The Han culture is spreading strongly in Southeast Asia

Chapter 393 The time is ripe for a group attack on Daying
February 1778, 2 AD, the first year of Guangzhong in the Great Yu Dynasty, the first day of February in the forty-third year of Emperor Qianlong's reign in the Qing Dynasty.

Firecrackers rang out on both sides of the Pearl River. The large sea boats that were being pulled in by boat trackers were decorated with red and colorful decorations. The two leading large ships each flew a flag.

One is a flag with a small golden fleur-de-lis on a blue background, which is the current flag of the French Bourbon dynasty. There are two types of flags, large and small golden fleur-de-lis. The one used here is the small golden fleur-de-lis.

The other one has a yellow background with a crown and a black double eagle flag, which is the flag representing the Habsburg family.

Mo Zibu also asked his second brother Mo Zitang to greet them at the Pearl River, because this was the first batch of merchant ships that arrived in Guangzhou successfully from Europe five months after Mo Zibu restored Guangzhou.

This was not an easy task, because after Mo Zibu recovered Guangzhou, he banned merchant ships from Britain, the Netherlands, Denmark and other countries from reaching Guangzhou.

This was equivalent to cutting off the financial resources of these families, so one month after Mo Zibu announced this policy, he received notes from countries such as Britain and the Netherlands.

Warren Hastings, the Governor-General of British India, even sent someone to warn Mozibu, claiming that Britain would not only intercept French merchant ships, but would also cause them to turn to the Qing Empire.

Now, the successful arrival of merchant ships from France and the Habsburg Monarchy in Guangzhou proved that they had the strength to break through the blockade and reach the East.

"It seems that His Majesty the Emperor has come in person. This is a truly great honor!"

The ambassador who came with the fleet, the sixth Duke of La Rochefoucauld, Louis Alexandre de La Rochefoucauld, said in some surprise.

However, the captain of the fleet, a businessman well versed in the East, shook his head and said, "Your Excellency, this is not the Emperor himself."

He pointed to the yellow silk umbrella that fluttered in the wind. "This only represents the Emperor's personal presence. The one who came to greet him personally must be a very important member of the royal family, most likely the Emperor's brother, the Duke of Qiong or the Duke of Cai."

The Duke of La Rochefoucauld then suppressed his excitement and led the members of the delegation down. It was indeed the Duke of Cai, Mo Zitang, who came to greet them.

"Your Excellency, the Emperor is waiting for you in the palace. Please follow me!"

Mo Zitang has also been trained. Being honest by nature, he now serves as the governor and admiral of Andai Province. Together with the Andai Governor and Zhao Gongyuan Gongbo Huang Zhen, he helps Mo Zibu stabilize Andai Province, where the situation is the most complicated.

Duke La Rochefoucauld boarded a very traditional Chinese carriage. Mo Zitang continued to introduce:

"In China, these are known as the Six Chariots of the Son of Heaven. They are used exclusively by His Majesty the Emperor when traveling. Of course, they can also be used to greet very important people."

"Thank you for your hospitality, Your Majesty. I also bring you congratulations from King XVI and His Majesty Joseph II on your Majesty's restoration of Seris."

Duke La Rochefoucauld pronounced the two words in the light with difficulty, and then observed the city that had returned to Seris's hands.

Guangzhou is very big, even bigger than Paris at that time. Of course, the biggest difference is that Guangzhou is much cleaner than Paris.

No one here throws dirty water directly down from the upper floors, and no one dumps domestic garbage everywhere. At least you won’t see people urinating or defecating in crowded places. The water of the Pearl River is still so clear.

"This is a very livable city, much cleaner than Paris, which is filled with smog. I think even someone like me who is visiting Guangzhou for the first time would be willing to settle here." Duke La Rochefoucauld complimented half-heartedly.

Mo Zitang laughed and said, "Your Excellency, I think everything that happens in Paris will soon be played out in Guangzhou."

He pointed westward, where wisps of black smoke were rising. "That's Foshan Town. The coal and iron industries of the Chinese Empire have begun to develop rapidly."

During the conversation, the carriage drove quickly from the port to the southwest of the imperial palace. After passing the welcoming crowd, a large number of ordinary Guangzhou citizens appeared in front of the delegation. The delegation members could even see many civilians carrying long flintlock rifles moving through the crowd.

After turning a corner, the members of the delegation saw Nanhai County yamen runners in dark red uniforms and patrolmen from the Xicheng Bingmasi checking something. Many people were even asked to lift up their shirts for inspection.

Mo Zitang chuckled and explained promptly, "The rate of gun ownership here has reached a terrifying level, so much so that His Majesty has been forced to issue an order prohibiting the carrying of hand guns in large cities above the prefecture level. Only rifles are allowed."

The law was changed relatively quickly because the popularity of hand cannons brought about great problems. Not only did officials feel unsafe, but ordinary wealthy people and even ordinary people felt unsafe.

This thing is so well concealed that if someone loads it carefully, there is an 80% chance that it will fire successfully in at least an hour.

This quickly narrowed the physical gap between everyone, masters and the poor, women and children and strong men, everyone was equal under the hand cannon, and it was so equal that everyone was a little unbearable.

So the laws were quickly iterated, just like in history in North America, even in wilderness towns, people had to hand over their guns when entering bars and casinos.

Duke La Rochefoucauld nodded. He had heard about the changes in Guangzhou a long time ago, so he kindly reminded:

"In addition to banning hand cannons, His Majesty also needs to be wary of bombs. These things are also very concealable. Simply igniting and throwing them can cause massive damage. Paris's public security is deeply affected by them."

Mo Zitang couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth. He seemed to think of that terrible scene and quickly accepted this advanced experience from the old revolutionary base.

But if he was Mo Zibu, he would not be surprised. This was not even the 19th century yet. It was only after Napoleon spread revolutionary ideas throughout Europe that things became lively.

In the 19th century, which was known as the end of the aristocracy, any nobleman could be easily killed by ordinary people at any time.

. . . .

At the West City Palace, after a grand ceremony, the Duke of La Rochefoucauld, the joint ambassador of the Kingdom of France and the Habsburg Monarchy, presented his credentials to Mo Zibu.

This means that the two countries formally recognize the Chinese Empire. This recognition, in its current meaning, of course, does not simply mean recognizing the existence of the Chinese Empire, which does not require their recognition.

What they acknowledged was the title of Emperor of the Chinese Empire that Mo Zibu himself declared.

From this time on, Mozibu officially became a monarch on par with Louis XVI, Queen Theresa, Joseph II, and George III.

"Your Majesty, I am here to report a piece of good news to you." Duke La Rochefoucauld said after kneeling before Mo Zibu on the throne:
"In the Battle of Saratoga in North America last September, the 9,000-man invading army led by English Major General John Burgoyne was completely annihilated, and Major General Burgoyne was taken prisoner."

"This is really a good thing. The English ambition to rule the world must be thwarted!" Mo Zibu immediately praised loudly.

The Battle of Saratoga, known in history as the Great Victory of Saratoga, dealt a heavy blow to England's military might in North America, putting France and other nations at risk. "So, Your Majesty, when I left France, His Majesty the XVIth King and the French government had already decided to recognize the United States of America in February and, no later than July, to declare war on England."

Duke La Rochefoucauld looked at Mo Zibu with some concern, "Your Majesty, King XVI hopes that you will recognize the United States of America and follow the Kingdom of France in declaring war on the Kingdom of England."

Although England suffered a setback in North America at this time, it was still the most powerful country in the world. Therefore, when France decided to join the war, even its closest quasi-allies, the Habsburg Monarchy and the Kingdom of Spain, did not follow.

Therefore, Duke La Rochefoucauld was a little worried that the Chinese Empire would not follow suit.

Mo Zibu only thought for a short while and immediately made the decision. In fact, he had already thought it through clearly. Declaring war on England at this time would not only not do much harm, but would actually bring many benefits.

Because historically, England lost quite completely in North America, and they had no ability to interfere in the East. Even after their failure, if they still wanted to keep India and trade, they had to ask Mozibu for help.

At the same time, if Mozibu recognized the United States and declared war on Britain at this time, he would not only gain the friendship of France, but also actually join the ranks of the world's civilized powers that Europeans claimed to be.

"Okay, I will immediately send a swift ship to catch up with the delegation fleet and give them the edict recognizing the United States of America.

At the same time, when the news of France declaring war on England reaches the East, the Chinese Empire will also declare war."

At this time, if it is just to deliver messages, land transportation is much faster than sea transportation.

For the purpose of restricting Russia, Britain and France supported Ottoman Turkey most of the time.

Therefore, once the news from France reached the eastern coast of the Mediterranean, it could be quickly transmitted to Goa with the help of the Ottoman Turkish post station.

Mo Zibu had used this method to spread information several times before. As for the disadvantage of not being able to keep it confidential, it might be true for others, but it did not exist for the Chinese Empire.

Because all the important news that Mo Zirong brought back from Europe was written by Mo Zirong himself in small seal script, very little of it can be deciphered at present.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for making a great and correct decision!" Duke La Rochefoucauld praised loudly: "May the friendship between the Kingdom of France and the Chinese Empire last forever!"

Upon hearing this, Mo Zibu stood up and said with a smile, "This is exactly what I wish for, and not only will the friendship between the Kingdom of France and the Chinese Empire last forever.

The same is true of my friendship with King XVI; His Majesty Louis is like my own brother."

All the Chinese civil and military officials present smiled knowingly. This was equivalent to the two sides agreeing to be brother countries, with China being the elder brother and France being the younger brother.

The delegation from France also laughed, because according to European rules, it was normal for monarchs of major countries to call each other brothers and sisters.

Louis XVI was born in 1754 and is 1747 years old this year. He is more than seven years younger than Mozambique, who was born in and is about to turn this year.

At the same time, Mo Zibu's elder brother Mo Zirong was his brother-in-law, so no matter how you look at it, Louis XVI was indeed a younger brother.

"Your Majesty, I can tell you a piece of good news. The vast majority of the English Kingdom's fleet has been transferred to Europe and North America. They are currently extremely weak in the East and have no ability to interfere with your actions.

Meanwhile, Europe generally expected that England, having already borrowed a large sum of money from the financial markets of Amsterdam and Rotterdam for North America, would be in trouble.

If they suffer another crushing defeat, they may not be able to repay the debt." Duke La Rochefoucauld said with a smile.

Mo Zibu's eyes lit up, and he suddenly remembered the Fourth Anglo-Dutch War that was about to take place in history.

"Great! When a robber incurs a debt that he cannot repay, his best option is to kill his creditor."

Duke La Rochefoucauld looked at Mo Zibu in shock and said, "Your Majesty, you are truly a strategic master who can see the big picture from the small details!

Yes, the general judgment of the European leaders is that after England suffers another major setback, they will definitely use their naval superiority to launch a war against the United Provinces.

"I understand, Duke." Mo Zibu nodded, "Don't worry, when the Chinese Empire declares war on the Kingdom of England, my fleet will raid the Bay of Bengal. At the same time, I will dispatch no less than 20,000 ground forces from Burma to attack Chittagong.

Without North America, India is England's most important source of wealth. We don't even need to occupy it, we just need to plunder it and make Britain's financial problems even worse, so that they will be more eager to attack the United Provinces."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Duke La Rochefoucauld straightened up. It was so pleasant to talk to an intelligent person.

"King Rama XVI has appointed me as the Governor-General of India. France does not have many troops in mainland India, but His Majesty Hyder Ali of the Kingdom of Mysore will support us.

At the same time, France is mediating their conflicts with Hyderabad and other South Indian princely states. When the time comes, we will work together to give the British a hard time."

The Kingdom of Mysore was Britain's biggest rival in India. In the first Anglo-Mysore War ten years ago, Britain joined forces with Hyderabad and other countries to beat up Mysore and France. It seems that the French are going to join forces with Mysore again.

"This is also good news!" Mo Zibu nodded excitedly on the surface, but he was actually a little discouraged in his heart.

Although France is slightly more humane in its treatment of its allies than England, it is only slightly more humane.

If we fully cooperate with them to weaken Britain too much, such as allowing the French to control India, it would not be a good thing for China.

It seems that we need to strike a good balance in harassing India.

Also, the Duke of La Rochefoucauld said that France would declare war on Britain no later than July this year, so the news would reach the East around September.

We must make preparations to send troops, and we must act before December at the latest, otherwise we will become fence-sitters.

Then the Northern Expedition, at least the Northern Expedition to take over Jiangnan, must begin immediately, and the main combat objective must be achieved by around September at the latest.

(End of this chapter)