Singapore, Governor-General's House of the Straits Settlements of the British Empire.

Sir Anderson was like a wolf in a trap, restlessly turning back and forth, and every ten minutes he could not help but call out to his secretary.

He was waiting for the latest telegrams from elsewhere, hoping to learn about the latest movements of the Chinese navy, the real purpose of the Chinese government, the coping strategies of the congressional dignitaries, and the views of the Indian governor.

His subordinates were turned around by the regiment under his command, and a telegraph line, regardless of whether others needed it or not, was running at full speed around his requirements, constantly sending out telegrams, making the telegraph operator sweat profusely, as if he had just finished a marathon.

After waiting a little longer, Sir Anderson screamed in a frenzy: "Damn it! Why haven't I gotten the message I wanted? What the hell are they doing?! Don't you know how urgent the situation is? Answer me! ”

Poor secretary freaked out! He had never seen His Excellency the Governor, who had always been meticulous in manners, so hysterical, as if he had taken the wrong medicine. That stack of urging and scolding is the same as urging, doesn't he know that most of the places that need to be answered are higher than him? It's useful to be angry with a little person!

However, he did not dare to speak back, so he turned his head and urged the telegraph operator. Anyway, he doesn't have to spend his own money, whether the guy on the other side is annoyed or not, that's not in his consideration. In short, today's matter is too big, so big that it is no longer possible for overseas colonial institutions like theirs to express their opinions.

All this is because the Chinese Navy has made it clear that the whole fleet will officially pass through the Strait of Malacca.

For more than a decade, although the Chinese Navy has grown rapidly to become the strongest force in the Far East, from the establishment of the New Dynasty to the present day, no matter how much the British Empire has thickened the New Warships of the Far East Fleet. However, the overall strength is still not at the level of the Chinese Navy.

Without overwhelming superiority, victory in a conflict cannot be guaranteed. Before the latest "Queen Elizabeth class" battleships were commissioned, the upper echelons of the British Navy did not have the courage to challenge the world's most powerful warships.

After the completion of the Chinese naval base in the Sultan of Brunei, the South China Sea Fleet patrolling territorial waters became the norm. Although the vast majority of them were just destroyers or cruisers circling, Britain, France, the Netherlands, and other countries did not dare to provoke them.

Because they are well aware that once annoyed. The four battleships of the South China Sea Fleet will definitely be dispatched, and when the time comes, it will not be as simple as striking at their power in South Asia. The security of the colonies in Southeast Asia is a big problem!

The British Empire's Far East Navy was struggling, and after losing a series of colonies and docking points, they wanted to assert their presence by setting sail from Singapore and calling at the port of Vietnam, and from then on there was no port for replenishment during the 3,000-nautical-mile voyage to Yokohama, Japan.

Ports controlled by China are not open to them. This is the evil result of the mutual blockade between China and the great powers because of the hostilities.

Because China unilaterally tore up the unequal treaties and refused to fulfill the series of treaties and agreements that the Great Powers had forced the Manchus to sign at the time, the Great Powers also refused to recognize the legitimate status of New China, and maintained confrontation and trade blockade.

As a result, China has never been able to expand its global trade, and after its ships sail out of the Pacific Ocean, they cannot get any supply points in the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean. All sail directly from the South China Sea to Africa through the Dutch-controlled Java Sea.

Such a route of 5,000 nautical miles in one fell swoop was at the beginning of the 20th century. It is very dangerous. Once there is a problem with the ship, it is difficult to find a quick rescue. Even if China had a strong radio network coverage early on. In the end, there is no guarantee that there will be ships on the route for a long time.

The confrontation has been going on for a whole decade, but in fact, both China and the West are tired.

The European powers lost markets for all of China and most of the Asian countries, and the industrial trade of Britain and France in particular shrank severely, leading to a further exacerbation of the economic crisis.

Although China has huge domestic demand to ensure the production capacity consumption brought about by the surge in industrial capacity, it has been difficult to open up high-quality markets in the West, which is not a good thing.

Today. The Chinese Navy took the initiative to visit countries around the world and briefed them a little in advance, and all countries gave a happy reply. However, the specific standard of reception has not yet been discussed.

Even now, countries have not figured it out. Is China planning to show weakness and take the initiative to ease contradictions and relations? Or do you want to declare force to the nations and officially declare their participation in the game of world domination?

In the entire Western world, only the United States has expressed its stance most cordially and directly, and they welcome the return visit of Chinese friends -- this is a response to the smooth visit of the US "Great White Fleet" in the past. In the past ten years, only the Americans have not fallen out with China and have always maintained trade and political exchanges.

In addition, the statement of the British Empire is particularly crucial.

Unexpectedly, the bureaucratic style of the big men in London was too excessive, and the quarrels were endless. Seeing that the Chinese warship drove under the nose of Malacca, it still did not come up with a clear attitude and standard.

Sir Anderson didn't scold his mother.

Let the Chinese fleet pass through Malacca, that is quite representative. Proof that the British Empire accepted an olive branch from China? Or are you planning to ease relations with China? Does it also mean that the coast of the Indian Ocean, the Suez Canal, etc., are open to China?

The point is that China has just fought a war with Ruo, and the statements of the great powers are particularly delicate at this time.

All countries already know that China has a clear tendency to favor the Germans when exporting industrial technology and warship manufacturing equipment and weapons technology. Germany was in conflict with Russia and France, and was in fierce competition with Britain in building ships. Is there an unknown tacit understanding between China and Germany? Will Britain's rash statement further deepen the contradictions between Britain and France, and even affect the change of dominance in Europe and the world?

British politicians like to think too much, and many politicians get together in a bunch, and each person has dozens of hearts, and then it will be a complete mess. They grossly overestimate the efficiency of their own decision-making, but as a result, they have severely pitted the specific people who do the work!

An anxious atmosphere permeated the Governor's Palace, and the sound of staff trotting back and forth sounded particularly harsh. Sir Anderson became more and more distraught.

Just as he was about to erupt, a secretary rushed in and stammered, "Here it is!" ”

Sir Anderson frowned and scolded: "Make it clear!" Who's coming?! ”

"The Chinese fleet, they are coming!"

"So fast?! I remember they were still in Brunei yesterday. ”

His Excellency the Governor subconsciously muttered a sentence, and then came back to his senses, as if he had eaten a lump of stool. His face turned yellow and white, changed several times, and finally gritted his teeth and stomped his feet, and shouted fiercely: "Forget it! Just do it according to the best specifications! Tell to go down and prepare a salute! In addition, the Chinese invented code telegrams and welcomed them peacefully through Malacca! ”

"Huh?! But sir, we have not received orders from London! ”

The secretary was taken aback! Staring at him with round eyes, he wasn't sure if he had heard it wrong!

It's been a few days in a row, and I've been busy here and there, but your old man hasn't dared to make a decision. Is it just to get clear instructions? Why did the Chinese suddenly kill and pinch as soon as they came?

Sir Anderson was annoyed by his stupid appearance, and roared, "What are you still doing? Do you want me to call in person?! ”

"Oooh! I understand! The secretary came to his senses and stumbled away.

Jazz spun around several times in place, and finally slapped the table hard, cursing in a low voice: "Damn bastards, they're all stupid people who don't take responsibility!" ”

He sighed helplessly in his heart, he must have been betrayed by someone. Nothing is fine. Once the Chinese get into trouble on the road, he will definitely be the first to carry the black pot!

On the sea at the exit of Malacca. The Chinese fleet lined up in a dense formation, and drove mightily. Other ships passing on both sides were intercepted by the British in advance, and the entire channel was unobstructed. Some ships flying the flags of various countries hid far away in the harbor, looking out from the heights of the mainmast.

In the flagship command room, the clear code telegram was delivered as soon as possible, and after Sa Zhenbing read it. Ordered the fleet to continue to pass, turned to Yang Hao and smiled: "It seems that the British are quite rational and have not made any moves that make us unhappy." ”

Yang Hao said: "Or, they are using this means to make us temporarily relax our vigilance." As far as I think. I'm afraid the British are not so honest, if they don't engage in moths halfway, then they are not the world's No. 1-stirring stick! ”

Sa Zhenbing and the officers in the command room were amused on the spot by his miraculous metaphor.

But they don't know where this comes from. At this time, the British Empire was still the undisputed number one power in the world, and it did not experience the two wars that completely exhausted his confidence, and everything was imposing and domineering.

After laughing, Sa Zhenbing asked thoughtfully: "You mean, the British are not sincere?" Will they come at us at some point later? ”

Yang Hao nodded: "The possibility is very high." The British, as I know, are not much worse than our own country, and sometimes even better. They must find out our true purpose before the fleet reaches the shores of Europe. Don't forget, there is a deep grudge between China and Britain that has not been reconciled! ”

Sa Zhenbing's chin was raised, and he snorted coldly: "Let them come over!" I don't mind letting the British see how strong we are! ”

Yang Hao nodded, having no doubt about this.

Regardless of the fact that there are only four battleships, but a battleship with modern radar and a range of electronic equipment, its combat effectiveness is several times that of contemporary battleships, which is not an exaggeration at all. With his presence, there is no need to worry about the lack of supplies thousands of miles away. The British think they can bully the weak, so don't burst your big teeth when the time comes!

The fleet sailed into the strait at a constant speed, and directly ahead, a British cruiser departed from the harbor, raised its flag in front, and then fired its guns.

Sa Zhenbing ordered the flagship to fire a salute in response, as if it were genuinely friendly.

It was not until they reached the other exit of the strait that the British cruiser blew its horn and turned off course to the right, and watched from close quarters as the Chinese visiting fleet slowly accelerated and drove past one after another.

The British captains and officers stared through the binoculars at the last battleship in the distance, and then sighed reluctantly: "What a beautiful fellow!" I don't know how the Chinese designed and built it, it's hard to imagine that they were so backward ten years ago! ”

He then reported it to the Governor's Palace. Mr. Sir let out a long sigh and sighed, "It's finally over." ”

After a while, he ordered a telegram to be sent to London, reporting it truthfully, and in a short time a reply came, with only three words: "Well done." ”

Sir Anderson suddenly went limp, and almost fell to the ground on the spot, opening his mouth to curse something, but he had no strength at all.

He didn't know that at this time, the upper echelons of London were arguing into a pot of porridge!

Previously, the Liberal Party, represented by Prime Minister Asquith, repeatedly stressed that "it is time to reconcile with the Chinese!" They have become a modern civilization excesses, and the equality policy and the rule of law promoted by the whole people are obvious to all. Despite these problems, in general, we should not continue to see them as enemies, but should try to develop them into partnerships that can lead the world together! It turns out that they have that ability, and they are not bad! ”

The Liberal Party, which has been governing since 1905, has faced an unprecedented economic crisis and fiscal deficit pressure. Britain's frenzied arms build-up and preparations for war have reached the brink of collapse in the face of the shrinking of its overseas colonies and the repeated increase in the destruction of resistance!

If Britain did not reconcile with China as soon as possible, not only would Britain not be able to resume commercial activities in Asia, but even its colonies would face further threats. Once the Chinese seize Burma and launch a plot against India, it will be a fatal blow to Britain!

Trying to defeat the Chinese by force becomes impossible, and reconciliation is the only way out.

But the conservatives don't think so. Before the ouster of Prime Minister Arthur. Balfour was already dissatisfied with the Liberal government's attempt to increase taxes on the rich and landlords, and at this time he was even more vocal in his opposition to the "whims" of the Liberal Party.

Another key Conservative Party member, the aristocratic Admiral Winston Churchill, reversed his obstruction of the Navy's budget increase when he was Secretary of Commerce last year, and instead desperately fought for more naval spending and expanded the construction of new super-battleships.

In his words: "The British Empire must firmly maintain its dominance in the world, and must not hesitate to put the most powerful warships in the right place!" We are not obligated to take care of homes for other countries, but we must guard the core interests! ”

What are Core Benefits? The face of the British Empire is one of them.

When China won the war against Russia, its sudden high-profile naval visit was directly judged by the British Conservatives to be a "demonstration of force and gunboat diplomacy." This is an attempt to defeat the power of a powerful Western country and to force the European countries in the midst of a confrontational crisis to recognize their status.

The grumpy and arrogant Churchill was so disgusted by this that he made it clear that he objected to the discussion of whether to give the Chinese Navy a high-profile reception.

"We can't send the wrong signal to the Chinese that that's all over the past." No, what a joke! The treaties that have been signed must not be torn up at will! The rights and interests of the British Empire must be protected! The empire also absolutely does not accept any form of blackmail, preferring to fight to the end rather than compromise! ”

The opinions on both sides are bullish, and no one can convince anyone.

Sir Anderson was forced to make a hasty decision, much to the relief of the Liberal delegates and the Prime Minister, who thought it was a good start.

But Churchill and others seemed to be seriously humiliated, and while lashing out, they urgently called on their own men and horses, and must use this as an opportunity to try to seize more seats and voice in the House of Lords.

In addition, it is necessary to find a way to give their imaginary "proud" Chinese an impressive dismount! (To be continued.) )