Chapter 792 Britain Challenges Ming Dynasty (First Update, Please Subscribe)
Stop them, how to stop them?
war?
If it were 1895, Britain would certainly choose war.
Because the British Empire's ideology had matured at that time, they had understood the deep reasons why the empire could not be challenged. Only by defeating one challenger could other potential challengers be deterred from acting rashly.
A tiger is no match for a pack of wolves!
Everyone understands this truth, but only true imperialists know that "a tiger cannot defeat a pack of wolves, but can bite the leader to death."
Unfortunately, Britain has not yet evolved into a true empire and is unable to comprehensively weigh the pros and cons. It is not that it cannot weigh the pros and cons, but that its profit-seeking nature still influences its behavior.
After Britain made concessions in Tokyo and East Africa, the world saw through Britain's true colors. This is also the reason why Britain is having a headache now - because the imperial prestige that he has spent a century building has collapsed at this moment.
"We cannot guarantee that when we go to war with Ming in South Africa, France, Russia, and Austria-Hungary will not get involved. We also cannot guarantee that when we go to war with France in North Africa, Ming, Russia, and Austria-Hungary will stay out of it!"
Faced with this almost deadlocked situation, a young man walked into 10 Downing Street. He was Cecil John Rhodes, a businessman from the Cape Colony who was studying at Oxford University. He was invited in by the Colonial Secretary, Earl Henry Herbert.
"March!"
Cecil has not yet founded the De Beers Mining Company. He has just obtained the production of the largest "Rand" gold mine. The future South African currency "Rand" will come from this mine. Of course, he is not the so-called "African Conqueror" now. He is just a businessman.
As a well-known businessman in the Cape Colony, when he heard that the Ming army appeared in Namibia while studying at university, he hurried to meet Earl Henry Herbert, which is why he was standing in the Prime Minister's office at 10 Downing Street.
"Sir, the world has reached the most critical moment. In the past, the British Empire relied on the power of the empire to intimidate other countries, but what about now? The existence of the "Quadruple Alliance" has turned our power deterrence into a joke. When France and Ming Dynasty threaten the foundation of the empire, what can we do? Declare war on them?"
Shaking his head, Ross said directly.
"March, we must march. We must seize Egypt before the French occupy it, and send our troops to the interior of Africa before the Ming people occupy Namibia. We must cross the Orange River and the Kapp Plateau in the north to conquer the land there and prevent them from uniting West Africa and East Africa!"
"seize!"
Benjamin looked at the young man in front of him, was silent for a while, and then spoke.
"We can seize their original goal before they do, and control it in our own hands. Just as we are unwilling to go to war with them, they are also unwilling to go to war with us. In this way, in some ways, we ensure our own safety."
"It's not just about security, Your Excellency. More importantly, the British Empire will become extremely powerful in the process. We can build a huge colony spanning the entire Africa from Cairo to Cape Town!"
Although Cecil is young now, he is an imperialist with great ambitions. What he desires is conquest and expansion. Historically, it was he who sounded the clarion call for Britain's expansion into the interior of Africa. Now it is just a little advanced.
"It's a good idea. We only need to invest a small number of troops to conquer the local barbarians. However, Egypt... our occupation of Egypt may lead to conflicts between us and Turkey. After all, it still belongs to Turkey in name."
In response to the Prime Minister's question, Earl Henry Herbert said directly
"So what? What's the big deal? Since Governor Ali, Egypt has been almost independent. Now his son, Governor Said, has no connection with Istanbul at all. What we need is not occupation, but protection. We want to make Egypt our protectorate and protect Egypt from French invasion and occupation..."
Imperialists all over the world have one thing in common: they can always find reasons and excuses for expansion. As for these reasons and excuses, it doesn’t matter whether outsiders believe them or not. What matters is that they have found them.
"Egypt is in a serious financial crisis right now. If we intervene appropriately, coupled with the French threat, I think we can convince them."
What is the most important thing? The British Mediterranean Fleet is in Alexandria. If diplomats cannot persuade others, they can use the fleet to "persuade". They are all experienced people and they certainly know how to "persuade" others.
"Then there is only one question left..."
Benjamin asked, fixing his eyes on the young man in front of him.
"Mr. Rhodes, you are from the Cape Colony. In your opinion, how many troops do we need to deploy to achieve this goal?"
The Prime Minister's answer made Rhodes feel a little excited. He thought about it and then spoke.
"In Namibia, since we need to directly confront the Ming army, my suggestion is to deploy 5,000 people. Their goal is to prevent the Ming people from expanding southwards and inland from Walvis Bay. In the northern part of the Kapu Plateau, which is north of the Molopo River, there are only indigenous tribes. We only need to deploy 1,500 to 2,000 people, which is enough to conquer the vast central Africa."
Cecil's judgment was accurate. In another world, in 1893, he sent his confidant, Starr Jameson, the administrator of the South African Company in the riverside area, to lead more than 1,500 white and mercenary soldiers, divided into three routes, to march into the heart of Africa.
It took him only two years to conquer a large area of land. He then named the newly occupied Inter-River Region and the area south of the Zambia River "Rhodesia" after himself, which later became Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi.
It was absolutely incredible that he conquered such a vast land with only 1,500 people, but he succeeded!
"But we only have a few hundred troops in Cape Town,"
Benjamin thought for a moment, then said.
"If we want to carry out this conquest, we need to mobilize troops from our own country. Well, 7,000 people. We can still withdraw this army, at least from India."
These are troops that must be withdrawn. Even if Britain cannot mobilize its troops, there are still many Indians in India who can be recruited and mobilized.
Indians themselves are consumables for Britain. Now that they are being transferred to Africa at this time, those Indians will definitely be grateful.
"Time, we must complete our occupation before they do!"
There was a pause, then Benjamin continued.
"Well, this is a competition, a competition between us and the Ming Empire. The winner of this competition is not who has stronger combat power, but who is faster! The final winner is the fastest one!"
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
