Chapter 2: The stormy waves are ready for Singapore

How could Emerson not know about the Battle of Sakhalin? This battle changed the international view of China. But what really made the international eye was Singapore. This battle dispelled many countries' plan to follow the British and made Emerson realize China's power. France has temporarily dispelled the idea of ​​competing with China for Vietnam. He said with some disappointment: "I feel a little regretful about your remarks. How can you compare the great France with the barbaric Russia? Not long ago, I provided your country with the latest information about the British Expeditionary Fleet. Now I have sent your country with tight supplies. Your remarks are very regrettable."

Guo Songtao laughed: "China and France are both great countries with a long history. In order to prevent Britain from bullying the weak with the strong and maintaining a fair international order, we both have the obligation and responsibility to unite. In order to show our sincerity, on behalf of the court, I agree to the French ships to replenish supplies in Chinese ports."

Seeing that Guo Songtao's tone had loosened, Emerson leaned forward from the chair and said, "If your country gives Da Nang to France for management, we can pay a certain amount of funds for your country every year."

Guo Songtao's head swayed like a rattle, pushing his hands and said, "The biggest concession I can make in my personal decision is to allow French ships to berth in Da Nang. As for security issues, you can rest assured that we have strengthened the port's defense facilities. And in the future, China will also build ports in southern Vietnam, and at that time, French ships will definitely be allowed to enter the port and berth. "

Emerson still hopes to obtain land managed by the French themselves and continues to insist on the need for a port.

Guo Songtao said unhappily: "Your Excellency is a tough guy. Our country provides a large amount of tea, silk, and porcelain to your merchants, and provides more trading ports to your country. Are you not satisfied with it?"

Emerson was actually satisfied with the ending of the talks, but he was just trying to win interests as much as possible. For Vietnam, since China has awakened the importance of here, the French naturally couldn't fight. But even if he wanted to abandon the place, he should fight for it more. Emerson stood up, smiled and hugged Guo Songtao. The originally stiff atmosphere became harmonious again. Guo Songtao was not like Deng Tingzhen. He studied in France for many years and naturally adapted to Western etiquette.

The results of this local talks allowed both sides to obtain what they wanted. The French gained strategic and trading partners in the East, the Chinese gained machinery for industrial development, and had allies to speak for themselves in the Western world. Of course, this ally relationship is based on the premise of interests, and before the common interests of China and France exceed the contradiction. This ally relationship is both reliable. The same is true for the relationship with the United States. Now the United States has no colonies in Asia. If it wants to break the British dominance in East Asia, cooperation with China is a good strategic line. Moreover, the Chinese are bravely fighting with Britain, and the benefit behind it is definitely the waiters who are waiting and watching. War wealth is the only way for the United States to become stronger.

Singapore's occupation by China has focused the attention of the world here. All countries are speculating on how the British will regain this extremely important golden waterway.

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The order in Singapore was responsive quickly, and of course, it was necessary to help the local Chinese. Now most of the officials in the Governor's Office in Singapore are responsible for these Chinese. As the interim governor of Singapore, Zeng Guofan is very satisfied with the efficiency of the local Chinese. They are completely decisive in their work.

Zeng Guofan's official office was located in the former British Governor's Office, and Zeng Guofan still couldn't believe his appointment. Everyone in the expedition fleet thought that Guan Tianpei would be the interim governor of Singapore. No one expected that the emperor's imperial edict indicated Zeng Guofan to take on this position. In order to repay the emperor's favor for his goodwill, Zeng Guofan had almost never had a good sleep in a few days. After meeting a large number of local Chinese and thinking repeatedly, Zeng Guofan decided to request the emperor to strengthen and repair the defense of Singapore.

Singapore was built into a stable fortress to extend the war beyond the national gates. In Zeng Guofan's view, as long as Singapore is firmly inserted into the throat of Malacca, the British would not be able to let go of China. Then it would be necessary to pull out the Singapore nail. It is equivalent to leading the war beyond the national gates. He also wrote in the memorial: If China wants to prevent problems, it must strengthen the defense of Taiwan Island. Later, the navy gradually became stronger and turned the disasters from the ocean into wealth.

After the memorial was sent away, Zeng Guofan did not wait for the imperial edict. He discussed with Guan Tianpei that if the British wanted to retake Singapore, the fleet would be insufficient to use at least, and they would gather a fleet. The British would not come in a short time. Taking advantage of this opportunity, we should transport a large amount of supplies to Singapore. At the same time, we purchased a large amount of food and military supplies from around us, and transported artillery and ammunition from the Great Six. Guan Tianpei was deeply convinced of Zeng Guofan's words and personally led some fleets back to the Great Six to transport military supplies.

Since these measures were implemented, ships in Singapore's ports have been continuously flowing, and some merchant ships from France, the United States, Portugal, and the Netherlands have also sold supplies here.

On that day, Zeng Guofan was checking the construction progress of the additional fort at the port. A soldier came to report that the imperial envoy arrived and was waiting in the Governor's Office.

Zeng Guofan secretly wondered that the court envoys came so fast. He had just sent the memorials for ten days, and even if he arrived in Guangzhou, there was a railway, he would not be able to return now.

After careful consideration, Zeng Guofan realized that the messenger who negotiated with the Johor Kingdom must have returned.

Although there is still a lot of work at hand, Zeng Guofan is still preparing to go back to learn about the news on the other side. Zeng Guofan gave the most important work to Ji Lan, the commander of the Fifth Town of the Infantry. He asked Ji Lan to lead his soldiers to build a defensive trench at the position he determined, with bamboo sticks and iron spikes all over the trench. These positions were carefully calculated by Zeng Guofan and were just outside the effective range of the naval gun. The purpose of this is self-evident. Zeng Guofan did not intend to fight under the cover of the British naval guns, and this could reduce Singapore's defense range.

Zeng Guofan has ordered the abandonment of the houses that are too close. These strongholds are mainly on some high grounds where there is some support. In addition, Zeng Guofan transported a large number of new grenades from the country, which are no longer specialized grenades like Western countries. Because of the excellent TNT explosives, grenades produced in China are basically not very different from grenades in the 20th century, and each soldier is equipped with a base of five. Now, in order to cope with the upcoming counterattack of the British, Zeng Guofan asked to go back to transport military-funded fleets and transport more grenades.
Chapter completed!