Seeing Vitoma, Yi Zhengxing couldn't help but feel funny. He really didn't expect Yi Zhizu to make a statement about the vassal state. If it could be confirmed that Afghanistan was a vassal state of the Qing Dynasty, then invading Afghanistan would be the internal affairs of the Qing Dynasty. Britain had no right to interfere. However, did it mean that it was just a way to borrow the vassal state? Why did it take to regain Afghanistan again?

Zhao Liewen sat upright with a serious face. He followed Yi Shizhong for many years. When he heard this, he vaguely guessed that the other party must be making a fuss about Afghanistan, and it is very likely that Afghanistan should be used as a exchange condition. Afghanistan is a place of four wars. Once the Qing Dynasty occupied Afghanistan and cooperated with Bangladesh, it would form a force of east-west attack on India occupied by Britain, and the British would absolutely not tolerate it.

Weituma naturally knew the importance of Afghanistan, but he was also deeply impressed by the British-American war, which was a shame in the military history of the British Empire. He found that things were a little troublesome, not ordinary troubles!

If the Qing Dynasty insisted that Afghanistan was a vassal state, then the Qing invasion of Afghanistan would become the internal affairs of the Qing Dynasty. In this way, Britain would become very passive. The shadow of the British-Arab war is still there. The trade between Britain and Qing and Britain's investment in the Qing Dynasty have reached an unprecedented level. Under such circumstances, the domestic parliament will never agree to send troops to interfere in the internal affairs of the Qing Dynasty.

It is also unimaginable for Britain to sit and watch the Qing Dynasty annex Afghanistan. This is not only related to India's security, but also stifle the possibility of Britain's expansion of Central Asia and West Asia. This cannot be recognized! It is firmly impossible to recognize that Afghanistan is a vassal state of the Qing Dynasty!

Thinking of this, Weituma said in a low voice: "Your Highness, more than a hundred years have passed, Afghanistan has changed its dynasty, and the original Dulani Dynasty no longer exists. Today, Afghanistan is the Barakzai Dynasty. According to international practice, under this circumstance, the vassal relationship will be automatically terminated."

After hearing this, Yi Zhizu showed an extremely confident smile, "Your Excellency is not well informed. When the current King of Afghanistan, Hill Ali Khan, submitted a letter of nationality to His Majesty the Emperor of our country when he succeeded to the throne the previous year, he praised his tribute and became a vassal state of our country again."

There is also this? Weituma's face was a little pale in an instant. The Qing Dynasty quietly turned Afghanistan into a vassal state, and there was no news of the news. This time, a large-scale military use in the northwest was obviously to completely conquer Afghanistan!

Thinking of this, he immediately had no intention of talking any further, so he quickly stood up and said goodbye. He had to rush back to the consulate to report this important situation to the country.

Watching Weituma's back as he hurriedly left, Yi Zhengxing chuckled softly: "How vast is the territory of the Tang Dynasty in our country?"

"It's not as vast as us now." Yi Zhizu smiled and said: "The Tang Dynasty had a vast territory in the northwest. Afghanistan was indeed a vassal state of our country at that time, and was affiliated with the Persian Protectorate and the Yuezhi Protectorate. The Great Yuezhi recorded in historical records is today's Afghanistan."

Zhao Liewen glanced at him and said tentatively: "Does the shopkeeper plan to exchange the Persian Gulf by not annexing Afghanistan?"

"Hui Fu can see it thoroughly." Yi Zhizu smiled and said, "First make some noise in the Persian Gulf, and then negotiate with the British. This is the most important bargaining chip. For the sake of India's security, the British may be willing to withdraw from the Persian Gulf. Although we are not afraid of going to war with Britain, it is naturally the best not to go to war."

"Dingling" a crisp ringtone rang, which was the phone ringtone. Zhao Liewen quickly turned around and entered the house, but Yi Zhengxing said: "The phone is much more convenient than the telegram. When will it become as popular as the telegram?"

"I'm afraid it will take some time." Yi Zhizu turned around and entered the house and said as he walked: "The current telephone still has many technical defects, which greatly limits the popularity of telephones. Yuan Qi is concentrating manpower for research, ranging from three to five years to ten to eight years."

Soon, Zhao Liewen turned around and reported: "The General Staff Department Yan Yangtian called out. Four days ago, a large-scale riot occurred in the Doha port of the Pearl Pipeship Distribution Port of the Emirates of the Persian Gulf, causing more than 260 casualties among Chinese citizens. Yesterday, a similar anti-Chinese riot occurred in the Port of Abbas, Persia, with more than 150 casualties... I beg the shopkeeper to give instructions."

"The established plan remains unchanged." Yi Zhizu said without hesitation: "First capture Abbas Port, then destroy Qatar."

After repeating Yishishi's order to the phone, Zhao Liewen put down the phone and hesitated: "Port Abbas is a port controlled by the British?"

Yi Zhizu nodded, "The British control four ports in the Persian Gulf - Muscat, Abbas, Bahrain, and Kuwait. The most important thing is to contain the Abbas Port that guards the Strait of Hormuz."

This is the bottom line for directly provoking the British? Zhao Liewen said worriedly: "Will it not directly trigger a war?"

"Don't worry, the British shouldn't go to war with us rashly before the situation of the Franco-Prussian War is clear." Yi Zhizu said slowly: "Of course, we are also ready to start the war."

Yi Zhengxing said in confusion: "Why wouldn't the British go to war with us rashly before the situation of the Franco-Prussian War is clear?"

"The reason is very simple." Yi Zhizu said: "The situation in Europe is closely related to the British mainland. Once a powerful and powerful country appears on the European continent, it will pose a threat to the British mainland.

At present, European countries, including Britain, actually believe that France has a greater chance of winning this war. Britain absolutely does not want France to continue to grow. Once Prussia is defeated, Britain will inevitably interfere, so as not to be too strong and dominate Europe.

The main fleet of the South Ocean is heading south to the Persian Gulf. If Britain wants to start a war, it must do its best. In other words, Britain is in a dilemma now. As the saying goes, the two evils are the least. In order to balance the European pattern, the British can only let us make trouble in the Persian Gulf first."

Nodding slightly, Yi Zhengxing continued to ask: "What's going on in Qatar?"

"Qatar does not belong to the British sphere of influence." Yi Zhizu said: "And the peninsula where Qatar is located is very superior, suitable for us to occupy directly."

10 Downing Street, Westminster, England, London.

Sixty-one-year-old British Prime Minister William Yult Gladston looked at the agreement signed with the North German Federation and France to ensure Belgium neutrality. In the agreement, Britain and Geely also promised not to intervene in the war between France and France.

When the Franco-Prussian War broke out, England only cared about its core interests, that is, ensuring Belgium's neutrality. For most half a century, England has pursued a "non-interference" foreign policy on the European continent. England must first ensure that it will not be involved in the war on the European continent. This is a unanimous decision inside and outside the parliament.

In fact, he knew very well that even if he wanted to interfere, he was powerless. The British army was not as strong as the economy. During this period, the British army had only 110,000 and the navy had only 60,000. Compared with Prussia and France, which had 300,000 or 400,000 troops, the United Kingdom was really willing but not strong enough.

He was actually more optimistic about Prussia when it came to the Franco-Prussian War. Judging from the performance of the Prussian army in the Prussian War and the Prussian Austrian War, it was no less than the French army, which was known as the world's number one army. In terms of diplomacy, Prussia also had an absolute advantage. France could almost be said to have been completely isolated. Bismarck worked hard to create many years to create an opportunity to fight France. I think it must be very sure.

In his opinion, Prussia's victory over France and completed unification was not a bad thing for Britain. A strong unified Germany could not only curb Russia's ambitions, but also become the middle force to resist France, and was the best security measure to prevent the recurrence of Napoleon's nightmare.

Moreover, Germany's interests in the East and Britain have no conflict, and it can also become a force to protect Belgium and the English Channel, thereby reducing England's dependence on France.

In short, in his opinion, if Prussia wins in the Franco-Prussian War, it will be obvious that the benefits outweigh the disadvantages for England!

Of course, war is full of too many uncertainties. Although Prussia is fully prepared and confident of winning, France's world number one army is not a futile reputation. Once the balance of war tilts towards France, even if England is neutral, it must mediate. France's strong country is not only a great threat to the entire Europe, but also a nightmare for England.

After carefully examining the two agreements to protect Belgium's neutrality, Gladstone took the pen and signed his name neatly, and then breathed a sigh of relief. The secretary quickly stepped in and submitted a telegram, saying: "This is a telegram sent by the Foreign Minister Lord Granville, and the Minister to China Weituma from Shanghai."

Upon receiving the telegram from the country, Gladston immediately sat upright. Afghanistan became a vassal state of the Qing Dynasty two years ago. The Qing army was sending large-scale troops to conquer Afghanistan. The main fleet of the Qing naval fleet went south to the Arabian Sea, with the target suspected to be the Persian Gulf!

What did the Qing Dynasty want to do? Annex Afghanistan and get involved in the Persian Gulf. Its power continued to the Arabian Sea. It could compete with Britain and Russia for Persia to the west, threaten India to the east, and at the same time it could compete with Britain and Russia for the commodity market in the Middle East and expand its influence in the Middle East!

Is this aware of the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War and Europe is in turmoil, so I have no time to take care of the East? This courage is too great! It’s okay to occupy Central Asia, but I actually reached out to Afghanistan and the Persian Gulf!

Putting down the telegram, he picked up the pipe on the table and knocked it gently, slowly filled the tobacco, and after lit it, he smoked silently with the pipe in his mouth. He has always attached great importance to Asia. In his opinion, England is no longer a European country, but the center of a huge ocean empire. The borders of the empire extend to the farthest ocean, and the main interest is in Asia. From this perspective, England is actually an Asian country rather than a European country!

In recent years, the Qing Dynasty rose strongly, gradually annexing all small countries around that were originally vassal states of the Qing Dynasty and incorporating them into the territory of the Qing Dynasty became an integral part. While the British plan to gradually expand eastward, the Qing Dynasty's territory, population, market, and strength were also rapidly expanding. Now it has reached a point that poses a serious threat to India. You can no longer indulge it. If you continue to indulge it, India will sooner or later lose it!

However, the Qing Dynasty's foreign expansion has always been steady. Why was it so risky this time? It was just to see the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War and to determine that Britain would not go to war in the East at this time? Russia! Will the Qing Dynasty join forces with Russia?

Russia has always been competing for control of Persia with Britain, and Russia has been struggling to seek out its estuaries and warm water ports in India, and has long been coveting the Persian Gulf. Another thing is that the Qing and the United States and Russia have long reached an alliance, and the Qing and Russia are even building large railways across Europe and Asia.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel sank. If the Qing Dynasty and Russia join forces, there would be great trouble!

"Your Excellency." A secretary reported at the door: "The Foreign Minister Lord Granville said there was an urgent matter..."

"Please come in." Gladstone said calmly.

As soon as Granville came in, he said straight: "Your Excellency, I just received a telegram that Russia is gathering forces in the Caucasus on a large scale. In addition, large-scale unrest broke out in the Port of Abbas and Qatar in the Persian Gulf, and hundreds of Chinese died in the turmoil in the two places."

The Qing Dynasty and Russia did join forces! Gladstone's heart immediately sank to the bottom. As for hundreds of Chinese people who died in the turmoil in Abbas and Qatar, it was obviously a bitter plan, creating an excuse for the Qing Dynasty's navy to start a war!

After a long silence, he spoke with some difficulty: "Immediately call the Abbas defenders to evacuate and do not confront the Qing army head-on."

Avoiding the war? Granville hesitated for a while before saying: "This is related to the Empire's interests in Asia..."

Gladston waved his hand and interrupted his words, "Qing and Russia join forces, don't start a war rashly, and avoid a head-on conflict for the time being..." After a pause, he continued: "Call back to Witoma and ask him to talk to the big shopkeeper of Yuanqi... and tell him clearly that the Franco-Prussian War has nothing to do with our country, and that the Belgian neutral agreement can be disclosed to him.

Also, tell him the principles of our country's foreign policy - the interests of the empire, the strong navy, the balance of power in Europe, and the maintenance of peace. Among them, the interests of the empire are the first priority. In order to protect our interests in Asia, our country will fight with all its might! This is not a threat!"

In the past 30 years, Britain's two expeditions in the east have taken advantage of, but they have suffered heavy casualties. Granville was a little resistant to the large-scale expedition from the bottom of his heart. He hesitated: "Can negotiations resolve it?"

"How do you know if you don't try?" Gladstone glanced at him. "Even if the war is about to start, it will take enough time to prepare. Let's talk first, and it's best to have a peaceful solution."

Peaceful resolution? Granville dared not have much hope for this. The Qing Dynasty came in full force this time and took the initiative to provoke. If it wants a peaceful resolution, it is afraid that it will cost a considerable price. How can those congressmen in China agree?
Chapter completed!