Molière and Bruce looked at each other, and each saw the shock in the other's eyes. They never expected that in the ignorant and closed-minded Manchu Qing Dynasty, there were actually sensible people, and it was not just Xiao Letian. Now he actually Another one popped up.
Gong Cheng is right. People in Europe are becoming more and more educated, free citizens' will is beginning to rise, and the middle class and working class are beginning to covet high-level rights. France has always been the first in Europe in this regard.
Needless to say, the French Revolution in 1789 was not only beheaded by Louis XVI, but also the absolute monarchy and feudal system that had ruled France for hundreds of years.
Although there were successive restorations of the Napoleonic family in the later period, the spirit of freedom has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. Since the Great Revolution, French politics has been swinging back and forth between the monarchy and the republic. Today the emperor comes to power and tomorrow the parliament is in power. The trend of freedom is increasingly prevalent in France. .
It is difficult to rule such a society. The concepts of freedom and equality are deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. The people are no longer a string of numbers under the rule of the emperor. Everyone has their own thoughts and demands. If you want to encourage them to die, Wouldn't that be delusional?
Molière has been thinking about the casualty rate during this period. He has been reluctant to engage in a decisive battle. He has always hoped to use bombing to subdue the enemy, in order to reduce the casualty rate of the expeditionary force.
It is foreseeable that every soldier who dies in this battle will create an additional family enemy for the emperor's rule. If thousands of soldiers are really killed in the battle, then public opinion in France will overwhelmingly attack the emperor.
The reputation of Napoleon III has now been ruined by Xiao Letian. If the domestic anti-war wave rises again at this time, the consequences will be disastrous.
You must know that the French have always had a good habit of overthrowing the emperor, and even cut off the emperor's head when they were anxious.
"Haha, it's ridiculous... When have the brave French soldiers ever been afraid of death? In Crimea, we did not hesitate to sacrifice a hundred thousand people to defeat the Russians... In the war with the indigenous people in Africa, our soldiers did not show any fear of death. of retreat..."
"Now you, the leader, dare to laugh at the bravery of the French Legion. If you were not the British envoy, I would throw you into the sea to feed the fish today..."
How could Major General Bruce fall from the emperor's majesty? He yelled loudly, but he didn't arrive first. This dark and thin old man actually looked up to the sky and smiled without fear.
"Hahaha...Se Li Nei Ling is talking about people like you. The only thing left behind is a hard-boiled duck...You are not afraid. It's funny. Why don't you order the entire army to attack if you are so brave? Why doesn't Kunigami Village increase its troops? Then Why didn't you capture Ba Pier by force?"
Gong Cheng took out a folding fan and shook it arrogantly, "I know you French people have been fighting for these years, but even dead people have skills... In Crimea, you are dealing with the Russians, who have been enemies for generations. Your people Everyone takes revenge as their own duty, let alone one hundred thousand dead, as long as they win, two hundred thousand dead will be no problem..."
"Besides, the colonial wars you fought did not arouse anti-war sentiments in the country. That is because you will get a lot of benefits if you win. Needless to say, I led you to invade Beijing six years ago. Finally, Are you not making money in France? You are making a lot of money, so of course there is no anti-war voice in the country..."
Gong Cheng looked at Major General Bruce with disdain, just like the Manchu literati looked at rude warriors with disdain, "Look at this Naha Port again. If you kill thousands of people here, I'm afraid the benefits you will get are not at all." I can’t make up for the big hole you owe..."
"The accounts are easy to calculate. Firstly, Naha Port does not produce food. Secondly, it does not produce mineral deposits. Thirdly, the national treasury is not full. You can't get much money at all... The only thing that has any value is the geographical location here. , but you France can’t even keep the colonies in India now, and you still have the energy to grab Ryukyu.”
"Haha, be careful if Ryukyu is snatched and India is lost. What's the point of having a lonely Naha overseas? Are you just waiting to starve to death?"
"You." Molière and Bruce roared and stood up angrily. This was a slap in the face, and the person who slapped him in the face was a Chinese, which was even more intolerable.
But anger can't solve any problems. Molière sighed sadly in his heart, knowing that everything Gong Cheng said was the truth.
Gong Banlun shook his fan, drank some wine, and looked at the beautiful scenery of the port. He was too lazy to pay attention to the two angry Frenchmen. He knew very well that this group of Frenchmen were currently riding a tiger and they would never dare to make another enemy.
After a stalemate for a few minutes, Molière smiled faintly, and the tense atmosphere was relieved: "Okay, I understand. Mr. Gong must have a clever plan for us. I have studied it before, and your Chinese counselors I just like to stimulate my employer first, and then sell it at a high price..."
With a snap, the open folding fan was closed. Gong Cheng slapped his thigh, "Smart, the special envoy is smart. It's fun to talk to people who understand... Let's talk about the price first."
After all, Bruce is also a general. He is very uncomfortable with this kind of businessman's face. He sat down angrily, "The price is all you have left in your eyes... A guy who can even sell his own country, haha... "
Listening to the general's sneer, Gong Banlun instead of getting angry, he handed over his hand, "Haha, you're so polite, thank you for the compliment... I'm afraid I'm the only one who has betrayed the country so much and so wonderfully in history, hahaha... …”
Shameless. Facing such a shameless person, Bruce was completely helpless. In the end, he just twisted his head and stopped looking at him.
Gong Banlun ignored him and began to discuss with Molière in a low voice, "My asking price is not high. You have to give me French citizenship. I must have an apartment in downtown Paris. Then according to the monthly salary offered to me by the British, you guys The French Embassy also asked me to serve as a staff consultant. I can trust two countries by myself, which can be considered as finding an extra escape route for myself..."
"It's not expensive. I'm really not expensive. How about you give me 10,000 pounds a month? Hey...what's your expression? We can discuss it. We can discuss it. How about 10,000 silver coins? No more. If it’s less, betraying the country also costs money, being shameless can be considered an investment..."
"Sir, special envoy, if you hire a consultant like me, you really won't suffer any loss. Isn't it just ten thousand yuan a month? I will give you some ideas and you can make millions and tens of millions in China." … Needless to say, it’s far away, I’ll help you get this Ryukyu…”
Gong Banlun's shamelessness left Molière completely speechless. This was the first time he saw a traitor selling his country so righteously. How is this different from doing business? Even a businessman has to lose face. This man simply has nothing. Yes, there is a black hole on the neck.
"Wait... Wait a minute. I agree to your conditions in principle, but I want to hear your plan first. If it is feasible, let alone ten thousand silver coins, I will dare to agree even if it is ten thousand pounds. you……"
With a snap, Gong Cheng slapped his thigh, and then the wet water ghost appeared again, "Water dog, please work harder. Hurry back to Naha and contact Jin Shangshu first, and tell him that I, Gong Banlun, want to go with Liuqiu." To negotiate with China, I sent peace to him..."
"嗻..." The water dog was struck down by a thousand and turned its head like a sharp arrow, its figure submerged into the sea water.
"Sir Special Envoy, I will see the performance of your French fleet tomorrow. Hurry up and distribute this latest batch of munitions. Let me open the bombing tomorrow. I will use the craziest momentum, even if I blow up the sky. It doesn’t matter, we must destroy the morale of Ryukyu soldiers and civilians..."
"Tomorrow will be a day of bombardment, and the day after tomorrow you won't do anything. Give me a weird day of rest, and then let these people be confused. When the day after tomorrow is the third day, I can log in as an envoy intermediary. …Then you’ll have to rely on my sharp tongue…”
"What, negotiation." Bruce turned his head suddenly, almost hurting his own ribs. "We lost two battleships, and the casualties reached a thousand soldiers. In the end, you came to negotiate. Did my soldiers die in vain?"
"Sir Special Envoy, please don't forget that the mission His Majesty has given us is a journey of punishment and revenge, not some bullshit diplomatic agreement."
"Hey, hey... Why are you so angry? I haven't finished speaking yet..." Gong Cheng smiled playfully and fanned the general.
"Who said we were going to negotiate? We just lured out all the senior officials from Ryukyu in the name of negotiation... Think about it, there must be a ceremony to sign an agreement. If there is a ceremony, we have to go ashore. When King Shangtai and the civil and military officials show up, let's break the trophy..."
Gong Cheng opened his index fingers and thumbs of both hands, formed a circle, and then suddenly tightened them, as if he was holding the enemy's neck.
"The big shots have been caught. What do we have to worry about when we are left with little fleas? Moreover, I will give you a thorough explanation. I have already arranged a lot of detailed work in Ryukyu, and all of them are martial arts masters. The more chaotic the scene, the more chaotic the scene. The more they can perform... we have to learn from Sun Wukong and get into the belly of Princess Iron Fan to stir up trouble."
Molière and Bruce were both dumbfounded, especially Bruce who subconsciously said, "Hey, it's quite feasible... The biggest threat to us in Ryukyu now is the forts and trenches. If we can avoid them, These defensive positions fire directly in the center. With the land combat capabilities of our French soldiers, it will not be a problem to defeat these new troops..."
"The coastal defense batteries will not be able to bombard the city, and the trenches will become more of a display. Once we control the Ryukyu monarchs and ministers, those new troops will definitely return to defend the city from all directions, but by then it will become our defense, and they will attack... …”
"The tall Shuri Castle can provide us with sufficient defense. There are artillery at sea to support the bombing, plus we still have hostages in our hands..."
Bruce and Molière were really convinced this time. Gong Banlun really had his way. He was a professional traitor.
"Two French adults, please understand. If you believe me, Gong Cheng, I can lead you to conquer the city of Beijing. How can I not conquer the city of Shuri? Hahaha, it will be more fun to have another fire. Last time I replied I haven’t seen enough yet…”
"Look, I, Gong Banlun, am about to destroy the second country. Oh my god, I am so lonely as a master... Which country should I choose next, North Korea or Japan?"
