The Ming Dynasty began from Sarhu

Chapter 917 Global Fever
"Ladies and gentlemen! The question raised by the Times reporter just now was very insightful!"

Vice Minister Zhao adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and looked around:
"As for the specific details of this issue, the relevant departments will provide a detailed explanation to you later."

"However, I must emphasize here that the news that the Qi army suffered a serious defeat in its military operations in the eastern provinces is completely fabricated and nonsense! It is a slander against the Great Qi! It is an insult to the 5.5 million soldiers of the Great Qi! I can tell you all today with certainty! The Great Qi army is either winning or on its way to winning!"

"Now that the new cabinet is assisting the emperor, Great Qi is moving from one victory to another. Whether the Great Qi army has been defeated by the rebels in the eastern provinces, or whether it is incapable of fighting, let us wait and see! The outcome of the suppression war is to be decided by the five million soldiers of Great Qi, and outsiders have no right to interfere!"

As soon as he finished speaking, thunderous applause erupted in the hall.

Yes, according to the procedure, it's time for the applause.

The clerks of the Ministry of Rites and the Outer Court of Foreign Affairs took the lead in clapping vigorously, and local reporters and enthusiastic citizens of Tianxin City followed suit.

They clapped their hands with all their might, as if their hands weren't made of flesh.

Vice Minister Zhao nodded in satisfaction: "Ladies and gentlemen!"

The translators, working tirelessly, simultaneously translated the Chinese spoken by Vice Minister Zhao into British, French, and other languages.

"Are there any other questions? ... If not, please welcome the reporter on the right in the last row."

The man on the right in the last row stood up. He had a thick beard, and his face was as old as an ancient tree. His eyes were very small, as if they were embedded in the bark.

"Hello, Mr. Vice Minister, I am from Lyon, from Le En Marche! I am a Parisian."

Zhao, the Vice Minister, said with a smug smile, "Hello, welcome to this friend from Paris."

"Thank you. King Louis XVI of France considers the relationship between France and the Great Qi to be of particular importance... My question is, I have heard that the Kingdom of Britain will increase tariffs on all countries, including the Great Qi, to 77%. I wonder how your country will respond?"

While patiently listening to the Frenchman's questions, Vice Minister Zhao maintained a smile on his face. When he heard Louis XVI's high praise for Daqi, a smug smile even appeared on his lips.

However, upon hearing about the 77% tariff, Vice Minister Zhao's face immediately darkened, and his mouth opened slightly as if he had swallowed a fly.

"I have no comment on that."

"Minister, what exactly is your country's stance? Are you going to war with Britain over colonies?"

"No comment!"

"Mr. Vice Minister, do you believe the new cabinet can take responsibility for any potential conflicts in the eastern region?"

"No comment!"

"Minister, if the other party requests to negotiate with Tianxin City, will your country consider it?"

Vice Minister Zhao frowned, his face showing displeasure: "Is there any point in you persisting like this? This question has been answered countless times. Next question!"

Vice Minister Zhao's face was gloomy, and he did not say another word.

Lyon, a journalist from Paris, was about to ask another question when the Vice Minister lowered his head, his gaze falling on the jade bracelet peeking out from under the sleeve of his official robe, as if he were pondering grand questions about the future of the empire and the fate of humanity.

It's a pity he wasn't wearing a watch today.

The time is almost up.

Some sharp-eyed reporters had already noticed that the jade bracelet worn by the Qi official was quite valuable, and they whispered among themselves.

At this moment, the two minor officials loudly announced that today's press conference of the Ministry of Rites and the Court of Outer Colonial Affairs was now over.

The reporters, probably used to the pace of Tianxin City's press conferences, simply shrugged and didn't complain, before leaving their seats one by one.

Just then, a thunderous sound came from the noisy crowd.

"How dare they treat the Kingdom of Britain so dismissively!"

Everyone in the hall was startled by the shout and looked in the direction of the sound, only to see that it was Thomas, the British envoy, who was speaking.

The official calmly said, "Ambassador, that concludes today's press conference. If you have any questions..."

The British translator was terrified and only allowed Thomas to translate after confirming several times. Just as he was recovering from his shock, he heard this...

"Enough! Neither I nor His Majesty the King of England have the time or energy to play these word games and empty rhetoric with you!" The hall fell silent. People already knew beforehand that the British were not friendly, but they did not expect the British ambassador to be so tough.

People stopped in their tracks and looked up at Thomas, who seemed to have ill intentions.

"The ultimatum has arrived! It is regrettable that your country has not withdrawn its troops from the eastern provinces as King George has demanded. This is a mistake, and you will pay the price for it."

Zhao Shilang remained calm and composed. After the British finished speaking, he said casually, "Has the Kingdom of Britain overstepped its bounds? Do you also need to meddle in the internal affairs of the Great Qi?"

Thomas replied humbly, “For whom does the bell toll? It tolls for me! The inhabitants of the Eastern Provinces are not only your country’s citizens, but also God’s children! King George has the duty and responsibility to save them.”

Minister Zhao was clearly prepared for this outcome, and said with an arrogant expression, "If the Kingdom of Britain dares to raise tariffs, Great Qi will fight to the bitter end. Whatever tariffs your country raises, Great Qi will raise them by the same amount! Great Qi has an old saying: when soldiers come, generals will block them; when water comes, earth will dam it. King George, bring out all your tricks! The era when the Kingdom of Britain could set up a few cannons on the sea and force Great Qi to sign unequal treaties is gone forever!"

These words immediately sparked a flurry of discussion among those around the venue.

No one expected the conflict between the State of Qi and the Kingdom of Britain to begin so quickly. Could the world really tolerate the coexistence of the two most powerful nations?

Thomas said, word by word, "I am aware of your country's reply, and I will report it to London truthfully."

~~~~~~~~~
On April 3, 1795, the British House of Commons began to discuss whether to send an expeditionary force to Ezo (Hokkaido).

After a lengthy debate, the pro-war lawmakers reached the following consensus:
Before the bloodshed begins, the Kingdom of Britain could certainly suggest that the Kingdom of Qi negotiate.

However, based on our (pro-war) predictions about the character of the ruling class of Qi—especially our analysis of Liu Zhaosun and his descendants—we can be certain that if Britain wants to achieve a certain outcome, namely, for the people of Qi to recognize Ezo and withdraw from Ezo, we must use force to demonstrate our power while negotiating.

Considering that the State of Qi also possesses considerable military strength, mere military intervention is far from sufficient.

Of course, if the Kingdom of Britain cannot defend the freedom of the Ezo Kingdom and instead stands by and watches millions of God's people suffer under the rule of the Qi Kingdom, then the Kingdom of Britain will not be respected.

In India, empires will soon fall out of respect, and the same will gradually happen in North America, Australia, Southern Africa, and even all over the world!
Therefore, it is necessary to support the Ezo Kingdom, and to provide assistance with the full strength of the Kingdom of Britain and its allies.

The peace-loving members of parliament emphasized Qi's formidable military strength, boasting over five million fully armed soldiers, more than one hundred colonies and military bases of varying sizes worldwide, troops stationed globally, warships sailing the oceans, and advanced military equipment, including state-of-the-art airships, artillery, and superior gunpowder.

Moreover, Qi has many allies, no less than Britain.

Is it wise to make an enemy of such a powerful world nation for the sake of a newly independent "Ezo"?

Is the military prepared to sacrifice the lives of thousands to tens of thousands of soldiers?
Are London prepared for a surprise attack by the French?

Is the Chamber of Commerce prepared for a general economic downturn?
Are ordinary people prepared to lose the high-quality carriages of the State of Qi?
These lawmakers went on and on, citing various data, trying to explain the absurdity of sending troops to Japan.

Finally, in the vote to decide whether or not to send troops, the pro-war faction received 271 votes, while the anti-war faction received 262 votes, a difference of only 9 votes.

A mere nine votes' difference determined the different fates of the Kingdom of Britain and the Great Qi.

On April 6, Parliament and the Royal Family jointly decided to launch a military intervention in the Far East.

On the same day, British Prime Minister Hales, on behalf of the British Royal Family, declared a state of emergency in Great Britain, effective immediately.

In response to the expansion of the Great Qi in the eastern provinces, the British Royal Navy dispatched a combined fleet of 300 second-class and 500 third-class warships to the Sea of ​​Japan.

More than 20,000 British troops planned to land in Kyushu to intervene in the Qi Kingdom's war of quelling the rebellion (also known as the Ezo War of Independence) and to block the Qi army that was pouring in from the western mainland.

At the same time, additional troops were stationed along the English Channel to prevent the French from having any improper intentions on the other side of the sea, such as taking advantage of the chaos.

The economic offensive was equally sharp.

In order to enhance the competitive advantage of the Kingdom of Britain, protect its sovereignty, uphold the honor of the British monarch and the ideals of liberty, democracy, equality, and fraternity, protect God's people, and safeguard the well-being of the subjects of the eastern provinces, Hales announced a 10% "baseline tariff" on all countries, effective at 00:01 London time on April 8.

In addition, in order to punish the State of Qi for sending troops to the Nine Provinces, a higher "reciprocal tariff" will be imposed on Qi and its allies (4 countries including Annam and Korea). The tariff will take effect at 0:01 on April 9, London time. All other countries will continue to abide by the original 10% tariff benchmark.

Harris emphasized that some goods will not be subject to "reciprocal tariffs," mainly including gunpowder, gold bars, copper, pharmaceuticals, sails, and timber products.

In addition, countries that are allies of Britain, such as the Netherlands, Denmark, and Mexico, and are in accordance with the Britain-Foreign Trade Agreement will continue to receive tariff exemptions.

The news of London raising tariffs caused a global uproar.

Conflict descends, and the world is in turmoil.