In response to the appeal of Babbel and the Dutch people in southern Africa, Treville said that because of the various perverse actions of the British, in order to uphold justice, it was indeed a matter of time before France declared war on Britain, and perhaps it would have started by now.

"But like you, we don't have a special way of knowing what is going on in Europe." "Within my authority, I can only send people back to Europe to help you make your request to the French government," Tréville said. But, my friend, you know, if there is no war yet, then you will have to wait. And if there is a war, Europe will be the main battlefield, and it will still be a considerable cost to invest an army in a very distant place outside the main battlefield. Moreover, the supply of logistical supplies will also be very difficult. ”

"We can help with logistics!" "We have food, gunpowder, and even war horses, you French don't have to bring them, we have horses." All you have to do is bring guns and cannons. ”

"The problem is the artillery, do you have a port where you can dock warships and transport ships and let the cannons go ashore smoothly?" Tréville asked.

The Dutch had a port, but only one for two fishing boats. Warships or large transport ships are not reliable, and there is no corresponding port equipment. What's more, if there is such a port in their hands, they can lie down and collect money, and they have something wrong to fight the British to the death.

"We don't have a port available." Babbel thought for a moment and said, "But we can temporarily build a temporary harbor where warships and transports can dock." In fact, there are several places where the conditions are good, and all have the conditions for building ports. It's going to take months for your people to go back and wait for the army to come, isn't it? In this time, we should be able to build a temporary port. ”

Tréville asked Babbel to draw up a petition, which the Dutch people signed and gave to his men to return to Europe on a fast transport ship. Fast transit boats are not the fastest ships these days, but they are still widely used because of their long range and strong support.

Then Babbel and the others arranged for people to monitor the British army in Cape Town on the one hand - in fact, because of the previous battle, the British did not dare to come out. In short, in the vicinity of Cape Town, the basic situation is:

"John in it, it's a man who came out to fight!" The Dutch militia, out of range of artillery, shouted with loudspeakers.

"Traitors outside, there is a kind of you rushing up!" The British, leaning against the artillery, also shouted at the Dutch militia outside.

"Come down!"

"Come here! Come here! What are you afraid of? Come here! ”

The British did not come out, and neither did the Dutch militia. Of course, this seems to be in the interest of the Dutch militia. However, even Treville did not expect that there was no shortage of food in besieged Cape Town. Because it is a port, it is very difficult to block the port without a navy.

It is true that at this time, in Europe, most countries did not dare to trade with the British against the will of France, but in southern Africa, far from Europe, the situation was different. Because there were still a large number of barbarians here, they couldn't even figure out France or England or anything, so Napoleon's prestige naturally could not prevent them from trading with the British. Therefore, the British easily exchanged all kinds of surplus iron tools for a lot of food from Uncle Black. Anyway, this kind of trade doesn't need any port on Uncle Black's side, as long as there is a place to dock small boats, metal tools, and food, it can be exchanged smoothly. So the British don't need it, at least for now, don't have to worry about food.

It was the port of the Dutch militia, which was only halfway expanded, and was discovered by the British. The British also had two cruisers in Cape Town - the old sail cruisers. Such warships are no longer useful in Europe, but in more distant places they are still useful. For example, in South Africa, the East, and the Far East, these old warships are still used in large quantities. The British, in addition to decommissioning a large number of old sail ships, also transferred a significant part of them to the Far East. For example, the British flagship "Victory" is now in the British East India Company. Of course, the East India Company modified the ship, reducing the gun deck by one layer and converting the lower gun deck into a cargo hold.

After discovering that the Dutch were expanding the port, the British, of course, were not polite. They drove two frigates over, and with a burst of gunfire, they smashed the half-expanded port. As for the Dutch, they did not have any artillery and were powerless to resist even the sail warships that were outdated with the British.

Having destroyed the expanding port of the Netherlands, the two British corvettes circled the coastline almost every few days, and any harbor they found, even a small one for fishing boats, was a barrage. Obviously, a port capable of bringing artillery ashore could not be built.

"Nowadays, the port is always not built, and what if the fleet comes? If we had known this, we should have gotten a boat and sent some mines over. Trevel said to Babbel.

"Mr. Treville, I don't really blame us, it's the British who are too cunning." Babbel Road.

"Now is not the time to discuss who to blame, but to think about how to respond." Treville said.

Babbel was silent, and after a while he said, "If the fleet does come, it might as well go ashore in Maputo or Walvis Bay." And from there, take the overland route to this side. ”

"How is this possible? It is nearly 2,000 kilometres from Maputo or Walvis Bay. How is this possible, considering that there are no decent roads in Africa at all? Trevel couldn't help but shake his head.

"Then the fleet will first anchor in the bay on the Saldanian side, which is in good condition and suitable for the construction of a large port. Our original port expansion is over there. Anyway, it is surrounded by land on three sides, and even if the wind blows, there will not be many waves in the bay. When the fleet arrived, the British warships would not dare to do anything bad, and we would quickly build the docks...... Trust me, it won't take much time. Babbel replied.

"As far as I know, there is a lack of fresh water in Sadaniel's area." Trever said with a frown.

"Ah, Philip, you don't have to worry about that, we'll definitely guarantee fresh water, and besides, you shouldn't have too many people. Fresh water is still no problem. ”

"It's not a human thing, it's the ship itself that consumes a lot of fresh water." Treville reminded.

"Okay, don't worry, I'll be ready." "Not only will we equip them with water to drink, but we'll even have water ready for them to bathe." ”

In fact, on Philippe Treville's high-speed boat, there was a wireless transmitter. It only takes about 2,000 kilometers to the north to get in touch with the French positions in Central Africa by radio, and through them, the news is quickly transmitted back to Paris by relay. So in fact, Paris quickly learned about the situation in South Africa.

Napoleon summoned the generals of the navy and army to discuss the situation in South Africa.

"Your Excellency First Consul, I know that the strategic location on the South African side is quite important. But now we are in a hurry to do it in South Africa, why? Admiral Trevel asked.

"If the British are defeated, then for the sake of diplomatic relations, we must also restore the Dutch rule over Cape Town. However, we must have a reliable foothold in this area. After the war, did the British still want to keep India? And if we want to enter India, it is very necessary to get a base in South Africa. "Napoleon said," In addition, an expedition of the Academy of Sciences to investigate African biology found golden sands in a stream near the highlands, about five hundred kilometers from the port of Maputo. The local natives call this area the Golden Mountain. Subsequently, the Academy of Sciences sent mineral experts again, also under the pretext of studying migratory birds, to visit this place again......"

"How?" Marshal Berthier hurriedly asked.

"They looked at it and believed that there was a large gold mine in the area. Of course, this is only possible, and maybe this gold mine is not as big as it seems. Napoleon smiled, "But even if it's just for the sake of it, it's worth our hands in South Africa." First take Cape Town, then use it as a base for the time being—Cape Town is still a little farther away from our destination—find a harbor on the east coast to base on, and finally take control of the Golden Mountain, which is still borderlands.

Of course, as we all know, this reason cannot be made public, so the public reason is that we want to establish a base on the east coast of South Africa to support our return to India. Therefore, the state will not invest much strength in the development of the hinterland, and it will mainly rely on the leadership of individuals. Guys, you're all my best friends and should know what this opportunity means. Well, we can form an investment company together, and of course, I would suggest that when forming this company, everyone should be ready with white gloves. ”

"Your Majesty, you are really ...... The turbulent Atlantic Ocean cannot contain my gratitude and love for you. Ogereau said gratefully.

"Me too, so ......," Murat said loudly.