Iron Dynasty Chapter 1102

Europe.

The news from India reached here after half a year. For a time, the entire European political arena seemed to be hit by an earthquake.

In the Tulip Palace, Victoria’s face was ashen after learning the news. “Surrendered? Our invincible Redcoats actually surrendered to the Eastern Empire!”

Murphy stood quietly beside Victoria. With him were many prominent nobles and parliamentarians in London.

“A firearm that fires continuously, massive steel warships, powerful cannons, and bombs that can be easily thrown by soldiers. The Chinese Empire’s weapons of war have surpassed us by too much. Our soldiers would not have chosen to surrender unless they were facing a desperate situation. Your Majesty, now we must consider whether we should ransom these soldiers?”

The officer who spoke was wearing a red military uniform and a boat hat. He was the most famous general in Britain, General Wellington.

In the former war of Tsarist Russia’s southward expansion, this general had once led the British Redcoats to defeat the Tsarist Russian army and ultimately forced Tsarist Russia to withdraw its claws from Eastern Europe.

Murphy reminded her, “After the allied forces surrendered, the Chinese Empire released a merchant ship to come back and deliver a message. The message was that, Your Majesty, we have more than ten thousand soldiers in the hands of the Chinese Empire. If they cannot return to Britain, they can only work to their deaths in the cold mines of the East.”

Victoria painfully massaged her eyebrows. As a world hegemon, when had Britain ever been extorted by another country?

“What price did they give us?” Victoria could not be indifferent to the lives of these soldiers. More than ten thousand soldiers was one-tenth of Britain’s army.

If something were to happen to these soldiers, she would face criticism from all social strata, and her dignity as a queen would inevitably be affected.

“A regular soldier requires two hundred pounds, and officers are calculated separately,” Murphy said cautiously.

Victoria’s chest heaved violently. She stood up abruptly. “This is simply blackmail. We only have to pay twenty pounds in Europe to ransom a soldier.”

Wellington shook his head. “Your Majesty, now is not the time to be stingy with money. With the wealth we have accumulated over the years, this money is nothing. But soldiers are precious. These soldiers are all young and strong men. As long as they return, we will have more than ten thousand soldiers who have fought against the Chinese Empire. If we equip them with new equipment, they can become a sharp sword to curb the Chinese Empire.”

The other nobles and parliamentarians all nodded. Murphy took the opportunity to say, “Your Majesty, we can hold a banquet in the Tulip Palace, calling on the nobles and merchants who attend to donate money to save these poor soldiers, and also tell them that if they do not want to do their part for the Empire, all of their overseas interests will be swallowed up by the Chinese Empire.”

Victoria showed an appreciative expression. This was also what she had just thought of. To catch up with the Chinese Empire’s technological level, the government had invested a huge amount of money in various laboratories.

She did not want to waste a single bit of money on other matters now, and these nobles and wealthy merchants had accumulated a large amount of wealth through trade.

It could be said that the people who were truly rich in Britain were these people. Sometimes, she truly wished she could have absolute power like the Emperor of the Eastern Empire.

In that way, she would be able to squeeze these merchants dry.

“This is a good idea.” Victoria nodded slightly.

Murphy, like a gentleman, nodded. He then showed a serious expression. “The next matter is of paramount importance. How should we handle our relationship with the Chinese Empire? Should the war continue?”

“Do you think our navy can defeat the Empire’s navy?” Victoria asked in return.

“Of course not.”

“In that case, what else can we use to fight the Empire? Let’s send another delegation to negotiate for peace. Now we must do everything we can to seek peace. We need time now.” Victoria’s eyes became resolute.

Wellington said loudly, “Of course. We must also be prepared for the worst. If the Eastern Empire does not give us a chance for peace, then we must prepare for war. From now on, we must call on all British citizens to prepare to resist a powerful enemy, until we are left with only one person. Only by showing the Chinese Empire a strong will to fight will they make concessions.”

Wellington was Victoria’s lifeline. She said, “Please rest assured and do it. I believe no one will oppose you, General.”

After a pause, she continued, “I will also work to promote a European alliance as soon as possible. This is the most powerful enemy we have encountered in two hundred years. It has harmed the interests of all Europeans.”

Wellington took off his hat and bowed to Victoria in thanks.

Murphy showed a relieved smile. He then said, “We have also received news that the Eastern Empire and Persia have been in close contact recently. It seems they want to obtain something from Persia. No matter what they are looking for, I suggest we stir up trouble between the Ottoman Empire and Persia to make their war continue. This way, we can contain some of the Empire’s power.”

For Victoria, any method that could stall the Eastern Empire’s advance towards Europe was worth using now.

So, after a moment of hesitation, she nodded. The Ottoman Empire was once an object of their vigilance, but now they had to become friends.

At the same time.

The Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, and France also received news from India. This news shocked them no less than it did Britain.

For a time, the entire Europe was under the shadow of defeat. To deal with this defeat, their communication with each other suddenly increased.

Europe, which was once filled with conflicts and was like a powder keg, seemed to have become unprecedentedly calm.

After a month of preparations, a large joint delegation set off for the East. This time, they would sit down again and negotiate with the Chinese Empire.

…

Qingzhou.

Xiao Ming was driving the internal combustion engine car delivered by the imperial automobile factory in the square of the Zhengda Guangming Hall. After reaching an agreement with Persia, the Ministry of Minerals successfully found petroleum in Persia, and it was a shallow oilfield.

Immediately, the Empire’s drilling team rushed to Persia. Half a year later, the first batch of petroleum arrived at Dengzhou Port, which meant that the Empire’s automobiles would no longer be left idle due to a lack of gasoline.

The transported petroleum was quickly turned into gasoline, wax, asphalt, and lubricating oil after being sent to the petrochemical factory.

After driving three laps around the square, Xiao Ming stopped the car and got out.

“The quality of this batch of improved cars is good.” Xiao Ming said with a smile to Qian Dafu.

Since the pacification of the Empire’s internal unrest, the Empire’s life had become more peaceful. However, under this peaceful surface, the Empire’s development had never stopped. On the contrary, it had become more rapid. Many technologies exploded out of the laboratories with the researchers’ efforts.

Even the automobile had an improved version in a short period of time, with an even better internal combustion engine.