Early December 1871

New Xi'an

Located on the westernmost side of Paradise Island, New Xi'an, a metropolis with a population of one million, is a regional center city that rises in the western Pacific region and is far more famous than Batavia.

The high coconut palms and snow-white sand beaches along the promenade form a tropical landscape, and the smooth and wide asphalt road is lined with cars, wagons and horse-drawn carriages, which follow the principle of "drive on the right" and appear to be in order.

The tall buildings in the city are heavy eaves and arches, and the weather is thousands, which fully demonstrates the majestic characteristics of the Han and Tang Dynasty buildings, and is very recognizable.

The city's street garden and the central road separation zone are full of greenery and flowers, which has won the reputation of "Garden City" and is a model city with its own characteristics in the field of urban construction.

Many Chinese from mainland China who went to Australia to pan for gold couldn't help but stop after passing through this beautiful city, stayed here and eventually became a part of the new Chang'an.

His Royal Highness Tang Li Xin led an expeditionary fleet to arrive in New Chang'an, which caused a huge sensation in this metropolis, and as many as 100,000 people took to the streets to welcome it, which was really an unprecedented grand occasion.

Poor New Chang'an, a beautiful and outstanding city, because it is located in an overseas province and is the exclusive territory of the imperial family, it has not received much attention in the imperial government, and the imperial family has never set foot here.

At first glance, when I heard that the eleventh son of the emperor led an army to Egypt, passing through New Chang'an, this metropolis close to the equator was completely boiling.

Lord Speight, Governor of the Dutch East Indies, and Lieutenant General Kahn-Joe-Wood, who followed them all the way from Donggang City, were amazed by the size of the magnificent new Xi'an metropolis and its beautiful garden-like environment.

It was even more shocking that the royal family of the Tang Empire was enthusiastically supported by more than 100,000 people, and the kind of tsunami-like cheers soared into the sky, which was extremely shocking.

The vast majority of people living in the city are Chinese immigrants, who have experienced the huge difference between the two countries, and their recognition and respect for the Tang royal family come from the bottom of their hearts, and may also be due to the fact that they have been neglected for a long time.

At least in Chang'an, the imperial capital, you won't see such a warm scene.

One of the convoys of distinguished guests from the Doge's Palace of Batavia was also in the convoy that drove along the wide avenue.

"Your Excellency, the sight of this shocking scene before you seems to take you back to the scene of the victorious return of the fleet from a long voyage in the Age of Discovery.

That era

Every time the Dutch fleet returns to the sea, the huge city of Amsterdam is set on fire, and the city dwellers pour into the docks to welcome the return of the fleet in festive costumes, which is like a dream.

All sang and danced to greet the great Dutch fleet, bringing back one conquest after another of glory and untold riches.

It's a pity that this kind of scene hasn't happened for a long time, and I don't think Paradise Island is a colony of the Tang Dynasty, this is their homeland! ”

Vice Admiral Kahn Joe Wood looked out the window of the car at the welcoming crowd desperately waving the imperial flag, and the shock in his heart could not be calmed for a long time.

Isn't that true of Governor Spez?

It was also his first time setting foot in this famous metropolis in the Western Pacific, and over the years, New Xi'an's fame has risen like a rocket, overshadowing Batavia, the commercial center of the East Indies, which has been famous for centuries.

Looking at the excited and tearful crowds on both sides of the road, Governor Speights couldn't help but feel a chill from the back, which reflected the high cohesion of the Tang people, and it was a city that could never be conquered by force.

Consider that Paris was like this, when more than 2.3 million Parisian citizens were united and patriotic fervor was so strong that even the mighty German army did not dare to penetrate a single step into the city.

The attack on the city ramparts by the army of Versailles was indeed successful, and it took only two months to take control of the situation in Paris, bloodbathing hundreds of thousands of rebellious people in the Paris Commune......

But look at it from another angle

If the Germans had invaded Paris, the resistance would have risen by more than one level.

It may even reach an inch of territory, an inch of blood, and the tragic situation of more than 2.3 million Parisian citizens fighting to the end. Fighting house by house and street by street, and smashing the German invading army to the death regardless of casualties, this is the absolute deterrent force of a strong national cohesion.

The Germans could never afford such a price.

Now this terrible national cohesion, Governor Speights saw again in New Xi'an, and he commented with great emotion;

"Your Excellency, General;

During the Second War against the Qing Dynasty, I spent a long time as a Dutch minister in the Eastern Continent, visiting many cities such as Guangzhou, Zhangzhou, Hangzhou, Huhai, Weihaiwei and Beijing and Tianjin, and gained some knowledge of the mysterious Oriental Continent.

In my opinion

The people under the rule of the Qing court showed a look of numbness, ignorance and despair, they did not care whether the country was invaded, they would not pick up swords and guns to attack the British and French troops, and even enthusiastically helped the colonial army to transport logistics and build a ladder for siege.

From them, I don't feel national cohesion and love for the country, let alone the word "loyalty"?

Even though the Qing Empire had 4 trillion people, it was still a plate of scattered sand.

And this is the real reason why the British and French powers dared to invade that vast empire, he was too weak.

This Datang is completely different, they have truly won the recognition and support of the people at the bottom, as long as every alien race who sets foot on this island, they will be ruthlessly attacked.

So I very much agree with your point of view, this is the homeland of the Tang Dynasty, not some bullshit colony.

We have colonized the Western Pacific for more than 200 years, and we have never received such a heartfelt welcome in Basavia and the entire East Indies, let alone for it.

God forbid, those ignorant natives wish we were done sooner. ”

Vice Admiral Kahn-Joe-Wood was not worried, and said in a rather pleasant tone; "Your Excellency, you have been overly concerned.

In the entire Western Pacific region, as long as we can get along with the Tang Dynasty in harmony, no one can shake the colonial position of the Dutch royal family.

Those stupid and lazy natives can't make much of a fuss if they give them another thousand years? and then affected the rule of the Dutch royal family...... That's impossible.

What I'm worried about now is Datang's appetite, and I'm afraid Egypt may not be able to satisfy them......"

Vice Admiral Kahn-Joe-Wood turned his head as he said this, and his eyes met with Governor Speight, and he saw deep worry in the other's eyes......

In the convoy, in an open-top main car

His Royal Highness Don Li Xin wore a rear admiral's dress full of medals, and with a warm smile on his face, he waved frequently to the crowd who welcomed him, and sitting next to him was Colonel Pan Shouguo, who was dressed in the uniform of a naval colonel, and the two were busy talking;

"Brother Shouguo, I'm starting to get tired of these haunting Dutchmen, and I follow them almost everywhere I go. It has been made clear, what exactly are they worried about? ”

"Your Highness, this is understandable. After all, the Dutch have to send us out of the country to be at ease, otherwise they won't sleep well. ”

"Hmph, that's annoying."

"Hehehe...... We have an old saying in China, don't hit a smiling person when you reach out. I think the Spaniards are more Buddhist, as if they are sure that we will not destroy the colonial rule in the Luzon Islands. ”

"Brother Shouguo, don't say it, this really piqued my interest. Go back and study whether it is possible to take down Luzon by the time you return. Anyway, the relationship between the two countries is not good now, and the Spaniards are fighting with us in three days. ”

"Your Highness's thoughts are really wild, and I can't catch it for a while!" Colonel Pan Shouguo smiled when he heard this, and replied after a little thought;

"It depends on whether we win the expedition to Egypt or not. Do it thoroughly...... Truly turn this costly expedition into a successful colonial war.

Well, that also includes whether the colonization of Eritrea was perfect?

In the opinion of the lowly position

If any of the two operations of the expedition to Egypt and the colonization of Eritrea cause great twists and turns, and the progress does not go smoothly, it may affect the possibility of His Highness taking the sheep with him on the return journey.

After all, it's not a good idea to just eat a half-baked colony and then take another piece.

The Holy One has spoken many times today; Eat as much as you want.

After each of the empire's glorious victories of colonial expansion, it entered a period of long-term digestion and recuperation, which was considered the most clever strategy.

It has been 10 years since the end of the North American War, and the strength of the empire has continued to leap to new levels, which fully proves the foresight and sagacity that no ordinary people in the Holy Heaven can match.

Standing high above the temple and strategizing thousands of miles away, it is enough to make my generation admire. ”

"It's been more than two years since the end of the war in South America, so do you have to wait another eight years?" With a warm smile on his face, His Royal Highness Don Li Xin frequently waved to the welcoming crowd, but he continued with words that did not match him at all;

"The South American war didn't have much to gain, the empire gave Paraguay and Uruguay, two vassals, to fight for a large state, and the area was more than doubled.

On the other hand, I only ceded two coastal states from Brazil, so it should be easy to digest!

If you really count it, it has been 10 years since the Empire launched the desert expedition in October 1862.

From the report of the Colonial Office, it can be seen that the Andean Governor's Palace is now running very well, and has recently been commended by the Empire.

I think...... It's time to expand again. ”

"Your Highness, we can study this matter slowly when we go back, consult General Zheng and Mr. Daqing, and think about it in the long run!"

"Okay...... Anyway, this matter has to be discussed, let the General Security Bureau send more people in the Luzon Islands, collect some information from all sides, and be prepared. ”

"I understand that when the expeditionary fleet passes through Hong Kong, it should be no problem to spread the meaning of His Highness."

"That's good......"

His Royal Highness Don Leeshin spoke so lightly about the conquest of the Luzon Islands, and his confidence came from his father's authorization; The Imperial Decree granted him the right to arbitrarily decide on the spot.

As long as it is not too out of line, it will be solved by the father.

(End of chapter)