Wild North America 1846

March 11, 1855

Reported by "World Observer" of the Tang Dynasty;

An expedition team from the Royal Pacific Union Line recently landed on the desolate island of New Guinea for inspection and found that it was an unclaimed desert island.

Based on the tradition of the age of geographical discovery in the 15th century and the principle of "whoever discovers it first," the Royal Pacific Union Line claims ownership of the "Island of New Guinea" and will celebrate the tenth anniversary of the founding of the Tang Kingdom before the grand celebration.

Dedicate this island to the Tang Dynasty royal family as a gift of special significance...

This report was quickly reprinted by the sensitive British newspaper The Times, which commented sourly: "In the process of the world's great geographical discovery, the Tang people caught up with the last train."

The focus of mainstream public opinion in Europe today is the sudden death of Tsar Nicholas I and the accession of Crown Prince Alexander to the throne, which is known in history as "Alexander II".

The shock it brought to the whole of Europe was huge. Everyone's eyes were fixed on the East and they had no time to pay attention to such small things.

It’s just a desert island, what’s so strange about it?

From the 15th century to the present, British, French and Spanish explorers in Europe have discovered hundreds or dozens of desert islands, if not 200.

1768

In order to observe the transit of Venus and calculate the accurate distance between the sun and the earth, the British spent heavily to send astronomer Charles Green to the South Pacific for inspection. The accompanying captain was the famous geographer and ethnographer James Cook.

The expedition led by Cook laid the foundation for the British occupation and colonization of the South Pacific, and occupied a vast area of ​​the Australian continent, including Tasmania. Shortly after Cook's arrival, the original works of Australia and Tasmania

The residents were brutally exterminated.

March 18

After a simple and grand donation ceremony, Royal Pacific Union presented the sovereignty of the island of New Guinea to the Tang Dynasty royal family as a gift with special significance for the 10th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China to express its admiration for the great king.

King Richard attended the donation ceremony and officially named the island "Paradise Island". He also greatly praised Li Yuanqing, chairman of the Royal Pacific Union Line, and awarded him the title of Viscount of the Kingdom as a mark of honor.

This news spread a lot in North America, and mainstream newspapers such as the Washington Post and the New York Times published it one after another and gave different interpretations.

The Washington Post pointed out in a questioning tone that the Spanish had landed on the island in the 1870s. The gold content of the first discovery was insufficient and may be worth questioning.

The New York Times focused on this new geographical discovery in the Pacific Ocean with the title "The Shining Pearl on the King's Scepter", saying that "New Guinea Island (Paradise Island)" is one of the most significant geographical discoveries in this century.

, enough to be recorded in history.

From a certain point of view, the New York Times was quite exaggerated in order to attract the attention of Europeans. Unfortunately, they miscalculated.

Today's situation in Europe is turbulent. The newly ascended Tsar Alexander II recalled the commander of the Russian army, Prince Menshikov, and replaced him with Prince Mikhail Gorchakov. After the latter failed in the Battle of the Danube, he got a new tsar.

reuse.

Every moment and every minute movement of the Tsarist Empire touches the sensitive nerves of Europeans. In view of its terrifying military mobilization capabilities, no one dares to take it lightly.

Prince Mikhail Gorchakov has always been known for his tough style, and he declared openly when he took office;

This war must be carried out to the end. Victory will eventually belong to His Majesty the Great Tsar. Tsarist Russia will once again launch a nationwide military mobilization to organize an army of 1.6 million people...

These horrifying news flooded mainstream European public opinion. Across the vast Atlantic Ocean, the news from North America could not make it to the table. It was swept to the fringes before it could break through, and few people paid attention to it.

Downing Street, London

british prime minister's official residence

On February 5, 1855, the British Prime Minister Lord Palmerston, who had just taken office to form the cabinet, looked very good. He had a cigar in his mouth, his thumbs in his tuxedo jacket pockets, and he was walking confidently in the office. A few steps.

He said, "Guys, we have done a good job. Tsar Alexander will not fight to the end with the coalition forces in Crimea. This is not in Russia's fundamental interests. Foreign Secretary Sir Passington should have new news to share with you." ."

As a decision-maker capable of influencing the direction of the world, London's sources of information channels are beyond the reach of ordinary people, and it can obtain a lot of secret information that the public cannot know.

Having said this, he made a gesture of invitation.

Several senior cabinet ministers and Cabinet Secretary Schmidt-Pearce were sitting or standing in the Prime Minister's Office, drinking coffee and smoking cigars, and seemed to be in a relaxed mood.

The new Foreign Secretary Passington gracefully performed a chest-stroking salute and said in a proud and confident London accent; "Suffering the disastrous defeat in the Battle of Sevastopol, coupled with the sudden death of the Tsar, internal and external troubles, the Russians supported I couldn't stand it anymore. After Alexander II came to power, he found that what he inherited was a mess. He was now facing a situation where many people were betrayed and their families were separated, and their finances were in a major crisis. Therefore, Alexander Mikhailovich Gorcha, the Russian ambassador in Vienna, was authorized to Cove is trying to start the peace process, and our diplomats in Vienna have begun negotiations with the Russians. Gentlemen, we are about to reap the fruits of victory."

As soon as he finished speaking, there was a burst of applause in the room.

Everyone's faces were filled with joy. When competing against a super-heavyweight player like Tsarist Russia, no matter Britain, France, or the Ottoman Empire, they would feel relaxed. The suffocating pressure was always there.

As the war progressed into its second year, the huge casualties on the frontline battlefields had already made the British unbearable.

In this era

The British mainland population is just over 20 million, and it has lost more than 70,000 troops in the war, which is by no means a small number.

The previous British government in Aberdeen collapsed as a result, and the new British Prime Minister Lord Palmerston was extremely lucky. He won a complete victory in the Battle of Chenaya River launched at the beginning of his term, which established the outcome of the entire war in one fell swoop.

As a result, the Palmerston cabinet has secured its position, gained widespread support in the country, and its reputation is growing. How can we not be happy when we see that the entire war is about to be won again?

"Oh, by the way, how is Lord Raglan's condition?"

"Unfortunately, the news coming from the front line is very pessimistic. I'm afraid it will only be a matter of a week or two."

"My God, poor Lord Raglan..."

"There is no doubt that he is a hero of the British Empire. This call from the Lord cannot erase His Lordship's great achievements, and he will be forever remembered by the people."

"Second, Lord Raglan led the heroic Continental Army to achieve a glorious victory that will shine in the annals of history. He should be advised to Her Majesty the Queen and given sufficient honor."

"Second, this is what he deserves..."

"Second, God bless. It's a pity that Lord Raglan can't see the victory he fought for coming. We should send the message of Russia's prayer for peace to the front line as soon as possible so that the Lord can rest in peace."

"Second, it's just your Lordship's wish to form a British Overseas Corps..."

Amidst the echoes, the cabinet proposal to give Lord Raglan the high honor was passed. At this time, someone brought up Lord Raglan's proposal to form a British Overseas Corps.

At this time

Lord Raglan's deathbed proposals became extremely sensitive and were of a posthumous nature.

As an English hero worthy of respect and a noble nobleman, the great achievements and historical significance created by Lord Raglan led the British army are no less worthy than the Duke of Wellington who commanded the 7th Anti-French Alliance to defeat the French Emperor Napoleon.

Big book, special book.

As for the Tang Expeditionary Force, which played a decisive role in the war, the British gentlemen present here tacitly ignored it.

British mercenaries are also part of the strength of the British Empire, and British dependent countries are also part of the strength of the British Empire. There is nothing wrong with that.

All eyes are focused on the face of the Prime Minister, Lord Palmerston. After all, a British Foreign Mercenary Corps with a strength of 30,000 people is also a major decision for the British Empire. It must be discussed in Parliament and reported to the Queen.

Your Majesty gives your royal approval.

Given Britain's rigid, corrupt and slow work efficiency, it has achieved quite a lot during the term of the current cabinet.

Only with the full promotion of the cabinet can it be finally implemented.

Among them, the attitude of Lord Palmerston, the Prime Minister of the Cabinet, is crucial. He pondered for a moment and replied solemnly: "This foreign mercenary group has shown sufficient strength and deserves to be respected and taken seriously.

This cabinet will be committed to promoting the permanent appropriation bill for the British Foreign Legion. May God bless Great Britain."

"May God bless Great Britain." Everyone echoed in unison.

There was no objection raised by anyone present, and the proposal was approved by the cabinet. After that, the detailed proposal was formulated and sent to the parliament for discussion and procedural matters. Naturally, the cabinet secretary arranged for his subordinates to do it.

As for the parliamentary vote, the power game between the various parties does not need to be discussed for the time being. It is definitely not something that can be achieved this year and can be discussed in the long term.

"Your Majesty, Prime Minister, I learned from the newspaper that the Tang Dynasty discovered a desert island in the Pacific. Look..." Cabinet Secretary Schmidt-Pierce suddenly interjected and asked.

Some cabinet ministers knew about this, while others didn't know and didn't care. They just smiled indifferently when they heard it.

In the middle of the 19th century, there was a lack of information. Almost no one in the British Empire knew what the island of New Guinea was.

How big is it? How many resources are there?

Even those who knew it only had a partial understanding. They only knew that it was a desert island without human civilization, inhabited by some cannibal tribes that were still in a primitive state, and that was all.

Lord Palmerston didn't care and replied casually; "Oh, there seems to be such a thing. I have the impression that the discoverer has dedicated the island to the Tang royal family, so I will send a congratulatory message in the name of the British cabinet.

Congratulations. After all, King Richard has brought us an excellent army, so we should express our blessings."

"As you wish, distinguished Prime Minister, I will arrange to send this congratulatory message soon." Cabinet Secretary Schmidt-Pierce replied respectfully.

This is not a simple congratulatory message. It represents the official attitude of the British government. The recognition of New Guinea as the sovereign territory of the Tang Kingdom can affect the official attitude of most European countries.

Such is Britain’s powerful influence as the “arbiter of Europe”, an authoritative position that was further strengthened after its crucial victory in the Crimean War.

Similarly, the influence of the Tsarist Empire, once the "Steam Roller of Europe", has declined sharply, the fear of European countries has gradually faded away, and all kinds of ridicule and hostile remarks have increased.

In the "Three Emperors Alliance Era" when the Tsarist Russia, Austria-Hungary, and the Kingdom of Prussia were close friends, this was an unimaginable blatant offense.

A few words determined Britain's attitude towards the island of New Guinea, a neglect that would make the British extremely regretful decades later.

But at this time, no one realizes the importance of a huge island with an area of ​​786,000 square kilometers.

This second largest island in the world will form the solid cornerstone of the Tang Empire's hegemony in the Pacific, and serve as a springboard for expansion into the Philippines and other regions, turning the Pacific Ocean into a small pond for the Tang Kingdom.

This is a story for later.

"Sir Passington, are there any new developments in the Kingdom of Sardinia?" Prime Minister Lord Palmerston asked.

What he meant was that as a speculative country, the Kingdom of Sardinia had just declared war on Russia and sent 15,000 troops to participate in the war, and it had ushered in a decisive victory in the war against Russia.

The British don't mind the Kingdom of Sardinia taking advantage, but they want to see their asking price?

Foreign Secretary Sir Passington smiled slightly, with a disdainful and arrogant expression on his face, and said in a mocking tone;

“The Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sardinia, Cavour, has many ideas and is indeed full of the enthusiasm and fantasy characteristics of southern Europeans.

Unfortunately, he may be disappointed.

The Kingdom of Sardinia is a little late in betting, but it wants to win a huge amount of chips that is not commensurate with its investment. I believe all the gentlemen here know that;

Prime Minister Cavour has always dreamed of unifying the Italian peninsula from the Kingdom of Sardinia and establishing a powerful kingdom that could compete with France and the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

They first faced two huge obstacles. One was the tendency of the French Emperor Napoleon III. Is he willing to have a hairy and erratic Southern European man sleeping next to him?

The other is the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Is it willing to give up the Austrian-Italian region so that Prime Minister Cavour can realize his dream?

on this issue

The Kingdom of Sardinia hopes to receive the full support of the British Empire and use the empire's influence to help the Kingdom of Sardinia achieve its dream of unifying the Italian peninsula."

Speaking of which

Foreign Secretary Sir Passington shrugged helplessly, feeling sorry for the Italian lion's open mouth.

Some people are always confused about their own importance. Prime Minister Cavour of the Kingdom of Sardinia is the most vivid example. He only exerts one point of effort and hopes to get ten points in return. How can such a good thing in the world be possible?

"How did the Ministry of Foreign Affairs respond?"

"We have a clear reply to the Kingdom of Sardinia; London expresses its understanding of your country's demands, is willing to see the beautiful vision of the unification of the Italian peninsula, and is willing to provide certain diplomatic assistance when necessary, specifically involving France and Austria. Your Majesty

The country should specifically negotiate with the relevant countries and wish the Kingdom of Sardinia good luck."

"Hahaha...this Italian idiot."

Upon hearing Sir Passington's answer, everyone present laughed in unison.

This kind of empty diplomatic rhetoric that lacks substantial content actually means nothing is said.

The only decent sentence is "willing to provide certain diplomatic assistance when necessary", with two restrictions of "when necessary" and "certainly" attached. So when is "when necessary"?

How strong is “certain diplomatic assistance”?

The right to interpret this lies entirely with the British Foreign Office. When you have time, you can help me and just pass the time.

Just throw it aside when you don't have time. The British Empire is not the father of the Kingdom of Sardinia. It just takes care of these crappy things. It's just out of idleness.