In fact, there are always some similarities in history, and the relationship between the United States and Britain at this time is similar to the relationship between China and the United States in later generations. The United States has become Shijie's largest industrial country and the largest trading country, and it has dominated Shijie and is ready to move, but Shijie has been controlled by the old hegemon Britain, and there is not much room left for the United States.

China is the meeting point of the great powers, and whoever can get China will be able to gain an advantage in this contest, and then turn the advantage into a victory.

For this international trend, Zhang Tinglan still sees it clearly, and after seeing it clearly, Zhang Tinglan also has her own choice for partners. Now the United States is still industry-oriented, with the world's most powerful industrial system, which also has complementarity with China, if we can cooperate, although the United States benefits more, but China can at least get a little benefit.

As for Britain, it has already degenerated from the shijie factory to the shijie black boss, living by knocking bones and sucking the marrow of the colonies, and if China wants to avoid being sucked blood, it must decisively get rid of Britain.

Therefore, strengthening cooperation with the United States is a step that Zhang Tinglan must take, looking at Schulman's eyes shining, Zhang Tinglan is also very satisfied, so he said with a smile: "Mr. Minister, in addition to the railway line, the ports on the eastern coast should be expanded, the hydropower in the southwest should be developed, and China will import a large amount of oil and fertilizer every year, and at the same time, there will be a large number of agricultural products to be exported, between China and the United States. And we can sign a currency swap agreement between us, so that the trade settlement is carried out directly between the two countries, what do you think of this proposal? ”

Schulman is not an idiot, Zhang Tinglan has long released the rumor of currency swaps, of course he understands the value of currency swaps, which is clearly digging the corners of the pound.

If the dollar can take over China, this is definitely an important step to make the dollar shijie. In fact, before World War I, the 27th President of the United States, Taft, proposed a policy of gold dollar diplomacy. To put it simply, it is through foreign investment. Replace guns with money to tighten control over Latin America, and China is also a market that the Americans are trying to capture.

If the Sino-US currency swap can be realized, it will definitely be the biggest victory for the Americans. When Shulman heard these words, it was not as simple as his eyes were red, and he was even a little enthusiastic.

Foreign Minister Gu Weijun on the side also said with a smile: "Mr. Schulman, the vice president has just discussed with the prime minister that although the concession involves sovereignty issues, it must be recovered at an appropriate time. However, considering the trade interests between countries and China, we are ready to use some port cities as open areas. In the region, it is necessary to abide by China's laws and sovereignty, and at the same time, the government will also provide policy and tax incentives for foreign investment. I hope also Mr. Minister. We can tell Washington about China's attitude as soon as possible. We all look forward to working more broadly with the United States. ”

Things talked about this step. Schulman has nothing to say, and Zhang Tinglan's conditions are too generous, and even said that they have greatly exceeded the expectations of the United States. The bureaucracy at home must be persuaded not to miss this opportunity, otherwise it will be a crime against the American people.

Looking at the anxious Shulman, Zhang Tinglan and Gu Weijun both showed a look of relief on their faces. As long as the United States does not interfere, it can concentrate on dealing with Britain, and no matter what tricks the British play, Zhang Tinglan does not have to worry.

"Vice President. In exchange for the support of the United States is very important, but I always feel that the concessions are a bit too big, with our industrial level, after the full opening up to the United States, will it cause a comprehensive rout of the local industry? ”

Zhang Tinglan nodded slightly: "There is indeed this danger, but in a country as big as ours, it will definitely not work behind closed doors, no matter how unfair it is, our enterprises must also try their best to compete, turn themselves into ferocious wolves, and have a chance to survive." We can also work with Germany and Italy, and the government has a mission to protect our businesses. ”

Speaking of this, Zhang Tinglan smiled again: "In fact, there is also a lot of room for maneuver in these conditions for the United States, and I am afraid that it will take a lot of time to conduct detailed negotiations, and it will also take time for the Congress to approve it. ”

Gu Weijun also had to be really impressed at this time, it turned out that what the vice president wrote was just a blank check, but I have to say that this blank check is indeed too attractive, enough to make Americans turn around.

Just as Zhang Tinglan was planning her next move, Feng Yongshuang suddenly hurried over again.

"Vice President, we have just received information that Britain has urgently sent a fleet from Hong Kong and is heading north to the mouth of the Yangtze River."

"How many warships did they send?"

"The exact number is not clear, but there are at least ten or more, the flagship is the heavy cruiser USS Hawkins, and there are at least two ironclad ships, both with a tonnage of more than 10,000 tons, which is a big one!"

When Zhang Tinglan heard this introduction, his brows furrowed, he was not unfamiliar with the Hawkins Zhang Tinglan, which was a type of heavy cruiser designed by the British during World War I. With a standard displacement of less than 10,000 tons, seven 7.5-inch guns, and a top speed of 30 knots, this class of heavy cruisers became a benchmark at the Washington Conference.

This warship inherited the tradition of British warships with thin skins and large fillings, and because of the excessive pursuit of speed, the defense was further reduced, and it was difficult to adapt to the brutal naval battle. However, as a patrol mission in places such as the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean, and to maintain colonial colonization, the Hawkins has more than enough.

Zhang Tinglan knew very well that Britain would not be willing to suffer losses and would definitely take retaliatory measures, so it was expected to send warships. It's just that this amount of strength is not enough to make the Feng army submit, and it can even be said that this is sending meat to the Feng army's mouth again.

"Give Yang Yuting an order immediately, let him do a good job of dealing with it, no matter what the British want to do, they can't let them succeed." After finishing speaking, Zhang Tinglan turned around the ground a few more times, and then said: "Let the Seventh Air Squadron immediately enter Nantong, and the coastal areas of Jiangsu and Shandong are also ready for defense!" ”

His subordinates immediately conveyed Zhang Tinglan's order, and at this time, Yang Yuting was convening a military meeting in Pukou, and the Fengjun heavy army group gathered here, and these generals under his command were gearing up, preparing to cross the river and take Nanjing.

Ma Zhanshan said with a smile: "I have long heard that Jiangnan is a first-class place in the world, there is heaven and Suzhou and Hangzhou, but this time I have to see it." ”

"Don't talk about Suzhou and Hangzhou, Nanjing is also the ancient capital of the Six Dynasties, and Shanghai has a ten-mile foreign field. Zhang Henian also said with a smile: "I think those people in Nanjing are just local chickens and dogs, as soon as they leave, they will all be finished, why should we wait in Jiangbei?" ”

Jiang Dengxuan smiled and waved his hand: "Senior Commander Zhang, you can't underestimate the enemy at any time, but one thing you said is right, these people in Southern Province are indeed vulnerable." But you also have to think clearly, our opponents are not them at all, but the British! When the British did not finish their cards, we rushed across the river, but we had to suffer! ”

Yang Yuting also nodded slightly, obviously he also had this idea, so he hoarded the army in Jiangbei and was ready to go, just to wait for the British to make a move.

At this time, Zhang Tinglan's order was also conveyed, and Yang Yuting and the others immediately cheered up a hundredfold.

"Let's see, what will this British fleet do?"

Jiang Dengxuan thought for a while, and then said: "I think the British may move nothing more than two, one is to use the fleet to blockade the Yangtze River and prevent us from going south, and the other is to attack the coastal areas, blockade the mouth of the Yangtze River, and block our foreign trade." ”

"It makes sense, but the British are not stupid, if we can sink their four warships, we are sure to send more warships to the bottom of the sea, I don't think the British will fight hard, they should have other plans."

Yang Yuting said this, it is not unreasonable, the air liliang of the Feng army is strong, it is a well-known thing, in the absence of air cover, the warship to the near shore, this is definitely a kind of brain-dead behavior, the British have already suffered a loss, they will not suffer a second loss!

Thinking of this, Yang Yuting gradually thought of a possibility: "Do you think it is possible that the British want to attack the Yarmouth?" ”

Yang Yuting's judgment was not wrong, it was a very faceless thing to be captured by someone, especially the Yarmouth is still a relatively new British light cruiser, if it falls into the hands of China like this, then the British slap is too loud.

Therefore, in addition to actively attracting other powers, Britain is formulating Jihua, wanting to tow the Yarmouth out of the Yangtze River, if it can't be towed out, then it will blow up the warship, in short, it can't be left to China, otherwise the face of the British Empire will be completely lost.

For this reason, the British sent the main forces of the Far East Fleet, and the person in charge of the operation was still Rear Admiral James, who had just gone north not long ago, but was blocked by the sea and air of the Feng army, and did not enter the Bohai Sea at all.

James was also very aware of the strength of the Feng army in the air, so he did not act rashly, his flagship Hawkins and two other large ironclad ships were parked outside the mouth of the Yangtze River, but secretly sent two frigates, taking advantage of the night to sail into the mouth of the Yangtze River, all the way up the river, all along the way are dark mountains, very quiet.

They were getting closer and closer to the Jiangyin fortress, and the hearts of these Englishmen hung in the air, for fear of alarming the defenders along the way. Gradually, they got closer and closer to the location of the stranded warship. At this moment, suddenly several extremely strong beams of light shot from the riverside, which happened to sweep over two British warships.

Searchlight!

The British suddenly felt bad, at this moment, the riverside battery sounded a rumbling loud sound, a huge cannonball fell in the icy river water, the tall water column splashed more than ten meters high, the river surface instantly churned, and the two British warships were exposed to the big mouth of the giant beast at once. (To be continued......)