Chapter 318 The timing is really good
After the third Aceh War, George was on the British key monitoring list and became one of the most dangerous Russians.
The British military expenditure for the Malay War exceeded 70 million pounds. Not only did the British fail to conquer the Malay Peninsula, but they completely lost control of the Malay Peninsula. This was the most tragic loss for the British since the Anglo-Dutch War. of failure.
The controversy over the Malay War continues to this day. Some British generals blame the failure of the British army on lack of preparation, and are still clamoring for a restart of the Malay War.
The Malay War led to the immediate collapse of Gladstone's cabinet, and the Marquess of Salisbury formed a cabinet again.
The Marquis of Salisbury was still very rational. The Malay Peninsula was not indispensable to Britain. Britain did not want to fall into a proxy war supported by the Russian Empire, and hoped to use Japan to lock the Russian Empire in Siberia.
This was originally the original intention of Britain to support Japan.
The Qing Empire was not worthy of the British war.
Through the Malay War, Salisbury became sensitively aware that the colonial system constructed by the British had fatal flaws. If these flaws were not repaired in time, they would be exploited.
The Marquis of Salisbury is not interested in the Russian Crown Prince's marriage.
George became the focus of the Marquis of Salisbury. The day after arriving in London, George received an invitation from the Marquis of Salisbury.
George didn't want to deal with the old fox, so he refused the Marquis of Salisbury's invitation on the pretext of being busy with official duties.
George didn’t expect Salisbury to be so thick-skinned and actually come to him.
George and Anne lived in London at Greyover Manor, an asset Catherine purchased for George in England.
In the first two years when George started selling champagne, Ekaterina exchanged most of the money she earned for real estate around the world. Even George owned real estate in Miami, USA.
Greveford is a British-style country villa. Since London in winter is not suitable for human habitation, British dignitaries left London in the winter and lived in country villas far away from the city. Over time, British rural culture was formed.
Graveford is very large, with 350 acres, which is very rare in the suburbs of London.
"A war is about to break out in the Far East, and you are still in London. Aren't you worried that the war will spread to Amur?"
Salisbury was a test from the very beginning.
"As for the few broken ships in Japan, they have not threatened Amur's strength."
George doesn't mince words.
Not to mention the Japanese Navy, the British Royal Navy is also scum in George's opinion.
The navy currently has no air defense capability at all.
The Royal Navy dared to make expeditions, and George had the confidence to defend the enemy from outside the country.
"George, on the issue of the Qing Empire, I think we need to reach an agreement."
Salisbury wanted to share territory with George.
I just don’t know whether to rule by drawing rivers or drawing rivers to rule -
It can’t be said to be “governing”, just a sphere of influence.
"I am just the commander of the Amur Military Region, and your suggestion is beyond my capabilities."
If George doesn't accept the move, the old guy must have failed to hold it in.
"If London and St. Petersburg make an agreement, will you abide by it?"
Salisbury knew too well what kind of person George was.
"Of course! I am first and foremost the commander of the Amur Military District of the Russian Empire."
George is spotless.
"There have been some minor misunderstandings between us over the past few years. Now all the issues have been resolved. Do you agree?"
Salisbury did not dwell on the Qing empire.
This question is difficult to answer.
If the problems have been solved, then George will have no reason to poach the British in the future, and trade with the Transvaal will be put on hold.
Of course, if George has the ability to do it so seamlessly that the British can't catch him, then George will not break his promise.
But if the British get caught, the consequences will be serious. Considering that the Trans-Siberian Railway has not yet been opened to traffic, George decided to restrain himself for the time being.
“Yes, I agree.”
“Very well, I wish you a pleasant stay in London——”
Salisbury didn’t stay long; He gained something, but not much.
Although Salisbury and George failed to reach an agreement on the issue of the Qing Empire.
But if George stops causing trouble, Salisbury can start patching the holes.
After preparations are completed, Salisbury will settle this account with George slowly.
George was not at ease either.
Currently, the flow of materials between Vladivostok and St. Petersburg relies entirely on the Suez Canal.
At least until the Trans-Siberian Railway is opened, Amur needs a safe and stable external environment.
Alex did not hold out for long. After spending an afternoon with Nikolai, Alex finally agreed to convert to Orthodox Christianity.
After solving this problem, there will be no obstacles to the marriage of Nicholas and Alex.
On June 11, Nicholas gave the gift he prepared to Alex.
Alex was happy.
Queen Victoria reminded Alex to "don't make it public". She was not optimistic about the marriage between Nicholas and Alex.
All Nicholas' thoughts were on Alex and he didn't care about what others thought.
On the 12th, George and his party left London for Coburg.
Nicholas and Alex’s engagement ceremony, William II personally attended the ceremony to congratulate them.
Alex's parents are dead, and her sisters have all married. Ernst is the current Grand Duke of Hesse and the Rhine, so his wedding is naturally more grand.
George and his party returned to Crimea only after attending Ernst's wedding.
Alex went to London again after Ernst's wedding.
“Are you happy this time——”
George’s mood was not relaxed.
Engagement is not the end.
The opposite may be the beginning of trouble.
The Russian royal family already has enough problems of its own. If you add Alex, who can act as a monster anytime and anywhere, George is really worried about Nikolai's future life.
No one else said anything, but the relationship between Alex and Maria was enough to give Nicholas a headache.
While George was in London, the Tsar's health showed no improvement and his condition became increasingly serious.
On August 5, news finally came from the Far East that a war broke out between Japan and the Qing Empire.
The Sino-Japanese War began.
This war originally had nothing to do with the Russian Empire.
But on the first day of the war between the Qing Empire and Japan, a Korean fishing boat was rammed and sunk by a Japanese warship, and another fishing boat was destroyed.
George had nothing to say and immediately instructed Ye Luoxin to claim compensation from Japan.
Japan and the Qing Empire started fighting, and George couldn't stop it.
But if the interests of the Russian Empire or Goryeo were damaged in the war, then George would have something to say.
As the commander of the Amur Military District of the Russian Empire, George has a duty to protect the interests of the empire and Korea from losses.
(End of this chapter)