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A four-wheeled carriage galloped through the streets of Paris, and in the carriage sat a tall, bearded Slav, who was none other than Count Nesherro Die, the Russian Foreign Minister. However, now His Excellency the Earl's face was gloomy, as if he could drip water. An important task of this trip to Paris was to get Russia to join in the development of the canal. However, the four countries of China, Britain, France, and Spain were very resolute, and they strongly opposed the accession of Russia, which made it impossible for Tsar Nicholas I to fulfill his orders, which made Count Nesherro very dissatisfied.

Ever since Peter the Great put Russia on a path to prosperity and strength, Russia has begun to expand at a rapid pace. The current Tsar Nicholas I is an outstanding monarch. Under his rule, Russia was expanding to the periphery. Far Eastern Siberia, Central Asia, and the Middle East and the Balkans were all directions of Russian expansion. Among them, the Balkan direction is undoubtedly the main direction of Russian expansion. Russia is resistant to the northern part of the Eurasian continent, and the winters are cold and long, and the Russians dream of having an ice-free port. All along, the Russians worked to free the Slavs of the Balkans from colonial rule in the Ottoman Turkish Empire. However, Britain, France and other countries maintained a high degree of vigilance against Russia's expansion, and repeatedly supported the Ottoman Turkish Empire, making it impossible for Russia to complete its expansion in this direction. This time, the Chinese Empire proposed the construction of a canal connecting the Red Sea to the Mediterranean, which Russia saw as a golden opportunity to bring Russian power into the Middle East. Russia wanted to get involved, but didn't think of it. Once again, it was rejected by China, Britain, France and Spain. This made Count Nischel Rodie angry, but more often than not, he was helpless.

Even if China, Britain, France, and Spain promised, after the canal was opened. There will be no fortifications, no military use. However, this still did not satisfy Russia. Russia wants to own a stake in the canal development company, giving Russia a voice in the Middle East. To this end, Count Niechel Rodie visited the French Prime Minister, the Duke of Dalmatia, the British Foreign Secretary, the Earl of Granville, and the Spanish Foreign Secretary, José. Morality. Salamanca. However, without exception, they were all rejected. The French said. The shares in France will not be sold. Even if Count Niechel Rody expressed his willingness to buy it at a higher price, it would not work. The British Foreign Secretary, the Earl of Granville, even said that the rich British Empire was not short of money, and at the same time advised Russia. With Russia's current poor financial resources, there is really no need to waste money on canals. This made Count Nischel Rodie very angry.

Even more irritating to Count Nischerrodi was the Spanish Foreign Minister, José. Morality. Salamanca's attitude. Although, the former Kingdom of Spain was also the hegemon of the world. But that's a thing of the past. What is now the Kingdom of Spain. In the eyes of powerful Russia. It's just a weak country. Russia only needs to send 100,000 elite troops to sweep through the Kingdom of Spain. In view of the strength of Russia, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Spain, José. Morality. Although Salamanca did not dare to directly refuse Count Nesherrody's request, she kept procrastinating and diverting the topic, making it impossible for Count Nesherrodi to complete his task. When the Count of Nesherrodius angrily said that the Kingdom of Spain would suffer an incomparable price if it did not sell a part of the shares of the Canal Development Company to Russia. This caused José. Morality. A strong backlash from Salamanca. He said. The Kingdom of Spain would not be afraid of the Russian threat if Russia dared to wage war against the Kingdom of Spain over this matter. Russia will be isolated and attacked by all of Europe. In fact, Count Nischel Robidy was nothing more than intimidating José. Morality. Salamanca is just that, but I didn't think that the other party was not fooled at all. Russia and the Kingdom of Spain were located at opposite ends of Europe, and it was almost impossible for Russia's powerful army to make an overland expedition against the Kingdom of Spain. As for from the sea, that's not to even more thought. Although Russia has the largest navy in the world, it is not the strongest. At a time when countries around the world are successively equipped with advanced steam warships, the main force of the Russian Navy is still sail warships. The Kingdom of Spain had already purchased twelve advanced steam warships from the Chinese Empire, and had also ordered six more powerful 'Western Zhou-class' warships. If Russia really dared to attack the Kingdom of Spain by sea, it was estimated that it would only end up in defeat.

"Damn the Spaniards, do you think that if you find the Chinese as a backer, you will be able to confront Russia? Someday, the great Russian* army will make the Spaniards regret it. Will let your lewd queen prostrate on the ground and lick the toes of His Majesty the Tsar! Count Niechel Rodie swore secretly. Apparently he put José. Morality. Salamanca's refusal was seen as an insult to Russia by the Kingdom of Spain.

Count Nicher Rodie was now on his way to the Tuileries Palace, where he wanted to meet the Chinese Emperor Long Yufei and buy some shares in the canal development company from China. Although he knew that it was very unlikely, he wanted to give it a try. Of course, this was nothing more than a task, and in addition, Count Nechel Rody wanted to talk to the Chinese emperor about the situation in the Far East. Everyone knew that the Chinese Empire was about to launch an attack on the Manchus. Russia also wanted a piece of the Manchu pie. If possible, Russia might be able to carry out a major expansion in the Far East. Tsar Nicholas I's plan was to occupy Xinjiang, Mongolia and the northeast of northern China, creating a Yellow Russia.

The visit of Count Nieschel Rodie surprised Long Yufei, and he was already preparing to embark on a journey back to China in a few days. Nevertheless, he met with Count Nischel Rodie with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lin Zihao.

"His Majesty the Emperor of China, His Majesty the Tsar asked me to greet you on his behalf." Count Niechelro had a smile on his face, and he was very humble.

"Hello, Your Excellency the Count, please express your gratitude to His Majesty the Tsar on my behalf!" Long Yufei said lightly. He doesn't have a crush on polar bears, and he's wary of them. Coming from later generations, he naturally knew how greedy these Russians were. He also knows very well that China and Russia can only become eternal rivals, and will never become friends. Although the Eurasian continent is huge, it can only accommodate one hegemon. There is no doubt that both Russia and the Chinese Empire want to be able to become the hegemon.

"Your Majesty, the proposal you proposed to dig a canal is a great thing for the whole world, and it will greatly promote the exchange between the East and the West. The whole world will thank you! Said Count Nieschel Rodie.

Long Yufei smiled and nodded, and didn't say anything. Count Nieschel Rody patted him like this, he naturally knew that Count Nesherro had a plan. Most likely, it just wants the canal shares in the hands of the Chinese Empire.

"His Majesty the Emperor, the Chinese Empire holds the largest stake in the Canal Development Company. I wonder if His Majesty the Emperor can sell some shares to Russia? Russia also wants to be able to join in. Said Count Nieschel Rodie.

Long Yufei shook his head, and then said, "The Chinese Empire only owns thirty-two percent of the shares. It's only four percent more than the UK, and if it were sold to Russia, I'm afraid it would be less than the UK. Therefore, if Russia wants to buy shares, it can ask other countries if they are willing to sell! ”

Count Neschel Rody scolded in his heart, he didn't believe that Long Yufei didn't know about his contacts with representatives of other countries in the past few days, and it was precisely because other countries rejected Russia's request that he found the Chinese Empire. However, Long Yufei was obviously rejecting him.

"Your Majesty, Russia doesn't need too many shares, we only need five percent of the shares. For this, Russia was willing to pay two million pounds sterling to the Chinese Empire. Moreover, in the future, Russia will bear 5% of the cost of digging the canal! Said Count Nieschel Rodie. This is equivalent to the Chinese Empire doing nothing and picking up two million pounds for nothing.

Although two million pounds is not a small amount, it is not in Long Yufei's eyes. Especially for the future revenue of the canal, two million pounds is nothing.

"I'm sorry, the Chinese Empire has its own considerations, and we can't agree to your request!" Long Yufei said.

A hint of annoyance flashed in Count Nesselrody's eyes, but he hid it well. Even with the rise of the Chinese Empire, Russia regarded the Chinese Empire as an upstart. Such a sudden rise of a country cannot be compared with an old power like Russia.

"Your Majesty, Russia, knows that the Chinese Empire is about to launch an attack on the Qing State. If the Chinese Empire was willing to sell some of its shares to Russia, Russia would send troops to help the Chinese Empire attack the Qing Dynasty. Said Count Nieschel Rodie. Of course, after the two countries destroyed the Qing Dynasty, those territories occupied by the Russian army will definitely not be returned to the Chinese Empire. Is there any fat that the polar bear eats and spits out?

This mention of Count Niechel Rodie immediately aroused Long Yufei's vigilance. He knew that the polar bear was eyeing China's territory, or the vast territory of northern China. What helped the Chinese Empire to destroy the Manchu Qing Dynasty, to put it nicely, is actually not to seize the territory of northern China. If the Chinese Empire agrees, when the Chinese Empire launches an attack on the Manchus, the Russians will definitely jump out impatiently and carve up the Manchus with the Chinese Empire! (To be continued......)