ps: The exam is coming soon, so I will stop updating for three days.
The German Emperor Wilhelm I nodded and approved Father Fabli's proposal to expand overseas colonies. Therefore, some differences in the transaction process with the Han government were quickly resolved.
On July 12, German Chancellor Bismarck signed a colonial exchange agreement between the two countries on behalf of German Hu Yaqi.
The main contents of the agreement are as follows:
The Han Dynasty transferred control of Cameroon's aluminum mines and affiliated colonial strongholds to the German Empire and recognized the German Empire's claim to colonial sovereignty in Cameroon.
The Erhan Kingdom sold quinine and other drugs to prevent and treat tropical diseases to the German Empire at a price that was 15% lower than the market price.
Three Germany recognized the Han government's occupation of Congo, Kismayo and other African colonies, and allowed the Han immigrant fleet to use the German Empire's stronghold in Zanzibar for supplies.
Fourth, Germany handed over control of Zilu Island to the Han government, and transferred the chamber of commerce strongholds in Samoa and Tonga to the Han Ocean Shipping Company, which was handed over two years later.
The contents of the four agreements are all within the bottom line drawn by Li Mingyuan, and the delay in handing over control of several German islands and strongholds in the Pacific is due to the upcoming war to unify Argentina.
Argentina is a white country in South America. Direct annexation of Argentina may cause some Western countries to be hostile to Han. Therefore, delaying the acquisition of several islands and strongholds in the Pacific will be beneficial to Han's future development.
After signing the colony exchange agreement, Hu Yaqi stayed briefly in Germany for a few days, then left Germany to join Li Han and others who received the warship, and left the European continent on July 19.
After sailing at sea for more than ten days, on July 30, facing the hot sea breeze, Hu Yaqi and Li Han arrived at Kismayo, the colonial base established by the Han Kingdom in Somalia.
It has been two years since the war between the Chinese troops in Kismayo and the Italian colonists ended, but Hu Yaqi and Li Han could still see the traces of the war when they got off the warship and walked to the port on the coast.
"Battle Commander Cai, you relied on this castle to defeat the attacking Italian army two years ago?"
Li Han asked, pointing to a low and simple castle in front of him.
"To be honest, General, when we first fought against the Italians, Kismayo's defenses were even cruder than they are now."
Cai Jiu, the commander of the Kismayo stronghold, approached the castle and explained in the direction of the city gate, "General Li, please look, the yellow wall part on the castle was newly added after the war. Before the war, the Kismayo stronghold castle
The height is less than five meters, the circumference is 200 meters, and the width is 50 meters. It can accommodate only 400 people.
At that time, the Italian army brought several mountain cannons to bombard the castle, blowing down a hole more than three meters wide in the western wall of the castle. It was his subordinate who personally led a group of militiamen to block the gap and keep the Italian army out of the castle. Otherwise, Keith
It is very likely that Maio would fall into Italian hands on the first day of fighting."
"I remember that two years ago there were only a few dozen regular troops in Kismayo, and the combined number of militiamen and adult Chinese men was only two to three hundred. It was not easy for Battalion Commander Cai to defeat the Italian colonial army with these men."
"There are many difficulties." Cai Jiu said as he led everyone towards the castle, "But after holding on to the Italian attack for the first day, my subordinates quickly discovered that the Italian colonial army was not as difficult to deal with as they imagined.
The attack on the castle relied on artillery bombardment and then a wave of infantry attack. When the artillery bombardment and infantry attack failed, the threat to the castle from the Italian colonial army was reduced by most."
"Haha, then Battalion Commander Cai discovered that the Italian colonial army was not using him?" Li Han asked with a smile.
"The Italians were still very energetic when they attacked for the first time. However, after the failure to attack the castle on the first day, their morale declined quickly, and the troops' awareness of prevention was insufficient. In the end, they were defeated by the militiamen in the castle led by their subordinates out of the city in a night attack.
.”
Although he defeated the Italians, Cai Jiu did not completely despise them. At the same time, as an area bordering Italian colonial forces, Cai Jiu paid more attention to collecting intelligence about Italy.
"My two gentlemen, according to the intelligence obtained by my subordinates, the Italians have been increasing their military strength in Africa in the past two years. Now the number of colonial troops in the Malka stronghold alone is more than 700. I believe that the Italians are very likely to
In the past three or four years, central and southern Somalia has been annexed, so we need to be prepared in advance for the Italian ambitions."
"Kismayo is far away from the mainland, and the Royal Navy cannot provide you with much help. If you want to defend the Han colonial stronghold in Somalia, you still have to rely on your efforts."
Li Han said something, then turned to Hu Yaqi and said, "Sir Hu, the Africa Department is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I believe the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already made appropriate arrangements for support to Kismayo."
"It's not that I shirk responsibility and am unwilling to help the brothers in the Kismayo stronghold. It's actually that although the Africa Department is affiliated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the actual management work is directly handled by the Director of the Africa Department, Mr. Huang, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has no authority.
Intervene in the internal affairs of the Africa Division.
Therefore, if Battalion Commander Cai wants to continue to receive support, he still has to apply to Director Huang, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not suitable for management over Kaiyue."
Hu Yaji politely rejected Cai Jiu's request, and then said, "On its way to Europe to receive the warships, the fleet brought six gunboats and 70 sailors to support Kismayo. The defense capabilities of the Kismayo stronghold are compared with before.
It should be improved quite a bit.
Battalion Commander Cai does not need to worry too much about the situation in Kismayo. His Majesty has personally reviewed the last report submitted by the Africa Department. I believe that it won’t be long before another batch of materials and troops to support Kismayo will arrive soon.
arrival."
"I am impatient. I would like to thank Mr. Hu for clarifying my doubts." Cai Jiu bowed his hands to Hu Yaji and thanked him.
"It doesn't matter. After more than ten days at sea, our bodies are a little tired. Let's go in and rest first."
Hu Yaji laughed and walked into the castle hall with Li Han and others.
The next day, after sleeping all night in the Kismayo stronghold, Hu Yaqi was awakened by the sound outside the door before he got up.
"Sir, this is a telegram from China, please review it."
After tidying up his clothes, Hu Yaji took the telegram from the guard, read it carefully for five or six minutes, and then ordered, "Tell General Li and Battalion Commander Cai that there is an order from home and ask them to wait in the castle hall. I will be there later."
.”
"Yes, sir."......
It dawned very early in Kismayo, and at around seven o'clock in the morning, the temperature inside the castle became hot.
"Battle Commander Cai, let me tell you some good news first. Two domestic gunboats and one hundred regular National Defense Forces troops to reinforce Kismayo will arrive in half a month, and His Majesty has personally approved the expansion and construction of the castle in Kismayo.
The task was carried out by mainland Chinese immigrants transported by ocean-going fleets. After completing the task of building the castle, the immigrants were resettled in Kismayo as a reserve militia force for the Kismayo stronghold.
Haha, Battalion Commander Cai's worry about insufficient troops has been solved, and now you don't have to worry about the threat from the Italians anymore."
Hu Yaji said with a smile.
"How much weapons and ammunition supplies are there?"
Cai Jiu asked impatiently.
"Three hundred National Defense Forces standard rifles, eight hundred old-fashioned rifles, five Gatling machine guns, three 75mm field guns, supporting rifle ammunition of 100,000, machine gun ammunition of 10,000, and field artillery shells of 3oo."
Hu Yaqi read aloud against the telegram, and then smiled and said, "Well, your Majesty did not treat the troops in the Kismayo stronghold badly."
"No, no, His Majesty's support to Kismayo was very timely. With the reinforcements and material resources sent by His Majesty, I guarantee that Kismayo will be firmly under the control of the National Defense Forces."
Cai Jiu said happily.
"Don't worry, Battalion Commander Cai. Your Majesty has given Kismayo so much support, and there will definitely be times when you can show your ability." Hu Yaki reminded the other party meaningfully, then ignored the matter and introduced the telegram to the two of them.
Another thing.
"Both of you, Your Majesty has agreed to marry the daughter of the Lord of Songkhla as your queen. Now the fleet escorting the future queen has just left. We need to stay in Kismayo for a while and wait until we meet up with the fleet escorting Miss Wu before returning to the country.
"
After explaining the contents of the telegram, Hu Yaqi said seriously, "The safety of the future queen is very important to Your Majesty, so I think we cannot just stay in Kismayo and wait for the escort fleet to arrive. We should send a squadron to pick up the escort fleet and ensure that
What do you two think about the safety of the future queen?"
"It should be so." Li Han nodded and said, "The two 3200-ton cruisers received from France are in good performance. I suggest that I personally lead the two ironclad ships to sail out to pick up and escort the fleet, while Mr. Hu and Battalion Commander Cai stay behind in Keith.
Mayo awaits news."
"I am familiar with the situation in the waters near the Indian Ocean and the Southeast Asia. Why don't you accompany General Li to escort the convoy? What do you two adults think?"
"Yes, I agree with Battalion Commander Cai." Li Han made a decisive decision and arranged, "Master Hu, Chaoyang and Dawn will stay in Kismayo. The deputy commander of the Second Fleet will assist you in defending Kismayo."
Mayu, Mr. Hu can just stay in the stronghold with peace of mind. After we rendezvous with the escort fleet, we will rush back to join Mr. Hu immediately."
"Hu is not familiar with military affairs, so I leave it to you two." Hu Yaji bowed his hands to the two of them and agreed to their suggestions.
