Chapter 337: See you in Versailles
Chapter 337: See you in Versailles
Shanghai, by the Huangpu River.
The Huangpu River is 300 meters wide and can accommodate giant ships of 20,000 tons. This is Shanghai's advantage as an international port.
Ten ironclad ships, including a 7,000-ton Wangfu-class ship and four 3,000-ton Janssen-class ships, sailed into the Huangpu River and blocked twelve wooden-hulled steam sailing ships of the French Far East Fleet in the port.
Liao Rong had a stern look on his face and ordered his men to signal with flags.
"We are at war and urge you to surrender."
The Zhiyuan just fired a deterrent shell, and twelve French warships smoothly raised the white flag.
The strength between the enemy and us is huge. Only naval guns with a caliber of more than 164 mm can break the armor. Thick armor like the Wang Fu-class requires naval guns of 194 mm or even 240 mm. The naval guns of the French Far East Fleet simply do not have shells that can break the armor. What's the point of shooting?
In this case, surrender is not shameful. Just treat it as the restoration of the Bourbon dynasty, and France will still raise the white flag. Isn't there a legitimate heir to the Bourbon dynasty on the opposing flagship?
Britain was the empire on which the sun never set. In order to build ironclad ships to withstand wind and waves, they increased their tonnage by using low side and elongated hull. As a result, British ironclad ships could roam the seven seas.
France, for example, does not have many overseas colonies, most of which are concentrated in Africa, with the largest number in North Africa.
It was an ironclad ship. The design idea was to dominate the calm Mediterranean Sea. The firepower was increased and the tonnage was increased. The large-tonnage ironclad ships were modified from the original four-deck sailing battleships.
If the altitude is too high, the stability will be poor, and people will be terrified to sail in the Atlantic Ocean, and it is impossible to sail to the Far East.
At this time, all the naval powers were in Europe, and the battlefield for the battle between ironclad ships was the Atlantic Ocean.
Shao Quanzhong's act of spending more than 40 million taels of silver at one time to buy an ironclad ship and sail it back to the Far East was absolutely cheating. The combat effectiveness of the Nanyang Navy was simply completely excessive in the Far East.
Even if two batches of warships were allocated to the Black Sea Fleet and the Spanish Fleet, the remaining combat power was still in excess.
Not far away, the British fleet watched coldly, feeling secretly happy as their loyal brothers used British-made warships to bully the French.
Although Britain and France formed a coalition, it was just a temporary alliance between two robbers. Remember the Hundred Years' War? Remember the fear that Napoleon brought to Europe? France has always been Britain's first imaginary enemy.
The French Far East Fleet was easily dealt with, and a large number of sailors took over the French warships. Then, small boats carrying the surplus sailors of the Nanyang Navy kept capturing French merchant ships parked at the dock. At the same time, transport ships came over one after another.
The Anhui New Army led by Shao Hengzhong ran off the boat, lined up, and all the infantrymen of the two brigades put on bayonets.
The sound of orderly military boots rang out, and the Anhui New Army marched into the French Concession in an orderly formation without any hurry.
The policemen in the concessions are public security personnel, not combatants, and it is impossible for them to fight against the regular army.
The Huai Army took over the French Concession in an orderly manner, including ports, warehouses, and shops, and no fighting occurred during the process of seizing French property.
They did not enter the consulate, but sent a platoon of guards to stand guard for the French.
Shao Quanzhong walked into the French Consulate under the escort of the guard platoon.
Consul Bai Laini had already learned about the Huai Army's actions and had also received a telegram from Tianjin, and was extremely nervous.
He had attracted so many reporters, waiting for Shao Quanzhong to apologize and pay compensation, but he didn't expect that what they got was an ironclad ship and soldiers with bayonets.
Shao Quanzhong, dressed in military uniform, walked into the reception hall under the flashing spotlights, smiling, took off his white gloves, and shook hands cordially with Bai Laini. "I'm here to apologize to you. I'm sorry I'm late."
"We Chinese have an old saying, good is rewarded with good, evil is rewarded with evil. It's not that there is no retribution, it's just that the time has not come. France has committed many evil things in China, and now it's time for retribution."
Bai Lai Ni tried to maintain his diplomat's demeanor and gritted his teeth, "Prince Shao, don't be complacent. I have already informed the country. Expect the wrath of France."
"Okay, I'll wait. Remember, no country is strong forever. If you bully the weak when you are strong, you must be prepared to bear retaliation when you are in trouble in the future."
"You planned to attack my wife. This is a family feud that has lasted five generations. If it is for the benefit of the country, I can theoretically forgive it. But I am a petty person, and I cannot forgive this."
"But if you attack our capital, this is a nine-generation vengeance. If I don't avenge it, someone else will. Will the first person to create clay figures for the dead have no descendants?"
"Brother, I have an impatient temper. I cannot wait until nine generations to take revenge. The hatred of the country and the family is piled up together. I want to take revenge now."
Bai Lai Ni said sarcastically, "You are only rampant in the Far East. With only four provinces, three towns and one association, less than 50,000 Huai troops, do you dare to fight against France's 500,000 strongest army in Europe?"
"Your Excellency the Consul, an urgent telegram from Paris."
"His Majesty Napoleon III has just declared war on Prussia, assembled an army of 220,000, and has already engaged the Prussian army."
"Preliminary reconnaissance of the Prussian army on the other side shows that there are 470,000 troops. Prussia is calling up its reserves and massively increasing its troops. It is estimated that the total force will reach more than one million."
"The country is temporarily unable to support the Far East. Please negotiate the conflict with the Qing Dynasty on your own."
Behind Shao Quanzhong, Isabel translated quietly. Even without translation, Shao Quanzhong knew the contents of the French telegram.
He had Bismarck's personal telegram in his hand, and got the news as soon as the war started. He had to wait for the exact news before taking action, otherwise he would not have let Zeng Guofan wait until the last minute.
Once the arrow is shot, there is no turning back. Once the fight starts, the fight will not stop until one is dead. This will be my chance for revenge.
Seeing Bailey's stunned expression, Shao Quanzhong patted Bailey on the shoulder and said, "Brother, you French are unlucky. You have an emperor who doesn't know his own weight and thinks that Napoleon's nephew can have Napoleon's ability."
"You can send a telegram to Paris and tell them that Shao has come to seek revenge on them. Ask Paris to pave the road with yellow earth and sprinkle clean water on the streets, and prepare to welcome the arrival of the Huai Army."
You country bumpkin, our Paris is the most beautiful city in the world, where is the loess?
"Our French Army is invincible. Even if you ally with the Prussians, you still cannot defeat France. You will definitely suffer a bloody defeat in France. Let's wait and see."
Shao Quanzhong smiled. "That's right. We'll see. Old White, we have already expelled all other French diplomats. You are the only French consul left in Qing, so I don't recommend that you resign now."
"Keep a channel of contact with the Qing Dynasty. The court needs someone to deliver France's letter of surrender."
Shao Quanzhong turned around and said, "Dear journalists, if you want a promotion and a pay raise, I suggest you go to France and wait at the Palace of Versailles."
"I will be there to hold a joint press conference with Prime Minister Bismarck. See you there."
(End of this chapter)