Wang Yi stayed in Keelung for two days, and then accompanied by Liu Mingchuan to Kaohsiung. Here he met more people, including representatives of businessmen operating in Taiwan in Northeast China, local Taiwanese businessmen, and ethnic minority representatives. Although he really wanted to go to Alishan and Sun Moon Lake to see it, because time was tight, he had to give up.

Starting from Kaohsiung again, Wang Yi went to Hainan Island. Unlike Taiwan, Hainan is now completely under the control of the Northeast Autonomous Region. The strategic location here is very important. Not only is the Dashang Group's seed research center, it also has the first outer island submarine base in Northeast China. There are three Shangjing Type 2 submarines stationed here. Originally, the Navy only bought three Shangjing Type 2 submarines from the Northeast Shipyard. Later, in order to cultivate submarine talents on a large scale, the order was increased to six, and three of them were sent to Sanya, Hainan.

The Shangjing 3 submarine, which truly has ocean combat capabilities, is still under development. Even the most optimistic estimate will take three years to conduct sea trials. However, the construction of the submarine base must be prepared in advance and corresponding adaptive training is also another reason why the Northeast Navy purchases submarines.

When Wang Yi was on his way to Hainan Island, the latest news came back from Africa. To everyone's surprise, the UK actually maintained an unprecedented restraint on the conflict with the Northeast and said it was willing to negotiate with the Northeast on the issue of Zimbabwe's interest distribution.

As soon as the news came out, not only did the British public opinion get uproar, but even other countries in the world are dumbfounded. Is this the attitude that the world's largest power should have?

Those who prevented the British government from introducing tough policies to the Northeast were Marshal Alfred Ryder, and British Secret Service Director Cumming. The two of them stopped the hostilities with Northeast China in Africa because of Prime Minister Cecil. After hearing this, the Marquis of Salisbury was very disdainful.

"When the empire began to fear difficulties and could not guarantee the interests of the empire's civilians in the world, our government had no meaning to exist."

This is true, and the question is about whom. Alfred glanced at Cumming beside him, and was somewhat helpless, then said: "Of course we agree with the words of the Prime Minister, but before solving the African issue, please take a look at this first." After that, he took out a kraft paper bag from his leather bag, opened it, and took out a thick stack of information from it and handed it to the Marquis of Salisbury.

"Is this?" Britain was not sure first.

"The photos taken by Japanese intelligence personnel from the northeast coast are the latest warships developed by the Northeast Autonomous Region." Kaming introduced.

The Marshal of the Navy continued: "It has been a while since the intelligence has been in our hands. Your ex asked us to evaluate the power of this warship and the threat to us based on the existing intelligence."

The predecessor of the Marquis of Salisbury was William Yult Gladstone, but the information was in his hands for less than half a month. The man stepped down because the bill to help Ireland obtain limited autonomy was not passed by the House of Lords.

The Marquis of Salisbury raised his eyes and he had no fondness for William Eult Gladstone. One of them was the leader of the House of Lords and the other was the leader of the House of Commons, who were simply natural political opponents.

“What is the result of the assessment?”

Alfred and Cumming both acted helpless and shook their heads. Alfred said: "After getting the news, we summoned experts from the Navy Construction Bureau, and invited experts from major shipyards and naval strategic and tactical experts, but the result was... very pessimistic."

"Simply put, with the current shipbuilding level of the empire, it will take at least ten years to build a warship of the same level, and this is the most optimistic estimate." Cumming's words were very simple, but the Marquis of Salisbury took a breath.

"But the other party is just a warship, which is not enough to pose a threat to us."

"The empire is far ahead in the tonnage of naval armored ships, and can basically reach four times the scale of the Northeast Autonomous Region. As for the total tonnage of cruisers and other warships, the Northeast cannot be compared with us. So for the time being, the status of our naval world overlord will not change."

When I heard this, my heart finally put it in my stomach.

"Then why do you two stop me from retaliating against the Northeast? Our interests in southern Africa have been strongly challenged by the Northeast Autonomous Region. Moreover, the comprehensive strength of the Northeast Autonomous Region is in an upward stage. If we can disrupt their pace at this time, in some sense, it will also greatly inhibit their development."

Cumming shook his head, clearly disagreeing with the Prime Minister.

"Mr. Prime Minister, maybe what you said makes sense. But I would like to remind you here that the Northeast Autonomous Region has always been revenge. Yes, Africa is closer to us, but don't forget that India, which is more important to the empire, is also within the attack range of the South China Sea Fleet of the Northeast Autonomous Region. And our newly obtained colony Myanmar, even directly borders the Northeast motherland, can directly attack Myanmar. As for the combat power of the Northeast Army, I think you should be clear that the strength that can fight against polar bears for many years and have the upper hand should be respected by people."

The Marquis of Salisbury sat on his leather rocking chair without saying a word, with a cold light flowing in his eyes. Unlike his predecessor, the Marquis of Salisbury was a typical representative of hawks in later generations and the biggest promoter of colonialism in the British Empire.

As a representative of the interests of the nobles, only the opponent's tough strength can be stopped. Marshal Alfred, who knew all this, continued with Cumming's words: "Mr. Prime Minister, please don't forget that we have a fleet in the Far East, surrounded by the Northeast forces."

"Hongkong?"

"That's right."

Hong Kong's current position is quite awkward. Under the north-south squeeze of the local fleet of the Northeast Autonomous Region and the South China Sea Fleet, it was possible to deal with the Northeast with the ability of fleet warships. However, the emergence of such a warship has completely broken the original naval situation in East Asia.

"Sir, once we start a war with the Northeast, Hong Kong will inevitably become their first target of attack. The Northeast Autonomous Region Navy, which has rich experience in naval combat, cannot compete with the Hong Kong fleet's warships alone. Similarly, all our colonies in Southeast Asia will be under their attack. In addition, Myanmar, which is now full of fire, will be jointly attacked by them from the five Southeast Asian provinces and the Qing Dynasty's local army. What we are greeted at that time is not our punishment for the Northeast Autonomous Region, but a full-scale war with them!" Alfred stopped and then continued: "There is another thing I must explain that there is an army we do not have in the Northeast, that is, the Air Force! I believe you should also know the tragedy of the Japanese and French joint navy in Nagasaki and the air attack, we cannot defend against it!"

The Marquis of Salisbury, who was originally in a rage, finally began to calm down, but his expanded nostrils and flushed face showed that he was still in anger.

"These damn bastards in Northeast China!"

"Mr. Prime Minister, I have said that I have also said to your predecessor. We have no fundamental contradiction with the Northeast. We are far away, which is equivalent to spanning half of the earth. The fundamental interests of the empire are in Europe. Our real challenge is not the Northeast Autonomous Region, but Germany, France, Russia, etc., and even the United States, which poses greater threats to us than the Northeast. What really disputes the Northeast with us are just two territories of Zimbabwe and the Republic of De Vasland in southern Africa. Although there are abundant resources, it is also a wilderness and a completely undeveloped wilderness. It is really an unwise choice to conflict with our potential allies for such a place."

Although he was unwilling to accept it, the Marquis of Salisbury knew that the two of them were very reasonable, but even so, he did not give up his plan to engage in armed conflicts with the Northeast. After Alfred and Cumming left, the Marquis of Salisbury continued to work. In the evening, he returned to Arlington Street, where he lived. Although No. 10 Downing Street was the residence of the First Minister of Finance, and later this position was held by the Prime Minister, the Marquis of Salisbury hated living there as the Prime Minister. Especially in the cabinet meeting room, he thought it was small and stuffy and unbearable.

What he couldn't accept was that his former William Eult Gladstone's quirky habits were, and the leader of the House of Commons often brought some young prostitutes back to Downing Street and talked with them in detail, hoping that they could abandon prostitutes and become good. Therefore, when the cabinet officials visited Gladstone, they would sometimes see young women entering and leaving Downing Street. The Marquis of Salisbury hated this, so he became the last British Prime Minister to refuse to move into 10 Downing Street. He gave the official residence to his nephew Arthur Before, and later helped him become the British Prime Minister.

When the Marquis of Salisbury returned to his apartment on Arlington Street, the housekeeper took over his cloak and cane.

"Marquis, you are back."

The servants saluted him, he just nodded, then walked up the stairs and rushed to a bedroom on the second floor.

"Anne, Grandpa is back." No one would have thought that the Conservative leader, Speaker of the House of Lords, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and Marquis Salisbury, who usually smiled, had such a humane side, and his voice was very gentle.

The room was quiet, with a young maid sitting by the bed, and a pale little girl lying on the bed, only four or five years old. The girl turned her head and looked over when she heard the voice of the Marquis of Salisbury, tried her best to squeeze out a smile and said, "Grandpa, you are still here."

Looking at the girl's haggard smile, the Marquis of Salisbury had a rare smile on his bearded face, but he felt a little sad.
Chapter completed!