The Ming Dynasty began from Sarhu

Chapter 889 Anti-French Alliance
As it turned out, the development of the situation in Europe was just as Kang Guangxu had expected.

After Louis XIV came to power, the increasingly powerful France began to threaten the whole of Europe.

France under the rule of the Sun King is becoming the second Rakshasa. The dream that Peter the Great failed to fulfill will now be completed by the French Emperor.

When Louis XIV came to power, France had only 10 soldiers.

The emperor was obviously dissatisfied with this and began to levy higher taxes and increase military spending. By 1710 (the tenth year of Tianshou), the third year of his reign, the French army had suddenly expanded to 30 people.

In 1715 (the first year of Jingyan), the German Marshal of Saxony was recruited by the French Emperor and began to serve the French army. After the Battle of Alsace in 1712, he made the following comments on the French army:
The French infantry was the most disciplined and hard-working army in Europe.

In 1717, the young Sun King tried his hand at conquering Flanders in a swift and decisive manner.

On the Western Front, the French army attacked the Netherlands and defeated them successively, ending the golden age of the Sea Coachmen.

France is not only strong in land warfare, but its naval strength should not be underestimated.

At the behest of Louis XIV, the Knight of Forbin organized a fleet with powerful artillery fire, which dominated the Adriatic Sea.

It is said that the local sailors prayed to God before setting out, and the prayer was:

"Protect us from the storm and the Knight of Forbin."

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The rise of the Sun King made the King of Britain realize that London urgently needed an ally, an ally that could contain France. Only in this way could the balance of power on the continent be maintained.

Just like how we dealt with the Rakshasa Kingdom back then.

The British need an ally that will not interfere too much with European interests, but will also have extensive interests with the British Empire.

Da Qi is undoubtedly the best choice.

As a result, the British Kingdom stopped threatening Da Qi with tariffs and instead began to actively move closer to Tianxin City.

In the winter of the second year of Jingyan, Britain began to take the initiative to strengthen its alliance with Da Qi.

Ambassador Colombwell requested to meet with Kang Guangxu several times, although the results were not ideal.

However, Kang Guangxu eventually met with this British man who was arrogant at first but respectful later.

Compared with his previous arrogance, Colombwell's attitude has now become very humble.

The British were as humble in front of Kang Guangxu as elementary school students in the Imperial University of Peking.

"Your Excellency, Prime Minister, please allow me to apologize for my earlier disrespectful behavior towards you and ask you to accept King George's blessing."

Kang Guangxu nodded slightly and took the initiative to greet the British.

"How's your old King George?"

"Thank you, Prime Minister, for your concern. The King is not feeling well right now. He coughs constantly and feels like a knife is cutting his throat. London in winter is simply not a place to be."

Kang Guangxu glanced at the British ambassador standing next to him and said coldly:
"Is it that serious? I'm afraid I've caught a cold. Tianxin City has the best Chinese medicine practitioners."

Colombwell shrugged his shoulders and declined the Prime Minister's kindness. The Chinese medicine practitioners in Tianxin City had killed at least three emperors of Da Qi.

When it comes to regicide, the imperial physicians of the Qi State Imperial Hospital are considered professionals.

"Perhaps this is God's punishment on his people. Our country is a bitterly cold place, and the King and his kingdom need the Prime Minister's warmth."

Kang Guangxu teased, "Isn't the Sun King warm enough?"

"This tyrant isn't just warm, he's scorching hot! He's scorching the peace-loving people! In short, the British Kingdom needs your help, Prime Minister!"

The British's blunt statement made the Prime Minister of Da Qi feel very uncomfortable. Kang Guangxu said slowly: "Mr. Will, there is no need to be so modest. Isn't your country going to adjust tariffs?"

Seeing this, Colombe quickly laughed and said, "That was just an immature plan. It was a misunderstanding."

"Misunderstanding?" Kang Guangxu deliberately raised his voice.

The British quickly explained, "To be honest, the British Kingdom hopes to cooperate with Da Qi to jointly deal with our enemies."

Kang Guangxu was puzzled. "A common enemy? What common enemy do we have with Britain? Great Qi is invincible and far ahead. Taizu once said that we will not form an alliance..."

Colombwell humbly said: "Of course it is Louis XIV and his army."

Kang Guangxu pretended not to hear and stopped talking. The British man had no choice but to test the waters again:
"I heard that some brave explorers from Qi are exploring the North American continent, and the French have become their biggest threat..."

"Mr. Will, as far as I know, the pioneering group is invincible in North America. Aren't you going to sanction our country? In addition, I need to know the relationship between France and Da Qi, not the conflict between your two countries. We are not interested in the French."

Colombwell said anxiously, "The King can make more concessions to Qi. The condition is that Britain and Qi must form an anti-French alliance to maintain fairness and justice in this world."

"Anti-French Alliance? Just Da Qi and Britain?"

"Of course not only that, but also the Netherlands, Portugal, Switzerland, Poland... all these countries are fighting for justice and to severely punish the French who challenge our common values."

Kang Guangxu said disdainfully: "Who are you and us? Did I ever promise to form an alliance with your country? King George wants to be a chess player again and let us be pawns?"

"Of course not. You misunderstood! It's cooperation!"

The British ambassador quickly shook his head to explain.

Kang Guangxu said coldly: "What price are you willing to pay?"

Cromwell wiped the sweat from his forehead and nodded repeatedly:
"As long as the Qi army can contain the Sun King in North America, Europe, Jakarta, and other places, Britain is willing to strengthen its alliance with Great Qi and allow your country to enjoy most-favored-nation treatment."

Kang Guangxu shook his head. "Is that all? Sending our troops across the ocean to fight against the most powerful country in Europe in support of your so-called just cause?"

The Englishman looked bewildered.

"Prime Minister, you can name the price you think is appropriate!"

So the Prime Minister of Da Qi offered the British more stringent conditions.

"Our Emperor will be engaged in two years. I've heard that the British princess is virtuous and well-behaved, and has the potential to become the Empress of Great Qi. Since King George is willing to strengthen relations with Great Qi, as the Minister of State, I have the obligation to send an embassy to London to select a suitable Empress for the Emperor from the British royal family. In addition, we believe that the future Empress will need to bring 30% of the East India Company's profits as a dowry..."

Cromwell didn't dare to explode on the spot, so he could only suppress his anger and muttered softly:

"Engagement to the princess? I'm afraid that's a bit hasty. Besides, marrying a foreign woman doesn't seem to conform to your legal system..."

Kang Guangxu said angrily: "What? Don't you want to bring the dowry? Emperor Taizu's favorite woman is Korean! Emperor Taizong married a Swedish princess in the past. This is the tradition of the royal family of Da Qi!"

Cromwell shook his head helplessly:
"This matter can be discussed. Does the Prime Minister have any other conditions?"

"No more." Kang Guangxu nodded with satisfaction and reminded:

"As everyone knows, our country is a democratic nation. Regarding such a major matter as sending troops to Europe, I do not have the final say. The decision to send troops or not is up to the parliamentarians and the governors of various regions. I wonder if your Excellency can understand this?"

"Understandable."

"That's good. I will inform the Parliament and the national governors of King George's request. Da Qi will plan to send 50,000 troops to attack the European enemies on the western border, defending fairness, justice, freedom, democracy and equality, and let the Sun King feel a little bit of the shock of autumn..."

Cromwell felt relieved and kept making the sign of the cross on his chest:
"God bless! May the blazing fire of the Sun King not consume all of Europe before this. God bless King George and his subjects."

(End of this chapter)