Seeing that Yi Zhixiang did not agree to the open transaction with the German warship, Yi Zhengxing was a little disappointed, Zaizhao was his uncle, and he would be his big help in the future, he naturally had the heart to help, and immediately said: "The German Navy came to our country for exchanges, this is a well-known thing, England should have been on guard for a long time, and besides, such a large-scale delivery of warships cannot be hidden from the British." ”

"Military exchanges are just a potential threat, but large-scale procurement of warships is a real threat, these are two different things." Yi Zhizu said slowly: "The delivery of battleships, even in batches, is difficult to hide from the British, this is also a fact, however, we don't want to hide it, we just need to fight a time difference."

Now that these warships are being refitted in major shipyards, and they will be delivered at least until after the summer and autumn of next year, and if Britain can't resist the temptation and decides to intervene in the northwest, it will be eager to send troops to the northwest in the spring of next year.

If the news of Germany's large-scale purchase of warships from China is made public at this time, it will inevitably affect the judgment of England; although the British attach importance to India and Central Asia, they attach more importance to the security of their homeland, and it is impossible for them to intervene in the northwest when their homeland security is seriously threatened. ”

Yi Zhizu was silent, he knew very well that compared with the big game of chess in the northwest, South America can be said to be insignificant, it seems that Zaizhao's luck is really too bad, and he finally had a chance, and now he is in vain.

Seeing the gloomy look on his face, Zhao Liewen put down the teacup and said: "Now that public opinion in European countries is advocating the theory of the threat from the East, if it fights in South America at this time and interferes in the war between the three kingdoms of Secret Box, if this statement is confirmed, at least it will be suspected of telling the truth."

It's okay to avoid it for the time being, it's okay to stay in the northwest, and it's not easy to go back and clean up a few Chiles, besides, fighting on two fronts, the pressure on our country is indeed not small, and it is better to avoid it as much as possible. ”

Yi Zhengxing said a little unwillingly: "What if it is a quick decision? ”

Quick? Yi Zhizhi glanced at him, lit a cigarette and didn't say a word, seeing this situation, Yi Zhengxing knew that there was a play, and hurriedly added: "It is not necessary for my country to fully intervene in the war of the three South American countries, the main reason why the two countries are defeated is that the navy is too weak, and my country only needs to annihilate the Chilean navy, which is enough to completely reverse the situation in South America." ”

Peru and Bolivarian are not only weak navies, but also weak armies, lacking both training and equipment, and are no match for Chile at all, which is the main reason why Chile dares to provoke war.

However, Yi Zhixiang was unwilling to avoid the war in his heart, and after a slight groan, he spoke: "This is actually the first time that the Qing Dynasty has sent a fleet to safeguard the interests of the Qing Dynasty overseas.

In recent years, we have encouraged overseas investment, and the three countries in South America are the regions with the most overseas investment, and the outbreak of war in the three countries will inevitably cause serious losses to our investment in South America.

What will they think that we have sent a fleet, but we retreat without a fight? What do you think? What will domestic newspaper public opinion say? Who will be willing to invest overseas in the future?

Again, the situation in the northwest is not nine out of ten, and if England is not fooled, won't we be unpleasing at both ends? ”

Speaking of this, he paused and said in a deep voice: "Fight!" Call back Zaizhao, the northwest is not quiet, we must fight quickly, look for fighters, complete the battle, and completely annihilate the Chilean naval fleet.

In addition, we will assist the two countries in setting up a regular navy and army, and conduct surprise training, and the country will dispatch a large number of arms as soon as possible to support, and we must encourage the two countries to cripple Chile in one fell swoop! ”

Seeing that he decided to go to war, Yi Zhengxing was overjoyed, and hurriedly took out the notebook he carried with him to write a message, Zhao Liewen hesitated and said: "The big shopkeeper is not worried about European countries making a fuss about this? ”

"It's nothing more than a threat theory, so there's no need to pay attention to it." Yi Zhizhi said: "English colonies are spread all over the world, how can there be no British threat theory?" It's nothing more than some war of words, and national strength is fundamental!

Besides, even if Europe talks about the threat from the East every day, it is impossible for them to unite to restrain China; on the contrary, as long as China's economy develops, they will all sharpen their heads and establish trade relations with China. ”

Zhao Liewen smiled bitterly and said, "The students are worried that European countries will jointly send troops to the northwest. ”

"Fighting in the northwest, we are the home field." Yi Zhizhi said with a smile: "In South Africa, we are not afraid, let alone in the northwest, the more comes, the better, I am afraid that they will not come." ”

The two were talking, Yi Zhengxing had already written the telegram, Yi Zhizhi took the pen after reading it, and signed the name and the date of the fall, Yi Zhengxing did not rush to get up after taking it, but said: "The rebellion of some officers and soldiers of the Northwest Army has seriously exposed the defects in our army's management system.

If a war starts in the northwest, not relying on the Northwest Army may not be conducive to the war, and if it relies on the Northwest Army, it may have more serious consequences. ”

The question of the ownership of the command of the army? Yi Zhizu raised his eyebrows, Su Shun has not yet taken over as prime minister, and he is thinking about seizing the command of the army?

Zhao Liewen's heart also jumped, Su Shun would be so ignorant? Immediately asked with a solemn expression: "What did he say?" ”

Yi Zhengxing glanced at the two of them and said: "He said that although the combat effectiveness of the Eight Banners Green Battalion is low, it has never been out of the Northwest Army.

At present, it can be said that China's military power is not unified, and the Northwest Army mutiny is a very good opportunity, but the unification of military power must be decided as early as possible on who belongs to it or which department is in charge, otherwise it will not work if the name is not right. ”

After saying that, he added: "These are his exact words. ”

Yi Zhishu frowned, and said slowly: "It is imperative to unify military power, this time is indeed an opportunity, what do you think?" ”

Hearing this, Chen Mengzhu, who was still sitting on the side, hurriedly got up and retreated, Yi Zhengxing glanced at her, and said slowly: "In a constitutional monarchy, such as England, the queen is nominally the supreme commander of the army, but the command is actually in the hands of the prime minister. In a democratic republic, such as the American Union, the president is the supreme commander in chief of the military. ”

"Sushun, this is a problem." Zhao Liewen said: "No wonder he didn't dare to mention it to the big shopkeeper in person." ”

"It's not a problem." Yi Zhishu laughed and said, "He is forcing me to serve in the cabinet." ”