Charlottenburg Palace, Berlin, Germany.

Charlottenburg Palace is magnificent, beautiful, is the most beautiful palace in Berlin, known as a model of Baroque architecture, in the splendid palace, is already in his early eighties, the beautiful mustache has been completely gray Wilhelm Frederick Ludwig - Kaiser Wilhelm I looked sharply at Bismarck in front of him, "The Qing country has always been friendly with our country, and it really wants to send troops to South Africa?" ”

Before Germany began the war of unification, the Qing attached great importance to exchanges with Germany, and the number of students sent to Europe increased year by year, second only to England, after the normal establishment of diplomatic relations, the trade between the two countries also increased year by year, and after the economic crisis in 1873, the trade volume began to shrink sharply.

However, in the face of huge interests, the good diplomatic relations between the two countries are not worth mentioning at all, and the matter of sending troops to South Africa and opening up colonies in Africa has long been decided.

Now that the army is about to be dispatched, William I asked this, obviously because Yuan Qi was hesitant to take the initiative to smash the plate, and Yuan Qi's move actually revealed an important message - he had insight into the intentions of European countries.

Bismarck looked at each other calmly, "Your Majesty, only when the Qing Kingdom and England fight each other, can our country win more opportunities for overseas expansion, can we gradually weaken the strength of England, send troops to South Africa, and provoke a war. ”

William I was indeed a little shaken, if the Qing State had insight into their intention to send troops to South Africa, this war had already lost the opportunity before the war started, and the first time he sent troops overseas, he naturally did not want anything wrong, his eyes crossed Bismarck, and fell on the Chief of the General Staff Moltke, "What does the Chief of the General Staff think?" ”

Moltke was not optimistic about sending troops to South Africa and grabbing the Transvaal gold mines, and immediately said cautiously: "The Qing State has deployed three brigades of troops in South Africa, if it is taken by surprise and attacked with superior forces, the Transvaal can be captured in a war, if the Qing State has long been prepared and increases its troops, the situation will not be optimistic, and the Qing Army is the only one that can compete with our army is the army." ”

"Until the Qing State interrupted the cable telegraph, the Qing State had no signs of large-scale troop deployment." Bismarck hurriedly said: "Several major coastal ports of the Qing Kingdom are under the close supervision of our country, and the Qing State has no other movement except for the transfer of troops from Java to Bangladesh.

Compared with the Qing Dynasty, South Africa is closer to Europe, and even if it sends troops at the same time, it will definitely be our country that arrives first. The stock market of the Qing Dynasty has plummeted, and the decline has already exceeded that of the United States in 73 years, and it has caused a chain reaction, as long as the Transvaal gold mine is captured, the Qing economy will inevitably collapse. ”

After hesitating, Mao Qicai said: "Yuanqi took the initiative to smash the market, the purpose is very clear, that is, to eat all the foreign funds flowing into the Qingguo stock market, in this case, even if the Transvaal gold mine is captured, it may not constitute a catastrophic blow to Yuanqi!" ”

"Yuanqi will not hesitate to collapse the entire stock market, but also swallow all the foreign funds, which just shows that Yuanqi is facing a huge financial crisis." Bismarck said in a deep voice: "As long as the Landesvaal gold mine is captured in one fell swoop, Yuanqi will inevitably be on the verge of collapse. ”

After a pause, he continued: "In addition, for my country, the main purpose of this war in South Africa is to provoke a war between the Qing and the British. ”

William I asked: "Will England be involved in this war?" ”

"That's for sure!" Bismarng said: "As soon as South Africa goes to war, the Qing State will inevitably declare war on England, and it will also send troops to India, otherwise, in this war, the Qing State will be defeated." ”

The joint dispatch of troops to South Africa is a matter agreed upon by the five countries, and it can be said that it is ready to be bowed at this time, and if it retreats at this time, it will inevitably damage the prestige of Germany, seeing Bismarck's words, Wilhelm I was silent for a while, and then he spoke: "The empire urgently needs to open up overseas colonies, and it is even more necessary to weaken England as soon as possible, since it is an opportunity, let's take advantage of it." ”

————

After the Qing Dynasty took the initiative to interrupt the cable telegraph to the outside world, the war machine of the Qing Dynasty was in full swing, with columns of military columns heading from various provinces to Qingdao, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and other ports, and a huge convoy of transport ships loaded with all kinds of war materials set sail from the major coastal ports to the south.

At the same time, countless seagoing ships converged from the seas of the Qing Dynasty to the designated coastal ports, and the atmosphere in the coastal provinces became tense in an instant.

Although none of the newspapers reported a word about these military movements, the cable and telegraph networks and telephones throughout the provincial capitals and counties, as well as the gradually improving railway network, made the news spread so quickly that even if it was sluggish, the government and the opposition were aware that a large-scale overseas war was about to break out in the Qing Dynasty!

As one of the main ports connected to the railway, and as the most important industrial base and military base of the Qing Dynasty, Shanghai was transformed into a large military camp almost overnight.

Whether it is the wharves of the Huangpu River in Shanghai or the wharves along the Yangtze River in Baoshan, it is an extremely rare busy scene, with teams boarding ships in an orderly manner, all kinds of war materials being loaded in an orderly manner, military control has already been carried out on the river, and there are all large and small sea ships flying the sea soul flag coming and going.

English Consulate in Shanghai, 3rd Floor, Balcony.

The envoy to China, Wei Tuma, propped his hands on the railing and looked down condescendingly at the steam cargo ships coming and going on the Huangpu River, his face was full of melancholy, he hurried from Beijing to Shanghai, but he could not even enter the gate of the Zhennan Palace, he did not know what the big men in the country thought, in his opinion, it was extremely unwise to provoke a war when the military strength was obviously at a disadvantage, and he did not think that England, as the initiator, could finally stay out of the matter.

"Your Excellency." Comprehending Mai Huatuo walked behind him with a newspaper, "Yuan Qi issued a manifesto outside the Shanghai Daily. ”

Wei Tuoma took the newspaper and glanced at it a few times, nothing new, but it was the usual style of the Qing State, and the wartime declaration issued by Yuan Qi promised that no matter what the situation, even during the war, the citizens of the belligerent countries who were stranded in the Qing State would still be protected for their property and personal safety, and enjoy all kinds of rights due to them in peacetime.

He knew very well that Yuan Qi issued this declaration just to stabilize people's hearts, and that there were tens of thousands of foreigners in Shanghai alone, and there were many foreigners in universities, research institutes, banks, hospitals, factories, and some large-scale projects, and Yuan Qi did not want to cause unnecessary losses because of the war.

Seeing that his gloomy face was silent, Mai Huatuo said cautiously: "Portugal, Spain, Finland, Sweden...... Ministers from other countries in China came to visit ....... ”

After a slight groan, Wei Tuma said, "None of them have been able to enter the Zhennan Palace?" ”

Mai Huatuo said: "The Zhennan Wangfu has been closed to visitors, and none of the ministers who went to visit have been able to enter the door. ”

"Let's just say I'm going back to Beijing." Wei Tuma commanded, he didn't have the heart to deal with everyone, and he didn't know how to reply to everyone at this time, saying that it was inappropriate not to understand the situation, and it was even more inappropriate to say that it was inappropriate to understand the situation, and it was not the best to see it!

Shanghai, Zhennan Wangfu, Changle Book House, East Chamber.

The two large rooms in the east wing were originally small conference rooms, but at this time they have become operational headquarters, one large and one small sand table occupy half of the space, and there are large maps and nautical charts hanging on the four walls. ”

"Hmm." Yi Zhizu retracted his gaze and ordered, "Let them go through the Sunda Strait to Maputo." ”

"Yes." Yan Yangtian replied loudly, he knew that he was walking through the Sunda Strait to prevent the British fleet in Sri Lanka from discovering traces.

Seeing that the other party didn't move, Yi Zhizhi said: "Something? ”

"Headmaster." Yan Yangtian said directly: "The cable telegraph is interrupted, we don't know anything about the situation in Europe, Mozambique and the Transvaal only have three brigades stationed, and the telegraph has been interrupted for more than half a month ........ ”

Yi Zhizu waved his hand and said nonchalantly: "Don't worry, when have I fought an uncertain battle?" ”

What does this mean? Could it be that there are other ways to get information about Europe? Yan Yangtian couldn't help but be confused, there were only two cable telegraphs with Europe, one was to connect Eurasia through Ottoman Constantinople, and the other was to cross the Atlantic Ocean through the United States through the Pacific Rim Submarine Cable, these two lines had been cut ......off, and after hesitating, he tentatively said: "Could it be that there is a third line?" ”

Yi Zhizhi smiled contentedly, "Ming Xiu plank road, dark Chen Cang, have you heard of this?" ”

Darkness Chencang? Yan Yangtian was overjoyed, and immediately reacted, "Northwest? ”

"Not bad." Yi Zhishu nodded, "Before the end of the Tenth Russian-Turkish War, the cable telegram with Russia had been opened, but it has not been made public, but it has been kept secret as a military secret. ”

Yan Yangtian didn't know what to say for a while, and finally held back his words, "Principal Shengming." ”

Two days later, an encrypted telegram came from Ili, and Germany, Austria, Italy, and France sent troops south one after another, totaling 100,000 troops, Germany sent 40,000 troops, and the other three countries each sent 20,000 troops, and each country's fleet was escorted by more than ten warships.

100,000 coalition soldiers? Yi Zhixiang put down the telegram, feeling quite disappointed, even if England drew troops from India and Australia, it is estimated that it will not exceed 50,000, after all, Germany only sent 40,000 troops, it seems that the four countries are afraid of falling into the quagmire of South Africa.

Zhao Liewen is good at figuring out his thoughts, and he also knows that he attaches great importance to this battle in South Africa, so he immediately said slowly: "In the battle of South Africa, the naval battle is the key, and Germany, France, Austria and Italy should be lacking in confidence, and they all have the idea of taking advantage .......of the fire to rob, and if they can fight, they will fight, and if they can't, they will retreat." ”

"Chicken ribs." Easy to know the way of contentment.

Yan Yangtian hesitated before saying, "The Transvaal Gold Mine is lost, will Yuan Qi support it?" ”

"If you leave, to lure the enemy to increase your troops?" Yi Zhishu shook his head slowly, "The key to this battle is still a naval battle, and they don't dare to invest too many troops. ”

Speaking of this, he suddenly lost interest, turned to look at Zhao Liewen and said: "Since all countries have sent troops, let's guide public opinion, and don't forget to plant the culprit of the stock market crash on their heads." ”

Before the words fell, Li Hongzhang hurriedly came in and said, "The British Minister to China, Wittoma, asks to see ......." ”

"Nope." Yi Zhizhi is not angry, it has reached the point of meeting each other, what else is there to say.

"This is the third time that Minister Wittoma has come to ask for a meeting, why not meet the chief treasurer?" Zhao Liewen groaned: "There is no mention of the situation of the British sending troops in the intelligence...... ”

Yi Zhizhi was stunned for a moment, indeed, the intelligence did not mention the British military dispatch, even if the British did not send the army, the navy would always send some strong façade, how could it not even send the naval fleet? "Take him to the study."

Walking into the gate of Zhennan Wangfu, Wei Tuma breathed a long sigh of relief, even if he ate the closed door, he still came to ask for a meeting, in fact, there was a task in his body, the cable telegraph was cut off, the information was blocked, he had to take the English out first, in this situation, Yuan Qi must have included the British in the list of enemies, once Yuan Qi was stimulated to send troops to India, it was impossible for the British to stay out of the matter.

Yi Zhishu did not greet him outside the study as usual, but stood inside the door, and when Wei Tuoma came in, he stretched out his hand and shook hands with the other party lukewarmly, "The war between the two countries is imminent, Your Excellency is here, what is the matter?" ”

"Where did Your Highness start with this?" Wei Tuma said with a frightened face: "Unprovoked, how can your two countries fight?" ”

Yi Zhishu stretched out his hand and said politely: "Your Excellency, can you tell me why the cable telegraph between China and Europe has been interrupted for more than half a month?" What is the reason for the collapse of China's stock market? ”

As soon as he sat down, Wei Tuma smiled bitterly and said: "What does your country's stock market have to do with my country?" My country is also a victim, and a large amount of money flowing into your country's stock market has been lost, and I do not know the reason for the interruption of the cable telegraph. ”

Yi Zhizu stared at him for a long time before he said, "Didn't your country want to rob the Transvaal gold mine?" In half a month, your fleet should be almost in Cape Town, right? ”

"Is there a misunderstanding on the part of Your Highness?" Wittoma hurriedly said: "How can our country rob the Transvaal gold mine for no reason? Besides, you don't have this ability, do you? How many years has it been since the First World War in South Africa? How dare we send troops to South Africa again? Moreover, India is also under the threat of your country....... ”

What's the situation? Could it be that England is really not involved? This thought was just a flash, and Yi Zhifu immediately denied it, without England, how could Germany, France, Austria and Italy jointly send troops to South Africa? However, if England sent troops, what was the purpose of Wittumabha's coming? Afraid that the Qing Dynasty would send troops from Bengal to India?

Zhao Liewen reacted quickly enough, and he had already vaguely guessed that England might indeed not send troops to participate in the war, so he immediately glanced at Yi Zhizhi and said slowly: "Minister Wei Tuma came to state this?" ”

Remember the mobile version URL: m.

Chapter 1029: Darkness (Page 1/1)

"Bookmark for easy reading"