Red Mansion: Seizing Jiangdong, starting with pirates

Chapter 335, Calamity of the World

King Rama III was very respectful to Fang Yong.

He knelt directly on the ground, showing no trace of monarchical arrogance.

As a defeated man whose life was in the hands of others, Rama III had already adopted a correct attitude on his way there.

Moreover, this was how he usually operated when he was playing both sides between the British Empire and the July Dynasty.

This was already commonplace for him.

"Your Majesty, this was not my order. Siam has been a vassal state of China for generations, and my ancestors were of Chinese descent. How could I dare to send troops to offend China? Please allow me to explain."

Seeing this, Fang Yong's lips twitched slightly. He didn't say anything more, only saying:
"I am not His Majesty."

Rama III completely ignored this statement.

As a monarch himself, he was very clear about this.

Some people say they don't want to be emperor, saying things like "You've ruined my life," but once they actually sit on the dragon throne, they can't move an inch.

"Your Majesty, those who attacked Zhongxia were indeed our Siamese troops, but the ironclad warships that ultimately decided the victory were the fleet of the July Dynasty, and the soldiers piloting those ironclad warships were also soldiers of the July Dynasty. It was they who secretly instigated it, which forced Siamese to send troops!"

"As expected..."

Fang Yong gently rubbed the jade seal of the Longqing Emperor, pondering this matter in his heart.

He was not surprised that the July Dynasty was behind it all.

Signing an agreement with the British Empire would certainly attract the attention of wolves, so it's reasonable for them to secretly test the waters.

According to the course of history in the previous life, in a few years, the July Dynasty and the British Empire will arrive uninvited, displaying the "gentlemanly" demeanor of the West on this land.

The British Empire, having already secured a substantial share of the spoils through the previous agreement (in its own mind), may be able to temporarily curb their greedy appetite.

However, as the saying goes, "it is not scarcity that is a concern, but inequality," the July Dynasty might also become restless sooner and thus take the initiative to test the waters.

This was due to his lack of consideration.

We can't just give all the benefits to the British Empire; the July Dynasty should get them too!

Fang Yong pondered when to take the initiative to contact the July Dynasty and sign a generous contract with them, so as to prevent them from drooling with envy in the shadows.

Thinking this through, Fang Yong sorted out his thoughts and was about to send someone to take Rama III away when he saw Rama III's eyes flicker, as if he had something left unsaid.

Fang Yong then asked, "Is there anything else you want to say?"

Rama III hesitated for a moment, then said somewhat tentatively:
"Actually, besides the July Monarchy, there might be... well, I'm not entirely sure, but the person in charge of naval operations that day was our General Hanuman. He was of mixed race; his father was Scottish, which is one reason why he became a general..."

"You go down first!"

Fang Yong's voice was somewhat chilling.

Not quite sure?

This is really too uncertain.

Truly worthy of my Great British Empire!
Fang Yong didn't need to investigate to guess that the British Empire was definitely stirring up trouble!

Even though they had already secured a lucrative position and formed an alliance through marriage, it didn't stop them from secretly sabotaging the relationship.

That's inhuman!

Looking back now, this might have even helped them sell the warships for five million taels each!

I've really fallen for their trick!

If there is any country in the world that is poor, backward, and plagued by wars, then without a doubt, it is that legendary empire that is the culprit.

You can find them everywhere.

Ethnic conflicts, racial feuds, colonial wars, arms sales, assassinations of leaders, the slave trade—they were involved in all the tragedies and suffering.

In fact, from another perspective, isn't this just the lingering glory of the empire?

Their notoriety stems from their global reach.

In a sense, Fang Yong was quite envious of this kind of strength.

He doesn't want to bully other countries.

But in a sense, it's better to be able to bully others than to be bullied by others.

However, this did not diminish Fang Yong's resentment towards the British Empire. Just wait! In a few years, he would send troops to seize India, and then support Irish independence. Let's see if Great Britain will still be laughing then!

It's too early to say anything about this now.

Strength, strength, only strength can suppress everything.

Double the amount of farming and animal husbandry is still too little.

Faster, faster...

That night, Fang Yong went to Princess Sofia's palace.

Sophia wasn't used to living in a room in Zhongxia, so Fang Yong let her be and ordered people to change the style of her palace to be half Chinese and half Western.

In fact, it's pretty much the same as a modern villa, and Fang Yong himself thinks it's quite nice.

Their relationship wasn't great, but it could be described as close.

Because Fang Yong is very good at taking shortcuts to a woman's heart.

His immense strength also won over Sofia.

Sofia was originally lonely after marrying into the Central Plains.

She was unfamiliar with the local culture and language, and rarely had anything in common with Daiyu and the others.

My usual activities consist of growing some flowers and plants and baking some Western pastries.

His only two friends are Xiangyun and Yimin.

Xiangyun is carefree and has a chivalrous spirit; he often seeks her out for fun.

As princesses from different countries, Yimin and the other princesses shared a mutual respect and often rode horses together.

In contrast, the other girls rarely interacted with her.

Is Baochai barely considered half a Baochai?

Baochai is friends with everyone.

Fang Yong came to see Sophia, and Sophia was somewhat pleased.

However, she soon became a little too excited...

As a result, his skin turned red, his eyes rolled back, and he became disoriented.

The classic Western Gothic dress covered Sofia's face, making her voice sound somewhat muffled.

Fang Yong roughly took off her little leather shoes, revealing her two small feet tightly wrapped in black over-the-knee socks.

Ha, the British Empire was truly advanced!

Next time, I must persuade Daiyu to wear this too.

Thinking this, Fang Yong grabbed Sophia's feet and then intensified the intensity...

After a very long time, it finally stopped.

Sofia hugged Fang Yong tightly.

His limbs were wrapped around his body like an octopus.

It's not that I don't want to let go, but that I don't have the strength to change my posture.

It's that feeling where your mind goes completely blank, you forget how to think, your body can only maintain one posture, and you hesitate slightly from time to time due to excessive muscle fatigue...

"My dear, Your Highness, you'll have to work hard these days. I want you to bear me a child as soon as possible."

Fang Yong spoke softly.

Sofia's lips trembled slightly, as if she had agreed.

Fang Yong also needs to work hard for the future!
Work even harder.

A few days later, the grand court assembly took place.

Fang Yong officially bestowed titles and rewards upon generals such as Zhang Yuan.

At the same time, the Siamese monarch Rama III and the previously defeated and captured Prince of Nam An, among others, were dealt with.

(End of this chapter)