Chapter 449 The British are all double-standard dogs (first update, please subscribe)
"We will stand firmly on the side of our ally France. Once the Second Empire makes a request, we will dispatch our elite South China Army to France at any time..."
In the eyes of diplomats, these remarks published in the South China Daily on July 20 were simply a joke. In the diplomatic circles of Buenos Aires, they were even called "South China-style empty talk."
Send troops to Europe?
Intervened in the war between the French and Prussia.
This is a joke.
People in the diplomatic circle talked about this matter in a sarcastic tone, and even many analysts believed that this was just Nanhua's diplomatic skill, which was to win French support and consolidate friendship with France through wartime statements.
It's just empty talk.
But it was not just talk. Even on the second day after France declared war, Nanhua received an order of 50 million francs - although France had been quietly preparing for war for many years, when the war was declared, they found that they were seriously insufficient to prepare for competition.
Many troops did not even have enough marching kettles and cooking pots, and the soldiers did not have supplies such as canned food. When mobilizing the troops, the French found that there were no new rifles except the old rifles, and production would definitely not be in time.
Buy it!
Before the French came to visit, the representatives of the American Company came to visit. With the promise of patting their chests, France purchased as many as 100,000 rifles, 400 mortars, breech-loading guns and a large amount of ammunition from Nanhua. Together with canned food, the total order was as high as 50 million francs.
After the news came out, all European countries were stunned by this huge order. It seemed that they also understood why Nanhua stood so firmly on the side of France.
"It's really a good deal to earn such a large sum of money just by talking nonsense!"
Edward Thornton was holding a wine glass in his hand. As the British ambassador to South China, his tone was slightly envious.
"It is indeed a good deal. I heard that the South China people provided them with Spencer rifles that they had already eliminated. This time, the South China people at least don't need to consider their inventory anymore."
Ned shrugged helplessly.
"They could just sell all the old weapons to the French. This time the French have really fallen to the same level as the Chinese."
The China that Ned mentioned is the Qing Dynasty and the Kingdom of Heaven. They still continue to purchase old weapons from various countries, and the largest supplier is Nanhua. Nanhua's 11mm Spencer rifle is still an extremely good weapon even until now. This is true in Europe and of course in China.
"Chinese……"
Edward Thornton looked at his subordinate who had just been promoted to deputy envoy with sharp eyes, and then said.
"What do you think of that plan we made earlier?"
"Sir, I think they will make a decision soon. Ambassador, the lifeblood of South China is immigration. As long as we cut off their source of immigration, or in other words, prevent Qing immigrants from entering South China, then South China's development will definitely be interrupted. After all, if a country wants to develop, it must have a sufficient population, and this is South China's biggest shortcoming. What about the future? The demise of Argentina has not only caused many Argentines to flee to Brazil, but also many immigrants from southern European countries will flock to Brazil in the future, which will directly affect the power comparison between the two countries."
Ned's eyes flashed with a hint of pride. In the embassy, it was difficult for him to attract other people's attention, but as the ambassador's assistant, facing the unstoppable development momentum of South China, he persuaded the ambassador to make recommendations to London to deal the most fatal blow to South China.
However, this blow was not a military one, not even against Nanhua. Instead, it was aimed at preventing immigrants from entering Nanhua through the embassy in Qing Dynasty and with the help of Qing Dynasty.
"I believe that Wade can handle this matter! Perhaps, we will receive good news soon. He should have received the book now!"
The Wade-Giles person mentioned by Ned was the British Minister to the Qing Dynasty and the most important person in implementing this plan.
"He should have received it. Now, it depends on how he handles the matter!"
Just here, the office door was suddenly pushed open, and the second-class counselor who came in spoke to them hurriedly.
"Mr. Ambassador, an urgent secret telegram has been sent from London."
"Express message?"
After receiving the telegram, Edward's face suddenly changed and he spoke anxiously.
"Something happened!"
"What?"
"The French have asked Nanhua for help!"
"What?"
Ned was surprised.
"France! Asking for help from Nanhua, how is this possible?"
"Yes, the war situation is very unfavorable to France!"
Edward said anxiously.
"That's why France asked for help from South China. They hoped that South China would send out their airship force."
"What? An airship? That would be bad luck for the Prussians!"
"Yes, that's why London asked us to stop Nanhua from sending out their airships!"
Edward said as he walked.
"Prepare the carriage. I'm going to see Zuo... No, I'm going to see His Majesty the Emperor and ask him to reject the French, or at least let him postpone sending out the airship as long as possible!"
What is the UK's European policy?
It's France!
Just do whatever it takes to weaken France.
For hundreds of years, France has been Britain's mortal enemy. As long as it is possible to make France unhappy, it must be done.
Moreover, the Franco-Prussian War itself was fueled by the British, and now Nanhua is trying to get involved.
And they are going to send out their airships, which is simply... destroying Britain's overall plan.
As soon as he met Zhu Xianhai, Edward put forward Britain's opinions.
"Britain strongly opposes your sending airship forces to Europe. London does not believe that the New World should interfere in the affairs of the Old World."
"Does London mean to say that only the Old World has the right to meddle in the affairs of the New World, but not vice versa?"
Zhu Xianhai despised the British to the extreme. They were really a bunch of double-standard people. They were really good at playing double standards.
"Your Majesty, this is for your own benefit. After all, as we all know, there are too many interests between European countries. If you rashly get involved, you may cause unnecessary trouble."
Edward acted as if he was doing this for your own good, which Zhu Xianhai naturally disdained. He was too lazy to expose the British's double standards and the little tricks in their hearts. The purpose of all they did was nothing more than to weaken the French.
A weakened France was extremely beneficial to Britain. In history, they relied on the Franco-Prussian War to weaken France, thereby winning the status of a superpower and controlling the entire world. Even until the First World War, Britain's position was not shaken.
"Mr. Ambassador, I think you are late. Because we have already sent out airships, and they are on their way now."
What?
Now it was Edward's turn to be dumbfounded. He opened his eyes wide in shock, and could not believe what he heard.
"What? They, they're already on their way? How is this possible?"
"Yes, they have already set out."
Zhu Xianhai replied.
"I think they will arrive over Europe in a few days at most!"
(End of this chapter)
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