As time entered 1893, the atmosphere of an impending war became increasingly tense.
On the one hand, there was the "Second Cuban Crisis" caused by the issue of Chinese naturalization, and on the other hand, the British side once again made serious representations to the Ming Empire on the "arms smuggling issue."
It seemed that the atmosphere in the world became increasingly tense in 1893, especially when the United States' "Great White Fleet" began its world cruise, which further fueled the tense atmosphere in the world.
"The world is sliding toward the brink of war."
In the classroom of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Major Spencer's words made Churchill and his classmates stunned at first, and then burst into laughter.
"Hasn't the war already broken out?"
Churchill exclaimed.
"Yes, Major, in South Africa!"
Looking at these young people who had just entered the military academy, Major Spencer spoke in a rather direct tone.
"Gentlemen, I do not mean the war in South Africa, but the war between powerful nations, which is bound to break out."
As he finished speaking, Major Spencer unfolded a map and pointed at it.
"Now for most people in England the war was nothing more than the fact that we were fighting the Boers in South Africa, but in fact we were not fighting the Boers!"
"Major, do you mean the Ming Empire?"
The reason for this is that in the current London newspapers, many similar reports can be seen, claiming that it was the Ming Empire's support for the Boers that led to a large number of British casualties.
There was even public opinion claiming that if it were not for the weapons provided by the Ming Empire, the war would have ended two years ago.
In response to the student's question, Major Spencer did not immediately give a positive answer, but continued, "We are fighting the Boers in South Africa, but who is killing British soldiers in South Africa? Mr. Churchill just mentioned it, is it the Ming Empire?"
Looking at Churchill sitting in the front row, Major Spencer said seriously.
"As we all know, almost all British people now know that the Ming Empire was the 'black hand' behind the Boer War. Every bullet that killed a British soldier was provided by the Ming Empire, and every shell was manufactured by the Ming Empire. Now, from the media to the official circles, it is generally believed that it was the Ming Empire that facilitated the Boer War, and its purpose was to make Britain bleed in this war."
As the words fell, Major Spencer suddenly raised his voice.
"If that's the case, then what? On the surface, the Ming Empire did not directly intervene in this war. Even all we can do is to protest to them, and protest that they - the so-called ordinary Ming people are smuggling weapons to the Boers. This is the only thing we can do, but gentlemen..."
Major Spencer said, looking around at the students in the classroom.
"We should see that relying solely on the Boer cavalry, they simply could not have caused many casualties to the British Empire. If it weren't for the support provided by the Ming Empire to the Boers, this war should have ended as early as when it broke out in the party. But gentlemen, now, this war is still going on, and British soldiers are bleeding every day. What makes them bleed? Of course not."
Pointing to the Ming colony in northern South Africa on the map, Major Spencer said in an indignant tone.
"It's the Ming Empire. Since the war broke out, the Ming Empire has been continuously providing various weapons to the Boers through the border. Are we at war with the Boers?"
After asking the question, Major Spencer said.
"We are certainly not at war with the Boers. In fact, we are now engaged in a completely different war with the Ming Empire. It is certain that if we cannot stop the Ming Empire from supplying weapons to the Boers, then this war will continue. It will only end when all the Boers are killed in battle one day."
Major Spencer, who had dealt with the Boers in the South, couldn't help but sigh.
"But before that, the blood of the British Empire will also be shed. Gentlemen, we have spent more than 100 million pounds on military expenditures for this war. The Ming Empire is using their own way to destroy the British Empire. Gentlemen, you will all be officers of the British army in the future. Here I need to remind you that you will definitely encounter the Ming army on the battlefield in the future. This is an opponent we have never encountered before. They are not only the most cruel enemy in the world, but also the most cunning enemy. They will use various methods to defeat us. South Africa is just the beginning. In the future, the Ming Empire's goal will be the entire British Empire..."
South Africa, however, is only just beginning.
On this point, Churchill very much agreed with Major Spencer's point of view. Although he was young, to a certain extent, Churchill knew the Ming Dynasty very well.
It was not just because his mother's lover was from the Ming Dynasty, nor was it because he had traveled to the Ming Dynasty with his mother when he was young. In fact, it was during that trip that his mother met his lover.
It was also his mother's lover that allowed Churchill to have a certain understanding of the Ming Empire over the years. Because of that guy, he paid attention to the Ming Empire, a huge empire that was completely different from European countries.
"The Ming Empire is, to some extent, a Spartan country, where almost all men have to receive military training. Military training begins in elementary school and lasts almost throughout their entire schooling. The country is almost a large military camp, and all men are more like soldiers than civilians."
When Churchill stood in the classroom and introduced to his classmates what he knew about the Ming Empire, he couldn't help but feel a certain anticipation in his heart.
In fact, deep in his heart, he longed for war. His ideal was very simple: "Just go somewhere to fight" and "Once the war is won, we will get involved in politics." The former was just the necessary path to the latter.
"In a country composed of soldiers, expansion is almost his instinct. Moreover, the military theory of the Ming Empire advocates taking the initiative in war and taking the enemy by surprise from the beginning.
And they claim that there is no other way to win. And we can look back at the wars they have fought in the past, and without exception, they have taken the initiative to attack first and unexpectedly from the beginning..."
After Churchill sat down, Major Spencer looked at the young man with admiration and asked.
"So Mr. Churchill, do you think there will be a war between the British Empire and the Ming Dynasty in the future?"
"Sir, this is unavoidable,"
Churchill said in a solemn tone.
"I believe that in the next few years, we are destined to go to war with the Ming Empire. This war is likely to break out in the form of the Ming Empire actively launching an attack on us."
Listening to Churchill's judgment, Major Spencer nodded in agreement and asked again.
"So Mr. Churchill, in your opinion, where will the Ming Empire attack the British Empire in the future?"
Facing Major Spencer's question, Churchill thought for a while and then said:
"I personally believe that if a war breaks out between us and the Ming Empire, the first shot will definitely be fired by the Ming Empire, and it will be in the Pacific region."
“Why in the Pacific?”
Major Spencer thought for a moment, then said:
"If I'm not mistaken, we don't have much conflict of interest with the Ming Empire in the Pacific. Why is it there?"
"The reason is very simple. Because the Ming Empire wants to turn the Pacific Ocean into the Ming Sea. If you know the Ming Empire, you will find that all their immigrants are from China, from the Pacific Ocean. The Pacific Ocean is equivalent to their lifeline. And they have large colonies in North America. In the Pacific Ocean, the Republic of Hawaii is under their control. It is precisely because the Pacific Ocean is of special importance to them that our presence in Australia and New Zealand is in irreconcilable contradiction with the empire."
The point of view put forward by Churchill is undoubtedly very fresh. After all, few people have paid attention to the Ming Empire's ambitions in the Pacific.
"So I believe that if a war breaks out between us and the Ming Empire, the Pacific Ocean will be where the first shot will be fired."
After making this judgment, Churchill looked at the major and said.
"So the war between us and the Ming Empire is destined to be dominated by naval battles. The most crucial thing is the competition between the two sides for control of the Pacific Ocean. But for now, I don't see any possibility of victory at all. I mean us. Our Royal Navy has no chance of defeating them in the Pacific Ocean."
What?
Everyone looked at Churchill with surprise. What was he talking about?
Is he saying that it is impossible for the Royal Navy to defeat the Ming Empire Navy?
"You mean the Royal Navy will fail?"
Major Spencer asked rhetorically.
Although he was an army officer, he had as much faith in the Royal Navy as anyone else.
"Yes! That's it."
At this moment, Churchill looked like he was determined to shock people with his words.
"If you pay a little attention to our situation in Australia and New Zealand, you will understand. Why do I say that? We don't have a shipyard in Australia and New Zealand that can repair dreadnoughts. In this case, how can we repair the warships damaged in the naval battle? It can even be said that we are not prepared for war there at all. Once the war breaks out, the result will definitely be catastrophic!"
He then emphasized:
"And I believe that once the war breaks out, they will definitely use the most violent attack to seize our colonies in the Pacific. Before we react, Australia and New Zealand may have fallen. By then we will have to defend India. Taking the initiative to attack... they will definitely do so, because only by taking the initiative to attack can they seize the advantage of preemptive strike."
After Churchill made this judgment, everyone fell silent. Major Spencer looked at this confident young man and didn't know what to say for a moment.
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