The sun never sets in America

Chapter 118 The Anglo-Chinese Alliance
"How do you plan to solve the funding problem?" After learning about the railway problem, Liu Peng asked Zhang Bing again, "Don't tell me, you still plan to borrow debt?" Liu Peng looked at Zhang Bing and asked again, his face Showing a complicated expression.

Speaking of debts, Han still owes Britain and France 500 million yuan, and it seems that it doesn't matter if it owes another 500 million yuan.

"Yes, we are going to discover railway bonds..." Zhang Bing immediately agreed after hearing what Liu Peng said, "In addition to the initial start-up cost of 300 million yuan, we plan to issue another 200 million yuan for Railway construction bonds." Zhang Bing explained to Liu Peng the number of bonds issued.

In Zhang Bing's view, under the financial difficulties of Han Dynasty, issuing bonds is the only way to solve the financial difficulties, and it is also the only way to build the railway at present.

"But have you considered our debt?" Liu Peng looked at Zhang Bing with complicated eyes and said, "If we add the debt of 200 million yuan for the construction of the railway this time, our debt will reach 700 million yuan. Hua Yuan... This money has to pay interest, and it may exceed 3000 million Hua Yuan in the end..." Liu Peng made a calculation with Zhang Bing in a low tone.

"The cost for us to build a main force brigade is about 40 to 50 Chinese yuan. Even if we include the follow-up maintenance costs, it is only about 80 yuan. These debts are enough to build thirty main force brigades..." I don't know if I don't know. , it was so shocking that even Liu Peng himself was shocked.

Of course, building it is one thing, but in a real war, these thirty brigades may not be as effective as ten, because the consumption of thirty brigades alone is enough to bring down the Han Dynasty's finances.

When it comes to construction, the real difficulty is whether it can be used.

"If nothing else, with thirty main brigades, I dare to attack the United States." Liu Peng said to Zhang Bing with both dignity and helplessness.

"Your Highness, we have to build up our country first. If there are more immigrants, then we can attack the United States, right?" Zhang Bing was not at all intimidated by what Liu Peng just said, but retorted unhurriedly. He said, "With more railways, our troops can be mobilized to the front line as quickly as possible without recruiting logistics personnel." Zhang Bing explained to Liu Peng from a military perspective the benefits that railways brought to the Han military. benefit.

Not to mention anything else, in every battle, the logistics personnel and civilians summoned accounted for almost half of the combat troops. You must know that this is still under the condition of a large number of draft horses...

If there weren't so many draft horses, there might be more logistics personnel than combat personnel.

(Don’t think this is impossible. In the history of China, this kind of thing happened a lot. In history, there were hundreds of thousands of troops. In fact, there were only tens of thousands of real elites. Most of them were servants and civilians.)

Of course Liu Peng understands the significance of railways.

"Which countries do you plan to find bonds from??" Liu Peng then asked Zhang Bing about the bonds, "This time I hope to involve as many countries as possible. We can't always look for Britain and France. Too many times, this debt If there are too many, won’t we become puppets of Britain and France?” Liu Peng then reminded Zhang Bing that in Liu Peng’s view, it is okay to borrow money from Britain and France, but it must be within a certain limit.

After all, the more they borrow, the more Britain and France will be involved in Han's domestic affairs in the future, which will easily give outsiders an unspeakable impression that Han is a puppet of Britain and France.

If the Han Dynasty wants to be independent, it must first be independent in terms of national policy. It is okay to turn to Britain and France, but it cannot be completely defeated, otherwise it will lose room for tactical adjustments.

Don’t think it’s impossible. When a country blindly leans towards the other side, that country has actually become part of the power of other countries in the eyes of other countries. Even the country’s normal diplomacy is very difficult. It may evolve into a chain of suspicion as to whether there is any instruction from the big country behind it! !

On the contrary, a country with independent and independent national policies is more likely to obtain the benefits it wants and implement foreign policies that are beneficial to its own country.

And this is something that those one-sided countries cannot imagine.

Their fate has actually been tied to that of other major countries.

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince..." Zhang Bing clasped his fists at Liu Peng and said, "Through Minister Wan of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we have reached basic intentions with the United Kingdom, France, Austria-Hungary and other countries...Basically, except for bias in some places Britain, France, and other places try to be fair and just..." Zhang Bing replied to Liu Peng with a serious face.

In fact, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has considered everything Liu Peng has considered, otherwise Wan Fang would not have promoted railway bonds to all foreign ministers in Han at the evening party for the establishment of diplomatic relations.

"Which countries are the most enthusiastic? Let me guess. Britain and France are in the first echelon, Austria-Hungary is in the second echelon, Prussia and Russia are in the third echelon..." After Liu Peng heard this, Zhijie expressed his guess.

"His Royal Highness is wise, it is true." Although Zhang Bing was a little surprised at Liu Peng's understanding of the overall situation, he still took the opportunity to praise Liu Peng.

"The French minister even told me later that he could bear the 200 million bonds alone, and even pay the initial 300 million start-up capital, but the price would be France taking 50.00% of the shares..." Zhang Bing then mentioned to Liu Peng France's support for Han's railway construction, and was even a little too enthusiastic.

"Hmph, these French people are mainly fighting for the beauty..." Liu Peng heard that France not only wanted to lend money to Han to build the railway, but also wanted to obtain railway shares, he said disdainfully, "Try to make the shares of Britain and France about the same." , other countries will allocate bond proportions according to the ladder just now..." Liu Peng then told Zhang Bing that in his opinion, it is best to keep Britain and France on par, which is in the best interests of Han.

"Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince..." Zhang Bing immediately clasped his fists and agreed to Liu Peng.

"These French guys are really rich..." Liu Peng waited for Zhang Bing to leave, then stood in the office and said with a mixture of envy and contempt, "No wonder they were able to repay the money so quickly after the Franco-Prussian War. Restore national strength quickly..." Liu Peng thought of the war that changed the destiny of Europe decades later, and became even more envious of the French's financial resources.

I even wonder what would happen if the Han Dynasty had so much money. It must have reached Washington! !

In Liu Peng's view, these French people are indeed greedy enough. You must know that in this world, there is always financial excess.

And Paris has Europe's largest debt finance, and France's annual income from loan sharking is an astronomical figure.

Otherwise, the 50 billion francs would not have been repaid in a few years (Germany: If I had known, it would have been 100 billion!!).

A country like France, which is in financial surplus, likes to export capital the most.

Han Dynasty exactly meets the standards of France.

First of all, Han had the force to defeat the second most powerful country in the Americas (yes, you read that right, Mexico is the second most powerful country in the Americas, the first being the United States). Although due to the general lack of support in the Americas except the United States, it still defeated Mexico. The country of Han is truly the second largest country in America.

No matter whether Han wants to admit it or not.

As for the British colonies in North America, they are just colonies. There are not many people in the entire British Canada. Otherwise, the British would not want Han to fight against the United States. It is because they know that they do not have a strong presence in America, especially on land. , the basis for defeating the United States.

It might have been possible before, but now, the British wouldn't even dream of being so bold.

After all, if Britain wanted to transport lobster soldiers to North America, it would need to cross the Atlantic, and without hundreds of thousands, it would be impossible to defeat the United States.

In this era, transporting hundreds of thousands of troops across the ocean is something even the British, the world's largest shipping nation, can't do! !
Therefore, this can also explain why the status of Han State in the eyes of the British is so important.

Not to mention anything else, based on Han's current population of close to 300 million, based on the fighting method of one out of ten and one out of twenty, that would be an army of more than ten to 20.

In the eyes of the British, these are all British forces interfering in American affairs. Han is Britain's military bridgehead next to the United States.

As long as the British are willing to spend money, they can arm hundreds of thousands of Han troops within a few years to fight with the Americans. You are an American, what do you think? ?

This is also an important basis for Americans' recent propaganda of the threat theory of Han Dynasty and the threat theory of pagans in the world.In one sentence, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. This sentence is all too familiar to the British who have been playing international politics for hundreds of years.

As the Speaker of the British House of Lords, Seth King, said: "We must be clear about the importance of the emerging Han Dynasty, an American country, to the British Empire. In fact, it is related to our control of the Atlantic Ocean...Imagine if the Americans continue to develop, What a terrible thing it is when they own all of North America, will they be satisfied with international obscurity??”

"I don't think they will. Those American cowboys and American upstarts will definitely develop a navy to fight against us. They will compete with us for dominance in the Atlantic..." At this point, Cexitin paused obviously.

"Gentlemen, imagine if France attacks us in Europe and the Americans kick us in the back, what a terrible thing it would be!!" Cesitin fully understands the situation that Britain will face at that time.

"The British Empire needs Han, no matter they are whites or pagans, or even believers of Satan... We must support them to fight against Americans in America. This is not about white people, nor is it about God, it is about Whether the British Empire can maintain its leadership position in this world..." Cexitin elaborated on the importance of Han to the British Empire.

"Now please let us pay tribute to Peng Liu, the crown prince of Han Dynasty. He and his army gave us hope that the British Empire would continue to lead the world for hundreds of years to come. I think you have all seen what he wrote. There is such a sentence in "The Theory of Territory", which I think coincides with the strategy of our British Empire..." Cexitin talked about the "Theory of Territory" written by Liu Peng.

"There are many landmasses on this planet, but the most important one is the Eurasian continent. The others can only be counted as marginal plates due to their population and resources, but this does not mean that these marginal plates are not important. In these marginal plates Among them, the most important thing is North America... This is a land comparable to half of Europe. If the British want to maintain their hegemony in the Atlantic, they must pay attention to North America. Once North America is occupied by the United States... then they will be in the Atlantic Ocean. The end is coming!!"

When Cexitin talked about this passage about America written by Liu Peng, all the members of the House of Lords showed thoughtful expressions.

"Gentlemen, a foreigner can actually see it more clearly than us British people. What a terrible thing this is. Liu can understand it. Don't those Americans who are close to the Atlantic Ocean understand it?" Sai Xijing Station asked the loud rhetorical question in the House of Lords.

"Then, Mr. Speaker, what do you think we should do?" A certain aristocratic member stood up and asked Cexitin.

This is a common thought among others.

"Accelerate the development of Han State so that they can have a strength comparable to that of the Americans as soon as possible." Sai Xijing immediately replied.

"We must be clear that due to factors such as distance and soldiers, it is impossible for us to focus most of our power on North America, so we must have an ally to help us resist the Americans...and this ally must be strong, at least in When facing the evil Americans, we have enough ability to protect ourselves." Cesytin continued to tell everyone in the parliament.

"Gentlemen, in ten years you will know that aiding the Han Dynasty is the most important decision we have made in our time, more important than the war on opium." Cexi Jing shouted solemnly.

"Glory belongs to the British Empire and to the Queen!!"

Ce Xijing’s last hymn ended this speech about Han and North America.

Subsequently, the British senators passed by a large margin the signing of a trade agreement with Han and the opening of ports from the Pacific to the Far East coast and even the Southeast Asia to Han.

In the Anglo-Chinese Free Trade Agreement, Han can enter the British global market according to tariff rates. In return, Han will serve as a cotton supplier to the United Kingdom (yes, cotton. The Han country has plenty of sunshine. , is actually very suitable for growing cotton, and Britain imports a large amount of cotton to the southern United States every year, and allocating part of the quota to Han is also a blow to the Americans).

In addition, Han also imports from Britain every year, including machinery, some special steam engines that have not yet been conquered, and large-scale ships and other things that Han cannot manufacture.

In addition, there is an Anglo-Chinese military cooperation agreement. In this agreement, Han can send no less than 200 naval officers to study and intern at the British Naval Academy every year, and all expenses will be borne by Han.

In addition, Britain will also provide Han with manufacturing methods for 24-pound naval guns and allow Han to purchase 32-pound naval guns.

and allowing Han to send personnel to practice in British shipyards.

The cost of all this was that Han purchased two third-level sailing battleships and three fourth-level sailing battleships from Britain.

If you include the training of personnel and the purchase of naval guns, the total value exceeds 15 pounds, of which the bulk is not the warships but the training.

In addition, the Han Navy was also allowed the opportunity to observe the exercises of the British Atlantic Fleet.

If Han had no Caribbean territory, maybe the British Navy would invite the Han Navy to fight against Caribbean pirates! !
This is the benefit that Britain transferred to Han, and Han also gave a lot to Britain.

All ports on the western coast of Han are open to the British Royal Navy, which can freely dock and rest with advance notice.

In addition, Han has also opened up investment opportunities in heavy industries such as steel and coal to British industry and commerce. Among them, the largest steel factory in the UK has invested 25 pounds in Han Xijing Steel Plant, totaling 150 million yuan. Used to purchase the latest British iron-making machinery, production lines, and even technology.

In addition, there is the latest Xijing Railway. The British also received 500 million yuan in investment bonds. Even though Liu Peng hoped that Britain and France would be equal, France only received 400 million yuan in investment bonds. Don’t look at it. There is a shortage of 100 million, and the political implications of this are very strong.

Other countries, even the most active Austria except France, only received 200 million investment quotas, and the remaining 400 million were divided among Tsarist Russia, Prussia, and even the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which finally signed the diplomatic agreement...

These were also concessions to the British in industry and construction. In the military field, Han showed the mysterious lightning rifle to the British minister in Han, Rashid.

After seeing it, Rashid and the British military attache in Han were very interested in the lightning rifle.

When the news of the Lightning Rifle spread back to the British mainland, the military, which is most sensitive to technology, immediately made the decision to purchase the Han Lightning Rifle.

Finally, it was passed at the subsequent annual session of Parliament.

The Han Dynasty sold 15 lightning rifles to the British at a price of five pounds (that is, 90 Chinese yuan, the Han Dynasty purchased them themselves, currently [-] Chinese yuan), totaling [-] pounds, or about [-] Chinese yuan.

At the same time, Han will also license the production technology of lightning rifles to British military industrial enterprises and charge a patent fee of one pound per unit.

It can be said that the Han Dynasty's military industrial enterprises developed by obtaining a large amount of funds from the sale of lightning rifles and technology to the UK. Even because of this incident, the Han Dynasty's Xijing Arsenal noticed the overseas market and is currently studying exports overseas. The feasibility of the rifle…

In addition to these, there are dozens of diplomatic transactions, the core of which is confrontation with the United States.

In other words, it is to prevent the Americans from continuing to expand in the American continent. For this reason, Britain and Han can cooperate in military intelligence.

This cooperation agreement, which is dozens of pages long, is also regarded by the outside world as an alliance agreement between Britain and Han.

Also known as: Anglo-Chinese Alliance! !

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(End of this chapter)