In fact, there are always some similarities in history. The relationship between the United States and Britain at this time was similar to the relationship between China and the United States in later generations. The United States has become the world's largest industrial country and the largest trading country. It has already dominated the world and is ready to take action. However, the world has already
It was controlled by the British, the old overlord, and there was not much room left for the United States.
China is the intersection of great powers. Whoever can capture China will gain an advantage in this contest and turn that advantage into victory.
Zhang Tinglan still sees this international trend clearly. After seeing it clearly, Zhang Tinglan also has his own choice for partners. The United States is still dominated by industry and has the most powerful industrial system in the world, so it has
The complementarity between China and China means that if they can cooperate, although the United States will benefit more, China will also be able to gain at least some benefits.
As for the United Kingdom, it has long since degenerated from the world's factory to the world's black boss, living by knocking the bones of its colonies and sucking their marrow. If China wants to avoid being sucked, it must decisively get rid of Britain.
Therefore, strengthening cooperation with the United States is a move that Zhang Tinglan must take. Seeing Schulman's eyes shining, Zhang Tinglan was also very satisfied, so he smiled and said: "Mr. Minister, in addition to the railway lines, the ports on the eastern coast
To expand, hydropower in southwest China needs to be developed. In addition, China imports a large amount of oil and fertilizers every year, and also exports a large amount of agricultural products. China and the United States can also sign a currency swap agreement so that trade settlement can be directly
What do you think of this proposal between the two countries?"
Schulman is not an idiot. Zhang Tinglan has already made rumors about currency swaps. Of course he understands the value of currency swaps. This is clearly poaching the pound.
If the U.S. dollar can occupy China, this will definitely be an important step for the U.S. dollar to go global. In fact, before World War I, the 27th President of the United States, Taft, proposed the policy of gold-dollar diplomacy. Simply put, it is to use funds through foreign investment.
Instead of using bullets to strengthen control over Latin America, China is also a market that Americans are trying to capture.
If Sino-US currency swaps can be realized, this will definitely be the biggest victory for gold-dollar diplomacy for Americans. When Shulman heard these words, his eyes were not as simple as red, he even felt a little excited.
Foreign Minister Gu Weijun also smiled and said: "Mr. Shulman, the Vice President just discussed with the Prime Minister. Although the concession involves sovereignty issues and must be taken back at the appropriate time. But considering the trade interests between various countries and China, we are prepared to
Consider some port cities as zones open to the outside world. Within the zones, China's laws and sovereignty must be observed. At the same time, the government will also provide policy and tax benefits to foreign investment. I also hope that Mr. Minister can convey China's attitude as soon as possible.
Tell Washington that we all look forward to broader cooperation with the United States."
When the matter reached this point, Shulman had nothing to say. The conditions offered by Zhang Tinglan were so generous that they even exceeded the expectations of the United States. Domestic bureaucrats must be persuaded not to miss this opportunity.
To do otherwise would be a crime against the American people.
Looking at the furious Schulman, Zhang Tinglan and Gu Weijun showed relief on their faces. As long as the United States did not interfere, they could concentrate on dealing with the British. No matter what tricks the British played, Zhang Tinglan did not have to worry.
"Vice President, it is very important to obtain the support of the United States, but I always feel that the concession is too much. With our industrial level, after fully opening up to the United States, will it cause a complete collapse of the local industry?"
Zhang Tinglan nodded slightly: "There is indeed this danger. But for a country as big as ours, closing the door will definitely not work. No matter how unfair it is, our enterprises must try their best to compete and turn themselves into a ferocious pack of wolves.
Only then can we have a chance to survive. In addition, we cannot let the Americans dominate alone. We can also cooperate with Germany and Italy, and the government must fulfill its mission and provide protection for our companies."
Speaking of this, Zhang Tinglan smiled again and said: "In fact, these conditions given to the United States also have a lot of room for maneuver. I am afraid it will take a lot of time to carry out detailed negotiations, and it will also take time for Congress to approve it. It can be delayed as long as it is delayed.
Three to five years will not be a problem."
Gu Weijun had to be sincerely impressed at this time. It turned out that what the vice president issued was just a blank check, but it had to be said that this blank check was indeed too attractive, enough to make Americans turn around.
While Zhang Tinglan was planning his next move, Feng Yongshuang suddenly hurried over again.
"Vice President, we have just received intelligence that Britain has urgently dispatched a fleet from Hong Kong and is heading north to the Yangtze River Estuary."
"How many warships did they send?"
"The specific number is unclear, but there are at least ten or more. The flagship is the heavy cruiser USS Hawkins. There are also at least two ironclad ships, both with a tonnage of more than 10,000 tons. They are huge!"
Zhang Tinglan frowned when he heard this introduction. Zhang Tinglan was not unfamiliar with the Hawkins. This was a heavy cruiser designed by the British during World War I. The standard displacement was less than 10,000 tons and it was equipped with seven 7.5-inch guns.
The main gun and the maximum speed reached 30 knots. This class of heavy cruiser also became a benchmark in the Washington Conference.
This warship has inherited the tradition of British warships being thin-skinned and big-bodied, and due to the excessive pursuit of speed, the defense has been further reduced, and it has been difficult to adapt to cruel naval battles. However, as it performs patrol missions in the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean, it is necessary to maintain
For colonial colonization, the Hawkins was more than sufficient.
Zhang Tinglan knew very well that Britain would not be willing to suffer a loss and would definitely take retaliatory measures, so it was expected that it would send warships. However, this small amount of troops was not enough to make Fengjun surrender. It could even be said that this was another attempt to give Fengjun another mouth.
Bring meat inside.
"Immediately issue an order to Yang Yuting and ask him to do a good job in response. No matter what the British want to do, they cannot be allowed to succeed." After finishing speaking, Zhang Tinglan walked around on the ground a few more times, and then said: "Let the Seventh Aviation Squadron
Immediately station in Nantong, and the coastal areas of Jiangsu and Shandong will also be prepared for defense!"
His subordinates immediately conveyed Zhang Tinglan's order. At this time, Yang Yuting was convening a military meeting in Pukou. Fengjun's heavy military group gathered here, and his generals were gearing up to cross the river and capture Nanjing.
Ma Zhanshan said with a smile: "I have long heard that Jiangnan is the best place in the world. There is heaven above and Suzhou and Hangzhou below. I have to experience it this time."
"Not to mention Suzhou and Hangzhou, Nanjing is also the ancient capital of six dynasties, and there is a foreign market ten miles away in Shanghai. I hear people say it every day, and my ears are calloused." Zhang Henian also said with a smile: "I think those people in Nanjing are just rubbish.
They are just chickens and dogs. Once they pass by, they will all be finished. Why should we wait in Jiangbei?"
Jiang Dengxuan smiled and waved his hand: "Mr. Zhang, you can never underestimate the enemy at any time, but you are right about one thing. These people in Nan Province are indeed vulnerable. But you also have to think clearly, our opponents are basically
It's not them, it's the British! If we cross the river rashly before the British play their cards, we will suffer a loss!"
Yang Yuting also nodded slightly. Apparently he had the same idea, so he hoarded the army in Jiangbei and prepared for attack, just to wait for the British to take action.
At this time, Zhang Tinglan's order was also conveyed, and Yang Yuting and others immediately became a hundred times more energetic.
"Let's all take a look. What action will this British fleet take?"
Jiang Dengxuan thought for a while and then said: "I think there are only two possible moves by the British. One is to use the fleet to blockade the Yangtze River to prevent us from going south, and the other is to attack coastal areas, blockade the Yangtze River estuary, and block our foreign trade."
"It makes sense, but the British are not stupid. If we can sink four of their warships, we can be sure to send more warships to the bottom of the sea. I guess the British will not fight head-on. They should have other plans."
What Yang Yuting said is not unreasonable. It is well known that Fengjun's air force is powerful. It is absolutely a stupid act for the British to drive the warship to the shore without air cover.
They have already suffered a loss once, so they will never suffer a second loss!
Thinking of this, Yang Yuting gradually thought of a possibility: "Do you think the British might want to attack the Yarmouth?"
Yang Yuting's judgment was not wrong. Being captured by a warship is a very shameless thing, especially since the Yarmouth is still a relatively new British light cruiser. If it falls into the hands of China, it will be a slap in the face for the British.
But it's too loud.
Therefore, in addition to actively wooing other powers, Britain is formulating a plan to drag the Yarmouth out of the Yangtze River. If it cannot be dragged out, it will blow up the warship. In short, it cannot be left to China, otherwise the British Empire
His face was completely lost.
For this reason, the British dispatched the main force of the Far East Fleet. The person responsible for commanding this operation was still Rear Admiral James. He had just gone north not long ago, but was blocked by the Fengjun navy and air force. There was no way
Entering the Bohai Sea.
James was also very aware of the power of Fengjun's air power, so he did not act rashly. His flagship Hawkins and two other large ironclad ships were parked outside the Yangtze River Estuary, but he secretly dispatched two frigates to take advantage of the situation.
Driving into the mouth of the Yangtze River at night, we went up the river all the way, surrounded by dark mountains and very quiet.
They were getting closer and closer to Jiangyin Fortress, and the British were worried, fearing that they would alarm the defenders along the way. Gradually, they were getting closer and closer to the stranded warship. At this moment, a sudden shot came from the river.
Several beams of extremely strong light just swept across two British warships.
searchlight!
The British suddenly felt something bad. At this moment, the fort on the riverside made a loud rumbling noise. The huge shells fell into the cold river water. The tall water columns splashed more than ten meters high. The river surface instantly started churning.
The two British warships were suddenly exposed to the giant beast's mouth.