The relationship between the European powers in this era was more complex, in a word, both common interests and irreconcilable contradictions. The common interest lies in the division and domination of the world by the European powers, and the irreconcilable contradiction is manifested in the unequal distribution of the spoils—most of the interests are seized by the British Empire, while the other powers will inevitably clash with the British Empire if they want to expand their own interests. This is probably the fundamental cause of the Crimean War in history and the subsequent First and Second World Wars, right?

Zhu Jishi now knows this big truth, but he doesn't understand the intricacies of it, and the European powers are fighting today and tomorrow and the day after tomorrow and forming gangs and factions to engage in a cold war, and in the eyes of outsiders, it is really faster than turning a book. If Emperor Zhu had been a history buff in later generations, he would have known that his current decisions would have a great impact on future history. Because the bane of the two world wars of the 20th century is actually the upcoming Crimean War!

Because the defeat in the Crimean War made the whole country of Russia extremely hostile to Austria-Hungary - in the eyes of the Russians, their defeat was caused by the "betrayal" of Austria. Thus, after the Crimean War, the crushing of the Austrian empire became the core of Russia's European policy! The loss of Russia's strong backing also made Austria unable to maintain its position as the leader of the German Confederation, which led to the rise of Prussia and the emergence of the Second German Reich, and the later German-Austrian alliance - because Russia was thinking about disintegrating Austria-Hungary all day long, Austria-Hungary had to hug the thigh of its old rival Prussia, thus forming the Allied military bloc......

If now because of the rise of the Ming Dynasty, Russia's attention is drawn to the East. And let the Crimean War abort. Then the alliance of Austria and Russia would not have broken. There is Russia behind Austria. Prussia did not dare to start a war against Austria and Russia in any case. I really don't know when the Second German Reich will rise. Without the Second German Reich, without the deep hatred between Russia and Austria, God knows if there would have been the First and Second World Wars?

Therefore, from a certain point of view, whether the bane of the two major wars in Europe in the future can be buried depends on the choice of our Emperor Zhu.

"Your Majesty, the only right option for you now is to make Alexander think that you will not pose a threat to the eastern territories of Russia in the coming years. Your goal is to straighten out the interior and expand south to capture warm, moist lands. Perhaps the British will encourage you to take a tough stance against Russia, but you must not be fooled. As long as there was no war between Britain and Russia, Britain would not really support the Ming Dynasty's seizure of Eastern Siberia and Alaska. Once the Ming Dynasty gains a large advantage in the war, it is possible that Britain will adopt a policy of supporting Russia......"

When Zuo Zongtang and Zheng Hong arrived at the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Jishi's favorite Yanma was telling Zhu Jishi in German not to pull out the root of the European war. She probably never dreamed that her beloved French homeland would pay for it, right?

"Zuo Xiang, Zheng Xiang, don't salute, this is not the court, don't be so troublesome." Zhu Jishi smiled and beckoned to the two of them, letting them sit down in front of him. Nor did he tell Maria to retire. He said: "Do you know the news of the visit of the Russian crown prince?" It's long overdue...... But it's always a guest from afar, so we still have to entertain them. ”

Zuo Zongtang glanced at Maria. Clementina. frowned and said: "The minister plans to let Wu Shangshu of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs go to Hong Kong to meet the Russian crown prince, and the emperor has a will to give Wu Chunqiu about the matters of negotiations with Russia?" ”

"The eastern section of the Sino-Russian border is divided according to the provisions of the Treaty of Nebuchu, and the Bohai State is a vassal of our Ming Dynasty, and Russia must stop all official exchanges with the Bohai State, especially not allowing the export of weapons and equipment to the Bohai State and the dispatch of military instructors. This is a serious violation of my Ming sovereignty! ”

Zuo Zongtang stroked his beard and said in a deep voice: "If the Russian side makes a request for an alliance, can it be granted?" ”

"I can't say yes."

Zhu Jishi waved his hand without thinking about it, "Russia is trying to destroy Turkey, and Turkey is an ally of Britain and France, and it is related to the security of India, a British territory. We, the Ming Dynasty, must stand on the side of Britain and France at that time, how can we form an alliance with Russia? ”

Zheng Hong said: "Your Majesty, if we don't even give us a piece of paper, how can the Russians be willing to use the provisions of the Treaty of Nebuchu as the basis to demarcate the border?" He smiled and said, "Actually, this covenant is just a piece of paper......

Zhu Jishi shook his head: "This can't be done, we are now the beginning of a country, how can we do it without credit?" Who will make a covenant with us in the future? Zheng Xiang, there are similarities between these international affairs and the rivers and lakes, and the country will not stand without faith after all. ”

He paused for a moment and then said, "And now the British Empire actually wants to use us to contain Russia and prevent Russia from launching a war against the Balkans and Asia Minor." As long as we are still on this path, Britain will be more friendly with us, and if we sign any alliance with Russia, won't it make it clear that we want to relieve Russia's worries? Our thinking is to treat the covenant as paper, and people may not think so! ”

……

In the Governor's Palace of Hong Kong, England, in the study. The British Empire's ambassador to the Ming Dynasty, Robert Brown. Churchill was sitting across from Bonham Bonham, the Governor of Hong Kong. The former had just gone to the Far East Hotel to meet with the Russian Crown Prince Alexander, and talked almost all night until the early morning when he returned to the Doge's Palace, opposite the Far East Hotel.

Qiu Fat Man held a cup of strong coffee in his hand, took a sip and raised his mind: "Sir, the Russians want to attack the Ryukyu Kingdom, what do you think?" ”

"The Ryukyu Kingdom?" Wen Xian raised his eyebrows, "Is that the subject country of the Satsuma Domain in Japan?" It seems that Zhu Jishi has repeatedly rejected the tribute of the Ryukyu Kingdom, and it seems that he has recognized the reality that Ryukyu is a subject state of Japan. Even if Russia attacks the Ryukyus, Zhu Jishi will not necessarily send troops to intervene, right? ”

The previous situation of the Ryukyu Kingdom was one country and two subordinates, but all the interests belonged to the Satsuma clan of Japan. After Zhu Jishi established the capital of Nanjing, the Ryukyu Kingdom once sent envoys to Nanjing, asking the Ming Dynasty to canonize the Ryukyu king Shangtai, restore the tributary relationship between the Ryukyus and the Ming Dynasty, and give the Ryukyu merchants certain trade preferences. However, it was repeatedly rejected by Zhu Jishi, on the grounds that the Ryukyu Kingdom had long been controlled by the Satsuma Domain of Japan and did not have the qualifications to become a vassal of the Ming Dynasty. At the same time, they refused to give any tax benefits to Ryukyu merchants, and did not accept gifts from the Ryukyu kings in return for more expensive gifts. The whole Ryukyu Kingdom was pushed out, probably to avoid paying real benefits for a false name.

Qiu Fatzi gently turned the coffee cup in his hand, and said thoughtfully: "Maybe we can push the Russians again." ”

"Push again?" Wen Xian furrowed his brow, "Robert, what do you mean...... Let Russia take the lead in forcing Japan to open the country? ”

Robert. Churchill nodded: "Zhu Jishi had a close relationship with the Tokugawa shogunate, his four major foreign companies had the privilege of trading with Japan and issuing currency, and his concubine Tokugawa Akiko also had a territory in Japan. Zhu Jishi's refusal to pay tribute to the Ryukyu Kingdom may also be in order not to spoil this close relationship. I am afraid that the income of his four foreign companies in Japan is far greater than the benefits of the Ryukyu tribute, right? ”

Qiu Fatzi said: "According to the information we have, Zhu Jishi's foreign bank can grab at least 2 million silver dollars of profit every year from trade with Japan and the issuance of Japanese oceans, and once Japan opens the country, his foreign bank will lose its exclusive right." Therefore, in the past several times when the great powers exerted pressure on Japan, he supported the Japanese Tokugawa shogunate. This is also the reason for the Tokugawa shogunate's tough attitude. If Russia further pressurizes Japan's founding nominal troops in the Ryukyus, then Zhu Jishi is likely to come forward to support Japan...... Of course, if he chooses to abandon Japan and continue to forbear, then we will not suffer, at least open the door to Japan. (To be continued......)