Chapter 1119

Qingzhou.

Xiao Ming and Qi Guangyi were standing at Qingzhou railway station, watching as steam locomotives transported tanks one by one in the direction of Raozhou.

After the first tank was officially accepted, Xiao Ming demanded that the tank factory immediately begin mass production and, at the same time, increase its production lines to equip the imperial army with at least five hundred Bear King tanks.

Of these five hundred tanks, two hundred were to be given to the Central Army, while the rest were to be given to the Northwest Army.

Although Tsarist Russia had suffered a heavy defeat in Siberia and was continuously retreating towards the Ural Mountains, the losses were not very significant for the Tsarist Russia of this period. After all, Siberia was only a peripheral region of Tsarist Russia.

Central Asia, on the other hand, was a strategic location that could truly threaten Tsarist Russia’s heartland. Therefore, the Northwest Army had been fighting against the Tsarist Russian Cossack cavalry in Central Asia during this period.

However, even though the Northwest Army had a definite advantage in weapons and equipment, it still suffered some minor losses when facing the numerous Cossack cavalry.

A month ago, a ten-man patrol team of the Northwest Army was ambushed by more than three hundred Tsarist Russian Cossack cavalry during a patrol.

After a bloody battle, only one man escaped and returned to the Northwest Army camp. The other nine men were unaccounted for, and their weapons and horses had also disappeared without a trace.

It was because of this incident that Xiao Ming decided to launch a surprise attack on Tsarist Russia and completely cripple the Tsarist Russian Cossack cavalry. Otherwise, the stalemate in Central Asia would continue.

The protagonist of this war was the Empire’s newly equipped tanks. He wanted to use this campaign to make Tsarist Russia completely afraid to set foot in Central Asia again and to stay obediently in the Eastern European region.

“Your Majesty, with this powerful weapon, your humble official swears to wash away the humiliation of the Northwest Army.” Qi Guangyi said. This matter made him feel embarrassed.

Xiao Ming said calmly, “There is no need for you to blame yourself. The Empire’s army is brave and skilled in battle, but they are also human, not gods. Humans are bound to make mistakes, and in war, it is inevitable for equipment to be lost. You do not have to be so bothered by it.”

Qi Guangyi’s heart was filled with emotion. Xiao Ming’s understanding made him feel at ease.

After a pause, Xiao Ming continued, “Besides, even if these firearms were taken, they would not be able to replicate them without an industrial base.”

“That’s true.” Qi Guangyi felt relieved. “But even so, to protect the Empire’s interests, we must still teach Tsarist Russia a good lesson. At present, the only remaining threat to the Empire in the north is them.”

Xiao Ming nodded.

He personally came to see the tanks off to instruct Qi Guangyi on this matter. Last time, he had established the goals he wanted to achieve, and from now on, he would achieve them one step at a time.

Tsarist Russia was also one of his targets. To destroy Tsarist Russia’s potential to become a regional great power, he was preparing to dismember this country, just as he was preparing to dismember the great powers of Europe.

A large country turning into several small countries would make Europe’s threat smaller. Even if they were to unite again in the future, it would take a long and arduous process.

“For the Empire’s interests.” Xiao Ming said subconsciously.

“For the Empire’s interests.” Qi Guangyi repeated, his eyes firm.

At this time, the steam locomotive slowly started. Qi Guangyi boarded the locomotive and once again saluted Xiao Ming.

Xiao Ming returned the salute and watched as the steam locomotive gradually disappeared at the end of the railway. Only then did he leave the station and take a car back to the Imperial Palace.

“Only America is left.”

Arriving at the Imperial Study, Xiao Ming made a mark on the map of Tsarist Russia. He then looked at the North American region.

In this era, America had just been founded, and the regions it could control were only the thirteen North American colonies. Most of the land in North America was occupied by Indians.

If history were to develop as it did in his time, America would then massacre the Indians in North America and become the most powerful country in the North American region.

Qian Dafu, who was attending to Xiao Ming, said, “Zhu Sansi is now in Alaska. Between him and America is a region called Canada. This is quite troublesome.”

Xiao Ming smiled. “That is not troublesome at all. On the contrary, Canada will become the Empire’s springboard for attacking America.”

Historically, Canada was originally a place where Indians and Inuits lived. It became a French colony in the sixteenth century and was called New France by the French.

In the history of his time, Canada was lost to Britain in the Seven Years’ War between Britain and France. But in this era, the British had been thoroughly beaten by Xiao Ming, so the butterfly effect of history had left Canada still in the hands of France.

“But Canada belongs to France now, and the Empire has signed a ceasefire agreement.” Qian Dafu was a little confused.

Xiao Ming’s smile became even more intense. “The agreement the Empire signed is only valid for the current André government. Once the André government falls, the Empire will no longer have to recognize the agreement. At that time, French Indochina and Canada will belong to the Empire.”

Qian Dafu understood. “So Your Majesty is supporting Henry. In that case, we can get benefits from the agreement and also get France’s two largest colonies.”

“That’s right. This means that I will get France’s reparations and their mineral-rich colonial regions in South America and Africa without losing a single soldier.” A sharp glint flashed in Xiao Ming’s eyes.

“But what if Henry goes back on his word after overthrowing André?”

“As long as Henry’s head is not broken, he would not dare to declare war on the Empire, because he understands the Empire’s power. Besides, this is also one of the conditions that I promised to help him with.” Xiao Ming said.

Qian Dafu understood. He said, “If that’s the case, the Empire’s territory will be expanded again.”

Nodding lightly, Xiao Ming sat down in his chair. Now there were four things he was waiting for: the first was for Persia to defeat the Ottoman Empire; the second was for Qi Guangyi to defeat Tsarist Russia; the third was for the voices of the independence movements in Britain to rise; and the fourth was for Henry to officially break with André.

Unfortunately, these regions were too far from the Empire. It would take a year and a half to receive news from them.

But now, the Empire’s development was proceeding in an orderly manner, and his days were becoming more leisurely. The time he had for leisure was always easy to pass.

On the thirtieth day of the sixth year of the Empire, he received the first good news. After three months of training, the Persian army began to enter the territories occupied by the Ottoman Empire and launched a counterattack. The war between the two countries changed from a one-sided battle to a stalemate.

According to the news, both sides suffered heavy casualties, but the Empire’s equipment was a bit better than Persia’s, so the Ottoman Empire was gradually being driven out of Persia’s territory.

And three months after that, the British envoy, Brooke, once again came to Qingzhou. At the same time, the news of Henry’s official break with André also arrived.

But by the time the news reached his hands, the imperial fleet had already sailed for France to deliver the equipment and supplies he had promised to Henry’s young army.