Although he admitted that Hu Guangyong's words were reasonable, Gramont did not agree, but for the sake of the other party's willingness to underwrite the 250 million franc treasury bonds, he was unwilling to argue with the other party, and in his opinion, the reason why the other party said this was nothing more than to explain that the risk of underwriting this huge amount of government bonds was very high, so as to strive for a higher interest rate.

As recognized as the first power on the European continent, as the recognized hegemon of Western and Central Europe, France has a powerful army that can be called the strongest in the world, even the English army is slightly inferior, this is not the French self-absorbed boasting, in the Crimean War, the French army performed far better than the British army.

Although the Prussian Army had an enviable performance in the Prussian-Danish War and the Austro-Prussian War, and established Prussia as a European military power through these two wars, the French still did not take Prussia seriously.

The French Army, which implements the standing army system, is well-trained, has a very high proportion of professional officers and soldiers, and frequently participates in and intervenes in the wars in the colonies, so that the French army has rich combat experience, and even occupies a certain advantage in terms of weapons, and the French infantry is equipped with the latest breech-loading rifles, which have a longer range than the rifles equipped by the Prussian Army.

This is also the reason why Napoleon III dared to declare war on Prussia without hesitation, because France itself was full of confidence, and the whole country firmly believed that France had enough strength to win this war! During the war mobilization, experienced veterans joined the army one after another, and all sectors of society were optimistic and actively supported the war.

In fact, it is not only the French who see it this way, but the rest of Europe is also generally optimistic about France, after all, the French army is unanimously considered invincible.

It is not only the European countries that pay close attention to this war, but also the Qing Empire, which is tens of thousands of miles away, also shows unusual attention to this war, and the newspapers of various provinces have reported it, and actively assessed the military strength and comprehensive strength of Prussia and France, guessing what impact this war may have on the Qing Dynasty, and the topic of war quickly diverted the attention of the Qing Dynasty and the opposition, and the Tianjin teaching plan is no longer a hot topic.

Shanghai, Zhennan Wangfu, Changle Book House.

Cao Gensheng walked into the study quickly and reported loudly: "The big shopkeeper, Hu Xueyan called from Paris and has negotiated with France to underwrite France's 250 million francs of national debt ....... As he spoke, he stepped forward and handed over the telegram.

Zhao Liewen knew the pound sterling, but he had no impression of the franc, listening to 250 million francs, he couldn't help but say: "What is the exchange ratio between the franc and the pound?" ”

"One to twenty-five, one pound to twenty-five francs." Yi Zhicontent, who looked down at the telegram, said casually, "250 million francs is equivalent to 10 million pounds, which is equivalent to more than 40 million silver dollars, which is not a large amount. ”

More than 40,000,000 silver dollars! That's not a big amount? Zhao Liewen couldn't help but secretly speak, now Yuanqi is getting more and more wealthy, Yi Zhixiang quickly glanced at the telegram, and saw that the annual interest rate of French government bonds was 6%, he nodded with satisfaction, and said: "The interest rate is not low, notify the stock exchange, immediately carry out publicity, and prepare to launch the French government bond ........" ”

"Pitching in Shanghai?" Zhao Liewen couldn't help but be stunned.

"Of course." Yi Zhizhi said: "If Shanghai wants to become a world financial center, it must accept bonds and stocks from all over the world, and at present, the US economy is sluggish, the capital market is sluggish, and it is just in time for the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War, so we can't miss such a great opportunity." ”

Zhao Liewen said with some unease: "Is this national debt really okay?" ”

"Rest assured ——。" Yi Zhishu said in a relaxed tone: "Even if France is defeated, there will not be the slightest problem with the national bonds issued. ”

Zhao Liewen hesitated for a moment before he said: "The war has always been about money and food, and if we provide France with a large amount of money, will it affect the outcome of the war?" ”

"No, it won't." Yi Zhizhi said without thinking: "France is not losing this war in terms of finance. Before the words fell, Lin Meilian reported at the door: "The big treasurer, the Russian minister Bu Ce asks to see you." ”

"Ask him to come in." Yi Zhizhi said with a smile, "When the Franco-Prussian War broke out, the tsar should also make a decision. ”

Zhao Liewen said: "Will Russia agree to send troops to Turkey?" ”

"Definitely!" Yi Zhizhi smiled contentedly: "With such generous conditions, Russia has no reason to refuse!" ”

Yevgeny Karlovich Butzer walked into the courtyard briskly, the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War made him admire Yi Zhicontent, he admired not only the other party's amazing foresight, but also admired the other party's good at seizing opportunities, during this time he carefully combed and found that Yuan Qi was unmatched in grasping opportunities.

In the Crimean War, Yuanqi took the opportunity to send troops to Central Asia, and easily seized a large area of land that Russia had painstakingly annexed for hundreds of years, and during the American Civil War, Yuanqi monopolized the cotton trade in Europe and easily earned hundreds of millions of dollars.

In the past, taking advantage of the turmoil in Europe, he sent troops to the South Seas to forcibly occupy the Philippines and the Java Islands from Spain and the Netherlands, and vigorously developed industrial ........ by taking advantage of the economic crisis in Europe.

The reason why the Qing State, an ancient empire in the East, was able to rise rapidly was entirely because it seized every opportunity, and there is no doubt that the Qing State seized the opportunity again when the Franco-Prussian War broke out.

Seeing Yi Zhicontentment on the steps outside the door, Bu Ce quickened his pace, and when he arrived, he said with a smile on his face: "I bring good news to Your Highness." ”

Listening to the translator, Yi Zhizhi smiled contentedly: "With the wisdom of His Majesty the Emperor of your country, it is not surprising to make a wise choice. ”

Entering the house and taking a seat, Bu Ce said straightforwardly: "My Majesty the Emperor has agreed to send troops to Turkey, but it will take time ....... war mobilization, strategic deployment, and mobilization of troops. ”

After a slight sigh, Yi Zhizhi said: "I think it is necessary for me to remind you that the time left for your country is not very sufficient, the Prussian-Danish War and the Austro-Prussian War did not last long, although Prussia and France are equal in strength, but it is not expected to last very long, maybe in just a few months, the winner will be decided." ”

"Your country seems to have been ready to send troops for a long time, but it did not remind us of our ....... until the eve of the outbreak of war. ”

"Not intentionally." Yi Zhizu waved his hand, "I was also not sure that a war would break out until recently, and as for sending troops to West Asia, my country has actually been prepared for a long time and has been waiting for an opportunity." ”

For this explanation, Butzer naturally did not believe it, and he did not bother to dwell on this topic, but said tentatively: "Our country's dispatch of troops to Turkey will inevitably attract the attention of European powers, and may even trigger the danger of large-scale war again. ”

Yi Zhizhi nodded, "I think your country should change direction, temporarily abandon the expansion on the Black Sea coast, and instead go south from the Caucasus, through Baghdad to the west to seize the Mediterranean Sea outlet, or directly south to the Persian Gulf, I can guarantee to give your country a good port." ”

Butzer had previously guessed that Yuanqi encouraged Russia to send troops to Turkey to use Russia as a shield to attract the attention of European countries, so that Yuanqi could smoothly expand into the Persian Gulf and occupy and consolidate, but he did not expect that the other party would actually propose such two plans, which surprised and delighted him.

For Russia, which has been trying to find an outlet to the Mediterranean Sea or the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean, these two plans undoubtedly have great attraction, but opening up the Mediterranean Sea to the west through Baghdad will inevitably encounter strong opposition from European countries, and it is the Persian Gulf that makes Russia tempted!

In fact, as early as the time of Peter the Great, Russia coveted the Persian Gulf, and took action to invade Persia, but in the end it was curbed by Turkey to invade the south, and it has not been able to go south for more than a hundred years.

Now that the Qing wants to occupy the Persian Gulf, and also invites Russia to jointly send troops, Russia's mind is alive again, and the Qing and Russian countries will definitely expel the British from the Persian Gulf!

Despite the joy in his heart, Butzer remained silent and was silent for a while before he asked, "Is your country's expedition to the west planning to conquer Persia?" ”

Yi Zhizhi smiled contentedly, "Don't worry, our army is going south through Afghanistan, and there is not much conflict with your country!" ”

Butzer continued: "I heard that the main fleet of your navy has gone south? ”

"Not bad." Yi Zhizhi said simply: "This time it is sea and land, and it is imperative for the Persian Gulf!" ”

Hearing this, Butzer stood up and said, "Your Highness's opinion, I will report it to His Majesty the Emperor in a timely and truthful manner." ”

After sending Bu Ce away, Zhao Liewen, who had been sullen like a gourd, spoke: "The big shopkeeper really plans to carve up the Persian Gulf with Russia? ”

"The Persian Gulf is not something we can swallow in one bite right now." Yi Zhizu sighed lightly, and said leisurely: "Tsarist Russia is not a fuel-efficient lamp, Alexander II is a lord who does not see rabbits and does not scatter eagles, there are not enough benefits, there are not enough benefits to make Tsarist Russia tempted and real, it is impossible to expect Tsarist Russia to send troops, and temporarily join forces with Tsarist Russia to occupy the Persian Gulf, as for how to divide it, then rely on their own means." ”

Turning back to the study, Zhao Liewen said: "Will Russia's dispatch of troops from the Caucasus to the south affect the Franco-Prussian War?" Will it attract the attention of the European powers? ”

"Russia's dispatch of troops from the Caucasus will not be until after September at the earliest, and it will not have any impact." Yi Zhizu said slowly, he deliberately delayed time, and did not communicate with Russia until the eve of the Franco-Prussian War, in order to delay time.

He had already considered this, if Russia sent troops too early, England might intervene in the Franco-Prussian War, and after two months, the Franco-Prussian War had already entered the actual combat stage, and England had no chance to mediate even if it wanted to.

After a pause, he continued: "As for attracting the attention of the countries of Europe, there is no doubt about it, it will definitely be! Whether Russia moves west into the Mediterranean or south into the Persian Gulf, it will cause a sensation throughout Europe......... ”

Before he finished speaking, Yan Yangtian walked in quickly and said, "Big shopkeeper, there is a call from Bangladesh - the Taiping Army has decided to wait and see for the time being." ”

Wait and see? Yi Zhizhi frowned when he boarded, and only after taking the arms did he say that he wanted to wait and see? This is the same as taking money and not doing anything! The telegram was developed by Shi Da, and it was very concise, the Taiping army was ready to march westward, but Hong Xiuquan suddenly ordered not to send troops for the time being, and waited and saw first.

Seeing that Yi Zhizhi was silent, Yan Yangtian pondered and said: "The Taiping Army's westward expedition only plays a role in containment, and it doesn't hurt to ....... later." ”

A few days earlier, a few days later, the relationship was really not big, Yi Zhixiang was annoyed that the other party didn't listen to the greeting, Zhao Liewen said in a deep voice: "Is it possible that Hong Xiuquan has been standing still?" ”

This may not be nothing, the Taiping army in Bangladesh has shown some signs of being content with the status quo in recent years, and Hong Xiuquan and other high-level leaders of the Taiping army have been living a life of poverty and luxury all day long, and it can be said that they have completely lost their enterprising spirit.

Seeing that Yi Zhishu was still silent, Zhao Liewen said softly: "Launch a military admonition, right?" ”

Yi Zhishu glanced up at Yan Yangtian, and Yan Yangtian hurriedly said: "Sending troops to the Persian Gulf is already a blatant break with England, and the value of the Bengal Taiping Army as a buffer no longer exists. ”

After a slight groan, Yi Zhizhi said: "Call back to Shi Da, soldier!" ”

Tianjin, Zizhulin, British Consulate.

Standing on the balcony of the office on the second floor with a pipe in his mouth, he was stunned as he looked at the busy scene on the river, and at this juncture of the Franco-Prussian War in Europe, the main fleet of the Qing Navy marched south through the Strait of Malacca, where was the destination? Why don't you go to Europe?

"Your Excellency." Consul Li Weihai walked over quickly, "I just received news that the main force of the Northwest Army of the Qing State stationed in Xinjiang is moving to Anxi Province for ......... ”

The Northwest Army marched towards Anxi? Wei Tuma's heart tightened, and he hurriedly said: "The news is accurate? ”

Li Weihai said affirmatively: "Accurate! ”

At that time, the Qing State took the opportunity of the outbreak of the Crimean War to send troops to the northwest, drove the Russians back to their hometown in one fell swoop, and easily seized a large area of territory in Central Asia to establish Anxi Province.

Thinking of this, his face turned a little pale, the target of the main fleet of the Qing Navy was the Persian Gulf! It must be the Persian Gulf! Qing Guo is planning to attack from both sides!

This situation must be reported to the country as soon as possible, Wei Tuma was a little flustered in his heart, if the guess is true, it means that the Qing State will take the initiative to provoke the British Empire! There is a high probability that a large-scale war will break out between the two countries as a result!

"Sending a report to the country, there are all kinds of signs that the Qing State is launching a large-scale westward expedition, and the target of the naval fleet should be the Persian Gulf!" As he spoke, he raised his wrist and glanced at his watch, and ordered, "Prepare the carriage and go to the train station, I will rush to Shanghai immediately." ”

Li Weihai was stunned for a moment, and hurriedly said: "Tianjin's negotiations? ”

"It doesn't matter." Wittoma said, "You talk to them slowly. ”