It's hard to have any secrets in the world, let alone the big moves in Paris.

Just got a thunderbolt? The telegram sent back by Coppa showed that the French government had already begun to look for suitable factories in the country, and the politicians had tried their best to give these shares to the factories related to them, and this series of activities made the French side very active.

In this case, if the British still can't detect something, then the British Empire will have dominated the world for so many years, not to mention that the British also have some of their own people in France.

After learning of this situation, London suddenly burst into a rage.

In 1912, Britain's fiscal revenue should be 189 million pounds, which is about the same as Yan Shao's entire net worth, although the two look similar, but a person's years of accumulation and a country's annual income are not equal after all, and opportunities like the stock boom, I am afraid that Yan Shao is really difficult to encounter again, in other words, Yan Shao can only make money in a down-to-earth manner.

Ten million pounds of business, in the end, those capitalists can make money from it, it is estimated that it is only two or three million pounds, maybe less. However, what this represents is not just money, but more importantly, the large number of jobs it has, not to mention the fact that these can also have a chain reaction of production capacity and drive a large number of industries.

For the people of this world, Britain is indeed the hegemon.

But prosperity must decline, and even the hegemon will have a weak day. In the middle of the 19th century, the United Kingdom, known as the "factory of the world", was the most industrially developed country in the world. But after the 70s. The economic development in the UK has slowed down. From 1870 to 1913, Britain's share of total industrial output fell from 32 per cent to 14 per cent. And in the 90s of the 19th century, it was first surpassed by the United States, and then by Germany at the beginning of the 20th century, falling into the third place in the world.

In 1913, Britain's steel production was 7.78 million tons, less than one-third of that of the United States and one-half of Germany. At the same time, due to the competition between the United States and Germany, the proportion of foreign trade in the total trade of the world also increased from 22% in 1871. The decline was 15% of the 1913 level. Agricultural raw materials and food products are also increasingly dependent on imports from abroad.

All this seems to indicate something, and the British themselves are clearly aware of this.

The main reason for the backwardness of British industry was the time of the second technological revolution. Britain started late and at a slower pace, with most of the UK's factories built in the early days of the Industrial Revolution. By the middle of the 19th century, the equipment of these factories was becoming increasingly outdated. But the British capitalists have never met a rival in the world market. Therefore, he is not interested in technical reform and equipment renewal. You don't want to lose money by updating your equipment.

Because the capitalists were content with the status quo and invested large sums of their capital in the colonies in order to make super-profits. The export of large amounts of capital affected the expansion of domestic investment and slowed down the development of industry. After the 19th century, the United States, Germany and other rising capitalist countries began to adopt advanced technology and equipment, and the rapid development of productive forces made Britain inevitably face fierce competition in the world market. Many countries boycotted British goods and adopted tariff protection. In this way, since the 70s of the 19th century. Britain's monopoly on the world market was quickly broken, which also affected the development of British industry.

But then again. Although Britain has lost its industrial monopoly position, as an imperialist country, with a large number of colonies, Britain can still maintain its dominant position, but the decline is becoming more and more obvious, and the importance of colonies to Britain is also increasing, and it is also because of this that after the end of the First World War, Wilson's 'Wilson Fourteen Points' will be so troublesome for Britain.

Because if it loses its huge colonies, Britain will not be competitive with other powers at all. And after the end of the Second World War, Britain's colonies were basically independent, and Britain inevitably became a second-rate country...

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The British are still relatively clear about their own situation, but some things cannot be solved by making them clear. Therefore, although many people in Britain are clear about the situation, they can only watch Britain's decline become more and more obvious—————— not to mention that Britain is now facing the challenge of the Allies, and even if it wants to adjust, it is powerless.

That said, the British still hope that there will be a little chance for change, if only slightly.

On the one hand, the reason why London is so annoyed this time is that the annual trade volume of 10 million pounds, although not particularly large for Britain, is definitely not something that can be ignored at will.

If this business can be obtained, even if it cannot become the opportunity that London hopes for, it can bring a little help—————— and now that Europe has fallen into a state of arms race, London's economy can be said to be unprecedentedly bad, not to mention that such a large business can also lead to a lot of employment.

But if it were just like that, London wouldn't be angry like this, what really annoyed London was that as a province within the Yangtze River, Anhui was in the range of British power from a certain point of view, and as a result, such a large amount of business did not fall into the hands of the British, but fell into the hands of the French, who had nothing to do with it...

It's like there's a treasure in your back garden, but it's been poached by your friends, how can London not be angry?

As the British minister to China, Zhu Erdian obviously bears most of the responsibility in this matter, because the British could have enjoyed these benefits exclusively and got a larger share from them, but now they can only watch the French get this, and they can't be angry yet, at least not in front of the French...

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As a close friend of Yuan Shikai, he was promoted to acting minister to China from 1898 and now is the British minister extraordinary and plenipotentiary to China. Zhu Erdian has been in the position of minister for fourteen years.

In the past 14 years, although Zhu Erdian has always been in a second-class position on the British diplomatic map, the extent of his power in China is completely conceivable.

And after fourteen years in the position of minister. was reprimanded by London for some reason, and Zhu Erdian's anger can be imagined.

Yes, Zhu Erdian is indeed a close friend of Yuan Shikai, and the friendship between them is also very deep, but I have to say that Zhu Erdian is indeed a professional diplomat, and he has always given top priority to the interests of Britain during his years in China. After that, his personal friendship with Yuan Shikai was followed.

It was also because of this relationship that many unequal treaties between Britain and China were signed during his tenure as minister.

So although his personal relationship with Yuan Shikai was good, the reason why he ignored Yan Shao was not his personal relationship with Yuan Shikai. It's the inexplicable pride of being British...

As the minister to China, Zhu Erdian certainly knows a little bit about the situation in Anhui, and also knows that there is one of the world's largest automobile companies in Anhui, and the cars it produces are higher than all other automobile companies in the world combined...

The question is. So what?

Although the decline of the UK is becoming more and more obvious. But as the diplomatic envoy of the most powerful country in the world, Zhu Erdian is still proud, and as a veteran minister, plus he is also a close friend of Yuan Shikai, Zhu Erdian does not need to be like Lei? Kopa is also desperate to make some impressive achievements.

Yan Shao's automobile company has not been established for a long time, and Zhu Erdian's attention to it is inevitably a little low, maybe he will pay some attention to it one day in the future, but it is definitely not now...

It's just that now that the French have taken the lead, everything will naturally come to naught...

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"Sir, why don't we sign an agreement with that warlord named Yan Shao?" Stand aside. Looking at the agreement in Zhu Erdian's hand, an official in the legation suggested softly.

Although the words on the telegram were basically a reprimand for Zhu Erdian. But as a member of the legation, isn't this a reprimand?

At the same time, as a proud Englishman, he may not be able to do much about the French, but he is eager to teach the Chinese who insulted him now. And he also wanted to redeem London's opinion of him, so it seemed to him that a new, far more generous agreement than the French had received, was clearly due.

However, after listening to his words, although Zhu Erdian's face was ugly, he still shook his head and said. "I'm afraid it's too late, and since the French are already involved, even if we intervene, it's useless..."

"French?" Hearing Zhu Erdian talk about the French, the official of the legation was a little disdainful. "Even if they come forward..."

"Their presence means that London will not support our unauthorized actions, don't forget, the situation in Europe has become more and more tense, and a major war may break out at any time, in this case, London will definitely attach much more importance to France than ours, and in this case, it is impossible for London to risk making enemies with France for such a small benefit..."

China is just a dumping ground for goods for the UK. If anything, it is that China's Tibet is a great danger to India, the brightest jewel in the British crown, and that's it...

For the sake of China's little interests, at the risk of making enemies with France? In the face of tensions in Europe, smart people would never do such a thing...

So at least at this stage, no matter what Zhu Erdian wants to do, as long as it is related to the French side, I am afraid that he will not get the support of the London side, let alone just for such a small thing...

"Then did we just give up?" Listening to Zhu Erdian's words, the minister official said with some indignation.

Because of Yan Shao's actions, he was reprimanded by London for some reason, which made him swallow this breath.

In fact, it's not just him, even Zhu Erdian himself, after all, he has been a soil emperor for more than ten years, and Zhu Erdian has also developed a lot of temper. What's more, this time the tone in London was the same as before. And because of this incident, I'm afraid London's evaluation of him will also be much lower. If it weren't for the fact that Zhu Erdian has been in China for many years and has a very deep friendship with the semi-substantial rulers of China now, I am afraid that London would have torn off Zhu Erdian because of this incident—————— not to mention how serious this matter is. It's just that what should have been obtained by himself inexplicably became someone else's, which made the British, who valued face very much, want to find an object of catharsis, and Zhu Erdian, who should have borne most of the responsibility, has undoubtedly become such an object.

But he still knows the overall situation of the Dao, so the last thing is only a faint Dao. "Wait, when the war in Europe is clear, we won't have to worry so much..."

Britain and France were originally a pair of enemies. The two countries will also stand together to deal with the threat of the Allies, and as long as the threat of the Allies is eliminated, the two countries will re-examine their relationship with each other.

Historically, after the defeat of Germany. It is not surprising that France originally wanted to get Germany a harsh treaty that he would not be able to stand up for the rest of his life—————— after all, France's losses in the First World War were too great.

However, both Britain and the United States advocated giving Germany a breath of relief, and in addition to the Soviet factor, there was also the idea that France did not want France to dominate the European continent.

But...

Cut the grass to remove the roots. Although Britain and the United States were the last to give Germany a sigh of relief. But the final treaty was still very humiliating in the eyes of Germany. And this last breath also gave Germany a chance to get back on its feet.

Strong strength, coupled with an extremely strong revenge mentality.

It was these that eventually led to the outbreak of another great war...

And it was this great war that caused Britain to finally lose its hegemony and eventually led to the rise of the Soviet Union and the United States...

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Although he was inexplicably reprimanded by the London side, which made Zhu Erdian extremely angry, he also knew that this stage was not the best time to deal with Yan Shao. Now that Yan Shao has pulled the French as his backer. Then if you want to deal with him, you can only do some tricks in secret. Or when Britain no longer needs France...

On the other hand, it is not clear that the matter of the agreement has been known to the British, and Yan Shao is still busy with many things.

First of all, the problem of bereavement pension was solved, and after the details of the fallen officers and soldiers were known, this part of the problem had been solved, but there were still many things waiting for Yan Shao to do.

"At one o'clock in the afternoon, go to the Delong company on the outskirts of the city to watch the operation of the factory, and at three o'clock in the afternoon, meet with the mayor of Tongling City, and at five o'clock in the afternoon..."

And as long as Wu Qianqiu reads one more, Yan Shao's head will hurt even more...

“…… In addition, Zhan Tianyou, Vice Chief Zhan is here, it seems that there is something I want to talk to you about..."Just when Yan Shao's headache was terrible, Wu Qianqiu suddenly said to Yan Shao.

"Oh? Zhan Tianyou? Hearing this name, Yan Shao also felt a little refreshed. What's up? ”

"It's not clear, but it seems to be related to the railway..."Closing the notebook, Wu Qianqiu said.

"Then invite him in..."Hearing that it was Zhan Tianyou coming, Yan Shao was also a little excited.

At this time, Zhan Tianyou was drinking the coffee that the maid had just brought up in the hall of the Governor's Mansion.

Although Yan Shao feels that he is very busy, in fact, Zhan Tianyou is the busiest one in Anhui—————— busier than anyone else...

As the deputy minister of the Ministry of Communications and the chief engineer of the Anhui Railway Project, Zhan Tianyou has been busy with railway affairs for the past few months. Especially after the railway between Xiangshan and Dangtu has been almost built, Zhan Tianyou has also begun the exploration and construction of other railways.

After staying in Anhui for a while, Zhan Tianyou also had a general idea of how rich Yan Shao was—————— although there was still a big gap between this concept and reality.

Since Zhan Tianyou became the deputy minister of the Ministry of Communications and the chief engineer of the railway project, Zhan Tianyou has never been short of funds. So in the past period of time, in addition to commanding the people below to carry out construction work, the rest is to carry out exploration work in Anhui.

Perhaps because he had been suffering from financial problems in the past, he suddenly no longer needed to worry about financial problems, which made Zhan Tianyou suddenly fall into a state of fanaticism about work.

Zhan Tianyou first carried out some exploration in Anhui, and roughly grasped the topography between some important towns, etc., in a few months, Zhan Tianyou has explored the terrain of a small half of Anhui, and finally came up with a plan.

It can be said that the next construction team only needs to follow this plan, and Zhan Tianyou himself only needs to follow aside for a little guidance.

But...

Or the old saying, the question of money ...

Looking at the results of his work in the past few months, Zhan Tianyou, who finally retired from the frenzy, was also sweating. Because if the railway is really built according to his plan, then the cost of it will not only be calculated in tens of millions...

It's just that since the planning drawings have been made, Zhan Tianyou doesn't want to give up just like that.

So after thinking about it, in the end, Zhan Tianyou still ran to the Governor's Mansion with the planning map, hoping to get support—————— this is the result of his guidance from others, he had actually gone to the Ministry of Finance to inquire, but Li Liang was also very direct, and directly showed him the current financial balance of the Ministry of Finance ......-375 yuan, which means that now the Ministry of Finance owes others 375 yuan... (To be continued......)