rubber."
Faced with such compliments, Zuo Zongtang laughed it off.
"Stockpiling rubber is just a normal business behavior. After all, rubber has many uses. In addition to airships, there are many other places where rubber can be used."
"The rewards you get in business are extremely rich, but they are far less than what you get in Argentina."
Then Edward said again.
"Your goal has been achieved. But I can't help but ask you, what will be Nanhua's next goal?"
"The next goal? Haha, of course it's to build Nanhua. The next step is definitely to build Nanhua. I mean the entire Nanhua!"
Zuo Zongtang said to Edward with a smile.
"The whole of Nanhua? Does it include Buenos Aires? That would require a lot of investment, right? Do you have the financial resources to do so?"
"Bonds!"
Zuo Zongtang smiled and said:
"As the victor of the war, our bonds are very popular in France and Britain. I believe that as long as we are willing, there are many bankers who are willing to issue our bonds. Edward, I have a suggestion for you. If you want to get a generous return in the future, you might as well buy some of our bonds! You will definitely get a generous return!"
Without the experience of visiting various countries, Zuo Zongtang would never have such a transformation. He actually turned into a bond salesman and actively promoted Nanhua bonds to Edward. This might be new in the Qing Dynasty, but in Europe and the United States, it is normal for politicians to promote bonds. After all, finance is the foundation of government. Without sufficient finance, what government can there be?
"As we all know, Nanhua's bonds are high-quality bonds. If there is an opportunity, I will definitely buy them. I will definitely not miss this investment opportunity."
Edward said as he laughed.
"Besides construction, does Nanhua have no other goals?"
"Other targets?"
Zuo Zongtang was puzzled. He looked at Edward. This guy kept mentioning some goal, maybe he had some hidden purpose.
"Yes, in addition to construction, I think Nanhua must have other goals, such as the exiled regime in Uruguay!"
Edward took a puff of his cigar and spoke slowly.
"I think you should know that the existence of an exiled regime is definitely a potential threat to you."
"It is a threat, but it is just a minor issue and not worth mentioning at all."
Although he said this, Zuo Zongtang still frowned.
What he was thinking about was not the "exiled regime", but why Edward mentioned the exiled government. These British people would not mention this matter for no reason.
What is their purpose?
What is the current situation in the Rio de la Plata?
After South China occupied Argentina, the situation in this region has been completely changed. The careful layout of the British here was completely disrupted by South China.
Logically speaking, the people who are most unwilling to see South China occupy Argentina are definitely the British, but why are they mentioning Argentina's "exile regime" now?
To put it bluntly, that "exile regime" is basically a dog kept by the British. They mentioned some potential threat.
Could it be that... they are going to abandon the dog?
Zuo Zongtang didn’t know what made the British make this decision, but one thing was certain - the British would never make this decision for no reason, they must have some ulterior motive.
And for Nanhua, this is definitely not a bad thing!
After pondering for a moment, Zuo Zongtang asked tentatively.
"The so-called 'government in exile' is now in Uruguay. Even if we want to solve this problem, I'm afraid we can't get around Uruguay!"
Faced with Zuo Zongtang's temptation, Edward Thornton answered directly.
"If that's the case, then why do we have to go around it?"
(End of this chapter)
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