London in August is the best time of the year. There is neither the drizzle in spring nor the fog that shrouds the city in winter. There is only bright sunshine and good news one after another.
In the bright sunshine, people walked out of their homes and enjoyed the sunshine in parks and suburbs. Ladies held umbrellas and wore gorgeous dresses, enjoying the beauty of summer.
However, not everyone has such a leisurely mood.
Yan Fu, frowning, was walking on the street. At this time, his mood seemed a little heavy.
He didn't know where he was going, so he just walked aimlessly in the city. After reading the articles in the newspaper, he couldn't concentrate, and many thoughts that shouldn't have appeared in his mind always appeared.
So, when he realized that he had arrived at this place, he couldn't help but feel shocked.
Opposite is the Nanhua Embassy in London. Compared with the small building rented by the Minister of the Qing Dynasty, this is a rather tall building, and people come in and out of the building from time to time.
"The phoenix...should be Suzaku!"
Yan Fu, who was standing across the street, looked at the "Red-bottomed Suzaku" flying on the flagpole and thought silently in his heart.
In order to conceal his behavior, he walked to the newsstand and pretended to browse newspapers and magazines.
Just then, he heard the newspaper seller's cry.
"Read the newspaper, read the newspaper. The Nanhua airship troops have arrived in Europe and will fly to France soon. Nanhua declares war on Prussia."
The news in the newspaper shook Yan Fu's whole body.
It was this news that made him unable to calm down for a long time.
Nanhua actually declared war on Prussia.
Nanhua actually sent their airship troops.
Nanhua...
Countless thoughts were swirling in his heart, and everything finally converged into one word.
Nam Hwa!
Staring at the embassy opposite, time was passing by unconsciously. At this time, Yan Fu saw a gentleman wearing a mandarin jacket walking over.
It was Guo Songtao, the minister to the UK.
"Mr. Minister, why are you here..."
Guo Songtao was not surprised to see Yan Fu here. Yan Fu, who was studying at the Naval Academy, had been helping the embassy during the holidays. He also admired this young man very much and just nodded slightly.
"Have you read the newspaper?"
Guo Songtao greeted him.
"Yes, my lord."
"What do you think about this matter?"
"The hypocrite is not willing to go thousands of miles away, sending troops to participate in the European war, and resorting to violence. It is really not a blessing for the people. When..." Yan Fu did not continue, he saw the minister looking at him, smiling at him.
"Tell the truth!"
"Sir, Nanhua was able to send airships to France to help in the battle across the ocean. This shows that their strength is really amazing. After this battle becomes famous in Europe, it will definitely be a blessing to our Qing Dynasty!"
Nodding slightly, Guo Songtao looked at the embassy opposite.
"Let's not talk about it for now. You studied the navy and know more about military matters than I do. I want to ask you, what do you think their airship can do? Can it help the French?"
Guo Songtao thought for a while, and finally sighed.
"I'm worried that they will get nothing out of a bamboo basket! Ji Gao is a man of great talent, how can he be so short-sighted? What does the dispute between the West have to do with me? Why should I interfere in this matter?"
He and Zuo Zongtang were from the same hometown and were very familiar with each other. Originally, Guo Songtao only thought that Zuo Zongtang died in Zhejiang, but he never thought that he was not only alive, but also highly valued in Nanhua.
Such an opportunity cannot be envied.
Although they have different views, Guo Songtao is not hostile to Nanhua, especially Zuo Zongtang. After hearing about the declaration of war, he has been worried.
"The French and the Prussians are fighting. Whether they win or lose, what does it have to do with Nanhua? What if France loses and Nanhua gets into troubled waters, how will it end?"
The minister's words made Yan Fu nodded slightly.
"But, I hope, the airship is really as powerful as what the newspapers say!"
How powerful are airships?
No one in Europe can tell a reason, but one thing is certain: in 1870, airships were the big killer of this era.
A weapon that can make any soldier change his color.
In a French manor on the front line of Sesame, when Moltke learned that the airship sent by Nanhua had arrived on the Spanish coast, his first reaction was - how is this possible?
What was the second reaction?
I was extremely nervous inside.
As the maker of the war plan, the war had been expected by him from the beginning, and not many changes had occurred. The war was completely within his control.
But the only thing he didn't include was Nanhua's airship!
"General, you look very ugly!"
Seeing the ugly expression on the chief of staff's face, William I, the King of Prussia, said.
Raising his head, Mao Qi looked at His Highness the King and asked.
"Your Majesty, my face is so ugly?"
"It's even uglier than the human specimens soaked in formalin in the hospital."
William I joked.
"I met--"
Mao Qi, who was hesitant to speak, thought for a while.
For the first time, William I discovered that his chief of staff was thoughtful and showed it on his face. That's half of what he said.
"We have a problem."
"Indeed it is."
William I nodded, as if confirming his thoughts.
"When war was first declared, I didn't think airships were a big deal. Even when Nanhua declared war on us, I just regarded it as a joke!"
In fact, everyone took this matter as a joke.
An American country declares war on a European country?
This itself is a joke!
The New World... has always been a colony of European countries. How can they declare war on European countries?
In the eyes of everyone, this was just a verbal declaration of war. There was even a joke in the staff department - "South China-style declaration of war".
It's just verbal talk, just righteous talk.
But now, the news from Spain has subverted everyone's thoughts. Even Moltke tried his best to overcome his inner uneasiness.
After all, the emergence of airships is definitely a huge uncertain factor. This is the most taboo factor in war.
"My Chief of Staff, I remember that it seems that we have made some preparations. Have you forgotten?"
In fact, they had indeed made some preparations to deal with the French airships, but unexpectedly the French did not get the airships, but Nanhua sent their airships over, and they even declared war on Prussia.
"Yeah, of course. I haven't forgotten."
"Okay then, let's welcome the rest together!"
His Majesty the King's words made Mao Qi's face change slightly. At this moment, all the anxiety on his face returned, and he said seriously.
"Your Majesty, I made you laugh."
William I raised his eyebrows and smiled.
"So my Chief of Staff, what now? What are we going to do?"
"Well, let's proceed as planned..."
This time, Mao Qi no longer felt the uneasiness he felt before. He picked up his pocket watch, took a look at it, and then said.
"The Guards Division will begin its attack in one hour. I congratulate His Majesty on the greatest victory of this century."
An hour later, amidst the roar of Krupp's heavy artillery, the German Confederate army's attack began...
