Shanghai, Zhennan Wangfu, Changle Book House.

Zhao Liewen covered the phone microphone with one hand, looked at Yi Zhizhi and said: "Su Xiang's phone call asks about the bond discount gap, but Yuan Qi is burdened?" ”

Yi Zhishu nodded, "I didn't expect the imperial court to fill this gap, but it was also a little angry to call and inquire in such a hurry." ”

"Forty million is not a small amount." Zhao Liewen said with a smile, raised the phone to reply, and when he hung up the phone, he smiled: "The students don't understand very much, why is the interest rate of this war bond set so high?" ”

"War bonds are no better than ordinary treasury bonds, and this is the first large-scale issuance of war bonds in our country, and it is beneficial to set a higher interest rate.

Yi Zhizu signed a document as he spoke, then put down his pen, raised his body and leaned back, and continued: "Yuanqi is not without money, the five-year drought in the north, Yuanqi has issued excessive banknotes, and there have been signs of depreciation of banknotes.

The issuance of 200 million yuan of war bonds this time is firstly to prepare for war funds, and secondly, to speed up the recovery of paper money, and the interest rate is set so high, which is not only to benefit the people and cultivate the market, but also to absorb the return of gold. ”

Speaking of this, he smiled, "Of course, the main purpose is to show weakness. ”

Weakness? Zhao Liewen was a little surprised, "Let Western countries think that my country's treasury is empty? ”

"The issuance of 200 million war bonds, and it is issued at a discount, releases two signals." Yi Zhishu said slowly: "First, this war in South America, my country will fight to the end, even if the northwest starts a war at the same time, it will not stop the war halfway." In addition, the five-year drought in the north not only emptied the imperial treasury, but also Yuan Qi's vitality was greatly damaged, and his funds were tight, so he had to sell war bonds at a discount.

To put it bluntly, it is to let the Western countries feel that there is an opportunity to let them see the hope of interfering in the northwest, splitting the northwest, and making it independent. ”

Zhao Liewen smiled when he heard this, "The big shopkeeper is afraid that Western countries will not dare to interfere in the northwest." ”

"That's nature." Yi Zhixiang smiled and said: "The banquet has been arranged, wouldn't it be a waste if the guests don't come?" ”

The Qing Dynasty involved in the South American War, declared war on Chile, and united the two countries to capture the port of Valparaiso, Chile, and pointed directly at the capital Santiago, which itself is closely watched by various countries, and now it has issued 200 million yuan of war bonds, and for a time telegrams were frequently circulated, and Western countries were in an uproar, what did the Qing want to do to expand the South American war? Or is it preparation for a two-front operation?

Chile, Santiago, Presidential Palace.

The Minister of War, Rafael Sotoma, had a gloomy face and said in a deep voice: "The Qing State is raising huge military expenditures, and it must be preparing for a large-scale increase in troops. As he spoke, he looked at President Pinto, "The combat strength of the Qing army is still above the navy, not to mention that it is impossible for Britain to send troops to our country to assist, even if the British send troops to help, they are not the opponents of the Qing people...... I think...... We should end this war as soon as possible and with dignity. ”

"The Qing people haven't increased their troops yet, so they are in a hurry to negotiate for peace?" The commander-in-chief of the army, Jasto Olt, sneered at him, and continued: "Even if we want to negotiate, we should fight a dozen, otherwise it will not be possible to negotiate anything good." ”

Pinto glanced at the two of them and said slowly: "The Qing State's issuance of a huge war treasury should be to prepare for a possible war in Central Asia, not against our country, wait and see, and don't make a decision too early." ”

After a pause, he continued: "At present, the two countries are gathering forces to form a joint encirclement of Santiago, and the Qing Marine Corps is not involved, we should seize the opportunity to severely damage the Secret Bolias coalition army under the clear situation, and try to weaken the strength of the two countries, which is also to add bargaining chips for future negotiations." ”

Fael Sotoma opposed this kind of war with no hope at all, and when he listened to the British instigation to provoke a war, he felt that he was already very irrational, and provoked the behemoth of the Qing Kingdom, and he should decisively end the war.

Increase your bargaining chips? This is a complete joke, the more ruthless the two countries are beaten, the more ruthless the revenge will be in the future! Lacking strategic depth, lacking war potential, and being far inferior in strength, showing one's true strength will only bring a heavier blow.

However, it was obviously irrational to oppose it, and he turned to say: "The purpose of the Qing country's intervention in this war is only to protect its interests in South America, and Britain's instigation of our country to provoke a war is also to protect the interests of the British in South America."

On the surface, this war was a conflict of interests between China and the United Kingdom, but in fact it was a struggle between the Qing and Britain for interests in South America, but the British were hiding behind our country's back.

The Qing State and Britain are the two most powerful empires in the world today, and the Qing State has risen strongly, and a war for maritime supremacy or financial and economic supremacy will inevitably break out with Britain.

Japan is only a small country in South America, and there is no need to get involved in the battle for hegemony between the two empires. ”

Speaking of this, he paused and said in an accentuated tone: "My opinion is that it's not too late to jump out now." ”

"It's late, it's late!" Pinto said in a sullen voice: "Our country has no choice and the freedom to withdraw, even if the Qing country allows our country to negotiate peace, Peru and Bolívar will make our country pay a price that we cannot afford." ”

After a pause, he continued: "Central Asia should be the focus, I don't think the Qing country will invest too many troops in South America, besides, for their own interests or security, European and American countries will not sit back and watch the Qing country invade on a large scale."

The current situation is not too bad, as long as we seize the opportunity to inflict heavy damage on the Secret Glass Alliance forces outside the city, we may be able to open up a new situation.

All wars revolve around interests, and once our country shows strong mobilization and strong combat power of the army, the Qing will inevitably consider the cost of increasing troops, and Britain will increase its support for our country because of this. ”

Prime Minister's Residence, 10 Downing Street, Westminster Borough, London, England.

Foreign Secretary Salisbury walked into the office quickly, "Chile has called, Qing Guo has raised a huge amount of war funds, and it is very likely that there will be a large-scale increase in troops in South America, and I implore my country to send reinforcements from the navy and army, and additional funds and arms assistance." ”

After taking the telegram and glancing at it a few times, Disraeli sneered: "They are urging arms aid, telling them that the fleet carrying arms has set sail, but because the Qing naval fleet has captured Valparaiso, the arms can only land from Tarkahuano." ”