Although he usually couldn't stand the hateful appearance of Americans as a nouveau riche in the New World, Williams had to admit that after several direct or indirect confrontations with Americans,
As a blood relative of the British Empire, the United States of America has indeed inherited the best traditions of the British Empire in stirring up international situations.
Moreover, because of the humble background of the politicians and citizens of the United States and the short history of the founding of the country, compared with the United Kingdom, American politicians are more barbaric and shameless, and do not pay attention to basic gentlemanly etiquette at all.
As for the so-called bottom line, the westward expansion movement launched by the United States, the massacre of Indians, the interest of ordinary militiamen in collecting Indian skulls, and the American monopoly capital consortium, for the sake of profit, ingeniously prepared grand "fireworks festivals" for their competitors.
"It can be seen from other examples that the so-called bottom line of Americans is that there is no bottom line. For money and interests, they can do anything that violates the law.
They can also use any means they deem appropriate to send civilians and competitors who hinder their expansion to see God.
Facing such a competitor who does not pay attention to international rules, Williams often feels frustrated and powerless.
The Americans have been using clever methods to test the British bottom line, from attacking Canada shortly after independence, invading Mexico, supporting the indigenous Cuban resistance, to openly opposing British colonial activities in Central America. Since independence, they have been
For more than a hundred years, Americans have used this step-by-step expansion model to gradually expand the United States' sphere of influence from the thirteen states of North America to North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Now, we see the British in South America.
The Americans were barely able to support themselves, and the Americans boldly extended their expansion tentacles to the Republic of Brazil.
Perhaps the repeated successful experiences in the past 100 years or so have given Americans the illusion that the British will not turn against the United States for the benefit of South America. In fact,
The British bottom line is very clear and firm, that is, the interests and dignity of the British Empire cannot be destroyed or insulted by any country.
For the sake of the overall situation, the United Kingdom can make many concessions to the United States. However, without clearly expressing its position, if the United States dares to go beyond the United Kingdom, exercise the power of the South American leader on its behalf, and launch an armed attack on a South American country,
In order to assert its dignity as a world hegemon, Britain will immediately dispatch its powerful navy to carry out necessary punishment on the United States.
The United States intends to obtain the right to station troops in the Republic of Brazil, and even uses the Paraguay War as an excuse to use force against the South American country of Han.
All of them can be regarded as touching the bottom line of the UK.
Within the British government, although the voice of giving up the leadership in South America is getting louder and louder, even if it gives up the leadership, it will definitely not be done now, let alone under the show of force of the Americans, as a loser.
way, exiting South America in disgrace.
Williams also had the pride that was common among British governments in this era. Therefore, even though he was very reluctant to deal with Americans, for the sake of British interests and his personal future, after thinking hard for more than half an hour, he decided to do it.
Take some countermeasures.
"Martinez, immediately draft two messages, one to London and one to the Imperial Legation in Han,
The message sent to London should emphasize the inference that the Americans intend to use force to intervene in the situation in South America, and request the London government to issue clear instructions, firm their stance, and resolutely stop the United States from looking for any excuse to use force to interfere in South American affairs.
The telegram sent to His Excellency Hermes mainly emphasized one point, requesting the Imperial Legation in Han to reaffirm the Empire's obligation to protect the Republic of Brazil, and requesting the Han army to limit the combat area to Paraguay, and not to take the initiative to attack when the Republic of Brazil does not take the initiative.
In the case of Han territory, the battlefield shall not be expanded to the mainland of the Republic of Brazil.”
"Two telegrams, one to London and one to the Imperial Legation in Han..."
Zhishou wrote down Williams' instructions and then asked: "Your Excellency, do you have any other instructions?"
"In addition to the Republic of Brazil, China, Peru, Bolivia, and Chile are also likely to take advantage of the Paraguay War to cause trouble."
Williams thought for a moment, raised his head, and added: "Add another piece of content to the telegram sent to London, requesting the government to warn the three governments through the imperial embassies in Bolivia, Peru, and Chile not to intervene in the Paraguay war without authorization, and not to use the war's consequences as a warning.
Expansion of scale.”
"Okay, Your Excellency."......
"Your Majesty, the Americans have sent us a protest."
In Chang'an Palace, Li Mingyuan was handling government affairs in the previous court, when he suddenly heard a piece of news reported by the guards.
"Americans? When the anti-Chinese wave broke out in the United States in 1883, didn't the local government cut off all diplomatic ties with the United States?"
Li Mingyuan stopped what he was doing and asked.
"The United States Minister to the Republic of Brazil lodged a protest with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through several European businessmen. A copy of the protest has just been sent to the palace from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."
"Bring it here, let me take a look."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The Imperial Guard guard took a step forward and handed an envelope containing seven or eight pieces of letter paper to Li Mingyuan.
After taking the envelope and unfolding the protest letter inside, Li Mingyuan's face gradually became serious as he read it carefully.
In the protest letter, except for the scripted protest at the beginning, the contents on the following seven pieces of paper are all naked threats of force!
"Destroying peace in the Americas? Violating the sovereignty of other countries? Americans have the nerve to say such things!"
After reading the content of the protest, Li Mingyuan said angrily: "When Americans massacred Indians, why didn't they respect the sovereignty of Indians? When Americans supported the Cuban uprising, why didn't they respect the sovereignty of Spain?"
Threatening with force? Do you really think that our Han country is a soft persimmon that can be bullied by others?"
"Your Majesty, calm down! Your Majesty believes that the Americans are just making false threats and will not directly send troops to interfere in the Paraguay War."
"It is unlikely to directly send troops. However, it is possible to use the Paraguay War as an excuse to recruit other South American countries to fight against the mainland, and even establish a military base in the Republic of Brazil to directly curb the expansion of the mainland's power in the northern region."
Li Mingyuan thought about the lessons learned from history, during the Venezuelan crisis in 1897, when the British government compromised and formally gave up the leadership of South America to the United States. He was somewhat worried: "The British are not reliable either. If South America deteriorates to the worst extent,
The British are likely to leave South America alone, leaving only the local government to deal with the expansion of the Americans on their own. If that happens, the local government will face the biggest challenge since the founding of the country. This aspect is what worries me most.
.”
The emergence of the Han Dynasty has changed the history of South America beyond recognition. Li Mingyuan is sometimes worried that the changes caused by the butterfly effect will lead to the British withdrawing from South America early, and the serious consequences of the United States containing South America at all costs.
"Through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, forward the protest letter submitted by the Americans to the British Legation in the mainland to verify the British clear attitude towards the United States' barbaric threat to the native government.
Also, immediately summon the main officials of various departments of the central government and the remaining generals of the army and navy to rush to the Daming Palace to discuss matters!"