Anti-Qing: Starting from the Jintian Uprising

Chapter 349 Crimea Drama Begins

Guo Songtao continued.

"Then, from now on, Vietnam will fully open up trade with our Tang Dynasty."

"Our Tang merchants should be free to travel to various parts of Vietnam to conduct business and trade, and the Vietnamese side should not hinder them in any way."

"Also, the tariffs for trade between the two sides must be negotiated between Vietnam and the Tang Dynasty."

Negotiating tariffs is actually a very vicious tactic.

For example, if the Tang Dynasty wanted to turn Vietnam into a grain-producing area for the Tang Dynasty.

Then, low tariff subsidies can be provided to the Vietnamese for exporting grain to the Tang Dynasty.

And impose high tariffs on other industries to suppress them.

For a long time, for the sake of profit, the Vietnamese people would spontaneously grow food.

The rest of the industries naturally fell into disuse.

Guo Songtao continued.

"In addition, if Tang merchants or overseas Chinese commit crimes in Vietnam, Vietnam cannot conduct trials and punishments, but must hand them over to Tang for disposal."

"In addition, the Tang Dynasty requested to lease concessions in Hue, Saigon, Chiayi and other places. The Tang Dynasty would station troops in the concessions to ensure security and send officials to manage them."

"Moreover, in order to demonstrate its friendship with the Tang Dynasty, Vietnam is going to dismantle the coastal defense artillery and disband the navy."

"From now on, Vietnam's coastal defense can be handed over to the Tang Dynasty. The Tang Dynasty will guarantee the safety of Vietnam's coastal defense!"

After hearing the conditions proposed by Guo Songtao, Hu Longshan couldn't help but twitch his lips.

He could not agree to quite a few of these conditions.

Let alone anything else, Vietnam will never give in if we ask it to dismantle its coastal artillery batteries and disband its navy.

No one with a normal mind would disarm one's own side to facilitate invasion by others.

Hu Longshan opened his mouth and said with a grim expression.

"I cannot agree to any of these conditions. I need to report this to the court for a decision."

Guo Songtao said with a half-smile on his face.

"Not urgent!"

"Let's talk slowly."

"I believe that Vietnam will agree to all of Tang's conditions sooner or later."

Hu Longshan smiled bitterly with a complicated expression.

At this moment, Guo Songtao suddenly said.

"Also, the Tang Dynasty is very curious about who gave Vietnam the courage to be hostile to the Tang Dynasty."

"If the Vietnamese side can explain the matter truthfully, then the above-mentioned peace talks conditions are not completely off-limits."

Guo Songtao's meaning was very clear.

You in Vietnam were instigated to act like a clown and get beaten. Are you really willing to be beaten alone?
Why don't you consider telling who instigated you, and then dragging a few more scapegoats into it?

Although there is no benefit, it is a relief!

When Hu Longshan heard this, his expression showed some interest.

"I wonder what conditions we can negotiate?"

Guo Songtao raised three fingers and said.

"First, the specific amount of compensation can be discussed."

"Second, the repayment date can be negotiated."

"Third, the size and location of the concession can be discussed."

When Hu Longshan heard this, his expression was full of confusion.

This is betraying an ally...

But if the benefits are sufficient, it seems that it is not impossible.

Anyway, the Western countries like Britain, France, the Netherlands and Spain are not good guys.

However, he ultimately failed to make a decision on the spot, but said that he would go back to ask the King of Vietnam, hoping that the Tang Dynasty could give him more time.

Guo Songtao nodded and agreed, then said.

"Let's put it this way. Next, the Tang Dynasty will send a peace negotiation delegation to Vietnam to specifically handle the peace talks."

“Both parties can finalize the matter as quickly as possible and save the trouble of running back and forth.”

"Otherwise, we'll just be wasting time on the road with each other."

Hu Longshan said.

"That's fine!"

This is indeed a good thing for Hu Longshan.

Apart from anything else, at least if the Tang Dynasty sent an envoy to Vietnam to negotiate, even if Vietnam signed a treaty that was humiliating and detrimental to its sovereignty during the talks.

Then it’s not his turn to take the blame!

Otherwise, Hu Longshan would have to think about what would happen to him after the peace talks were completed.

If the treaty signed in the peace talks is too humiliating, then the Vietnamese king may have to borrow his head to appease the people at home.

Hu Longshan had no doubt that his ruler was capable of doing such a thing.

……

The fourth year of the Zhaowu reign of the Tang Dynasty, the beginning of May in the Western calendar year 1855.

After a delay of nearly two years, the war in Crimea is finally about to begin.

Ottoman Empire, Sinop Port.

A fleet of warships from the Ottoman Empire crossed the sea and arrived outside the port in a mighty manner.

Fleet commander Omar Lutfi Pasha stood on the deck of the ship, looking at the port in the distance, his heart filled with solemnity.

"Quick, prepare to enter the port."

"Protect the port and wait for subsequent reinforcements."

As Omar's military orders were issued, flags waved over the Ottoman fleet.

This fleet, consisting of seven frigates and two light cruisers, slowly sailed towards the port of Sinop. Watching the fleet gradually enter the port, Omar breathed a sigh of relief.

If the Russian and Turkish armies were to fight in Crimea, logistical supplies would be of utmost importance.

For Tsarist Russia, Crimea was far away from its political center and supply was quite difficult.

The Ottoman side is not having an easy time either.

Although Constantinople is closer to Crimea, the Ottoman Empire's supply is equally difficult due to the obstruction of the Balkan Mountains and interference from local rebels.

Therefore, the only option before both sides is to use sea transportation for supplies.

This makes sea control in the Black Sea particularly important.

Whoever can control the Black Sea will gain great strategic advantages.

The battle for sea power focuses on the battle for ports.

The Port of Sinop is one of the important ports of the Ottoman Empire on the Black Sea.

Therefore, as the situation in Crimea became increasingly tense, the Ottoman side sent a Pasha to lead a fleet to guard the port and ensure its safety.

However, not long after the Ottoman fleet entered the port, a messenger came in a hurry to report to Omar Pasha.

"Pasha, our lookouts have spotted a Russian cruise fleet offshore."

"The fleet is heading towards Sinop Port!"

Omar's heart tightened when he heard this, and he asked hurriedly.

"The Russian fleet?"

"How many warships are there in total?"

The messenger said with a serious expression.

"In reply to Pasha, there are six sailing battleships in the invading Russian fleet."

"Among them, there is one second-class sailing battleship and five third-class sailing battleships."

Omar's face darkened when he heard this.

"Why are there so many of them all at once?"

You know, in his fleet now, there are only two level four sailing battleships and seven level five sailing battleships.

Both in terms of the tonnage of warships and the number of artillery pieces, they were far inferior to the invading Russian fleet.

If a naval battle really breaks out, the advantage is completely not on his side and the result will probably be quite ugly.

Omar paced on the deck with a serious expression on his face.

After a moment, he spoke.

"Pass the order down and immediately send someone by land on a fast horse to Constantinople to report the news that the Russian fleet is attacking Sinop."

"And request Constantinople to send the main fleet to reinforce!"

"Let's say that the Russian fleet that attacked Sinop is the main force of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. If it is not reinforced, Sinop will be in danger."

"In addition, notify the entire army to exercise restraint and try to avoid an exchange of fire with the Russian Black Sea Fleet before our reinforcements arrive."

Upon hearing this, the messenger bowed and saluted, then went to convey the order.

Omar stood on the deck of the ship, looking at the sea in the distance, his face extremely solemn.

He then made arrangements and ordered his fleet to drop anchor in the port anchorage, and then make defensive preparations with the support of the artillery.

The Russian fleet was no match for the Tsarist fleet in naval battle. Apart from waiting for reinforcements, all Omar could do now was to hope that his own artillery would be effective.

Time passed quickly, and there was no news from the fast horses that Omar sent out for help.

The sky gradually darkened, and Omar's heart sank as he looked at the Tsarist Russia's Black Sea Fleet faintly visible at the sea-air junction in the distance.

The Russian fleet continued to approach Sinop.

Now he can only pray to Allah silently in his heart.

Pray that our reinforcements can arrive as soon as possible!
Otherwise, Sinop would be in real danger.

……

Off the coast of Sinop Port, six sailing battleships were anchored and floating on the sea.

Lieutenant General Nakhimov, commander of the Nakhimov Squadron of the Tsarist Russian Black Sea Fleet, was meeting with his officers in his cabin to formulate a battle plan.

"Boys, if I'm not mistaken, the Ottomans should have spread the news of our attack and asked Constantinople for help."

"It is estimated that the Ottoman, British and French fleets will set out soon to reinforce the Sinop War."

"To be on the safe side, we must capture the port of Sinop before the Ottoman reinforcements arrive, thereby cutting off the Ottoman supply route to Crimea."

A young officer nearby heard this and asked.

"Your Excellency, Lieutenant General, aren't we going to wait for reinforcements to arrive?"

Faced with the imminent war, not only the Ottoman side sought help from its main force, but also Tsarist Russia.

After Nakhimov led his fleet to Sinop, he discovered the Ottoman fleet in the port.

To be on the safe side, he also chose to ask for help from his main force.

Nasimov heard this and said calmly.

"Our reinforcements are coming."

"According to estimates, the Novoszky Squadron will arrive off the coast of Sinop to join us tomorrow morning."

"With the reinforcements from the Novoszky Squadron, we can definitely win this battle."

A group of young generals were very excited when they heard this.

"Oh my goodness, God bless you!"

"God bless the Tsar, God bless Russia!"

"..."

Seeing this, Nakhimov began to arrange his tactics while the iron was hot.

Although the Ottoman fleet was vulnerable in this battle, the Ottomans were fighting at home after all and had the assistance of artillery.

If Nakhimov had not arranged the tactics in advance, it would have been very difficult for Tsarist Russia to win this battle.

(End of this chapter)