Shanghai, Zhennan Wangfu, Changle Bookstore.

Cao Gensheng walked into the room with a telegram and said with a smile: "Big shopkeeper, naval success report, yesterday morning, the Navy sunk nine British ironclad ships in the Mozambique Strait, including three main warships. All the twelve warships that our army participated in the battle were sunk, but they were damaged to varying degrees, and there was no serious injury..."

After reading the telegram, Yi Zhizusu passed the telegram to Zhao Liewen and said in a relaxed tone: "Fortunately, the fight was not very fierce, and it can even be said to be a little lighter..."

"There are only more than fifty ironclad ships of all sizes built by England over the years. Nine ironclad ships were sunk in one battle, and three were the main warships. Not to mention that they were severely damaged, but at least they were also damaged." Zhao Liewen chuckled: "The land battle was defeated and the naval battle was defeated again. With the style of England, the Minister to China, Vitoma should come to ask for peace talks."

"There is no need to be polite to the British this time." Yi Zhizu said slowly: "We have no intention of carrying out large-scale colonial expansion in South Africa, nor do we want to seize the British colonies in South Africa, but England must ensure that they will not invade Transvaal and Orange again.

After all, the Qing and Britain did not declare war openly in this battle, and it was not suitable to ask for war reparations. However, if the British had to withdraw from the Persian Gulf, they had to take this opportunity to completely take over the entire Persian Gulf and turn the Persian Gulf into our inland sea.

It is expected that Weituoma will go home in just one or two days. Huifu will draft two treaties according to this intention, and first let the lion speak out, so that they can bargain slowly."

Just let the British withdraw from the Persian Gulf? Will this be too cheap? Or are the conditions offered too low? In the French-Prussian War, Germany claimed war reparations for more than 700 million silver. After hesitating, Zhao Liewencai said: "Is there really oil in the Persian Gulf? And, is the value of oil really comparable to gold?"

It is not a big deal for Zhao Liewen to ask this question. The Qing Dynasty has been firmly in the Persian Gulf for two years, but Yuanqi has not conducted oil exploration, and the one that extracts the most from oil is still kerosene. Although kerosene has a large sales volume, its price is not high, which is incomparable to gold.

After lit a cigarette, Yi Jingzuo said slowly: "The Persian Gulf contains oil, and there is no doubt that the reason why the exploration has not been carried out is to worry about arousing the vigilance of the British. As for the value of oil, with the popularity and promotion of internal combustion engines, it can be gradually highlighted. It can be foreseen that in thirty or forty years, oil will become the most important industrial raw material, and its value will be far above gold.

The importance of gold is only reflected in the current situation. In the era of gold standard, gold is money and purchasing power. Once the gold standard is abolished, the value of gold will be greatly reduced. Oil is different. With the development of industry, the importance of oil will become more and more important and will become the most important strategic resource that countries must actively compete for."

Speaking of this, he paused and continued: "The Persian Gulf, Central Asia, Siberia, Alaska and other places that had been purchased for money should be rich in mineral resources and oil and gas resources. It can be said that in the future, my country does not need to worry about resources.

However, future wars will revolve around the struggle for resources. Whether these territories and resources can be preserved is still a question. Therefore, in desolate places such as Central Asia, Siberia, and Alaska, it is not allowed to explore and mine for the time being, as a valuable asset for future generations."

Zhao Liewen really couldn't imagine how important oil is. He was also confused about the popularization and promotion of internal combustion engines. At present, steam engines have been widely promoted, but the price of coal, the most important fuel for steam engines, is not high, and it is not short of shortage. Will the promotion and popularization of internal combustion engines be greater than that of steam engines?

However, Yi Zhizu was very clear about the importance of the Petroleum Research Institute. After pondering for a moment, he confirmed: "Is the shopkeeper planning to use the oil in the Persian Gulf to promote monetary hegemony?"

"Practicing monetary hegemony requires two steps." Yi Zhizu said slowly: "This stage is the era of gold standard. To establish the international credit of Huayuan, my country's gold reserves must be increased through various channels. Only when my country's gold reserves reach or exceed half of the world's total gold volume can it replace the position of the pound. After the gold standard is abolished, if the Huayuan hegemony is to maintain the Huayuan hegemony, it is necessary to link the Huayuan to oil...

Speaking of this, he knocked the ashes, "It's still too early to talk about Huayuan's hegemony, so we can hoard gold first."

The battlefield communications sent by major newspapers from major newspapers in the Qing Dynasty and the south to South Africa were half a day later than the navy's successors, and it came slowly in the afternoon. Although it was already afternoon, the major newspapers were still out of the outsourcing of such a major war situation. For a time, the news of the navy's defeat of the British army in the Mozambique Strait in South Africa was buzzing, and the government and the country were celebrating and hot discussion.

The phone ringtone of Changle Bookstore has not stopped since the afternoon, from the Prime Minister Yi, and from the provincial governors who rushed to the calls of the provincial governors to celebrate. The business giants in various provinces were not willing to fall behind and called one after another. Zhao Liewen was ruthless in answering the phone, and Cao Gensheng was also dazzled when he read the telegram. Many people who were not qualified to call directly sent congratulatory messages.

The next morning, all newspapers of the Qing Dynasty were covered with reports on the Mozambique naval battle. The titles of the articles of the war correspondents were diverse, including "Maputo Battlefield Diary", "Experiences of the Mozambique Naval Battle", "The Magnificent Army Continued the Myth of Invincible", "Sea Battle Weapons-Torpedo", "The Sorrow of the English Iron Craft Fleet"......

In Changle Bookstore, Yi Zhizu looked through the newspapers with great interest. Compared with the dry battle reports, the articles written by these war correspondents are naturally readable.

Zhao Liewen slowly stepped in and said with a smile: "The door to the stock exchange is almost flattened, and all stocks are directly blocked on the daily limit as soon as they open..."

After hearing this, Yi Zhi couldn't help but smile. The victory in the naval battle and stocks soared. This was expected. A few years ago, because of concerns about the Qing Dynasty going to war in South Africa, to be precise, it was worried that the Qing Dynasty would lose in South Africa, which led to a sharp drop in the stock market. Coupled with the run, the stock market fell repeatedly, Yuanqi made a big push to stabilize the stock market.

Now that the run has been resolved, the Navy has won this battle again, and it is an absolute and overwhelming advantage. It is strange that stocks can not soar. Moreover, the victory of the war means that the Qing Dynasty's control over the situation in South Africa means that Yuanqi's gold mining in South Africa has another five obstacles. This is an unparalleled major positive. How can the stock market not soar?

After putting down the newspaper and taking a sip of tea, he said slowly: "Call Huo Qizheng to come."

At this time, let Huo Qizheng come over? Zhao Liewen said with some uncertainty: "Will the shopkeeper sell the stocks in his hands be sold again?"

Yi Zhizu glanced at him and said, "If Huifu had stocks in his hand, he could take action after this wave of rise."

Zhao Liewen does have stocks in his hands. After following Yi Zhizuo over the years, his wealth has long been high, and he almost made money in the stock market. After hesitating, he said: "Now the Qing army is so powerful that it can be said to be an enemy without a single alliance. South Africa's gold mines have huge reserves. According to the shopkeeper, there should be a big bull market..."

"This is normal, but it is hard to say if we encounter an economic crisis." Yi Zhizu said slowly: "Apart from that, we shouldn't hold all the chips in our hands."

After his reminder, Zhao Liewen remembered that the other party had indeed mentioned some time ago that European countries might have another large-scale economic crisis. He immediately smiled and said, "The big shopkeeper didn't remind him, and he almost forgot about this."

Seeing him get up, Yi Zhizu pointed to the newspaper and said, "This great victory in the naval battle is actually due to the benefits of weapons, but it is fundamentally science and technology. If military strength is shadow strength, science and technology are soft power. The technology of a country determines the military strength of a country. Huifu wrote an article, proposing the idea of ​​developing the country through science and technology and promoting the army through science and technology, and emphasizing the cultivation of talents."

Zhao Liewen nodded. At present, the government and the people were discussing a great victory in the Navy of Britain. At this time, it was indeed a good opportunity to propose an article to emphasize the importance of technology.

Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street, London, UK.

Foreign Minister Granville walked into the Prime Minister's office in a heavy mood. If the defeat of the Army in Pretoria is still acceptable, the defeat of the Navy Iron Fleet in the Mozambique Strait is a fact that all British people cannot accept.

The Royal Navy of the British Empire, which had dominated the ocean for hundreds of years, was defeated in the territory of the Mozambique Strait in South Africa, by the Qing Navy, which had only been established for 30 years in the modern navy. It was also a disastrous defeat with a huge gap. This was undoubtedly an extremely heavy blow to the British who had always been proud of themselves.

Seeing him come in, Prime Minister William Yult Gladston said very directly: "The new torpedo developed by the Qing army is fast, has a long range, and is extremely powerful. One torpedo is enough to sank a main warship. This war is no longer necessary to continue. We need to negotiate as soon as possible to end this war that is destined to lose."

After a pause, he continued: "The Qing army has taken advantage of the situation to capture Durban Port, and the next goal is likely to be Cape Town. Negotiations must be made as soon as possible to stop the Qing army's further actions. The empire cannot lose its colonies in South Africa."

After pondering for a moment, Granville said: "The Qing Dynasty had all the advantages in military affairs. At this time, negotiations may put forward very harsh conditions..."

"End this war first, and then talk slowly." Gladstone emphasized and said, "Now we must let the Qing army terminate the war as soon as possible. Once the Qing army captures Cape Town, we will be more passive!"

Glenville naturally knew that once the Qing army captured Cape Town, it would be very difficult to get it back. Even if it could get it back, it would pay a heavy price. He nodded immediately and said, "I'll send a report to Vitoma right away."

Gladston couldn't help but sigh, he didn't know whether the Qing Dynasty would agree to end the war through negotiations, and he felt a little regretful.

Although the dispatch of troops to South Africa was not simply for the Transvaal gold mine, but to curb the rapid rise of the Qing Dynasty, to delay the implementation of the gold standard, to stop the Qing Dynasty from joining forces with Russia to build the damn large railway across Europe and Asia, and to ensure the long-term interests of the British Empire in the Far East.

But in the eyes of the public, they provoked such a powerful enemy just for the Transvaal gold mine. This was an unwise move by the machine. If the South African colonies were thrown away, he would have no other choice than to resign.

South Africa was defeated, and the rise of the Qing Dynasty was unstoppable. The situation of the British Empire dominating the ocean has also changed. Damn torpedoes must be imitated by the Qing Dynasty as soon as possible, establish special research institutions, and develop efficient and practical torpedoes as soon as possible. The British Empire cannot easily give up the position of the ocean overlord!

Shanghai, British Consulate in Shanghai.

Putting down the telegram, Weituma ordered softly: "Prepare the car and go to Zhennan Prince's Mansion."

As early as when he saw the report of the Qing army's great victory in the naval battle in Mozambique, he knew that the country would definitely end the war through negotiations. He did not just come to Shanghai. After the Qing army's ironclad fleet was openly unveiled in Shanghai, he arrived and stayed in Shanghai.

He knew very well that the war between Britain and Qing dynasties in South Africa was destined not to last too long. To be honest, it was just a war for the interests of South Africa. Once the outcome was decided, that is, when the war was over, both countries would declare war unblatantly, which was enough to show the attitude of the two countries.

Yi Zhizu did not neglect at all about Weituma's visit, but went to the gate of the courtyard with great enthusiasm. As soon as he got off the carriage, Weituma quickly walked forward with a smile, stretched out his hand and smiled: "Congratulations to your country for winning this war in South Africa."

His attitude surprised Yi Zhizu. While shook hands with him politely, he smiled and said, "You are the most open-minded diplomat I have ever seen."

Weituma is not only a Chinese master who is familiar with Chinese culture, but also has put in a lot of effort to study Yi Qunzu. He immediately said politely: "It is a great honor to be praised by Your Highness." After a pause, he continued: "It is nothing more than a gentleman's battle in South Africa. Even if we are defeated, our country will not lose its proper gentlemanly demeanor."

Is this to make the Qing Dynasty show the gentlemanly demeanor he deserves after his victory? Yi Zhizu secretly laughed. This guy deserves to be an excellent diplomat. He smiled while stretching out his hand to give in and saying, "My country has been a country of etiquette since ancient times, and it is impolite to be polite to come and not to go."
Chapter completed!