Chief of Staff Cao Zhengyuan smiled, and the battleship Taishan sounded its whistle.
They celebrated leaving England and heading to their second goal, the Netherlands.
The content of the agreement signed by the two countries could not be concealed at all, and it spread rapidly towards Europe.
European countries already have a clear understanding of the intentions of the Imperial Navy.
They understood that the Imperial Navy of Great China did not want to start a war and occupy a certain place again.
These people suddenly felt much more relaxed. As long as no war broke out, it would have little impact on the situation in various countries.
Except for a few European countries with developed commerce and trade, other European countries do not have a clear understanding of tariffs.
Many nobles from various countries believe that using tariffs as a negligible cost to make good friends with the powerful Dahua Empire is a very cost-effective deal.
Su Shu felt very excited. This was the first diplomatic incident that he personally participated in, and he achieved excellent results. He will always remember it.
He looked at the triumphant Wei Yuansheng and asked for advice: "Mr. Wei, why did we choose the Netherlands for our second goal?
I observed on the map that the Netherlands is a very small country in Europe.
This country used to have a relatively strong navy, but since its navy was defeated by General Li Pinglang, it has been in ruins.
The foundation of a small country is that it is not strong, even if it uses all the efforts of the whole country to tighten its belt and build a navy.
This navy was destroyed due to the war. Even if the shipyard was not destroyed, the ship types they relied on for survival were eliminated.
Having withstood various blows, such a small country was unable to recover. "
Wei Yuansheng answered carefully: "Your Highness, you must never underestimate the country of the Netherlands.
The Netherlands was one of the first countries in Europe to explore the ocean, and was previously nicknamed Sea Coachman.
The Netherlands, Spain, and Portugal were the three pioneers of European navigation. Even if their power declined, they still had a strong influence in Europe.
The Netherlands is a better breakthrough point.
His country is small and has almost no depth. The country is weak and unable to resist the empire.
The Netherlands was simply incapable of standing up to the Empire.
With the strength of the Imperial Royal Navy fleet, it was able to easily destroy major Dutch cities.
These big cities were destroyed, and the Netherlands returned to its primitive times. This was simply not a price the Netherlands could afford.
Small countries also have a more outstanding characteristic, they are extremely capable of adapting to the wind.
My prediction is not bad. The Netherlands will definitely greet the Imperial Royal Navy fleet respectfully and basically agree to our demands in full.
The Netherlands started out as a trade country. Their domestic industry is extremely weak and they are not afraid of the impact of foreign industrial products at all. "
Su Shu listened to what Wei Yuansheng said, especially when he heard the last sentence, he couldn't help laughing.
"Mr. Wei's words are so insightful. If there is no industry, how can we be afraid of being impacted by the industry? This perspective is very novel, but it is extremely correct."
Su Shu silently observed whether Holland's choice was the same as Wei Yuansheng's guess.
He watched the situation develop step by step. Holland's performance was very different from what Wei Yuansheng had expected.
The Dutch representatives first warmly received the Royal Navy fleet of the Great China Empire.
The negotiations between the two parties were also extremely fast. The Netherlands made many concessions and the agreement was reached quickly.
Holland put forward a condition that made Admiral Zhan Tie and Chief of Staff Cao Zhengyuan think about it for a long time.
This condition is that the Netherlands wants to go to the Great China Empire to conduct naval exchanges and learn from the advanced experience of the Great China Empire's navy.
Admiral Zhan Tie and Chief of Staff Cao Zhengyuan thought about it for a long time and gave an answer that they agreed in principle.
They agreed in principle that the Netherlands could send its navy to the Great China Empire for exchanges.
The Dutch navy really reached the Great China Empire, and the domestic resistance was too fierce.
Agreeing in principle becomes disagreeing.
Even if the Dutch Navy's trip was in vain, they would not dare to complain against the Great China Empire.
Chief of Staff Cao Zhengyuan was even happier, as a promoter of fleet diplomacy.
Now, on behalf of the empire, they have signed agreements with the two countries.
The battleship Tarzan led the fleet to turn around and headed directly to France, the great country opposite England.
Su Shu was very curious about France. As an Atlantic coastal country, it was also a country with a relatively large land area.
He believes that this country has extremely high potential. If any country can unify Europe, this country has the greatest possibility.
After Wei Yuansheng listened to Su Shu's rather layman's statement, he shook his head and said: "Your Highness, France had the hope of becoming a powerful country in Europe.
But after Prime Minister Mazaran was executed by Prince Condé and other dignitaries and military nobles, France lost the opportunity to become a hegemon. "
Su Shu looked puzzled and asked: "Mr. Wei, please explain in detail. I don't know much about this situation."
Wei Yuansheng faced the sea breeze that blew his hair, fanned the feather fan in his hand, and said slowly:
"We only look at what Prime Minister Mazaran is doing? What is Prince Kong Dai doing?
Prime Minister Mazarin has been strengthening the centralization of power in France.
Only when power is concentrated can a political power develop rapidly.
The Great China Empire is like this, and no one can challenge the emperor's authority.
The same is true in England, where the parliament elects the prime minister.
But once the prime minister takes office, he wields unique power.
England's constitutional monarchy and parliamentary system appear to decentralize power, but in fact they centralize it.
They concentrated the power of the small nobles into the Parliament.
As France continues to develop and become a powerful centralized country, they hope to become the hegemon of Europe and even have the opportunity to unify the European continent.
But as Prince Condé came on the scene, in order to develop the French army, he recruited knights from military aristocratic territories everywhere to join the army.
Prince Condé chose to let the noble lords from various places train knights for the country to save France's ever-expanding military expenses.
This action allowed the French nobles to regain control of the army.
When Prince Kong Dai fought, he was a wise and powerful general.
When it comes to governing the country, he is a pure amateur and brings a country into chaos. "
After Su Shu listened, he was deeply touched.
Prince Condé of France may have understood the importance of centralization, but for his own benefit, he chose to go in the opposite direction.
This is to put the interests of yourself and your family above the interests of the country.
Any country that encounters such a powerful minister coming to power will inevitably go downhill.
Su Shu asked: "Mr. Wei, we chose France as the third stop. We should do it in one go and take advantage of the power of the Imperial Royal Navy to force France to surrender."
Wei Yuansheng said with a smile: "I carefully selected the first two companies to successfully reach new agreements between the Dahua Empire and European countries.
The purpose of this is to make the journey ahead easier.
As long as the sensible senior leaders of European countries already know our attitude.
In order to prevent the country from falling into war, they will make certain concessions to us.
The third goal is France, and this is just along the way.
The fourth goal is Spain, because we have to go south, return to the port of Gibraltar, and return to the country through the Suez Canal. "
After listening to Mr. Wei's story, Su Shu realized that he had completely guessed wrong. The third choice was France, which was just along the way.
While the battleship Taishan was floating in the sea, he learned more about the situation in France from Wei Yuansheng.
Wei Yuansheng finished introducing the historical origins and customs of France.
He changed the topic and said: "I think France has many difficulties if it wants to industrialize."
Su Shu's eyes widened and his ears stood up, not daring to say a word.
He had just finished understanding the overview of France and believed that this country would become a powerful country with its rich heritage.
Wei Yuansheng continued to talk: "France seems to have advantages in population, capital, and technology.
France lacks an indispensable link if it wants to develop industrialization, and that is raw materials.
I won’t talk about other raw materials, only the two most important raw materials, coal and iron.
To measure a country's industrial strength, pig iron production and steel production are essential standards.
Even for an island country like England, they have a large amount of coal and iron, which can support England to complete its industrialization.
France is different. Although it seems to have a huge land area, this country lacks coal and iron.
Only the Lorraine region has some coal and iron resources.
The current mining technology in Europe is already relatively outstanding.
It is impossible for France to use mineral resources that have not yet been explored in a short period of time. "
After Su Shu heard this situation, he looked at France with a hint of contempt.
He was like a strong adult who saw a young man with kidney deficiency who was pale and sloppy on his feet.
There is a natural sense of pride and unconscious disdain.
Su Shu knew this shortcoming, and they could not make up for it even if France vigorously developed its overseas colonies.
A large-scale industry like steel smelting is extremely cost-sensitive.
The coal and iron complex of the Dahua Empire illustrates the interdependence of these two raw material producing areas.
Large-scale coal and iron complexes are built near high-quality coal mines and high-quality iron ores.
Coal mines and iron ores are indispensable.
Coal mines and iron mines are far apart, even if they are connected by railway.
Railways that are too far away cannot solve the problem of high cost.
France is inherently deficient. It lacks large-scale coal mines and iron mines and relies on imported coal mines and iron mines.
France can only maintain a certain industrial scale. It is wishful thinking for them to become an industrial power.
When Su Shu heard the news, he was very happy.
The Great China Empire likes to make friends with such countries, and France must be the Great China Empire's best friend.
This has strong strength in the region.
The internal political situation is chaotic and resources are inherently poor, among other reasons.
As a result, this country's upper limit is locked and it is unable to become a world hegemon.
When the Great China Empire makes friends with such a country, they don't have to worry about the benefits it gives them, which will become fodder for their future opponents.
In this kind of country with an upper limit, even if it is betrayal, the harm he can cause can be controlled within a certain range.
Su Shu immediately found Chief of Staff Cao Zhengyuan and expressed his intention to win over France.
Chief of Staff Cao Zhengyuan did not refuse, but helped him consult on the possibility of this matter.
Su Shu was very grateful to Chief of Staff Cao Zhengyuan. Chief of Staff Cao's participation allowed him to find out and fill in the gaps in a timely manner.
That he was able to convince the navy so quickly was closely related to the situation in France.
The French Army's performance in the war in Europe was remarkable.
The French Navy has no reputation at all.
They only have a few broken ships and cannot even protect their own sea territory.
The situation of the French Navy, even if they are given another ten years to develop, they will not be able to catch up with the Royal Navy of the Great China Empire.
Chief of Staff Cao Zhengyuan and other senior naval officials did not care at all about France, a country with a weak navy.
The Royal Navy fleet of Great China soon arrived at the port of France.
France has already been in turmoil.
They got England and the Netherlands, and they both signed new agreements with the Great China Empire, so they knew that France would not be able to escape.
There are now clear rumors about the strength of the Royal Navy fleet of the Great China Empire and the contents of the agreement.
The French Army was on the road, and he faced the Royal Navy of the Great China Empire, which had abandoned its ships. They also think they have a chance of winning.
It is a complete dream to expect those broken ships of the French Navy to resist the fleet of the Great China Navy.
King Louis XIV of France was very happy before, thinking that the rights that belonged to him were taken back by Prince Condé.
After the matter was settled, King Louis XIV discovered that France had just changed a powerful minister.
He watched as domestic forces within the country were quarreling over each other because of the Great China Empire.
Louis XIV was like a puppet, saying not a word.
Even if he speaks his will, no one will obey it now.
The Imperial Navy fleet has arrived at the French port, and the various forces in France are still quarreling.
They all realize that they must compromise with the Chinese Empire and France must not fall into war.
But for the sake of France's face, they must not agree directly, but must put forward conditions in exchange, which looks good on face.
Each force has put forward its own conditions for the sake of interests.
Now that the Dahua Empire fleet has arrived, they can only stop arguing.
Prince Condé personally appointed Marquis Chris to be solely responsible for communicating with the Great China Empire.
The conditions of all the forces were put forward, and whichever condition the Great China Empire agreed to would make money.
The Great China Empire cannot, and will not agree to any of the conditions.
Marquis Chris bit the bullet and came to the port. He was already prepared for the arrogance and domineering power of the Great China Empire.
When he took people aboard the battleship Taishan, he was treated as a courtesy by the Dahua Empire Navy.
Marquis Chris speculated that this should be the news that France wanted to unite European countries and form an alliance, which was passed to the ears of the Han people.
These Han people were also looking for food. They understood the strength of France and were more polite to France.
Chief of Staff Cao Zhengyuan is just polite. Substantial benefits must be obtained. France has a large population and is a high-quality market to be developed.
Count Chris was very uneasy and put forward France's conditions.
The domestic situation in France is very chaotic and it is no longer able to withstand war.
A war that upsets the balance is likely to tear France apart.
The Prince of Condé represented the interests of the clan and military nobles, who were the most powerful forces in France.
But when they defeated Prime Minister Mazaran, the power of these people alone was not enough, so all forces were united.
Now these forces are too big to lose, and together they can compete with Prince Kong Dai.
The purpose of Marquis Chris's visit is to prevent the two countries from war and prevent things from slipping into the worst case scenario.
The Great China Empire and France were both sincere, and an agreement between the two countries was quickly reached.
France has put forward many conditions, the most important of which is to send young people to the Great China Empire to learn the knowledge of the Great China Empire.
Chief of Staff Cao Zhengyuan held Marquis Chris's hand and said happily: "The Great China Empire and France are the best friends.
We agree with most of these requirements.
The cost of young people's studies must be borne by France itself. "
Marquis Chris was very happy. Dahua Empire was very talkative and this negotiation was very easy.
The Great China Empire agreed to most of the conditions proposed by various forces in France.
He just doesn't understand what these Han people mean by best friend. (End of chapter)
