In Bangkok, inside the royal palace, King Rama VI is gathering his confidants to discuss how to solve the current problem. The Chinese Empire's lightning-fast seizure of the East Indies and its outright annexation scared King Rama VI to Siam for fear that the Chinese Empire's next target would be Siam. You must know that Siam now has only 9 divisions and a total army of 54,000 people. Such a small army is probably not enough for the Chinese Empire to stuff its teeth.

However, after the Chinese Empire annexed the East Indies, it did not immediately take action against the Siamese Dynasty, which made Rama VI and others breathe a sigh of relief. But even so, the warships of the Chinese Navy's Nanyang Fleet wandered around the Gulf of Siam from time to time, which made Rama VI and others a little worried. Was the Chinese Empire preparing to invade Siam? If that's the case, how can the little Siam withstand the attack of the Chinese Empire!

This also made Rama VI regret a little, if he had known, he should not have taken too drastic measures against the Chinese. Of course, this is just talk. If Rama VI had been given a new choice, he would have set off another anti-Chinese movement. Although there are only a few hundred thousand Chinese in Siam, the Chinese almost control the economy of Siam. Many of Siam's officials at all levels were also held by Chinese. If they did not restrict the Chinese, the Siamese dynasty was in danger of being overthrown. That's why they kicked off the anti-Chinese movement.

"Ladies and gentlemen, how should we deal with the increasing pressure of the Chinese Empire on us?" Rama VI asked.

Among the high-ranking officials of the Siamese dynasty present were not only Siamese but also foreigners, all of whom were advisers to the Siamese government. From the time of Rama V, the Siamese dynasty hired a lot of foreign advisers, mainly the Siamese dynasty wanted to use these foreign advisers to carry out reforms. But. This also gave the Siamese reforms many limitations, allowing imperialist forces to penetrate into all key sectors, from the central to the local. For example, the general adviser and foreign policy adviser are Americans, the Treasury and customs advisers are British, the naval advisers are Danish, and the army advisers are Germans and Swedes. Foreign advisers are also employed in other ministries and in a number of agencies. By the end of the reign of King Rama V, there were as many as 247 foreign advisers in the government. They have a lot of power. Actually took control of various departments in Thailand. So much so that there was a joke about a Thai finance minister, when he saw off the foreign advisers of the ministry, asked: "Who will be in charge of the ministry after you leave?" ”

In addition, the military and political power in Thailand is actually completely in the hands of the royal family. Nine of the 12 ministers established by King Rama V were his younger brothers, six of the 13 major generals were members of the royal family, and more than half of the division commanders were from the royal family. Most of the heads of the provinces are also the brothers of King Rama V. In the cabinet of King Rama VI. Members of the royal family also make up the majority.

"Your Majesty, the Chinese Empire is menacing, and after they annexed the East Indies, the British did not dare to oppose it. It can be seen that if they really want to do something to Siam, there will be no other country to stop them. Therefore, if you want to keep Siam, you must obtain the understanding of the Chinese Empire. Said the Admiralty, Prince Bripa. He was the younger brother of King Rama VI.

King Rama VI nodded, the reason why he had started the anti-Chinese movement before. It is to see that China has long since lost its former strength. How could a backward China, a China enslaved and oppressed by the Western powers, be afraid? Instead, Rama VI was complacent that Siam seemed to be more powerful than China. Over the years, however, China seems to have developed a little too fast.

"Your Majesty. I don't think it's necessary at all. Our anti-Chinese campaign was an internal affair of the Kingdom of Siam, and the Chinese Empire had no reason to interfere. If the Chinese Empire dared to interfere in the internal affairs of the Kingdom of Siam, other countries would not sit idly by. Diplomatic adviser Jenkinson said.

"And what about the annexation of the East Indies by the Chinese Empire?" Said the tall Prince Sighama who is the Minister of Defense. He was the elder brother of King Rama VI.

"Your Royal Highness, the annexation of the East Indies by the Chinese has touched the bottom line of all countries. Countries will not repeatedly tolerate the wanton expansion of the Chinese Empire. Now that the pattern of the South Seas has stabilized, it is impossible for the Chinese Empire to expand outward. Otherwise, the Western powers will definitely stop them. Jenkinson said with certainty.

Rama VI nodded, but he always felt that it was too stiff to get into a power like the Chinese Empire, which might not be conducive to the security of the Kingdom of Siam. In addition, he had other considerations.

Although the Kingdom of Siam is now an independent country, it has not been colonized by Western powers such as Britain and France. However, now that Britain and France had become allies, the Kingdom of Siam would not be able to resist if they united to divide Siam. If a strong third party could join in, it might be different. Siam's position will be secured.

Originally, King Rama VI had chosen Japan, another great power in Asia. But now it seems that Japan is not very strong, and has been repeatedly defeated by the Chinese Empire. Then, if the Chinese Empire can become a friendly country or even an ally of Siam, then even Britain and France will definitely not dare to move Siam at will.

However, the Chinese Exclusion Movement caused an irreparable rift in the relationship between Siam and the Chinese Empire. Under such circumstances, Siam still wanted to get the support of the Chinese Empire, which was simply impossible.

"Your Majesty, we may send an envoy to the Chinese Empire to meet with the Chinese Emperor in order to obtain the understanding of the Chinese Empire. In this way, relations between our two countries can be restored. Prince Brippa suggested.

Rama VI nodded, and he also felt that it was a very good suggestion. It would be best if the Chinese Empire could be understood.

"Prince Bripa, then you will be my envoy to the Chinese Empire to meet His Majesty the Emperor of China. It is necessary to find a way to obtain the understanding of the Chinese Empire for the Kingdom of Siam. Rama VI said.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Prince Brippa nodded.

After the meeting, King Rama VI left Prince Brippa alone and secretly assigned him some tasks.

"If we propose an alliance with the Chinese Empire, is there any chance of success?" Rama VI asked.

"Your Majesty, do you mean to use the power of the Chinese Empire against Britain and France?" Prince Brippa asked.

"Yes, anyone with a discerning eye can see it. The Chinese Empire has risen, and even Britain and France cannot stop the rise of the Chinese Empire. It is foreseeable that it will not be long before the Chinese Empire will once again become the hegemon of the Far East. Under such circumstances, it would be very unwise for us to sin against the Chinese Empire. If we can have good relations with the Chinese Empire, we may not be able to use the relations of the Chinese Empire to protect Siam. Rama VI said.

Prince Brippa hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Your Majesty, I am afraid this is very difficult. Although the Chinese Empire had only just emerged from Western colonization, it had not been long in coming. However, their ambitions for foreign expansion have been fully revealed. The Kingdom of Korea and the Kingdom of the Ryukyus had once again become vassals of the Chinese Empire. Last year, it annexed the East Indies strongly. Unless we are willing to become a vassal state of the Chinese Empire again, it will be difficult for the Chinese Empire to let us go. ”

"Become a vassal state of the Chinese Empire?" Rama VI frowned, this was unacceptable to him. After all, Siam is now an independent country, the only independent country in the entire Far East, apart from China and Japan. If it becomes a vassal state of the Chinese Empire again, isn't that a self-surrendering status?

"The subject country doesn't have to, the ally can. Siam is located in Southeast Asia, holding the Strait of Malacca, and its geographical location is very important. The Chinese Empire will not fail to see this. If we can form an alliance, it will be of great benefit to the Chinese Empire. In addition, we can guarantee that there will be no more anti-Chinese movements. Rama VI said.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Prince Brippa nodded. However, he personally thinks that such conditions may be difficult for the Chinese Empire to accept.

At the beginning of April 4611 (13) of the Yellow Emperor Era, Prince Bripa, the envoy of the Kingdom of Siam and Minister of the Navy, set off from Bangkok and took a cruise ship to the Chinese Empire to meet the Emperor of the Chinese Empire on behalf of King Rama VI of Siam, hoping to make up for the relationship between the two countries, and at the same time hoping to get the support of the Chinese Empire, so as to get rid of the control of Siam by Britain and France, and truly gain independence.

As for the Kingdom of Siam, the envoy of the Chinese Empire to the Kingdom of Siam had already been noted. However, the reaction of the Chinese Empire to this seems to be a little cold, and it only agreed to the envoy of the Kingdom of Siam to visit China. As to whether the Emperor will receive Prince Bripa, it is difficult to say. Prince Brippa seemed to know this, so the trip was very low-key. In the entire Kingdom of Siam, except for those at the top, the rest of the people did not know about his visit to the Chinese Empire.

On April 12, the envoy of the Kingdom of Siam, Prince Bripa, arrived at Jinmen, where an official from the Imperial Foreign Office was already waiting for him after the ship docked at Jinmen. However, when he learned that this was nothing more than an ordinary official of the Imperial Foreign Office, not even a deputy minister, Prince Bripa's heart could not help but sink. (To be continued.) )

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