Frederick Hamilton Temple Blackwood, the first generation of Dafelin and Marquis of Ava, is the current British Governor to India and deputy king of India. Speaking of the war between Siam against Cambodia and Laos, he is also one of the driving forces behind the scenes.

In 1885, Britain had just completed the third war with Myanmar, and Britain used the appeal of the British business company that was fined by the Myanmar government as an excuse to launch the war, with the goal of annexing the entire Myanmar. On October 22, Britain issued an ultimatum to the Myanmar government, demanding that Britain be given the power to supervise Myanmar foreign affairs activities. The Myanmar side accepted the request. Despite this, the pre-deployed British army launched an attack. On November 14, the British army occupied the border fortress Minhera, approaching the Myanmar capital Mandalay. The regular Burmese army could not resist the British army that had an advantage in quantity and equipment. On November 28, the British army entered Mandalay. On January 1, 1886, Myanmar was declared British territory.

It is an independent province of British India. [bsp;    Although the guerrilla war in Myanmar is still continuing, the threat to Britain is no longer great. At this time, the British naturally turned their attention to Siam, which was adjacent to Myanmar. However, at this time, they also found that their European neighbor, the old opponent of the Hundred Years' War, France, lived a uncomfortable life in Asia. In fact, to be more precise, they were in a state of embarrassment. Under the suppression of the Northeast Autonomous Region, they not only lost the entire Southeast Asian colonies, but also carried out a large amount of war reparations. The huge shame of the French-Prussian War more than ten years ago came again more than ten years later. Although the French were sad, they could do nothing and could do anything.

Although the British have often ridiculed the French's dilemma openly and secretly, they also felt a faint threat. The huge military strength of the Northeast Autonomous Region in the sea and air fields and the aggressive momentum shown in the war with France even made the strongest Britain in the world today feel scared.

We can't let them develop unscrupulously - this is Frederick Hamilton Temple Blackwood's truest thought! So he sent a special envoy to lobby King Rama V of Siam and promised to provide military assistance. Although the preparations were a little hasty, the Indian governor and the Indian deputy king were still very confident in his plan. After all, although the French were powerful, there were less than 20,000 soldiers in Vietnam, and even if the African minion army was included, the number was not large. The Navy was even destroyed by the Northeast Autonomous Region. In this way, relying on the army alone to fight in foreign countries under the premise of losing its greatest advantage is a complete dead end.

However, Siam is different. Rama V is a local king, enlightened and loved by the people. At the same time, Cambodia and Laos are their traditional vassal states, and their feelings are similar to the Qing Dynasty for North Korea and Annan. He had no idea about the occupation of Vietnam in the Northeast, and even felt gloating. Because before the Europeans came, the entire Southeast Asia was Myanmar, and Siam and Vietnam competed for hegemony. Now Myanmar has become a province in the UK, and Vietnam has become the territory of the Northeast Autonomous Region. For the fall of his former opponent, Rama V will inevitably feel a little sad and sad.

The Northeast's extension of his hand to Cambodia may be said to be inheriting the French's treaty rights, but the incorporation of Laos into its own territory is somewhat beyond the limit of Siam's tolerance. Rama V did not want to become Myanmar or Vietnam, because he was afraid that the Northeast would extend his hand to him.

Of course, he was also guarded against the British, but the two evils were added to the slightest. Perhaps for him, fighting with the Northeast Autonomous Region was a forced choice. On one side was Britain and on the other side was the Northeast Autonomous Region. One was the most powerful country in the world today, while the other was the emerging powerful. In order to defend his own country, he had to fight this battle, otherwise his vassal state would be annexed, but he did not say anything. So wise Rama V could imagine that the next goal of the other party's butcher knife would definitely reach towards him without any scruples.

"Mr. Johnson, it's up to you this time." Rama V was talking to Larry Johnson, plenipotentiary of Frederick Hamilton Temple Blackwood. After all, the British agreed to help.

"I will do my best." Johnson saluted slightly.

After returning to his residence, his subordinates reported: "Mr. Special Envoy, call from Beijing."

Johnson took it and found that it was a letter from British Counselor in China, Ogne, which was full of detailed introductions about the Northeast Autonomous Region, and Zhao Liewen was the focus of the introduction. After all, he was also Johnson's main opponent.

"It seems a bit troublesome!" Larry Johnson rubbed his eyebrows with some fatigue.

Speaking of which, the Northeast once hoped to negotiate with Britain on the division of power in Southeast Asia, but in the UK's view, although the Northeast has risen, it is not enough to negotiate with itself. Moreover, the Indian Governor is full of ambitions for the entire Southeast Asia. Although they recognize France's sphere of influence in Southeast Asia, it is because France is also one of the European powers and Britain maintains a certain respect for it, but the Northeast has not had such a low position. At best, it is just a few-digit United States.

It seems that the governor from home had misjudged the situation. Sir Ogne praised the Northeast in his heart, and he admired Zhao Liewen even more.

"In addition to Li Hongzhang, who opened his eyes and looked at the world, when did the Qing Empire emerge like a force like Northeast again?" Larry was puzzled. According to what he said in his heart, the rise of Northeast was very sudden. When everyone did not react, he had already begun to rise. And when people realized his existence, his trend was almost uncontrollable.

The talks between Siam and Northeast were held at the Bangkok Port. In addition to the parties to the talks, there were also seven countries including Britain, France, the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. In addition to the United States and Germany, several other countries had colonies nearby. Germany, it should be said that in 1862, Prussia forced Siam to sign an unequal treaty to attend the meeting, which was reasonable. As for the United States... it was completely a screen.

After Zhao Liewen arrived in Siam, he also conducted some research on the country. In general, Rama V was much stronger than the old bitch in his country. He knew how to use the conflict between Britain and France to hire British consultants and grant some mineral mining rights to British merchants in exchange for the protection of Britain's sovereignty over Thailand. Later, in sporadic conflicts with France, Rama V led Britain and France to reach an agreement to maintain the status quo of Thailand at a relatively small cost, leaving room for his country to survive.

However, regarding Rama V's personal life, Zhao Liewen felt that barbarians were barbarians, and his brother married his half-sister. This kind of thing was rare in the Qing Dynasty, but in Siam, it was a completely different situation.

Rama V married Princess Ponben, the daughter of Prince Monona, and soon married Pei, the granddaughter of the Regent Prince Sullyaon. Later, he married several half-sisters who lived in the inner palace and also named them queens. According to our view, marrying half-sisters as wives is a very ruthless incest. However, in the Siam royal family, this kind of thing often happens. In order to maintain the royal bloodline, they usually choose spouses within the royal family. Among the queens of the fifth king, there are three of the most beautiful and most favored by the fifth king. These three queens are Princess Sulan, Princess Shawangwatana and Princess Zhaowapapengxi. They were born to their mother, and their mother was Princess Biya, the most beloved concubine of the fourth king.

When the reciprocal talks were held with Zhao Liewen today, Rama V - the minister of Emperor Chulalongkorn, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Devawangsa.

Speaking of which, as early as 1871, Rama V allowed royal members to receive Western education. First, he selected 14 royal members to study at Raffles College in Singapore. In addition, he opened two schools in the Siam Palace, one to teach Thai and the other to teach English, named the Rose Garden School. At that time, the students were Rama V's younger brothers, among which the best were the king's brothers Danlong, Devawangsa, Varolava and Pannulangjisi. They later became pillars of the reform of Rama V. For example, Danlong served as Minister of Education for 7 years and Minister of Internal Affairs for 23 years, and actually led administrative and educational reforms. Devawangsa served as Minister of Foreign Affairs for 37 years, Pannulangjisi became Minister of Military Affairs, and Varolava became King of Monks of Siam.

Although Zhao Liewen is good at speaking English now, he still talks with Devawangsa in Chinese, and there is a accompanying translator on the side, translating his words into English.

Devawangsa opened fire at this time and said as soon as he came up: "Mr. Foreign Minister, we are currently negotiating. Why do you still have to launch a war on our territory and clear out our army?"

Zhao Liewen smiled, didn't care, and said, "Is there such a thing? What about the evidence?"

After all, Devawangsa is still young and has some experience in facing an old fox like Zhao Liewen. At this time, he has no evidence, but just listened to his subordinates' reports, so he wanted to take the lead as soon as he came up.

British envoy Larry Johnson smiled at this time: "If not, of course it's best. If there is, I hope you will stop. After all, the two sides are in talks now, so try not to destroy the friendly atmosphere. Tension will not benefit everyone."

Zhao Liewen smiled and said, "What the envoy said is right, I agree."

Devawansa had no choice but to nod.

"Then the talks are officially started now..." Zhao Liewen's face changed at this time, and he put away his warm smile, and his momentum became different, very serious. "His Royal Highness Devawangsa, I come to cherish the peaceful relations with Siam, actively develop trade, and promote civil exchanges. However, on February 15, 1886, you took advantage of the rebellion in our Nanyue Province and launched an attack on our Northeast Autonomous Region Cambodia and Laos Province. This move completely betrayed our years of friendly relations."

Devawangsa looked at Zhao Liewen and said angrily: "Cambodia and Laos are my vassal states in Siam. The Northeast has adopted it as its own territory without our permission."

Zhao Liewen sneered and said, "Don't forget, you are still Siam and my Qing Dynasty vassal state."

Both sides had bad tone. Although some British people were fighting each other, Siam was weak after all... In fact, his military reforms began in 1887 to deal with the Indochina Federation of France, and at its peak, the military strength was only 50,000. Although only the First Infantry Division sent by the Northeast had actually been on the battlefield, and the Fifth Infantry Division and the Fifth Artillery Division had not yet been tested by the war, these second-tier teams with modern weapons and equipment were far from comparable to Siam today. If the First Division of Laos, NATO Division, and Cambodia's minions were counted as one division, if the logistics of the Northeast could keep up, it would be enough for Siam to destroy the country.

During the negotiations, the two sides refused to give in. Even if the British intervened forcibly, Zhao Liewen still stood firm on the bottom line. That is, to demarcate the territory occupied by the army and punish Siam's military offensive territorially. As for the compensation to the Northeast, there are not much, only five million taels of silver.

A week later, in the Siam Palace, Rama V Chulalongkorn met several of his younger brothers, and British special representative Larry Johnson was also present.

Devawangsa said with a little shame: "Your Majesty, I am incompetent and cannot achieve the desired results for the country. The Northeast Autonomous Region is very tough, and they are in a big army. We really have no bargaining chips to rely on."

Danlong didn't speak, but in fact, he was very opposed to the dispatch of troops this time. The same was true for Pannulang Jixi, who was in charge of military affairs. If the army had not been completed, how could he fight against the enemy? He who liked military affairs understood that modern troops were not just holding a gun, but were soldiers.

“What are the requirements of the Northeast?”

"Now all the territory occupied by the army belongs to them, and we will pay five million taels of silver, and gold."

After hearing this, Rama V frowned and sat on the throne without saying a word. Later, he turned to look at Larry Johnson. The British envoy did not dare to look at him, so he lowered his head helplessly. Rama V smiled bitterly in his heart. It seemed that outsiders were outsiders, and British people were not enough to make people believe.

After a long time, Rama V seemed to have made up his mind and said, "Agree with the Northeast's request, but our request is to move out of all our subjects from the occupied territory, and at the same time, the two sides signed a peace agreement."

Everyone present was shocked and no one could speak.

"I blame me for this. I shouldn't have sent troops in a hurry... Pannulangjisi!" Rama V shouted at this time.

"My brother is here!"

"From today on our behalf, you will be responsible for our military reforms! We must build our own modern army!"

Pannulang Jixi shouted: "Please rest assured by your Majesty!"

"Sir Special Envoy, I would like to ask you one thing too!"

Larry Johnson bowed slightly and said, "Your Majesty, even if you give me instructions, the foreign ministers will do their best."
Chapter completed!