Chapter 361 Three Countries Aid Qing
Chapter 361 Three Kingdoms Aid the Qing Dynasty
"Hotchkiss rapid-fire gun, total weight 209 kilograms, barrel length 740 millimeters, caliber 37 millimeters, elevation range -8°~+15°, directional range 360°, shell weight 1.1 kilograms, maximum range 2278 meters, rate of fire 60 rounds per minute."
"This is the masterpiece of the American designer Benjamin Berkeley Hotchkiss. Hotchkiss used to work for Colt and Winchester. Unfortunately, when you, Count, received the American aid, he had already come to France to develop his own business, and you missed the opportunity to work with him."
"He founded the Hotchkiss Arms Company in France and designed this rapid-fire gun for the French Navy to be used for close combat on warships and to wash the decks."
"This rapid-fire gun has much better performance than the Williams rapid-fire gun, but it requires extremely high processing technology. Since France's processing accuracy does not meet the requirements, he commissioned our Armstrong company to produce it."
"It's not that the British Empire is keeping a secret from you, but this type of rapid-fire gun has just been produced. When your two Minotaur-class ships were being outfitted, they were not yet available, so you could only install Williams rapid-fire guns."
"France has only equipped the 'Shangwu', and the 'Ocean' has none. But they plan to install two guns each on the 'Marengo' and 'Suffren', the sister ships of the 'Ocean'. These two warships are currently being fitted out in the dock."
"When the Franco-Prussian War broke out, 12,000 French marines went ashore to defend Paris. They dismantled these four latest rapid-fire guns and moved them to Paris to fight."
"Four Hotchkiss rapid-fire guns are scattered throughout the city of Paris, and you encountered one of them."
I understand. No wonder Bo Zai reported that those guys firing rapid-fire guns were all blue pants navy. The wreckage of the rapid-fire gun did not have wheels, but had a heavy base. It turned out that this thing was removed from a warship.
Because they were not wearing red pants, the French Marines were attacked by the French guerrillas themselves when they went ashore to Paris.
The guerrillas didn't know that in addition to the red trousers, the French army also had blue trousers, so they mistook them for Prussians...
Shao Quanzhong had long heard of the Hotchkiss rapid-fire gun, but had never seen it before.
In his impression, this thing was equipped in large quantities on warships of both China and Japan during the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895. He thought it would take a long time before it appeared, but he didn't expect it to exist now.
This means that this thing can be used until the beginning of the next century and will not be outdated. It is a magical artifact.
Shao Quanzhong rolled his eyes. I must have the most advanced weapons. I also have to find a way to put them on wheels and move them to land to replace the Williams rapid-fire cannon.
Let me think of something...
"You have helped us successfully weaken the French this time. You have done a great job. The British Empire will always support you. However, don't get too close to the Germans in the future. I hope you will stay consistent with the Empire in the general direction."
Shao Quanzhong patted his chest and said, "No problem, I will never cooperate with the Germans again. Next, I will immediately cooperate with the French to weaken the Germans. I understand the strategy of the British big brother, and I will definitely follow the footsteps of the British big brother."
Prime Minister Braxton shook his head and sighed, "What a smart man! He knows how to cling to Britain. For such a loyal brother, Britain will eat meat and give you soup."
…………
The next day, representatives from Germany, Qing Dynasty and France met at the Palace of Versailles. Bismarck represented Germany, Shao Quanzhong represented Qing Dynasty, and French Foreign Minister Blanqui represented France. They signed the Treaty of Versailles, which preliminarily determined France's war reparations plan.
France ceded Alsace and Lorraine to Germany, paid Germany 5 billion francs in war reparations, and transferred its shares in the Suez Canal that had been occupied by the Qing Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty.
That's all, that's all.
Bismarck felt very embarrassed. In order to satisfy Germany's greedy appetite, France had done its best, so Shao Quanzhong gave up the Qing Dynasty's demands for territorial cession and compensation.
Yes, the Huai Army burned Fontainebleau and robbed the Bank of France. But the treasures of Fontainebleau had to be returned to the Qing imperial family, and Shao Quanzhong just vented his anger and dedicated it to the imperial family.
The Huai Army gained about 200 million francs from the Bank of France, and that was all.
Compared with Germany, which ceded territory and demanded 5 billion francs, Shao Quanzhong was simply too kind.
As for the Suez Canal, it is a loss-making business, isn't it? And it is not considered a cession of territory. The Suez Canal is Egypt's territory. The Canal Company signed a 99-year lease contract with Egypt, and when the lease expires, the canal will belong to Egypt.
Well, the French emperor is your brother-in-law. If you want to let France go, it’s none of my business.
As for why it was a draft treaty signed, it was because it involved debt settlement in kind between France and Germany, and had nothing to do with Shao Quanzhong.
France donated most of the warships of the French fleet to Germany, which was in urgent need of warships, and at the same time eliminated most of the outdated sailing warships. As a result, the number of French warships dropped from 439 to 137.
At the same time, the railway systems in Alsace and Lorraine were mortgaged for approximately 3 million francs.
Both warships and railways require careful evaluation to determine their final accurate value.
In addition, the German army was withdrawing gradually, and the military rations during this period had to be deducted from the money and included in the compensation. Therefore, the final detailed treaty had to be signed later, and it was planned to be signed in Frankfurt.
Why not go to Berlin to sign? Don't you know who sponsored Germany to launch the Franco-Prussian War? Where is the headquarters of the boss behind the scenes? Shao Quanzhong deeply understands the terrible power of financial capital. Originally, the issue of compensation for France was a tug-of-war between Germany and France. It would probably take a month for them to test each other before they could finalize the draft agreement.
However, Shao Quanzhong was impatient to wait. He knew the content of the historical Treaty of Versailles and understood the bottom lines of both sides. Both sides had close relations with him.
He drafted the treaty, which just hit the bottom line of both Germany and France. So, with Shao Quanzhong's push, the matter was accelerated.
After signing the draft treaty and coming out, Bismarck and Shao Quanzhong exclaimed to each other that Zhang Siwen was truly an amazing man.
The French Foreign Minister who was in charge of signing the treaty turned out to be a staunch patriot and a rebel leader who spared no effort in opposing Prussian aggression.
How did Zhang Siwen persuade him to surrender, not only to join the Bourbon dynasty, but also to take the blame and sign a humiliating treaty?
In Shao Quanzhong's mind, his fourth brother has developed the special skill of "eloquence". No wonder he can be matched with the seals of two countries. The Zhang family is really full of outstanding people.
Bismarck and Shao Quanzhong didn't know that Zhang Siwen persuaded Blanqui not because of his "eloquence", but because they were comrades and brothers with the same ideals. This was something that two ambitious people could not understand.
"Isabel, send a telegram to President Johnson. In order to thank the Federation for sending troops to help escort the Taiping mercenaries and Irish volunteers, I will give the Federation 25% of the shares of the Suez Canal."
"Please ask Burlingame to sign the specific contract transfer procedures with our river governor Zhang Zhiwan. Please ask George Dewey to send a company of marines to garrison Port Said."
Isabel didn't leave. "Shao, didn't you say that the profit of the Suez Canal will reach 3.5 billion francs in 58 years? Why should such fat meat be shared with the Americans?"
Shao Quanzhong waved his hand and said, "Go if I tell you to. Women shouldn't interfere with men's work."
Looking at Isabel's slender back, Shao Quanzhong snorted, "Women don't know anything. They are all petty. I can't eat all the fat meat by myself. Unless I'm the boss of the world, I'll die if I eat it."
"If Latin Americans come to take the blame, the British will have to think twice."
"Also, it's not over after fattening Germany. If the Americans are not fattened, who can I team up with to bring down big brother Britain? I can't do it on my own."
"Germany can do such a stupid thing as taking on the whole world alone, but I, Shao Quanzhong, cannot do it."
Soon, President Johnson called back, "My financial capital think tank has deduced for me the possible future profits of the Suez Canal. You are so generous. The friendship between Qing and the United States is long-lasting. An unbreakable alliance has been established between us."
Shao Quanzhong smiled. Yes, I think so too. Financial capitalists are capable. Fools can't be parasites. The Federation has a future. I'm not giving you this share to wink at a blind man.
But an unbreakable alliance - any unbreakable alliance has a time limit...
"Report to the Marshal, His Majesty Alfonso wants to see you."
The Palace of Versailles is the royal palace of France. Shao Quanzhong met his brother-in-law five minutes later.
When Alfonso saw Shao Quanzhong, his face was full of gratitude. "Brother-in-law, you have been so good to me. The Huai Army annihilated the Loire Army and entered Paris, paving the way for me to enter Paris and become emperor. Even if the contribution made in the war is not as great as that of the Germans, it still accounts for a large proportion."
"As a result, because of your love for your sister, France was exempted from ceding territory and paying compensation. This act of kindness has earned the friendship of our France. I have discussed this with Zhang Zizheng. We cannot let your brother-in-law suffer any loss. Just wait and see."
November 1870, 11, the second day after the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.
Shao Quanzhong represented the Qing Dynasty, and Blanqui represented the French Third Empire, and they jointly signed the "Paris Treaty between Qing and France".
The Qing Dynasty and France restored diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level.
His Majesty Alfonso held a press conference and, as the French Emperor, publicly apologized for the disasters caused to the Qing Dynasty in French history. He said that although these atrocities were committed by the false emperor Napoleon III, as the French Emperor, he was willing to take this responsibility on behalf of the false emperor.
France gave up all its privileges in the Qing Dynasty, stopped interfering in Japan, a vassal state of the Qing Dynasty, withdrew all its forces from Japan, and the Yokohama Squadron of the Far East Fleet was transferred to Africa.
France followed the example of Prussia and the United States and provided all-round industrialization assistance to the Qing Dynasty, sending the same number of experts and scholars.
Following the examples of the United States and Prussia, the entire factory, including the machinery and equipment of the most advanced factories such as Hotchkiss, was demolished, and all technicians and skilled workers were transferred to aid the Qing Dynasty.
Qing and France formed an alliance and became comprehensive strategic partners.
Father and Brother in Heaven, may the friendship between China and France last forever.
(End of this chapter)