The key lies in the phrase "the goal reflects sincerity and determination".

If the strategic objectives set by China are really "highly consistent" with Bismarck's "proposal," then it means that it will not only drive French power out of China, but even drive the Gallic chickens out of Asia. France is recognized as the second most powerful country in the world, and if it wants to achieve its relevant strategic goals, China will inevitably go all the way in the Asian theater -- just as Prussia did in the European theater.

Whether China can achieve the strategic goals he "proposed" is not something that Bismarck really cares about, and Prussia has not dealt with pig teammates such as Italy anyway. What Bismarck really cared about and cared about was the four words "the whole country will go to work." He believed that only by pressing all the money on France and exerting its strength to feed France could China exert sufficient pressure on France, thus forming an effective containment of France in the Asian direction and providing sufficient assistance to Prussia in the European theater.

Therefore, what kind of strategic goals are set represents China's "sincerity and determination" for this cooperation.

As for what the return will be if China takes out all its wealth and smashes it into this deal, whether it makes or loses, the iron-blooded prime minister does not mind much - that is the Chinese's own business, this cooperation, as long as Prussia's rate of return is high enough.

Now that the strategic objectives of both sides of the cooperation have been set, what needs to be discussed and determined now is the "appropriate time point" for waging war.

This time, it was Guan Zhuofan who proposed it first.

"I hope," Kwan said, "at this point in time." Next year, 1868. And. Try to get as far up as you can and don't push it until the end of the year. ”

A look of surprise appeared on Li Fusi's face: "Next year? Well, Your Royal Highness, in this way, we only have a little more than a year to prepare...... Could it be a little rushed? ”

Guan Zhuofan smiled slightly and said, "I believe that your country will not start relevant preparations until tomorrow. In fact, neither is China. ”

Li Fusi was slightly embarrassed: "You are right, Your Royal Highness." To tell you the truth, Moltke's chief of the General Staff had drawn up a very detailed military plan and conducted many war games, and he had told Prime Minister Bismarck more than once that he was absolutely sure that he would be able to win the war against France. ”

After a pause, he said: "If there is a war against France within next year, military preparations." It can be done on time, the question is. Uh, faith—"

"Confidence? I listened to your envoy, and Moltke's chief of the General Staff was full of confidence. ”

"Chief of the General Staff Moltke has plenty of confidence, and Prime Minister Bismarck has plenty of confidence, but only the two of them have confidence, uh, it's not enough, and it must—"

Speaking of this, Li Fusi hesitated for a moment and stopped.

Guan Zhuofan understood what he meant: "It must also be ...... His Majesty the King is also confident. ”

"Uh, yes."

"I remember that during the Austro-Prussian War, His Majesty was full of confidence, as if he supported the idea of fighting Vienna and even annexing Austria."

Li Fusi smiled slightly bitterly: "Your Royal Highness, that time, it was Austria; This time, it's France. ”

"This time," Guan Zhuofan frowned slightly, "Will His Majesty ...... A little conservative? Even I, an outsider, had full confidence in Prussia's defeat of France, and His Majesty the King himself, on the contrary, ...... Don't have enough self-confidence? ”

"This, perhaps, is ...... The authorities are enigmatic. ”

"I'm afraid that's true," Guan Zhuofan sighed softly, "His Majesty may not have fully realized how good the country of Prussia has become, including in relation to France, because of his wise leadership. ”

"Thank you, Your Royal Highness, for your compliment......"

"Your Excellency, I am not saying this for the sake of indiscriminately touting your country's war against France at an early date, but my confidence in your country comes from solid data and reliable facts."

Guan Zhuofan stood up, paced slowly, and said: "Let's break our fingers - the output of coal, Prussia should be close to or more than 30 million tons in the next year, right?" What about France? At most, it's just over a third of that number! ”

Li Fusi's eyes jumped slightly.

"The production of pig iron," said Kwan Zhuofan, "is that of Prussia and France, but the production of steel is almost twice as much as that of France!" Hehe, the range of the Krupp steel cannon is almost twice as long as that of the French iron cannon, right? ”

After a pause, he continued: "The total mileage of the railway, Prussia also surpasses France, although the gap is not as big as coal and steel, but I know that most of the railways in France have only been completed in recent years, and the operating efficiency is still very low, and some have not been officially put into operation, not as efficient as the Prussian railway, which has been running efficiently for many years!" Among them, Prussia has more than 3,000 steam locomotives, a number far more than that of France - only railways, no steam locomotives, isn't the railroad just an ornament? ”

Speaking of this, Guan Zhuofan raised his hand, clenched his fist, and made a powerful gesture: "I think, on the whole, the overall operational capacity of the railway, the gap between France and Prussia, is like coal and steel - at least double!" ”

An irrepressible expression of surprise and admiration gradually appeared on Li Fusi's face.

"I believe," said Guan Zhuofan, "that in the event of a war between Prussia and France, the railway will be the decisive factor -- Prussia can use the vast and efficient railway network to quickly assemble, deploy, and deploy its army; France, on the other hand, was not only far inferior to Prussia in this regard, but they were also afraid of the relationship between railways and war...... There is also a lack of true understanding and awareness. ”

"It's really a hero's vision!" Li Fusi said excitedly, "Your Royal Highness, your views on the relationship between railways and war are exactly the same as those of Moltke's Chief of General Staff!" He must be excited when he knows, he must be ...... Uh, I'll make you a confidant! ”

"If that's the case," Guan Zhuofan said with a smile, "that's my honor." Chief of the General Staff Moltke is a senior whom I respect very much, and I greatly admire his excellent command and dispatch in the Austro-Prussian War. ”

After a pause, he said: "The gap in national strength between Puntism and France is there, and it is clear and clear, but the eyes of the Gallic chicken are too high to see - or rather, they refuse to look down." ”

Li Fusi laughed: "Your Royal Highness, your analogy is really ...... It's so vivid! ”

"The gap in national strength is obvious," Guan Zhuofan said, "and the gap in the system is equally large!" ”

After a pause, he said: "I think that His Majesty's hesitation comes to a certain extent from doubts about the combat effectiveness of the French army......"

"Yes!"

Li Fusi put away his smile, and his face showed a faint sadness: "The French army is all professional soldiers, needless to say, with rich combat experience and high technical and tactical literacy, His Majesty the King is not sure enough......"

Guan Zhuofan shook his head slightly, and said: "Professional soldiers, rich combat experience, high technical and tactical literacy - I can't say that this is wrong, but I think that it is true that professional soldiers have 'rich' combat experience, but the 'high' technical and tactical literacy is relative, and sometimes, it may not be stronger than the soldiers of the general military service system!" -- Especially the soldiers of Prussia's universal military service! ”

"Your country's universal military service is based on rigorous training and management, and better education! Your country's enrolment rate of children is close to 100 percent, which France cannot match! The technical and tactical literacy of soldiers under this universal military service system is definitely only higher than that of professional soldiers in France! ”

Speaking of this, Guan Zhuofan sighed softly: "Your envoy doesn't know how much I envy your country's universal military service system!" It's just that, with the current level of economic development in China, a similar system is not allowed, alas! ”

Li Fusi's eyes burned.

"There is also a very important point," Guan Zhuofan said, "the French army, except for the Guards, does not have a two-level establishment of corps and divisions, and it was only temporarily organized before the start of the war, and this system is too backward with the times!" Not to mention that it can't compare with Prussia, even the United States can't compare with the United States -- the military of the United States is still the study of France, and now, the students have already run ahead of the teacher! ”

"Your Royal Highness, this point, you and Moltke's Chief of General Staff, again...... 'heroes see the same thing'!"

Guan Zhuofan nodded and said: "Under the current military system of France, it is difficult to efficiently coordinate the actions of various troops, and it is not a big problem to deal with a weaker enemy, but if the opponent is replaced by a strong enemy like Prussia, it will not be enough!" It will inevitably be full of loopholes, staggering, and difficult to take care of! If you don't believe me, we'll see! ”

After a pause, Guan Zhuofan sneered and said: "France, it's no longer the France of Napoleon I!" Europe, not the Europe of Napoleon I! The current French emperor is still closing his eyes, dreaming of his uncle's autumn dream! ”

Li Fusi nodded slowly and said: "Your Royal Highness, your words, I will pass them on to His Majesty the King, Prime Minister Bismarck and Chief of General Staff Moltke word for word, I believe that these words will not only give His Majesty more confidence, but also further encouragement to Prime Minister Bismarck and Chief of General Staff Moltke!" ”

"Don't dare to be, my opinion is only for the reference of your monarchs and ministers."

"No, no, it's all insight! Oh, by the way, Your Royal Highness, can you, uh, please write a letter to the King of our country? Your insight, if put into words, would be more effective and weighty than my mere oral paraphrasing. ”

"Absolutely."

"Thank you very much!"

Li Fusi sighed and said, "Your Royal Highness, I am really surprised and admired by your understanding of Prussia and France!" Well, I'm not in charge of the statistics department, and even I don't ...... some of the data here. Not so clear! ”

Guan Zhuofan smiled slightly and said, "I think we should know our enemies, and we should also ...... Care about your friends. ”

"Yes, yes, you're so right! So—"

Li Fusi smiled and said, "His Majesty has decided to send Crown Prince Frederick to visit China in the near future to enhance the friendship and understanding between China and Prussia. ”

Oh?

*(To be continued.) )