"The glory of the Empire on which the Sun Never Sets is not achieved by cowards' peace talks, but by generations of brave warriors who open up new territories and expand their territories. Resources will not fall from the sky. Without vast colonies, how can we survive?"
"I really can't imagine that there are people who question the fundamental national policies of the British Empire, and there are people who hold objections to overseas colonization. What kind of behavior is this? This is treason!"
Benjamin's roar echoed in the venue, and the atmosphere suddenly became excited. Members of the very favorable party stood up and applauded desperately despite the speaker knocking on the table again and again.
The British Parliament generally adopts a seven-minute debate system, that is, one party asks a question and the other answers. Basically, everyone has seven minutes to speak.
But today was a complete chaos, let alone seven minutes. Benjamin had already been talking non-stop for seventeen minutes. The angry Prime Minister began to refute Gladstone's no-confidence motion one by one.
"Increase military expenditures? I really don't know if you have any common sense. The Army is currently replacing the breech-loading needle rifle. In order to maintain the firepower advantage of the Imperial Army, do we still have to let our children carry old papers? Combat with shell rifles?”
"Don't the Navy want to build new warships? You have all seen it with your own eyes. Even the Chinese have built such advanced warships and they are anchored on the banks of the Thames. Can't you see it?"
"Believe me, gentlemen of the empire, if Gladstone's impeachment case is passed, it will be a disaster for the entire empire! The sun never sets on the empire and he will definitely drag him into the abyss..."
Gladstone didn't say anything, and looked at Benjamin on the podium with a faint smile, foaming at the mouth angrily. At that moment, he saw the anger of his prey as he struggled to his death.
Gladstone looked at his pocket watch and cast his doubtful gaze on the speaker who was responsible for maintaining order, as well as the justice and the duke who were present on the rostrum. The helpless speaker could only bang the gavel again.
"Prime Minister, please go back to your seat. You have exceeded the time limit. Please go back..."
The Duke of Newx, who was sitting on the side, couldn't stand it anymore. He grabbed the speaker's gavel and banged it on the rostrum: "Disraeli... Disraeli... let's take a rest. Someone give him a cup of coffee." …God, you have so much firepower today!”
The Speaker and the Duke took turns to persuade Benjamin to stop fighting. He turned to look at Gladstone provocatively and walked off the stage.
Gladstone smiled. Standing on the podium, he could see the moisture on the edge. It was the sweat on Benjamin's palms from excitement.
You're so fierce but you're soft on the inside. Have you, Benjamin, become so strong on the outside but on the inside?
"Gentlemen, gentlemen...gentlemen! Please be silent!"
"Thank you to the head of state for popularizing historical knowledge for us. I once again fell into the glory of the empire and couldn't extricate myself. God bless those great pioneers, Amen!"
The simple opening remarks eased the tense atmosphere, and Gladstone began his performance with a smile.
"I feel like you, dear Prime Minister, are a little confused. When did I oppose the imperial overseas colonization? When did I oppose it, and in what form did I oppose it?"
"No, in fact, I never have. I have never spoken against overseas colonization at all. I really don't know how the head of state came up with this stupid argument that I am a sinner of the empire and want to shake the foundation of the country. …”
"You are changing the concept secretly! You are changing the concept secretly..." Immediately some members of the ruling party heard objections from the seats. "Your impeachment proposal clearly stated that you have been attacking the Prime Minister's military expenditure for being too high. You have been We spend too much money on attacking overseas operations, so what war can we fight without money?”
"Okay... you are right. I have said this, but does this mean that I want to completely deny the colonial policy? Have I said that I will give up any colony?"
"Don't forget what is my current government position? I am the Chancellor of the Exchequer, don't I have the right to question funding? If you want to ban me from exercising power, please remove my position first!"
Gladstone's eyes widened, and the young congressman opposite him was suddenly speechless.
"The Empire on which the Sun Never Sets is indeed rich, but no matter how large a family fortune is, it must be carefully budgeted. Have you calculated how much money it will cost to maintain such a huge colony?"
"Military spending has continued to increase for nine consecutive years, with the peak even increasing by 30%. Can't this trend be questioned?"
"Look at our infrastructure in London. How many years has it been since there has been any major expansion? Does the subway need to be extended? Shouldn't the sewers in dirty neighborhoods be expanded? Shouldn't there be more fire stations, police stations, hospitals, and schools? ?"
"Doesn't all this cost money? What I object to is the continued increase in military spending, which affects the country's continued investment in domestic affairs, but you directly position my doubts as opposition to colonial expansion. Who is changing the concept? Yes. you!"
Gladstone was old and arrogant, and with a sharp tongue he refuted all Benjamin's remarks one by one. He touched him so darkly that he touched him back again.
"I have never impeached the national policy of the empire, nor have I denied the merits of any victim! What I object to, what I impeach is just you, Benjamin, and not even the Tories and Whigs. I oppose It’s you, it’s you!”
The voice became louder and louder, and the emotions became more and more passionate. Benjamin even saw the spittle of his old rival flying towards him.
"I really can't tolerate the empire having such a stupid prime minister. I won't attack your governance for now. Let's talk about this later. Let's talk about your state visit to the East and West first!"
"I really don't know what you are thinking. At the welcoming ceremony that attracted the attention of the whole world, you actually made such an unsavory little move, deliberately disrupted the speech schedule, and deprived the Chinese head of state Xiao Letian of the opportunity to speak. Isn't this a gentleman? What did he do?"
"You also secretly encouraged the envoys of France and Tsarist Russia to provoke the Chinese again and again. Do you think this is glorious? Do you really think this is a shame for the Chinese? Wrong. The whole world can only laugh at the weakness of our British Empire. Those who do not know the truth They will definitely say that we can't even control a diplomatic event..."
"Please shut up. My seven minutes haven't come yet. You have no right to speak at this moment..." Seeing Benjamin want to stand up and refute, Gladstone said it.
"What's even more ridiculous is that as the head of the empire, what's the matter with you refusing to meet with the Chinese? Those who know say you are arrogant and ignorant, and those who don't know think you are a coward who dare not negotiate with the head of the East. !”
"You are disgracing the empire on which the sun never sets!"
Note: We haven’t hit the red envelope list for a long time. Today is Monday. Brothers of Yinlong, can we work hard together? How about concentrating on throwing in red envelopes and trying to get first place this week?
Let's see if we can get the first place this week! chapter;
