Chapter 1127 |
Brooke stood on the Chinese Empire’s warship with a complex mix of emotions, looking at the city of London.
After the negotiation failed, he arranged for the embassy to be built and then rushed to Dengzhou. He arrived just in time to catch the fleet that was preparing to visit Britain.
After discussing with the Empire’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he was allowed to return to Britain on an ironclad warship. This was because it would take half a year to return on an ordinary sailing warship, while it would only take three months for this kind of steel warship to reach Europe.
After weighing his options, he decided to unashamedly hitch a ride.
“Ambassador Brooke, your city of London is nothing special.” Yue Yun stood beside Brooke, a hint of disdain on his face.
He had often heard British prisoners of war say how prosperous London was. It was only after he actually saw it that he realized how far behind it was compared to the Empire’s cities.
Brooke was as embarrassed as a braggart who had been exposed. He retorted, “At the very least, London is the most prosperous city in Europe.”
Liu Chen and Yue Yun exchanged glances. They liked Brooke’s helpless expression.
“Alright. I hope we can have a pleasant time in London for the next few days. We will now send Ambassador Brooke ashore.” Yue Yun said.
A small boat was quickly lowered, and Brooke hurriedly took his entourage towards the port of London.
The Empire’s warships were soon discovered in British waters. It seemed that, fearing an attack from the Empire, a large fleet of sailing warships was already lined up outside the port.
“Hurry, hurry!”
On the small boat, Brooke was personally rowing. The tense atmosphere of the military standoff made him a little nervous. He had not come all this way without gaining anything. At the very least, he had a genuine appreciation for how terrifying these steel warships were.
This fleet of forty-two ships was enough to easily destroy all the fleets in Europe. This was a gap that could not be made up for by numbers.
So he was very afraid that his country would make a wrong decision.
However, he was not the only one who was afraid. At the port, Victoria and Murphy were also nervously watching the steel warships on the sea.
When they learned that a massive fleet was approaching London, their first reaction was that the Chinese Empire had broken the treaty and was directly launching a war on Britain.
“That’s Brooke.” Murphy pointed at the small boat. “Your Majesty, the situation might not be too bad. At the very least, they sent Brooke back.”
Victoria’s brows were tightly furrowed. Never had a foreign fleet dared to approach Britain so closely. This was a blatant insult to Britain.
Hu Chuan and Kang Ming’s expressions were the complete opposite of the British’. If it weren’t for diplomatic etiquette, they would have cheered for the Empire’s warships.
They had not had a very comfortable time in London during this period. They were tracked, threatened, and bribed. The British tried every means to break their mental defenses and turn them into double agents.
“Your Majesty, there is no need to worry. This is merely the imperial warships exercising their right of free navigation in your British waters,” Hu Chuan said calmly.
Victoria’s expression suddenly became grim. “Free navigation? Since when can your warships freely sail in British waters? According to what you said, can British warships also sail into your country’s ports?”
“Of course, as long as Your Majesty’s warships have the ability to get in.” Hu Chuan’s voice was a bit louder, clearly laced with provocation.
Victoria, with her hand in a white glove, clenched her fist tightly. Taking three deep breaths, she forced a smile. “Ambassador Hu, there’s no need to be concerned. I was just joking.”
“I was just joking as well.” Hu Chuan used this opportunity to give Victoria a way out. After all, he still had to work in Britain and could not go too far.
While everyone was waiting, Brooke soon came ashore. He went all the way to Victoria and explained the purpose of the Empire’s fleet this time.
After confirming that the imperial fleet was only here for a visit, Victoria’s expression improved a little. Although she maintained a calm demeanor on the surface, she was very afraid on the inside, because just by looking at these steel warships, she knew that Britain’s navy was bound to be defeated.
“We, Britain, welcome the imperial fleet’s friendly visit. Murphy, leave a spot in the harbor for the imperial warships to dock.” Victoria said.
She then took a few steps forward to avoid Hu Chuan and Kang Ming and continued, “Have Codian and that group of scientists board the ships. This is a rare opportunity. Tell them to find a way to discover the method for manufacturing steel warships.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Murphy turned and left.
Brooke then said, “This visit by the imperial warships is a friendly visit on the surface, but its real purpose is to intimidate Britain. I hope Your Majesty will temporarily stop threatening the imperial delegation.”
Victoria nodded. Even a fool could see the Empire’s purpose.
She sighed deeply. Now, France’s internal chaos was expanding, and no one could be sure of André’s future.
This was partly due to France’s dissatisfaction with André’s rule, and partly due to ambitious people like Henry.
At the beginning of the war, she had no doubt that André would be able to defeat Henry, but now, France’s situation had taken a turn for the worse.
After gathering all the intelligence, she finally understood that the Empire’s shadow was also in this. Coupled with Hu Chuan’s contact with the English parliamentarians, she gradually became clear about the Empire’s strategy in Europe.
Although a ceasefire agreement had been signed and the hot war had ended, the covert struggle had just begun.
But she would not just sit there and do nothing. During this period, she had successively sent envoys to Prussia and Tsarist Russia to seek an alliance, which was the best way to contend with the Empire’s interference in European affairs.
As for France, she would also not stand by and watch. The Empire supported Henry, so she would choose André. Apart from not sending soldiers, she had provided almost all the help she could.
“I will do that. Then, what were the results of your negotiation this time?” Victoria had already guessed a little in her heart. After all, if the negotiation had been a success, the Empire would not have humiliated them in such a way.
“I am sorry, Your Majesty. The Empire refused to accept any of our conditions. They even said that if we dared to violate the agreement, they would use military force.” Brooke said.
Victoria fell silent. After a long time, she patted Brooke on the shoulder. “We will fight back one day.”
After a pause, she continued, “In that case, you will prepare to go to America. Since we are both Anglo-Saxons, I hope they can stand with us at a critical time.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Brooke said in a deep voice.
Now, Britain had to lower its head to negotiate with its rebellious colonies. It was clear how determined Victoria was to contend with the Chinese Empire now.
Thinking of this, Brooke said, “Your Majesty, since the Empire does not accept our conditions, we must find every way possible to obtain their technology. We must do it even if it means spending a fortune or exchanging markets and colonies for their technology.”