Charlottenburg Palace, Berlin, Germany.

Kaiser Wilhelm I, who was full of gray hair, was half-lying on a beautifully decorated soft couch to rest, he was over eighty years old, and his energy was getting weaker and weaker, and tomorrow he would take a nap from time to time, and the sound of gentle footsteps sounded, and the voice of gentle greetings sounded, "Your Majesty, Your Excellency the Chancellor asks to see you." ”

William opened his eyes and slowly sat up, and after changing his clothes under the waiter of his attendants, he said slowly, "Let him in." ”

The 40,000 German troops were almost completely wiped out in Sanderton, and the two had a disagreement on whether to continue to increase troops to South Africa, and William did not approve of continuing to increase troops, after all, the goal of capturing Johannesburg had been achieved, and if he still could not defeat Yuanqi in one fell swoop after capturing Johannesburg, he would face the crazy retaliation of the Qing State.

The Battle of Standton has proved the combat power of the Qing army, given that Germany itself does not have a strong navy, and continues to increase its troops in South Africa on a large scale, it is not only possible to suffer a heavy blow from the Qing army, but also to be subject to England, compared to the Qing in the far east, England and France are Germany's major troubles.

He had no objection to getting a forty percent stake in the Transvaal gold mine at a very small price, and no country could not be tempted by millions of ounces of gold a year, but if the war dragged on, or if it continued to expand, he would rather not.

However, Bismarck insisted on continuing to increase its troops, and the four countries jointly sent troops to South Africa, but Germany suffered heavy losses, and if it died down, it would deal a heavy blow to Germany's prestige, and would seriously affect Germany's expansion in Africa and the Ottomans, and more importantly, Germany could not easily let go of the Transvaal gold mines.

If Germany wants to rise rapidly, it must have a strong economic backing, and a steady stream of large gold income is the biggest driving force to stimulate rapid economic development.

What gave William a headache was that Bismarck, the prime minister who was highly valued and reused by him, was a typical hard bone, and threatened him with resignation at every turn, and the year before last, the two had a disagreement because of the 'cultural movement', and the other party wrote a number of resignations in one breath, and in the end, he personally wrote Bismarck's resignation instructions "never agree", and the matter was over.

"Your Majesty——。" Bismarck slowly entered the hall and bowed down and said unhurriedly: "South Africa called, the coalition fleet broke out in Durban and the main fleet of the Qing State broke out in a large-scale naval battle ........ As he spoke, he handed over a telegram.

The telegram was Frederick. Carr sent a detailed report on the situation of the Battle of Durban, and pleaded with a large increase in troops to South Africa, after reading the telegram, William was silent for a long time, and only after a long time did he speak: "It is impossible for the Qing Kingdom to give up the Transvaal gold mine easily. ”

"Your Majesty." Bismarck said calmly: "Since we can compete with the Qing naval fleet, we can firmly control the Transvaal gold mine!" Plus, drag English into the water! ”

Drag England into the water? William glanced at him, "The Qing Kingdom can directly threaten the safety of India, how can England easily tear up the face with the Qing Kingdom?" ”

Bismarck said in a deep voice: "Once we increase our troops in South Africa on a large scale, even if England is willing to tear up face with the Qing State, the Qing State will not tolerate it!" ”

It is naturally a good thing to be able to drag England into the water, and if the Qing Kingdom greatly consumes the naval strength of England, it will naturally be a good thing for Germany, William pondered for a moment before saying: "Prepare in advance and see how Qing ......reacts." ”

The reaction of the Qing Kingdom was beyond the expectations of Wilhelm and Bismarck, and a few days later, news came from the United States that the Qing Kingdom had openly declared war on Germany, France, Austria and Italy!

Germany, France, Austria and Italy are the four major military powers in Europe, and the Qing State actually declared war on the four countries at the same time, not only the whole of Europe was a sensation, but the whole world was a sensation! Once again, the countries of the world are turning their attention to South Africa, and the reason why the Qing will declare war on the four countries is very clear.

Just one day later, news came from the United States again that the Qing Kingdom had declared war on England! At the same time, there was also news that the Qing State had sent troops from Bengal to British India!

At the same time, declare war on the five major military powers in Europe! The whole world was boiling, all the newspapers in the world were overwhelmingly vying to report on the situation in South Africa, Johannesburg was captured by the Franco-Austrian forces, 40,000 German troops were almost completely wiped out at Sanderton, and the main fleet of the Qing State returned home in the Battle of Durban.

Charlottenburg Palace.

"Your Majesty should be relieved now, right?" Bismarck looked at William with a smile on his face, "The Qing Kingdom has sent troops from Bengal, and England has no choice. ”

William said slowly: "Blatantly declaring war on the Five Kingdoms, where did the Qing Kingdom get the confidence?" ”

"Navy!" Bismarck said in a deep voice: "The battlefield is in South Africa, and it is the navy, not the army, that determines the outcome of the battle, if the prediction is good, the Battle of Durban, the Qing Navy hides its strength, of course, this is just speculation." ”

William said: "Could England be so suspicious?" ”

"With the arrogance of the British, even if there is suspicion, they can only go to war." Bismarck said: "The purpose of the Qing army from Bengal is to force England to go to war, and England is no longer allowed to hide behind its back." ”

"I underestimated the courage of the Qing Kingdom!" William said softly, groaning slightly, before he said, "Since it is an open declaration of war, how much more troops is appropriate?" ”

"One hundred thousand!" Bismarck said without thinking.

Lakh? William hesitated unconsciously, the combat power of the Qing Army was no worse than that of the German army, and it could even be said that it was still above the German army, and it had already lost more than 30,000 people in Sanderton, and now it has increased its troops by another 100,000, and it is good to be able to take the Transvaal gold mine, if it can't be taken, it will be too much of a loss!

Bismarck knew his thoughts very well, and said unhurriedly: "According to the previous agreement, our country occupies forty percent of the shares of the Transvaal gold mine, and our country will increase its troops by 100,000, and the other three countries will inevitably increase their troops accordingly. ”

After a deep groan, William said: "Let's see what the reaction of England is, England declares war, let's declare war!" ”

"Nope." Bismarck said simply: "Declare war first, and England will inevitably declare war!" In the battle of Sanderton, our army suffered heavy losses and must be the first to respond! ”

William nodded and said slowly, "Then declare war." ”

"Your Majesty rest assured." Bismarck said: "Austria-Hungary and Italy have expressed their position to advance and retreat with our country. ”

On the day that Germany declared war on the Qing State, Austria-Hungary and Italy immediately responded by declaring war on the Qing State one after another!

The next day, France declared war on the Qing state.

On the third day, Queen Victoria of England also officially declared war on the Qing Kingdom!