Chapter 50: The Hawaii Joint Declaration
Zhang Yunfei read the content carefully again and said excitedly:
"Thank you so much. Please express your sincere thanks on behalf of my country's Admiralty and Lord John Abbasnot Fisher!"
"No problem! My friend! I will definitely transfer it for you!" William said happily, after all, this business was contacted by him.
It turned out that when the British Admiralty received William's telegram, it immediately started a study and discussion on how to take over the huge military purchase. Since Zhang Yunfei had never seen or made any requests, the people from the Admiralty invited Lord John Abbasnott Fisher to discuss it.
When Lord Fisher saw Zhang Yunfei's ship purchase plan and William's marking explanation, he immediately became interested. He had been specializing in naval affairs and knew the importance of this advanced concept. Because of the huge overseas colony of the British Empire, the naval fleet was slow in speed, and once an emergency occurred, it would not be possible to arrive quickly. Even if the cruiser arrived in time, it would not be able to effectively defend and attack the area. At the same time, the Yellow Sea War in Qing and Japan showed that the speed and firepower of armored cruisers played a huge role in naval warfare. The large-scaleization of armored cruisers undoubtedly led to the trend of future wars.
Zhang Yunfei's idea of battleships, especially large armored cruisers, solved this problem, so Lord Fisher immediately asked the Admiralty to accept the huge order. At the same time, in order to understand the various performance indicators of the warships as soon as possible, Lord Fisher ordered the shipyard that took the order to build it with all its might as well as soon as possible, and sent several professional warship designers to track, check and demonstrate.
Since it was the construction of a new concept warship, the major shipbuilding companies notified were very interested and asked to participate in the construction. Taking into account the confidentiality of the new concept warship, Lord Fisher gave the orders of three battleships and six large armored cruisers to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, the Royal Naval Special Shipyard and the Davenport Naval Shipyard under the Armstrong Company. In this way, nine warships started construction at the same time, not only saving money, material costs and design costs, but also speeding up construction speed and shortening construction cycles and increasing profits.
Due to the construction of new warships inside, Lord Fisher will still take the steam turbine in the laboratory in the experimental stage to test in advance. All three shipyards will receive strong support from the technicians of the Admiralty Department, and many outstanding experts and designers will participate in the construction. This is also the biggest gain for several shipyards to learn advanced technologies from each other.
At the same time, considering that the built warships had many experimental factors and their appreciation for Zhang Yunfei's new warship concept, Lord Fisher did not kill Zhang Yunfei, but gave them to Zhang Yunfei at a reasonable price. Such good things were so good that they had nowhere to look for them.
At the same time, it also shocked Zhang Yunfei at the UK's super industrial capabilities. It only took 22 months to build the battleship so quickly, which was really surprising! He knew that it only took one year for the first Fearless Class battleship in Britain to be built, what about the United States, which is stronger than the United Kingdom? Zhang Yunfei felt a huge gap for the first time, and he also woke up from the fantasy of the protagonist of the novel.
Although the future is clear and confident, the road ahead is still very difficult!
Next, Zhang Yunfei signed a contract with William, the British ambassador to Hawaii. After completing the warship matter, Zhang Yunfei and William began to discuss the coup in Hawaii. In the end, the two decided to express the position of the British Empire to the ministers of various countries during lunch.
So William sent people to embassies of various countries to invite ministers to Hawaii to have dinner together. Since it was time for dinner, the ministers of various countries came happily when they saw that William of the British minister actually invited them to have dinner.
Since Honolulu is now pitiful and has only a few bustling streets, and the ministers of various countries in this era like to live on the same street, so the time is not long, and the ministers of various countries arrive one after another.
They are the German Minister to Hawaii Baland, the US Minister to Hawaii John Stevens, the Japanese Minister to Hawaii Saburo Yantian, the Spanish Minister to Hawaii Rodri, the Russian Minister to Hawaii Kuman, the French Minister to Hawaii Li Mei, the Belgian Minister to Hawaii Wei Liyong, the Chilean Minister to Hawaii Rosios, and of course Chen Fang, the Qing Minister to Hawaii.
When everyone came to the reception hall, William and Zhang Yunfei had already been waiting there. The ministers from all countries were very surprised. They bit each other's ears and asked about Zhang Yunfei in a noble dress beside William, but they all said they didn't know. Only Chen Fang was staring at Zhang Yunfei nervously. When Zhang Yunfei saw that Chen Fang gave him a look of getting it done, Chen Fang slowly relaxed and regained his smile. Only then did he realize that Zhang Yunfei's special today, a noble and elegant new suit, what! He actually cut off his braids! Then Chen Fang looked surprised again!
At this time, William saw everyone looking at Zhang Yunfei strangely, so he immediately stepped forward to introduce Zhang Yunfei to the ministers of various countries.
"Gentlemen, welcome to attend the exquisite lunch I have prepared for you. Please allow me to first introduce a noble gentleman to everyone. I believe everyone is familiar with you recently!" William pointed to Zhang Yunfei and said, "This is the hero of the Qing Dynasty who reported on the headlines of newspapers from various countries recently. The Qing Dynasty's Nanyang minister who achieved brilliant results in Japan, the Supreme Commander of the Nanyang Fleet, Lord Zhang Yunfei!"
After William said that, he took the lead in applauding. When the ministers from various countries heard that Zhang Yunfei, the Qing Dynasty, who had recently split, suddenly realized and applauded.
Among them, Chen Fang's applause was the loudest, and the heroes of his own country were of course more proud! There was only one man in a suit in the crowd who also wore a suit. He also wore a suit. Because he was very short, he looked very inappropriate. Even Saburo Shinoda, the Japanese Minister to Hawaii, was really difficult for him. It was of course very ugly to applaud his enemy whom he hated the most.
Then, with William's introduction one by one, whenever he saw a minister in a country, Zhang Yunfei would politely use his country's language and etiquette to greet the ministers. Zhang Yunfei's first impression offensive also worked in front of the ministers of various countries, attracting praise from the ministers of various countries. Finally, Zhang Yunfei came to the Japanese minister Saburo Shinota.
Zhang Yunfei didn't say anything, but Saburo Yantian said first:
"I'm very happy to know you, Lord Zhang Yunfei!" At the same time, he reached out to prepare to shake hands with Zhang Yunfei.
However, Zhang Yunfei looked at William next to him with an ignorant look on his face, and William hurriedly introduced:
"This is Mr. Saburo Shinoda from Japan, and is currently the Japanese ambassador to Hawaii."
At this time, Zhang Yunfei said to William in English: "I think I can learn as long as it is a human language, but unfortunately I really can't learn the language of this gentleman's country! In addition, his country is now hostile to my country, and I don't want to shake hands with the enemy!"
Zhang Yunfei's implication was very clear. He was scolding that Japanese language was not human language, but animal language, and he didn't want to talk to him.
So William had no choice but to smile helplessly and said to Saburo Yantian: "Hissergeant Zhang Yunfei asked me to tell you that since he does not understand your language and your country is hostile, you refuse to shake hands and talk to you. Please forgive me!"
Of course, Saburo Yantian could understand Zhang Yunfei's English. He was so angry that he was trembling. He couldn't understand why Zhang Yunfei seemed to have a huge hatred for his country. It was obvious that you led the fleet to attack Japan, causing huge casualties and losses. It should be that the Japanese hated Zhang Yunfei? He knew that Zhang Yunfei was the one who came to fight later generations, and that the tragic history was the responsibility of every Chinese, especially Chinese men.
The ministers of various countries knew why Zhang Yunfei deliberately scolded Saburo Yantian. Although the two countries are still negotiating, they are still hostile. So not only do not mind Zhang Yunfei's mean words, they think he is a patriotic person.
Seeing that it was a bit unsuccessful, William hurriedly invited everyone to the table for dinner.
After everyone was seated, William announced the meal, so everyone moved their chopsticks to eat, and the atmosphere of chatting and laughing became lively. It turned out that these ministers were not as busy as ambassadors in later generations. They basically had nothing to do. Apart from pyramid schemes and other things to attract customers from domestic companies everywhere. When they were fine, they often ate and drank together, unlike embassies in later generations who had to be busy with visas and protect expatriates every day.
When lunch was over halfway, William suddenly said to everyone:
"Sir, today I want to announce something to you on behalf of the British Empire!" Seeing that everyone stopped, William continued: "Our British Empire has decided to believe that the actions of Mr. Shanfo-Balard-Dor, the President of the Privy Council of Hawaii, are illegal and betrayal of the country. Therefore, our British Empire has decided to firmly oppose the rebellious acts of rebels such as Shanfo-Balard-Dor against the Kingdom of Hawaii, and continue to support the regime of Her Majesty Queen Liliu Oukarani, and only her regime is the legal regime of the Kingdom of Hawaii! To this end, tomorrow's celebration ceremony will be a celebration to maintain the Queen's punishment of the rebels!"
As soon as William finished speaking, Japanese Minister Saburo Shinoda immediately supported William and said: "Our Japanese Empire agreed to the decision of the British Empire! Maintain the regime of the Queen of Hawaii and maintain stability in the Pacific region!"
German Minister Baland said: "The Queen of Hawaii was forced to abdicate only by force, so the actions of Shanfo and others have constituted the crime of rebellion. The German government will implement international conventions and oppose the rebellion of Shanfo and others!"
After seeing the statement from the German ambassador Barland, the Russian ambassador to Hawaii, Kuman, and French ambassador to Hawaii, Li Mei, also expressed their agreement with the German ambassador because of the Russian-German alliance and the French-German alliance.
Belgian minister Wei Liyong, and Spanish minister Rodri followed the leader of several powerful countries and agreed.
At this time, Chen Fang also announced on behalf of the Qing Dynasty that he would agree to the opinions of British Minister William and oppose the Hawaiian Rebellion. Chilean Minister to Hawaii Rosios also quickly agreed to the opinions of Britain.
At this time, only the Godfather of the American Minister Stevens was left. William asked: "I don't know how Mr. Stevens's Godfather views this matter, it seems that the Godfather is also involved in this matter!"
"Yes, I was involved in this matter, but I didn't know that it would be the result at that time. Moreover, my country's President and the Parliament thought it was illegal! Therefore, I also agree with your country's opinion and oppose the action of subverting the Kingdom of Hawaii!" Seeing that all countries were opposed, Stevens had to follow the original plan and follow the opposition from the great powers of various countries.
"In that case, the 300 soldiers sent by your country's Navy will also ask your father to ask them to withdraw. Otherwise, if we take action, it will be bad if we accidentally get injured!" William saw that Stevens and the US government did not dare to offend Britain head-on as Zhang Yunfei said, so he continued to suppress it.
"This, they are not under my control! Is your country going to use force?" Stevens was shocked. How did William know about this? It seems that he still needs to use force, but there is no British military presence nearby!
Originally, Stevens believed that even if countries oppose it, since there are no troops stationed in Hawaii, with the 300 soldiers sent by the Navy, it would be possible to create a certain fact at tomorrow's celebration, that is, the Queen of Hawaii officially abdicated and Shanfo-Balard-Dor officially took over as the first president of the Republic. By then, even if countries oppose it, it will be too late. We will never send troops from all over the world! But when William's intention is to use force? You have to ask carefully!
At this time, Zhang Yunfei said: "Our Qing Empire and the British Empire have traditional friendship, so we will cooperate with all the actions of the British Empire. I am the commander of the Qing Dynasty's Nanyang Fleet, and my fleet is anchored in Pearl Harbor. At the same time, my Marine Corps 1st Regiment, the 2,000 officers and soldiers have been assembled! Cooperate with the actions of Your Excellency William at any time, and use force to clarify the rebellion if necessary!"
Zhang Yunfei's words undoubtedly gave William the strongest backing, which made William very happy. After hearing this, countries suddenly realized that Zhang Yunfei had specially brought warships to Hawaii to be a thug for Britain! Stevens was covered in dust. Of course, he knew Zhang Yunfei's words and knew that 300 soldiers from the US Navy could not stop Zhang Yunfei!
"This, I will try my best to persuade these soldiers to return home quickly!" Stevens said quickly.
In this way, everything went very smoothly. William finally joined forces with all countries to draft the regime to maintain the regime of the Kingdom of Hawaii, maintain the rule of the Queen of Hawaii, recognize the Kingdom of Hawaii as the only legal government of the Hawaii Islands, and let the ministers of each country sign. The fate of the Kingdom of Hawaii was decided by the countries on such a piece of paper.
It should have been signed by Chen Fang on behalf of the Qing Dynasty, but because Chen Fang is a citizen of Hawaii, Chen Fang also deliberately asked Zhang Yunfei to sign so that the Qing Dynasty knew that it was Zhang Yunfei's credit, and at the same time, more than 100,000 Chinese workers in Hawaii were grateful to Zhang Yunfei. Zhang Yunfei knew his little 99, so he signed the name on the Hawaii Joint Declaration with a big pen. But what he didn't know was that the huge reputation and benefits brought to him by this signature also brought endless hidden dangers.
Chapter completed!