Wild North America 1846

Chapter 576 International Reaction

Author: Portuguese toothless

Chapter 576 International Reaction

"Since it is the French who have caused the trouble, let them clean up their own troubles. London should not show a clear tendency on this issue, lest it be misinterpreted by all parties and end up making people look bad both inside and outside.

That...supply port of Chennai or Singapore can cause some trouble for the Easterners. Well...forget it, don't bother with it."

The Prime Minister, Lord William Ewart Gladstone, had just made a decision, shook his head and overturned it, simply because it would not help the situation.

The expedition fleet of the Tang Empire carried so many cargo ships and troop carriers, including coal ships, and only used the calm anchorage of the port to replenish fuel, and by the way, replenish some fresh vegetables, fruits and clean water.

If you make things difficult for them, it is impossible to cause the expedition fleet to give up halfway. At most, it will only increase some difficulties.

It's best not to do this kind of two-and-a-half-toned thing, but if you want to do it, just do it.

"What do you think, dear Sir Cecil?"

The Prime Minister's question was posed to William Cecil, the Secretary of State for the Colonies. William Cecil's answer was simple, saying, "They can be allowed to occupy the Port of Suez, but they cannot get involved in Cairo and Alexandria. This should be our bottom line."

As expected, he was a veteran colonist, and he pointed out the essence of the problem.

The Suez Canal is the dividing line between Asia and Africa, and it is also the most direct waterway between Asia, Africa and Europe. Its important strategic value is increasingly apparent.

To the west of the canal is the low-lying delta of the Nile River, and to the east is the higher, rugged and arid Sinai Peninsula, an almost barren land composed of arid desert and Gobi, without any value.

Before the construction of the canal, the only important nearby settlement was the city of Suez. The other towns along the coast gradually developed after the construction of the canal, with thousands to hundreds of people. They were sparsely populated and desolate.

Egypt's wealthy and populated area is located along the Nile River in the south. It has a long farming history of more than 3,000 years and many historical sites. It is the essence of Egypt.

The Suez Canal runs from Port Said in the south to the city of Suez in the north, becoming more desolate as you go north.

Topographically speaking, the terrain of Suez is composed of three shallow and water-filled depressions, namely Lake Manzara, Lake Timsah and Lake Bitter, the latter forming a continuous body of water of various sizes.

, the Suez Canal passes through the Isthmus of Suez and connects the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea.

The ruler of Egypt, Ismail Pasha, had slighted the Tang Dynasty and would definitely pay the price for it. Therefore, it would not be an unacceptable situation if the Red Sea entrance to the Suez Canal in the north was occupied by the Tang Dynasty during the war.

After all, Datang is the second shareholder of the Suez Canal, holding 22% of the shares. Occupying this city with a population of more than 100,000 is enough to vent its anger and gain both dignity and respect.

If you are not greedy enough and try to get involved in the traditionally wealthy and densely populated areas on both sides of the Nile River, it will offend the traditional interests of the British and French powers, which is another story.

The British and French powers can be regarded as lions on the Serengeti savanna in Africa. After hunting wildebeest, they greedily gnaw on the flesh and blood, but they are very wary of the approach of their enemies and will habitually protect their food.

The Tang Dynasty's temporary occupation of the city of Suez was equivalent to demarcating a piece of land in the desolate north of Egypt, which temporarily did not threaten the vital interests of Britain and France.

Moreover, the one who lost was the Egyptian Pasha Ismail, so there was no need to take drastic measures.

given time

There are ways to force Datang to leave Egypt. This is because Egypt is close to the Mediterranean Sea and has important geostrategic value connecting Asia and Europe. Competitors nearby will make countries such as Britain and France nervous, and they must move away in order to sleep peacefully.

Right now, there is no rush.

British Prime Minister Lord William Ewart Gladstone nodded in agreement, thought for a moment, and then ordered: "Tell the French through a suitable channel that the Tang Dynasty is coming. Based on the close transatlantic relationship, we will

Maintain a neutral and non-intervention stance. As for what the French want to do, we also remain neutral."

At this time, the cunning British guy has not forgotten to trick the French.

From the standpoint of the French, they were the original instigators, instigating Ismail Pasha to detain the Tang Dynasty merchant ship to vent his anger.

Now that the Tang Dynasty has made a strong counterattack, it is impossible for the French to let it go regardless of reason or reason. Doing so is equivalent to ruining the last trace of love.

Ismail Pasha was originally the mastermind, but now that he is in trouble with the tyrannical Tang Dynasty, France, the mastermind behind the scenes, will never do anything embarrassing and stay away from this trouble as far as it takes.

Son, will it still be able to establish itself internationally in the future?

Thinking of the troubled situation in France today, several people in the Prime Minister's Office laughed in unison, and they smiled so happily...

Paris

It was two days after President Thiers learned about the dispatch of the Tang Empire's expeditionary fleet. It was not that the French were slow to respond. Rather, the core issue in France at the moment was to resolve the issue of the German occupying forces and huge war compensation, and to restore France to a normal state.

sovereignty.

All other issues must be put on the back burner.

The smooth issuance of the 2 billion franc war bond finally made President Thiers relax, and a rare smile appeared on his face that he had not seen for a long time.

Five billion francs is indeed an astronomical sum for France.

According to the purchasing power of today's era, 5 billion francs is equivalent to approximately 1.25 billion taels of silver, or 1.25 billion Tang yuan, and is worth 250 million pounds. This amount of money is enough to squeeze the French finances.

Fortunately

The humiliation of being occupied by the German Empire heightened the French people's patriotic enthusiasm, and they enthusiastically purchased public bonds issued by the government. Seeing that the huge public debt of 2 billion was expected to be completed ahead of schedule, one can imagine President Thiers' joy at this moment.

He has planned to issue another 3 billion francs of public debt next year. After paying off the huge war compensation, those hateful Germans will leave French soil. There is no reason to continue the illegal occupation.

After recuperating, France will surely return to its former glory.

At this moment

News of the Tang Dynasty's expedition to Egypt came, causing President Thiers to lose consciousness for a moment.

Since he had been focusing on domestic affairs in the past few months, he did not understand the ins and outs of this matter, so he asked with a somewhat confused expression: "God, what is this for?"

The senior secretary of the presidential palace did not dare to hide anything. Such an explanation immediately aroused President Thiers' anger. He waved his hands in a frenzy and asked;

"It's unbelievable. What a bunch of idiots. Didn't anyone stop this ridiculous little trick?

Apart from embarrassing those Easterners, does the seizure of Datang's merchant ships have any substantive effect?

Now it's fine, it's an excuse for someone to get angry.

What is the most urgent matter in France right now?

The top priority is to get those barbaric Germans out of here, stop the rampant large-scale smuggling, regain the confidence of the domestic people, and restore order and complete sovereignty to France.

What's going on in this world...Why doesn't anyone think about the country and whether we still have the ability to help our Egyptian friends?"

None of the senior staff could answer the president's questions and could only look at each other in silence.

Fortunately, President Thiers did not need them to answer. Instead, he sat on the chair with a tired look, waved his hand and said, "Please let Marshal Bejou come to me, and Mr. Fisher, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, I am right here."

Wait, go quickly!"

"Please wait a moment, Mr. President." The senior staff responded guiltily, and then immediately ran out to find someone.

It didn't take long

Marshal Berou and Foreign Minister Fisher came together in a hurry, and saw President Thiers, whose expression had returned to normal, and his heart was mostly relieved.

"Mr. President, you..."

"Don't say those useless words. You all know about the Tang Dynasty's expedition to Egypt. Now let's talk about your thoughts. Do you want to save poor Ismail?"

"For the opinion of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we can first negotiate with Datang to explore the ultimate purpose and preparation of their expedition fleet, and then take targeted measures..."

"Okay, I understand, thank you Minister Fisher." President Thiers interrupted him, nodded and replied; "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs can do the proposed things first, and now I want to hear from Beru

Marshal’s opinion, how many of us are there in Egypt?”

Marshal Beru glanced at Foreign Minister Fisher, who was speechless, organized his words before replying;

"Mr. President, there are about 7,300 French merchants and adventurers living in Egypt. We also maintain a military force of 13,500 people in this area, mainly in Port Said on the Mediterranean coast, which is the northern exit of the Suez Canal. This

It is a military force capable of influencing the regional situation."

"If France provides military instructors and arms assistance, can Egypt's Governor Ismail drag this upcoming war into a stalemate?"

"It's hard to say. It has to be judged based on the actual situation of both sides, as well as unexpected factors such as the commander's decision-making and on-the-spot response. Overall, even with our help... the possibility of Egypt dragging the war into a stalemate is not

More than 30%. Unless France dispatches the Foreign Legion to join forces with Egypt to fight, the possibility of dragging the war into a stalemate will double."

"No... the French army will not directly participate in the war. This makes no sense." President Thiers shook his head decisively, rejecting this possibility.

As the president of the provisional government who pulled France out of the quagmire, President Thiers' reputation increased steadily with the suppression of the turmoil of the Paris Commune and the successful issuance of 2 billion francs of public bonds. It is expected to reach its peak after the withdrawal of the German Empire and become the man who saved the French nation.

Celebrities of the era in times of crisis.

He occupies a place among the starry celebrities of France.

From the perspective of personal political career;

At this moment, President Thiers is unwilling to cause more trouble, which will affect the most important issuance of 3 billion francs of public bonds next year. The purpose is to withdraw the German Imperial Army from French soil, completely put an end to large-scale smuggling, regain national sovereignty, and realize the control of the entire nation.

of salvation.

Besides, my family’s affairs have not been taken care of properly, and my finances have owed an astronomical national debt. How can I have the energy to take care of things like Egypt now?

Do you really think that fighting costs nothing?

If placed on normal days

President Thiers really doesn't mind interfering in Egypt's war against the Tang Dynasty. In the past, France took the initiative to provoke colonial wars. It was a bandit who caused trouble everywhere. It was not afraid of going head-to-head with the Tang Dynasty. In the war

One point at a time.

But it doesn't work now. The timing, the situation in Europe and the financial situation do not allow France to continue to wander. It must curb its habitual behavior of extending its claws and live a peaceful life.

(End of chapter)