London, the capital of the United Kingdom, is particularly beautiful under the thick fog. The blossoms of the Industrial Revolution made London the largest metropolis in the world. There is no other city in the world that can compare to London. Paris, the capital of France, is not good, Berlin, the capital of the Kingdom of Prussia, and Huaxia, the capital of the Chinese Empire, may be able to do so in the future. However, it is nowhere near as good as London's.

Britain is the world's largest industrial strength. However, with the rapid rise of the Chinese Empire, Britain had lost the market in the East. The rise of the Kingdom of Prussia made the markets of the European continent full of goods of the Kingdom of Prussia, and British goods were once again squeezed. It was only after the formation of the two major military alliances that the situation improved slightly.

It is difficult to circulate the goods of a hostile alliance. Of course, this also makes the contradictions between the two opposing military alliances more and more serious. In Europe in particular, the Kingdom of Prussia had no overseas colonies, and at the same time domestic goods were restricted by the North Atlantic Military Alliance, which made the rapid development of the Prussian Kingdom of Industry severely affected. With the exception of the military industry, the rest of the industries have shrunk in different ways.

The interests of the Junker landlords and capitalists in Prussia were greatly affected, and they were originally supporters of the Prussian kingdom's foreign expansion, and now they supported the Prussian kingdom to open up markets for them by force. The whole of Europe is almost in a state of saber rattling!

Downing Street Prime Minister's House, British Prime Minister Earl Stanley holds a cabinet meeting. Originally. The Cabinet meets once a week. However, as the situation has become more and more tense, the regular meeting has become held every three days.

"Gentlemen. The situation is getting more and more tense. In particular, the smell of gunpowder on the European continent is already very strong, and only one spark is enough to explode the whole of Europe. And we, are we ready for war? Earl Stanley asked.

"Your Excellency, Prime Minister, this war was inevitable long before the two major military alliances were formed. In the past two years, if it weren't for everyone's restraint. I'm afraid the war has already broken out! Two years ago, no one was ready for war. However, two years are good. Everyone's preparations seem to be already! "The Earl of Granville, the Foreign Secretary, was a little worried.

"What? Your Excellency the Foreign Secretary, have you received any bad news? "Earl Stanley and the other cabinet ministers all looked at Earl Granville. The British Foreign Office also has a role in gathering intelligence at the embassies of various countries.

"Yes. Your Excellency the Prime Minister! Our enemies in the East. Preparations for war are already underway! And, this time it's different, it's more like a pre-war mobilization! Said the Earl of Granville.

"What's going on?" Earl Stanley's face turned stern. If there is any country in the world that can challenge the hegemony of the British Empire, it is the Chinese Empire. Although the British Empire still has the title of world hegemon, they all know that in fact, the national power of the Chinese Empire has surpassed that of Britain. Whether it is industrial power or military power. The Chinese Empire was only stronger than the British Empire. If it hadn't attracted so many allies, Britain would really not have the confidence to compete with the Chinese Empire for future world hegemony.

"Just last month. The Emperor of the Chinese Empire summoned the senior generals of the Chinese army and navy, and the high-ranking officials of the Chinese Imperial Cabinet also attended the meeting. Although we do not yet know the content of this meeting, it is certain that it was more like a pre-war mobilization. Because, since the end of this meeting, several industries related to the military industry in the Chinese Empire have begun to transform into a wartime system! The army and navy of the Chinese Empire also began to strengthen their combat readiness. Said the Earl of Granville.

The ministers of the British Cabinet are not looking good. They also smelled something unusual from it.

In addition, the Ministry of Finance of the Chinese Empire issued 500 million Chinese yuan in treasury bonds. There is no doubt that this national debt was all used to prepare for war. It is unbelievable that such a large amount of government bonds was sold out on the day it was sold. In the major cities of the Chinese Empire, there was a phenomenon of citizens lining up to buy treasury bonds, and even many peasants rushed to the cities from far away to buy treasury bonds. However, most of them were not able to succeed. A national debt of 500 million Chinese dollars is too little for the Chinese Empire. It has been reported that in order to satisfy the patriotic enthusiasm of the people, the Ministry of Finance of the Chinese Empire will issue 500 million Chinese yuan of treasury bonds in the near future. Once these funds are raised, the warplanes of the Chinese Empire will probably be in full swing. When the time comes, we're probably in trouble! The Earl of Granville continued.

"A total of 1 billion Chinese dollars of national debt, when converted into pounds, is already 250 million Chinese dollars. Those Chinese are really rich! "Chancellor of the Exchequer Benjamin. Disraeli exclaimed. In order to counter the increasing pressure, Britain has also strengthened its armaments, which has also put great financial pressure on the United Kingdom. Benjamin. Disraeli is even more anxious about this. Now, the Chinese Empire was quietly able to raise a billion Chinese dollars in national debt, which made him full of envy and jealousy.

"The most terrifying thing is not only that, the patriotic enthusiasm of the Chinese has been completely ignited in this purchase of government bonds. Many people buy Treasury bonds and then tear them up or burn them on the spot. Although, this was bought with their life savings! The Earl of Granville's tone was a little gloomy, and he was completely shocked when he received such news. He was skeptical that if Britain had issued government bonds, the public would have supported it so enthusiastically.

"Are those Chinese crazy?" Benjamin. Disraeli exclaimed.

"Yes, they've gone crazy. This is how the Chinese expressed their love for their country and their loyalty to the emperor. This time, we may have to face an extremely strong opponent. If I could, I'd rather the war didn't break out! Said the Earl of Granville.

Because of the words of the Earl of Granville, the ministers of the British cabinet were a little speechless. The strength of the Chinese Empire is already very terrifying, and if it gets the support of all the Chinese people, what will Britain do to fight the Chinese Empire!

"Gentlemen, I have to say that this time we are in an unprecedented crisis. Our opponent will be a formidable opponent who has surpassed Napoleon the Great. But, even so, there is no way back now. What we have to do is to win this war to the best of our ability. Originally, Napoleon the Great was not able to conquer England. Now, it is absolutely impossible for the Chinese Empire to conquer the British! "As Prime Minister of the Government, the Earl of Stanley knew that he could not be discouraged. Otherwise, there would be no need for this battle to continue, and it would be better to surrender directly to the Chinese Empire!

"Yes, Your Excellency the Prime Minister is right. The war has not yet begun, and it would be too early to be discouraged now. Although our enemies are very strong, the British Empire is not a paper paste, we are the hegemon that has dominated the world for hundreds of years. If the Chinese want to defeat us, it's still very early! Said the Marquis of Anglesey, Minister of War.

Originally, in the British Army was not taken seriously. However, now, under pressure from China, the British Army has developed rapidly. If the Anglo-Indian Army is added, the total strength of the British Army has exceeded 1.5 million. In the Cabinet, the status of the Minister of War and the Minister of the Navy has been completely equal.

"Yes, we haven't lost the war yet!" Other cabinet ministers also said one after another.

Earl Stanley nodded with satisfaction at everyone's reaction, and then said, "Since our enemy has begun to make the final preparations before the battle, we can't be left behind. From now on, the British Empire will also be fully prepared for war and strive to win the war! ”

"Yes, Your Excellency, Prime Minister!" Everyone replied.

"Your Excellency, Lord of the Admiralty, though, I promised you five years to prepare. But, I'm sorry, I'm afraid I'm going to break my promise. Now, is the Royal Navy capable of defeating the Chinese Navy? Earl Stanley asked. In his view, the Royal Navy was the most important force that guaranteed the victory of Britain. Britain is isolated from the European continent, and as long as the navy is not defeated, then Britain's security can be guaranteed.

"Your Excellency, the Royal Navy has come a long way over the years. However, there is still a gap between us and the Chinese Navy. However, if war breaks out, we will do our best to win. There are so many factors that determine the victory or defeat of the sea, therefore, I cannot give you a definite answer! "Lord of the Admiralty, Charles. Sir Adam said.

Earl Stanley nodded, he knew that Charles. Sir Adam had no confidence in victory. However, this is already much better than the last time. Before, Charles. Sir Adam did not have the confidence to confront the Imperial Chinese Navy. At least for now, the Royal Navy has a certain amount of confidence. As stated by Charles. As Sir Adam said, there are many factors that influence naval warfare. Perhaps, God will bless the British Empire, and in the future naval battles, the British Empire's navy will be able to create a miracle again.

"Guys, we're running out of time. I would like to tell Her Majesty that from now on, the British Empire will need to prepare for war! Earl Stanley said.

After this meeting, the British Empire began to prepare for war in full force. The situation in the whole world has become more tense. (To be continued......)

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