Originally, Disraeli believed that torpedo submarines and other items were relied on by the Qing Navy to maintain maritime superiority, and could not be easily sold to Germany, after all, the Qing State had been strictly secretive about torpedo technology over the years.

But if, as Salisbury speculated, the Qing still had better torpedoes, or could counter torpedoes and submarines, then it was very likely that the Qing would sell a large number of them to Germany, and if so, it would be a huge disaster for Europe, Britain and France!

Thinking of this, the expression on his face was a little uncertain, "It is impossible for the Qing Navy to develop so fast, right?" ”

"In the past thirty or forty years, in terms of military research and development, Qing Guo can be said to have been far ahead of other countries in the world." Salisbury said in a deep voice: "This guess is not impossible, but extremely likely, before the Battle of Maputo, who would have thought that the Qing State would be able to put submarines into actual combat?" ”

Disraeli was speechless for a moment, the Qing State can always surprise people, almost every war will give people unexpected surprises, it really can't be looked at as a normal situation, who can guarantee that the Qing State will not study how to intercept torpedoes or reconnoiter submarines under the water, can no longer be lucky, must do the worst.

After a long silence, he said in a deep voice: "If you want to curb Germany's ambitions, Russia is the key, and you can't allow the 'Three Emperors Alliance' to appear again." ”

"Russia has had good relations with the Qing in recent years, and the Eurasian Railway is said to be about to open to traffic. On the other hand, because of the Berlin Conference, relations with Russia can be said to have fallen to a low point. Salisbury pondered: "Although the relationship between Germany and Russia is also tense, with the mediation of the Qing State, I am afraid it will be difficult to stop the German-Russian alliance." ”

"It's not that hard." Disraeli said disapprerovingly: "As long as the contradiction between Russia and Austria-Hungary is provoked and intensified, Germany can only choose between Russia and Austria-Hungary." ”

Salisbury said in a deep voice: "Balkans? ”

"That's right! The Balkans are an intractable contradiction between Russia and Austria, and as long as the Balkan crisis is created, it can prevent the alliance of the three emperors. Disraeli said slowly: "Russia's territorial ambitions are above all else, in addition to the Balkans, the Ottomans can also make a fuss, as long as we clearly support Russia's invasion of the Ottomans, we can pull Russia over." ”

After pondering for a while, Salisbury said: "It takes time to win over Russia, and it needs to be carefully planned, and the most important thing at present is to stabilize the Qing country." ”

"Call Wittoma back......." Disraeli's tone was full of helplessness, and he already regretted it in his heart, knowing that the Qing navy was so strong, it should not cause any extraneous branches, even if the Qing expanded to the Ottomans, the result was far stronger than the current situation, this bow, the British Empire was completely pulled off the altar.

Salisbury interrupted him and said, "Your Excellency, I think that France should be properly compensated, and the present situation must not make France resentful, and in addition, our country also needs a firm ally in South Africa." ”

England not only needs a firm ally in South Africa to clamp down on Germany, but also needs a firm ally, Disraeli frowned slightly, but the question is how to compensate? You can't cede another piece of land to France, can you? After a moment of thought, he understood what the other party meant, "You mean Madagascar?" ”

Salisbury nodded, "Madagascar and South Africa are only separated by the Mozambique Channel, and the Qing State has no intention of getting involved in Madagascar, but Austria-Hungary and Italy may not be able to, it is better to assist France to completely control it, and you can also help the Cape Watch." ”

"Good idea." Disraeli's tone was affirmative.

Shanghai, Zhennan Wangfu, Lotus Garden.

The last time Yi Zhishu met with the British and French ministers here, it was a bright spring, but this time it was a rainy spring, and Wei Tuma's mood was as gloomy as the sky outside the window, but the expression on his face was as calm as ever, and after spreading out the folder, he looked at Yi Zhicontent calmly, "Our country agrees to the .......conditions proposed by His Highness to transfer Bechuana and Natal to Germany, Austria and Italy. ”

Speaking of this, he glanced at the French Minister Baohai, "However, for the sake of fairness, my country hopes that France can obtain Madagascar, which originally belonged to France's overseas territory. ”

After speaking, Wittoma and Baohai both looked at each other with some nervousness, Madagascar is the largest island in Africa, the fourth largest island in the world, and it is an independent country with sovereignty, France has long coveted it, but it has only signed a somewhat unequal treaty of friendship and commerce with it.

The reason why it is solemnly put forward is that it hopes to get the consent of the Qing State, without the consent of the Qing State, even if Britain and France conquer Madagascar, it will only be a bamboo basket to draw water - a busy work.

For Madagascar, Yi Zhixiang didn't care at all, he was not interested in the overseas territories that could not be incorporated into the territory of the Qing Dynasty for a long time, and he was not interested in the stupid thing of working hard for decades and then making wedding dresses for others, but he groaned slightly, and he simply said: "If you want to expand overseas colonies, it has nothing to do with our country, and our country will not interfere arbitrarily." ”

Listening to the translation, Baohai secretly breathed a sigh of relief and completely relieved, and then he was extremely happy, the Qing State did not interfere, and with the assistance of England, it was easy to get Madagascar, so France was the real winner of this war, even if it was worth paying a high war reparation.

Wei Tuma also secretly breathed a sigh of relief, it seems that London's judgment is correct, the Qing State really has no intention of expanding in South Africa, otherwise it will not interfere with France's annexation of Madagascar. After a slight groan, he said: "On the South African side, our country has made huge concessions, the purpose of which is to hope that your country can withdraw from India. ”

Yi Zhizhi lit a cigarette and looked at the rain outside the window, India is not only known as the crown jewel of the Queen of England, but also after the Queen of England became the Queen of India, England also became the real British Empire, and the importance of India to England is self-evident.

He knew very well that he could force England to give up Bechuana and Natal in South Africa, but he could not force England to give up the Cape colony in South Africa, as for India, the crown jewel, it was even more forbidden to England, and England would never allow the Qing Dynasty to encroach on India, even if it was only the danger of encroachment.

Of course, if he is ready to entangle with the British Empire for a long time, it is not impossible to forcibly encroach on it, after all, the fist of the Qing Dynasty is now the largest, but he does not want to entangle with the British Empire for leaving India, because it is not worth it, unlike South Africa, India's independence is unstoppable.

He was unwilling to do such a thankless task, and he was not willing to offend the British Empire to death, after all, the British Empire still had a glorious period of half a century, and the entanglement with its chatter at this time was purely worth the loss.

Retracting his gaze from the misty rain curtain and turning to Wittoma, he said in a calm tone: "We can withdraw to the east bank of the Ganges, but the war reparations must not be less. ”

Withdraw to the east bank of the Ganges? This means that Kolkata will be occupied, and Wittoma said with a look of embarrassment: "Your Highness, our country has made great concessions in South Africa, and Kolkata is the former capital of India. ”

Yi Zhizu said expressionlessly: "In this case, let's divide it according to the territory that we actually occupy now, and the war reparations can be appropriately reduced." ”

Wei Tuma was speechless for a while, but he had to force a smile and said, "I have to ask China for instructions on this matter." ”

"Let's talk to them directly after asking for instructions." Yi Zhixiang didn't have the patience to talk to them round after round, it was really meaningless.

Seeing that the other party seemed to have signs of ending the negotiations, the French Minister Baohai was a little anxious, and hurriedly said: "Your Highness, my country is really unable to pay the war reparations of 50 million pounds, and His Royal Highness also knows ....... the situation of our country. ”

Listening to the translator, Yi Zhixiang stared at him for a long time, and then said coldly: "During the Franco-Prussian War, my country firmly stood on your side, gave a lot of assistance, and after the war, it undertook your country's huge national debt, and also gave certain preferential treatment in terms of trade and tariffs. ”

After a pause, he said in a deep voice: "Fifty million pounds, not a penny!" ”

Baohai was stunned for a long time speechless, he wanted to say that the huge national debt inherited after the war, Yuan Qi did not make less, but he didn't have the courage to say that making money is making money, this favor is indeed remembered, not to mention, he is also worried about angering the other party, after all, Madagascar still has the acquiescence of the other party, and it is impossible for France to cut off trade with the Qing State.

Seeing the Lotus Garden from the British and French envoys, Yan Yangtian glanced at Zhao Liewen and said with some puzzlement: "Didn't the principal say before that the war reparations between Britain and France were set at 30 million pounds, how did it change again?" ”

Zhao Liewen smiled and said in a low voice: "The situation has changed, France wants to colonize Madagascar, and it is normal to add 20 million, otherwise it will be difficult for Germany, Austria and Italy to balance their hearts." As for England, there will definitely be talks in the later negotiations. As he spoke, he asked rhetorically, "When will the court's negotiating team arrive?" ”

"I'll arrive tomorrow." Yan Yangtian said, holding an umbrella and turning back to Tingyu Tower.

Listening to the rain in the building, Yi Zhizhi stood by the window and looked at the lotus leaves in the drizzle, listening to the movement, he turned around, "There is no rain in Shanxi?" ”

"Nope." Zhao Liewen hurriedly replied: "However, the other provinces in the north have continued to rain, and I think that the drought in Shanxi will soon be eased." ”

Yi Zhizu sighed lightly, "It seems that it will have to be delayed until after the beginning of summer." ”

Zhao Liewen explained: "It's not too late to rain in the summer. ”

Yan Yangtian changed the topic and said: "There is news from Jingshi that King Gong Weifu has gone to Shengjing. ”

Yi Zhizu nodded slightly, he had already learned the news yesterday, "King Gong should have guessed that after the war in South Africa is over, we will inevitably forcibly solve the situation of secession in the northeast, which is intended to lobby Prince Alcohol before we make a move." That's fine, it's not a bad thing to be able to not make a big move. ”

Yan Yangtian said: "I'm afraid that Prince Alcohol doesn't know the current affairs." ”

"If King Gong returns in vain, if we use troops again, there will be no objections from the government and the opposition." Yi Zhizu said slowly: "The matter in the Northeast will be resolved sooner or later, and it will be better sooner or later." After a pause, he continued: "Let's draw up a plan, there should be no recurrence of the war in South Africa." ”

After waiting for Yan Yangtian, Zhao Liewen continued: "This time, the war reparations of various countries are at least more than 100 million pounds, and the imperial court is afraid that it will be ......hot." ”

Yi Zhixiang said in a flat tone: "In the war of South Africa, the imperial court can be regarded as contributing, and in the past few years of disaster relief, the imperial court is also heavily indebted, and the military expenditure is removed, and the rest is divided in half." ”

Zhao Liewen asked: "What about the sale of loot and the ransom of prisoners of war?" ”

After a slight sigh, Yi Zhizhi said: "After all, it is a national war, there is no need to be petty, let's divide it equally." ”

"Headmaster——。 Yan Yangtian hesitated and said: "At present, the military power has not been unified, and it may not be a good thing if the imperial court has enough money and food. ”

"Makes sense." Yi Zhishu nodded, and then said: "Let's take a look at Xie Xiuyuan's calculations, how big the hole is that the imperial court urgently needs to fill at present, and the excess silver money will be used to offset the debts without going through the hands of the imperial court." ”

Jingshi, Haidian, Yuanmingyuan, Kyushu Qingyan, Qinghui Pavilion.

Ci'an sat lazily on the kang and looked at the newspaper, since she returned to Beijing from Shengjing, she lived directly in the Kyushu Qing Banquet,

After handing over the military power, Guangxu really became a hypocrite monarch, although she was the queen mother, she also became an idler, and the eunuchs and palace maids in the Old Summer Palace were also greatly reduced, and there was no one in ten.

Although she has ignored government affairs, she is still very concerned about current affairs, especially the foreign war, she can't help but care, although it is a hypocritical constitution, but the emperor is still the nominal supremacy of the Qing Dynasty, in addition, she has always been haunted by the Northeast.

Now that the drought in the northern provinces except Shanxi has been alleviated, and the war in South Africa seems to be over, it is reported that the five European countries may pay high war reparations because of the defeat, so it is very likely that Yuan Qi will turn around and settle the matter in the northeast.

After becoming the commander of the Shengjing Military Region and replacing General Shengjing as the supreme military governor of the three northeastern provinces, Yiyun completely ignored the previous agreement, wantonly withheld military salaries, withheld all kinds of immigration funds, education funds, etc., smuggled a large number of arms, and actively built factories and mines, developed the military industry, and also implemented the compulsory military service system, trained a large number of recruits, and became a veritable king of the Northeast in just a few years.

In this regard, she is worried, but there is nothing she can do, she knows very well that Yi Xun can act so arbitrarily and quickly form the current situation, not only Yuan Qi's intentional connivance, but also King Gong's laissez-faire.

But who would have thought that as soon as the drought eased, the Qing Dynasty would declare war on the five European countries and break out the South African War, and what is even more unexpected is that the war would end so soon, and Yuan Qi would also receive a high war reparation.

Gong Wang Yili came to see His Majesty before leaving for Shengjing, and swore that she could convince Yiyun, but she was still inexplicably uneasy in her heart.