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Piaotian Literature of the Fourth Empire of China www.piaotia.com Chapter 420: Blackmailing Britain

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    On the morning of April 6, Moscow time, the British Ambassador to Russia met with Tsar Nicholas II early in the morning. It is said that the two sides had a very pleasant conversation. Nicholas II also invited the British Ambassador to Russia to have breakfast.  The British ambassador to Russia did not leave until nine in the morning.

    "Come here, invite the Prime Minister, the Minister of War and the Minister of the Navy!" Tsar Nicholas II put down the towel in his hand to wipe his hands, and the smile on his face had completely disappeared.  The British ambassador to Russia came to see him with only one purpose, and that was to get the Russian navy to join the combined fleet and expedition to China together.  Although Tsar Nicholas II wanted to destroy China immediately, it was absolutely impossible for him to unite with the British and send a fleet to obey the British command.

    Although, Russia joined the Pacific Alliance and formed a quasi-alliance with Britain.  However, Russia and Britain are still full of contradictions.  Whether it was the Crimean War or Britain's containment of Russia in the Far East and Middle East, Czar Nicholas II had a bad look on Britain.

    In less than half an hour, Russian Prime Minister Sergei?  Witte, War Minister Alexei?  Nikolayevich?  Kuropatkin and Navy Minister Grand Duke Constantine came to the palace.

    "Your Majesty!" All three of them saluted Tsar Nicholas II.  At this time, Nicholas II's face had returned to calm.  Being able to become the emperor of Russia, even though he was only the last emperor, Nicholas II still had great abilities.

    "Do it!" Nicholas II said.

    After several people thanked them, they sat on the sofa, looked at Nicholas II, and guessed why Nicholas II summoned them.

    Government Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Sergei?  Witte was a little worried that Nicholas II was asking about finances and support for the front line. Although the Tsar had just provided two hundred tons of gold not long ago, there is a saying that once the cannon is fired, there are ten thousand taels of gold.  In order to support the war in Eastern Siberia and Central Asia, the government is now spending money like water.  The two hundred tons of gold provided by Tsar Nicholas II simply could not last long.

    Minister of War Alexei?  Nikolayevich?  Kuropatkin and Navy Minister Grand Duke Constantine were a little uneasy.  In the past few days, both the army and the navy had suffered defeats. They were afraid that Tsar Nicholas II would take this opportunity to attack them.

    "Your Majesty, what's the reason for summoning us today?" Sergey?  Werther asked bravely.  Among these three people, he has the closest relationship with Tsar Nicholas II and also has the highest position. Of course, he should speak now.

    "Just now, the British Ambassador to Russia came to see me!" Nicholas II said with a cold face.

    "Your Majesty, what do the British want to do? Do they have any other demands?" Sergey?  Werther asked with a frown.

    "The Chinese have launched an attack on Hong Kong, and the Governor of Hong Kong has surrendered. The British are planning to send a huge fleet to expedition to China. However, they don't seem to have the confidence to win, so they want us to join in!" Nicholas II  said.

    "What? The British want us to also expedition to China? How is this possible?" Sergey?  Werther was shocked.

    "What's wrong? Your Excellency Prime Minister, don't you think the Imperial Navy should go on an expedition to China?" A fierce light flashed in Nicholas II's eyes.  On the land battlefield, the Russian army retreated steadily and suffered heavy losses.  The Navy's Pacific Fleet was also wiped out by the Chinese Navy. Two battleships were sunk and the remaining four surrendered. This made Tsar Nicholas II feel deeply ashamed.

    "Your Majesty, I don't mean that. It's just that the empire's finances are already very difficult to support the war on land. If a large number of fleets are sent to circumnavigate more than 20,000 kilometers to the Far East, it will consume a lot of funds, and the empire's finances will not be able to support the war at all.  I can¡¯t afford it!¡± Sergey?  Witt said.  After the war began, it became increasingly difficult for him to serve as prime minister of the government.  The army at the front continued to fail, losing troops and generals, and consuming a large amount of combat supplies. Daily reports requesting additional troops, weapons and ammunition almost filled his desk, making him miserable.

    "Your Majesty, I think we should send a fleet to join it. The Chinese navy has annihilated our Pacific Fleet, and our navy now does not have the strength to defeat the Chinese navy. The current front line of the army has also stagnated. Therefore, we can use the British navy to destroy China.  The Navy is indeed a very good idea!" Archduke Constantine, Minister of the Navy, said quickly.

    Minister of War Alexei?  Nikolayevich?  A trace of dissatisfaction flashed in Kuropatkin's eyes. He was very dissatisfied with the accusation against the army in the words of the Navy Minister Archduke Constantine just now.  But he knew that the Army was playing very badly now, and he had nothing to say, otherwise he would not have endured this tone.

    "ConsHis Excellency Grand Duke Tandin, how to solve the funding problem?  Anyway, there is no money in the finance department. If the Navy Department can raise its own funds, I have no other opinions!  "Prime Minister Sergey Witte said. His meaning was very clear. The government no longer had any extra funds to support the naval expedition.

    ¡°Your Excellency Prime Minister, I also think about the empire!¡± Archduke Constantine, Minister of the Navy, was dissatisfied.  Although Sergey?  Witte is the finance minister, but the finance ministry does not belong to their family.  The Navy Department's current funding has been in arrears year after year. Where can there be money to complete the expedition to the Far East?

    "Okay, stop arguing! The Chinese are too arrogant, and the great Russia must teach them a lesson! Since the British have invited us to join the combined fleet, we must seize this opportunity. As for the military expenditure issue,  Let the British solve it! Asking us to send a fleet, this is no problem. But the British side must bear all the military expenses of this military operation and at the same time agree to give the empire a loan!" said Tsar Nicholas II.  He obviously would not just use the Russian navy to help the British stupidly. The British would have to pay the price for this.  Russia's finances have long been exhausted due to the war, and now is the time to take advantage of this opportunity to make a huge fortune from the British.  In this way, not only can it defeat the Chinese Navy and avenge the destruction of the Pacific Fleet, but it can also speed up the battlefield process and reverse the current unfavorable war situation against Russia. It can also obtain a huge amount of funds to support Russia.  Keep fighting.  Russia does not lack soldiers, but what it lacks is equipment and military spending. As long as there is enough military spending, Russia can continue to fight with China.

    "Your Majesty is wise! If the British want to take advantage of us, they will have to pay the price!" Prime Minister Sergei?  Werther said quickly.

    "Prime Minister, you contact the British and tell them that we agree to join the Combined Fleet. However, the British must be responsible for all military expenses for this military operation and loan Russia 50 million pounds!" said Tsar Nicholas II.

    "Yes, Your Majesty! I will have a good talk with the British side! I believe they will not reject the empire's kindness!" Sergey?  Werther said with a smile.  If we can get another loan of 50 million pounds, maybe Russia will be able to support it until the end.

    "Constantine, the Navy Ministry is responsible for selecting warships for the expedition to China. I have only one request. Send the most powerful warships to the Far East to teach those yellow-skinned monkeys a lesson. Also, don't let the British look down upon us!"  Tsar Nicholas II said bitterly.

    "Yes, Your Majesty, please rest assured, I will send the most powerful warships to participate in this military operation!" Grand Duke Constantine said excitedly.  He has even made plans to personally lead the fleet on an expedition.  If he can defeat the Chinese Navy in this expedition and completely reverse Russia's current defeat, then he will become a prince.

    "Well! Kuropatkin, the Ministry of War must make detailed preparations for the war in Eastern Siberia and Central Asia. No matter what, we cannot fail again. Otherwise, you can resign on your own initiative!" Nikolai  II stared at Army Minister Alexey fiercely?  Nikolayevich?  Kuropatkin.

    "Yes, Your Majesty!" Minister of War Alexei?  Nikolayevich?  Cold sweat broke out on Kuropatkin's forehead.

    ??Next, Russian Prime Minister Sergei?  Witte contacted the British and put forward Russia's request.  The British had already been prepared for Russia's demands.  If you want Russia to join the combined fleet, Britain will definitely have to pay a certain price.  However, the conditions proposed by Russia are obviously a big deal, and Britain will definitely not accept it unchanged.

    The two sides conducted a series of bargaining. Britain agreed to pay military expenses, but did not agree to continue the loan.  Because Britain has lent a large amount of money to Russia over the years, but Russia has not made any move to repay it. Of course, it is because it has no ability to repay.  Although Britain had money, it still needed a lot of military spending to prepare for an expedition to China, and it had no extra money to lend to Russia.

    " However, Russia threatens to withdraw from the combined fleet. If Britain does not agree to Russia's request, Russia will not participate in the combined fleet this time.  He also stated that if Britain agreed to Russia's request, Russia would send its ten most powerful battleships to participate in this expedition. This temptation left Britain unable to refuse.  Britain has nineteen battleships of its own, plus ten Russian battleships, which makes it twenty-nine battleships.  Even though China's battleships are powerful, they are certainly powerless against a huge fleet of nearly thirty battleships.  Therefore, after careful consideration, Britain agreed to Russia's request and was once again blackmailed by Russia.  (To be continued. Please search Piaotian Literature, the novels will be better and updated faster!)
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