The British fled? Fang Weisheng Yileng, this was really a bit unexpected to him, he never imagined that the British army would abandon the city and flee, how to say that Calcutta is also the capital of the British in India, and there are still 20,000 defenders, he glanced at the young man who came to report with some suspicion.

"In Xiahu Zhongtian, the deputy head of the Calcutta sub-station of the Intelligence Bureau." Hu Zhongtian said and took out a piece of silver dollar and handed it over, "There are many Han people in Calcutta, and the army has entered the city, and I hope to take care of it a little." ”

The silver dollar was missing three symmetrically distributed openings, which were the agreed tokens, Fang Weisheng saw the silver dollar, and there was no doubt in his heart, and then ordered in a deep voice, "All steam gunboats give up the battleships towed, and proceed at full speed to block the retreat of the British army." The marines, landing on the spot, quickly advanced to Calcutta. ”

Listening to the order, Hu Zhongtian hurriedly said: "I can be a guide to lead the way." ”

"No, there are land and water guides." Fang Weisheng said and asked casually: "How can there be many Han people in Calcutta?" ”

"As early as seventy or eighty years ago, there were Han Chinese who began to move to Kolkata." Hu Zhongtian said casually: "There are more than 1,000 Han people in Calcutta now, most of them are Cantonese, mainly tea workers and carpenters, and some merchants, and the others are smugglers of opium. ”

No wonder Yuan Qi knew so much about the situation in Calcutta, it turned out that there were so many Han Chinese, Fang Wei was relieved, and said: "You go forward with me on a steam gunboat, and by the way, I will give a detailed introduction to the situation in Calcutta." ”

In the afternoon, Fang Weisheng led more than a dozen steam gunboats to Calcutta, and the British troops had already withdrawn, and the whole of Calcutta was plunged into chaos.

Although the successor army did not arrive, Fang Weisheng still did not hesitate to lead his troops to land, and after joining the marines, he quickly controlled the government buildings, banks, telecommunications offices, railway stations, transportation arteries and major factories in the city, and declared martial law in the whole city, fully controlling the entire Calcutta.

Yi Zhicontent, who was far away in Shanghai, did not receive a telegram from Calcutta until the next day, and he was also very surprised that the British army abandoned the city and fled, he originally planned to use Calcutta as a bait to eliminate the British army stationed in India to the greatest extent, but the British army was not fooled at all, and directly gave up Calcutta, which was the capital of India, which made him a little depressed, like a heavy punch on cotton, although it was not empty, but it had no effect!

Wei Yuan glanced at him and said, "The soldiers don't occupy Kolkata bloodlessly, and the lord doesn't seem to be satisfied?" ”

Zhao Wenlie continued: "Having captured Kolkata, can the big treasurer now say the true intention of sending troops to Kolkata?" ”

After glancing at the two of them, Yi Zhixin slowly lit a cigarette and said slowly: "There are many purposes for sending troops to Calcutta, to put it simply, one is to take advantage of the fire and occupy Bengal, which can not only consolidate Tibet, but also prevent the British from expanding into Southeast Asia."

Another is the tea plantation in Assam, the foreign trade of the Qing Dynasty, tea is the largest commodity, Yuanqi can not tolerate the British to open tea plantations in Assam, seize the market share of tea.

In addition, it can be regarded as finding a foothold for the Taiping army, so that the Taiping army can occupy the Bengal area, which can be used as a buffer zone between the Qing Dynasty and the British.

And the most important purpose is to buy time, try to delay the outbreak of war, before, it was hoped to delay time through the mission to Europe, but the British moved too fast, and could only make up .......their minds in India. ”

Hearing this, Zhao Wenlie hesitated and said: "The British sent troops in large numbers and made a detour to Calcutta, and it seems that there will be no delay. ”

"It's not Kolkata, it's India." Yi Zhizu said slowly: "If a large-scale and large-scale uprising breaks out in India, it will definitely be able to greatly delay the pace of the British army, and India, as the largest and most important overseas colony of the British, the British will not let India go to civil strife." ”

Sending troops to Calcutta in order to provoke civil strife in India? Wei Yuan and Zhao Wenlie glanced at each other, and their hearts were extremely shocked, the big shopkeeper acted really unfathomable, who would have thought that sending troops to Calcutta would be this purpose?

After a slight sigh, Zhao Wenlie said: "The big treasurer wants to eliminate the British army in Calcutta, weaken the strength of the British army in India, and thus cause civil strife in India. ”

"Not necessarily." Yi Zhishu said in a firm tone: "Calcutta is the capital of the British in India, and it is the center of British rule in India, and the British army fleeing without a fight will inevitably greatly shake the British rule in India.

It should be said that civil strife in India is bound to be just around the corner, but if a large number of British troops in India are not wiped out, the scope and scale of civil strife in India may be unsatisfactory. ”

Yi Zhishu dared to speak out because he remembered that the great Indian national uprising, which was triggered by the mercenary uprising caused by the use of lard and butter as lubricant to be applied to the wrapping paper of bullets, took place in these two years, and he sent troops to Calcutta in the hope of triggering this uprising early.

Before the British army sent troops to the Far East on a large scale, when the British forces in the Far East and India were the weakest, the triggering of a major Indian uprising would undoubtedly buy more time for the rebel army.

In his tone so firm, Wei Yuan and Zhao Wenlie were a little skeptical, to say that in the territory of the Qing Dynasty, Yuan Qi has the ability to provoke and control local civil strife, the two are convinced, but in India to provoke large-scale civil strife, Yuan Qi has the ability?

"The big shopkeeper." Cao Gensheng, who had gone and returned, hurriedly came in and reported: "England, France, Spain, and the Netherlands have successively submitted the declaration of war to our country. ”

"Expected." Yi Zhishu said calmly: "Forward it to the Military Aircraft Department, since people have declared war on us, there is nothing polite to declare war, just declare war." ”

After a pause, he continued: "Expelle all diplomats and missionaries from the British and French consulates, and close the consulates and churches of the two countries. ”

After a little hesitation, Cao Gensheng said: "The businessmen, scholars, and technicians of the two countries ....... ”

After being silent for a while, Yi Zhizhi said in a deep voice: "War has nothing to do with civilians, as I said before, even if the two countries declare war, it will also protect the personal safety and property safety of the citizens of the country in the treaty port....... the war between the two countries will inevitably cause hostility among the citizens of the two countries, encourage them to close the banks, factories, schools, shops, etc. opened in the treaty port, and also encourage them to leave the country, of course, if they insist on staying, Yuanqi will abide by the promise and give them the protection they deserve." ”

After Cao Gensheng left, Wei Yuan sighed lightly and said, "Why is France wading into this troubled water? ”

"Interests." Yi Zhixiang lightly knocked on the cigarette ash, "France also wants to expand its influence in Asia, and in the eyes of Napoleon III, following Britain to send troops is undoubtedly the best choice and opportunity."

In addition, the Father Ma incident was also an important reason for France to send troops, because France replaced Portugal and obtained the right of overseas protection of the Catholic Church, which was not satisfied with missionary work in the treaty ports and hoped to expand its religion through war....... It's a good excuse. ”

Listening to this explanation, Zhao Wenlie said with a smile: "No wonder the big shopkeeper judged early on that France would jointly send troops with England, and it turned out that the root was still in the Father Ma incident." ”

"France is a traditional Catholic country, and the religious forces in the country should not be underestimated." Yi Zhishu said slowly: "When analyzing the situation in France, we cannot ignore the influence of religion. ”

Zhao Wenlie bowed slightly and said, "Students are taught." ”

Wei Yuan said: "When Britain and France declared war, did they order all newspapers not to publish it, so as not to cause panic. ”

"This can't be stopped." Yi Zhizhi said: "How can such a big movement be blocked?" Besides, foreign newspapers will report, and officialdom will also discuss, so you might as well let them report truthfully, panic is a matter of time. ”

Zhao Wenlie said: "Is that public opinion guided? ”

After a slight groan, Yi Zhizhi said: "It's not necessary for the time being, and let's see the reaction of the government and the opposition." ”

Wei Yuan said: "Then make the news of the capture of Kolkata public, and it will also inspire people's hearts." ”

"We really need to motivate people's hearts, otherwise I am afraid that there will be a crusade and the run on the banks will be more serious." Yi Zhizu nodded slightly: "The achievements of the Nanyang Navy during this period of time will be made public." ”

"Extra, extra! Britain, France, Spain, and the Netherlands declared war on the Qing Dynasty at the same time! ”

"Extra, extra! The imperial court expels British and French diplomats and missionaries! ”

"Extra, extra! The Nanyang Navy captures the Strait of Malacca. ”

"Extra, extra! The Nanyang Navy annihilated 25 warships of the British East Indies Fleet in Malacca! ”

"Extra, extra! The Nanyang Navy, the Tibetan Tibetan Army, the North and the South are flanking, and the soldiers occupy Kolkata without blood! ”

A series of news caused a sensation throughout Shanghai, the Qing Dynasty officials, gentlemen, businessmen, and ordinary people were shocked by the simultaneous declaration of war by Britain and France, and also shocked by a series of amazing achievements made by the Nanyang Navy during this time.

The foreigners in Shanghai were shocked that the Qing army dared to take the initiative to attack, took the Strait of Malacca, annihilated the East India Fleet, and directly sent troops to India to capture Kolkata, the capital of the British in India.

After all, the diplomats and missionaries of Britain and France began to prepare for the evacuation, and all the citizens of the two countries were also preparing to evacuate, even if there was Yuanqi's promise, no one was willing to continue to stay in Shanghai, even the blind could see that this was definitely a long-term large-scale war, God knows if Yuanqi's promise would be effective for a long time, making money is important, and life is even more important!

For a time, Britain, France, and other countries in Shanghai closed their shops, docks, factories, and schools one after another, and all of them put up fire sale signs, and scholars and technicians who worked in various schools, factories, banks, and firms also resigned one after another.

The whole Shanghai was a scene of turmoil and chaos, but there were also people who were happy, and the Russian mission in Shanghai was full of joy, for Russia, the more the Qing and Britain and France fought, the happier they were, and in the end, no matter what the result, it was a good thing for Russia! At the beginning of the Crimean War, the Qing State sat on the mountain and watched the tiger fight, but now the feng shui takes turns, and it is their turn to sit on the mountain and watch the tiger fight!

The happiest are not the Russians, but the Americans, the Russians are poor jingling, in the face of the British and French jumping sales, can only gloat on the side, but unable to share the feast, but the Americans are in line with the mentality of having a cheap and not taking advantage of the bastard, desperately rushed forward to fall into the well.

Of course, this feast was indispensable to the merchants of the Qing Dynasty, and the merchants from Hangzhou, Suzhou, and Jiangning rushed to Shanghai by train after hearing the news.

The U.S. Minister to China was secretly glad that the United States remained neutral and stayed out of the matter, otherwise, the loss would be too great, and he was wondering whether he should go to Zhenhai Mansion, and the railway built by Yuan Qi in cooperation with the British Railway Company should also be terminated, right?

"Your Excellency." A clerk came in and reported: "New York called, Yuanqi has been selling a lot of stocks recently, causing turmoil in the stock market ........ ”

What do you mean? Yuan Qi is there to raise money, or is there another purpose? He couldn't sit still, so he hurriedly got up and hurried to the Zhenhai Mansion.

Yi Zhixiang was not surprised by the arrival of Bo Jia, so he smiled and said, "Are you here for New York stocks?" ”

Seeing that he was so direct, Bo Jia didn't hide it, and said, "Yuan Qi shouldn't be short of that bit of silver, right?" ”

"More than 10 million yuan, which is not a decimal number." Yi Zhizhi smiled and said, "Yuan Qi must now shrink his funds with all his strength to deal with this war. ”

That being said, in fact, Yuan Qi sold stocks, not for war and military expenses, but for the purchase of Alaska and Kamchatka, and the sale of stock securities in New York, plus the funds from the withdrawal of the European Yuan Qi Branch, was enough to pay Russia for the purchase of land, of course, this matter is not easy for him to disclose for the time being.

Hearing him say this, Bo Jia was already relieved, he really didn't expect Yuan Qi to invest such a large amount of money in the stock market in New York, no wonder he was in a hurry to sell, and when he entered the study and sat down, he smiled and said: "Yuan Qi sold stocks in a large amount, which caused a lot of shock." ”

"Don't worry, it's done." In recent years, the U.S. economy has been booming, and the stock market is also rising, and Yuanqi's investment in the New York stock market has yielded a lot of returns.

For the stock market, Bo Jia didn't care, and immediately changed his head and asked directly: "Is there any trouble with the railway from Xuzhou to Xi'an?" ”

The railway from Xuzhou to Xi'an was built by the British Railway Company, Yi Zhishu understood the meaning of the other party when he heard this, smiled, and said: "Most of your country's locomotives, rails, and pig iron are imported from the United Kingdom, let your country's railway company take over, we can't afford this cost, I plan to put it on hold first, of course, if the quotation of your country's railway company is not big, we are very welcome." ”

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