Expedition to Europe

On December 25, 1920, the 16th day of the 11th lunar month, the news that Lan Fang and France launched an attack on Siam shocked the world.

Let alone how King Rama VI of Siam campaigned, the biggest international reaction came from the British.

In 1893, the Bangkok Dynasty and France signed the Treaty of Siam, which stipulated that Siam would cede the Laotian territory on the east bank of the Mekong River to France and pay France a compensation of 3 million francs.

This treaty was actually the product of a compromise between Britain and France, and it was first proposed by the French.

In the middle of the 19th century, Britain and France had more and more colonies in Asia. In Southeast Asia, the colonies of Britain and France were almost bordering each other. In order to avoid the troubles that might occur between the two countries, the French suggested: maintain a strong, independent Kingdom of Siam with clear borders on both sides, so that there would be a fixed barrier between the territory of Great Britain and the territory of France in the Indochina Peninsula.

This suggestion was recognized by the British, so there was the Treaty of Siam.

All along, as The Times once said: Britain cannot be neighbors with France in Indochina, and now it is time to draw a line that France cannot cross.

Since the signing of the Treaty of Siam, the Mekong River has become a red line that France cannot cross. Although Britain and France both have vast colonies in Southeast Asia, the existence of Siam allows the British and French to maintain a peaceful situation.

Now the French have taken the initiative to break this balance, and the British are furious.

December 25th is the traditional Western Christmas. Lan Fang, which has many Catholics, also held a series of celebrations. After receiving the telegram that Lan Fang and France launched an attack on Siam, the British ambassador to Lan Fang, Owen Jonah, found Lan Fang Foreign Minister Zhang Jingzong and immediately expressed Britain's protest.

"This has nothing to do with the Treaty of Siam. It is an agreement between Siam and the French. It has nothing to do with us. The reason why we attacked Siam is not to destroy regional peace, but to seek justice for our compatriots who have been treated unfairly in Siam. Since Rama VI came to power, you should know what kind of treatment our compatriots have suffered in Siam. Now it is time for the Siamese to pay the price." Facing Owen Jonah's questioning, Zhang Jingzong answered like this.

This answer is quite reasonable. It not only explains why Lan Fang launched an attack on Siam, but also explains why the French participated in the attack.

Southeast Asia is now a stagnant pool. Lan Fang, the catfish, will definitely destroy the existing balance. At this time, the French intervened in time to gain greater benefits in the changing situation, so as to occupy a greater initiative in future disputes.

It is not difficult to understand the anger of the British. Because of insufficient preparation, the British were not prepared at all and could not send troops to Siam to participate in this partition operation for a while, which would inevitably affect the future distribution of interests.

How does the saying go: Two monks carry water to drink, but three monks have no water to drink.

This metaphor is very vivid in the issue of Siam. If only Britain and France have conflicts over Siam's interests, the British and French can still reach a balance through negotiation, but if Lan Fang also gets involved, the inherent balance cannot be maintained, and a compromise can only be reached after a reshuffle.

The problem is that in Southeast Asia, there are not only British, French and Lan Fang people, but also Americans. So the US Ambassador to Lan Fang, Glynton Augustine, also came over and interjected: "The unruly Siamese should indeed be taught a lesson, and their bad behavior towards the Chinese should be punished, but this punishment should not be implemented by one or two countries. We can discuss this issue with the League of Nations."

Taking it to the League of Nations, which has become a chicken rib, to discuss it, that is, to put Siam in an international trusteeship position, the Americans' wolfish ambitions are also obvious.

The industrial strength of Americans is the best in the world. Even if Britain, France, and Lan Fang are tied together, they can't beat the Americans now. After the World War, the United States has already had serious overcapacity. Americans are in urgent need of a larger market. If it is a product competition, Americans are not afraid of anyone.

"Take it to the League of Nations for discussion? I'm afraid that by the time it is put on the agenda, Rama VI will have been crushed to ashes!" Owen Jonah was furious.

The efficiency of the League of Nations can only be haha, and there is not even a fixed office space. Since the establishment of the League of Nations, only a dozen resolutions have been put forward in more than two years, but no one has ever taken it seriously. As for Owen Jonah, he can't even remember the names of those resolutions.

If we refer to the previous work efficiency, by the time the League of Nations discusses the results, the entire Siam has been divided up by the French and Lan Fang. By then, no one can expect the French and Lan Fang to spit it out. That is absolutely a luxury. Let alone the French, the Lan Fang people are definitely gluttons.

"We won't destroy you to ashes. We have never been a cruel party. If you don't believe me, look at Emperor Taisho. He is still alive and well, actively cooperating with doctors for treatment, and his body is gradually recovering." Zhang Jingzong was not in a hurry and spoke slowly.

This was a Christmas dinner hosted by the Lan Fang government, and Emperor Taisho was of course present.

Now Emperor Taisho was sitting with William II and no one knew what they were talking about. It seemed that Emperor Taisho looked wooden, while William II looked like he had lost all hope in life.

After William II came to Lanfang, he fell in love with Lanfang's blue sky and white clouds at the fastest speed, to the extent that he even refused to stay in the state guesthouse arranged by the Lanfang government, and went directly to Lanling Island to build a castle with his own money to live in.

Except for the old imperial marshal Hindenburg, everyone was happy to see this happen. Hindenburg was open-minded. Seeing William II living a life of drunkenness and debauchery in the casino on Lanling Island, he simply moved to Sishui, where the Lanfang military headquarters was located, to live next to Foch, so that he would not be bothered by him.

Strangely enough, Hindenburg and Foch, who had been old rivals for a lifetime, probably still had a sense of mutual appreciation. Since arriving in Sishui, it is said that Hindenburg would find Foch for sand table simulation every day, and would repeatedly simulate every battle in the world war many times. Although there were some disputes in the process, it was generally harmonious, and the middle and senior officers of the Lanfang staff benefited a lot.

"Recover! If this is considered recovery, then the Japanese government will thank you." Owen Jonah's tone was full of sarcasm.

"That's not necessary, this is what we should do--" Zhang Jingzong has long been immune to this level of sarcasm, and his thick skin is unimaginable to ordinary people.

As a politician, you can't do this job without thick skin.

"There is one thing you must know, your actions with the French have endangered the interests of Britain. We will never agree with your actions. You must stop the attack on Siam immediately, otherwise, Britain will regard this action as a declaration of war against Britain." Owen Jonah was so angry with Zhang Jingzong that he blurted out the word "declaration of war".

"Is this your final conclusion?" Zhang Jingzong immediately became serious, with a serious expression and a correct attitude.

"Declaration of war" is something that should never be said lightly. As the British ambassador to Lan Fang, Owen Jonah's every word and action represents the British government. The "declaration of war" uttered by Owen Jonah is not a threat in the general sense.

The original text is in Liu # 9 @Book/Bar!

"Gentlemen, the situation is not serious enough. We can sit down and talk about the issue of Siam. Whether it is the British or the Lan Fang people, life is precious. We don't need to waste the precious lives of our citizens for a group of irrelevant people." Glynton Augustine came out to smooth things over in time.

"This has endangered Britain's core interests. We will never stay out of it." Owen Jonah's mouth is still hard, but his attitude has eased. At least he didn't mention "declaration of war" all the time.

"Declaration of war" is something like a threat. If it is said for the first time, it is indeed deterrent, but if it is repeated again and again, it will really become a mouth cannon without any deterrent effect.

"Glinton, Rama VI has been implementing discriminatory policies against the Chinese since he ascended the throne. This is an offense to us Lan Fang, and he has no regrets. Those who are suffering unfair treatment in Siam are not irrelevant to us, they are our compatriots, and we will never sit idly by." Zhang Jingzong's words were sincere and his attitude was still firm.

"That's a pity, they are a group of barbarians." Glinton Augustine said casually.

When it comes to the issue of treating Chinese, Americans are not very friendly.

Because of the rise of Lan Fang, Americans finally began to face the Chinese issue. With the efforts of pro-Lan Fang congressmen, the bill to abolish the "Chinese Exclusion Act" was finally put on the agenda of the US Congress, but the result was very regrettable. The vote did not pass, and the "Chinese Exclusion Act" still exists.

Now Glinton Augustine actually has the face to say that Siamese are barbarians. This is really incredible. Glinton Augustine should be said to be much thicker than Zhang Jingzong.

"So if the Siamese learn a lesson, Rama VI shows remorse and corrects those wrong practices, what will you do?" Grinton Augustine is still looking for an opportunity to intervene.

At this point, everyone knows that if Lan Fang does not tear a piece of meat from the Siamese, it will never let go.

Of course, the greater possibility is that Siam will no longer exist in the future.

"The facts are clear. The Chinese in Siam are unwilling to be treated unfairly, so they ask us for help from Lan Fang. Our goal is to let the Chinese in Siam get the status they deserve and never be bullied by anyone again." Zhang Jingzong said righteously.

Hearing Zhang Jingzong's explanation, Grinton Augustine and Owen Jonah were all stunned. Zhang Jingzong's words are too flexible. This is clearly a support for the independence of the Chinese in Siam.