Today's Huangpu River is very different from the past, in addition to the many majestic warships on the river, a large number of people gathered on the wharf to watch.

If it weren't for the soldiers who were brave enough to take care of the order, I wouldn't know what chaos was going to happen. However, even if there are soldiers bravely guarding it, it still attracts bursts of applause.

There is also a reason why the people are so enthusiastic, and the soldiers sent by the Italians to help the Qing Dynasty have arrived.

Therefore, in addition to the people, the court officials and foreign envoys in Shanghai gathered here to prepare for the arrival of the fleet.

"Welcome to Lieutenant General Álvaro's arrival in Shanghai, and wish you and China good relations for generations to come."

As the highest-ranking official of the Qing government in Shanghai, Shanghai Daodao Tai Nie Jichun welcomed the arrival of Lieutenant General Álvaro, commander of the Italian dispatch army, as the host of the Shanghai officials. This Nie Daotai, who previously served as the general office of the Jiangnan Manufacturing Bureau, is also a technical talent in foreign affairs, of course, what is more concerning is that he married the youngest daughter of Zeng Guofan.

However, Lieutenant General Álvaro did not know much about the politics of the Qing Kingdom at all, so he was more concerned about the next issues.

"Your Excellency Nie, I wonder if our station is ready?"

Lieutenant General Álvaro's question was one of his greatest concerns at present, and before he set out, he sent a telegram to the Qing government, requesting the establishment of a transit supply point in Shanghai to provide supplies and a place for the Italian officers and men to rest for a while.

The Qing government also replied quickly, saying that it must be done before he arrived, so there was Lieutenant General Álvaro's inquiry.

"General, please rest assured, I have already ordered someone to prepare a place that can be used by the army at any time."

Don't look at Nie Daotai's appearance of a trivial matter now, in fact, in order to settle the Italian army that arrived, the Zhabei battalion only rushed out yesterday. After all, the foreign soldiers invited can't be the same as those Qiu Ba, just set up some tents. So Nie Daotai built a lot of construction, gathered craftsmen in Zhabei and spent more than ten days to build a strong barracks that could accommodate nearly 20,000 people.

"Then thank Your Excellency for your help, and may the two countries be friendly for generations to come."

Since your own requirements have been met, it is harmless to say a few words of thanks that don't cost money.

Nie Daotai smiled and listened to Lieutenant General Álvaro's words of thanks conveyed by the translator, and said insincerely. "Don't dare to be, don't dare to be!"

After skipping the exchange of pleasantries with Nie Daotai, Lieutenant General Álvaro immediately approached the Italian Counsellor Burrigin, who had been waiting for him.

As with other countries, Italy's diplomatic envoys in the Qing Dynasty followed the pattern of envoys operating in political centers such as Beijing and Tianjin, while counselors were stationed in the economic center of Shanghai. So in general, Counselor Burrigin is the highest Italian diplomat in Shanghai.

However, although it is not ordinary now, the north where Minister Jia Liwen is located is even more important.

"Counselor Burrigin, how are the materials needed for the dispatch army to be prepared at present?"

In the conversation with Counselor Burrigin, Lieutenant General Álvaro was much more accommodating, at least without paying attention to diplomatic etiquette.

Hearing Lieutenant General Alvaro's words, Counselor Burrigin, who was having a headache about it, could only tell the truth.

"The situation is not good, because the rampant behavior of Japanese spies in Shanghai has led to only about 85% of the current procurement volume, and those Japanese spies are frantically attacking warehouses that hoard our country's procurement materials and killing those merchants who help us."

Lieutenant General Álvaro frowned when he heard Counselor Burrigin's words. "Didn't the Qing government crack down on these spies?"

Speaking of this, Counselor Burrigin was angry. "Why not, those Qingguo police also carried out patrols and protection, but ......"

Speaking of this, Counselor Burrigin glanced at Nie Daotai, who was left behind, although the other party did not understand Italian, it was better to be careful.

"How to put it, the ability of the Qing police is very low, if you put your hope in them, then you will achieve nothing. And as far as I know, those Japanese spies were even more rampant in the public concession, and the British and American police in Shanghai ignored them even more. ”

The actual situation is not much different from what Counselor Burry Kin said, and in the Chinese community it is okay, at least at the official level, it is still trying to crack down on these Japanese spies, although the ability is a little worse, but there is still something to do. Purchasing merchants in the public concession, that is the blood mold that pours. Under the hint of the Ministry of Industry, the patrol house has been slow to do things lately, especially after receiving the report from a businessman who has a procurement contract with Italy, the old lady is more timely than them.

But what can be done, Britain and the United States do not want to see Italy get involved in this war, and if they want it to cooperate with Italy, don't even think about it.

Hearing this, Lieutenant General Álvaro couldn't help but burst into a foul mouth. "Damn bastard!"

Counselor Burrigin's words made Lieutenant General Álvaro's good mood disappear in a flash. He was not in the mood at all for the subsequent welcoming ceremony.

Even the reception banquet held by Nie Daotai for him, he also shirked it on the grounds that he was busy with military affairs.

In fact, this is not an excuse, Lieutenant General Alvaro is really busy with military affairs.

He had important matters to consult with Major General Pulev, commander of the Expeditionary Force and commander of the 1st Guards Division.

"General Preev, I have a plan that needs your cooperation."

Although the rank was one level higher, Lieutenant General Álvaro was still very polite to Major General Pulev.

"Your Excellency, Commander, please speak."

In the face of the polite Lieutenant General Alvaro, Pulev was equally unambiguous.

Lieutenant General Álvaro was not polite, pointing to the newly paved map of the Far East. "Major General Pulev, you have also seen that the current preparations for various materials are not sufficient, and the situation of the Japanese army in Weihaiwei is already very urgent, and that Li Zhongtang has sent another telegram urging us. So I decided to concentrate supplies and give priority to sending a force to support Weihaiwei. ”

Major General Preev also knows something about Lieutenant General Alvaro's words, but he still has some doubts. "I can understand the priority of sending some troops north to share the pressure on the Qing people. However, at present, the Japanese army besieging Weihaiwei has occupied most of Weihaiwei, and the Japanese army has more troops than our troops, so I am a little worried about casualties. ”

In a nutshell, will this kind of reinforcement in batches lead to the formation of oil-licking tactics, so that the army cannot exert its full strength.

"You can rest assured that I will accompany the main warship, and I will give some help at sea to share the pressure on land."

Lieutenant General Álvaro's explanation was not finished, and the Japanese army had also landed, and the need for supply lines by sea was even more urgent.

And this time they were preparing to go north, in order to force the Japanese fleet to fight, unless they didn't want the Japanese army in Shandong, otherwise they wouldn't watch themselves besiege Dengzhou.

Of course, it is impossible for Lieutenant General Álvaro to say these words, which is not conducive to the unity of the army and navy.

However, from Major General Prev's answer, we can also see that this Major General should also know.

"Then send the Fourth Infantry Regiment as the first echelon and go to Shandong with His Excellency the Commander."

Lieutenant General Alvaro nodded in satisfaction to Pulev's reply. "Okay, fix it tomorrow for the day, and set off early the day after tomorrow."

"I will concentrate on replenishing the supplies of the Fourth Infantry Regiment, and I will not make Your Excellency wait for a long time."

In the words of the two generals, Kosenz is about to take his 4th Infantry Regiment and embark on an unknown journey.