Fengxian Jiangshan

In fact, there are always some similarities in history. The relationship between the United States and Britain at this time is similar to the relationship between China and the United States in later generations.The United States has become the world's largest industrial country and the largest trading country, and it is ready to dominate the world. However, the world has been controlled by the old hegemony, the British, and there is not much room left for the United States.

China is the meeting point of the great powers. Whoever can get China will gain an advantage in this contest, and then turn the advantage into a victory.

For this international trend, Zhang Tinglan still sees it clearly. After seeing it clearly, Zhang Tinglan also has her own choice for partners.The United States is still dominated by industry now, and has the most powerful industrial system in the world, so it has the complementarity with China. If we can cooperate, although the United States will make more profits, China will at least get some benefits. .

As for the United Kingdom, it has long been the world's factory and degenerated into the world's black boss, living by knocking bones and sucking marrow from the colonies. If China wants to avoid being sucked blood, it must decisively get rid of Britain.

Therefore, strengthening cooperation with the United States is a move that Zhang Tinglan must take. Seeing Shulman's eyes shining, Zhang Tinglan is also very satisfied, so she said with a smile: "Mr. Minister, in addition to the railway line, the ports on the eastern coast It needs to be expanded, and the hydropower in the southwest needs to be developed. In addition, China also imports a large amount of oil and chemical fertilizers every year. At the same time, it also has a large amount of agricultural products to export. Between China and the United States. And we can sign a currency swap agreement, so that trade settlement can be done directly What do you think of the proposal between the two countries?"

Schulman is not an idiot either, and Zhang Tinglan has already released rumors of currency swaps. Of course, he understands the value of currency swaps, and this is clearly poaching the corner of the British pound.

If the US dollar can occupy China, this is definitely an important step for the US dollar to go to the world.In fact, before the First World War, Taft, the 27th President of the United States, proposed a gold-dollar foreign policy.Simply put, it is through foreign investment.Use funds instead of bullets to strengthen control over Latin America. At the same time, China is also a market that the Americans are trying to capture.

If the currency swap between China and the United States can be realized, for Americans, this will definitely be the biggest victory of gold-dollar diplomacy.When Shulman heard these words, it was not as simple as his eyes turning red, he even felt a little excited.

Foreign Minister Gu Weijun also smiled and said: "Mr. Schulman, the Vice President has just discussed with the Prime Minister. Although the concession involves sovereignty issues, it must be taken back at an appropriate time. But considering the trade interests between countries and China, we are prepared to Treat some port cities as open areas. In the area, China’s laws and sovereignty must be abided by. At the same time, the government will also provide foreign investment with preferential policies and taxation. I also hope that Mr. Minister can clarify the attitude of the Chinese side as soon as possible. Tell Washington. We all look forward to working more broadly with the United States."

Things come up this far.Schulman had nothing to say. The conditions offered by Zhang Tinglan were too generous, and even said that they had greatly exceeded the expectations of the United States.The domestic bureaucrats must be persuaded that this opportunity must not be missed, otherwise it will be a crime against the American people.

Looking at Shulman, who was in a hurry, Zhang Tinglan and Gu Weijun both had expressions of relief on their faces.As long as the United States does not intervene, it can concentrate on dealing with Britain. No matter what tricks the British play, Zhang Tinglan doesn't have to worry about it.

"Vice President. It is very important to exchange for the support of the United States, but I always feel that the concession is too big. With our industrial level, after fully opening up to the United States, will it cause the complete collapse of local industries?"

Zhang Tinglan nodded slightly: "There is indeed such a danger, but in a country as big as ours, it will definitely not work behind closed doors. Regardless of the unfairness, our companies must try their best to compete and turn themselves into ferocious wolves. Only then can we have a chance to survive. In addition, the Americans cannot be allowed to dominate alone, we can also cooperate with Germany and Italy, and the government must fulfill its mission and provide protection for our enterprises.”

Speaking of this, Zhang Tinglan laughed again: "In fact, these conditions for the United States also have a lot of room for manipulation. I am afraid that it will take a lot of time to conduct detailed negotiations, and it will take time for Congress to approve it. Years are not a problem."

Gu Weijun also had to be really impressed at this time, it turns out that what the vice president wrote was just a blank check, but I have to say that this blank check is indeed too attractive, enough to make the Americans turn around.

While Zhang Tinglan was planning his next move, Feng Yongshuang hurried over again.

"Vice President, we have just received information that Britain has urgently dispatched a fleet from Hong Kong and is heading north to the mouth of the Yangtze River."

"How many warships did they send?"

"The exact number is unclear, but there are at least ten ships, the flagship is the heavy cruiser Hawkins, and there are at least two ironclad ships, both of which have a tonnage of more than [-] tons. They are big!"

Zhang Tinglan frowned upon hearing this introduction. Zhang Tinglan was no stranger to the Hawkins, a type of heavy cruiser designed by the British during World War I.The standard displacement is less than 7.5 tons, equipped with seven 30-inch main guns, and the maximum speed reaches [-] knots. This class of heavy cruisers has also become a benchmark in the Washington Conference.

This warship inherited the British warship's consistent tradition of thin skin and large stuffing, and because of the excessive pursuit of speed, the defense was further reduced, and it was already difficult to adapt to cruel naval battles.However, as a patrol mission in the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean and other places to maintain colonies, the Hawkins is more than enough.

Zhang Tinglan knew very well that Britain would not be willing to suffer a loss, and would definitely take retaliatory measures, so sending warships was also expected.It's just that this force is not enough to make Fengjun surrender, and it can even be said that this is giving Fengjun more meat.

"Immediately give Yang Yuting an order to deal with it. No matter what the British want to do, they cannot be allowed to succeed." After speaking, Zhang Tinglan circled the ground a few more times, and then said: "Let the Seventh Air Squadron Immediately enter Nantong, Jiangsu and Shandong coastal areas are also ready for defense!"

The subordinates immediately conveyed Zhang Tinglan's order. At this time, Yang Yuting was convening a military meeting in Pukou. The Fengjun heavy troops gathered here, and the generals under him were gearing up to cross the river and conquer Nanjing.

Ma Zhanshan said with a smile: "I have long heard books and operas say that Jiangnan is the best place in the world. There is heaven above and Suzhou and Hangzhou below. This time, I have to experience it."

"Let's not talk about Suzhou and Hangzhou. Nanjing is also the ancient capital of the Six Dynasties, and Shanghai has a foreign market ten miles away. I hear it every day, and my ears are calloused." Zhang Henian also said with a smile: "I think the gang in Nanjing are nothing but idiots. It's just a chicken and a dog, once they pass by, they are all finished, why should we wait in Jiangbei?"

Jiang Dengxuan smiled and waved his hand: "Mr. Zhang, it's never okay to underestimate the enemy, but you are right about one thing. These people in the southern province are indeed vulnerable. But you have to think clearly, our opponents are simply It's not them, but the British! We will suffer a loss if we cross the river rashly before the British have finished playing their cards!"

Yang Yuting also nodded slightly. Obviously, he also had the same idea, so he hoarded the army in Jiangbei, ready to go, just to wait for the British to make a move.

At this time, Zhang Tinglan's order was conveyed, and Yang Yuting and the others immediately cheered up a hundredfold.

"Let's take a look, what will the British fleet do?"

Jiang Dengxuan thought for a while, and then said: "I think there are only two possible actions for the British. One is to use the fleet to block the Yangtze River to prevent us from going south, and the other is to attack the coastal areas, block the Yangtze River Estuary, and block our foreign trade."

"It makes sense, but the British are not stupid. If we can sink four of their warships, we are sure to send more warships to the bottom of the sea. I guess the British will not fight recklessly. They should have other plans."

It is not unreasonable for Yang Yuting to say this. It is well known that Fengjun's air power is strong. It is definitely a brain-dead behavior to drive a warship to the shore without air cover. The British They have already suffered a loss once, and they will never suffer a second time!

Thinking of this, Yang Yuting gradually thought of a possibility: "Do you think the British might want to attack the Yarmouth?"

Yang Yuting's judgment is not wrong. It is a very shameless thing to be captured by others, especially the Yarmouth is still a relatively new light cruiser in the UK. If it just falls into the hands of China, then the British will be slapped But it was too loud.

Therefore, in addition to actively wooing other powers, the United Kingdom is making plans to drag the Yarmouth out of the Yangtze River. If it cannot be pulled out, it will blow up the warship. In short, it cannot be left to China, otherwise the British Empire His face was completely lost.

For this reason, the British sent out the main force of the Far East Fleet. Rear Admiral James was still in charge of commanding this operation. Enter the Bohai Sea.

James is also very aware of the strength of Fengjun's air power, so he did not act rashly. His flagship Hawkins and two other large ironclad ships were parked outside the Yangtze River Estuary, but he secretly dispatched two frigates. I drove into the mouth of the Yangtze River at night, all the way up the river, all the way are dark mountains, very quiet.

They were getting closer and closer to the Jiangyin Fortress, and the hearts of these British people were hanging, for fear that they would alarm the defenders along the way.Gradually they are getting closer and closer to the location of the stranded warship.At this moment, several beams of extremely strong light suddenly shot over from the river, which happened to sweep across the two British warships.

searchlight!

The British suddenly felt something was wrong. At this moment, there was a rumbling noise from the fort by the river, and the huge shells fell into the icy river water. The tall water column splashed more than ten meters high, and the river surface instantly churned. The two British warships were immediately exposed to the huge mouth of the giant beast. (To be continued..)