White House

"We can't be beaten passively like this, it's too passive in public opinion, we must make a tough counterattack, we urgently need a victory to inspire the confidence of the American people to fight against the demon army, which is crucial."

Woodrow Wilson waved his arms as he spoke, his eyes glaring at the crowd, and then he strode up to the map and struck hard at a certain point; "This is it, we're going to attack and take this place."

Secretary of the Army, William Howard Taaffe, looked at it with a green face, and blurted out; "Mr. President, Algeria is French territory."

"No, no, no...... It is here, Guinea, an enclave of the Ocean Kingdom in West Africa. President Woodrow Wilson moved his finger and pointed to a small area on the west coast of Africa, and said with a high spirit;

"I'm going to gather the remaining forces of the navy and transport two more regiments of soldiers over to occupy this place, which has less than 400 soldiers, and has no decent shore artillery positions, and is entirely a civilian port.

As long as we occupy this place, the United States and foreign countries will be strategically opposed, and at least we will not suffer in terms of propaganda, but we will only be on the strategic defensive for the time being.

If successful, it will be a powerful morale boost for the population and front-line soldiers, which is what we are lacking the most at the moment. ”

The U.S. Navy was represented by Colonel Louis, the highest-ranking officer in the Navy at present, and the officers were either dead or in the prisoner of war camp at Pearl Harbor.

Colonel Louis was the commander of the Hampton Base under the Atlantic Fleet, and was responsible for base security and logistics for a long time.

This task of the ocean-going expedition was entrusted to him, and he had no idea what to do.

"Mr. President, the Atlantic Fleet no longer exists, and we still have some destroyers who are unable to go on an expedition across the ocean because of their limited range, and the two newly built battleships in the anchorage are seriously understaffed and cannot take on such a difficult task."

"Don't you still have three cruisers?"

"Do you mean those three old sail cruisers? They have been anchored at anchorage for more than 10 years and cannot be operated without entering the shipyard for overhaul operations. And it's impossible to find a suitable rope now, maybe in the Netherlands or Spain, but certainly not in the United States. ”

"Fake, why is this happening?" President Woodrow Wilson burst into a foul mouth, he thought about it for a moment, turned his head to look at Secretary of War Taft and asked; "Guinea does not have any decent military force, and without the cover of naval vessels, will the army be able to accomplish this occupation task alone?"

Taft ???

He was the Minister of the Army, a civilian official, and was only a social activist before taking up this important position, so how did he know if such a highly specialized military mission could be accomplished?

So the Secretary of the Army, Taftau, turned his eyes to the Chief of Staff of the Federal Army, Major General Fred C. Ainsworth, and hoped that he would answer.

Faced with the eager gaze of the President and the Secretary of the Army, Major General Ainsworth could not shirk it, and could only reply stubbornly;

"Theoretically, a convoy disguised as another country could have a chance to attack the port of Guinea, but this is only an ideal situation, and there is a good chance of success in non-war time or before the start of war.

Guinea is the main entrepot port for exports to the United States, and most of its cargo fleets come from various freighter shipping companies in foreign countries, and they know each other well.

Since the outbreak of the war

The port's trade links with ports on the East Coast of the United States have been completely severed, and there is no entry without exit, and naturally there is no large cargo fleet entering the port.

Therefore, when a cargo fleet arrives at the port of Guinea, there is a high probability that it will be attacked by the fleet belonging to the port marine district. The port marine district is equipped with four Seagull-class frigates, each equipped with two 152mm guns, one in the front and one in the forech.

Such firepower will certainly not work against warships, but against slow-moving freighters......"

Overtones

What happens when a troop carrier is attacked by an enemy without a warship?

Can Mr. President afford such a responsibility?

President Woodrow Wilson was a little mad with rage and shouted; "What is needed now is to fight back resolutely, you know? This is not good, that is not good, are we just sitting here waiting to die? ”

This kind of brainless question is not easy to answer, and everyone is speechless......

New York Harbor

Because of the outbreak of the North American War, the originally bustling New York Harbor has also become deserted, and a large number of European immigrants have stayed on the other side of the Atlantic to watch, and the number of cruise ships pouring into New York Harbor has plummeted by as much as 7 percent, and there are still understaffed.

On the other hand, when I returned to Europe, it was full and it was hard to find a ticket.

"Hmm...... Dutch, your name? ”

"It's on it, sir, Macmillan."

"I see, you're going to London?"

"Yes, sir."

"Keep your head up and don't cover your face with a hat and scarf." The port official held the document in his hand, looked at the man in front of him with a polite scarf, watched him slowly untie the scarf, suddenly his eyes sharpened, and he couldn't help but stand up and shout, saying; "Oh, you're an East Asian, a spy from a foreign country?"

"No, no, no...... You are mistaken, I am a Dutchman, a harmless businessman......"

"Oh God, catch him......"

The New York Port Authority officials shouted loudly, attracting several nearby guards who were maintaining order, rushing up to twist the tall man and immediately scuffling with the man and several of his entourage.

In the chaos

The man's high-brimmed top hat was knocked off, and the scarf was torn off, revealing a gray-haired, wrinkled face, and his originally elegant temperament was full of panic.

Several of the entourage who struggled to resist, together with Sheng Yeyun, were restrained by the numerous guards who arrived later, and in anger, he shouted loudly in Dutch; "You are all mistaken, I am a Dutch nobleman, and I need to see the Dutch consulate officials now, and they will prove my identity."

Half an hour later

In a four-walled room, Sheng Yeyun, with bruises on his face, met Mr. Oldenburg, the consul of the Dutch consulate in New York, and the two had a short but interesting conversation.

"I've heard of your famous name, Mr. Sheng, but I didn't expect to meet here, do you have anything to say about it?"

"I can only tell you, Dear Monsieur Oldenburg, in Batavia my family served four Dutch governors and made a distinguished contribution to the colonial rule of the kingdom, but unfortunately the new governors, each with a greater appetite than the other, had no choice but to leave when I could not satisfy it. Are you satisfied with this explanation? ”

"Thanks, this does answer one of my questions, but why are you here?"

"An ordinary business trip, unfortunately interrupted by the invasion of the Devil's Legion of the Ocean Empire, I could only find a way to get a few train tickets to travel from California across the entire North American continent to the East Coast, trying to travel from here to London and finally back to Singapore, the seat of the Governor's House in the British Straits Settlements, which was my destination."

"And one more question, why did you use a pseudonym?"

"This is the price of many years of service to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, having blown up the telegraph office of Moresby during the East Indies War, directed the landing of the Royal Dutch Navy fleet, and advised against the Kingdom of the Great Ocean during and after the war. Now that the Ocean Kingdom is at its peak, I don't want to draw their attention. ”

"Thank you for your honesty, Mr. Sir, and I don't think there's a problem with your identity." Consul Oldenburg stood up slightly apologetically and bowed slightly, this was an apology for the inability of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to protect a veteran, Sheng Yeyun accepted this salute calmly.

Straightening up, Consul Oldenburg asked in a respectful tone;

"Sir Honor, as a far-sighted expert on the question of the Ocean Kingdom, you have made many pertinent and practical suggestions, and have made outstanding contributions to the Kingdom's governance of the colonies of the East Indies and to the regional hegemony of the Ocean Kingdom.

I was here before I came

I have sent a telegram asking for instructions from Japan, and I have been entrusted by the Prime Minister to ask for advice after confirming your identity.

How should the Kingdom of Holland respond to the tendency of regional hegemony, which the Kingdom of the Great Ocean can barely contain, in order to retain its colony in the East Indies?

Rest assured, we will take care of all your identity issues.

This is not a quid pro quo, but a request from the Cabinet of the Kingdom of the Netherlands......"

A request, huh...... Fools play, right?

Sheng Yeyun sneered in his heart, he was very interested in this kind of little trick, he knew that if he didn't show some real talent, he might have to squat in the small dark room of the New York Port Authority for a long time.

Don't look at what he says so beautifully, the Dutch will not only not help him, but will also step on it hard.

For a useless old dog, who will be diligent in providing for the elderly?

With mixed feelings about the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Sheng Yeyun was silent for a moment, and Consul Oldenburg did not urge him, just sat quietly across the table and waited, with a look of you looking at it.

After a long time

Sheng Yeyun sighed slightly and said;

"Looking at the process of the rise of the Ocean Kingdom, it can be seen that its monarch Li Fushou is an outstanding leader with careful thinking, clear mind and strategic vision, and he has been very steady and far-reaching in the process of the development of the kingdom.

Such a person will not be easily moved by external objects, and will expand according to the established rhythm, which is traceable.

The Earl of Queensland launched the East Indies War in 1880, and after winning the war, he gained Shangri-La Island, most of Borneo and the Sulawesi Islands, and greatly expanded his power.

After ten years, the country was founded in 1890 and launched the Australian Civil War, which finally unified the entire Australian continent.

After eight years, he invaded the Luzon Islands in 1898 and seized this strategic place in Southeast Asia in front of the United States.

Ten years later, in 1908, under the pretext of Argentina's unequal treatment of Chinese businessmen, the "Wool War" was launched, and the flames of war spread to the North American continent.

Thus

If there is no sudden change in the international situation, Li Fushou, the monarch of the Ocean Kingdom, will almost expand at the current pace, that is, in 8~10 years, he will take the initiative to start a war.

I'm convinced

Sumatra, the island of Sumatra in the Dutch East Indies, will be his next target for expansion, and the Second East Indies War cannot be avoided, it is only a matter of time.

This time depends on the Ocean Kingdom thoroughly digesting the territory of North America, thoroughly digesting the benefits of this "wool war", and converting them into stronger national power.

The time should also be 8~10 years, 8 years at the earliest, no more than 10 years at the latest, are you still satisfied with this answer? ”

There was a long silence below, and Consul Oldenburg carefully savored what he said, and had to say that it was very reasonable, and from the bottom of his heart, he had already agreed with his point of view, and could not help but ask again; "Can't avoid it?"

"No way."

"That'...... Why are you so sure that Sumatra is the target? ”

"Actually, you have the answer in your heart, but you've been pretending to be asleep." Sheng Yeyun smiled contemptuously at the corner of his mouth, looked at Consul Oldenburg, who looked a little embarrassed, resisted the urge to scold, and said without being salty;

"How many years has it been since the Aceh War, which began in 1873?

During the countless back-and-forths, the population of this island has grown from more than 7 million to less than 3 million now, all industries are withering, the people are struggling to make a living, the Kingdom of the Netherlands is almost unable to hold on, and the Aceh rebels can still hold on, what does this mean?

Who's supporting them...... What is the purpose?

Looking at the land sought by the Ocean Kingdom, it is either sparsely populated or geographically extremely important, and one of the two must be occupied.

Sumatra has both, how can it be spared?

We helped the people of the Ocean Kingdom to cut the population of the island by more than half, of course they are not in a hurry, after cleaning up North America, they can take Sumatra Island into their pockets without hurry, is it difficult to do?

With the strength of the Royal Dutch Navy and Army today, can it confront the Ocean Kingdom without the support of the British?

There is an old saying in China, please help me pass it on to His Excellency the Prime Minister; He is not wise that is not wise for himself. ”

Speaking of which

Sheng Yeyun's eyes closed, and he didn't want to speak anymore.

The Kingdom of the Netherlands is just a third-rate European character, the country is small and the people are weak, no matter how much you hold it, it is impossible to become a big dragon, and it is not worth gambling on the family's life and investment.

Odds of losing...... is 100%.

Two days later

White House

Sheng Yeyun still overestimated the moral bottom line of the Dutch, he was betrayed to the United States, and after some temptation, he was quickly sent to Washington through the special railway carriage, and was taken to the political center of the United States ~ White House

Sheng Yeyun stood on the south lawn of the White House, his gray hair fluttering from time to time in the warm spring breeze on April 2, which seemed to indicate that his mood was not as calm as it seemed.

If you can take refuge in the United States, why not do a "Bank of China Talk"?