The mobilization of the Chinese Empire for war directly brought the world situation to the point of extreme tension. The whole world seems to have a situation where the mountain rain is about to come, and the wind is full of buildings. If war breaks out, all countries will be involved. It can be said that the danger of war has risen to the highest level. The countries of the two major military alliances are ready, and if the contradictions between the Chinese Empire and Russia cannot be resolved, then they will also start mobilizing as soon as possible, otherwise, if they do not mobilize in time, they will be at a disadvantage in the war.

St. Petersburg, the capital of Russia, inside the Winter Palace. Tsar Alexander II frowned. The Emperor of the Chinese Empire directly ordered a general mobilization, which surprised him a little. Although, he hoped for the outbreak of war. But now Russia is not ready!

"Your Majesty, according to the information we have obtained, the Chinese have already begun to mobilize, and they will mobilize millions of retired soldiers to re-enlist, so that the number of troops will increase to more than two million, maybe three million. This would be a great threat to the Empire. Duke Gorchakov, commander-in-chief of the Russian army, said with some concern. The Russians did not know much about the total strength of the Chinese Empire, and they could only make preliminary estimates.

"The Chinese Empire has the largest population in the world, with a population of 450 million. It is more than seven times the size of the empire, and mobilizing two or three million troops is not at all under any pressure for the Chinese empire! "Parliamentary adviser Zhukovsky was a little envious. The main reason why Russia has become the hegemon of Europe is the huge population of Russia. With a population of 60 million, Russia was able to maintain a standing army of more than one million. Stronger than other European countries.

"Yes, the population base of the Chinese Empire is so large that they have an inexhaustible supply of soldiers. But we are not the only enemies of theirs. Once the war begins, the Chinese Empire will face a multi-front battle, and the pressure we will be under will not be too great. Said the Foreign Minister, Count Niechel Rodie. If Russia had fought against the Chinese Empire alone, then they probably would not have any chance of winning. However, now it is the whole coalition that fights. That's a different story entirely.

"陛xià. The Chinese have already begun mobilization, and I have already ordered the front-line departments to strengthen their combat readiness. However, the number of our troops is too small, and I am afraid that further mobilization will be needed. Other than that. In armament. We also have a relatively large gap. Duke Gorchakov said.

"Start today. Let's start mobilizing in Russia! According to our previous plan, the size of the army was expanded to three million men, and the main troops were put into the battlefield against the Chinese. Other than that. Seeking support from Britain and France, we have to withstand the attacks of the Chinese, and they need to provide us with sufficient weapons and equipment. Tsar Alexander II said.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" The commander-in-chief of the Russian army, Duke Gorchakov, and the Russian Foreign Minister, Count Neschel Rodie, both replied.

"Your Majesty, now that demonstrations against the Chinese are breaking out all over Russia, and all the embassies of the Chinese Empire in Russia have been attacked by different procedures, the police departments everywhere have asked for instructions, should we take drastic measures against those mobs?" The Minister of the Interior, Count Valentin, asked.

Tsar Alexander II frowned, in fact, he was very much in favor of the behavior of the mob, in his opinion, the Chinese are not good things, if they can be killed, it is naturally the best. Of course, if such a thing gets out, it will have a great impact on Russia's international image.

"Try to protect the embassies as much as possible! Before declaring war, we are responsible for their safety. After all, Russia is a civilized country, and not a barbaric country, like those yellow-skinned monkeys! Tsar Alexander II said.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Interior Minister Valentin nodded.

On July 16, 1854, Tsar Alexander II issued a decree and the general mobilization of Russia officially began. A large number of Russian youths were conscripted into the army, which caused the strength of the Russian army to swell up as quickly as a balloon. Of course, Russia lacked sufficient weapons and equipment to arm these soldiers, and for this reason, the Russian diplomatic department urgently contacted Britain and France, asking them to provide Russia with more weapons and equipment.

Russia's mobilization immediately caused a chain reaction in the world situation. Russia's neighbors, one by one, also felt the tremendous pressure and began to prepare for mobilization. In particular, Russia's neighbor, the Ottoman Turkish Empire, as Russia's old enemy, once Russia mobilized and sent a large army to invade, how could they resist?

Hence the speed of the Ottoman Turkish Empire Abdul. Mejid I also immediately ordered the Ottoman Empire to mobilize for war, and the Ottoman Empire's army would be expanded from 500,000 to 1.5 million to deal with future crises.

The Kingdom of Prussia, too, was ready to begin mobilization. Once the Kingdom of Prussia is mobilized, the situation in the world will undoubtedly become more tense, and war will most likely break out.

London, the capital of the United Kingdom, is located in the Prime Minister's House on Downing Street, where the main officials of the British Cabinet are gathered. The meeting room was filled with smoke, and the smoke from the cigars in the hands of the cabinet ministers filled the entire conference room with smoke, as if there was a fire. As the ministers of the most powerful country in the world, they are now also full of anxiety.

"Guys, what do you say we should do? The Chinese carried out armed mobilization, and the Russians followed suit and began armed mobilization. The Ottoman Turkish Empire was not far behind. If this continues, I am afraid that the Kingdom of Prussia, Austria-Hungary, the Kingdom of Sardinia, France, the Kingdom of Spain, and so on will be mobilized one after another. When the time comes, this big war will be inevitable! The Prime Minister, Earl Stanley, said with a frown.

"Your Excellency Prime Minister, this war is inevitable. Unless both the Chinese Empire and Russia can restrain themselves, no one will be able to stop this war, or even delay its outbreak of war! Said the Marquis of Anglesey, Minister of War.

"It is very detrimental to the British Empire to start a war now, and our 'Admiral-class' battleships will not be able to enter service until the end of the year. At that time, our capital ships will be able to match the number of the Imperial Chinese Navy. If you want to gain an advantage, you need to wait a little further. "Lord of the Admiralty, Charles. Sir Adam said. He was the British cabinet minister who was most reluctant to break out into war now, and the gap between the British Royal Navy and the Imperial Chinese Navy was so great that the British Navy would have no chance of winning if war broke out.

"Of course we know this, Sir Adam, but if war breaks out, who of us can stop it?" Marquis Anglesey said.

"But we should at least work on that. Otherwise, if the navy cannot win, will we still be able to win the war? "Charles. Sir Adam said-for-tat.

Earl Stanley frowned, and then asked, "Is there anything you can do to prevent this war from breaking out?" Or, delay the outbreak of war as much as possible! ”

The Earl of Stanley also knew the situation he was facing, and if war had started now, the British navy might not be able to defeat the Chinese navy. After losing sea supremacy, it was absolutely impossible for Britain to win the war. When the time comes, they will surely see one colony after another fall and be captured by the Chinese Empire. Once all these colonies are lost, Britain's strength will also be weakened to the freezing point in the future.

"We may be able to delay the outbreak of war through diplomatic efforts. The main reason for this conflict is between China and Russia. The Russian mob attacked the embassy of the Chinese Empire in St. Petersburg. As a result, the Chinese Empire demanded that Russia give an explanation to the Chinese Empire, but Tsar Alexander II seemed to be too confident, and he actually did not admit that it was Russia's fault, but thought that the Chinese Empire should compensate Russia. And the emperor of the Chinese Empire has always been strong. In this way, there seems to be no other way to resolve the conflict than by means of war. Said the Earl of Granville, the Foreign Secretary.

The ministers all nodded, and they also believed that the cause was entirely caused by the Russians themselves. Even though Britain and the Chinese Empire were at odds with each other, they never allowed the mob to attack the Imperial Chinese embassy in Britain.

"But if we want to mediate, will the Chinese and Russians listen to us?" Earl Stanley asked. Especially the Chinese Empire, they don't take Britain seriously, and this is already a regular thing.

"With the strength of Britain alone, it is naturally impossible, and we can call other countries as well. For example, France and the Kingdom of Prussia. As far as we know, the Kingdom of Prussia also did not want war to break out immediately. The Earl of Granville continued.

Earl Stanley nodded, if he could delay the outbreak of war, of course he would be willing.

"As for the Russians, didn't they just ask us to support them with a batch of weapons and equipment? We can use this to get Tsar Alexander II to agree to our terms. Said the Earl of Granville.

"Okay, Earl Granville, let the Ministry of Foreign Affairs do it!" The Earl of Stanley gave the authorization.

"Yes, Your Excellency, Prime Minister!" The Earl of Granville nodded.

After Britain proposed the mediation of Britain, France and Prussia, France and the Kingdom of Prussia agreed to the British proposal. Although they are on two opposing camps, they do not want to go to war now for the sake of their own interests. (To be continued......)

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