(Thanks to the book friend Three-Headed Holy Dragon Knight for the reward!)
"Father!" Wang Yuze rushed to Wang Xiao's small courtyard. At this moment, Wang Xiao was basking in the sun in the courtyard. The early spring sun was warm, and it was very comfortable on the human body. But even so, because of his old age and frailty,
Because of his weakness, Wang Xiao's body was covered with a thick blanket.
"What's wrong? Did something difficult to decide happen?" Wang Xiao opened his eyes, saw Wang Yuze's anxious look, and then asked. During this period, Wang Yuze's ability in handling government affairs has made Wang Xiao very
He was relieved. This was the first time he saw Wang Yuze in trouble, so he asked.
"A telegram was sent from the plateau. A battalion of the Eighth Brigade clashed with the British and Indian troops in the border area of Cona County. There was a fierce exchange of fire between the two sides and artillery was used. Our army suffered dozens of casualties, while the British and Indian troops were
More than 500 people were killed and injured!" Wang Yuze said. In the history of later generations, Cona County, including several neighboring counties, has always been a pain in the hearts of the Chinese people. The land of more than 60,000 square kilometers has been occupied by the Indian Asan
Now, the British have obviously revealed their ambitions on the plateau. Wang Yuze guessed that the British must be behind this conflict. The reason is probably to occupy China's territory in the south of the Himalayas.
.
A cold light suddenly flashed in Wang Xiao's eyes, and he said: "The British have always coveted the plateau, you must maintain a high degree of vigilance!"
"Yes, father, I won't let them succeed!" Wang Yuze promised immediately.
"Okay, what do you plan to do this time?" Wang Xiao asked.
"Since the British have exposed their claws, we will cut off their claws so that they will not dare to stretch their claws again!" Wang Yuze said.
"Aren't you afraid of a full-scale war with the British? Now we don't have the strength to fully challenge the British!" Wang Xiao said.
"It won't evolve into a full-scale war. We don't have the strength, but the British are definitely not ready. Their focus is in Europe. The rise of Germany has posed a serious threat to the United Kingdom. In addition, in the Far East and the Middle East,
The ambitions of the Russians are also getting bigger and bigger. The British are now busy besieging Germany and Russia. They will not fight a full-scale war with us!" Wang Yuze said.
"Okay then, let's deal with it as you want!" Wang Xiao nodded.
"Father, I want to rush to the plateau immediately and personally command this battle. Our telegram can only be sent to Lhasa. If it is sent to the wrong place, it will take some time. There is a serious lag." Wang Yuze said.
Wang Xiao hesitated a little, but after seeing the determination in Wang Yuze's eyes, he nodded. "Okay, go ahead! However, you need to pay attention to your own safety. If you have three long and two shortcomings, then Western Sichuan will be over."
!" Wang Xiao said with a serious face.
"Yes, father. I will be fine!" Wang Yuze said. After that, he immediately went to the Prime Minister's Office and held a cabinet meeting to discuss the matter. Since he is ready to be tough with the British, the government must also be prepared.
Just fine.
In the cabinet meeting room, after receiving Wang Yuze's order, all the cabinet members in Chengdu rushed over. Among the twelve cabinet ministries, except for the Minister of Transportation Zhan Tianyou who was in Shaanxi and the Minister of Health Zhang Bin who was inspecting in Guizhou, the rest
They all arrived. Including the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of the cabinet, there were twelve people in total. When they arrived, Wang Yuze was already sitting at the head of the long table in the conference room. However, his face was serious, leaving everyone confused.
Could it be that Wang Xiao is critically ill? Everyone can't help but think this way. Perhaps this is the only reason why Wang Yuze convened a cabinet meeting in such a hurry!
"Everyone, I want to inform you of something here. On March 16, a fierce armed conflict broke out between a battalion of the 8th Brigade of our army and the British and Indian troops in Cona County. Now, the exchange of fire continues.
Our army lost hundreds of people, and the British and Indian troops also lost hundreds of people." Wang Yuze said with a serious face.
"What? A conflict broke out with the British?"
"Is there going to be a war with the British?"
"Can we defeat the British?" These cabinet members were completely shocked after hearing the news. The British were the most powerful country in the world. Western Sichuan could defeat the Manchus, but could they defeat the British? No one dared to do this.
ensure.
"Young Marshal, can you negotiate peace with the British and end the conflict? Now the development of western Sichuan has reached a critical moment. If a war breaks out, it will affect the development of western Sichuan!" Prime Minister Liang Xingrong said.
"The British have always coveted the plateau. This conflict is probably planned by the British. If we compromise, the British will definitely take the opportunity to ask us to cede the land south of the Himalayas to India!"
Wang Yuze shook his head.
"There are only tens of thousands square kilometers to the south of the Himalayas, and it is difficult for us to manage it across the Himalayas. If we can exchange this part of the land for peace, I think it is okay!" said Lu Zhixin, Minister of Civil Affairs. He has worked in Plateau Province.
The provincial governor is very familiar with the situation in Cona County.
"The ambition of the British is never-ending. If we meet their demands, then they will think that we are weak and can be bullied and ask for more from us. In terms of territory, we cannot give in an inch. This is my
What I mean is also what my father means!" Wang Yuze said in a deep voice. Wang Yuze knew that there must be many people in the cabinet who have this idea. It is undoubtedly much more cost-effective to exchange barren land for peace. However,
What he just said undoubtedly made it clear to everyone that Western Sichuan will not make concessions in terms of territory.
"Young Marshal. The terrain in the Shannan area is complex. We don't have many troops to invest. We only have the 8th and 9th brigades stationed on the plateau and the 7th brigades in Qamdo. However, although the British and Indian troops have more than 200,000 troops
, but most of them are local Indians with low combat effectiveness. They are estimated to be similar to the Manchu army. There are only less than 20,000 British soldiers. Moreover, they still have a large number of areas to be garrisoned, and the number of troops they invest is not
There will be a lot. If the scale of the war is limited to the border areas, we are very likely to win!" Defense Minister Jiang Xingguo also said. However, some are worried that the British will expand the war after suffering losses. In that case, Western Sichuan
It would be difficult to cope with it.
"Don't worry! This time the war will only be a low-intensity border conflict. I will strictly control the scale of the war. In addition, after the meeting, I will rush to the plateau after the meeting to personally direct this war. Western Sichuan
You should worry more about this matter!" Wang Yuze said.
"Young Marshal, the battlefield is dangerous, why don't you let someone else go?" Liang Xingrong suggested.
"Don't worry, I will pay more attention and nothing will happen. In addition, Minister Wu, if the British side comes to negotiate on this matter, you must maintain a tough attitude. You must not compromise!" Wang Yuze said to Foreign Minister Wu Tingfang.
"Young Marshal, don't worry, I know it well!" Wu Tingfang nodded. As an outstanding diplomat in the late Qing Dynasty, Wu Tingfang undoubtedly had high abilities in this regard.
"Okay. Let's end the meeting here! Please make sure to maintain the rapid development of Western Sichuan during this period. Only in this way can we have the confidence to protect our interests after defeating the British army!" Wang Yuze said solemnly.
"Please rest assured, young marshal, and wish you success!" everyone said.
After Wang Yuze paid a military salute to everyone, he strode out of the conference room. He will set off immediately and rush to the plateau. It will probably take half a month to rush from Chengdu to Cona County, even if he travels day and night. Fortunately, it is now
In spring, the ice and snow have melted. If it is winter when the mountains are blocked by heavy snow, there is really no way. In addition, the British are well prepared this time and hope that the troops on the plateau can withstand the British attack.
If defeated, the problem would be serious.
After Wang Yuze left the cabinet, he went to the General Staff Headquarters and asked the General Staff Headquarters to ensure the logistics supply of the plateau army. After returning home again, he said goodbye to his father and several wives, and took Wang Wei and the guards who visited the diplomatic residence with him.
, left Chengdu and rushed to the plateau.
Almost as soon as Wang Yuze left Chengdu, the British Consul in Chengdu, Zhu Erdian, came to visit him. The person who met him was Wu Tingfang, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Western Sichuan.
"Minister Wu, I want to protest to you. Protest that your army attacked our British Empire's troops in India, causing hundreds of casualties. Our British Empire is very angry and asked if Western Sichuan wants to go to war with our British Empire?"
Zhu Erdian was furious and looked domineering.
"Your Excellency Zhu Erdian, please calm down first. However, according to the information we have received, it is clear that your country's Indian troops entered our territory and initiated the provocation first. Our troops were just forced to fight back!" Wu Tingfang retorted.
"Minister Wu, that is not your country's territory, but an area that is disputed between your country and India. Our troops stationed in India are also qualified to enter and patrol there." Zhu Erdian said immediately.
"Your Excellency, Consul, since ancient times, the territory south of the Himalayas has belonged to China, and is not what you call a disputed area. Our army has the right to defend the territorial integrity of any foreign troops entering it!" Wu Tingfang had no doubts.
He replied hesitantly.
"Your Excellency, Minister, does Western Sichuan want to go to war with the British Empire over the Shannan area?" Zhu Erdian threatened. Although the British and Indian troops invaded the Shannan area without authorization and did not discuss it with the British mainland, but now they have suffered a loss, and the British Empire
Naturally, he will show up.
"Your Excellency Zhu Erdian. Although the British Empire is the most powerful country in the world, it is still impossible to seize our territory! In order to protect the territorial integrity, we will do whatever it takes!" Wu Tingfang said.
"Hmph! Well, I believe you will regret it!" Zhu Erdian left the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Western Sichuan angrily.
PS: The fourth update is completed! Please vote for the monthly ticket! (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to (this site) to subscribe, reward, and your support is my biggest motivation.)