The moonlight is like water, illuminating a cosmopolitan metropolis on the Seine like a gauze coat. The towering Eiffel Tower towers majestically at the end of the Champs-Promontory, topped with dreamy neon lights.

Since the Renaissance, Paris has become a sacred place for all those who have an artistic heart. The Louvre's magnificent architecture and vast collection have fascinated countless people, and even after being trampled by Prussian military boots in 1871, the flower of the world still exudes its rich fragrance. As the absolute hegemon of the European continent and a veteran power that has fought a fierce war with Britain for hundreds of years, Paris, the capital of France, has always been at the forefront of the world under this long accumulation. To this day, Paris remains the second largest city in the world, second only to London, the capital of the empire on which the sun never sets, across the Channel. Even New York in the United States and Berlin in Germany are far from being able to compete with them.

In the magnificent Chancellery, the new Prime Minister of the French Republic, Louis ? Bardu was sitting at the dining table destroying the food in front of him, his knives and forks colliding with the delicate porcelain plate with a crisp sound. Under the crystal chandelier, a thin face with large eyes and a prosperous beard is reflected; When he drank the last drink into his stomach, he couldn't help but let out a moan that was both physical and emotional.

The past decade has undoubtedly been one of the most difficult periods in France's history. Russia's eastward advance and defeat deprived France of one of the most important bargaining chips in Europe to contain Germany; In the face of the fierce Germany and Austria-Hungary, France, whose own strength had become extremely weak under the reform of Romanticism, was simply unable to fight against it. During those years, France had to cater to German arrogance with a very low and deferential attitude. This is really a painful past that every French citizen who remembers the shame of color is hard to look back on.

And when Bardu succeeded him as prime minister. The situation has changed dramatically. After shameful and courageous struggle and reform. As a result, the current French army has completely stepped out of the shadow of defeat 40 years ago, and the unparalleled fighting spirit and courage have filled the entire French barracks. From the Minister of War to the recruits, every fighter in a blue shirt and red pants was eager to drink the blood of the Germans with his bayonet. In the naval field, the French navy, which had abandoned the new school of Aube and his supporters, also began to regain its strength, and began to catch up with Britain, Germany, and the United States in front of it with an extremely rapid attitude. At present, four 22,200-ton battleships with a displacement of 10 340 mm guns have been completed, and the French Navy, with 10 dreadnoughts, is proud of all the power of the Mediterranean; And another year and a half. 3 more powerful Brittany-class battleships will also join the French Navy's battle sequence! At that point, the situation in the Mediterranean would be fully stabilized, and France alone would be able to take over Italy and Austria-Hungary, two German satellites in the Mediterranean.

In addition to the improvement of the situation in the country, France's allies are also improving their strength in a gratifying manner. According to reports sent back by French military observers, the strength of the British and Russian armies is no longer the waste of the Boer War and the Russo-Japanese War; The British Navy regained numerical superiority over Germany, and the Russian Baltic Fleet began a longed-for rebuild. All this made the situation in Europe move in favor of the Entente; The situation in which Germany had an absolute advantage a few years ago has now been changed to a considerable extent by Britain, France and Russia!

France's brazen attempt to occupy Morocco at the time of the outbreak of the Balkan War was undoubtedly a key act for France to rebuild its status as a great power. The expansion of German power in Morocco had seriously affected French control over the region; This strategically important prime region bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Nothing can be said that the Germans will rob it. Although it was inevitable that the Germans would have to compensate the Germans in the other colonies, it was definitely a profitable business for France; As long as Morocco is controlled. France's strategic space can take a leap forward. As for Bardu, who has just become prime minister for less than a week, he is inheriting the rich achievements left by his predecessor, as long as he can make a breakthrough in Moroccan affairs, whether it is France's national security or his own political life will be greatly guaranteed and continued!

......Just as Bardu was reverie that he could rely on the historic merit of annexing Morocco, and was the prime minister of France for a full term like Clemenceau, there was a sudden knock on the door. His brow furrowed slightly, and he spat out a syllable from his mouth; With the sound of the door being pushed open, it was the two core figures of the military who strode in, the Minister of War Messimi and the Secretary of the Navy Delcasse. What surprised Bar the most was that both of them could not hide the anxious look on their faces, and Delcasce's eyes spewed out a raging flame like substance.

"You ...... Can anyone tell me what's going on? Bard looked at the two men who had suddenly burst into his office, his words full of confusion and incomprehension.

Messimi glanced at Delcasse beside him, and then said in a deep voice: "Your Excellency, there is extremely unfavorable news from Morocco. Just two hours earlier, the German Navy's Leopard gunboat had broken straight into the Moroccan port of Agadir, while another, more formidable fast cruiser, the Berlin, had appeared in the open sea outside the port of Agadir, ready to burst in. Berlin has issued an extremely strongly worded statement urging us to immediately withdraw our troops from major Moroccan cities; If the situation in Morocco cannot be restored, they will act freely and resolutely. ”

"What?!" Hearing this, Bardu stood up, his blue eyes full of disbelief and consternation under the beer bottle. After a while, he spoke in a tone of extreme shock: "The Germans have actually sailed their warships to Morocco, do they really want to go to war with us over a colonial dispute?" ”

Messimi's face was solemn and he said: "Your Excellency, I think that this time the Germans are likely to be more than just verbal protests. Ever since our troops entered Morocco, the major German newspapers and media have launched an overwhelming public condemnation of our act, and a surging and violent anti-French wave has now formed in Germany. It is likely that the German propaganda apparatus was motivated by the Berlin government. If you combine this with the Germans' dispatch of warships to Adigal and their fierce statements, I think that if we continue to maintain the status quo, the Germans will really take military action! ”

"Immediately contact the British and Russian ambassadors in Paris, inform them of this provocation by the Germans, and consult our two allies." After a few moments, Bardu had calmed down from his initial shock and quickly grasped the crux of the matter. With regard to Germany's gunboat diplomacy, the strategy to be adopted by France all depended on the attitude of Britain and Russia on this matter: whether Britain and Russia helped each other or not directly determined the number of cards that the French government could play. And in the case of different degrees of strength, the strategy that France will adopt in the last resort will also be very different.

Delcasser's eyes flashed with anger, and he said, "Please rest assured, Your Excellency. As soon as I heard the news, I got in touch with the British and Russian ambassadors; They all believed that the matter was of great importance and said that they would send the news to China quickly. It is estimated that it will not be long before both London and St. Petersburg will give us a response. This time the Germans dared to drive the battleship to Agadir, and we must teach this group of robbers a hard lesson! ”

Bardu nodded slowly. Although Delcasse was now in charge of the navy, he had developed a professional habit of being the Foreign Secretary for many years, which made him more efficient and swift in handling these matters than the Foreign Office. Bardu pondered for a moment, then spoke: "Inform the greedy capitalists in Paris that France is in a state of tension not seen since 1870, and let them immediately take a full look at all German stocks and bonds." As for the losses they have suffered, the government will subsidize them accordingly at a later date. However, if anyone dares to make a fortune in this time period, I don't mind having him on the front page of the Paris Times the next day! "Delcasse should claim to be.

"Adolfo, is your army ready to face the Germans head-on?" Bardu turned his gaze to the grim-faced Minister of War next to him, but did not ask Delcasse about his wishes. At present, the French Navy's lineup of 10 dreadnoughts can also show off its power in the Mediterranean, and if it wants to face the German high seas fleet, it is estimated that it will be completely overturned by the opponent in one shot.

Listening to Bardu's inquiries in his own professional field, Messimi straightened his chest slightly, and said in a loud voice: "Your Excellency, our war plan against Germany was formulated a month ago. All the fighters in France, guided by the new Field Regulations, were ready to strike the most brutal and merciless blow against the Germans without hesitation and courage when the order of the War Department was given. Although we are outnumbered by them, with unparalleled courage and perseverance, France has every strength to tear this group of robbers who have swallowed Alsace to shreds! ”

"It was the indomitable spirit of the Marseillaise that revived our firm faith in France after 1870; I have never changed my belief in this passion. Bardu slowly sat back in his chair and muttered, "Now it's up to Britain and Russia to take their own positions." (To be continued......)

PS: Thank you book friends for reassuring two copies, Yinyin Mountain Grass's reward monthly ticket support and Blood Soul 1937's renewal ticket~~~ But this update ticket can only be seen and not eaten