The Suez Canal is about to open, and several of the world's major powers have stepped up their deployment near the Suez Canal, wanting to control this future transportation artery. According to the plans of the Canal Company, the canal was expected to open in the second half of 1850. At that time, the exchanges between the East and the West will be greatly shortened.

The shareholders of the Suez Canal Company were the Chinese Empire, Great Britain, France, the Kingdom of Spain and Egypt. Among them, the Chinese Empire held the largest shares, reaching 32 percent, the British had 28 percent, France had 25 percent, the Kingdom of Spain had 10 percent, and Egypt had 5 percent.

Although the Chinese Empire had the largest shares, Britain and France together held 53 percent of the shares, more than half. If Britain and France united against the Empire over the canal, the Empire would be at a disadvantage. Therefore, the empire must strengthen its military deployment in the Middle East to ensure the interests of the empire.

"Your Majesty, according to the latest news sent back by the canal company, the progress of the canal excavation is very fast. However, there is also a bad phenomenon. The British and French seem to have begun to cooperate on the canal project. They are getting closer and closer, which is not a good thing for the Empire! Admiral Sun Hao, Chief of the Imperial General Staff, said to Long Yufei.

"Hmmm! The French betrayed us. Even if we and the Kingdom of Spain combined, we own only 42 percent of the shares. However, I don't think the British will push us too the canal. At the beginning, we signed the relevant agreement. If they dare to disobey. War is about to break out. Long Yufei said. If I had known, I should have asked for more shares in the first place, and at the same time. Nor can the French be given so many shares. In this way, the empire will not have lost its voice on the canal issue.

"Your Majesty, we have to guard against it! After the opening of the canal, it will become a major transportation artery between the east and the west. While we will abide by the original agreement, it does not mean that the British will abide by it. If something happens in Europe, the British block the canal. If the Empire's armies wanted to go to Europe, they had to take a detour to the Cape of Good Hope. Lieutenant General Liu Zhongming, Minister of Operations, also said.

Long Yufei nodded, the so-called defense of people is indispensable. On the issue of canals. The Empire must prepare in advance.

"How's the situation with the Empire's overseas bases?" Long Yufei asked. Looking for an overseas base near the Gulf of Aden in Africa was something Long Yufei had already determined. The Imperial General Staff and the 5th Fleet of the Navy were also looking for a suitable location.

"His Majesty, 5th Fleet of the Navy, reported in the western part of the Gulf of Aden. To the south of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait there is a place called Tajoura Bay. The water depth and wind and waves there are more suitable as a large harbor. With a slight expansion, even the Imperial Navy's 'Qin-class' battleships can be berthed. At the moment, the 5th Fleet has already gone to the region, preparing to set up overseas military bases there. Chief of the General Staff, General Sun Hao, said.

"Well, that's a nice place to be." Long Yufei said, and suddenly thought of what General Sun Hao said, the Djibouti Port of the Republic of Djibouti in the future is indeed a natural seaport. Except that the weather is hot. Apart from the lack of fresh water, there are few other weaknesses. Moreover. The geographical location is very important, guarding the exit of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and in the event of a crisis in the Suez Canal, the Imperial Navy can quickly go north to the Guò Bab el-Mandeb Strait into the Red Sea and rush to the Suez Canal.

"Sue Lu Haipeng, the 5th Fleet will occupy it and prepare to build it into a large naval base." Long Yufei said.

"Yes, Your Majesty! However, Britain and France have also begun to deploy in Somalia on the coast of the Gulf of Aden. If the empire intervenes there at this time, it will inevitably clash with them. Admiral Sun Hao said with some concern.

"There's no need to be afraid of them. When necessary, force can be used, and it must be snatched from there. Long Yufei said firmly. When it came to colonizing Africa, the empire was already far behind. If you want to find a foothold in Africa, you will have to pay a greater price. Long Yufei believes that when the canal has not yet been opened, the scale of the fleets sent by various countries to the Gulf of Aden will not be too large. In the face of the powerful 5th Fleet of the Imperial Navy, the countries simply could not compete.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Admiral Sun Hao nodded. Now that he has Long Yufei's order, then he is much easier to act.

In the south of Djibouti is Somalia, and since 1840, Britain and France have entered Somalia and carved it up. However, at that time, the Suez Canal was not on the agenda, and the value of this area was harsh and resource-poor, and Britain and France did not attach much importance to it. However, as the canal is about to be dug, the importance of this location is highlighted. Both Britain and France have begun to build military bases in Somalia to tighten their control over the region. Similarly, the Chinese Empire was not far behind.

In early June 1849, the main force of the Imperial Navy's 5th Fleet, consisting of two 'Eastern Zhou-class' warships, two 'Western Zhou-class' warships, four 'Solar Terms-class' cruisers and four 'Tiangang-class' destroyers, set off from its home port of Singapore, crossed the Pacific Ocean and entered the Gulf of Aden. The fleet went to the Gulf of Aden in East Africa to establish an overseas military base for the Imperial Navy. In addition to the 5th Fleet's battleships and supply ships, there were three infantry battalions from the 2nd Marine Brigade. They will be the first troops to garrison the Empire's overseas bases.

"Commander, we're about to get to Socotra. After Socotra, we will be able to enter Tajoura Bay in one more day. Vice Admiral Ye Feng, chief of staff of the 5th Fleet, said to Vice Admiral Lu Haipeng.

"Hmmm! The island of Socotra is located on the border between the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden. If we can take this place as well, we will be able to form a rivalry with our military base in Tajoura Bay. Lieutenant General Lu Haipeng looked at the chart and said.

"Commander, this is not easy! Socotra is British territory, and if we take it, I am afraid that it will lead to a conflict between our two countries. The British also deployed a fleet in Somalia. Lieutenant General Ye Feng was a little worried. Socotra's location is important, but it's not terra nullius.

"The territory of the British, isn't that the territory of the local Sultan of Yemen? Although the British East India Company once ruled here. But it's not British either. Lu Haipeng said in the middle.

As early as ancient times, ancient Indians continued to go to Socotra Island to obtain frankincense, gentian, dracaena, myrrh, aloe vera, civet, ambergris and other precious medicines, and they called this island "Happy Island". Stone culture monuments from 4000~3000 BC have been found on the island.

When the Twelfth Dynasty of ancient Egypt was in its heyday, the Egyptian pharaohs often sent people to collect precious medicines on the island of Socotra, focusing on buying frankincense from the island for mummification. It is said that frankincense was sold for a higher price than gold at that time. The ancient Egyptians called the island "Banch", which means magical island. In 52 AD, the islanders converted to Christianity under the guidance of St. Thomas.

In the 13th century, the most famous herbalist in Greece, Deeus Gurides, studied the island's precious medicinal herbs and documented them in his writings. Later, they called it Socotra, which means "market from afar".

In 1507, the Portuguese came to the island to help the islanders free themselves from the Islamic state of the Arabian Peninsula, and at the same time used the island as a military base for Portugal to invade al-Shihr and other places in Yemen's Hadaramou province, and to serve Portuguese ships traveling between the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. Four years later, the Portuguese left the island, and in 1511 the islanders became subjects of the Mahri Sultanate.

In 1834, the British East India Company once ruled the island. However, sovereignty over Socotra remains in the hands of the Sultanate of Mahri.

"Commander, you're not really coming, are you? There weren't many inhabitants on Socotra, but the British East India Company had a permanent convoy of hundreds of people here. It is said that the British are still in contact with the Sultanate of Mahri to buy Socotra. If we take this place, we will inevitably clash with the British. Lieutenant General Ye Feng said with a stern expression.

"Old Ye! Isn't it still British here? Let's fight down first and see what the British can do with us. The French have betrayed us, the British and the French have colluded, they have taken the initiative in the canal, and if we cannot hold the exit of the canal, the empire will be at a disadvantage. Lieutenant General Lu Haipeng also had a stern face.

Lieutenant General Ye Feng hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "Okay, commander, just listen to you." Let's fight it first, I don't believe it, Britain dares to go to war with us over an island! ”

"Haha! That's right. Order the fleet to turn, let's go to Socotra! Lieutenant General Lu Haipeng laughed.

The main force of the 5th Fleet of the Imperial Navy immediately turned around and headed for Socotra.

On June 13, 1849, the main force of the Imperial Navy's 5th Fleet appeared in the waters near the town of Hadib in the north of Socotra, which was the main concentration of the island's population, with a population of more than 1,000 islanders. In addition, the British East India Company also has a permanent guard and head of the agency who is responsible for managing the island, and has purchased the island's specialties from the islanders.

The appearance of the Imperial Navy caused a panic among the British East India Company on the island. (To be continued......)

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