The sun never sets in America

Chapter 238 European Visit: France Part

On the English Channel, a steamship flying the Chinese flag was emitting black smoke and heading towards the European continent on the opposite side.

On the bow of the ship, Yan Jun was wearing a woolen coat and standing on the deck, facing the sea breeze and looking at the European continent in the distance.

"Prime Minister Yan, it's cold outside. It's better to go back to the ship for a while..." Secretary Ma walked to Yan Jun and whispered, tightening Yan Jun's coat as he spoke.

Yan Jun didn't say anything, but looked at the looming European continent opposite, sighed, and then walked into the cabin without saying a word, which made Secretary Ma behind him confused. He didn't know that this Prime Minister Yan was in the cabin again. What to think.

When Secretary Ma walked in, he found Yan Jun staring blankly at the chart hanging in the middle of the cabin. For a moment, he didn't know whether he should speak or not.

"Strict Prime Minister, strict Prime Minister..."

In the end, Secretary Ma decided to remind Yan Jun.

Yan Jun then turned around and looked at Secretary Ma. His eyes were a little cloudy, but then there was a hint of clarity. It looked like he was thinking about something just now.

"What is Prime Minister Yan looking at??" Secretary Ma asked Yan Jun, breaking the deadlock.

When Yan Jun heard this, he looked at Secretary Ma, then turned back and pointed to the English Channel where they were located on the chart and asked:

"Tell me, is this strait narrow?"

Secretary Ma didn't know how to answer Yan Jun's question. In the end, he could only answer in general terms: "Reporting to Prime Minister Yan, the English Channel is said to be only 34 kilometers long. The fastest steamship now only takes an hour." , or even shorter." Secretary Ma could only answer Yan Jun with the data in his mind.

After hearing this, Yan Jun nodded, and then said to Secretary Ma: "The English Channel is so narrow, but the UK can still survive. This shows how flexible and tough its country's methods are!!"

"This English Channel, if placed in an ordinary country, would be a Great Wall that could never be defended. But in the hands of the British, it would be an iron wall that even Napoleon could not break, an insurmountable mountain..."

Yan Jun said this with an expression of admiration on his face. In Yan Jun's view, Britain's diplomatic strategies and grasp of the situation are all worthy of learning from the Han Dynasty.

In particular, we must learn from the British spirit of putting others first, yourself second, and making plans before taking action.

After hearing this, Secretary Ma, although he didn't understand the difference between Han and Britain, still showed an expression of approval and nodded from time to time when Yan Jun said it.

Yan Jun continued:

"According to the current situation in Europe, there are many internal conflicts in France, which may break out at any time, and Austria will not tolerate it. Italy is fighting for independence. The war has been going on intermittently for several months, and there is no resolution. I guess Austria will win. But they have also lost the hearts and minds of Italy..."

“What’s the use of seizing some land if the people’s hearts are gone??”

Yan Jun mentioned the current chaos in Italy and shook his head. In his opinion, these Europeans are just messing around. Little Italy has created a Kingdom of Naples and a city-state. What a mess.

The good old land of Rome has now become a battlefield.

"Prime Minister Yan, this has always been like this in Europe. Small countries are constantly arguing within themselves, and big countries are not much better. Fight here, fight there, and fight every once in a while..."

"The funniest thing is that after the war, those countries are still there, and then everyone takes a break for ten or eight years to recover from their injuries, and then they continue to fight, and they fight like crazy. I think these Europeans may have something wrong with their brains. , Europe is so big, let’s just unify it!!” Secretary Ma was very disdainful of the bulk of Europe. In his opinion, what’s the point of having so many countries? There are only such a big place in total, and they all look the same. Why? Just can't unite. (In Secretary Ma’s eyes, Europeans all look the same, just like Europeans look at Asians, they can’t tell them apart)

Yan Jun shook his head when he heard this, and then continued: "European history is complicated. In the Roman era, there were many barbarians. Roman power was mostly concentrated in the Mediterranean and Italy. The other places were barbaric and barbaric lands that could not be unified. And since the fall of Rome, for thousands of years, no country has been able to sweep away the six regions and unify the eight wastelands..."

"How about Napoleon? He turned into a withered skeleton in the grave and was suppressed by the British. Throughout his life, he was unable to unify the European continent and achieve the hegemony of the First Emperor!!"

When Yan Jun talks about Napoleon, he always feels a sense of pity, as if a hero has been deprived of freedom.

Just like Li Qingzhao wrote in that poem:

"To this day I miss Xiang Yu and refuse to cross the Yangtze River."

Although it is very unlucky, there is still a feeling of heroism in it.

"How do you think the current King of France compares with Napoleon?" Yan Jun suddenly turned back to Secretary Ma and asked a comparative question.

"Although they all relied on the current situation to rise to power, they are not as good as Napoleon!!" Secretary Ma said sincerely. Although Louis Philippe relied on chaotic situations to rise to power, one is a conspiracy, a feast for a small group of people, and the other is a conspiracy. It's a military achievement, fighting on the battlefield, the difference can be imagined.

"Yes, tell me, can France produce another Napoleon?" Yan Jun asked again.

"No!!" Secretary Ma replied decisively.

"Europe at this time is different from Napoleon's Europe in the past. At that time, there were few powerful countries in Europe, and all of them had stubborn diseases. After a war, they could retreat. But in Europe now, let's not talk about Austria, Tsarist Russia and the like, let's talk about Prussia. , it is not a fuel-efficient lamp, not to mention the British Empire that controls hundreds of millions of people in India. If France is strong, all heroes will fight together, and there will be a foundation for heroes to display their talents!!" Although Secretary Ma is sometimes a bit confused I don’t know the situation clearly, but I’m sure I can become Yan Jun’s secretary.

Upon hearing this, Yan Jun looked at Secretary Ma with satisfaction, and then said, "You said France has no chance. Does Prussia have a chance?" Yan Jun looked at Secretary Ma with bright eyes.

"Si..." Secretary Ma couldn't say anything at this time. After all, the conversation about France just now was the only real thing he could think of. If he continued talking, the secret might be exposed.

Yan Jun thought he was worried about making a mistake, and then said: "I know even if you don't tell me, what are you taking into consideration? In my opinion, Prussia is something you can do, but you can't do it. If you do it, it's in Europe, and if you don't, it's also in Europe." !!”

Secretary Ma stood next to him with a listening expression.

"Europe is divided into countries, like the Warring States Period, and cannot be compared with America. Prussia is located in the center, surrounded by Austria, France, and behind it is Tsarist Russia. It can be said that it is surrounded by wolves. If you want to break the situation, it will be even more difficult, and it will be difficult to achieve something eternal. , but it is easy to become a hegemon. Taking advantage of the conflicts between the European powers, it is possible to rise in the German region. With Germany's abundant manpower and material resources, it is still very possible to become a European power alongside France. The key is the roadblock!!"

Although Yan Junren is in Xijing and in the cabinet, he is used to dealing with national affairs and is very familiar with the current situation in Europe and even Prussia. This is why he dare not have too much contact with Prussia for fear of getting into trouble.

"If we follow Prime Minister Yan's advice, how should we break the situation?" Secretary Ma asked Yan Jun.

Yan Jun did not say anything long, but only said a few words: "Join vertical and horizontal, and create a world!!"

Secretary Ma on the side was a little confused and couldn't understand what Yan Jun was talking about.

Only Yan Jun walked silently to the deck where the cold wind was blowing, looking at the mainland getting closer and closer, and murmured to himself:

"Who controls the world in Europe today!!"

.............................................

Paris, France…

bang bang bang...

As soon as Yan Jun got off the ship, a burst of gunshots rang out in the Marseille port. Standing in the dock were local celebrities and officials, and even Prime Minister Guizot, who was specially sent by Louis Philippe to welcome Yan Jun. He was the man who would not return home on the second day of the riots in the original time and space. The unlucky man who was dismissed from his post, this time and space, and Louis Philippe's unbreakable King City are also Louis Philippe's most trusted minister. Many orders must be conveyed by him, which shows the prestige of this person.

And sending Gizzo to introduce it also shows that France attaches great importance to Han.

Louis Philippe once said:

"Han is France's only friend in America and a member of the civilized world!!"

Although it is an exaggeration, it can also be seen that Louis Philippe's expectations and attention to the Han Dynasty.

"Hello, Your Excellency Prime Minister!!"

"Hello, Lion Prime Minister!!"

"Ha ha……"

Hearing this, Yan Jun couldn't help but laugh. The name of this Lion Prime Minister was first proposed by The Times. Until now, all European media refer to him with the word "Lion" as the prefix. Over time, if you don't add it, it will become weird.

"please……"

Jizuo invited Yan Jun into the carriage that had been prepared.

After Yan Jun went in, he looked around for a while. What a good guy, it was actually gold-plated and had a very expensive Persian carpet, which cost at least a thousand dollars a piece.

Don't ask Yan Jun how he could tell, because he had several at home. (Officials in the Han Dynasty have high salaries. People like Yan Jun can get at least 20,000 Chinese yuan in salary every year, not counting private favors.)

When the convoy drove to Marseille, it also meant that Han's European diplomacy had officially begun.    ………

In a manor in the city of Marseille, Yan Jun stood in front of the window on the third floor, looking at the city of Marseille where lights and darkness intertwined, his eyes flickering.

This is Europe, where poverty and wealth intertwine.

Where there is light, there are often the most serious places where reptiles breed.

The city of Marseille was no exception at this time. In just two hours after dark, he heard no less than four gunshots. At the dinner table just now, Yan Jun joked that this was French hospitality. way.

Secretary Ma exaggeratedly said that this was the best gift for his arrival.

"Yeah, how can bloody fireworks not be exciting??"

Yan Jun looked at the lights that appeared and disappeared from time to time in the darkness outside, and then appeared in other places. He knew that these were the searchlights used to monitor crimes in Marseille City. Every time they appeared and flashed multiple times, it meant that a criminal was present.

(A setup similar to the current lighthouse, with a kerosene lamp inside and a movable reflector.)

brush……

Yan Jun closed the curtains and returned to the room lit with candles.

Smelling the perfume in the room, even Yan Jun, a person who is not very particular, had to lament the romanticism of the French. The country is like this, and they still engage in such flashy things.

"Mr. Yan, just now the mayor of Marseille asked you to attend the ball, why don't you go?" Secretary Ma walked out of the bathroom, thinking of the invitation to the ball just now, and wondered why Yan Jun didn't go to such a diplomatic occasion.

"Why are you going to let those old French ladies tease you?!" Yan Jun replied angrily, and then explained what the so-called dance party in Europe meant.

Except for the formal diplomatic dances, most of them are unhealthy.

Do you really think Yan Jun doesn’t know what the people inside are here for? ?

Maybe these French women are still thinking about how to capture themselves so that they can be used as talking points! !

"Prime Minister Yan is very considerate and never loses my dignity as a man!" Secretary Ma said with admiration after hearing Yan Jun's words. If he had known about such an opportunity, he would definitely have gone, and Yan You don’t even look at each other, which shows your righteousness! !

"State affairs come first and state affairs are the most precious!!"

On the surface, Yan Jun is righteous and awe-inspiring, but in his heart, he also wants to see and test his own weaknesses, but people are like this. How he looks and how others evaluate him are also important.

As the prime minister, Yan Jun cannot be an exception.

Secretary Ma on the side didn't know it yet, and was still sighing at Prime Minister Yan's courage, he is a true gentleman! !

…………

Click... click...

A train is traveling on the railway to Paris. This time and space was influenced by China and the United States, and seeing the importance of railways in the war, most European countries have built railways, but the mileage is different.

France, even in this chaos, has built four thousand miles of railways, which shows the importance of Louis Philippe himself to the railways. Louis Philippe even proposed a plan to build a thousand-mile railway, ostensibly to promote the French economy. Development, behind it, is to facilitate the deployment of troops. Wherever there is chaos, even if it is suppressed.

Relying on the railway, Louis Philippe gradually quelled rebellions in various places, which was unprecedented in the original time and space. It can also be seen that the influence of the Han State on the world is growing.

Yan Jun sat on a velvet chair in a carriage that had been cleared specifically for him, looking at the large wheat fields and herds of cattle and sheep outside, with a look of amazement in his eyes.

When he was in England, he also went to the countryside. He was invited by a British Duke to go hunting in the countryside of London. Although the wilderness was very vast, it definitely didn't give people the feeling of vitality and revival like France. Instead, it gave people a sense of vitality and revival. It's so gloomy. I don't know why, maybe it's the changeable weather in the UK and the occasional rain! !

Yan Jun had a different feeling about France. The moment he got on the train and entered the rural countryside, he actually saw the feeling of Youzhou, because Youzhou in Han Dynasty was also so vast and rich. (Texas)

At this moment, Yan Jun finally understood why France, which had been to Napoleon for only a short time, could burst out with such powerful power and resist many European countries...

Topography is really important! !

But there is one thing. Although this kind of terrain is easy to develop farming and accumulate population and national strength, once the outside is breached by the enemy, the interior will be flat. When will Paris? ?

Yan Jun thought to himself about the city of Paris he was about to arrive in.

In Paris, at the Palace of Versailles, Louis Napoleon, who had just experienced an exorcism by a bishop, stood on the top floor of the Palace of Versailles, overlooking the entire city of Paris.

He even opened his arms, wanting to embrace the whole of Paris.

"Your Majesty..." the attendant stood behind Louis Philippe and shouted.

After a long while, Louis Philippe regained his composure and said in an airy tone: "What's the matter? Tell me!!"

"In two hours, the Han Prime Minister, Jun Yan, will arrive in Paris. Do you think??" The attendant reported the news about Yan Jun to Louis Napoleon, and he made the decision.

"Order General Gabriel to go and greet..." Louis Philippe thought for a moment and asked Gabriel, who had acted recklessly at the beginning and was now the Viscount of France and Commander of Paris, to greet the Han Prime Minister Yan Jun on his behalf.

"Yes, Your Majesty!!" After hearing this, the attendant left wisely.

After the attendant left, Louis-Philippe looked at the huge city of Paris below, always feeling a small but great feeling, as if he was the master of this country and the God of France! !

"I will continue to rule, the House of Orleans, until the Day of Judgment!!"

Thinking of the recent secret reports that wanted to rebel against him, Louis Philippe shouted with a ferocious expression.

The sound spread into the sky, and finally was mixed with the sound of wind and birds, and disappeared.

Only a middle-aged man in gorgeous clothes with bright colors and a crown was left.

Tell yourself over and over again that the royal power will never fall! !

…………

Today, a group of soldiers wearing military uniforms, tall military hats, and holding rifles suddenly arrived at the Paris train station. Those passengers had already been ordered to return to the station temporarily, and the other trains were also asked to stop running and restart in an hour. .

Woohoo...

A train came from not far away, billowing black smoke, and the sound of horns and whistles kept coming, impacting the eardrums of the soldiers on the dock.

Click...

The wheels of the train stopped, and even the smoke above slowed down.

bump……

The door of the middle carriage near the platform opened, and the first to step out were some train staff and guards protecting Yan Jun.

bang bang bang...

When Yan Jun came out with a few people, there was a burst of gunfire.

Stepping on the purple carpet, Yan Jun looked at a French young man with the rank of major general coming in front and immediately stepped forward to shake hands.

"Hello, I'm Yan Jun!!"

"Hello, Prime Minister, I am Gabriel, Commander of Paris. I am here to welcome you again on the orders of the King of France!!"

Very obviously military style speech.

Yan Jun's eyes flickered when the translator said the other party's name to him. He did not expect that the rude French young man was the same guy. He had scolded the other party for being reckless and not knowing how to advance or retreat.

Now that the other party is here to welcome me, it is really a coincidence, it is not ironic! !

　Please give me a reward, please give me a monthly ticket

　　

　

(End of this chapter)