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"Your Excellency Prime Minister, I don't think we should give up on Thailand, we should take this opportunity to return to the South Seas. After the loss of the Straits Settlements, our influence in the South Seas and the Far East has fallen to a freezing point, which has affected the interests of the British Empire. If we can use Thailand as a base, we will re-establish the empire's influence in the South Seas and the Far East as a whole, which is necessary to contain the development of the Chinese empire. "British Foreign Secretary Henry. Viscount Temple sent a letter to Prime Minister John Thomp. Sir Russell made his point.

John. Sir Russell nodded, he did not deny that this time Thailand took the initiative to ask for an alliance with Britain, which was a rare opportunity for Britain. However, the risks should not be overlooked. In the unlikely event that a full-scale war between the British Empire and the Chinese Empire were to arise, it would be in conflict with the current strategy of the British Empire.

"Your Excellency, I know that Thailand's geographical position is important, and that if the British Empire were able to master Thailand, it would be of great benefit. However, you can't deny that if the Chinese Empire still wags war against Thailand after the alliance with Thailand, should we return to the treaty and declare war on the Chinese Empire? "John. Sir Russell asked rhetorically.

"Your Excellency Prime Minister, I don't think that the Chinese Empire will insist on waging war under such circumstances, they will retreat. As if on Hong Kong, as long as the empire remains tough, the Chinese will back down. If there is a first retreat, there will be a second or even a third! "Henry. Viscount Temple said.

"Your Excellency the Foreign Secretary. It's all your guess, but we can't take that risk. Last time we forced the Chinese Empire to back down. But this time, it's hard to say whether they will back down. I think we should be a little more cautious. The current military strength of the British Empire is rapidly recovering, and we cannot afford to break out a war with the Chinese Empire at this time. "John. Russell reiterated. He hopes to spend the last two years of his term. Be able to settle down and seek re-election for the next term.

"Your Excellency, I have a different opinion on this. This time the opportunity is very good. If you let it go, it will be difficult to have such an opportunity in the future. We should not let this opportunity go. I would like to request Your Excellency the Prime Minister to convene other senior cabinet ministers to discuss this matter. "Henry. Temple himself still stands by his opinion. He believes that other cabinet ministers. Would agree with him.

John. Sir Russell's eyes flashed with anger. He felt it, it was Henry. Viscount Temple was challenging him. The reason why Henry. Viscount Temple drew closer to the cabinet in order to leverage his strong influence among the British aristocracy. But now, Henry. Viscount Temple seems to have an idea of his own. This made John. Sir Russell felt the danger. Although, John. Sir Russell is the Prime Minister, but on many important issues, he still has to refer to the advice of other cabinet ministers. In this way, the cabinet will be stable. Only then can we ensure that we are in power.

"All right, Your Excellency the Foreign Secretary. I will immediately gather the other cabinet ministers to discuss this proposal! "John. Sir Russell said.

"Thank you, Your Excellency Prime Minister." Henry. Viscount Temple didn't seem to see John. Sir Russell's somewhat ugly face was the same, and his face was still full of smiles. There is no doubt that Henry. Viscount Temple was not willing to be a foreign secretary only, he wanted to rise to a higher position. However, this requires him to make greater achievements. Now, what could be more rewarding than containing the Chinese Empire? If it can successfully stop the expansion of the Chinese Empire, or even allow Britain to return to the South Seas, Henry. Viscount Temple will certainly have the support of many people, so that in the next election, he will have a good chance of defeating John. Sir Russell has become the new Prime Minister.

Now that the British Empire was in a state of flux, the cabinet ministers had nothing else to do. Prime Minister John. After Russell gave the order, these cabinet ministers arrived at the prime minister's office in just twenty minutes.

"Gentlemen, I have gathered you today because I have one thing to discuss with you. Under the threat of the Chinese Empire, Thailand took the initiative to ask us for an alliance. So, now should we accede to the request of the Thais and form an alliance with them? Let everyone have their opinions! "Prime Minister John . Sir Russell said.

"Ministers, I think this is a great opportunity for us. If we can form an alliance with Thailand, we can station troops in Thailand and redeploy both the army and navy to the South Seas, which will be very helpful to increase the influence of the empire in the South Seas. In addition, and more importantly, we can more fully contain China and once again dominate the competition with China. Therefore, I am in favour of an alliance with Thailand. I hope that you will think carefully about the fact that such good opportunities do not always come to the British Empire. "Henry. Viscount Temple waited until John. After Russell's words were finished, he couldn't wait to jump out and express his opinion.

"But, Your Excellency, Your Excellency, the Chinese Empire has clearly revealed its ambitions for Thailand, and if we form an alliance with Thailand at this time, won't it be clear that it wants to confront China? That's not a good thing. I don't think we can further plan our contradictions with the Chinese Empire for the sake of a Thailand. "Chancellor of the Exchequer Charles. Sir Wood made his point clear.

"Humph! I believe that as long as we form an alliance with Thailand, the Chinese Empire will not attack Thailand. Otherwise, it would lead to a full-scale war with the British Empire, which would not have benefited the Chinese Empire at all. The Chinese are not fools, they also see this, so on the Hong Kong issue, they will choose to compromise and retreat. "Henry. Temple himself retorted.

"Your Excellency, what is your opinion?" John. Sir Russell asked. On whether to form an alliance with Thailand, and whether it would lead to a war with the Chinese Empire, War Minister Thomas Murphy Thomas. Sir Grosvenor and Lord of the Admiralty, William. Sir Parker has a big say.

"Your Excellency, if we are to form an alliance with Thailand, we must be prepared for war with the Chinese Empire. Once war breaks out, we can only ensure the interests of the empire by holding Thailand, otherwise, the empire will not only lose the slightest benefit, but will also suffer heavy losses. However, we must clearly know that in the South Seas, the Chinese Empire has an absolute military advantage. If we want to hold Thailand, it is initially estimated that at least 200,000 elite troops must be deployed in Thailand! "Thomas. Sir Grosvenor said.

"Two hundred thousand elite troops? So much? "John. Sir Russell and the others exclaimed.

"Your Excellency, 200,000 elite troops are just the most basic number, and if the Chinese Empire attacks Thailand with all its might, 200,000 may not be enough." Thomas. Sir Grosvenor said. After all, Britain had to travel thousands of miles to send troops to Thailand, and the Chinese Empire was much more convenient. Moreover, in the event of war, the Chinese Empire could cut off the Strait of Malacca, leaving the British troops deployed in Thailand under siege. These, Thomas. Sir Grosvenor didn't say anything, he was very unoptimistic about an alliance with Thailand. If not, this will be a disaster for the British Empire.

"But if we threaten to cut off the trade routes between the Chinese Empire and Europe, the Chinese will not turn against us." Henry. Viscount Temple said.

"Your Excellency, the same method cannot be used continuously. The Chinese Empire is a powerful country, and if we provoke them again and again, the Chinese Empire will definitely fight with us. This was not a good thing for the British Empire. In addition, the refitting of the Royal Navy has only just begun, and our first steam battleship is just beginning to be mass-produced. Therefore, in this period, it is better for us not to stimulate the Chinese Empire, and not to conflict with the Chinese Empire because of a small Thailand. "Admiral William. Sir Parker's Tree Cave.

Henry. Viscount Temple was a little frustrated, and among the several important ministers in the cabinet, there was no support for him at all, which made him just want to challenge John. Sir Russell's thoughts were snuffed out in the cradle.

"Gentlemen, if that is the case, then we will reply to the Viceroy of India, Henry. Sir Harding, refuse to form an alliance with Thailand! "John. Sir Russell said. He was in a better mood and beat Henry. Viscount Temple's provocation made his position much more stable.

"Your Excellency Prime Minister, I think that even if we can't form an alliance with Thailand, we can give them some help within our ability, such as supporting some weapons and equipment from Thailand, etc., only by enhancing Thailand's strength can they drag China down and consume the strength of the Chinese!" Secretary of War Thomas. Sir Grosvenor said.

"This is a good way, after the War Department has formulated a plan, it will be implemented!" John. Sir Russell said.

"Your Excellency, Prime Minister, in addition, the War Department has a plan that, if successful, will greatly improve India's security." Thomas. Sir Grosvenor said.

"Oh? What is the plan? "John. Sir Russell asked.

"Your Excellency, Prime Minister, I propose that we once again wage war against Burma and bring Burma under our rule. In this way, we would create a buffer zone between India and the Chinese Empire. "Thomas. Sir Grosvenor said. (To be continued......)