Maputo, Eastern Suburbs Barracks, Headquarters Building, Meeting Room.

"From the analysis of the intelligence we have so far, it should be the joint dispatch of troops by Britain and European military powers that came to South Africa to provoke this time." Yi Zhengxing, who is handsome and has an elegant temperament, even if he talks about military affairs, also gives people a sense of politeness, "It is a joint army of the two countries, or three countries, or even more, it is impossible to determine at present, but one thing is certain, it is for your country's gold mines." ”

Several European countries jointly sent troops, and little Pretorius had already learned from Feng Zicai's mouth, and Yi Zhengxing, who heard it, couldn't help but be a little worried, and hesitated before he said: "His Royal Highness the Prince of the World only brought two brigades to reinforce him, can you be sure?" ”

"Not two brigades, it should be five." Yi Zhengxing corrected: "I also brought a large number of weapons and ammunition with me this time...... Enough to equip four brigades of the Wehrmacht in your country. ”

Hearing this, little Pretorius couldn't help but be overjoyed, the Transvaal established the Wehrmacht after the annexation of Orange, maintaining four brigades all year round, and the weapons equipped were still the trophies captured from the British in the last war, he proposed several times that he wanted to buy the latest weapons of the Qing army were rejected by the Qing State on the grounds of secrecy, but he did not expect the Qing State to take the initiative to redress all the Wehrmacht this time.

What was even more reassuring to him was that Qing did not use war to annex the Transvaal, and to be honest, with the increasing scale of the Transvaal gold mine and the opening of the Maputo-Pretoria railway, the Transvaal was worried about being annexed by the Qing State.

He hurriedly said: "Your Highness, rest assured, our country will actively cooperate and assist your country in eliminating the enemies who dare to invade our country." ”

Seeing that he put the Transvaal in a subordinate position, Yi Zhixiang smiled and said, "Your Excellency, please rest assured that our country has signed a security treaty with your country, and any enemy who invades your country is an enemy of our country. ”

After a pause, he continued: "If the enemy lands and attacks from Maputo, your country will assist in the future, and if the enemy attacks your country from other places, I hope that your country will immediately declare war and resolutely and boldly retaliate, so that our country can justifiably send troops to help." In addition, this is only the first batch of weapons and ammunition to assist your country, and a large amount of assistance will follow. ”

This request can be said to be reasonable, and a large amount of weapons and ammunition assistance can be obtained later, so little Pretorius naturally has no opinion, and immediately agrees. After a while, he got up and took his leave, and happily went with the quartermaster to receive the weapons and ammunition.

Sending away little Pretorius, Feng Zicai directly invited Yi Zhengxing into the office specially prepared for him, just next to the war room.

For the office, Yi Zhengxing is not picky, not to mention that Feng Zicai is extremely thoughtful about his office, and after a slight look, Yi Zhengxing said: "General Lao Feng is bothered." ”

"Your Highness, don't be polite to the general." Feng Zicai said that he personally made a pot of tea, and after serving the tea, he said tentatively: "Equip the Transvaal Wehrmacht, but there is another meaning?" ”

"The total population of the Boers is not more than 200,000, and it is always good to consume more." Yi Zhengxing said slowly: "This is a joint dispatch of troops from Germany, France, Austria and Italy, with a total army strength of 100,000, including 40,000 German troops. ”

After a slight groan, Feng Zicai said tentatively: "Is the prince intending to fight this battle?" ”

"That's what it means." Yi Zhengxing said: "Subjectively, it has been eight years since the last war with England and South Africa, and fighting a war can not only achieve the purpose of actual combat training, but also understand the combat strength, weapons and equipment, strategy and tactics of European countries through this war.

Objectively, this battle is also unavoidable, since it is remembered by the thief, it is better to simply let go of the fight and fight for ten or twenty years of peace. In addition, it could be used to weaken the strength of the Boers. ”

Port of Durban.

A huge fleet of ships flying the black, white and red tricolor flag suddenly appeared on the sea of Durban Port, for this flag, the Qing Dynasty may be very unfamiliar, but the Europeans are not strangers at all, this is the German flag that defeated and replaced France as the hegemon of the European continent.

The Surik, an armored cruiser in front of the left side of the flotilla, suddenly accelerated, made a beautiful arc across the sea at an astonishing speed, and quickly sailed into Durban Bay, which was shaped like a gourd.

On the bridge of the battleship, Frederick. Karl held up his binoculars and looked at a calm bay. Karl, the nephew of Kaiser Wilhelm I, had just turned 50 years old, and was a famous German night general.

The small bay has an unobstructed view, and the calm is intoxicating, so that Frederick. Karl put his mind at ease and felt the pleasure brought by the high-speed driving of the battleship, this battleship is not German, Germany's main ironclad ship is the 'Saxony' class ironclad ship, small tonnage, shallow draft, although the defense is strong, the firepower is large, but it is not suitable for long-distance voyages.

Armed with four 203 mm rapid-fire guns and up to 16 152 and 120 rapid-fire guns, the Surik' was a large ocean-going assault ship built to chase down and annihilate any enemy merchant ship or light warship cruising alone across the ocean.

Although it did not develop a torpedo with actual combat value, England has made a breakthrough in artillery in recent years, with a 203-mm rapid-fire gun with a long range, fast shelling, fierce firepower, coupled with ultra-high speed, it is not only enough to minimize the torpedo threat of the Qing ironclad ship, but can even form an overwhelming advantage.

Although self-confidence has formed an overwhelming advantage over the ironclad ships of the Qing Kingdom, Yingli did not dare to be arrogant, and in eight years, it is impossible for the ironclad ships of the Qing Kingdom to not make progress.

When Germany proposed the need for warships to escort it, England did not hesitate to take out its latest warships, in the hope of testing them through actual combat.

The 'Saxony' class ironclad is not at all comparable to this armored cruiser, Frederick. Karl secretly thought that after returning to China, he must report to the Kaiser, and he must pay attention to naval construction, because if Germany wants to compete for overseas colonies, a strong navy is indispensable! What'Germany without a navy is the safest. To hell with him.

The port of Durban is just two hundred and seventy nautical miles south of Maputo, so it can be said that under the nose of the Qing army, the choice to land in Durban will naturally not be a whim, but a deliberate decision.

Durban is only 500 kilometres from the Transvaal gold mine, Johannesburg, and can be reached in 10 days by a quick march. The biggest threat is to be discovered by the Qing navy, but the Qing detachment in Maputo is only twelve ironclad ships, and the main warships are only four, even if they are discovered, with the escort of the English fleet, there is no need to worry at all, unless it is to encounter the main fleet of the Qing State, but the main fleet of the Qing State is only afraid that it is still in the South China Sea.

Two days later, Yi Zhengxing of Maputo received the news that the German Army of 40,000 had landed in Durban under the escort of twenty-two ironclad ships.

"How dare the Germans land under our noses?" Feng Zicai's face was shocked and incredulous.

"Fearless!" Yi Zhengxing said in a deep voice: "It seems that the ironclad ships of Britain and France must have made great progress, and they are not afraid of our navy, at least not the Mozambican fleet. After a pause, he continued, "What about the other three countries? No news? ”

"The four ports of Cape Town, Elizabeth, East London, and Durban all have eyelinings, and it is supposed that the British control the cable telegraph." Feng Zicai said: "The information from Durban was still sent by Kuaima. ”

Yi Zhengxing faintly felt that this battle was afraid that it would be difficult to fight, and he groaned slightly, and then he ordered: "Transfer to Shanghai." ”

Shanghai, Zhennan Wangfu, Changle Book House.

Yan Yangtian walked into the room quickly, saluted and reported: "Headmaster, Maputo is calling, 40,000 German troops have landed from Durban, accompanied by twenty-two ironclad ships, and there are as many as eight main battleships of the 10,000-ton class. ”

Actually landed from Durban? Yi Zhi's heart sank, Durban is only 500 kilometers away from Johannesburg, even if the march is slower, it can be reached within half a month. Zhao Liewen asked: "There is no news from France, Austria and Italy?" ”

"No news." Yan Yangtian said: "Judging by the students, France, Austria and Italy should have landed in Cape Town, after all, Cape Town has a railway connecting the Kimberley, but the news has been blocked. After a pause, he continued: "The German army dares to land in Durban, and it is obvious that the allied fleet may have the strength to rival our fleet. ”

After a slight groan, Yi Zhizhi asked, "Where is the main fleet now?" ”

"Back to the principal." Yan Yangtian said: "I had already left the Sunda Strait the day before yesterday. After a pause, he added: "It will take at least ten days to get to Maputo more than 3,000 nautical miles." ”

After lighting a cigarette and thinking for a while, Yi Zhizhi said: "Since the coalition forces have nothing to fear, why don't they land from Maputo?" ”

Yan Yangtian said: "Maputo is almost no different from a fortress, if you really want to land from Maputo, I am afraid that you can't afford to lose." ”

"Also, Mozambique is, after all, our territory." Zhao Liewen continued: "If the coalition forces directly attack Maputo, they will directly declare war on our country. The last time China and England fought in South Africa, it was all around the Transvaal, and no one on either side declared war, avoiding a lot of trouble, and Germany, France, Austria, Italy and other countries are probably also thinking about this. ”

"It makes sense, it seems that they are not willing to openly tear face with our country." Yi Zhizu said slowly: "Since this is the case, there is no need to worry about Maputo. The Transvaal Wehrmacht sent cavalry to conduct guerrilla attacks, harassing the German rear and delaying the German march. Yi Zhengxing was ordered to transfer three brigades to Standiton to intercept them. ”

"Is the headmaster planning to break them all?" Yan Yangtian said with some worry: "The German army has a good combat strength, and when there is a huge disparity in strength, I am afraid that there will be large casualties." ”

"It's too early to talk about the breakdowns." Yi Zhizhi said: "It is necessary to find out the situation of the other three coalition forces as soon as possible, if the guess is correct, the purpose of the German army should be to contain our army, so that the other three coalition forces can attack Johannesburg ......." ”

Before he could finish speaking, a secretary hurriedly came in and reported: "The English Minister to China, Mr. Wittoma, is asking to see him outside. ”

"Ask him to come in." Yi Zhisuff commanded, and then smiled: "It's just in time, just to get some information from his mouth." ”

Zhao Liewen said angrily: "England said that it would not participate in the war, but it connived at the coalition army to land from its colony and drive straight in, what is the difference between this and participating in the war?" ”

Yan Yangtian continued: "Most of the warships escorting the escort are also subordinate to the British Navy fleet. ”

"There's no need to be serious, just know what's going on." Yi Zhizhi waved his hand disapprovingly, "The combat power of the English ironclad ship should have been greatly improved, but I am still a little afraid of my country, and I guess I want to take this opportunity to explore the truth and find out the truth, as he wishes." ”

Wei Tuoma walked into the room quickly, shook hands with the three of them one by one, and then said with a smile: "

I have come today to tell His Highness the good news that the submarine cable telegraph in the Atlantic Ocean and the cable telegraph in Constantinople have been restored. ”

"Oh, that's great news." Yi Zhishu smiled and said, "I will order them to restore the cable telegraph as soon as possible." ”

Zhao Liewen said bluntly: "I just received a call from Maputo, 40,000 German troops have landed from Durban, Durban belongs to your country's Natal district in South Africa, right?" ”

"Is there such a thing?" Wittoma's face was shocked, "Germany dares to invade our territory in South Africa without authorization? ”

Seeing his expression, Yi Zhi couldn't help but smile bitterly, it seemed that it was impossible to get some information from this guy's mouth, but Wei Tuma continued: "Durban is not far from Maputo, and the German army is so bold that they dare to land in Durban? ”

"I hope your country can give a reasonable explanation." Yi Zhishu said slowly: "Otherwise, my country has reason to believe that your country has also participated in this immoral war. ”

"Please also ask Your Highness to resume cable telegraph communications with Europe as soon as possible." Wei Tuoma said righteously: "I will truthfully convey His Highness's attitude to the country immediately, and I believe that the country will give His Highness a satisfactory answer." ”

This guy is simply a snake with a stick, Yi Zhizhi will resume cable telegraph communication with the outside world as soon as possible, and the Qing Dynasty can get much-needed information from Russia, this advantage, he wants to continue to maintain, he is not in the mood to waste his words with the other party, casually said a few perfunctory words, and sent Wei Tuma away.

After Wei Tuma withdrew, Zhao Liewen said: "The English people are anxious to understand the financial and economic situation in our country...... ”

"Ignore it. Let's talk about the end of the war. Yi Zhizhi said and looked at Yan Yangtian and said, "Ask Russia, whether there is the latest British and French ironclad intelligence." ”

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Chapter 1032 (Page 1/1)

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