Nanyang Storm 1864

Chapter 464 Time makes people grow old

On the international stage
The French and Americans are arguing over the Panama River dispute, which has become the main focus of current international conflicts, and has neglected the Chu State's expedition to invade Colombia.

Britain's attention is now focused on South Africa, just as it was in history.

During a geological survey organized by the British in 1884, prospecting experts discovered the world's largest Witwatersrand gold vein, also known as the "Rand Gold Mine", on a remote ranch between Pretoria and the Vaal River in the Transvaal Republic.

This astonishing discovery, after being reported on the front page of The Times, instantly attracted widespread attention from all walks of life in Britain.

The salivating saliva can be clearly felt even from thousands of kilometers away.

How big is the Rand gold mine?

The proven reserves have reached 10,000 tons of gold, worth billions of pounds, and this is not the full potential of the Rand gold mine, there is still huge imagination.

This is the largest discovered gold mine in the world. Even a powerful empire like the British Empire would be stunned by it. It is a huge treasure trove with an endless supply.

More than a dozen scientific expedition teams sent by the Germans were surveying all over Africa and had roughly decided that the Namibia region south of Portuguese Angola would be a German colony.

Located northwest of South Africa, it was planned to become the German West African colony.

Another colony was located in Tanzania in central East Africa. Its southern neighbors were Belgium and Portugal, two small European countries, which were arguing over colonial interests.

The Tanzania region will become a German East African colony. This colonization was supported by German Emperor Wilhelm I, and the German army also made corresponding mobilization preparations.

The two African colonies that Germany favored had a total area of ​​about 176 million square kilometers, and their resource conditions were only below average in Africa.

Fortunately, the area is large enough, which is consistent with the status of the German Empire as a first-class European power.

Originally, Germany paid great attention to the two colonies of Congo River and Mozambique. These are the first and second largest tropical forest concentration areas in Africa, with abundant river water resources, sufficient sunshine and excellent farming conditions.

However, the former had already been conquered by the Chu State. After more than ten years of colonization, the local Chinese immigrants had reached hundreds of thousands of households, and their weapons, equipment and combat effectiveness should not be underestimated.

The latter had already been intervened by Belgium and had security guarantees provided by a treaty signed by Britain. Germany would not confront Britain over an African colony.

To put it bluntly
The consequences of angering Britain were very serious. Not only would the economy and trade be blockaded, but the German fleet would also be unable to sail out of the North Sea, and all colonial dreams would be shattered.

The majesty of Great Britain as the global hegemon cannot be challenged. This is a rule that the major powers are well aware of.

Since they couldn't get the two coveted colonies, they had to settle for the next best thing.

It was too late to start foreign colonization, so Germany acted with swift and decisive action.

The latest news shows

Germany planned to dispatch a naval fleet carrying a large number of German soldiers to take over the two African colonies in one fell swoop. The move was so large that it attracted the attention of European countries.

Currently in the intense preparation stage, the German fleet to colonize Africa is scheduled to set sail in May. The total number of German officers and soldiers deployed in the mixed fleet is more than 5.

One naval task force went to Namibia and one to Tanzania.

As the host, the Berlin Conference, chaired by Germany's Iron Chancellor Bismarck, will be held in November. It has been confirmed that the heads of state of 16 countries will participate, including all the great powers and most European countries.

The only participants from outside Europe were the United States and the State of Chu. This was also the most grand international conference in recent years.

The King of Chu and the US Secretary of State have confirmed their participation. There are now nine European kings attending the conference, including King Rialto II of Belgium, King William III of the Netherlands, etc. This is also the top diplomatic occasion on the international stage.

The Germans' purpose
It was at the Berlin Conference that the ownership of German West Africa (Note: Namibia) and German East Africa (Note: Tanzania) was determined, and the borders with the surrounding European colonists were established in order to reduce diplomatic disputes and conflicts.

Germany's colonization of Africa basically did not involve the Chu State. The colonies of the two countries were separated by Portuguese colonies and there was no direct border line.

However, as the most active European power, Germany's military action to colonize Africa still attracted the great attention of the Chu State, which has been closely following the relevant news.

Regarding Germany's action to form an African Corps, the latest news was transmitted back to the Chu mainland via transoceanic telegrams every now and then.

"After this international conference, the black soil of Africa will almost be divided up." King Zheng Guohui of Chu sighed with lingering regret and placed the grape on the chessboard.

Prime Minister Li Hezhang, who was sitting and playing chess, had white hair and beard. He was over 66 years old and this term as prime minister was his last. The next election would be held in the middle of next year.

Both his physical and mental state do not support him from holding an important position in the cabinet.

Li Hezhang stared at the King of Chu's move, holding a chess piece in his hand and hesitant to move it, and replied:

"Like hungry dogs fighting for food, they've lost all respect. Your Majesty's decision not to participate in the new round of colonial division in Africa is a brilliant strategic decision, and I deeply admire it."

"The most important thing is to properly control the desire for colonial expansion and digest the existing colonial achievements. It is not about occupying a certain amount of territory, which is meaningless." "Your Majesty is wise. Strengthening the colonization of Sumatra and strengthening control over Colombia in South America are enough to keep you busy for more than a decade."

"Well, when I visit Europe in June, I will tell the Colombian expeditionary force to keep a low profile and not to make any big news."

"Your humble servant will obey the Majesty's order and make arrangements immediately." Li Hezhang thought for a while before placing a move solemnly.

The two black and white dragons on the chessboard are fighting fiercely, and the situation seems evenly matched. You have to be very careful in the endgame, otherwise you may lose with a small gap of two or three points.

The two chatted and played chess.

King Zheng Guohui of Chu was nearly forty years old at this time, and his energy and thinking were at their peak. The final chess game also verified this, and he won with a four-and-a-half-point advantage.

Li Hezhang smiled wryly, shook his head, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said, "Your Majesty, I can't do it anymore. I can't keep up with my energy and thinking. I really tried my best in this game, but I was still just one move behind."

"Hahaha... I am surprised to hear these words coming from Mr. He." King Zheng Guohui of Chu said with a smile.

"Time is merciless. I, an old minister, now serve in the cabinet, and I often fall asleep while sitting. If I don't take a rest at noon, I will have no energy in the afternoon. It's time to retire to the mountains and forests."

"No rush. As the saying goes, an elder in the family is like a treasure. Let's finish this term in the cabinet. We've been king and minister for a long time, and we must end our relationship perfectly!"

"How could this old minister deserve such respect from Your Majesty? I should be so honored and serve you like a dog or a horse."

"You are too kind, Mr. He."

King Zheng Guohui of Chu always treated his ministers with both kindness and authority, and governed the country according to law. The official evaluation system implemented over the years has made great contributions to the establishment of an efficient government.

The emperor always treated Li Hezhang and other old ministers who went to Southeast Asia with him with great generosity. He would often ask about their well-being and reward them with precious cloth, expensive supplements and other high-end items. The relationship between the emperor and his ministers became a legend.

After playing a game of chess for more than three hours, seeing that Li Hezhang was indeed exhausted, King Zheng Guohui of Chu ordered his men to send the Prime Minister back to his residence and rewarded him with some precious Chinese herbal supplements.

After everyone left, he stood up, put his hands behind his back, and walked to the side hall of the imperial study. He looked at the oversized world map and was a little distracted.

My thoughts flowed through the scenes of the past twenty years, touching the soft spot in my heart.

Zheng Guohui had a vague impression that Li Hezhang did not live long in history and seemed to have passed away several years ago.

The flapping of the butterfly's wings changed the historical trajectory of the Nanyang region and also changed the fate of the surrounding people, which was different from the original history.

The Li family in northern Anhui had a way of maintaining their health. Li Hanzhang and Li Hongzhang were both long-lived people with high positions and power. Even in their seventies, they were still pillars of the court and left a significant mark in China's modern history.

Li Hezhang gave way to his two brothers and did not take up the post of Ganliang Daotai.

This was a major blow to Li Hezhang, who was extremely ambitious. He returned to his hometown in depression and soon fell ill and died.

Now none of this has happened, and Li Hezhang is still alive and well, sitting at the center and ruling this powerful country composed of overseas Chinese immigrants.

Even if he retired after a year, King Zheng Guohui of Chu would not let him retire to the mountains.

But being the Speaker of the House of Lords is a noble position, and there are not many things that require trouble and labor, so it is a suitable place to go.

Think of this
King Zheng Guohui of Chu also had to sigh that time is unforgiving and years make people grow old, and he couldn't help but sigh a little.

He collected himself and returned his gaze to the oversized world map.

Regarding the new wave of colonization of Africa by European powers, King Zheng Guohui of Chu remained extremely calm, his gaze moving away from the area near Mozambique and Madagascar.

He originally had his eye on Madagascar, but this was also a place that the French had set their sights on, and they were actively trying to colonize Madagascar.

More than 30 years ago
The British and French forces invaded Madagascar, but were defeated by the strong-arm queen of the indigenous kingdom. After losing a lot of troops, they only managed to get a few footholds in Madagascar through the imposed unequal treaties.

After the queen's death, Madagascar quickly fell into a chaotic period of law enforcement fragmentation and conflict.

The internal strife among them greatly consumed the strength of several major indigenous tribes, which gave the French colonists a good opportunity to intervene.

After repeated consideration, King Zheng Guohui of Chu gave up his intention to colonize Madagascar and Mozambique.

The latter is located on the Indian Ocean coast in central East Africa. It is also a super-large tropical forest-dense area in Africa with numerous rivers. However, it is much inferior to the Congo River basin.

The total area of ​​the Mozambique River Basin is over 90 square kilometers, which is only two-fifths of the Congo River Basin.

If you have to choose between the two, of course, colonizing the Congo River basin has a brighter future.

(End of this chapter)