Despretis's thoughts were not disclosed to anyone but himself. Moreover, he concealed them very well and did not give others a chance to observe.
As the Italian government reached an agreement, it immediately began to prepare for this. The first was how to get the fleet to the South China Sea in a legitimate manner, and Li Zhongtang's help must be mentioned here.
The big boss in charge of Beiyang personally wrote to the court, announcing that Italy planned to send a fleet to train with Beiyang. Italy also took the opportunity to announce that it planned to send a fleet to train with the Qing fleet.
It was not only the friendship with the Italians that allowed Li Zhongtang to come forward to provide cover, but also the 12 Italian fast cannons and a thousand Italian fast guns, which made Li Zhongtang even more satisfied.
After obtaining the name, the Italian navy and army are gathering at a faster pace. First, it only took three days for the army's 3,000 people to be ready. It transferred 2,000 people from the Army's 2nd Division and another 1,000 people from the Guards (
Carlo strongly requested) and formed a temporary regiment-level establishment of 3,000 people.
Compared with the army, the navy is much slower. But you can't blame them. Warships can't just go. Necessary maintenance before departure is a must. In addition, for some with
Possibly damaged parts need to be replaced, and for such a long voyage, various logistics vessels also need to be prepared.
And regarding the selection of commanders this time, it is also a big problem. It is not that the navy cannot choose a commander, but that there are too many commanders to choose from. Moreover, such an action is full of fame and fortune, as long as you feel qualified
, all want to fight for it.
In this regard, Admiral Gorek felt that this was much more troublesome than other tasks, and it also caused him more headaches.
Of course, no matter how much he had a headache, he still had to do other things that needed to be done. Countless supplies were gathered, such as cinchona to treat dysentery, and various medicines to treat tropical diseases. Of course, in addition to medicines, various other
Protective items are also indispensable. In a tropical environment, the most feared thing is the various ravaging diseases. This is also the number one threat to European colonists, which is much more serious than the indigenous people.
The preparation time this time was due to the efforts of all Italians, and they were ready to go in one and a half months. In this competition for the commander of the team, Lieutenant General Oliver Hillion won over other competitors.
So under the leadership of this vice-admiral, the mighty Italian fleet began its journey to the Far East.
Compared with the whole country, which was working together to make various preparations, the Italian Minister to the Qing Dynasty, Jia Liwen, was much more isolated and weak.
However, his task was not light at all. He had just come out from the governorship of Guangdong and Guangxi. Before he could take a breath, he heard the secretary's report. "Minister, Mr. Howard sent a telegram from Shanghai. The goods you need are ready."
Yes. However, due to the urgency of the request, the cost was a bit higher.”
Jia Liwen, who was sitting in the back seat, asked, "How high is it?"
"It cost four hundred and one thousand lire."
"It's okay, it's still within the acceptable range."
The goods the two discussed were a batch of guns and ammunition, and they were guns and ammunition from other countries. This was also the equipment that Jia Liwen was planning to transport to Lanfang to support its resistance to the Dutch.
Of course, whether the Lanfang people can get this batch of weapons will need to be discussed first. And the reason why he visited Governor Zhang this time was to find a middleman.
"Minister, what was the outcome of the meeting?"
After reporting the news he had just received, the secretary became concerned about the outcome of the minister's visit.
Faced with the secretary's inquiry, Minister Jia Liwen replied with a smile on his face. "The conversation with Governor Zhang was very good. He has promised to send people to Meizhou immediately to find Qing people who have connections with Lanfang."
After hearing what the minister said, the secretary hesitated for a while and then continued, "Can you add someone who is responsible for contacting the people in Lanfang?"
The secretary's words made Jia Liwen look up at him. "What, you want to go?"
The secretary nodded vigorously. "I want to contribute to the country, and as the military attache Major Kerla is the only one, I'm afraid that he won't be able to deal with people from Lanfang."
When facing his secretary, Jia Liwen didn't say anything and just looked at him.
The secretary, who had been with the minister for several years, knew what the minister meant, so he had to say it truthfully. "Okay, sir, I just want to get some credit. I have been with you for several years, and I am still a junior."
Waiting for the secretary’s position.”
"Not willing?"
"Yes."
"It won't work this time. Major Kerla is the suitable candidate for the first contact. You can go next time."
Jia Liwen's words made the secretary put aside her petty thoughts and sit quietly in the carriage.
As for Governor Zhang Nanpi Zhang who he had just visited, he was talking with his staff after Jia Liwen left.
"Mr. Zhu, why do you think this Italian minister suddenly became interested in the overseas Lanfang people?"
The person Zhang Zhidong called the Bamboo Lord was his new staff member Zhao Fengchang. Zhao Fengchang, who was born in Changzhou, had to go south to Guangzhou because of the collapse of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. He once served as an staff member of Yao Jinyuan of the Guangdong vassal, and later Yao Jinyuan was dismissed.
He became an aide to Governor Zhang who went south to Guangzhou. Because of his diligence, quick thinking, and skillful handling, he soon gained the appreciation of Zhang Zhidong and was appointed as the supervising copywriter, participating in secrets and drafting manuscripts.
Faced with Governor Zhang's inquiry, Zhao Fengchang naturally made some speculations. "I think Governor Xian's intention is to destroy Guo by practicing false ways."
As expected of a man with a quick mind, he immediately guessed the Italians' plans to a certain extent through the Italian fleet's intention to come to the Italian minister to ask him to help.
"Then Mr. Zhu, do you think this governor should help with this?"
"In both public and private matters, the Governor of the Constitution should help with this. In public affairs, it is beneficial to the court to make good friends with the people of the country. When observing the people of the country, they seem to attach great importance to the opinions of the court. From intervening in the war between the court and the legal person, although the people with good intentions are involved in the war,
The legal person has the intention of making enemies, but he is willing to work so hard. This can be seen that Yi Ren seems to be more hoping to make good friends with the court with his unique attitude. In private, Mr. Du Xian is a good person and needs to use Yi Ren in the future.
When the time comes, it will definitely show its expression.”
Zhao Fengchang explained all aspects of establishing a good relationship with Italy, which made Governor Zhang nod his head repeatedly. "One word from Mr. Zhu is worth ten years of reading. Then just do as Mr. Zhu said, and I will send a message soon to ask Meizhou to select people to send to Guangzhou as soon as possible."
Following Governor Zhang's decision, the Governor's Mansion immediately delivered the official document to the Meizhou Magistrate. Faced with the Governor's urgent order, the Meizhou Magistrate naturally did not dare to slack off and immediately asked people to search for people who had contact with Lan Fang.
After three days of searching, a man named Liu Jingsheng was immediately invited to the prefect's Yamen.
This is Liu Jingsheng, the cousin of Liu Enguan, the ruler of Lanfang, and he is an excellent choice.
Liu Jingsheng was soon sent to Guangzhou. After a conversation with Italian Minister Jia Liwen, Liu Jingsheng got on a transport ship and headed south to Lanfang with the Italian military attache Major Kerra.
