Alchemy Greater China

Gotta keep your eyes open!

Princess Ai Shili appeared as scheduled, and she changed into a bright dress tailored by zss for her. Besides being elegant, it was even more enchanting. Many princes and nobles from small European countries were drooling greedily, thinking to themselves: Who would To be able to marry the eldest grandson princess of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, it really took 30 years less struggle!

Smack, just don't know if I have this chance... Well, as long as she stays in China, stays in Shanghai, I always have a chance!

Not to mention those blond and blue-eyed extravagant figures who were yelling unscrupulously, on the temporary platform built by the pier, salutes were fired, ribbons were flying, and the handover ceremony of the submarine had already begun.

One of the parties involved in the handover was Princess Ashley, and the other was a representative of Kunpeng Shipyard.

When the handover representative of the Kunpeng Shipyard appeared, the Shanghai people below couldn't help booing.

The representative turned out to be a pure Chinese with yellow skin and black hair, and after he came to the stage, apart from saying a few words of welcome in English as an opening remark, he spoke authentic Shanghai dialect and greeted the Shanghai people with a smile.

This scene can't help but make the citizens of Shanghai feel very cordial.

The Kunpeng Shipyard is the shipyard of the Alchemy Kingdom, and its person in charge is a Chinese. In other words, can the Chinese also hold up a sky overseas?Make a career out of it?Or in other words, Long Hao, the king of the Alchemy Kingdom, attaches great importance to and reuses Chinese?

All of a sudden, Lenovo was boundless, and the hearts of some people who worked in many small shipyards in Shanghai and were underappreciated suddenly became hot.

After the representative of Kunpeng Shipyard spoke for a while, the handover ceremony officially began, and a long red silk ribbon was lifted up.Ai Shili smiled and took a pair of golden scissors, and cut the red ribbon from it.At the same time, there was a splash of water on the sea outside the pier, and a few lumps of dark things floated up from the water.

The jet-black and shiny hull has a seamless surface, and four pointed metal torpedo shells are hung on both sides of the perfectly streamlined hull.No matter how you look at it, it gives people the vicious look of a shark opening its mouth and biting.

This is the submarine!

There are four ships in total, four big killers that everyone has been waiting for--submarines!

This should have been agreed in advance, and the submarine would make an appearance as soon as the handover and ribbon-cutting ceremony was over.

What these four submarines were performing this time was not a combat mission, but a performance mission. When the four submarines broke through the water and slowly drove out of the port.The temporary handover platform on the pier was demolished, or should be said, before it could be dismantled, it was overwhelmed by Shanghai citizens rushing forward.

Tens of thousands of people crowded onto the long pier to watch these magical submarines that defeated Beiyang and the British fleet at close range for the first time!

This time, the submarine gave the Shanghai citizens 100% and a lot of face. On the wide sea, the four submarines were churning up and down like live fish.Shuttle back and forth, extremely flexible... Such various performances also amazed international friends.

The so-called layman watching the fun.Experts look at the doorway.

Shanghai residents just watch the fun, they don't think the submarine's tossing up and down is so amazing, they just think it's very interesting that these strange sealed ships can dive and rise again.

However, those international friends who are watching the doorway turn green and pale, which is quite ugly: they can swim up and down freely.Anyone who knows a little bit about modern naval warfare understands what a submarine that can sail freely on the seabed for a long time means.

After the handover ceremony and submarine performance, countless telegrams were sent from Shanghai to all over the world.

The name of the submarine has completely resounded all over the world!

It turns out that the secret weapon that King Long Hao of the Alchemy Kingdom relied on was the submarine. No wonder he was able to create miracles on the surface of the sea many times, and he also brazenly designated the Arctic Circle as his sphere of influence!

When the British King Edward VII heard the news, his face became extremely ugly. You must know that the most advantageous military power of the United Kingdom is the navy. However, with the emergence of submarines, this advantage has undoubtedly been drastically reduced. Small, at least, the radiation circle of British influence in the Far East has completely disappeared after the Battle of Nanking and the Great Battle of the East China Sea.

Today, the fleet of the British Navy closest to the Far East is also near the Indian Ocean and the Strait of Malacca. If it wants to re-enter East Asia and re-establish the radiation circle, it must pay ten times or even a hundred times more effort!

The reason is simple. The UK's global strategic focus has never been on East Asia. If it is lost, it will be extremely difficult to make up for it.

In East Asia, the Far East Fleet used to be enough to maintain the balance of the countries in East Asia, but now, because of Long Hao's intervention and the Far East Fleet's "disobedience to orders", the British military force has no way to reach that vast area!

Before Long Hao's rise, most of Britain's main fleets were deployed in the Atlantic Ocean, which is closer to Europe, southern Africa, and the crown jewel—India.

As for East Asia, British high-level officials believe that a Far East fleet mainly composed of eliminated warships is enough to dominate the country's strategy in the Far East and the Pacific region.

Because the navies of the countries there are too weak!

For example, the Beiyang Fleet of the Qing Dynasty, the so-called sixth in the world, is simply a joke in the eyes of the British.

What about Japan?Don't mention it, it's not as good as Beiyang!

A few years ago, they were threatened by the Beiyang Navy with a gunboat at the door...

U.S?Industrial power is good, but its shipbuilding industry has not developed at all, and most of the shipyards are built on the developed east coast. It wants to radiate the fleet used for war to the Pacific Ocean. Heh, it is not very good in a short time. possible.

It is precisely because Britain is at the top of the food chain in the circle of influence built in the Far East and the Pacific Ocean and lacks 'natural enemies' that can threaten it, so it has not invested much.

It just wants to control the pulse of this area in the most economical way.

This is actually correct in theory, because the Queen and the cabinet in power at the time had absolute confidence that if any changes occurred in East Asia and the Pacific, the Royal Navy would immediately dispatch the main fleet to rush there, and it would be easy to settle.

However, Britain just paid the price for its arrogance and arrogance.

Who made the world look like it started when Long Hao declared war on the United States.Has there been a change that people can't even dream of?

First, the War of the Three Emperors Alliance broke out in Europe, dragging Britain into a bottomless vortex of war.

Then.Unexpectedly, Long Hao achieved a phased victory over the United States, and he accepted it as soon as it was good, taking the west coast of the United States as his own, and then took advantage of the trend to include the Arctic Ocean into his sphere of influence.

To this.Britain was unable to intervene because a coup d'état was brewing within it, and soon the son had his mother under house arrest, and Edward VII replaced Queen Victoria as king.

As for another important force in Asia——Spain, changes are also taking place. The Viscount Savy, who is stationed in the Caribbean, used the United States to get out of the faint trick of "occupying Cuba and invading Mexico".Fighting back, he allied with Long Hao and controlled Central America, which greatly restrained the US military power.

The Spanish Overseas Governor forces located in Southeast Asia and the Philippines are happy to watch Viscount Savy and Queen Mother Christina fight each other. Don't expect it to easily fall to either side in a short time.

This also means that Spain's military influence in Southeast Asia is negligible.At least, there will be no obstruction to the ships of the Alchemy Kingdom traveling between China and the United States.

So, when Edward VII wakes up.The Far East and the Pacific Ocean have become a situation in which Long Hao and the Austro-Hungarian Empire control the overall situation.

At least, speaking in terms of Go, the general appearance of this big space has been made, leaving only a few chances for the UK to enter.

Yes, the Beiyang Navy and the Far East Fleet were inexplicably defeated in the East China Sea, and now.The entire East Asia and the Pacific Ocean are basically in the hands of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Alchemy Kingdom, which hold the submarine as a big killer.

Faced with this situation, the United Kingdom, which has been the overlord of the earth and oceans for many years, certainly couldn't bear it. Therefore, Edward VII lost his temper. After calling the cabinet for emergency discussions, Buckingham Palace issued a series of Several orders.

First, Edward VII notified Kaiser Wilhelm II to increase land pressure on the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The colonial troops brought back from Africa landed and penetrated directly into the center of the hinterland of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Second, Edward VII issued a death order, ordering the Royal Academy of Sciences to develop new weapons that can restrain submarines as soon as possible. At the very least, a batch of submarines with performance not inferior to those produced by Kunpeng Shipyard must be produced!Edward VII believed that with Britain's strong marine heritage and technological accumulation, it is impossible to find a way to deal with submarines.

Third, the Indian Ocean Fleet and the local fleet are divided into two directions, heading towards the Pacific Ocean, one direction is the Arctic Ocean, and the other direction is the entrance of Malacca in the Indian Ocean... It is not necessary to defeat Long Hao's influence in the Pacific Ocean in one fell swoop, but at least To cause trouble for him, the minimum goal, Edward VII's request, the two fleets must cut off at least one of the three routes of China's Shanghai, Xiajia, and Arctic Ocean islands!

After setting up a foothold in the Pacific Ocean, 'the eyes are working', and then slowly map it, 'breaking his sky'.

... After Edward VII gave the three orders, he seemed to be relieved a lot: Humph, damn Earl of Beihai, fight with me?Want me to release the queen mother?That is a dream!Do you think you can do whatever you want in the Pacific Ocean and the Far East by instigating my Far East Fleet?Haha, I want you to know that the British Royal Fleet is always the most powerful naval force on this planet. Unless it is the warships of all countries in the world, it will never be my opponent!Oh ho ho ho ho!

Evil laughter directed at Long Hao erupted in Buckingham Palace, while in the Forbidden City of China, at this moment, the Empress Dowager Cixi looked at the heavy silver bill in her hand and let out a contented laugh like an old hen laying eggs.

Yes, bank notes, a total of 100 million taels of bank notes, this is a gift brought back by Li Hongzhang from Shanghai.

Obviously, this gift is very fond of Cixi, so she has met with Li Hongzhang for more than an hour, and she has not asked about the losses of the Beiyang Navy in the East China Sea battle.

Beiyang, how can there be a bank note that can be seen and touched that is attractive?

"Aiqing has gained a lot from this trip!"

Cixi raised her eyebrows and looked at Li Hongzhang 'kindly'. She didn't remember until then: "Oh, yes, I heard that Li Aiqing's navy suffered a failure in Shanghai. Come on, tell me. That Liu Kunyi really has Such a strong ability? Can you contact the princess of Austria-Hungary to support him?"

The relationship between Ai Shili and Long Hao is currently only known to a very small number of people. Therefore, the Empress Dowager Cixi also thought that Liu Kunyi had climbed the big tree of the Austro-Hungarian Empire by chance, so she gave Li Hongzhang a hard time.

Li Hongzhang replied with a wry smile: "Lord Liu's ability. The old minister did not expect it. A defeat is a lesson he deserves. However, Master Liu is very knowledgeable and did not force the old minister too much. He paid more than half of the money!"

When it comes to silver, Empress Dowager Cixi's eyes shine brightly: "Oh? Where did Liu Kunyi get the silver?"

"It was given by the princess of Austria-Hungary, and Austria-Hungary has taken a large share of tariff pricing power. It can be regarded as compensation!"

Li Hongzhang lowered his head, following what Long Hao told himself when he left Shanghai.

It turned out that Long Hao met Li Hongzhang a few days after the submarine handover ceremony.

Of course, Li Hongzhang didn't give the slightest sympathy to this black hand behind the scenes at first, but he waited for Long Hao to use his usual tactics: money to clear the way, especially a huge order for warships and military sponsorship.Li Hongzhang softened.

For the financially strapped Beiyang, Li Hongzhang could not refuse Long Hao's gold dollar offensive.

Long Hao said to Li Hongzhang, I am not trying to invade Shanghai.I just want to sell my products to the inland of my motherland smoothly. My products focus on quality, so the cost is relatively high. If the power of tariff pricing is in the hands of others, especially the British who are not against me, I will do nothing. Don't worry.

Li Hongzhang finished listening.The first reaction is to roll your eyes: Is this why you started so many chain conflicts?Tsk tsk, for a tariff pricing power, you have made so much trouble?And almost caused an all-out war with Britain?I don't believe it!

Li Hongzhang didn't believe Long Hao's claim that he was a pure businessman, but the bank notes in front of him could be exchanged for real money.

Long Hao gave Li Hongzhang a total of 500 million taels of silver. Therefore, Li Hongzhang took out one-fifth of it as interest to 'return' it to the Empress Dowager Cixi, and he didn't feel much pain in his heart.

"Oh, Ai Jia understands, these silvers are the compensation money from Austria-Hungary to the country, right?"

"The Queen Mother, it can be said that because the country's military power is still relatively weak compared with European countries, the tariff pricing power is the meat taken from the mouth of the British, and the distribution of its benefits is too sensitive. , with Austria-Hungary occupying the upper hand on the bright side, for the Qing Dynasty, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages."

Li Hongzhang explained for the Empress Dowager Cixi: "In Europe, the British and the Austro-Hungarians are now fighting fiercely. It is very appropriate for them to take the lead."

"Aiqing did a good job. My Qing Dynasty was full of disasters and disasters. Even the capital city was once captured by foreigners. Now I am keeping a low profile, which is in line with Aijia's wishes!"

When the Empress Dowager Cixi heard that there was no problem with the source of the money, she felt even more joyful: "Li Aiqing, you pass on an order to Ai's family and ask Liu Kunyi to do a good job. As long as he manages the tariff pricing power well, he will be able to give Ai a gift after three months. If you donate another 100 million taels of silver, I will also grant him the governor of Huguang, hehe, it’s hard work for those who can! I have the support of your two lovers in the Qing Dynasty, and there is really hope for ZTE!"

I'll go, 100 million taels in three months!This old woman is really greedy!

Li Hongzhang understood as soon as he heard it. It seems that this Lafayette thinks that the money is too easy, so he wants to continue to squeeze the potential of himself and Liu Kunyi, and see if he can raise another huge sum for her [-]th birthday. payment.

"The old minister should try his best, thinking that the tariff pricing power has already been taken by Mr. Liu, and the princess of Austria-Hungary personally presides over the matters of our country's import and export of goods... The old minister thinks that Mr. Liu will definitely be able to collect it. It came up." With the thought of being a dead fellow Daoist and not a poor daoist, Li Hongzhang made a guarantee ticket for Liu Kunyi: 100 million taels of silver, with Long Hao as the backing, it's not a problem at all!

"Wait, import and export goods? What kind of deal does Austria-Hungary have with this dynasty?" Empress Dowager Cixi suddenly became interested.

"Queen Mother, this transaction is of course strategic materials such as grain! I have always been a granary in the two rivers and lakes, and I have always produced a lot of grain. Now the war situation between Austria-Hungary and the United Kingdom in Europe has entered a critical moment. Their logistics is tight. My Qing Dynasty The surplus food can just be exported, go and earn a fortune from them!"

"It turns out that there are so many taxes and silver that can be collected from the surplus grain export transaction. It seems that the late emperor made a big mistake. The tariff pricing power was given away for decades. This lost money... ..." Cixi covered her chest, with wrinkles on her face: "When I think about it, Aijia's heart hurts!"

Give it away for nothing?Hey, if Long Hao hadn't gotten out of the submarine and defeated the British, would the tariff pricing power have been recovered?

Li Hongzhang sneered disdainfully in his heart: In addition, Yu Liang exported, do you also believe this?To be honest, I don’t even have enough food for myself!How can there be any surplus to sell to foreigners?Even if we take another [-] steps back and say that there is a surplus, our country is far away from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and by the time they are transported there, all food will be spoiled!This old woman, when she hears money, she doesn't care whether it's true or not!Hey, whatever she does, as long as she can fool her, the most urgent thing is to follow what Long Hao said, to strengthen my Beiyang first!

Li Hongzhang lost his mind and recalled what Long Hao had said to him: "Master Zhongtang, I think your organization of Beiyang is definitely a good way to strengthen the country and benefit the people, but it's a pity that the heavenly families above only know how to enjoy themselves and act recklessly. All your hard work has been wasted!"