While Dong Liang was still on the dock, he heard a report from the front that the British troops on Gulangyu Island had surrendered.

There was only one company of the British army guarding the concession area, and they were all Asan soldiers transferred from the Indian colony.

Obviously this is cannon fodder left here by the British. When the British army failed in the naval battle, they knew that Xiamen could not be defended.

However, they wanted to bet on whether the escorts would dare to actually go to war with the British Empire. After all, the British troops who attacked Dongfan Island did not fly under the banner of Britain. They could only be regarded as hired by the Manchu Qing court.

"Head of State, we are now completely at odds with the British," Zhao Liewen said.

Zhao Liewen was usually very arrogant, but at this time there was a hint of worry in his words.

"Yes, but the British's strength in the east is limited. We don't have to worry too much about them for at least half a year. They will not dare to go to war with us again before they have the advantage at sea."

Zhao Liewen and Wang Ziyu knew that the six months Dong Liang mentioned was the time for the British to mobilize their troops. They had suffered such a big loss this time, and the British mainland would definitely have to regain their face.

There are also Americans, they will not give up. If the British are hurt, then the Americans are being screwed.

At this time, the industrial strength of the United States has ranked fourth in the world, second only to Britain, France, and Prussia.

Most of the markets in the world are controlled by the British. The biggest problem caused by industrialization is the sale of goods, so they attach great importance to the eastern market.

However, the military strength of the United States is relatively weak, and they will most likely only follow the British.

"Führer, if this is the case, we must occupy at least the two provinces of Fujian and Guangdong in the next six months before we can gain room to deal with the British and American barbarians." Wang Ziyu said.

"Looking at the current situation, do you think we can do it?" Dong Liang asked.

"Führer, you must be full of confidence, otherwise you wouldn't have ordered the artillery fire on the British." Zhao Liewen chuckled.

The three of them were talking on the dock, watching the escort troops land, and at the same time waiting for news from Sun Yanping.

…

Hong Kong Island, Government House.

Wenhan looked angrily at the dejected Far East Fleet Commander Herb.

"General Herb, you have to know that we are both going to die now. I always thought you were a cautious general. Why did you make such a big mistake? Do you know? The British Empire Navy has not fought such a defeat for a long time.

, the key point is to be defeated at the hands of a group of indigenous people."

Herb was speechless against Wenhan's accusations, but there was one thing he couldn't agree with. These were definitely not a group of simple aborigines.

It was because he looked at these people the same way he looked at the natives that he caused his current failure.

"Mr. Governor, I think this group of pirates must be re-evaluated. No, we can no longer call them pirates. They are already a local rebel organization of the Qing Dynasty."

"Before we get support from the fleet, I think we should try to contact them, at least to redeem our people." Herb said.

The loss of the fleet can be recovered, but there are so many officers and soldiers of the navy, many of whom are nobles. If they cannot be brought back, will those in the country let him go?

"Negotiation? Are you saying that we, the British Empire, should bow to a small Eastern power?" Wen Han roared.

He was originally a gentleman, but now he can no longer control his emotions. Since about this time last year, he has suffered defeats one after another, and each time seems to be related to this force.

People in China probably won't tolerate him staying in the East this time, unless he can accomplish something big now.

At this time, Bao Ling, who was sitting aside, said: "Your Excellency, Governor, I think General Herb's suggestion may not be wrong. Do you think that now that they control the Taiwan Strait, what will happen to our trade to Shanghai? Do we have to go back to 1840?

What it looked like before the war

, can only trade in Guangzhou? You have to know that the shipment volume of Guangzhou Port in recent years is too small and cannot meet our needs at all. If we continue to fight against this force, what will happen to the Shanghai Concession we operate? We are there there

Nearly half of the commercial interest."

At this time, Shanghai's tea exports accounted for one-half of China's tea exports, silk exports accounted for two-thirds, and porcelain exports accounted for one-third. In addition, it was also an important base for British opium dumping.

Bao Ling has been in the East for more than ten years and is a China expert.

"Your Majesty the Governor, the Yangtze River Basin of the Qing Dynasty is also occupied by another force. They call themselves the Taiping Army. What's more important is that these people also believe in God."

"Why do we only need to cooperate with the Qing government? These rebel groups in the south control the richest areas in southern China. I think we can have more contact with them. Presumably they also need external support to fight against the Qing government.

support."

Wenhan understood what Bao Ling meant, which was to adopt a balanced strategy in the Qing Dynasty and change the use of military intervention to diplomatic intervention.

By making full use of the contradictions between the various forces in the Qing Dynasty, the British Empire may be able to obtain a large amount of benefits without the need for a single soldier.

"Mr. Bao Ling's proposal is very good. If the country wants me to leave here, I will recommend you to be the person in charge of Dongfang."

Bao Ling was ten years older than Wenhan. After Wenhan arrived in the East, Bao Ling, who was the consul of Guangzhou, gave him great support.

Deep in his heart he was very grateful to Bao Ling.

And Bao Ling's son is also in the East and is the owner of a foreign company. It is obvious that the Bao Ling family wants to develop based in the East.

So when he was in trouble, he didn't mind pushing Bao Ling. Bao Ling was a sensible person and he knew how to repay Wenhan.

Sure enough, that night, Bao Ling sent 5% of the shares of "Ji Mao Mao". The two continued to discuss this issue.

"Bao Ling, do you think these barbaric Eastern pirates will negotiate with us?" Wen Han still looked at Dong Liang and the others with colored glasses.

"Mr. Governor, the so-called negotiation is nothing more than the transfer of interests. We know what they need, and they also know what we need. In fact, there is no absolute conflict of interest between us. If these two forces can be supported, maybe

The Indian model can be replicated here."

The strategy adopted by the British to conquer the Indian region was to divide, disintegrate, and sow discord. When the various forces were exhausted, the British then eliminated them one by one.

However, India is just a geographical concept, and the people living here do not form a unified civilization and political power.

Bao Ling's comparison of China to India is obviously biased.

However, this was very useful to Wenhan, because Wenhan's understanding of China was not as good as Bao Ling's. It can be said that Bao Ling has always been his advisor on Eastern issues.

If he can launch this strategy, its value can completely make up for the losses in the Strait Battle.

In this way, even if he is called back from China, he can still get a better result.

Wenhan was already thinking about how to write Bao Ling's proposal into a persuasive report.

But the top priority is how to start negotiations with these people.

"Bao Ling, sir, we are still at war with the other party. They have just occupied Gulangyu Island. How do you think we can start negotiations? Under such circumstances, do you think these people will make compromises?" Wen Han said.

In so-called negotiations, the party who proposes will always be looked down upon by others and will inevitably be in a weak position in the subsequent bargaining.

"I asked Robert to go and have a look first. After all, he is just a businessman."

Bao Ling actually pushed his son out.

He may have felt that he was reluctant to let go of his children and that if his family wanted to gain the benefits of the East, it would have to pay a certain price.

"Robert? Okay, but he must pay attention to his safety." Wen Han said with concern.

Robert is Bao Ling's son and the owner of "Yihe Matheson". This foreign company is headquartered in Guangzhou, but it also has business in Shanghai.
Chapter completed!