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Singapore, Governor's House. Governor Bonham sat in his office, enjoying the peace of the afternoon. Drinking afternoon tea has become a habit for the British, whether in the British mainland or in colonies around the world, as long as there are conditions, the British often like to relax in the afternoon. Of course, it would be best if there was less noise.

Singapore is a small country, and the Governor's House is not very large. Not far from the Governor's Palace is a market, mainly local Chinese-run shops in Singapore. The Governor of Bonham was very impatient with the noise that the market made every day, and ordered the market to be closed several times, but it was unsuccessful due to strong opposition from the local Chinese. In addition, Singapore's tax revenue depends entirely on these Chinese, and if the market is closed, the colonial government's fiscal revenue will also be affected. As a result, Governor Bonham had to abandon this plan.

"I don't know how General Allen is doing? Did you find those yellow-skinned monkeys? It would be great if we could wipe out the navy of those yellow-skinned monkeys. Governor Bonham said. He is full of expectations for this action of Major General Allen, which is why he has not been able to sleep well recently. He hoped that Rear Admiral Allen would be able to annihilate the Xinhua Navy, but at the same time, he was a little afraid that Rear Admiral Allen would fail, so he was very entangled. For more than ten days, no news came back, which made Governor Bonham a little restless.

Governor Bonham had great confidence in the British Navy. 46 'Apollo-class' warships. It is enough to confront the navy of Xinhua. And, he believes, the performance of the 'Apollo-class' warships. It is much higher than the 'shark class' of the Xinhua Navy. In this case, the British Navy has a much better chance of winning. Coupled with the fact that Major General Allen was also very capable, Governor Bonham believed that Major General Allen would bring a great victory to the British. This victory was a long-awaited victory for Governor Bonham and the whole of England.

As long as the navy can win, then Governor Bonham is sure that the new country will be completely destroyed. Because of Britain's own strategic reasons. caused the rise of the new country. Now it seems that this was a huge mistake. If Xinhua had been wiped out in the cradle a few years ago, there would have been no such thing as it is now. Of course. It's not too late to wake up. With the strength of Britain, it is not difficult to destroy the new country. It's just that the price paid now is much greater than before.

After the destruction of the new Chinese kingdom. Britain would be able to take over the whole of the South Seas as a matter of course. Plus the Qing Kingdom in the East. Britain's power will grow exponentially. Britain's position as the world's hegemon will also be more secure. And Governor Bonham, who has made great contributions, will definitely move to a higher position. Governor Bonham did not come from a good background, and being able to become the Governor of the Straits Settlements and hold the title of 'knight' was the result of his own efforts. He is a capable and ambitious man at the same time. Naturally, he will not be satisfied with a colonial governor.

On 8 July, a merchant ship sailed into the port of Singapore. It was a merchant ship of the Kingdom of Belgium. After the British victory in the Opium War, a large number of merchants from European countries began to pour into the East. Trade with the Qing State. The Kingdom of Belgium has always been a pro-British country, willing to be the younger brother of Britain. For such a small country, relying on a strong country can undoubtedly bring them greater benefits.

This merchant ship of the Kingdom of Belgium transported porcelain from the East and shipped it back to Europe for sale. However, this time, the crew of the merchant ship was very nervous. When they passed through the Java Sea yesterday, they had the privilege of witnessing a naval battle between the navy of the new China and the British. When they saw the white flag raised by the warships of the British Navy, the Belgians on the merchant ships were terrified. The mighty British Navy was defeated by the Xinhua Navy, which is too hard to believe. Again, they know exactly what that means.

After the merchant ships docked, the news of the defeat of the British Navy by the Xinhua Navy began to circulate in the port. And it soon reached the ears of the officers of the British colonial authorities. The officials of the colonial authorities did not dare to underestimate it, and hurriedly asked people to find the Belgian captain and ask him about the relevant news. The Belgian captain told the British colonial officials that they happened to pass through the warring waters and witnessed a fierce battle between the Xinhua Navy and the British Navy. The warships of the Xinhua Navy were the kind of steam warships with high chimneys. In the end, the British navy was defeated, and the few remaining warships surrendered to the Xinhua navy.

The officials of the British colonial authorities were immediately frightened, and when they came to their senses, they hurried to the Governor's Palace to report to Governor Bonham. As everyone knows, now that Britain has declared war with Xinhua, the naval battle between the two sides is the most important battle, which can be said to play a decisive role. Once the naval battle is lost, it will be very dangerous for Britain to defeat Xinhua, and even Singapore will be plunged into war.

At 4:15 p.m., the news reached Clark, Governor Bonham's secretary. Clark didn't dare to slack off, and immediately walked into Bonham's office, because the news was so shocking that he even forgot to knock on the door before entering Bonham's office.

Seeing that the secretary walked in without knocking on the door, Governor Bonham couldn't help but frown. Although he is not from an aristocratic background, he pays great attention to the etiquette that nobles should have. Clark had been his secretary for several years, so he should know his temper.

"Poor Clark, what's going on? Why do you seem so restless? Governor Bonham asked.

"Your Excellency the Governor, I just received news that the fleet led by General Allen has been defeated by the Xinhua Navy." Clark said.

"What? How is this possible? This is absolutely impossible, who is spreading rumors? Governor Bonham smacked himself up from the couch with an angry look on his face. He subconsciously thought that the news brought by Clark was wrong and that someone was spreading rumors. The fleet led by Rear Admiral Allen is so powerful, how can it be defeated by the navy of the new country, this is unscientific.

"Your Excellency the Governor, this news was brought by a Belgian captain whose merchant ship happened to pass through the waters of the war and witnessed the war." Clark explained.

"No, I still can't believe it. God, this must be a joke, but it's not April Fool's Day! Governor Bonham shook his head. The Xinhua Navy now has only three fleets and 36 'Shark-class' cruisers in the South Seas, so how can such a strength defeat the British Navy with 46 'Apollo-class' warships.

"Clark, tell me everything you know. No, bring that Belgian captain, I'm going to ask him personally. Governor Bonham said with a dark face. His heart was very panicked and he didn't want to believe this fact.

Soon, the Belgian captain was brought to the Doge's Palace. Governor Bonham questioned him personally, repeated several times, and it took almost two hours for the Belgian captain to be released.

After questioning the Belgian captain himself, Governor Bonham was as if he had been pulled to the bone, and he was so limpous that he was on the sofa. Although he did not want to believe this fact, his reason told him that the Belgian captain really did not lie, and that the British Navy had indeed failed. From the mouth of the Belgian captain, he knew that the Xinhua Navy had dispatched steam warships. There is no doubt that this is a hidden power of the Xinhua Navy, a power that has not been grasped by the British intelligence services. The British Navy thought that the Xinhua Navy had only four fleets of 'Shark-class' cruisers, but in fact, the Xinhua Navy also had a fleet of steam warships. Although the power of these steam warships is not known, since the Xinhua Navy was able to defeat the British Navy, this undoubtedly shows that the power of these steam warships is amazing.

"Despicable and shameless yellow-skinned monkeys, they are always good at these intrigues!" Governor Bonham scolded viciously. If they had known earlier that the Xinhua Navy had these advanced steam warships, they would not have declared war on the Xinhua Kingdom so recklessly. But now it's a good thing, not only did they not be able to defeat Xinhua Guo, but they are also very likely to lose them all! In the South China Seas, the navy is the most crucial thing, and without sea supremacy, everything is empty talk. It can be similar to how the battle will develop after the defeat of the British Navy. Britain will be in extreme passivity. Perhaps, from the very beginning, they should not have started this war.

"Your Excellency the Governor, General Breton is here." Clarke, the secretary, came in and said.

Governor Bonham nodded, and soon, Major General Brighton walked into Governor Bonham's office.

"Your Excellency the Governor, I heard that General Allen failed, is this true?" Major General Bryton asked. You must know that one of their operational plans was formulated on the basis that the British Navy could eliminate the Xinhua Navy and gain sea supremacy in the South Seas. If Major General Allen fails, then their battle plan will be completely overturned.

"General Bletton, we don't have definite news yet. However, judging by the description of the Belgian captain, it is highly likely that General Allen has failed. The navy of the new country hid its strength, they were armed with an advanced steam warship. I think that General Allen was defeated at the hands of these steam warships. Governor Bonham said.

"Damn, how can this be?" Major General Bleton couldn't help but scold.

"General, if Xinhua attacks Singapore, can we hold it?" Governor Bonham asked. Now, he is undoubtedly most concerned about this question. (To be continued......)