French...... Hey, maybe there's an interest in that; At the same time, the Gallic chicken should also have this power.

Around 1880, France was governed by the Third Republic. At that time, France had basically recovered from the defeat of the Franco-Prussian War and restarted its foreign colonial expansion, with Africa and Indochina as its key directions. The Sino-French War in the original time and space broke out against this background.

In this time and space, if Guan Zhuofan completes France's "1870 Plan" smoothly, by the 1880s, Indochina will be a god, France will not think about it - small sample, unless you are still unconvinced! In this way, if you lose the east corner and reap the mulberry elm, the French will naturally have to work harder in Africa.

Coupled with Guan Zhuofan's fanning of the flames, his hands, Gallic chickens and John Bulls, it is entirely possible for you to come and go in South Africa.

Even, it is entirely possible for China and France to "give up their past suspicions" and secretly cooperate in South Africa and put the British behind their backs.

Although I accidentally beat you to the point that your nose and face were swollen not long ago, but between countries, the word "profit" is the first, and when you see that you can join hands, there will be benefits to be gained, why can't you turn enemies into friends?

Speaking of the Sino-French dispute, Guan Zhuofan couldn't help but sigh: The Sino-French War that broke out in 1883 was actually the most decent battle in China's foreign war after 1840 and before the War of Resistance Against Japan. The comparison of the military strength of China and France is not very different; China lost first and then won, and then chose an appropriate node to end the war, and the whole situation, although it was at a disadvantage, could barely be regarded as a draw.

The loss of Vietnam cannot be understood as a defeat for China.

At that time, the general international situation and its own strength did not allow China to continue to maintain a large area of vassals. And. A vassal of China. Inferior to the colonies of the Great Powers. In fact, there is only political and strategic value; Economically, not only is there no benefit to speak of, but it is still a burden for the strict zhòng. With the strength of the British Empire and the huge profits of the British colonies, they had fought a disastrous Boer War, and they had to take the initiative to cede colonial interests to the outside world in a big way, let alone China?

And not to mention, Vietnam at that time. After all, compared to North Korea, the value of the strategic buffer is actually limited. There is nothing to be ashamed of judging the situation, giving up the name, ensuring the real profits, and maintaining the core interests of the local people.

This "most dignified battle" was completed under the auspices of Cixi. This "single-handedly presiding" included the large-scale "Jiashen Yishu" after the fiasco in the early stage, and the withdrawal of the entire military aircraft class headed by the passive and cowardly King Gong, which led to a series of victories in the later stage, such as Tamsui, Hangzhou Bay, and Zhennanguan.

At that time, the royal sister was insightful. Refreshed.

However, the "most undignified battle" was also completed under the "single-handed auspices" of Cixi -- the Gengzi Fist Rebellion and the Eight Kingdoms Committing Crimes against China.

Cixi at that time. I don't know inside, and looking at the outside world, my eyes are even darker.

The foreign wars presided over by Cixi herself, there were only these two in total, which happened to be two extremes.

Why is there such a contrast?

At the time of the Sino-French War, Cixi was in the prime of life, and her experience and vision in governing the country were at the peak of her life.

At the time of the Gengzi Fist Rebellion, the country was in internal and external difficulties, Cixi herself was sick and old, and with the political environment after the Wuxu coup, if she did not grasp the power in her hands, even the most basic personal safety could not be guaranteed. In addition, Cixi at that time was indeed old and deaf, so she didn't care about anything else except consolidating power.

So, it's so important to do the right thing at the right time. Life cannot be misplaced, especially for women.

As for the responsibility for the defeat of the First Sino-Japanese War, it should not be placed on the head of Cixi - it really has nothing to do with her.

Off topic, let's get down to business.

In the matter of South Africa, it is better for the French to work their own and automatically and consciously become the big boss behind the scenes of the Boers. In case the French really can't stir up, Guan Zhuofan does not rule out going into battle shirtless--of course, not a head-on conflict with the British, I ...... It's just business! What kind of business? Uh, arms business.

Mining itself is a good cover for the arms trade.

The big mine owners of this era all set up their own mine protection teams -- this mine protection team was not a security guard of 30 or 50 people carrying a stick, but a paramilitary or even a fully militarized army of hundreds or thousands, equipped with pistols, rifles, and artillery.

After the machine guns were introduced, these big mine owners were equipped with them as soon as possible, and they moved so fast that they even surpassed the armies of many countries.

The reason for this is because: first, mining in this era is filled with human life, and the big mine owners must master enough violence to suppress the workers' resistance; Second, the government of this era has not stretched out its hand so long, its administrative capacity is not so strong, and it cannot provide such comprehensive protection, jungle laws are still prevalent, and the mines are mostly in the middle of nowhere.

Mining in a place like South Africa, not to mention, is surrounded by malicious "barbarian tribes", do not arm themselves to the teeth, where can they mix?

In the original time and space, during the Second Boer War, the most important reason why the Boers could not beat the Kimberley alive was that Cecil, the boss of De Beers. Rhodes, who has stockpiled a large amount of ammunition in the mine for many years, and the British army that held on to Kimberly could not be used up.

Therefore, no one can say anything about the guns and ammunition stored at the "Citi Mining Company". For a while, there were too many goods, and there was no place for the warehouse, so it was understandable to give it to the local government evenly, which was to engage in public relations.

If possible, simply set up an arms company in Europe, in addition to your own convenience, the world, in the foreseeable future, will fight endless wars, and you are afraid that there will be no money to be made?

Well, let me think about it.

*

*

After talking to La Cruz, someone took the Englishman to the arranged accommodation, and Guan Zhuofan and Libin were left in the house.

Guan Zhuofan asked someone to make two simple side dishes, opened another red wine, poured it for Libin and himself, and said with a smile: "Mr. Li, we brothers, how long has it been since we sat together like today and had a good drink?" ”

Libin shook his head slightly and said, "Lord Belle, I can't afford the word 'brother'." Now is not as good as in the past, you treat my country, I can't know the importance of it. ”

The smile on Guan Zhuofan's face disappeared. He looked at Libin, half loudly, and sighed softly.

Li Bin didn't see the change in Guan Zhuofan's expression, he moved his big leather bag, took out a big briefcase, handed it over with a smile, and said: "Lord Belle, there is a good thing in it, you see it, you won't sigh anymore." ”

Guan Zhuofan smiled slightly, took it, opened the briefcase, and took out the contents inside.

It's a photo.

The two young women like flowers, smiling side by side, sat side by side - but who were not Hu Qingqing and Yang Wan'er?

There were two of them, one holding a baby.

Guan Zhuofan's heart beat violently.

*(To be continued......)