In the absence of war, the British, who have always been mercenary, could not give away several ports on the northern shore of the Gulf of Oman to the Qing Dynasty.

Seeing the other party's wealthy appearance, Wei Tuma was depressed for a while, Qing Guo bought Alaska and Kamchatka Peninsula from Russia, and then Siberia, and now he has proposed to buy several ports along the Gulf of Oman, which is really addictive!

After thinking about it, he felt that this was a very good idea, if these ports could be sold at a good price, it would not only preserve the dignity of the empire but also reduce the pressure from the country, and it would also be very beneficial to maintain the relationship between the two countries. After a slight groan, he said, "This matter must be asked for instructions from China." ”

This is not a trivial matter, the other party has no right to call the shots, in this regard, Yi Zhizhi is also considerate, and he does not care about the long delay in negotiations, for him, the longer the delay is better for him, after all, the Northwest Army and the Navy are not idle, causing the fact of occupation, which is more conducive to him to bargain.

"Your Highness——。 "The reason why we have agreed to cede several ports on the northern shore of the Gulf of Oman is to avoid disturbing the situation in the Middle East, and your country must guarantee that it will not join forces with Russia to invade Persia and Turkey, and that it will not support Russian expansion into the two countries and the Persian Gulf," Wittoma continued. ”

Yi Zhizhi smiled contentedly, "I can only promise that after obtaining those ports, I will no longer support Russia." ”

"I will urge the country to agree on this matter as soon as possible." Wittoma said and stood up, the matter was too much to do, and he didn't dare to drag it out at all.

"Tick Bell Bell" The crisp bell rang, and Yi Zhizu quickly turned back to the room and picked up the phone, "I am Yi Zhifen." ”

"Report to the principal." Yan Yangtian's voice came from the microphone, "Yang Xiuqing has led the New Sixth Army to land on the Qatar Peninsula. ”

"Call back." Yi Zhizhi said in a deep voice: "The Emirate of Qatar must be destroyed as quickly as possible." ”

"The students obeyed."

Yi Zhizu then asked, "Where is Feng Renxuan now?" ”

"Report the principal. Feng Renxuan sent a telegram the day before yesterday that he had arrived in Magyar Sharif and was heading for Kabul. ”

On 28 July, ten days after the declaration of war on Prussia, Emperor Napoleon III arrived at the fortress of Matz and assumed command of the Rhine Corps. The Franco-Prussian sides expelled each other's reconnaissance teams on the outskirts of Saarbrücken (the capital of the Saarland district) and engaged in a series of skirmishes.

On 2 August, the 2nd Division of the French 2nd Army occupied the heights south of Saarbrücken and expelled the North German Federal Army garrisoned by heavy artillery bombardment, after which no further military action was taken.

On 5 August, the Prussian army launched a counterattack, concentrating superior forces to launch a surprise attack on the French outpost of Wiesenburg, occupied by Marshal McMahon on the right flank of the French army.

The Franco-Prussian War was in full swing, and on 6 August the Prussian army attacked the French again at Walter, fifteen miles south of Wiesenburg, and at 5 p.m. the French army was defeated.

On the same day, the 1st Prussian Army also defeated the 2nd Army of the French General Frosard, which belonged to Bazin's Corps, at Forbach with superior forces.

With the retreat of the French army, the operational deployment was completely disrupted, and the French army, which was scattered in the face of the advance of the Prussian army's large army group, was helpless, retreated one after another, and occupied a sharp turn!

When the news reached Paris, Paris declared martial law in the whole city, and the whole of Europe was shaken, and no one expected that as soon as the two sides went to war, they had been tempered in the overseas colonial wars for a long time, and were unanimously favored by European countries, and were known as the best light infantry units in Europe.

The Crimean War, the American Civil War, and the Austro-Prussian War, Yuanqi will dispatch or hire a large number of war correspondents on the spot to follow up and report, in addition to keeping abreast of the progress of the war, but also collecting intelligence by the way, so as to help the Yuanqi New Army understand in detail the comprehensive combat strength of various countries, as well as the emerging weapons, new strategies and tactics.

Yi Zhizu clearly knew the outcome of the Franco-Prussian War, and also knew the most critical battle-the Battle of Sedang, but he didn't know anything about the situation in the early days of the Franco-Prussian War, and after carefully reading the battle report sent back, he glanced at Yan Yangtian, "What do you think, tell me about it." ”

"France would have had a chance to win." Yan Yangtian said slowly: "On July 28, the French Emperor arrived at the fortress of Matz and assumed the commander-in-chief of the Rhine Army, but he has not launched an attack, if he can launch an attack on July 30, Prussia will not have time to gather troops and form a force advantage, and France will have the opportunity to break the Prussian army individually."

France's troop deployment is very scattered, and this should actually be a strategic deployment of an offensive posture, and in an offensive state, such a deployment of troops has a great advantage and is convenient for flexible mobility.

Unfortunately, the French army missed the opportunity to attack and was on the defensive as soon as the war began, and this scattered deployment of troops was vulnerable to the attack of the Prussian army in a group, and it was .......vulnerable to a single attack. ”

Yi Zhizhi smiled and said: "They try to collect all the information they can collect, so that they don't ignore logistics, in the current war, the importance of logistics is becoming more and more prominent, the staff should analyze and judge in a timely manner, summarize after the war, and treat every war as a rare learning opportunity." ”

"Students understand."

Yan Yangtian went out on the front foot, and Lin Meilian walked in on the back foot to report: "The big shopkeeper, the Russian minister Bu Ce asks to see you." ”

"Ask him to come in." Yi Zhishu said and got up to greet him.

Yevgeny Karlovich Büzer came in quickly, and when he saw him, he smiled and said: "Congratulations on your country's entry into Bandar Abbas without firing a single shot, and on the successful capture of the Qatar peninsula." ”

After Lin Meilian translated the original words, she added, "The other party will bite a lot of words without a single shot." ”

Yi Zhizhi smiled contentedly, it seems that Wei Tuoma frequently entered and exited the Zhennan Palace, so that the other party guessed that the Qing and Britain were negotiating, and after reaching out and entering the house, he asked with concern: "Does your country plan to send troops from the Caucasus?" ”

After a slight groan, Butzer said: "The British Mediterranean fleet is sailing to the Black Sea, and the Turkish and Persian armies are also gathering outside the Caucasus. ”

These news, Yi Zhixiang naturally heard of it, and it was clear that the British wanted to try their best to avoid the outbreak of war in the Middle East at this time, focusing on preventing Russia from sending troops from the Caucasus.

The reason why he encouraged Russia to send troops from the Caucasus was to contain Britain and force Britain not to dare to go to war with the Qing Dynasty, although he said that he was not afraid of war with Britain, but in fact he tried his best to avoid war with Britain, and it was extremely unwise for the Qing Dynasty, which was developing rapidly, to get involved in a large-scale war at this time.

Now that a preliminary agreement has been reached with Britain to ensure smooth and steady expansion to the Persian Gulf coast, he naturally does not want Russia to cause extraneous branches, once Russia sends troops, the situation in the Middle East will be chaotic, and even Europe may be in chaos, and the Qing Dynasty will only be afraid that it will be difficult to stay out of the matter at that time.

Nodding slightly, he said, "Britain has agreed to sell several ports in the northern Gulf of Oman to our country. ”

Sure enough, an agreement was reached, Buze's heart sank, and the expression on his face became serious, "If our country continues to send troops to the Persian Gulf, will your country still assist?" ”

Yi Zhicontent said without hesitation: "Our country will keep its promise and invade Persia from the northeast of Persia in order to contain the Persian forces. ”

Butzer glanced at him and said nothing, under the condition that war between the Qing and Britain did not break out, and under the condition that Britain, Turkey, and Persia tried their best to prevent Russia from sending troops from the Caucasus, if Russia wanted to continue to send troops to the Persian Gulf, it must join forces with the Qing State.

To put it mildly, Russia was completely used by the Qing State this time, and was busy dispatching troops and increasing troops in the Caucasus, completely to help the Qing State, but he did not gain any benefits, but wasted a lot of manpower, material and financial resources.

After being silent for a long time, Bu Ce said: "Your Highness should be very clear that the assembly of the army will cost a lot. ”

Yi Zhixiang said with a smile: "Chen soldiers in the Caucasus threaten peace in the Middle East, although your country is a lot of cost, but it is not without benefits...... ”

What's in it for Russia? Butzer pondered it carefully, but he couldn't think of even the slightest benefit, and he couldn't help but ask, "What good can my country have?" Your Highness may wish to speak clearly. ”

"With the wisdom of His Majesty the Emperor of your country, he must have thought of this." Yi Zhixiang smiled and said, "For your country, this is an excellent opportunity - an opportunity to abolish the Paris Peace Treaty. ”

An opportunity to abolish the Paris Peace Treaty? Bützer looked at each other suspiciously, Russia was defeated in the Crimean War, and was forced to sign the "Peace of Paris" with Britain and France, limiting the size of the Russian Black Sea Fleet and neutralizing the Black Sea, curbing Russia's attempt to open the Black Sea straits to expand southward, and at the same time allowing Britain and France to establish a dominant position in the Ottoman Empire.

It is precisely because of the "Paris Peace Treaty" that Russia has lost its status as the hegemon of Europe and its international status has plummeted.

After a moment's hesitation, Butzer said: "If France wins the Franco-Prussian War, ......, I am afraid it will be impossible to abolish ......." ”

"Don't worry about France." Yi Zhi said confidently: "Please tell Your Majesty the Emperor that in the Franco-Prussian War, France will be defeated, and it will be a big defeat, and its strength will be greatly weakened!" If you make a mistake in judgment, the loan that your country owes Yuanqi will be written off! ”

Hearing this, Bützer's brown eyes suddenly brightened, if France was defeated, then it would not be impossible for Russia to abolish the "Paris Peace Treaty"! Will France really fail miserably, though? He hesitated and said, "Your Highness is not joking? ”

Yi Zhixiang smiled and said, "I personally sent this telegram to His Majesty the Emperor of your country. ”

Hearing this, Bu Ce was greatly pleased, and hurriedly got up and bowed slightly: "Your Highness Youlao." ”

Sending Butzer away, Yi Zhi couldn't help but secretly breathe a sigh of relief, in this matter, he did use Russia as a gunman, and when he ran out, he crossed the river and demolished the bridge, which was a little unkind, but if Russia could be allowed to abolish the "Paris Peace Treaty", it would be a happy situation, of course, Russia continued to deploy troops in the Caucasus, which would also be of great benefit to the Qing Dynasty's expansion into the Persian Gulf.

After France's defeat in the first war, European countries were greatly stunned, and the major European financial markets reacted violently, and the stocks of companies affiliated with France in the stock market continued to fall sharply after the outbreak of the war, and the stocks of companies affiliated with Prussia began to stop falling and rebound.

The reaction in the bond market was equally obvious, with Prussian war bonds, which were unanimous and unmarketable, immediately becoming sought-after goods, and loan contracts also rising, while war bonds issued by France began to fall in price.

The price of 250 million French government bonds underwritten by the Shanghai Stock Exchange has also been hit by a lot of impact, and the price has begun to continue to fall.

Before eight o'clock in the morning, Huo Qizheng, the treasurer of the stock exchange, rushed to wait outside the courtyard gate of Changle Book House. ”

"What could happen? Do not worry. Yi Zhizhi said disappreciably, and followed into the courtyard, Huo Qizheng lowered his voice and said, "Are you considering taking over and stabilizing the price?" ”

What are you kidding, the battle is about to begin, how much money do you have to squeeze at this time? Yi Zhizu waved his hand, and after entering the room and taking a seat, he said slowly: "Prepare a sum of money, if the price continues to fall, you can consider taking over the ......." ”

Huo Qizheng said tentatively: "The current decline has exceeded 20%, when will it be 30%?" ”

"There's no hurry." Yi Zhizu said softly: "There is still a big fall. ”

And another big fall? Huo Qizheng hesitated and said, "Cut in half? ”

The news spread, France's war bonds and national bonds are afraid that they will become worthless and become waste paper, and he was silent for a while, before he said: "When the time comes, you will know, when you need to take over, I will call you, you prepare the funds, prepare 10 million, let's not be too dark." ”

Although Shanghai's securities market is no longer what it used to be, 10 million yuan is still not a small amount, but what does it mean not to be too dark? Huo Qizheng was confused, but it was not easy to continue to ask, but he vaguely felt that the French national debt seemed to be very deep.