Chapter 237

However, if you don't pursue it, it doesn't mean that others won't stir up trouble.

"The Americans bullied the Chinese and lost 100 million taels of silver, and the Spaniards slaughtered the Chinese, so what should we do?"

"Extinguished!"

This is a dialogue between the two small people of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, and it also represents the overall public opinion of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.

Throughout the country, the voice of the voice for the destruction of Spain was raised, and waves of people took to the streets to demonstrate, demanding that the Kingdom of Heaven overthrow Spain and give justice to the Chinese in the Philippines.

History records that His Majesty of the East was infected and was greatly furious, but he naturally did not want to start a war in vain, so he gave Spain a step down.

Spain was asked to cede the Philippines and pay 200 million taels of silver in compensation.

It's so ruthless!

The world is in an uproar!

The Spaniards were extremely angry, or rather angry, they had long known that His Majesty was very shameless, but they never imagined that they would be so shameless that they would incite the Filipino people to rebel, and now they are still struggling with each other, and the lion opens its mouth, don't you know how to bully people!

But they were infinitely sad to find that Hong Tian was really bullying them, and it was so naked, as if others didn't know.

Because the Taiping Navy raided Manila and wiped out the Spanish Pacific Fleet, most of the ships were captured and became the victorious of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.

According to the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, this was merely a warning, an urge for the Spaniards to make a decision.

It's too much!

The Spanish ambassadors to Britain and France had already told the British and French governments that if Spain and the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom went to war, they would be willing to join the Western Alliance to fight.

However, Spain also has a fluke mentality, hoping that the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom will calm down, and they can compromise and seek perfection, as long as they can keep the Philippines and lose a little money, they also pinched their noses and admitted it.

It's just that they can't imagine that His Majesty the East is so strong, really when they Spain is a soft persimmon, although it is true, but they can't be bullied so thoroughly!

The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom has directly started fighting, how can Spain still be able to endure it!

Although the Spaniards know very well that once they make peace with the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, the Philippines will certainly not be able to protect it, and it will also cause boundless calamity, but it is Spain! Spain, which once divided the world with Portugal and divided the world's territory! How could it be endured by being bullied and slapped in the face.

Spain declared war on the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, as well as on Germany and Russia, announcing that it would join the Anglo-French-Turkish Western Alliance.

Spain considered the Balance of Heaven to be arrogant and provoked war for no reason.

And the people of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom thought that the Spaniards were even more arrogant, and that a small western country dared to offend the majesty of the Celestial Empire, isn't this a very arrogant thing!

Declaring war on the Celestial Empire is immeasurable, this is death!

Sure enough, the Spanish side only declared war, Manila had fallen, the whole of Spain was in flames, with the help of the local people, the Philippines had fallen into the hands of the Taiping army in a week, and the remaining Spanish colonists could only hide in the barren mountains and mountains of the Philippines as savages.

The world was shocked!

It was so powerful that the Taiping army showed its peerless strength, and all countries were terrified, such as the hostile alliances of Britain, France, Turkey, and Spain, as well as Germany and Russia.

Among them, Spain was even more desperate, the Philippines was lost, their influence in Asia was also lost, and in the face of the powerful Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, Spain did not know when and when it would return to Asia.

Of course, in fact this was just an extravagant hope, and they would never go back, because Hong Tian could not allow it, and Spain's allies, Britain and France, did not have this idea.

Spain was very sad that they joined the Western Alliance, in fact, they hoped to get the support of the British and French navies to help them retake the Philippines, but Britain and France directly refused, believing that it was unwise not to have an advantage in Asia and start a war in vain.

This is the big truth, Britain and France can commit murder in the Asian seas, but it is absolutely impossible to show off their military might on the Asian land, and that will cause extremely serious consequences.

Once Britain and France had a hot war with the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, it was a trivial matter for India and southern Annam to lose, at this time Britain and France had no luxury hope of keeping these places, but it was just a face-saving effort, and the most worrying thing was that the Taiping army would march into Europe, so that they would not be able to continue to support in Europe, and would be completely defeated.

Britain was a little better, with a strong navy and could defend its homeland, but France was in danger and might have been wiped out as a province of the rising Greater German Empire.

The Spaniards were disappointed, but they were helpless, Britain and France, and even Turkey were stronger than them, and naturally they could not coerce these allies into doing anything.

In addition to their disappointment, they also had a glimmer of hope, because Britain, France, and Turkey all said that as long as the European war was won, when they conquered Asia in the future, the Philippines would still be Spanish.

Spain has already boarded the thief ship of the Western Alliance, so naturally they can only go all the way to the dark, and they are useless in Asia, so they immediately threw themselves into the European battlefield.

Spain began to gather troops to fight in Europe, fighting Germany and Russia.

As soon as they entered the battlefield, Spain realized how weak they were, and the strength of the German and Russian troops deeply shocked them, and they were abused like dogs.

The German army, in particular, was so strong that they could never have imagined that there would be such a powerful army, much more powerful than the Taiping army in Asia.

With the participation of Spain, Paris was retained, but at a heavy cost to both the French and the Spaniards.

The offensive of the Eastern Alliance, which had previously been superior, began to slow down, and the Germans and Russians hated the flood sky to the core.

Holy!

As an ally, instead of sharing worries and solving problems for allies, but adding to the trouble, victory was not far away, but it turned out to be such a thing, and an enemy was brought for nothing, although it was not strong, but it was also trouble!

You have bullied others in Asia and forced others to make trouble in Europe, isn't this a trick!

Fighting Japan and bullying the United States did not bring losses to Germany and Russia, and even the Russians took the opportunity to occupy the southern part of Sakhalin Island, which at that time had a Japanese stronghold.

But at this critical juncture, you provoke the Spaniards, and you are clearly dragging the allies back.

Germany and Russia challenged the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, but Hong Tian naturally ignored it, he was right, those who offended our Chinese would be punished even if they were far away, and the Spaniards bullied the Chinese, which was just looking for their own death.

The Eastern Alliance will definitely win the final victory, so there is no fear of a small Spain, and you can rest assured that if you need it now, the Taiping army can move westward and enter Europe along Central Asia, although it will take some time, but it will not be difficult.

The Russians immediately fell silent and let the Taiping army enter, who knows what will happen, the current three khanates of Central Asia are wavering in whether to attach themselves to Russia or the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom!

The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom must not be allowed to expand its influence in Central Asia, let alone enter Europe.

The Russians refused, and Hong Tian immediately ignored it and continued to deal with the aftermath of the Philippines, of course, the most important thing was to develop itself, especially the navy of the Taiping Army.

Railways were being built, warships were being built, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom flourished, and the newly added provinces of the North Philippines and the South Philippines further strengthened the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.

St. Petersburg, Russia.

Alexander II looked at the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom on the map, his eyes narrowed, and said: "It seems that we really did a stupid thing that day, and the hateful Chinese completely deceived us." ”

Gorchakov said: "However, the announcement of the Chinese to join the war also made the Germans determined, otherwise the situation will be unfavorable to us." In addition, it attracted the British and French forces in the Far East, so that our war in Europe could go so smoothly. ”

If it really goes well, we can take Constantinople, and the Germans can take Paris, it's all the fault of the Chinese, provoking the Spaniards, otherwise we will definitely not be so passive." Alexander II was quite furious.

Gorchakov said: "Your Majesty, this is not a good time to turn your face with the Chinese. ”

"Understand, Gorchakov, now the Chinese are too strong, we are weakened by the war, but it is strong through the war, this is really hateful! After the war, they will be the most powerful enemies of our Russia. Alexander II said.

"Germany is our mortal enemy. Gorchakov said.

When Alexander II heard this, his heart could not help but tremble, and his expression was full of solemnity.

Yes, Hong Tian played both Russia and Germany, very hateful, Alexander II was extremely angry, he wanted the Chinese to die, and China, which was getting stronger and stronger, was a terrible threat to Russia.

The Aleutian Islands, the Kuril Islands, Sakhalin, the Outer Northeast, Outer Mongolia, and the Outer Northwest, such a long border between the two countries is unique in the whole world, and Russia and the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom are natural enemies.

If it weren't for the fact that the center of gravity of Russia's development had always been in Europe, and the Manchus were ruled by aliens and could no longer expand on a large scale, the war between the Manchus and the Russian Empire would not have ended so hastily during the period of the puppet emperors Kangxi and Peter the Great.

And now, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom has been established, this is a regime of the Han people, the regime of the Han people with a population of 40,000 as the main body, once it opens up the territory at full speed, what a terrible scene it will be!

Burma and Bengal fell, the Korean, Jemengxiong, Gurkha, Bhutan, Siam, Nanzhang, Ryukyu and Anboku tribes fell into its hands, and finally the Wa and the Philippines were also in its hands, and Britain, France and the United States were silent in Asia.

In fact, Russia chose to ally with the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom because it valued the power of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, but neither Alexander II nor Gorchakov thought that the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom would be so powerful, and it can be said that it was far beyond their expectations.

The most terrifying thing is that the will of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom is completely unaffected by them, although it is nominally participating in the war, in fact, it is secretly communicating with Britain and France, what a ridiculous thing it is to have a static war in the East, it is really the first time in history!

If this alone is what the Russians can still endure, at least the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom is an ally that has contributed somewhat, not to mention urging Germany to enter the war, which poses a serious threat to British and French domination in Asia, but now it seems that this is not the case.

Britain and France no longer value the colonies in Asia, or they have to have the idea of giving up, because the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom is too powerful, and they have no grasp of keeping these colonies.

This is not only that, there is no threat to Britain and France, this is the effect is declining, and the invasion of the Philippines to allow Spain to join the Western alliance is completely counterproductive.

What is that Eastern Majesty doing?

No!

Both Alexander II and Gorchakov knew that it was not the Far Eastern Majesty who was confused, but the shrewdness of the other side.

The East as a whole is still lagging behind the West, and His Majesty Hongtian is deeply aware of this, so he is trying his best to reverse this situation, which is why he has made such a decision to maintain the balance of power in the war in Europe.

This is the same as Britain has always maintained the balance of power in Europe, preventing one side from dominating and threatening Britain's hegemony, His Majesty Hong Tian is also using a similar way to maintain this war, so that Europe cannot threaten the East, so that the East has enough time to surpass the West.

Good calculation.

Both Alexander II and Gorchakov could not help but admire and at the same time be deeply outraged.

But although they knew this, they couldn't attack it, because the current Eastern Empire was not something they could challenge lightly.

At this time, the war in Europe was still going on, and Russia's power in Asia was very weak, and if a dispute broke out with the Chinese, it would be a catastrophe for Russia.

Russia could lose a large part of its territory in Asia, and even the security of Europe would be greatly threatened.

It is also because of this that the Chinese will be so presumptuous and will do such blatant treacherous things.

It is conceivable that after the end of the war, Europe will be severely weakened, and Russia will be no exception, and the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom will become more and more powerful, even the most powerful country in the world, and Russia, as its neighbor, will be under great pressure.

The most formidable enemy, that's not a bad name at all.

However, compared to the Chinese, it was the Germans who posed a greater threat to Russia.

The Chinese in distant Asia, the capital city of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, separated by 108,000 miles from St. Petersburg, did not pose an immediate threat to it.

But this was not the case with the Germans in Europe, who were so close and extremely powerful that a united Greater German Reich would become Russia's deadliest enemy.

Napoleon put Russia in danger, and now the German Empire has such power.

According to the current situation, if Russia and Germany win the European war, Russia will take Turkey, and Germany will get France, and then Europe will be divided into three powers.

That is, the situation in which Britain, a maritime power, Germany, the hegemon of Western Europe, and Russia, the hegemon of Eastern Europe, divide up Europe.

Of course, Britain may only be able to maintain maritime superiority, and after this war is weakened, it is afraid that it will lose many colonies, its strength will be seriously damaged, and it may be difficult to play a big role on land in the future.

Germany and Russia, two countries so close to each other, and both ambitious, that Alexander II and Gorchakov had no belief that they could keep peace forever.

Now allies may all be enemies, and the Russians feel the crisis deeply.

Berlin, German Empire.

William I looked at the newspaper with a gloomy expression, and said: "That Majesty of the Far East is really calculating! The Oriental people are insidious and cunning, and there is nothing wrong at all. ”

"They are no longer our allies, and I'm afraid the Russians are already on guard against them. Bismarck Dow.

"Don't the Russians guard against us? I am afraid that the Russians will be even more uncomfortable with the establishment of our Great German Empire. Moltke said.

The three of them looked at each other, but they were silent.

As for the current situation, they did not know that the establishment of the Great German Empire would definitely arouse the vigilance of European countries, and Russia, an ally, would not be an exception.

However, the Germans also have an advantage, and now the Russians have become wary of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, so they will rely more on Germany as an ally, and will not easily turn their faces.

What Germany has to do now is to constantly strengthen itself, not only to win the war, but also to prepare for survival at the end of the war in the future.

In addition to the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, Germany was also strengthened during the war, and Germany's territory was no longer limited to the original Prussia, and the original Austrian Empire became the territory of the new Germany, except for part of the territory occupied by Russia and Italy.

Other former German states were incorporated into the German Empire, and parts of northern France were now in German hands.

The territory of Germany is now twice as large as in history, the national strength is unprecedentedly expanded, and the strength is definitely the top in the world.

As long as Germany develops well and digests its newly acquired territory, it will leap to become a world-class power, or a super-first-class power to be precise.

Historically, there have been very few super-first-class powers in this era, only Britain, which dominates the world and has world-class hegemony.

But now it is absolutely different, Germany, Russia, and the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom are all challenging its authority, and it is beginning to show results, Britain is constantly weakened, and from the beginning of this war to the present, it can be said that there is no gain at all, only continuous losses, and it is still going on.

Germany's mission was simple: to capture Paris, eliminate France, bring France into Germany, and bring together the forces of Prussia, Austria, and France to fight Britain, Russia, and the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.

Otherwise, Germany will not have an advantage in the world in the future.

Needless to say, the traditional power, Britain, had a formidable navy that could blockade the land at any time, and the mighty Napoleonic Empire of the past could not conquer Britain.

And Russia, another country that Napoleon could not conquer, will also be even stronger, Constantinople, Jerusalem, and even the whole of Turkey may fall into its hands, and then Russia will enter the Mediterranean, the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, and open the passage to the Indian Ocean, what a terrible scene.

As for the distant Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, it is an even more troublesome role, it is too far away from Europe to stop its actions, unable to restrain its expansion, unable to prevent its continuous growth, whether it is Britain, Germany and Russia, may face its threat in the future.

Both Germany and Russia hope to win as soon as possible, to strengthen themselves and prepare for future world domination.

......

Far east, Hong Tian's purpose is very similar to that of the Germans and the Russians, and he is also preparing for the future, but he does not want immediate victory.

Although the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom was nominally at war with the Western Alliance, in fact there was no war in the country.

Hong Tian did not start the war immediately after ending the war in the Philippines, but this did not mean that the expansion of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom had stopped, and the Taiping army had recently entered the Republic of Lanfang in West Borneo and incorporated it into their territory.

Naturally, Hong Tian's goal was not only the Republic of Lanfang in West Borneo, but also the whole of Borneo and even the entire Dutch East Indies.

However, Hong Tian did not want to act rashly, because the Dutch had already recognized Hong Tian's true face in the Philippine incident, and knew that His Majesty the Far East was eager for territory, and after obtaining the Philippines, the next target was probably the Dutch East Indies.

So, the Dutch Pacific Fleet joined forces with the British and French Pacific Fleets, and the combined Anglo-French-Dutch fleet defended the Dutch East Indies.

Although the Netherlands does not claim to be a member of the Western Alliance, it is expected that if it is attacked, it will immediately become a member of the Western Alliance, just like Spain.

Therefore, Hong Tian's attack on the Dutch East Indies is tantamount to a direct hot war with the Three Kingdoms, which is something that Hong Tian must think twice.

Is there going to be an all-out war?

Hong Tian asked himself that he was not fully prepared, the navy was too weak to resist the Western Alliance, which would cause the overseas territories of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom to suffer a serious blow, which Hong Tian did not want to see.

Waiting, this is the only thing Hong Tian can do now, waiting for the preparation to be completed.

......

Shanghai Shipyard.

Unbeknownst to all, a distinguished guest had arrived.

Hong Tian was in the shipyard, watching a new ship go into the water, this is not a warship, it is a submarine.

"Is it already practical?" asked Hong Tian.

"No problem! The shortcomings of the previous experiments have been improved, and they are definitely better than those American submarines in the Civil War. Xu Shou said.

The submarine has long appeared in history, but it has not been taken seriously because it has not been able to contribute to the war for a long time.