The third more

Napoleon's desire to develop Africa was not a whim, but rather a series of measures that were in line with France's interests, such as expanding the colonies, but more about testing the results of new weapons.

The American Maxim did not disappoint Napoleon, and after almost a year and a half of hard work, the experimental model of the Maxim machine gun was already presented in front of him. The Paris government's support for Vielie's gunpowder research experiments at any cost also made a major breakthrough in his research, and finally developed the first smokeless gunpowder that could be put into practical use in the second year of the project.

This was a major breakthrough in the history of human weapons, marking the beginning of a new era in future wars. However, the establishment of smokeless gunpowder took the form of secrecy, and even the army was not aware of the emergence of this new type of gunpowder at this time.

The advent of pyrotechnics allowed the Maxim machine gun to use all-metal cartridge shells, and when the French Small Arms Association commented on the weapon, it was amazed by his constant firepower and unique way of throwing the shell. However, when they suggested that the military was very interested in the weapon, they were ordered by Paris to shut down and no one was allowed to divulge the existence of Maxim.

The General Directorate of Strategic Fraud was responsible for blocking the news, and Le Flo, on Napoleon's instructions, had Maxim design a monkey version of the Maxim machine gun capable of firing black powder. And no longer take a secretive attitude like the previous Mjönyuzt machine gun, but very generously announce to France the existence of this new weapon.

This will be a weapon that will change the battlefield, the real Reaper Reaper.

This kind of self-selling and boasting immediately attracted the attention of the sworn enemy, and although the German military was also suspicious, it could not stand up to the overwhelming propaganda of the French.

German intelligence, who heard the news, managed to get a Maxim machine gun, or the blueprint of the machine gun. However, the French side kept it very secret, and in the end, the Berlin side took great pains to get the blueprint of the monkey version of the Maxim machine gun that had been advertised, and copied this weapon according to the gourd painting scoop.

However, the result was a big disappointment for them, not only did the Maxim machine gun frequently fail in throwing shells, but also because the black powder did not burn sufficiently, a large amount of gunpowder residue was formed in the barrel, resulting in a very high probability of machine gun explosion and jamming. The German military top brass immediately gave the weapon a bad review and was blacklisted.

A small trick by the Bureau of Strategic Fraud has left German intelligence services out of the cracks with new weapons that have spanned more than a decade.

However, the real Maxim machine gun had just entered small-scale mass production at this time, and was about to be equipped with the security team of the French scientific research department.

On the surface, it is a scientific research department, but who has ever seen a team equipped with standard rifles and machine guns to conduct postgraduate examinations? France is merely exploring the Congo under the guise of exploration.

France's rash actions by one country would arouse the suspicion of other powers, so he needed a small country as a front to assist him in his actions.

Neighbouring Belgium became the best pawn.

Gabriac, in his capacity as Counsellor to the French Ambassador to Brussels, met with King Leopold II of Belgium at the time. At this time, the king of Belgium still held some power, and he was busy planning expeditions to Africa. He even fantasized about naming the discovered colony.

However, the sudden arrival of the French ambassador disrupted all his plans. Gabriac made it clear that he knew that Leopold II wanted to exploit Africa, and that France was willing to cooperate with Belgium in the development of central Africa.

"Aren't the French colonies big enough?"

Leopold II said disgruntled, "And this is a scientific expedition to Africa, and we are not going to establish a colony. ”

Gabriac asked rhetorically, "Your Majesty, do you think the British will think their colonies are too big?" ”

Gabriac's words silenced Leopold II, and he continued, "The English certainly do not think that their colonies are too large, and likewise not the French. I know what King Leopold has been trying to do lately, you have been suffering from the fact that Belgium does not have enough colonies to plunder raw materials and dump goods, so you want to have a colony of your own in Africa under the banner of scientific research, right? ”

"But I'm sorry, now France has its eye on Central Africa as well."

Leopold was horrified, he did not know where the French had learned his thoughts. However, this was indeed a secret in his heart, and he never even mentioned it to his prime minister.

He thought carefully about it, it would be unwise to start a head-on conflict with the French, and Belgium did not have such strength and ambition, so the best way was to openly agree to their demands, but secretly draw Britain and Germany in at the same time.

However, the other party had already seen through his thoughts, and reminded him sideways, "Your Majesty, I advise you not to try to do something stupid. Do you think that Paris does not know what is in your heart? President Napoleon conveyed to you on my behalf that there were only two countries in the joint expedition, France and Belgium. But in reality, you should know who the prospected colony should belong to in the end. ”

Leopold II swallowed, the threat of the other party overflowing.

Gabriac knew what the other party was afraid of, he was afraid that his little calculations would be publicized, and he was even more afraid that the last bit of colony, which originally belonged to him, would also be assigned to the side of the Prime Minister Melander and become the region described by the Belgian state.

In this way, he is the one who has more to gain than to lose.

"If you think that you can benefit from the inclusion of other countries in your expedition, then France can make it clear that you will not get a single colony in the end. Even if the great powers sit together and share the spoils, it will not be your turn to be a Belgium. Although France looks ugly, according to the nature of Britain and Germany, they will not even reserve the last colony for you. ”

Gabriac fully verified the saying that a weak country has no diplomacy. If France wanted to take anything from Belgium, they simply did not have the ability to resist.

He pointed to the other party and said word by word, "Even if it is your turn to Belgium, this colony belongs to Minister Melander, to the Belgian people, not to you personally." Its taxes and any earnings will not fall into your pocket. ”

"My patience is limited, so I ask you one last time, would you like to cooperate with Paris?"