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On July 25, 1902, the third day after the discovery of the Bouqueig oil field in China, French President Emile-François Loube convened an emergency meeting of the government, which was attended by ministers of various important departments. Everyone's eyes were red, like rabbits. Not because of anything else, but because of pink eye. The reserves of more than a billion tons in the Buguaige field, worth more than 10 billion francs, have almost driven them into madness.

"Ladies and gentlemen, according to the information we have received, it has been confirmed that the Bugeig oil field discovered by the Chinese in the Hasa region has reserves of more than one billion tons! So, what should we do now? French President Lubet asked. In fact, he would rather the Middle East be free of oil. In this way, perhaps there will be no conflict with the Chinese, and he can pass this term safely, or even get the next one. It's just that the emergence of the super oil field has left him with no choice, and the industrial and commercial capitalists in France will never let go of such a big piece of cake.

"Your Excellency, the Middle East is our colony, the Kingdom of Najd is us, those vile and shameless Chinese, they are thieves, they are thieves, they have stolen the wealth of the French Republic, we must take it back!" Finance Minister Maurice Ruvier was the first to respond, it is a super oil field worth more than 10 billion francs, and now France's annual fiscal revenue is only more than 3 billion francs, which is already several times the French fiscal revenue!

"Your Excellency, the importance of oil. We all already know that. The Middle East was originally a colony belonging to France, and the oil there belonged to us and must not be taken away by the Chinese. Even if it is a fight for this, it will not hesitate! War Minister Charles Fresiné also said. As early as when China intervened in the Middle East, he had already made a strong statement, and now, the discovery of the super oil field has made him know that his decision is the right one. Just last night. Quite a few French businessmen have already met with him and lobbied him to speak in the government and use force against the Middle East.

President Lube nodded, but asked, "We can see the value of oil in the Middle East." The Chinese also know, not to mention that the oil was discovered by the Chinese. Therefore, if you want the Chinese to return, it is impossible, unless the means of war are adopted. However, I would like to ask, even if it is a war. Can the French army and navy win for France? ”

"Your Excellency, the French team will do its best to win!" The Minister of War, Charles Fresiné, replied that he did not dare to pack the ticket. This is the only way to answer. China's military strength is well known. If France wants to defeat China on the battlefield, it will not be ordinary! At least, France now has just over 10,000 troops in the Middle East. And the Chinese have already deployed a marine division in the Hasa area, nearly 20,000 people. Plus the Kingdom's 50,000 troops. It is also under the command of the Chinese. Therefore, France will not have any advantage in military power in the Middle East. In the event of a war, France would likely be defeated in the Middle East.

"That is, the army is not sure of victory? If it fails, what should we do? President Lube continued.

The heat in everyone's eyes has slowly receded, and President Lubet's question undoubtedly poured cold water on his head. To regain oil in the Middle East, it is necessary to fight a war with the Chinese. If you win the war, you can say that if you drive the Chinese away, you will be able to take possession of the oil. But what if you lose? At the very least, France in the Middle East is distracted, and their current government will all step down. Even, France will lose even more. And is France capable of defeating China? At least, many people don't have that confidence.

"Your Excellency, there is no way back for us now, and now all the French people already know that there is oil in the Middle East, and that the oil still belongs to France. If we don't do something effective, the angry crowd will just throw us out of power! Prime Minister Waldek Rousseau reminded. Now France has been difficult to ride a tiger, knowing that the outbreak of a major war will not have any good results, but they have to bite the bullet.

President Lubet has a lot of headaches, and if he wins, he will naturally become a hero of France, and it will not be a problem to get the next term. But if he loses, then he is the best scapegoat.

"Minister Feresi, does the War Department have a specific battle plan?" President Lube asked.

"Your Excellency, according to our plan, if we want to retake the Middle East region and drive out the Chinese, we must at least send more than 300,000 combat troops to the Middle East. In addition, the navy must ensure the safety of shipping lanes in the Mediterranean, and the Chinese navy will never let us enter the Indian Ocean! Said War Minister Charles Fresine.

"Three hundred thousand?" Everyone exclaimed. Because of the confrontation between the Entente and the Central Powers, France's standing army had increased considerably, but now the total number of troops was less than 500,000. If most of the troops are to be invested in the Middle East at once, the military expenditure will definitely be a daily figure, and in everyone's opinion, the cost is too great. And, after paying so much, it is not always possible to win.

"Guys, 300,000 people, not many. Although the Chinese have deployed less than 20,000 troops in the Middle East now, if they want to, they can deploy more than 200,000 troops in the Middle East within a month. And the combat effectiveness of the Chinese Army, everyone has also heard of it, even if they are not comparable to the German Army, but they will not be too different. Therefore, 300,000 people is just a conservative estimate. If the war doesn't go well, maybe more troops will be invested! War Minister Charles Fresiné reminded.

"300,000 troops, wouldn't the military expenditure required reach more than a billion francs? Or even more? "Finance Minister Maurice Ruvier's face is a little ugly, although France's fiscal revenue is relatively abundant, but because of the increase in military investment, it is now a little unable to make ends meet. If it were to use force in the Middle East, the French treasury would not be able to come up with that much money.

"As for military spending, several major banks and enterprises in China have decided to jointly provide loans to the government, but they demand that after the Chinese are driven out, the oil in the Middle East will be handed over to them for exploitation!" This was stated by the Minister of War Charles Fresiné.

"These greedy capitalists!" Everyone couldn't help but curse secretly. Obviously, these capitalists paid for it, France sent troops, and then went to plunder the profits. Of course, the French government is also able to reap some benefits. The prerequisite is to be able to defeat the Chinese.

"Then, according to the current situation, this war between us and the Chinese must be fought! But the dilemma we are facing now is whether we can defeat China, and if it fails, it will be a huge disaster for us and for France! President Lube reminded.

"Your Excellency, I do think that diplomacy can be used. Now that the Chinese have occupied the oil fields, it is impossible to want them to withdraw. But if the Chinese can give us a share of the proceeds from these fields, or let us develop them with them. Then maybe we could avoid war! Foreign Minister Alexander Ribotti yì said. Although this would not be possible to monopolize the interests of the Middle East, it would be a good outcome for France to be able to obtain these benefits without going to war.

"Humph! Sir Ribo, I think you might be disappointed! In order to lease the coastal area of the Persian Gulf, the Chinese paid a price of 100 million Chinese yuan a year, and relying on a single Bugeig oil field, at least for the first few years, the Chinese could not obtain any benefits. Unless the price of oil doubles, or the Chinese discover other big oil fields again. Otherwise, the Chinese will definitely not share the benefits there with us! Finance Minister Maurice Ruvier said.

Everyone agrees with this. After all, the Chinese are not fools, they have spent so much money and taken so many risks, and it is completely impossible for them to share part of their interests with France in vain. If such a thing had happened to France, at least not in France.

"Your Excellency Ribo, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can contact the Chinese, and if the Chinese are willing to make concessions, it will naturally be better. If we don't want to, then we can only resort to war! President Lube said.

"Yes, Your Excellency. In addition, I would like to mention that we will unite with the British to put pressure on the Chinese, and even, if a war breaks out with China, we will go to war with China together. In that case, we have a much better chance of winning. I think the British are also very coveted for Middle Eastern oil. Although we will get a big discount on the UK, it is much better than losing the war and losing a qiē! Foreign Minister Alexander Ribotti yì said.

"That's a good idea, and I'll summon the British ambassador to France when the meeting is over!" President Lube nodded.

Other important officials, although they felt that it would be a little painful to give a part of the benefits to Britain. But if they can bring Britain together against China, then their chances of victory will be much greater. In this way, it is also very cost-effective.

After the meeting, French President Lubet summoned the British ambassador to France and expressed France's views to the British side.