Seward was not only a fanatical expansionist, but also an advocate of the doctrine of destiny, advocating that the expansion of the United States was carrying out the mission of God-given - the mission of spreading civilization, and he was full of confidence in the future of the United States, believing that the United States would inevitably replace Europe as the center of world civilization.

Although Seward is full of confidence in the future of the United States, the current United States cannot be compared with the European powers such as Britain and France, and can only be regarded as a second-rate power, but Yi Zhixin said that the United States will become one of the greatest countries in the world.

If this is said to be the United States alone, it may be a polite compliment, but Yi Zhi's contentment is to say that both the United States and the Qing Empire will become one of the greatest countries in the world, and to agree with the view that the Pacific Ocean will become the new center of the world, which is not a compliment.

Yi Zhi's keen insight and amazing foresight, Seward has long heard of it, and single-handedly created and led Yuanqi step by step to the world's attention This Yuanqi treasurer has created too many legends, and it is impossible to create so many legends without keen insight and amazing foresight and judgment.

What's more, Yuan Qi's firm support for the Northern Union and his almost monopoly of the cotton market in Europe during the Civil War is also the most powerful proof.

Yi Zhixiang is so optimistic about the United States, Seward is as excited as if he has met a bosom friend, "Your Highness also attaches importance to the trade of the Pacific?" ”

"Why not?" Yi Zhizu smiled and said: "With the strong rise of your two countries, the center of gravity of trade between the East and the West will inevitably shift from the Atlantic to the Pacific, however, if your country attaches importance to Pacific commerce, you should strengthen the construction of California, there is no doubt that California's geographical location is irreplaceable for Pacific commerce, and your country should build California into a hub of North America and Asia or the Pacific trade."

In addition, while many islands in the Pacific Ocean are still not under the control of insatiable English, you and China should take measures as soon as possible to exercise effective control over these islands, which are extremely important for Pacific commerce and trade and Pacific shipping routes. ”

He has always emphasized that the United States should expand into the Pacific Ocean, and advocated the occupation of islands in the Pacific Ocean by non-military means, and if the United States and Yuanqi join forces to divide the islands in the Pacific, this will undoubtedly be of great significance to Pacific commerce.

"Your Highness, in recent years, as the United States of America and your country have become more and more close, the United States has paid more and more attention to California, and our country plans to build San Francisco into the Constantinople of the United States, and for the construction of the railroad in the west, even if war breaks out, our country has never stopped.

I believe that San Francisco and California will soon become a new center of trade between the East and the West, and as for the islands in the Pacific, China is also very happy to work with your country to divide and control the Pacific shipping routes to ensure the safety of the Pacific shipping routes and promote the development of Pacific commerce. ”

At this time, the islands in the Pacific Ocean were basically in a vacuum, Britain should be disdainful, the United States had not yet begun to expand into the Pacific Ocean, and the Qing Dynasty was also more than willing to do so, Yi Zhizhi was not interested in the islands in the Pacific, but was worried that the occupation of the islands in the Pacific Ocean would cause the disgust of Britain, France and the United States, but if it joined forces with the United States, there was no need to scruple too much.

Of course, at present, the two countries can only say that they have reached a preliminary agreement on the islands in the Pacific, and the specific implementation needs to be carefully discussed, at least until the end of the American Civil War, but for now, it is possible to take advantage of the fact that the American Civil War is not over to seize the strategically important islands that will not be disgusted by the United States.

Yi Zhishu smiled and said, "I sincerely hope that your country can end the civil war as soon as possible and set its sights on the Pacific Ocean." ”

|“ This civil war will not last long, it is time to end. Seward said, turning his head, "I heard that His Majesty the Emperor of your country has announced that he is preparing to establish a constitution, and your country intends to follow the example of England in implementing a constitutional monarchy?" ”

Yi Zhifu asked rhetorically: "Do you want our country to promote a republic?" ”

"With all due respect, your country does not currently have the conditions and foundations for a republic." Seward pondered: "However, the constitutional monarchy will inevitably be eliminated by the republic, and only the republic can adapt to this era." ”

This guy is worthy of being an advocate of the theory of destiny, this is to instill in him the superiority of the republic, a little muttering, easy to be content: "No matter what kind of government has its own advantages and disadvantages, the government that conforms to the national conditions of the country is the best form of government, constitutionalism, is just an attempt, if it does not work, we will also consider the republic, however, in my opinion, whether it is a constitution or a republic, it is not quite in line with the national conditions of our country, of course, one thing is certain, the imperial autocracy will be overthrown, no matter which form of government is finally adopted, They will advocate equality, freedom, democracy, and human rights. ”

Could there be a more desirable form of government besides a constitutional republic? Seward was puzzled in his heart, but said with a smile: "There has never been a shortage of miracles in the East, and I hope Your Highness can create another miracle." ”

Yi Zhizu nodded slightly, and changed his words: "Since our country successively purchased Arras, Kamchatka and Siberia, our country has become a country that straddles Asia and North America, but I asked me that as the two world powers in the future, we need a vast buffer zone between our two countries to avoid unnecessary contradictions and disputes.

Canada is undoubtedly the ideal buffer zone, but we must work together to contain the encroachment and annexation of Alaska by the British, which is a vital and supersedent position in Pacific commerce. ”

As soon as Seward heard this, he understood that the Qing State was beyond the reach of Alaska, and this was to ask the United States to help ensure that Alaska would not be encroached upon and annexed by the British, and that the friendly relations between Yuanqi and the United States would be a favor that the United States must help, and besides, the Qing State was not a good stubble, and the United States was absolutely unwilling to see the Qing and Britain fight in North America.

What's more, the other party said very clearly, using Canada as a buffer zone between the two countries is indeed conducive to the long-term stable and peaceful development of the two countries, in fact, after the Qing State bought Alaska, the United States was also worried about the Qing State's expansion in North America, and this attitude of being content was tantamount to giving the United States a reassurance.

He immediately said without thinking: "China has always been strongly opposed to the colonial expansion of England in North America, and we are very happy to join hands with your country to curb the expansion of England in Canada. ”

Yi Zhi's concern was not the encroachment and annexation of Alaska by the British, the British did not have a very strong desire to occupy the territory, and the British had little interest in a barren land like Alaska, and the main purpose was to contain the British influence in Canada.

Although he was not very willing to expand in North America, he wanted to fight for one or two strategically located ports as commercial ports, and he did not consider it at all, because he knew very well that the United States had always regarded North America as a forbidden territory, and if the Qing Dynasty expanded significantly, it would inevitably be at odds with the United States, and it would inevitably outweigh the losses.

Seward did not hesitate to express his willingness to join forces to curb the British colonial expansion in Canada, which made Yi Zhixin feel gratified, and Yuanqi's investment in the United States over the years was finally not in vain.

Five days after Seward's arrival in Shanghai, Yixun sent a telegram from Beijing that the imperial court had agreed to conclude an alliance with the United States and Russia.

After reading the telegram, Zhao Liewen was quite surprised, and glanced at Yi Zhicontent, "King Gong did not mention any conditions in the telegram, is the court compromised?" ”

"King Gong, this is going to see how Britain and France react to this first." Yi Zhizhi said: "However, it is good to have this attitude." After a pause, he said slowly: "Call him back and ask the imperial court to send someone to Shanghai to sign a treaty with the United States and Russia." ”

Zhao Liewen said, "Why don't you let the United States and Russia go to Beijing to sign a treaty?" Is the big shopkeeper planning to make a contract in secret? ”

"Secret contract?" Yi Zhizhi smiled, "Where does Huifu want to go, this is not a thing that can't see the light, why should I make a contract secretly, on the contrary, not only can I not make a contract secretly, but we must also hold a contract signing ceremony with great fanfare, as for letting the imperial court send personnel to Shanghai, we must also be tough when it is time to be tough." ”

After receiving the call, Gong Wang Yixun rushed to Shanghai again, of course, this time it was not Weifu who came, but came by order, and brought a group of officials to Shanghai as a messenger to participate in the treaty negotiations between the three countries.

When the news spread, the European countries were shocked, and the British and French ambassadors to Beijing hurriedly rushed to Shanghai to urgently meet with Yixun, and strongly demanded that the Qing State suspend the signing of the treaty with the United States and Russia.

Yixin showed a rare toughness, ignoring the strong protests of Britain, France and other countries, and stepped up the progress of negotiations with the United States and Russia, and at this time, the Northern Federation won the Battle of Chikamoga and then the Battle of Chattanooga, and the balance of the war was completely tilted in favor of the Northern Union.

After learning of this news, the British and French ambassadors also stopped protesting and went straight back to Beijing, and on 6 December, the Qing, the United States, and Russia openly concluded an alliance in Shanghai.

The Qing Dynasty, the United States, and Russia successfully signed a treaty, and the 375 rent reduction in Zhili was also smoothly implemented, because the Northern Federation won two major battles, and the price of cotton in Europe also rose well, once again breaking through the price of 50 cents per pound, and Yuanqi's cotton trade once again made huge profits.

Everything went well, Yi Zhizhi couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, seeing that the end of the year was approaching, he also planned to give himself a long vacation and spend some time, but before he could seal the office, another war broke out in Europe, the Prussian-Danish War - Prussia and Austria launched a war against Denmark.

After receiving the telegram, Yi Zhizhi was content for a long time without saying a word, he had no impression of this war at all, in his impression he only remembered the Franco-Prussian War, when was there a Prussian-Danish war? After a long silence, he concluded that this should be a war of small scale and low impact, not that the history he feared most changed the original trajectory, although Yuan Qi's influence on Europe was there, but it would not affect the original historical process.

It seems that there are many things he did not know about or forgotten about the war in Europe, but he keenly felt that this war should be closely related to the unification of Germany.

Zhao Liewen clearly knew that Yi Zhizhi was very optimistic about Prussia, and asserted that Prussia would complete the reunification and become a major European power. Will the rest of Europe participate? What was the scale of the war? Also, will Russia get involved? ”

Listening to his questioning like a cannon, Yi Zhizhi couldn't help but smile, lit a cigarette, and then said slowly: "First of all, Russia will never be involved in this war, although Russia has a good relationship with Austria, but Russia's domestic situation does not allow for war, and today's Russia has long since lost the strength of the 'European gendarme' of the past."

As for whether this war will be the prelude to the unification of Prussia, this is unlikely to be, Denmark is a small country after all, and as long as Britain and France and other countries do not get involved in the war, the scale of this war will be very limited.

The American Civil War has not yet ended, although in the current situation, the Northern Union occupies a great advantage, but the South is not without the strength of the First World War, Britain and France and other countries at this time focused on the American Civil War, and they must not want Europe to be in chaos.

Furthermore, the war broke out because the Kingdom of Denmark violated the London Protocol of 1852 by annexing Schleswig-Holstein and Rhönburg to Denmark, which caused a revolt by the local Germanic population. Prussia and Austria were justified in sending troops. Therefore, the possibility of mediation by Britain, France, and other countries is far greater than that of armed intervention. ”

Zhao Liewen then asked: "Will this war have any impact on the European economy, or in other words, on the price of cotton in Europe?" ”

"It won't make much of a difference." Yi Zhishu pondered: "The Prussian army can be called a strong army in Europe and joined forces with Austria, far from being able to compete with the Danish army, the scale of this war will not be too large, and the time will not last too long, the economic impact on Europe should be very limited, as for the price of cotton, it should not have much impact, the scale of the textile industry in these three countries is not large." ”

As soon as the words fell, Xie Xiuyuan walked in quickly, bowed his hand slightly, and said directly: "Big shopkeeper, will the outbreak of the Prussian-Danish War stimulate the continuous rise of cotton prices in Europe?" In addition, Hu Xueyan called to ask whether the war would have a big impact on Europe's finances. ”

Yi Zhizu pointed to the chair and motioned for him to sit, and then said: "Reply to Xueyan, just wait and see, no need to mix." As for cotton, the impact will not be great, and this year's cotton planting can be maintained at the current level, not expanded, and there is no need to reduce it. ”