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After entering September, the flood season in the Yangtze River basin gradually began to end. The preparations for the war of the Chinese Empire have also been completed, and all the troops participating in the war have also arrived at their designated positions. As soon as the opportunity came, the attack began. The Manchus also seemed to sense that war was imminent, and the Manchu army's millions of troops were also frequently mobilized, not only strengthening the defense along the Yangtze River, but also sending a lot of troops to the eastern coast. Probably because it was afraid that the Chinese Empire would use its powerful navy to carry out landing operations on the eastern coast.

On September 23, 1846, at this imperial meeting, Long Yufei inquired about the military's operational deployment. The Chief of the General Staff, Admiral Niu Meng, said that the Imperial Army and Navy were ready for battle and could launch the final blow against the Manchus.

"What about the government?" Long Yufei asked. Modern warfare is not only a matter for the military, but also requires support at all levels, especially financial and industrial strength. Once the battle starts, the money will be spent like water. After all, every bullet, every shell, needs money to buy. After a large-scale battle, the military expenditure is astronomical.

"Your Majesty, originally, the government prepared 100 million Chinese dollars for the war. His Majesty's trip to Europe and the signing of a series of agreements with France and the Kingdom of Spain earned him about 70 million Chinese dollars, which were also intended to be used in this war. Plus, if that's not enough. The imperial government could borrow money from banks to ensure the smooth running of the war. Prime Minister Li Decheng said. Although, the current empire needs money in all countries. But the important ministers of the cabinet. I also know the priorities of things. The most urgent thing facing the empire was undoubtedly to defeat the Manchus and unify China. The longer it drags on, the worse it will be for the Empire. Therefore, everything else has to make way for this war.

"Well, that's good!" Long Yufei nodded. A total of 170 million Chinese dollars. When converted into pounds, it is also 42.5 million pounds. It is equivalent to about 80% of the UK's annual fiscal revenue. Such a huge sum of money was used in a large-scale war. That's pretty much enough. Of course, if a full-scale war breaks out with Russia, it may overrun. However, the Chinese Empire is no longer what it used to be. In the last few years. The country's industry and commerce have developed greatly, and the annual tax revenue is also increasing substantially. With the credibility of the imperial government, it is not a problem at all to borrow one or two hundred million Chinese dollars from major banks. With these funds, it will be enough to support this war.

"Then, the battle against the Manchus will be put in three days! On September 26, war was officially declared on the Manchus. At the same time, the troops of the front. Attack the Manchus. Orders were sent to all troops on the front line, and this time, only success was allowed, not failure! Long Yufei said solemnly.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" The ministers all replied loudly. Everyone is very optimistic about this war. Even if the Russians were to join in, on the whole, the Chinese Empire still had a good chance of winning. Once the whole of China is unified, the power of the empire will leap forward again. Although northern China has been ruined by the Manchu Qing Dynasty. However, with the help of large sums of money and materials from the empire, the north will soon develop as well. A huge market of 400 million people was enough to bring the empire's industry and commerce into a more prosperous period.

At 6 o'clock in the morning of September 26, 1846, Lin Zihao, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Empire, sent someone to urgently meet with Li Hanzhang, the Manchu minister to the Empire. Although Li Hanzhang was a little confused why Lin Zihao would urgently meet him at this time, he still felt that something was unusual. After all, after entering 1846, the news of the Chinese Empire and the Manchu Qing going to war became more and more intense, and both sides increased their troops on the border. According to Li Hanzhang's analysis, the war between the Chinese Empire and the Manchu Qing Dynasty will break out this year. Therefore, when he went to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Chinese Empire in a carriage, his mood could not be calmed down for a long time. He sensed that a big war was just around the corner.

And this time, will the Manchus be able to defeat the Chinese Empire? Li Hanzhang, who has been in Guangzhou for more than a year, has no confidence in this at all. Not to mention anything else, the cargo ships coming and going to Guangzhou every day are densely packed, almost covering the entire Pearl River. The prosperity of industry and commerce in the Chinese Empire may have far exceeded that of previous dynasties. In contrast, the Manchu Qing Dynasty was already in decline. The large-scale expansion of armaments and warfare caused the livelihood of the people in the provinces under the rule of the Manchu Qing Dynasty to be devastated, and it can be said that the people were not able to make a living. On one side is the rising sun, like the rising sun in the east. On the other side, the sun is waning. In such a situation, I am afraid that even a fool will be able to tell who will win.

However, Li Hanzhang, as an official of the Manchu Qing Dynasty, was born as a Jinshi, and his mind was full of feudal ideas of loyalty and patriotism. Although he was a Han Chinese, he regarded the Manchu Emperor as his loyal father. Even though he knew that the Manchus had no future, he still had hope for the Manchus.

At 6:15 a.m., Imperial Foreign Minister Lin Zihao met with Li Hanzhang, the Manchu government's minister to the Chinese Empire, in his office.

"Lord Lin, I don't know why the lord summoned the lower officials so much?" After seeing Lin Zihao, Li Hanzhang hurriedly asked.

"Your Excellency, I have an urgent matter to inform you of this time!" Lin Zihao said expressionlessly.

Seeing Lin Zihao's appearance, Li Hanzhang's heart had sunk to the bottom. He knew that most of his guesses were about to come true. The peace between the Chinese Empire and the Manchus, which lasted less than four years, was finally coming to an end.

"Your Excellency, on behalf of the Chinese Empire, I now officially declare war on the Manchu government, this is our declaration of war!" Lin Zihao put the declaration of war in front of Li Hanzhang. Although Lin Zihao's voice was not loud, it was like thunder in Li Hanzhang's ears.

"Lord Lin, the Chinese Empire wants to declare war on us? Why is this happening? Li Hanzhang asked a little dejectedly.

"Your Excellency, do you need a reason for this? China can only have one legitimate government, and that is the government of the Chinese Empire. The Manchu Qing Dynasty is destined to withdraw from the stage of history! Lin Zihao said. The reunification of China was already imperative, and the Chinese Empire had been preparing for this for several years. Almost everyone knows this.

"Lord Lin, how can your country be so treacherous? We signed a peace treaty in the first place. Now that the Chinese Empire has blatantly torn up the treaty, isn't it afraid of making the world laugh? In this way, even if you rely on force to unify the whole country, you will not be convinced! Li Hanzhang's face was sad and indignant. The original peace treaty laid the foundation for the peace between the Chinese Empire and the Manchus over the years. However, it is infuriating that the Chinese Empire tore up the treaty before the term of the treaty had expired.

"Your Excellency, the Manchu government has colluded with foreign countries to cede large territories to the Russians. If we don't stop them, they'll sell out the whole country. Therefore, for the sake of the whole of China, we must do everything we can to overthrow the Manchus! Lin Zihao said. Emperor Long Yufei gritted his teeth with hatred for this traitorous behavior of the Manchu Qing Dynasty. The subjects of the empire also marched from time to time to protest against the traitorous behavior of the Manchus. It can be said that the people's hearts are all on the side of the Chinese Empire. Even if the Chinese Empire is suspected of tearing up the treaty, I believe that the vast number of domestic people will be able to understand the Chinese Empire.

"Sophistry, Lord Lin, you are quibbling. Also, when did I sign a traitorous treaty with the Russians? These are just your fabrications, the dirty water you poured on Daqing! Li Hanzhang shouted out a little out of shape.

"My Lord, whether this is true or not, I think you know better than we do. If I were you, I wouldn't be pestering here any longer. Let's hurry up and report this news to Beijing! Lin Zihao said coldly. He didn't want to continue talking with a rotten Confucian like Li Hanzhang at all. These people are Han in vain, but they are willing to be slaves of the Manchu Qing Dynasty, which is simply forgetting the classics.

"Ahh Li Hanzhang woke up in shock. Now is not the time to waste time, the Chinese Empire has declared war, which does not mean that soon the armies of the Chinese Empire will attack. If not, the war has already begun. He had to report to the imperial court immediately and let the imperial court prepare early.

With the help of the British, the Manchu Qing Dynasty also set up some telegraph lines in recent years, so that the communication between the big cities in the north and the front line was unimpeded. From Guangzhou, you can also send a telegram directly to Beijing.

However, in fact, there was no need for Li Hanzhang to deliver news to the Manchus. When Lin Zihao made an appointment to meet him, Cheng Yukun, the minister of the Chinese Empire in Beijing, had already asked to meet with Saishan, the Minister of Military Aircraft in charge of foreign affairs of the Manchu government, on behalf of the Chinese Empire, and officially submitted a declaration of war.

At that time, Saizan was still sleeping with his concubine in his arms. Cheng Yukun went directly to his house to ask to see him. After being woken up, Saishana was very angry, but Cheng Yukun's identity was not something he could provoke. The Chinese Empire was the number one enemy of the Manchu Qing Dynasty, and Cheng Yukun was the minister of the Chinese Empire in Beijing.

When Cheng Yukun handed over the declaration of war to Saishan, and then strode away, Saishana came to his senses.

"Oh my God! Has the war begun? The ancestors and ancestors can bless the rivers and mountains of the Qing Dynasty! Saishana hurriedly asked people to prepare a car and go to the regent's palace, preparing to report the news to the regent Aisin Jueluo. Hello. (To be continued......)