Hermitage, St. Petersburg, Russia.

Emperor Alexander II of Russia stood by the window on the east side, looking to the east, and was silent for a long time.

Prime Minister Gorchakov stood aside with a sad face, staring at the Central Asian places on the large map of Asia hanging on the wall; all along, he did not approve of Russia's involvement in Central Asian independence, which was a Qing internal affair, and once it was mixed, the good relations that Russia and Qing had established for many years would inevitably break down.

In his view, if Russia wants to rise rapidly and dominate Europe, it must rely on the Qing Dynasty, which not only has the world's largest population and the largest market, but also has rapid industrial development, and scientific and technological innovation is also the highest in all countries in the world, especially in the military industry.

Moreover, the commercial and trade and economic cooperation between Russia and the Qing Dynasty will inevitably reach a new level with the opening of the Eurasian Railway, and as long as this situation is maintained for 20 or 30 years, Russia will definitely be able to dominate Europe.

However, there was a rebellion in the northwest at this time in the Qing Dynasty, and Alexander II was originally a little moved, but it was difficult to weigh the benefits and losses and hesitated, and the British saw this and directly proposed a plan to carve up Central Asia, so that Russia's power could go directly to the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea.

Expansion to the south to the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean to establish a warm water port, this is the long-cherished wish of several generations of Russian emperors from Peter the Great, for this goal, several generations of Russians have been working hard to expand southward, and now, this goal is no longer out of reach, as if it is within reach, how can Alexander II not be tempted? How can you not be tempted?

After pondering for a long time, Gorchakov withdrew his gaze from the map, looked at the somewhat thin back by the window, and said in a somewhat hoarse voice: "Your Majesty, this plan for dividing the sphere of influence in Central Asia proposed by the British is completely a blank check, and even if it is possible to cash it, our country will inevitably pay a heavy price. ”

"In the past hundred years, in order to expand southward, is the price our country has paid is still small?" Alexander II turned around and said in a deep voice: "I know that the British wrote a verbal check, but once Central Asia becomes independent, this check can be cashed, right?" ”

"It is possible to cash in, or it is possible not to cash in." Gorchakov did not want to give up, and still made a final effort, trying to persuade the other side to change his mind, "If we can unite the major European powers to jointly send troops to intervene, and Central Asia can successfully become independent, this empty check can be cashed."

But the old minister believes that the possibility of Central Asia being independent is very small, and the Qing State or should it be said that Yuan Qi has always attached great importance to Central Asia, not to mention anything else, just immigration and the construction of railways, Yuan Qi has invested an unimaginable huge amount of money, how can it be easy to let Central Asia become independent?

Not to mention that it is just that our country is intervening with Britain and Persia, even if the six major European powers plus the Ottomans and Persia join forces to intervene, the Qing State will definitely not give in easily, and the possibility of war is not great, but inevitable!

For the threat of the Qing state, it is impossible for the European powers to resist together, after all, the Qing state has now stopped the pace of westward expansion, and there are still two major empires of Persia and Ottoman between it and Europe, in addition, the relationship between Germany and the Qing is now very close, it is impossible to mix, Austria-Hungary and Italy have a close relationship with Germany, and they must advance and retreat together.

Taking a step back, even if all countries jointly send troops to intervene in the war with the Qing State in Central Asia, the old minister also believes that the Qing State has a greater chance of winning, after all, the Qing State has been connected to the railway with Central Asia, and convenient railway transportation is the guarantee of logistics.

Although China can also surprise the railways connecting with Central Asia, it is simply unthinkable that the combined forces of various countries and the logistical materials needed by the combined forces will be diverted to Central Asia, and it can even be said that we have lost this war before it has even begun. ”

"You didn't take into account the strength of Central Asia." Alexander II said slowly: "The Northwest Army of the Qing State is the strongest in the Qing State in terms of size and combat strength, and the population of Central Asia has now exceeded 10 million, and the compulsory military service system has been implemented for more than 20 years, and it can organize and recruit hundreds of thousands of troops at any time, and they are the main force fighting against the Qing State." ”

Gorchakov asked rhetorically: "With such a large number of military forces in Central Asia, once it becomes independent, how can it easily allow our power to expand into the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea?" ”

"Even if Central Asia is independent, it is always facing a huge threat from the Qing Dynasty, and Central Asia itself has a weak industrial base, and once it is independent, it will inevitably rely heavily on China and Britain." Alexander II said confidently: "In addition, the Qing navy is strong and Central Asia is independent, so it will inevitably rely on our country and Britain to defend against threats from the sea. ”

Speaking of this, he pondered for a moment before continuing: "The conditions offered by the British are not only the division of power in Central Asia, but the British promise that if Central Asia fails to gain independence, as compensation, they will support our country to expand its sphere of influence in the Balkans. ”

The British actually made two preparations? Gorchakov was silent for a moment, the importance of the Balkans to Russia is self-evident, it can be said that Russia is sure to make money this time, and the British have really made a bloody investment this time!

After a long silence, he spoke: "You might as well plan for the worst, expand the sphere of influence in the Balkans and fight against the Qing State, and lose trade and cooperation with the Qing State, which is more in line with our country's interests?" ”

Alexander II smiled and said: "China's trade with the Qing State is mainly aimed at Central Asia, besides, the bad relations with the Qing State are only temporary, and it can be gradually repaired with a little time and energy."

Don't forget, 30 years ago, because of Central Asia, China and the Qing State were also hostile relations, since the Eurasian Railway was completed, it could not be idle, between countries, interests first, I believe that in a few years, China's relations with the Qing State will improve, and trade will also recover. ”

Seeing that he was iron-hearted, Gorchakov couldn't help but sigh secretly, and said: "Even if you want to interfere, it's best not to send troops, and if you want to send troops, try to send troops jointly with Britain." ”

"Don't worry." Alexander II said in a relaxed tone: "Before the relationship with the Qing State is completely broken, I will try to leave room for mediation and leave a way out for repairing relations in the future." As for sending troops, this is unlikely, Central Asia itself has a strong military force, and what it lacks is only weapons, ammunition, food, and funds. ”

Speaking of this, a smile appeared on his face, "In this scene, the British are the protagonists, and the British want to support the establishment of Central Asia, so as to ensure the security of India, and pose a military threat to the land territory of the Qing State, so as not to develop the Qing State wholeheartedly."

In the past few years, because of the war and the poor agricultural harvest, the economy has been sluggish, the fiscal deficit has remained high, and the British want to support the independence of Central Asia, and all kinds of materials will inevitably be transferred from our country, not to mention, and they will also provide funds for our country, which is a rare opportunity. ”

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