The Imperial Navy's Nanyang Fleet cruised the South China Sea this time, which can be described as the main force. In addition to the two battleships, six 'Class A' destroyers followed. In addition, there are two supply ships to supply the fleet. This brought the total number of cruising warships to ten.

Since Zheng He's voyage to the West, China has completely withdrawn from the South Seas. In particular, the Manchu Qing Dynasty's policy of closing the country to the outside world almost severed ties between China and Nanyang. Unable to survive in China, there are many people who have fled to Nanyang. But they are called the outcasts of the Celestial Empire. Even if they were oppressed, even if they lost their lives, the Manchu government did not pay attention to them.

The best example is that after the establishment of the Lanfang Republic, the request was attached, but the Manchu Qing Dynasty did not accept the Lanfang Republic at all. When the Republic of Lanfang was invaded by the colonial authorities of the Dutch East Indies, it also sent people to ask the Manchus for help. However, the Manchus did not give any assistance and sat back and watched the demise of the Republic of Lanfang.

Now, the empire was formed. The foreign policies of the empire and the Manchus were completely different. The South Seas, which the Manchus looked down on, were treasured in the eyes of the empire. All Chinese living in Nanyang will be protected by the empire. Whether it is the Western colonizers or the natives of the South Seas, if they dare to oppress the Chinese, then they have to ask the empire if they agree. Now, the Empire is not the top power in the world, though. However, the empire still had enough strength to protect the interests of the overseas Chinese.

On the battleship 'Poku', the flagship of the Imperial Navy's Nanyang Fleet, Vice Admiral Li He, commander of the Nanyang Fleet, was talking quietly with Brigadier General Du Xiqi, chief of staff. Inside the bridge, the officers were busy. The South China Sea and even the entire South China Sea can be regarded as an unfamiliar sea area for the Imperial Navy. Reliance on nautical charts and hydrographic information obtained from ocean-going fleets is not exhaustive. The South Sea Fleet could take advantage of the opportunity to cruise the South Seas and redraw detailed charts.

"Lao Du, this time the South Seas cruise. But the debut of the South Sea Fleet! This time, we have to complete the operation beautifully. Lieutenant General Li He said.

"Of course. With the strength of the South Sea Fleet, none of us are afraid except the British. Even the British have to give us face now. Brigadier General Du Xiqi said.

Although, the South Sea Fleet had only two battleships. But the combined combat power. Compared with the naval strength of other Western powers in the South Seas, it is undoubtedly much stronger. Even the British had to give face to the empire. Therefore, the difficulties encountered by the Nanyang Fleet of the Imperial Navy were actually not great.

"Dutch, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has specially told the Dutch that something may be wrong. In that case, we're going to keep an eye on the Dutch. If they really dare to do something to their Nanyang compatriots, then it will be time for us to cut them down. Lieutenant General Li He said.

"Well, the Dutch are nothing to worry about. The only thing to worry about. It was the relationship of the Dutch with the British and Germans, which was the only thing that made the empire fearful. Therefore, the empire must take advantage of it first. Brigadier General Du Xiqi said.

In fact, after the rise of the Chinese Empire, especially after the recent defeat of Japan, which became the veritable hegemon of the entire Far East. The colonial authorities of various countries in Nanyang have become much friendlier to the local Chinese. Everyone knows that the current Chinese Empire is no better than the Manchu Qing Dynasty. I don't care about the life and death of the Chinese in Nanyang. Especially at a time when Europe is about to fall into an unprecedented large-scale war, and no country wants to offend a powerful country at this time.

Of course. No matter what the time is, there will still be people who are not afraid of death. As the saying goes, if you don't die, you won't die. Some people are killing themselves, so it's no wonder that the Empire will use them for it.

The first stop of the South Sea Fleet's visit was Singapore. It was the capital of the Straits Settlements and the center of British rule in the South Seas. As the Chinese Empire grew stronger, the British Far East Fleet also made Singapore its home port.

When the South Sea Fleet arrived in Singapore, the British Straits Settlements authorities welcomed the South Sea Fleet. Sir Anderson, Governor of the Straits Settlements, and Vice Admiral James, Commander of the Far East Fleet of the British Navy, personally greeted the Chinese Navy on the docks.

"Your Excellency, General. It seems that the Chinese can't wait to get involved in the situation in the South Seas. The Eastern Dragon, who had awakened from its slumber, had begun to spread his influence in all directions. Sir Anderson said.

"Your Excellency the Governor, the Chinese Nanyang Fleet is not strong. With the strength of the Far Eastern Fleet, it will be enough to kill them all. Lieutenant General James said disdainfully. The Royal Navy of the British Empire is the most powerful navy in the world. Even though the Royal Navy is now concentrated on the mainland. Contractions have been carried out everywhere else. But even so, the strength of the Far Eastern Fleet is not weak. There were three battleships alone, as well as more than thirty armored cruisers, light cruisers, and destroyers. Of course, the battleships of the Far Eastern Fleet were old-fashioned pre-dreadnoughts. Advanced dreadnoughts, all concentrated on the homeland and confrontation with the Germans. But even so, Vice Admiral James still has a lot of confidence in the Far Eastern Fleet.

"Don't forget, in addition to the South Sea Fleet, the Chinese also have the Pacific Fleet. The four capital ships of the Pacific Fleet are very powerful. Sir Anderson said.

"The strength of the British Empire's home fleet is many times stronger than the Chinese." Lieutenant General James said.

"However, given the current state of Europe, the capital ships of the home fleet will not be easily transferred to other places. Until the Germans are addressed, the home fleet will have to stay in the North Sea. Sir Anderson said.

Lieutenant General James was speechless. Yes, the Royal Navy of the British Empire is indeed very strong. However, the Royal Navy was now being strongly challenged by the Germans. As a result, the Royal Navy had to gather all its main forces to fight the Germans, and there was no surplus force to send elsewhere. Under such circumstances, the British naturally did not want to settle grudges with other powers. Far Eastern powers such as the Chinese Empire, in particular, are the objects that Britain is now trying to avoid conflict.

"Your Excellency, the current situation is only temporary. When we solve the problems in Europe, sooner or later we will let the Chinese know who is the hegemon of the world. Sir Anderson said.

Lieutenant General James nodded heavily.

On the wharf, a large number of Chinese living in Singapore spontaneously came to greet the Nanyang Fleet of the Imperial Navy. When the two majestic battleships docked on the dock under the guidance of the British guide ships, the Chinese cheered. The battleship, which was like a hill, gave them great confidence and made their national pride burst in an instant.

"God has eyes, the court still hasn't forgotten us people after all!" A gray-haired old man with tears crisscrossed his eyes. As a person who came to Nanyang to beg for a living when he was young, he has been away enough for decades. In the past few decades, it can be said that they have been oppressed by colonizers and local natives. The only motherland that can help them, but they don't care.

Now that they are finally good, the motherland has become stronger, and they have finally found support for sending warships to the South Seas. If they are bullied again, the empire will definitely come to their aid.

I don't know how many people have the same idea as this old man. The appearance of the Imperial Navy in the South Seas made everyone very excited.

Vice Admiral Lee and Brigadier General Du Xiqi disembarked from the warship and met with Sir Anderson, Governor of the Straits Settlements, and Vice Admiral James, Commander of the British Far East Fleet.

Later, Lieutenant General Li He and Brigadier General Du Xiqi respectively met with the local Chinese leaders in Singapore. Lieutenant General Li He and Brigadier General Du Xiqi both told these Chinese that from now on, the empire would pay attention to Nanyang and safeguard the interests of these Nanyang compatriots. If they are bullied again, the empire will definitely stand up for them.

The guarantee of the Imperial Navy completely reassured the local Chinese. Many wealthy Chinese businessmen even said that they would actively respond to the call of China, return to China to invest in the construction of factories, and speed up the industrialization of the country.

The empire provided safe protection for the Chinese in Nanyang, and the Chinese returned to China to build, which was originally a win-win situation for everyone.

After leaving Singapore, the Imperial Navy's South Ocean Fleet headed south to visit the Dutch East Indies colony. Penang, Batavia, Surabaya, etc., are the focus of the South Sea Fleet's visit. Everywhere the Imperial Navy went, it was welcomed by the local Chinese. The situation of the Chinese living in the Dutch East Indies was even more difficult than that of the Chinese living in the Straits Settlements. The arrival of the Imperial Navy gave them hope.

Of course, the Dutch East Indies colonial authorities did not welcome the arrival of the Imperial Navy. For the Dutch, the Chinese Empire was undoubtedly a behemoth. Originally, China didn't care about these Chinese in Nanyang, so they could bully them at will, just like herding sheep, and when they were fattened, they would be slaughtered directly. However, it is different now, if they dare to treat the Chinese like this again, the Chinese Empire will definitely have an opinion. The Netherlands is no longer the sea coachman who dominated the world at the beginning. In decline, they were left with only the Dutch East Indies colony. If the Chinese Empire were to do anything to them, the Netherlands would not be able to resist it.

Therefore, the colonial authorities of the Dutch East Indies gritted their teeth with hatred for the Chinese Empire. However, they had no choice but to change their strategy towards the Chinese, so as not to set themselves on fire. However, the Netherlands not only had close relations with Britain, but also with Germany. They were not very afraid of the Chinese Empire. (To be continued.) )

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