PS: The third update is here, asking for subscriptions, monthly passes and recommended tickets!

"Yu-sama! The British Empire has always been neutral in this war between the Chinese Empire and the Qing Dynasty. I don't think Japan will change its stance even now. In addition, according to the Memorandum of Understanding on the Sino-British Burma Conflict signed between the British Empire and the Chinese Empire, Britain would no longer be able to provide weapons assistance to the Qing State, otherwise it would be regarded as a challenge to the Chinese Empire. The navy of the Chinese Empire has also stepped up inspections of British ships, and we have no intention of violating the treaty we have signed. Therefore, in this regard, I can only say sorry! "John. Minister Davis said. Besides, in the current season, even if the British transported weapons and equipment to the Manchus by sea, they would not be able to reach Tianjin. The Bohai Sea had been frozen, and the other coasts in the east had fallen under the control of the Chinese Empire.

Heard John. After Minister Davis's answer, Yucheng, the Minister of Military Aircraft of the Manchu Qing Dynasty and the secretary of the Ministry of War, was a little disappointed. However, he can also understand that these foreign devils value actual interests the most. The Manchus were already at an absolute disadvantage in the confrontation with the Chinese Empire, and it was good that they did not fall into the trap, and it was simply impossible to expect them to help at a critical moment.

"Your Excellency, is there no other way? If the Great Qing Dynasty is destroyed by the rebels, this will definitely be a huge threat to the British Empire. Compared with the Chinese Empire, which was constantly expanding abroad, the Qing Dynasty was undoubtedly a peace-loving country. Without the containment of the Qing Dynasty, the Chinese Empire would have expanded outward again. When the time comes. The colonies of the British Empire will definitely be threatened! Minister of Military Aircraft and Minister of War Shangshu Yucheng continued.

"Yu-sama, you're right. However, I will report these things back home. As for what will happen next. It has to be quite a domestic arrangement. "John. Minister Davis didn't say anything to death. However, in his opinion, it was impossible for the British Empire to go to war with a power like the Chinese Empire for the sake of the Manchu Dynasty. More importantly, even in the event of a war, the British Empire did not seem to have much chance of winning. Although the British Empire is still an unshakable world hegemon, it cannot fully gain the upper hand in terms of military strength. Especially in the Far East. It is even more not an opponent of the Chinese Empire. Needless to say, the army of the British Empire had already proven on the battlefield in Burma that it was not at all an opponent of the Chinese Imperial Army. And the Navy. When the Chinese Emperor Long Yufei visited Europe, the strength of the 'Western Zhou-class' warships had already made the whole of Europe known. In a navy that was superior, the British Empire was at a disadvantage. This allowed the British Empire in a short period of time. There was simply no capital to go to war with the Chinese Empire. After all. If it is defeated by the Chinese Empire again, the British Empire's position as the world hegemon will probably be shaken.

"Your Excellency, please help me. In addition, I have a debt of 20 million pounds to the British Empire. If the Qing Dynasty loses this war, I am afraid that it will not be able to repay these debts at all. And the Chinese Empire, which destroyed the Qing Dynasty, will certainly not admit these debts! Yucheng continued. The reason why Britain was willing to lend money to the Manchus was to arm the Manchus and then contain the Chinese Empire. If the Manchus were destroyed. Isn't all this money just down the drain?

John. Minister Davis couldn't help frowning, a low-interest loan of twenty million pounds. If it can't be recovered, it will definitely be a heavy blow to the British Empire. Even though the British Empire has a lot of money, 20 million pounds is equivalent to more than 30 percent of the British Empire's fiscal revenue last year. In particular, the money was borrowed from the major banks in the UK as a guarantee by the British government. If you don't do it, I'm afraid there will be big problems. Of course, it is certain that if the Manchus were destroyed, they really had no way to recover this money.

"Your Excellency, can we get domestic pressure on the Chinese Empire to agree to peace talks with the Qing Dynasty? A war-torn Far East is a factor of instability for the whole world. If the Qing State is willing to pay a certain price, perhaps the two sides will be able to reconcile. Lieutenant General Albert said suddenly. Since the Manchus did not hold him accountable for his strategic mistakes. Then, it was natural for him to return the favor and give some help to the Manchus at the right time.

"Peace negotiations? Will the Chinese Empire agree? "John. Minister Davis was somewhat unsure. After all, now that the Chinese Empire has the upper hand, even Russia has joined the war, the threat posed to them is still not large. It can even be said that the victory of the Chinese Empire in the war is already certain. At this time, it is almost impossible to get the Chinese Empire to agree to negotiate. Comparing hearts to hearts, such a situation is put on the British Empire, and the British Empire will certainly not agree to it. However, this seems to be a problem-solving idea, and it can be considered. If the British Empire had been willing to exert its influence, it might have been able to do so.

"Your Excellency, the Qing Dynasty is willing to negotiate with the Chinese Empire. As long as the demands of the Chinese Empire are not excessive, of course we will agree to end the war! Yucheng, the Minister of Military Aircraft of the Manchu Qing Dynasty and the Secretary of the Ministry of War, hurriedly said. If peace talks can be made, or even an end to the war, the Manchus will naturally not object. After all, if the war continued, the Manchus would most likely be destroyed. At the same time, Yucheng also glanced at Lieutenant General Albert gratefully, if Lieutenant General Albert hadn't taken the initiative to mention this matter, he really didn't know how to say it.

"Well, Lord Yu, I will report back to China and explain the importance of peace between the Qing and the Chinese Empire to the British Empire. However, I don't know what the cabinet will do! "John. Sir Davis said. He was just a small envoy to the Manchus, and he could not influence the implementation of British foreign policy at all, and all he could do was to explain to the cabinet as much as possible how much the Manchu preservation would benefit Britain.

"Thank you, Your Excellency, if we can keep the Qing Dynasty, we will never forget Your Excellency's kindness to us. When the time comes, we will prepare a generous gift to His Excellency the Minister and His Excellency the General! Yucheng hurriedly said.

John. Minister Davis and Lieutenant General Albert both nodded with satisfaction, these Manchu officials are still relatively good at behaving. During the New Year's holidays, I prepare gifts for them. John. Minister Davis was fond of Oriental antiques, while Lieutenant General Albert was fond of gold and silver jewelry. During the period of service in Dongfang, both of them have gained a lot. If the Manchu Qing were destroyed, the two of them would also be cut off from these incomes. Therefore, from this point of view, the two still sincerely hope that the Manchus will continue to survive.

After Yucheng left, John. Minister Davis sent a long telegram to London, in which John Brown sent a long telegram to London. Minister Davis elaborated on his views. He believed that the continued existence of the Manchus would be of great help to the British Empire, or at least serve to contain the Chinese Empire. The British Empire Britain did its best to help the Manchus tide over this difficult time. In addition, if it could unite with Russia, the great strength of the two countries should be able to force the Chinese Empire to accept the demands of peace negotiations. Of course, there was no need for Britain to go to war with the Chinese Empire for the sake of the Manchus if the Chinese Empire strongly objected. Because then they will lose more.

After receiving the telegram, the British Prime Minister, Earl Stanley, summoned the British cabinet ministers to discuss the situation in the Far East. Minister Davis's point of view. and ordered the Minister of Manchu Qing to be stationed in John. Sir Davis and Sir Bonham, Minister to China, made every effort to broker peace talks between the Chinese Empire and the Manchus. At the same time, they also made a restriction, that is, the British Empire must not get too deep into this matter. There was no need for the British Empire to put itself in for the sake of the Manchus.

After that, John. Minister Davis informed the Manchu government that Britain was willing to bring about peace between the Manchus and the Chinese Empire. At about the same time, Ivan, the Russian minister to the Manchus, also received an order from the country to facilitate negotiations between Russia, the Manchus, and the Chinese Empire. Of course, Russia's aim was simple, to delay as much time as possible, and finally until next spring, when the Russian army would be able to reach the Far East, control Mongolia and Xinjiang, as well as the Northeast. In this case, no matter how the situation develops, Russia will not be afraid of the Chinese Empire.

After receiving replies from Britain and Russia, the Manchus breathed a sigh of relief. The shadow of the previous defeat made it seem as if a mountain had been pressed in their hearts. Although, suing for peace with the Chinese Empire, it would be very faceless. However, if you persist any longer, you won't even be able to save the country, and it will be even more useless to save face!

"Ladies and gentlemen, with the help of Britain and Russia, we should be able to make peace with the rebels. In this case, we will finally be able to get through the crisis! Lord Sai, when the place and time of the peace talks are decided, you will participate in the negotiations as the plenipotentiary of the Qing Dynasty! Remember, in the negotiations, try to protect the interests of the Qing Dynasty as much as possible. Only when the losses are reduced as much as possible will it be possible for us to regain our strength. There will be a chance to make a comeback in the future! "The regent loves Xin Jueluo. Mianyu said. Now, his face is much better.

"Yes, my lord, the slave obeys!" (To be continued......)