Nanyang Storm 1864

Chapter 294 Unavoidable
The Prussians added fuel to the fire, which would have no other result except further increasing the anger of the French Empire.

Just one day

France announced that it would send a new and powerful fleet to the French Governor-General's Office in Saigon and increase its troops by 2.2 to join the Anglo-French coalition's war against the State of Chu.

Subsequent adjustments will be made randomly depending on the situation, and the possibility of further increasing troops is not ruled out.

It is obvious that the French are getting anxious.

The first batch of French reinforcements to Indochina came from the Foreign Legion stationed in Port Said, totaling 4335 people. They will cross the Suez Peninsula and arrive in Western Malaya on a British cruise ship, becoming the first wave of reinforcements.

The second batch of French reinforcements to Indochina came from the port of Toulon, with a total of more than 8400 people. Their marching route was the same as the previous one.

Take a boat from the French port of Toulon to the Mediterranean coast port of Said, where the Suez Canal is under construction. It is a huge transportation project connecting the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, which was undertaken by the French Suez Company and mobilized more than 20 Egyptian laborers.

The project is scheduled to start sailing next year, but the French reinforcements obviously can't wait.

They will take a train from Port Said, a special engineering line built by the French to transport large equipment and materials for the construction of the canal, and from here to the British-controlled city of Suez.

Then take a cruise ship of a British ally from Suez City and go directly to Kuala Lumpur in West Malaysia. The whole journey is expected to take 25 to 28 days. This is the fastest route from Europe to Indochina.

The third batch of French troops to reinforce Indochina come from French Algeria, Morocco and the mainland, with a total of more than 9150 people. They will be mobilized from all parties and rushed to Indochina one after another.

Being able to squeeze out these 2.2 French troops is almost the maximum ability of the French government at present, and King Zheng Guohui of Chu was right in his calculations on this point.

France is now facing a severe challenge from the newly rising Kingdom of Prussia in Europe. The two sides are on the verge of war due to the issue of the succession to the Spanish throne.

In this sensitive period

Mobilizing a large army to travel thousands of miles to fight in Indochina will undoubtedly have an impact on the crucial situation in Europe.

As early as the Seven Weeks' War between Prussia and Austria in 1866, Prussia's quick and astonishing victory disrupted the balance of power in Europe and established the leadership of the North German Confederation.

Napoleon III always dreamed of restoring the European hegemony of the First French Empire, but was constantly constrained by Britain and challenged by Prussia.

At this time, the Kingdom of Prussia, under the planning of Chancellor Bismarck, was prompted to play an important leadership role in the German Confederation, which was a situation that the French Empire could hardly accept.

Europe today

The North German Confederation and the South German states were clearly fragmented, with a total of more than 30 grand duchies, principalities and bishoprics, as well as several free cities. Prussia was one of the most powerful kingdoms among them.

In the Austro-Prussian Seven Weeks' War of 1866, the Kingdom of Prussia defeated the recognized leader, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, replaced its leadership position, and rose rapidly in Europe.

Such a situation seriously weakened France's decisive influence in the German states, damaged French interests, and created a natural contradiction between Prussia and France.

The rise of Prussia posed a serious threat to France's leadership in Europe, and thus restricted its European hegemony.

In 1868, Queen Isabella II of Spain was overthrown because of her dissolute private life and chaotic political situation. She was forced to go into exile in Paris, leaving the Spanish throne vacant.

The Spanish cabinet meeting decided that finding a suitable successor to the Spanish throne had become the focus of all European royal families.

Among them, Prince Leopold of the Hohenzollern family, a close relative of King William I of Prussia, became the most promising heir to the throne.

Once the news leaked

This instantly angered the French Emperor Napoleon III. The French could not tolerate the Spanish throne falling into the hands of the Hohenzollern family, which was originally in the pocket of the French Bourbon dynasty.

As early as 1700, France and the Holy Roman Empire fought a War of the Spanish Succession because of the extinction of the Spanish throne, and France eventually won.

Philip, Duke of Anjou of France, was able to inherit the Spanish throne, and Spain came into the French sphere of influence.

The issue of succession to the Spanish throne, which occurred more than 160 years ago, has reappeared today. This is related to the important question of whether Spain belongs to the Bourbon dynasty of France or to the Hohenzollern royal family of Germany.

Therefore, the current situation in Europe is unprecedentedly tense. France has no way out facing Prussia. Both sides are ready to make military preparations, and war is one of the last options.

The whole of Europe is like a pile of gunpowder, which will explode with just the slightest spark.

At this juncture, France is unable to send more troops to Indochina.

January 10st

Krabi Hell
King Zheng Guohui of Chu wore a white sun-visor cowboy hat and a light-colored long gown. He was harvesting rice in the field with a smile on his face, looking very approachable.

Several photographers around him lit up their spotlights to capture the image of His Majesty the King, preparing to publish it in the Manila World Weekly, which will be published on November 11, to write an inspiring news report.

The Manila World Weekly is the first official newspaper of the Chu State published to the people of the country. It has unquestionable authority and openness. It will publish a large number of official announcements, explain government policies, release authoritative news, and interpret the latest hot current affairs.

His Majesty the King of Chu personally visited the fields, participated in the late rice harvest, and enjoyed the harvest with the people. This is a very good publicity copy. Today, the late rice harvest is in full swing in the land of Chu. The golden rice fields are full of farmers' joyful smiles and full of high-spirited vitality.

King Zheng Guohui of Chu put down the sickle in his hand, stood in the rice field, supported his waist with one hand, held the kettle with the other hand and raised his head to drink water.

The photographer nearby quickly came over and lit the spotlight with a "bang bang bang" sound, capturing this glorious image.

Colonel Zheng Shan, the head of the Imperial Guard, frowned. He really didn't like these photographers getting too close to His Majesty, so after they took the pictures, he immediately started to chase them away.

King Zheng Guohui of Chu was in a good mood. He gave an inspiring speech in the fields, then got into the royal carriage parked on the tree-lined road. The convoy quickly left under the escort of the royal cavalry.

sitting on carriage

Beside King Zheng Guohui of Chu was Prime Minister Li Hezhang, who was also dressed simply as if he was going to the fields, and accompanied King Zheng Guohui in the show.

When King Zheng Guohui of Chu was cutting grass nearby, the old farmer who happened to stand up was Prime Minister Li Hezhang, which made the picture much richer.

In a subsequent report by Manila World Weekly

The identities of King Zheng Guohui of Chu and Prime Minister Li Hezhang will be interpreted in detail, showing that the top leaders of the kingdom attach great importance to agricultural production, and their hands-on and unpretentious image.

"So, the fighting in Singapore hasn't broken out yet?" King Zheng Guohui of Chu took the iced champagne glass handed to him by the maid, picked it up and took a sip, and asked casually.

Prime Minister Li Hezhang also took the champagne glass handed by the maid, but before he could drink it, he replied, "Yes, Your Majesty, it seems that the British are waiting for the French."

"The Brits really don't want to suffer any loss! They always remember to drag the French into good things. What about the last landing operation?"

"It was probably a feint. The British, using a large workforce, opened a broad road through the tropical rainforest on the Malayan side. Their intention seemed to be to use Malaya as a springboard to cross the narrow Johor Strait and attack Singapore Island. However, the attack was repelled."

"These British guys are so damn cunning." King Zheng Guohui of Chu took a sip of champagne and couldn't help but curse with a smile.

There is no need to guess, he can be sure;

This was something the British did to show the French. It meant that before the French reinforcements arrived, the British army had already launched an attack on Singapore alone. Unfortunately, the attack was not successful.

The British Army wasn't even at the top of the European map, with France, Russia, and Prussia being the top land powers. Not only were their armies large, but they were also highly effective and had a glorious military history.

When the British Empire was colonizing the world, the British Army suffered many defeats and embarrassments, including the ignominious experience of being completely annihilated in Afghanistan.

In January 1842, 1 British troops who had been defeated in the war began to retreat in disorder. They were constantly intercepted by Afghan armed forces along the way. Almost all of them were wiped out, with only a few people surviving. This event is known in history as the "Kabul Retreat."

During the First Anglo-Burmese War, it also suffered several major setbacks.

The British knew very well how strong the Singapore fort was, so they wanted the French to take the lead and take on the tough challenge.

Prime Minister Li Hezhang remained his usual gentlemanly demeanor. After taking a sip of iced champagne, he spoke, "Recently, the British envoy has been repeatedly coming to negotiate with us, demanding the release of innocent British expatriates and businessmen, the protection of their lives and property, and the protection of women from being violated, among other demands."

"Hmm..." King Zheng Guohui of Chu responded, and nothing else happened.

Prime Minister Li Hezhang was helpless and continued to speak;

"After cabinet discussions, we have released 5773 British civilians and businessmen, including more than 1250 white women, through diplomatic channels.

But the British believe
A large number of innocent people were detained and suffered unequal treatment and beatings. Many British businessmen suffered serious property losses. Women were lost in the war. Many white women were hidden by military soldiers and suffered unwarranted humiliation.

Sir Kalvin Phillips, the British Minister to Chu, and his assistant Ben Johnson stayed in the Foreign Office every day, just like nagging old women.

Foreign Minister Zheng Xin was so annoyed that he had already gone into hiding, and Vice Foreign Minister Zheng Yulan was also in a dilemma.

We are currently negotiating with the British side. The protection of the interests of Chinese expatriates in British colonies, including personal and property safety and fair treatment, requires a formal commitment from the British side.

Both sides are protesting back and forth, and now the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is surrounded by envoys from various European countries.

Cabinet meeting to study and decide
We will do our best to repatriate the detained white civilians from various countries, but this requires the cooperation of the military. Your Majesty, please give us a firm order."

"Well, let's release what's in the military camp. As for the white women that the officers and soldiers have hidden, they are not included for the time being. My Chu army soldiers are fighting and bleeding in the front, playing with a few white women is nothing." King Zheng Guohui of Chu drank the entire glass of champagne in one gulp and cursed occasionally.

Prime Minister Li Hezhang was stunned for a moment, then thought that what His Majesty said made sense, so he responded;

"In that case, I will make the proper arrangements. During wartime, with all the chaos and chaos, it's common for some people to go missing. It's unavoidable."

"Well, that's what it means."

(End of this chapter)