After the meeting between Bismarck and Xiao Letian, they took the train back to Berlin, leaving only a dozen officials to assist the Chinese in delivering the compensation of 300 million gold francs.
This was the last time Xiao Letian had an in-depth discussion about the international situation with Bismarck before returning to China. After that, the only time the iron-blooded prime minister showed up was when he returned to see him off.
It's not that the friendship between the two has faded because of the end of the war, that's not the case, but because Xiao Letian's strategic reminder to Germany is so important.
It is so important that Bismarck must respond with all its strength!
Both the head of state and the prime minister are true strategic masters. Many words can be understood without having to explain them clearly!
Bismarck knew very well that Xiao Letian was reminding him that after the reunification of Germany, arrogant thoughts of great power struggle for hegemony were likely to emerge, and that he would not be able to take a serious look at his own strength and blindly expand.
This trend is very obvious, because the Franco-Prussian War was won so beautifully and so smoothly!
Moreover, the fruits obtained after victory were sweet enough, five billion gold francs and two provinces of land, allowing German nationalism to rapidly develop to the arrogant side.
Why did Xiao Letian mention the concept of loan sharking imperialism alone in the end, and why he continued to have in-depth communication with Bismarck during the Civil War in Paris.
In fact, it’s just a kind reminder. I almost told you openly, ‘You can’t escape the French workers’ movement in Germany, and it will be even bigger by then! '
'Even if the French compensated 6.2 billion gold francs, it was still a drop in the bucket compared to their huge private capital! '
Don't be arrogant, don't raise your tail. The most important strategy for Germany in the next hundred years is to hold on to and digest the fruits of victory. This is fundamental!
Bismarck obviously understood Xiao Letian's painstaking efforts. After the Franco-Prussian War, the iron-blooded prime minister seemed to be a completely different person.
Bismarck is no longer fanatical and no longer uses force. At this time, Bismarck is more displaying his diplomatic talents and has always maintained a respectful attitude towards Britain. He will not be stingy in praise if he can flatter him, and will not show any shame. Revealing the attitude of competing with Britain for hegemony.
In order not to irritate the British, Bismarck even ignored the huge pressure from the military and deliberately reduced the size of its navy!
Bismarck's strategy was undoubtedly successful. During his administration, Germany's national power was greatly improved, and its friendly relations with Britain were not destroyed.
That era was a period of development for Germany to practice its internal skills behind closed doors. If everything could be done according to Bismarck's arrangements and the national strength could be maintained for a hundred years, the modern history of mankind would really be rewritten.
But unfortunately, the little German emperor who grew up in Buckingham Palace did not take it seriously. As soon as he came to the throne, he tried every means to seize power from Bismarck.
Germany finally went down the road of militarism!
All this is a thing for another time. Many conflicts need to be resolved by Xiao Letian’s children and grandchildren. Now Xiao Letian’s task is to prepare to return to China!
There is also a diplomatic mediation meeting in London on the issue of Philippine ownership, and coordination representatives from Spain, the Chinese, the United Kingdom and other parties are already in place.
After a week of tit-for-tat, both sides refused to give in. Gladstone had sent telegrams three times in a row, asking Xiao Letian to cross the strait to attend the mediation meeting.
The Philippines must be eaten in your mouth, and Xiao Letian has made complete preparations for this peace conference!
Now that the first war compensation has been received, Xiao Letian is no longer willing to stay in Paris during this bloody civil war!
The compensation of 300 million gold francs does not mean paying 300 million in cash. This requires a very complicated bank transfer.
French provinces began to compile statistics on the cash and cashier's checks recovered from the sale of national debt, and then transferred them to the Paris head office, which then made international transfers according to the requirements of the Chinese.
This requires the cooperation of dozens of banks in many countries to transfer money from Europe to Asia!
While these financial officials were helping Xiao Letian settle accounts, the head of state and his guards also came to Boulogne, a famous seaport city in the Calais province of France.
The British Royal Navy provided three frigates for the head of state to ride across the channel to attend the meeting in London!
The British are very practical. If the British were still arrogant when the Chinese first arrived in Europe, but now riding on the halo of victory in the Franco-Prussian War, the British have put away all their arrogance.
Even the Royal Navy, the most powerful in the world, showed great respect when seeing Chinese officers and soldiers. The Navy even organized a guard of honor performance at the harbor for the head of state to visit.
"Only the victors have rights in this world! Let's go to London..."
The three frigates sailed out of the Port of Boulogne and approached the Thames Estuary in the north. However, just over an hour after leaving the port, Xiao Letian on the deck saw a scene that shocked him!
All the Chinese officers and soldiers were stunned. Xiang Ying was the first to rush to the bow of the ship. He clenched the railing with his hands and his eyes were as wide as bells. "Master... look... there is a fleet in the distance... countless warships!"
"The flag of the ship parade has been raised... Why did our three ships raise the flag of the ship parade..."
The British captain came over politely and said, "Dear Head of State, you are so lucky. Today, the British Royal Navy is preparing to hold a naval review in the Pas de Calais. This will be the largest in decades..."
Xiao Letian heard the strong hostility in the polite words, and saw the threat of the empire on which the sun never sets from the smiling face!
What kind of naval review is this? This is a threat to Xiao Letian to show off his power!
Crown Prince Edward and the Duke of Newcastle are the hosts of this ship review. They are riding on the HMS Victory in Trafalgar and sitting firmly at the heart of the ship review.
"Xiao Letian! I hope you are a smart person, I hope you know how to advance and retreat...Whether you can return to Asia alive depends on whether you can understand all this..."
After all, the Duke of Newcastle has business dealings with Xiao Letian, and the high-end food city jointly owned by both parties has already occupied the top spot among London's top restaurants.
Even if all the British people want Xiao Letian to die, the Duke of Newcastle does not want it, including the British nobles who hold shares!
This time, the Royal Navy has put on a threatening posture. The Home Fleet has come out in full force, and the Atlantic Fleet has also transferred back part of its main force.
The narrow Gulf of Calais is home to 220 large and medium-sized warships, including 55 battleships!
The British captain is right. This is a large-scale ship review that has not been seen in decades, and there is no ship review near the traditional waters of the Isle of Wight.
Instead, why did they choose to conduct the parade in the Pas de Calais, a busy shipping lane, and did not hesitate to block the shipping lane?
I just want to tell you Xiao Letian, who is the real master of this world, who is the master of the deep blue ocean!
The two columns of 220 large warships stretched for eight miles, and it could be said that there was no end as far as the eye could see!
When Xiao Letian's ship appeared at the main venue of the ship review, the sirens of the entire Pas de Calais sounded, shocking the world!
