The Nanyang Fleet of the Imperial Chinese Navy blocked the Strait of Malacca, preventing the French fleet from passing through the strait and heading for the Indochina colony. This is clearly helping the Indochinese Resistance Army. By this time, the Chinese also claimed that they did not support the Indochinese resistance, which was simply a joke. As for the reason for the choice of the Imperial Chinese Navy, what to fight pirates in the Strait of Malacca, it is simply a joke. To fight those pirates, can you use the main force of the Imperial Navy's Nanyang Fleet? Could it be that those pirates can still deal with huge battleships?

Now the ball is on the side of the French again, it's up to them to choose. If the French had to forcibly break through the blockade of the Chinese navy and go to Indochina under such circumstances, then perhaps war would have broken out as a result.

The French are now also in a difficult situation, on the one hand, they will not give up the Indochina colony just like that. On the other hand, in the face of the strong interception of the Chinese Empire, they did not dare to forcibly break through the blockade, in that case, I am afraid that the war would be detonated. In the event of a war with the Chinese Empire, the consequences would be even more unacceptable to the French.

French President Paul Doume and Prime Minister Pierre Laval were also very troubled when they received the telegram from the fleet. Although it was early in the morning in France, they still convened the senior French cabinet officials to discuss countermeasures.

"Gentlemen, the Chinese chose to block the Strait of Malacca and prevent us from passing through as a way to prevent our troops from going to the Indochina colony. Now, what do we do? President Paul Dume said with a tired face.

"Your Excellency, the Chinese are so shameless. They keep saying that they will not intervene in the war between the Indochinese Resistance Army and us, claiming that the Indochinese Resistance Army is not supported by them. However, it has now been proven that they are behind all this. We should expose this ugly face of the Chinese to the world. Colonial Minister Paul Reynaud said.

President Paul Dume glanced at Minister Paul Reynaud with a flash of impatience in his eyes. Now what time has it been, and I am still saying these things that don't make any sense. Are the Chinese people who are afraid of the accusations of the whole world? Those barbarians, who believe only in force. It is the force of force that can make them bow their heads. But now the lack of nine ships of this formidable force.

"Your Excellency, the Chinese have assembled the main forces of their South Sea Fleet in the Strait of Malacca. If our navy breaks through, it will be impossible, and it is very likely that it will suffer. Therefore, it is better for us to avoid a head-on conflict with the Chinese. Secretary of the Navy Charles Dumont said.

The escort fleet sent by the French Navy this time is far inferior to the Chinese Navy's Nanyang Fleet. Not only is the performance of the warships inferior to that of the Chinese Navy's Nanyang Fleet, but the quality of the officers and men cannot be compared with that of the Chinese Navy. China's navy has grown out of many fierce naval battles. And the French Navy, for many years, has not fought a decent big war. If you fight against the battle-hardened Chinese Navy, I am afraid that there will be only one final result, and that is a great defeat.

Once the French naval convoy is defeated by the Chinese navy, then those French land forces on merchant ships and transport ships will probably only be captured by the Chinese navy. If they dare to resist, there is only one end, and that is to be sent to the bottom of the sea to feed the fish.

After the crushing defeat of the colony of Indochina, if the French army was losing 100,000 elites. Well, the French Army will be wounded. The current French army has a total strength of only a few hundred thousand troops.

President Paul Dume rubbed his somewhat sore head and said, "In other words, we now have nothing to do with the despicable and shameless Chinese?" ”

"Your Excellency, strictly speaking, it is so. The advantage of the Chinese in the South Seas is too great. Don't say it's us, no country can beat the Chinese there. War Minister Andrei Maginot said.

The national strength of the Chinese Empire was already stronger than that of France. The Chinese Empire was fighting almost at home, while the French Army had to cross most of the world to fight the Chinese. The difficulty can be imagined.

President Paul Dume's eyes were a little dark. He knew that perhaps this time, France was really going to lose its Indochina colony. He never imagined that such a thing would happen during his presidency. Originally, he thought that he would be able to survive this term of office. As a result, the first economic crisis hit France. Then there was another big problem in Indochina.

"Gentlemen? Is there any other way we can do it? President Paul Dume asked.

"Your Excellency the President, we may be able to ask the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to work harder. But we can't hope for anything. The Chinese are too ambitious, and there is simply no way for us to stop them. Prime Minister Pierre Laval said.

"Well, gentlemen, so be it." President Paul Dume nodded. He also knew that there was no way around it.

The fleets of China and France faced off in the Strait of Malacca. The capital ships of both sides have even been together for less than thirty kilometers. This distance, although it exceeded the maximum range of the main guns of the capital ship. However, if the two sides do go to war, the battle is expected to start soon.

Although, the French Navy has five capital ships, the Chinese Navy has only six capital ships. However, the lead ships of the French Navy are obviously not comparable to the Chinese Navy in terms of performance. The six capital ships of the Chinese Navy include one 'Queen Elizabeth-class' battleship, three 'Revenge-class' battleships and two 'Longxing-class' battleships. The battleships of the British Navy, although they valued firepower and speed, overlooked defense. However, the overall strength is not bad. At least a little more powerful than the French Navy's multi-gun battleships. Coupled with the disparity in the quality of the naval officers and men of the two sides, if the two sides go to war, the French navy will definitely have no chance of winning.

Therefore, although the French are very dissatisfied with the interception of the Chinese navy, they have also been exercising restraint and dare not do anything excessive. The French also knew that if they did misfire, they would be the ones who would be injured in the end.

French Foreign Minister Paul Claudel once again asked to see the Imperial Foreign Minister Tang Shaoyi. It's just that this time he went on his own and didn't call the British ambassador and the American ambassador again. The French also knew that even if they united Britain and the United States and wanted to put pressure on the Chinese Empire, it would not be of any use. Chinese don't eat this set at all!

"Your Excellency Foreign Minister, how can the Chinese Empire abandon its exercises in the Strait of Malacca and let us go?" Ambassador Paul Claudel got straight to the point.

"Your Excellency, that's a matter for the Navy, I don't know. However, since this exercise is aimed at fighting pirates in the Strait of Malacca, it is presumable that after the pirates are eliminated, the Imperial Navy will withdraw to the military base. Tang Shaoyi said.

"Hell fighting pirates." Ambassador Paul Claudel cursed in his heart. The Chinese navy was clearly trying to prevent French reinforcements from going to the Indochina colonies under the guise of fighting pirates. Even a fool can see this.

"Your Excellency Foreign Secretary, if your country agrees, the French fleet is ready to assist your navy in the fight against piracy in the Strait of Malacca. After fighting those pirates, the French fleet could go to the Indochina colony. Ambassador Paul Claudel said.

"Your Excellency, the Chinese Empire has enough strength to deal with piracy in the Strait of Malacca, so there is no need for the help of the French Navy." Tang Shaoyi shook his head and rejected the possibility that the French wanted to help.

There was a hint of anger in Ambassador Paul Claudal's eyes, but he kept his emotions under control.

"Your Excellency, we don't have to go around in circles. Everyone understands people, and it doesn't help to talk about it anymore. What is the Chinese Empire going to do? Ambassador Paul Claudel asked.

Tang Shaoyi pondered for a few seconds, and then said, "Let's return to Europe for the French fleet!" This is an acceptable outcome for all. ”

Paul Claudel's eyes shrank slightly, he knew that this was something that the Chinese Empire was no longer prepared to hide. However, this is exactly what the French government wants to see.

"But what about our Indochina colony? If our reinforcements returned, then, what about the Indochina colonies? Ambassador Paul Claudel asked.

"France can no longer keep its colonies in Indochina, and you should recognize the reality. If you continue to dwell on it, you will pay a greater price. Tang Shaoyi continued.

Ambassador Paul Claudel was silent for a while. Although, the French government is very clear about this truth. However, they were still unwilling to abandon the rich colony.

"Your Excellency, don't forget. You also have more than 40,000 captured soldiers in the hands of the Indochinese Resistance Army. In addition, there is a large French diaspora there. If France were willing to give up the Indochina colony, then the Chinese Empire would persuade the Indochinese resistance to release the prisoners of war and expatriates so that the situation could be calmed down as soon as possible. Tang Shaoyi said.

Ambassador Paul Claudel was stunned for a moment, then nodded.

"Your Excellency the Foreign Secretary, I need to report back to China." Ambassador Paul Claudel said.

When Ambassador Paul Claudel reported the situation to the country, the French Government had made a choice after careful consideration. When the order reached Admiral Tasiny and Admiral Alphonse, they ordered the fleet to return from the Straits of Malacca and return to mainland France. (To be continued.) )