In Downing Street, London, British Prime Minister Oliver Cromwell was reading letters from French Prime Minister Mazarin and Spanish King Felipe IV at the Prime Minister's Office.
After the defeat of the combined fleet, only these two people were able to handle the current situation.
Louis XIV, the Emperor of France, was now, like the King of England, a child incapable of taking power.
The Holy Roman Emperor and other European rulers had no way to get involved in this matter, and their opinions were not important.
After Prime Minister Oliver Cromwell finished reading the letter, he angrily threw it on the table.
The three of them did not reach an agreement at all.
The United Fleet was defeated, and their only choice was to seek peace from the Great China Empire, otherwise they would suffer even greater losses.
Especially England, without the protection of a powerful navy, he is like a child holding gold in a busy city.
But if you want to ask for peace, you have to pay a huge price.
None of the three of them wanted to pay the price, it was too heavy for them.
England had just emerged from the civil war, and Prime Minister Oliver Cromwell's rule was no longer stable due to the defeat of the United Fleet.
If Britain's interests are betrayed again, the royal party will definitely rise again.
Oliver Cromwell will go from Prime Minister to prisoner.
King Felipe IV of Spain, due to the Dutch incident and Spain's continuous failures in foreign wars.
His throne was already unstable, and if Spain suffered heavy losses this time, the nobles in Spain would probably unite to expel the king.
The French Prime Minister Mazarin monopolized the whole of France, which has made many French nobles dissatisfied.
Especially among the military aristocrats who have risen recently, Prince Kong Dai is the strongest among them.
If French Prime Minister Mazarin betrays France's interests, his reputation will plummet.
Prince Condé and others will unite many French nobles to eliminate the power of Mazarin in the name of supporting Louis XIV.
They all have reasons why they must never negotiate peace with the Great China Empire.
This is also the reason why they did not immediately seek peace with the Great China Empire after learning about the disastrous defeat of the United Fleet.
Prime Minister Oliver Cromwell knew that with the actions of the Chinese Empire, the situation in Europe would inevitably change dramatically.
Even though England suffered heavy losses, it caused heavy losses to the nobles and merchants. Knowing that the situation continues to develop, their losses will be even more severe.
Only then, when Oliver Cromwell complies with the name of the country, is the time to truly seek peace with the Chinese Empire.
…………………………
Li Pinglang, Admiral of the Imperial Navy Fleet, walked out of the prison camp.
The sailors of the Combined Fleet are indeed very good at navigation and gunnery skills.
Just because of the huge difference between sailing ships and ironclad ships.
Even if these sailors have good skills, they cannot use their own abilities to change the fate of the combined fleet.
Admiral Li Pinglang looked at Chief of Staff Gu Zhonghuang and said: "These prisoners of the United Fleet are seriously injured and there is nothing we can do.
People with severe burns cannot be saved by gods.
Those with minor injuries should be treated, and if they can survive, they will be lucky.
These European countries do not want their navies to collapse, so they will definitely be willing to pay high prices to redeem these prisoners.
The captured United Fleet warships were tried to be sold to the Fujian Navy.
In the current Mediterranean Sea, these warships can fight any navy other than our fleet."
Chief of Staff Gu Zhonghuang nodded and said: "Leave these matters to me. If the waste is sold to the right person, it can be sold at a high price.
What does Admiral Li want to do soon? Go visit the injured soldiers?
This war was fought so smoothly, with only over 500 casualties, most of which were non-fatal minor injuries."
"Wei Fangyue, the military attaché of the British Embassy, brought suggestions from the British Ambassador Wei Yuansheng.
We have no idea at all about the complex relationships between European countries.
Ambassador Wei Yuansheng has been operating in Europe for many years, and he must understand the situation in European countries.
In subsequent negotiations with Europe, we could not do without the help of Ambassador Wei Yuansheng.
I believe Ambassador Wei Yuansheng will definitely be able to bring us better suggestions."
After the Imperial Navy Fleet defeated the United Fleet, it did not continue to pursue the victory.
The main problem is that you don't know where to attack, so that you can inflict the most pain on European countries.
Ineffective and indiscriminate bombing along the coast is the most efficient method.
What is the difference between this approach and the Japanese pirates during the Ming Dynasty?
The pride of the Imperial Navy does not allow them to act like pirates at all.
Only then did Admiral Li Pinglang choose to seek advice from Ambassador Wei Yuansheng, a local snake.
The secondary reason is to allow the Imperial Navy fleet to repair for a period of time.
After a large-scale naval battle, both warships and naval officers need to rest and prepare for the next challenge in the best possible condition.
Chief of Staff Gu Zhonghuang understood the whole story. After he heard Wei Fangyue's arrival.
He said happily: "Let's go to welcome Wei Fangyue together. I also want to know what kind of advice Ambassador Wei Yuansheng gave us?
We really don’t know much about European countries.
According to normal circumstances, after the destruction of the United Fleet, European countries should take the initiative to seek peace.
They still want to continue to resist, so let’s let these European countries have a taste of the capabilities of the Great China Empire’s naval fleet.”
The two of them walked and chatted, and soon came to the living room.
When Wei Fangyue saw the arrival of the two men, he said excitedly: "Admiral Li, Chief of Staff Gu.
The Imperial Royal Navy was so impressive that it destroyed the aggressive United Fleet.
This great victory will completely establish the empire's position in Europe."
Admiral Li Pinglang saw Wei Fangyue talking eloquently, constantly talking about the significance of the naval victory.
He now has no shortage of people who praise and praise the navy.
"Mr. Wei, we can discuss these matters when the war is completely over.
Now Mr. Wei still clearly conveys Ambassador Wei Yuansheng’s suggestions.”
When Wei Fangyue heard Admiral Li Pinglang make this request in a calm tone.
His smile immediately solidified on his face, and he usually dealt with businessmen from the empire and European nobles.
Wei Fangyue rarely had the opportunity to deal with the Imperial Royal Navy, and was not used to the straightforwardness of the Imperial Royal Navy.
He smiled again and then said: "Master Wei understands the situation of the Imperial Royal Navy.
Master Wei gave what he thought was the most feasible suggestion."
Wei Fangyue put away her smile and told with a serious face that Ambassador Wei Yuansheng gave suggestions to the Royal Navy of the Empire of China based on the conditions of various European countries.
"The three main forces that make up the combined fleet are the Dutch Navy, the English Navy, and the Spanish Navy.
The three major powers that formed the combined fleet were France, England, and Spain.
As long as these four countries can feel great pain, they will take the initiative to seek peace and agree to the empire's conditions.
England, Spain, the Netherlands, and France all have more or less colonies overseas.
The mainland and colonies of these countries must be connected by sea.
The nobles and merchants of these countries make huge profits through shipping.
In particular, the newly emerging business groups in Europe have extremely strong power.
The winner of the English Civil War had the support of business groups.
If the Kingdom of Spain wants to go to war, they all need to borrow money from a group of banks composed of private businessmen.
Once the interests of nobles and businessmen are harmed, they will inevitably put pressure on their own governments.
At that time, the rulers of England, France, and Spain.
In the past, due to various reasons, they had insisted on not suing for peace from the empire, and their attitude would soften.
As long as European countries are willing to talk, we can reap the greatest benefits."
After Chief of Staff Gu Zhonghuang listened, he said thoughtfully: "Ambassador Wei Yuansheng's opinion is that we must find ways to harm the interests of the nobles and businessmen of these countries.
These countries have been insisting on not having peace talks because of their domestic situations.
As long as they have sufficient excuses, they will have nothing to say to the empire.
We really need peace talks between these European countries to maximize the interests of the empire.
Our current occupation of Gibraltar, a strategic location, is already the limit of the fleet.
We cannot allow warships to land and snatch benefits from these countries."
Admiral Li Pinglang frowned and said: "Now we have a direction, but as we don't know much about European countries, we still feel like we have no way to start."
Wei Fangyue smiled awkwardly and said: "Admiral Li, Chief of Staff Gu, I haven't finished what I just said.
Ambassador Wei Yuansheng asked me to stay in the fleet to provide sufficient intelligence for the Imperial Royal Navy.
I can pat my chest and guarantee that I am absolutely European-savvy and will be able to achieve the goals of the Imperial Royal Navy with the highest efficiency."
After Wei Fangyue finished speaking, he immediately provided two goals.
The Kingdom of Spain shipped large amounts of gold and silver from America every year.
If the Imperial Royal Navy could intercept the Spanish gold-carrying ship, it would be enough to cause Spain heartache.
The Imperial Royal Navy could also attempt to blockade the English Channel.
Surrounding the English Channel are the three countries of England, France and the Netherlands.
Cut off the routes of these three countries. They are already used to shipping and they will definitely not be able to bear being cut off.
After Admiral Li Pinglang listened, he immediately gave a thumbs up and praised: "Mr. Wei, you have a specific action plan, which allows our fleet to execute it well."
He immediately notified the captains of each ship, leaving only a few warships behind, and all the other warships were sent out to carry out the order.
The farthest warships are in the English Channel. If something happens here in Gibraltar, the warships can come back quickly.
…………………………
Madrid, the capital of the Habsburg Kingdom of Spain.
Felipe IV is meeting the nobles who built the building at the palace.
Earl Macallan immediately ordered: "Your Majesty, we must find a way to expel the Chinese Imperial Navy fleet wandering in the Atlantic Ocean.
Our ten cargo ships carrying silver from Mexico were all plundered by the hateful Chinese Navy."
King Felipe IV said helplessly: "In order to destroy the Royal Navy fleet, the Kingdom cooperated with its mortal enemy the Dutch Navy.
Even so, the combined fleet was destroyed in the Atlantic Ocean.
With only the kingdom's remaining navy, it is no match for the Great China Empire's naval fleet.
No naval general wants to take an old warship to death."
As a powerful nobleman in the Kingdom of Spain, Count Macallan certainly knows the current situation in the Kingdom of Spain.
The Spanish navy was no longer able to protect the Kingdom of Spain.
The reason why he said this was to pave the way for what was to come next.
"Your Majesty, it's not just us nobles who have properties in the American colonies whose interests have been harmed.
Because the waterway was blocked by the naval fleet of the Great China Empire, the food and cotton shipped from the Americas could not be transported back to the mainland.
Now that domestic food prices are soaring, people are complaining.
It's winter now, and there are still many people who can't get through this because they don't have cotton-padded clothes.
We must ensure smooth shipping routes as soon as possible, otherwise the kingdom will suffer unforeseen losses."
King Felipe IV finally waited for this moment, and the nobles in the country could not bear the blockade of the route.
They offered to negotiate peace with the Great China Empire.
King Felipe IV can put all the responsibility for peace talks on the nobles and reduce his own responsibilities.
Felipe IV said: “I also believe that this situation cannot be allowed to develop.
I will communicate with France and England, and we will contact the Great China Empire to try to solve this problem."
The messenger from the Kingdom of Spain soon arrived in France.
They saw that the situation in France was not optimistic either.
Because the shipping routes were cut off, food from the outside world could not be transported to French ports through low-cost shipping, and the price of food in France rose rapidly.
For the French people who have a little wealth, they just feel the pain and continue to live their lives as usual.
But the poor at the bottom of France simply cannot bear the consequences of rising food prices.
Their wages can no longer afford even a piece of black bread.
There are also some fishermen and sailors who are unable to work at sea because the English Channel is blocked, making their lives even more difficult.
These people at the bottom cannot express their voices, but they can continue to transmit their anger upwards.
The French nobles and big businessmen suffered even greater losses.
The confrontation between the French Prime Minister Mazarin and the military nobles is now at a more intense stage.
If the demands of these nobles and merchants are not met, they will inevitably turn to their opponents.
It was at this moment that French Prime Minister Mazarin received a letter from King Felipe IV of Spain.
The Kingdom of Spain could no longer hold on and was preparing for peace talks with the Great China Empire.
French Prime Minister Mazarin took the opportunity to publicize this incident and let the French know that France was on its own and that they had no choice but to negotiate peace with the Great China Empire.
After the French Prime Minister Mazarin exchanged letters with King Felipe IV of Spain.
They sent representatives to London, England, to discuss peace talks with the Chinese Empire.
The main reason for choosing London for peace talks is that there is the Ambassador of the Chinese Empire to England here.
He can get in touch with the Imperial Navy fleet.
If they directly send people to hold peace talks with the Imperial Navy, they won't even be able to find a way.
Mazarin and Felipe IV held the peace talks in London in order to reduce the pressure on their countries.
Even if they have to sell some of their own country's interests, if the treaty signed is the "Treaty of London", it will have the effect of isolating the people of the country.
British Prime Minister Oliver Cromwell was already feeling great pressure at home.
Some of the businessmen who originally supported them had frequent contacts with the royal party.
The most serious thing, the bad news coming from the colony, made all the nobles unable to sit still.
Because of the loss of local control, the colonies tended to break away from the local area.
England will never allow this to happen.
Prime Minister Oliver Cromwell was hesitating whether they should contact Wei Yuansheng, the Chinese ambassador to England.
The peace envoys from France and Spain have arrived in London.
When Prime Minister Oliver Cromwell learned of this situation, he immediately smashed the tea cup in his hand.
He knew very well what these two countries were up to.
Prime Minister Oliver Cromwell knew that the matter could not be changed and immediately sent someone to invite Ambassador Wei Yuansheng.
They will formally negotiate peace with the Great China Empire and must not allow the situation to continue to deteriorate. (End of Chapter)