Xinshun 1730

Chapter 1228 Start of War ([-])
Some things can be discussed before cooperation.

For example, complaining about France's wrong strategy, lack of concentration, opportunism, blind command, being led by the nose, etc., etc.

Once the cooperation is officially started, it is best not to mention the old sesame seeds and rotten millet in the past.

It's not good to mention it at that time.

Therefore, before formally discussing the cooperation, the senior officers of the Privy Council's staff department of the Dashun Mission Corps all complained to the Duke of Choiseul after holding back their complaints for a long time.

There were more and more complaints, and the Duke of Choiseul gradually felt something different.

The more Dashun's attitude of "hating him and not fighting", the more it proves that Dashun's attitude is not so neutral.

Without jumping to a wider global perspective, the Duke of Choiseul had a hard time understanding Dashun's attitude, but he vaguely felt that Dashun seemed to have very important self-interest in the outcome of this war.

In fact, among the political figures above the level of ministers of state in European countries at this time, the ones who really have an international perspective are the group of little patriots on the stage in the UK.

It should be said that after William Pitt, the real political concepts of "global empire" and "the sun never sets" came into existence.

Before that, the UK was almost the same as before Dashun.

The standard is not poking or jumping, and jumping is also jumping blindly. When a blind cat encounters a dead mouse, sometimes it just jumps to the point.

The French can understand why Dashun got involved in the War of Austrian Succession.

Obviously, it was for Nanyang.

Nanyang has spices.

Spices are expensive.

Spices are also a good thing in France, a good trade product, a good thing that the French East India Company can't meet but can't ask for.

At this time, the French certainly couldn't understand why Dashun wanted to get involved.

Because, if the French really understand or believe in the idea that "taxation in India is a huge amount of income, and based on India's situation and historical traditions, it is not whimsical", then France will not even invest more in India. The strength of a fleet or a battalion is reluctant.

Because the French decision-makers did not believe Duplex's judgment at all, the French did not understand what interests Dashun had in India.

In the eyes of the French, Dashun's industry and commerce are more developed than France's, and its mercantilism is more ruthless than France's: except for silver and gold, nothing can be sold, which is called authentic mercantilism.

So, what is the use of an extremely mercantilistic Dashun wanting an India with developed industry and commerce?

Even, under the guidance of French mercantile thinking, no matter how you look at it, the place Dashun wants most should be the South American colonies: there are gold and silver, wealth, and Spain and Portugal do not have enough industrial capacity. Colonies exported by Merchantism.

And it can't be India at all.

If India cannot be considered, then Dashun is now relying on its neutral status and doing business in Europe, so why should it participate in the war?

However, if Dashun had no immediate interests in it, why would these people in the Dashun envoy have such an attitude of "hate iron but not steel"?

This somewhat ambiguous attitude was fully demonstrated in the two contacts with the Duke of Choiseul.

On the other hand, Dashun kept his mouth shut and constantly accused France of making mistakes in some policies and strategies.

But what is interesting is that after the Duke of Choiseul reported his contact with the Dashun envoys to the French king, the French king and Mrs. Pompadour seemed to be enlightened, and somewhat understood what Dashun meant.

So he instructed the Duke of Choiseul to continue to increase contact with China, not to test Dashun's attitude, but to directly ask Dashun for help in private.

Before that, no false news would be released, such as using Dashun to scare Britain, saying that Dashun would form an alliance with France and so on.

Because Louis XV had dealt with Dashun a lot these years, and many of his aristocratic circles went to Dashun many times, so he understood the diplomatic style of the Chinese Dynasty to some extent.

At this time, engaging in such out-of-the-box things is likely to make the Celestial Dynasty very unhappy.

Moreover, from the perspective of France, this kind of thing is meaningless.

If Dashun really has the heart, then don't play with these clever tricks now.

If Dashun had no intentions at all, then in the eyes of the British, Dashun's small support, at most, was to stumbling India and providing a small amount of gold and silver support to France, so it was of little significance.

Moreover, it is obvious that Britain knows that Dashun has been maintaining trade with France under the banner of neutrality, and has not interrupted France's important source of trade silver, which is North American ginseng mink fur.

Since it was very clear, but did not take action, France was not yet naive enough to think that the publicity that Dashun might aid France would make Britain attack Dashun's merchant ships, thus dragging Dashun into the war.

Now Dashun has taken the initiative to bring up this kind of topic that sounds like dissatisfaction, but is actually very ambiguous-if it doesn't matter, then there is no such attitude of dissatisfaction-then, don't try again, it is better to directly ask Dashun Shun for help.

Obviously, Dashun and his group have clearly seen France's weakness and plight.

Then, just like before negotiating, if you show your underwear first, the temptation can be cancelled.

Especially embarrassing for the King of France, was that when Dashun's envoys came, it was just in time for the discussion on taxation in Paris, as well as the back-and-forth battle between the High Court and the King of France, all of which were clearly seen by Dashun clearly.

Dashun and his group have already explained the problems of France very clearly, and they have a very clear perspective of the outsider.

However, France didn't know what Dashun wanted.

Since it can't be guessed, it can't be tested, so it's better to speak directly.

So, after two rounds of cooperation, when the French court was devastated by the failure of the Hanover strategy, the Minister of State, the Duke of Choiseul, invited the Dashun envoys to his private salon for the third time.

Ordinarily, at this time, Mrs. Pompadour would also choose to participate.

But Mrs. Pompadour still respects the tradition of Dashun.

As a woman, she chose not to participate in this high-standard and small-scale private salon, so as not to cause any misunderstanding of cultural differences among the envoys of the Dashun Mission.

Few people participated in this private party, and the French side was actually only the Duke of Choiseul.

There are not many people on Dashun's side, and they are all people who really have the right to negotiate and make decisions.

After the politeness, the Duke of Choiseul also got straight to the point and said directly: "The friendship between China and France is long-lasting. Since the time of the Sun King, the court exchanges between China and France have been very close. Of course, now is not a memory of the two countries. time of friendship."

"Gentlemen, in your words, let the bystanders be clear, and the authorities be fooled."

"Your country's understanding of this war and the plight we have experienced is higher than most of the nobles in the court."

"As you know, the new finance director proposed his fiscal reform plan. The premise of this fiscal reform plan is to end the war before next winter and reduce additional fiscal expenditures."

"The universal 21 tax has caused dissatisfaction among the nobles. People are eager to know how long this kind of tax, which is open to almost everyone and rarely has a preferential quota, will be collected."

"And the heavy interest has overwhelmed France's finances. During the war, interest must be paid, otherwise the finances will collapse."

"France now desperately hopes that its allies in the east can lend a helping hand to France."

"Because, if your country does not extend a helping hand, then just like what happened to your country, France must undertake a military adventure to land in Scotland. And this military adventure, from the professional perspective of your staff officers, has a very high success rate. Undoubtedly low."

The members of the Dashun Mission did not question this, but asked, "So, what kind of help does France need now?"

"The two countries are too far apart, and there are actually only three ways to support them."

"The first one is that the Celestial Empire will provide some assistance in India, but it will definitely be limited. At most, it will allow French warships to go to Malacca to replenish supplies and repair battle damage."

"Secondly, China will provide certain loans to France, and the interest on the loan cannot be lower than China's average interest rate."

"The third type is that the Chinese Empire will provide France with all-round assistance within its capabilities, and will not hesitate to fall into a state of war."

The members of the mission did not deny that they could lend a helping hand, which made Choiseul heave a sigh of relief.

Especially after hearing about the third of these three aid plans, it is even more certain that Dashun is actually not unable to participate in the war.

Of course, the price is right.

Can or can't, that's one thing.

If so, at what cost is another matter.

The Duke of Choiseul did not choose immediately, but asked very sincerely, at least seemingly sincerely: "So, from the professional perspective of gentlemen and generals, what kind of assistance does France need to be able to do so?" How about at least a peace treaty on terms favorable to France?"

The people from the Dashun Mission also answered very simply, directly denying the first aid plan.

Because if a peace treaty is to be reached under conditions favorable to France, then the first form of assistance is meaningless, and the Indian issue cannot determine the situation in Europe.

As for the second type, the people of the envoy replied seriously: "The mainland of France is not threatened, and various factories and weapons fields can also operate as usual. The population of France is also much higher than that of Britain and Prussia."

"So, as long as there is enough money, of course the problem can be solved."

"As long as there is enough money, the government can go on, and more cannon can be made, and more men can be put into service and paid for their uniforms and arms."

"However, according to the plan, if France wants to ensure that it withdraws from the war with a favorable peace treaty, it needs at least 2000 million taels of silver support every year."

"Moreover, the war will last at least two to three years before the situation can be truly reversed. This requires about 6000 million taels of silver, equivalent to 2000 million livres."

"Dashun's minimum interest rate is also between 8% and 9%. If it is calculated as a ten-year special national bond...France must prove that France has the ability to repay the principal and interest of this special loan. "

"And obviously, with France's financial capacity at this time, we are very skeptical."

"If you choose the second aid method...it's not that the Celestial Dynasty wants to interfere in France's internal affairs, or treat France as a vassal state."

"Instead, as an explanation, France must come up with a comprehensive post-war financial reform plan to prove to the businessmen of the Celestial Dynasty that France has the ability to repay the loan."

"Also, this financial reform plan must be clear, and it must be approved by the Paris High Court before borrowing money—or, according to your tradition, you can hold a three-level meeting to determine the financial reform plan. And make sure This fiscal reform can be passed.”

"And, this financial reform plan approved by the Paris High Court or the three-level conference can actually repay the principal and interest."

"Thus, it is not difficult for such a loan to be guaranteed by the imperial court of the Celestial Dynasty."

"Of course, China has enough ability to send this loan of silver to Paris. Even if France is willing, China can also manufacture warships, cannons, military uniforms, leather bags, bullet bags and other military supplies for France. Taste."

"As long as France can come up with a practical financial reform plan that is approved by the high court or the three-level conference. Money is easy to say."

(End of this chapter)