I'm playing whack-a-mole in Siberia

Chapter 458: Lonely Wild Dog (Happy May Day, brothers)

Compared with the bombardment of Northeast Asia in the past two years, Southeast Asia has been much quieter.

Undercurrents are surging beneath the calm surface. Kuching is the only area left under the control of the Brook Kingdom in Sarawak, and all other areas have been controlled by rebels.

The Prime Minister of the Brooke Kingdom, Saul Sweetenham, has been in a bad mood recently. He has not been able to get enough support from the Straits Settlements. Since the resignation of his uncle Frank Sweetenham, the support that the Brooke Kingdom has received from the Straits Settlements has been reduced. Not as good as before.

The current Governor of the Straits Settlements is Sir John Anderson.

After Thor came to the Brook Kingdom, he was ambitious and vowed to restore the largest territory of the Brook Kingdom.

Reality gave Saul a blow. The British-Indian troops borrowed from India by Saul's uncle Frank not only failed to help Saul restore the Brooke Kingdom's rule over Sarawak, but also caused the relationship between Saul and the residents of Sarawak to become increasingly tense due to excessive expropriation.

After the Russo-Japanese War broke out, a resistance army led by Ali appeared in northern Sarawak. It became more and more powerful. It not only unified northern Sarawak, but also marched towards Kuching.

Ali claimed to be a descendant of the Malay Datuk Patinggi Ali. James Brooke overthrew the rule of Batinggi Ali and established the current Brooke Kingdom.

After Ali raised the flag of rebellion, Saul repeatedly urged the British and Indian troops to go to counter the rebellion.

A protectorate like the Kingdom of Brooke not only cannot contribute benefits to the UK, but requires blood transfusions from the UK to maintain its rule. Regarding such a protectorate, the UK has reached a conclusion that it should be let go.

Unexpectedly, not only was Ali not wiped out, but he became stronger as he fought.

The United Kingdom only needs to pay the Kingdom of Sarawak 100 million pounds per year, and the Kingdom of Sarawak can continue to receive British protection.

“Of course, just be patient and the money will come!”

Saul did not want to stay in Kuching and die for his country.

There are only 3000 troops left in Kuching.
The commander of the Kuching troops, Major Albert Owen, recently informed Saul that if the arrears of allowances were not paid, the British troops would withdraw from Kuching.

"where are we going?"

In addition to the normal garrison expenses, the British-Indian troops stationed in Kuching also have to pay an additional overseas allowance for the officers and soldiers. This allowance has been in arrears for half a year.

After frantically greeting eight generations of John Anderson and Albert's ancestors, Saul faced a more serious problem.

John Anderson almost turned his nose in anger.

Saul went to the military camp to find Albert, but was stopped outside the military camp by the guards. No matter how much Saul begged, the guards did not let him go.

There was no notification.

"Anywhere, as long as I can get out of this damn place!"

Sol reluctantly returned to Kuching and found nothing.

Before Saul had time to count the losses, the Kuching garrison broke camp and boarded a ship to leave the harbor, Yang Chang departed.

After the Second Boer War, Britain had shifted from strategic expansion to strategic contraction.

"Your Excellency Prime Minister, please tell my soldiers!"

Britain's direct expenditure in the Second Boer War reached 2.2 million pounds, which almost led to the resignation of the cabinet.

As the British troops withdrew, Ali occupied Kuching, announced the restoration of the Kingdom of Sarawak, and sent people to the Lion City, hoping to accept British protection like the Brook Kingdom.

Now that the Franks are gone, it is normal for John Anderson to ask Saul to make up the money.

Albert Owen walked away.

Not to mention the Brooke Kingdom now, the Straits Settlements, as an important strategic node of Britain's global colonization, not only have no allocations this year, but also have to turn over more revenue. John Anderson still doesn't know where to get the money to feed the gentlemen in Congress.

"The current situation is very difficult. The empire suffered heavy losses in the Russo-Japanese War. We must overcome the difficulties together——"

John Anderson was surprised, is there such a good thing?
A good thing indeed.

"Come on, we have to leave here right away!"

In the Russo-Japanese War, Britain suffered heavy losses, and its previous investments may have been lost. This was another heavy blow to Britain.

Ali's rebels now have more than 6 people.

Thor understands.

Sir John Anderson not only failed to pay, but also asked Saul to make up for the arrears of garrison expenses as soon as possible.

That night, nearly 1500 people were killed in Kuching, many houses were burned down, and the commercial area near the port was looted.

"Your Excellency Prime Minister, have you got the money?"

To seek protection from the United Kingdom, instead of paying protection fees to the United Kingdom, you still need money from the United Kingdom. What kind of logic is this?
"But this is how the Kingdom of Brooke became a British protectorate before—"

That night, the Kuching garrison rushed out of the barracks and looted the city. The whole city of Kuching fell into chaos.

Saul's wife panicked.

When Albert Owen knew that Sol had returned to Kuching, he immediately came to block the door.

To this end, Saul went to the Lion City, hoping to get help from the Straits Settlements.

Thor cheered up and was full of confidence.

When Uncle Saul was governor of the Straits Settlements, this fee naturally did not need to be paid.

What's next?
Saul had no time to think. Ali's rebels were just outside Kuching and could enter the city at any time now.

Albert Irvine's sunny turn has also been linked to the Lion City.

"Then it's just that I didn't come -"

Ali's emissary Antonovich was very convincing.

"Before was before, now is now!"

John Anderson had no inclination to inquire why Ali's representative was a Slav.

"Just tell me whether to give it or not!"

Antonovich would fall out if he didn't get the money. "No money! Get out!"

John Anderson was fed up with it, and all the money he had given was wasted.

In the Second Boer War, the Kingdom of Brooke also did not send out a single soldier.

What use would he have to such a protectorate?

Is it just to add one more place name to the long list of titles of the British King?

"Very good, if you don't give it, there are people who are willing to give it!"

Antonovich was not disappointed. This matter was originally a matter of conflict.

Since Britain is unwilling to act as a protectorate for the Kingdom of Sarawak, Britain should have no objection to finding someone willing to do so.

Britain has an opinion.

The corners of the British Empire cannot be pried open by anyone who wants to.

John Anderson really had no money to give, but if anyone took the initiative, John Anderson would have something to say.

John Anderson thought Antonovich would go to Coconut City.

Antonovich did not.

However, a few days later, the Kingdom of Sarawak and Coconut City signed an agreement to lease Kuching to Coconut City for commercial use for a period of 10 years.

It's not 99?
John Anderson reported the situation to London and asked London to decide the fate of Sarawak.

After the telegram was sent, it was like a mud cow drowning in the sea, with no reply.

How can London care about Sarawak now? The Japanese treasury is now cleaner than Mutsuhito's face. George is still insisting on Japan. The intelligence sent back by Gray is getting more and more tense. The Russian army in the Far East is already ready to attack the Japanese mainland. preparation.

The landing battle is actually not that complicated. By attacking the Kuril Islands, the Siberian Fleet has accumulated a wealth of experience. It can be summed up in two sentences: naval gun cover and infantry push.

This is also thanks to Japan's lack of strength in the Kuril Islands.

The Thousand Islands are said to be Thousand Islands, but in fact there are not that many. They consist of a total of 56 islands with a total area of ​​about 15600 square kilometers.

All Japan's military forces were concentrated in Kanto and no troops were deployed in the Kuril Islands. Therefore, the landing of the Siberian Fleet encountered no resistance at all and was incredibly smooth.

After wiping out the remnants of Sakhalin and recovering the Kuril Islands, the main force of the Siberian fleet returned to Pusan, ready to attack the Japanese mainland at any time.

Although Nagasaki was protected by the British army, there were too many coastal ports in Japan. The Siberian fleet could choose any location to land, and the British army could not stop it at all.

The only way now is to meet George's request and end the negotiations as soon as possible.

So when the second round of negotiations started and Komura Jutaro came to the State Guesthouse where the negotiations were held, he was stopped outside the venue.

"Sorry, the negotiation has already started. Please go to the rest area and wait."

"I am a representative of the Empire of Japan. How can the negotiation proceed if I am not present?"

Komura Jutaro's face turned red and he roared angrily.

Negotiations between Japan and the Russian Empire were widely followed.

At this moment, outside the conference room, many reporters from various countries were waiting for the latest developments.

Therefore, the way reporters from various countries looked at Komura Jutaro made him feel extremely embarrassed.

This is not because Mikhail and Gray disrespect Komura Jutaro, it’s just their usual tactics.

When Japan negotiated with the Qing Empire after the Sino-Japanese War of 1898-1894, the fate of Goryeo was decided without the presence of Goryeo representatives.

Although the Qing Empire participated in the negotiations after the Xinchou War, in fact it was no different than not participating, and it did not get a chance to speak at all.

Going even further, at the Berlin Conference after the Tenth Russo-Turkish War, the Russian Empire also had no chance to speak and could only passively accept the results of the Berlin Conference.

This is the true face of the great powers. It has nothing to do with you if I destroy you.

"You can't do this - you can't do this - you can't do this -"

Komura Jutaro's eyes are splitting. This may be Japan's fate.

"Ahahahaha——"

Wild laughter suddenly came from the lounge door.

Komura Jutaro looked intently, and the laughter came from Min Yongyi.

Min Yongyi pointed at Komura Jutaro with one hand, covered his stomach with the other hand, and laughed so loudly that he burst into tears.

Datou, who also came to watch the ceremony like Min Yongyi, did not laugh out loud, but clapped twice with an expressionless expression——

pop- pop-

The crisp sound was like a slap on Komura Jutaro's face.

"You two losers, what right do you have to laugh at me!"

Komura Jutaro suddenly broke his guard, pointed at Min Yongyi and Datou and yelled.

"It's the same dog! I can eat bones, but you can only drink swill!"

Min Yongyi's response made Datou subconsciously move to the side.

This guy is out of his mind, and he and I are not together.

"In a while, you won't even be able to drink swill, and no one will want you as a dog. You will just be a wandering, lonely wild dog——"

Min Yongyi burst into tears.

That night, Komura Jutaro committed suicide in his bedroom.

(End of this chapter)