The Han culture is spreading strongly in Southeast Asia

Chapter 366: There is no Crouching Dragon, nor Phoenix, but everyone has the Longzhong Plan

(Actually, the full version only includes these 2,000 words. I woke up from insomnia and finished writing it to update, only to find that I was being criticized.)
. . . . .

"I don't think delaying the attack is a good idea." Reinstein's big golden hair swayed like a rattle.

"Because it is obvious, my majesty, that you are a great king determined to restore the Seris Empire, so it is impossible for you to continue to use the Tatar trade restriction policy in the future.

If that happens, not only will all the good image that the Duke of Pahang has built up in Europe for the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty disappear, but France will also find it unacceptable.

Mo Zibu was stunned for a moment. What Reinstein said was a bit obscure. What he actually wanted to say was that one of the important reasons why France supported Mo Zibu was that it hoped that Seris would be more open in trade in the future.

Of course, this openness means being more open to France and its allies, while being much tighter towards Britain.

"Your Majesty, I am well aware that the Seris Empire you are about to establish is a great country that will not be dependent on or subservient to any major power. The whims of some people in the French government are destined to be unanswered.

However, your Seris should at least be different from Seris under Tatar control, and welcome new competition with a more open and civilized attitude."

Mo Zibu nodded. Reinstein was a European, and it was very considerate of him to say this.

The central idea was nothing else but that he told Mo Zibu that he had used the strength from Europe to restore Seris, so in the future, he would have to adapt to the current rules of the game in Europe.

The Seris Empire that Mo Zibu will establish in the future can implement various trade protection policies like European countries.

However, we must be open on the surface, willing to contact the world and show ourselves, and no longer hide in the fog.

"Then the most direct option to demonstrate your openness is to abolish the Thirteen Hongs, a trade organization that is extremely brutal to Europeans, and its corresponding policies," Reinstein said finally.

"Okay, Ryan, I understand." Mo Zibu took a sip of hot tea. "If the Thirteen Hongs have to be abolished sooner or later, it would be more appropriate to do it through war.

Guangzhou’s current abnormal prosperity is doomed to be unsustainable, so a short-term pain is worse than a long-term pain.”

"Yes, in the war mode, all problems will become simpler and more direct. After all, the vested interests are currently standing on the opposite side of you.

But if you abolish the Thirteen Hongs after you have established your empire, the situation will probably change, and it will lead to even stronger opposition from the huge and stubborn interest groups around you.

I am deeply worried about you because I have discovered that many of your subjects, especially the clansmen of the Mo and Chen families, are very eager to become the head merchants of the Thirteen Hongs after you establish the new Seres Empire.

I think, for the sake of the empire's future, you should make a clear statement that the new empire will break the rules of the game that the Tatars have used for over a hundred years, and there will no longer be a clear-cut, superior ethnic group. No."

"Ryan!" Mo Zibu interrupted Ryanstein loudly.

"Thank you, my friend, but there are some things you can no longer say. Your focus should continue to be on the military."

"That would be the best option for you. I don't want to lose a loyal subject and ideological friend like you." Seeing that Reinstein was a little uncomfortable, Mo Zibu couldn't help but remind him.

This guy is really bold. Mo Zibu also felt that some people around him hoped to become new bannermen. After all, the benefits are visible.

This problem needs to be solved step by step by Mo Zibu, and it is not ruled out that some methods used by Zhu Hongwu may be used. But for now, it is too early, and it is not suitable for a European like Reinstein.

Mo Zibu also did not want a capable general to be involved in such a political vortex, as that would likely put his life in danger.

Well, the conversation ended here. After Mo Zibu asked Reinstein to leave, he immediately summoned Wang Wubing and Chief of General Staff Moritz Kruger. They had been back for a few months, but had only recently started working.

"Based on the intelligence compiled by the General Staff, I support the strategy of an immediate Northern Expedition after a short rest." Moritz's excitement was evident in his expression.

"Although our losses in this battle were heavy, the enemy's losses were even greater. We should seize this opportunity to drag them into the abyss of battle. Furthermore, although our army currently has only around 15,000 men available for deployment, at least for the next year, there won't be many high-intensity battles to fight.

We can fully arm the entire population of Guangdong, Guangxi and Fujian, and use a large number of low-intensity wars to complete the occupation of half of South China.

Of course, this is only from a military perspective, and it has a very high probability of success. Your Majesty, as Chief of Staff, you know, this is exactly my duty."

Mo Zibu nodded. This bearded Austrian was much more cunning than Reinstein.

Reinstein still has a bit of innocence in paying for his dreams. This guy is a model of "I will do as much as you pay me."

"Wubing, tell me your opinion." Mo Zibu looked at one of his most respected officers.

Although Wang Wubing has rarely been to the front line in recent years, his command ability and broad vision are still the best in the Xingtang Army. Two studies at the French Military Academy have made his thinking the closest to Mo Zibu in the army.

"Your Majesty, both the easing and the urgent strategies are acceptable." Wang Wubing coughed lightly and continued:
"Delaying the capture of Guangdong and Guangxi can minimize conflicts among all parties and reduce considerable social unrest, but it will artificially increase the difficulty of the military operation.

Because Qianlong was not a very foolish monarch. He would not do nothing as Mr. Kezhai thought.

I am sure that after we make the decision to slowly take over Guangdong and Guangxi, he will do his utmost to squeeze out the wealth of Guangdong and Guangxi and leave us with an empty shell.

At the same time, if we don't enter the mainland, then Qianlong will still be the ruler of the world, with great autonomy. With his prestige, as long as he is willing to give power and benefits, there will still be many people willing to serve him."

"As for the military difficulty of taking it quickly, it is not as great as you think, Your Majesty. However, there will indeed be many difficulties in areas other than military.

If the war drags on for too long, the large number of people who have lost their livelihoods will likely be exploited by the Qing."

After listening to the opinions, Mo Zibu let the two men go down again. He suddenly realized a truth, that is, Liu Bei was really very lucky. Talents like Zhuge Wuhou are rare in the ages.

Before yesterday, Mo Zibu thought that what Yin Chengfang and Lin Qiaoyin presented to him was the Longzhong Strategy.

But now it seems that it is far from comprehensive enough. It seems that Yin Chengfang can be a senior official in a certain area, but he can never be a talent like Zhuge Wuhou.

These two men did not have much military experience and were more concerned with governing the country from the perspective of civil officials, ignoring the military urgency.

Mo Zibu's generals naturally wanted to deal with the Qing Dynasty in one fell swoop, because they did not need to worry about the difficulties of governance, they only needed to solve military problems.

Reinstein has a relatively comprehensive view, but his political recklessness and occasional romantic naiveté doom him to be an incomplete politician, so he cannot be relied upon.

Well, what everyone said makes sense, and it can even be said that both the easing and emergency strategies are correct, but a choice must be made, and this is a problem that a monarch is responsible for solving.

Mo Zibu was a little hesitant, but then a eunuch came from outside the door to announce that Admiral Count Olivier wanted to see him.

Mo Zibu immediately became alert. Count Olivier's arrival was not mainly to fight for him. He could not afford such a French naval commander who had helped the United States win the War of Independence in history.

Count Olivier's main mission in coming to the East was to urge Mozibu to attack British India at the appropriate time to support France's military operations against Britain in America and around the world.

This... this doesn't even give him enough room to grow for a whole year!
If he fails to do so, the French may end up throwing his limited military force into the big hole of British India.

"Issue an imperial decree for all cabinet members to come to Tokyo. The next military action against the Qing Dynasty must begin immediately."

Mo Zibu made a decision. As a leader heading for a broader world, many things still required his own decision-making.

(End of this chapter)