1890 King of Southeast Asia

Toot~

Texas, Maine, two second-class battleships, plus the New York armored cruiser, accompanied by two Chang'an-class armored cruisers, pulled black smoke and slowly sailed into the port of Surabaya.

"Hello, Mr. Deputy Prime Minister! I am John A. Alonso, the US Secretary of State, and I am glad to meet you." John's face was not very good.

He originally wanted to use two battleships to deter South China, but in the open sea, the Chang'an-class armored cruiser showed a speed far exceeding that of the US battleships, and its firepower was not weak, and South China was the first country to make hardened armor and further develop it.

"Hello, Mr. Secretary of State..." Xu Hui received helplessly.

He didn't want to come either, but this was not a friendly visit, and he couldn't go directly. Liu Yiming and Lin Anmin went north with the ship to focus on humanitarian assistance.

A round of meaningless greetings, the most important thing was to take a few photos to show friendly bilateral relations.

"Mr. Secretary, try the rum produced by Nanhua, which is brewed with the best sugar cane." That night, Liu Yiming invited John to have a meal and talked about business.

"Isn't it great?" John took a sip and praised casually.

"I wonder what the purpose of the United States' visit this time is? A trip around the world?" John didn't say anything, and Liu Yiming launched an attack. It was not the latter who could take the initiative.

Liu Yiming had read the script. The United States was eyeing the Spanish colonies, but now the Americans have made a wrong calculation.

"The trade volume between the United States and Nanhua exceeded 100 million US dollars last year. Isn't this a terrifying number?" John was a little unhappy. Nanhua mainly exported luxury goods and imported machinery, textiles, precious metals, meat products, etc.

The most important thing is that in this transaction, Nanhua is making money, making a lot of money.

"Cheers to free trade!" Liu Yiming raised his glass and said with a smile, not only giving himself a step, but also a ladder for John.

"Yes! Free trade." John's eyes lit up.

"I know your country advocates this, but I don't agree with your practice." Liu Yiming took a sip of rum slowly, and then put it down. He didn't like the taste.

"What?" John was really confused. The United States intervened in too many things. Which one are you talking about?

"Your large loans to Japan have made Britain feel threatened." Liu Yiming said quietly.

"What you want is nothing more than the Japanese market, or the market of die-clearing. You hope that Japan can open up the market for you, right?"

"This is just normal business behavior. The money will not be used against Nanhua!" John said hurriedly.

Now it is the United States that is more afraid of the deterioration of relations between the two. Without Hawaii as a forward base, the United States is out of reach of the western Pacific. Once it deteriorates, the trade route may be directly cut off, which the United States cannot accept.

"I believe in the friendship of the United States." Liu Yiming nodded, and it was hard to tell whether it was true or false on his face.

"But your actions are destroying this friendship. When I learned that the tyrannical Japanese invaders were actually invading my motherland with US dollars, I felt very uncomfortable." Liu Yiming was indeed very angry and helpless.

This group of people is always like this. They always think about how to maintain the status quo, except Japan, which wants chaos.

Then they found that chaos can plunder better, so they took turns to appear. After decades of war, the population is close to 400 million. Fifty years later, it is still 400 million. You know, Chinese people love to have children!

"In fact, the British are trying to spread this matter, and I have suppressed it." Liu Yiming said lightly.

The helpless thing is that he can't intervene too much. Without experiencing pain, people will not wake up, and there will be no change. The cost of pain is tragic. Liu Yiming can only try to weaken Japan.

"What does Nanhua need?" John held the wine glass to cover his face.

"No, no, no! You misunderstood, John." Liu Yiming waved his hand and smiled.

"The United States has been seeking new markets and colonies. Unfortunately, the US military strength is average, and most of the land is already owned by someone. Am I right?" Liu Yiming simply took out a bottle of beer.

"Please give me a drink, thank you, Mr. Prime Minister, what do you mean?" John handed over the cup.

"I am very concerned about the ~—— affairs of the United States. It can be seen that you are gradually changing your strategy and are eager to intervene in international affairs and expand your influence." Liu Yiming handed him a bottle of beer.

"Does the Prime Minister have any suggestions?" John really didn't expect that Liu Yiming would discuss this matter so bluntly.

However, there is some expectation. Liu Yiming has established a new country in a complex international environment. Whether his suggestions are conspiracy or not, they have certain reference value.

"What suggestions can I give? This is a very normal thing. Your productivity is constantly rising, and it is normal to have external demands." Liu Yiming is doing Tai Chi.

Now Liu Yiming has expressed his intention. There is room for negotiation between the United States and South China. South China can support the expansion of the United States as long as the price is right.

"For the Japanese issue, the interests involved are relatively broad. We hope to have a country that can digest American goods." John thought about it and threw out the chips.

"No, no, no! John, Mr. Secretary of State, you misunderstood." Liu Yiming smiled and waved his hand.

"This doesn't involve Japan, or I don't want to interfere in Japan's affairs." Liu Yiming took a sip of wine.

"Really? Haha, sorry..." John smiled, as if he didn't care about anything, but in fact, his CPU was almost burned.

"Funds? Nanhua has no shortage, technology? It seems to be OK, equipment? He has already bought so much, and no one will operate if he buys more... Population? Pack Nige over? Hehe, kill two birds with one stone!" John thought to himself.

"I heard that your farm and factory are short of manpower? It happens that I know a group of laborers. As long as you use the whip reasonably, they will be the best farmers and workers.

My grandfather gave me a whip, which has been more than 60 years. If you need it, I can give it to you." John half-jokingly tested.

"?"

"No! I am vigorously promoting mechanization. You know, I only need a mechanic and enough fuel, not these." Liu Yiming refused eagerly.

John felt a little uncomfortable. He couldn't guess what Liu Yiming wanted, and he was at a disadvantage by asking directly.

The two are not like Nanhua and Britain. Britain looks at everyone with a crushing attitude. Nanhua's attitude towards the British Empire is that I obey you, but if you let me do something for you, I have to give you some sweetness.

The United States is different. It has the false name of productivity. The two sides are on an equal plane to discuss some issues of resisting Britain.

"Okay, I'll say it directly. I hope that Nanhua and the United States can reach a tacit understanding on certain issues, provided that our interests do not conflict." Liu Yiming saw that John was stuck in a dead end and said directly.

"In other words, Nanhua and the United States can reach an agreement on the issue of Japan?" John weakened his momentum and asked tentatively.

"I don't want Japan to win too easily, but it doesn't matter anymore. Nanhua will not intervene in this war again." Liu Yiming shook his head speechlessly.

Sure enough, in this era, Sam, who is seriously isolated, is still too immature and short-sighted.

"Mr. Prime Minister, can you say it in more detail?" John was a little ashamed.

"The United States is destined to expand abroad. As Secretary of State, you should have known this. Where is your goal?" Liu Yiming's words made John sweat.

"Mr. Prime Minister, we are a peace-loving country..." John denied.

"There is no one else here..." Liu Yiming spread his hands and saw John who denied it.

"Neither the north nor the south can meet your market needs. South America is a group of independent countries, and you may not be able to defeat them." Liu Yiming simply said it himself, and sure enough, John stopped shaking his head.

"You can only choose a country with rich land, a large population, and preferably on the sea. After all, your army is even worse.

In this calculation, it is best that this country still has a certain influence, which can enhance your influence, but it will not touch the core interests of Britain and France.

There are not many choices, plus your geographical location considerations, I say a name, you just need to nod or shake your head." Liu Yiming sat like a big boss.

John's mind was in a mess, and finally looked at Liu Yiming.

"Spain!" Liu Yiming said the country expressionlessly.

"Sorry..." John took out a silk scarf and wiped the beer that was accidentally spilled.

"The waiter will take care of it. Think about how to report to your president!" Liu Yiming put down his glass, stood up and left.

Now he has to be alone.

"Wait a minute! What extent does the Prime Minister want to do?" John swallowed his saliva.

"The Luzon Islands will be incorporated into Nanhua..." Liu Yiming thought about it and gave the last bottom line. The most important thing is that there is nothing to fight for.

"We need a military port and a transit point for merchant ships." John shook his head.

"Why? How many people can you station? Nanhua will soon launch another 50,000-ton battleship, which is out of reach.

I can provide you with a port for use. Your merchant ships will receive national treatment when they dock in the Luzon Islands. As for the military port, you can go to Japan to find one." Liu Yiming thought about it and agreed halfway.

"I need to report to our president..." John wanted to object, because the Luzon Islands are also very rich.

"I can allow your companies to invest and build in the Luzon Islands. In addition to mining, electricity, railways, and communications, other industries can be conditionally opened." Liu Yiming thought about it and added.

"I will try my best to persuade the president. Please wait for good news!" John's mind became more active. This represents votes. Maybe he can also be president?

"I hope so." Liu Yiming completely left the dining room. John naturally went to the American embassy to report the matter as soon as possible and persuaded the president to agree to it.

...

"What is the effect? ​​Are the Americans really going to take action against Spain?" Liu Yiming did not go home, but came to the Prime Minister's Office and met Xu Hui.

"It should be no problem. The current United States does not have the conditions for global deployment. He will make the right choice, otherwise we will simply go north in the name of protecting overseas Chinese.

He has no choice. Fighting against colonies is just a battle for colonies. Fighting other countries is a full-scale war. He can't afford it now." Liu Yiming sat on the sofa and felt very annoyed.

"Have you arranged everything?" Xu Hui asked about Spain.

"It's all set up. The Information Department and the Special Forces Battalion have established a complete intelligence network in the Luzon Islands, and the resistance organization has also been established." Liu Yiming swore that he would never drink rum again!

"Resistance organization? If it takes too long, will it be bad for us?" Xu Hui was a little worried. This was the most troublesome.

"Let them fight first, pick out the first batch of disobedient ones, and clean them up so that the rest of the things can be solved more easily." Liu Yiming has become accustomed to the cleanup activities.

"I have a headache. Does anyone really like rum?"

Then, Xu Hui asked Liu Yiming's driver to carry Liu Yiming back, and informed Zhang You by the way, asking her to seize the opportunity.

…………

"General, it has been a month, and people outside are saying that we have been abandoned. If this continues, morale will be low. We will collapse without the Japanese pirates coming to fight!"

"Yes, rumors are spreading everywhere, and we can't stop them. Otherwise... let's fight back?"

"Fight now? What can we fight with? The soldiers have no fighting spirit, and they are more than enough to defend the city, but they are not strong enough to attack..."

In the Qing army camp, a new round of combat meetings was being held, and it was still convened by Lord Ye, the admiral of Zhili Military Affairs.

"Enough! The Japanese pirates haven't come yet, what's the point of making a fuss!" Lord Ma hates this kind of people the most, who can only shout and oppose, but can't come up with a feasible plan.

"But... General, what these people said is not completely unreasonable. What is the situation in the rear?" Not only Lord Ma, but everyone looked at Lord Ye.

For the sake of stability, the telegraph office is controlled by Lord Ye and will not be used at will.

"Hold on for another month, Lord Rong is already training soldiers and will be able to march north soon!" Lord Ye said excitedly.

Only you know the pain in your heart.

There was a cheer in the hall, but if you pay a little attention, you can find that most people are pretending to be happy.

Lord Nie felt something was wrong, but he didn't say it. What he needed now was hope, the hope of holding on.

………

"The Japanese army on the northern line broke through three cities in a row. On the second day, they had arrived north of Fengtian.

The southern line also broke through two lines of defense, but it was only three hundred miles away from Lushunkou!" Zhang Peilun read the battle report to Li Hongzhang.

"Let the third line of defense shrink and retreat to the fortress and city." Lord Li was almost depressed.

"Order the navy to blockade the Green River, and the army to take the opportunity to attack the Japanese troops attacking the fortress from north to south." Li Hongzhang has run out of tricks, but at least he knows that land war is the final result.

"Zhongtang, the logistics and military supplies are in urgent need, and the deposits have been used up..." Zhang Peilun told Zhongtang another bad news.

Lord Li was silent for a long time, looking at the pen washer his teacher gave him, and thought of his teacher's end.

"The Zhili Governor's Office and the Navy Office still have more than 10 million, take them all out! Contact Nanhua, use people to exchange guns! Order the Zhili Governor's troops to prepare troops and prepare for war. Prepare the car, I want to... see the emperor!" Lord Li's eyes became sharp.