The British troops in Gibraltar, who had been waiting for a long time in the middle of the night, quickly began to take action under the order of the Governor. The kerosene miner's lamps that had been prepared long ago were lit and hung under the eaves of each building and in front of the windowsill.
Piles and piles of grease-soaked firewood were ignited by torches, and flames rose into the sky in billowing black smoke. God knows how many kerosene lamps and bonfires were prepared for the fortress. Looking at it, the entire fortress has become a city of flames.
The British soldiers in the fortress just felt that the heat was unbearable, but on the Zhiyuan four or five kilometers away, it was a different scene.
In the dark night, the firelight in the north is so obvious. Piles of bonfires, neatly arranged strings of kerosene lamps, and even candlelight from the windows of the building actually form a beautiful and spectacular picture at this moment. .
That is the outline of the entire Fortress of Gibraltar, and the city that never sleeps is outlined in the light of the fire!
"Forts! Look, the cliffs directly south are full of forts! Some are even hidden directly inside the cliffs..."
"It was hollowed out. The British hollowed out the whole mountain and filled it with cannons..."
"Look at the bay to the west of Gibraltar, that's the military port... there are ships everywhere, God can't even count them!"
Xiao Letian is no stranger to this fortress. During World War II, Germany once had a plan to attack here, but unfortunately it was shelved due to various reasons. The key is that although the Spanish government openly supported fascism and was close to Germany at the time, throughout World War II During the process, the Spaniards remained neutral.
This can be seen from the post-war punishment. Spain was not liquidated by the Allies, which shows that the neutrality policy worked.
Although Nazi Germany did not attack the Fortress of Gibraltar, the British were equally frightened. Germany during the Blitz was really terrifying. The intensity of World War II far exceeded the British imagination. The British Isles were almost about to fall at that time.
Even the British mainland is in danger, not to mention an enclave like Gibraltar. Throughout World War II, the Allied forces invested a lot of manpower and force here, desperately expanding the military fortress, and finally built this fortress into a world-class miracle. .
Xiao Letian had seen a black-and-white image of the fortress at that time in a documentary. It was an aerial photograph taken by an airplane in the air. In the picture, the entire Gibraltar area is a peninsula, forming an acute-angled triangle that pierces directly into the sea from north to south.
It is like a dagger of the Iberian Peninsula piercing the strait, very impressive.
The entire peninsula is a limestone mountain with cliffs on three sides. This peak is called Gibraltar Rock Peak by the locals. It can be seen that the entire mountain range is composed of a large piece of limestone.
The southernmost cliff is called Fengmo Terrace, with an altitude of 125 meters. This is a typical terrain that is easy to defend but difficult to attack in military terms.
The British controlled this place through war. Their cannons could be mounted on the cliffs and controlled the entire strait from a high position. Any ship was within the range of the cannons.
Not only that, there are also a large number of warships stationed in the western strait, which creates an excellent situation for advancing, attacking, retreating and defending.
In the War of Spanish Succession in 1701, Britain was also a participant in the war. In the end, the British side won, and this small peninsula became an overseas enclave of Britain.
The British had been building here since 1713. When the Suez Canal was dug, the British more keenly predicted the future prosperity and strategic status of the Strait of Gibraltar, so they devoted all their efforts to the expansion of the fortress.
After 156 years of hard work, you can imagine how grand this fortress is.
Zai Chun was dumbfounded at this moment. At the end of his sight, at first there were only town lights flickering on the coast, but now the lights had expanded, illuminating the entire fortress mountain.
People of that era had not received the visual stimulation of Xiao Letian's flashing neon lights in his previous life. The dark night was a great obstacle to the ancients.
The first impression that humans have of a bustling city is actually just four words, "brightly lit." In people's subconscious, they can consume fuel without limit and turn night into day. This is the most obvious display of national power.
Today, the British used countless firelights to create a neon night display in the mid-19th century. They wanted to use the contrast of the night to highlight the visual conflict of light to create a feeling of the incomparable power of the British Empire.
They did it, they succeeded, and at this moment the entire Rock of Gibraltar was illuminated by fire, and the mountain range was shining in the dark sea!
"Long live! Long live my lord! Britain has lit up a mountain to welcome you! Look, the British have lit up a big mountain... Woo hoo hoo, hooray! Long live my lord..."
Listening to Da Sixi's excited roar, Zai Chun's nose turned sour and tears fell from the corners of his eyes. "This is what I want! This is the treatment that an emperor should enjoy..."
Boom...boom...
There were bursts of hollow cannon fire in the distance, and the main cannon of the Gibraltar Fortress began to fire, but the heavy muzzle did not fire murderous shells, only fire and loud noises.
"The Fortress of Gibraltar has begun to fire salutes! They are welcoming Your Majesty..."
At the end of Zai Chun's sight, a ball of fire lit up from time to time on the huge mountain, as if a flower of fire bloomed in the dark night, and after the light there must be a loud noise like thunder.
The fortress is welcoming the emperor of the East, but at the same time, the fortress is also warning the emperor of the East!
"This is our British territory, and we are the most powerful. When you see our queen, you'd better be polite!"
Zai Chun clenched his fists tightly. He was no longer confused. He had already made a choice in his heart. In the darkness, Zai Chun secretly glanced at his master. He found that Xiao Letian was not looking at him at all. His master's wise eyes were fixed on him. staring at the fortress in the north.
"I'm sorry, master, disciple, I have no choice... Britain is too powerful. This is not an opponent I can defeat, not even you..."
"I'd better listen to my mother-in-law and try to sign a cooperation treaty with the UK... It seems that the UK's thighs are thicker!"
Xiao Letian had no idea that Zai Chun had made a decision that was contrary to his expectation. Xiao Letian had been worried before. He was afraid that Zai Chun would be tempted by the British to sign some treaties that were unfavorable to the Chinese.
Among all the Western powers, the British have the greatest interests in China. That is why the British most hope that China will maintain the status quo. They will never allow changes in China that are not conducive to them.
The Manchus and Qing dynasties were like subdued beasts. Facing the British, the Manchus and Qing dynasties were extremely obedient and very cooperative with the British in seizing interests in China. How could the British not love such a government?
That's why Xiao Letian gave Zai Chun his sincere advice, and that's why he came up with the rationale for resource allocation. After all, Xiao Letian still hopes that his apprentice will not go too far, the road is too crooked!
"Zaichun, did you see it? The British are flexing their muscles, they are threatening us! Haha... I'm too lazy to cover up, are you going to fight shirtless now?"
"Is this what you call friendship? Wake up!"
