Chapter 1038: A Fulcrum

In the British Parliament, everyone looked at each other in dismay.

Under these circumstances, if France wanted to stir up trouble, it certainly wouldn't be aimed at these Catholic countries...

Britain could be so powerful, so naturally, it had no shortage of talent.

Suddenly.

Humphrey's eyes lit up: "The Mediterranean!"

"What?"

The group of people was in an uproar.

The Mediterranean?

For any European country, this was, of course, the most important existence.

After the defeat in the Seven Years' War, France had been searching for an opportunity to break through the European blockade... France currently had many colonies as well, especially in Africa. This meant that the struggle for the Mediterranean between the two countries was still ongoing. Britain's dominance made them want to establish a British-subordinate structure across the world. But at the same time, France was also seeking an opportunity to rise again. The Bourbon Family's management in Europe over these years, including many bloodlines and various intermarriages, had also allowed France to possess its own power bloc in Europe.

For example, the wife of the Sun King Louis XIV was the Princess of the Spanish King Philip IV, and the wife of Louis XV was the daughter of the Polish King Leszczynski. Due to the aforementioned royal blood relations, France could openly intervene in the affairs of Spain, Italy, and Poland. And it made them unconditionally support its hegemony.

The Thirty Years' War and the Seven Years' War, triggered by these royal successions, were all like this.

During the Thirty Years' War back then, Austria lost its status as the European hegemon, the German forces were divided, and France henceforth swayed the European situation. Today, France and Spain, as well as the Bourbon Family in Naples, were still bound by the "Family Compact." After the Seven Years' War, the deep-seated feud between France and Austria had turned into an alliance. At this time in Europe, Britain, France, Austria, Prussia, and Tsarist Russia were all evenly matched, existing in a balance of power.

The competition for the Mediterranean was naturally also evenly matched.

William IV pondered for a moment, then his eyes lit up: "The Duke means..."

"Ottoman!"

Many people had already shouted in unison.

Then their expressions changed in unison.

In the Russo-Turkish War, Ottoman lost many colonies and territories... which naturally included those places near the Mediterranean...

A group of people gasped.

"Where will they set their sights?"

They began to speculate.

Soon.

Someone brought over Britain's most detailed World Map to date.

Following that...

Everyone's gaze, amidst the discussion and debate, slowly moved to one place.

Suez Bay.

Here?

It seemed...

It could only be here...

"The East India Company just took control of Suez Bay..."

East India.

Isn't that Longyan again?

Only at this moment did they truly realize that Longyan was already powerful enough to reach its hand into the entirety of Europe!

There was still one day's journey left.

Because of the assassination incident in the Wild Boar Forest, everyone was on edge, jumping at every shadow. Liu Zheng, who was responsible for the security work, naturally had no time to rest. Fortunately, with Jiang Xuan's help, he had some time to think about his own affairs.

He was likely the only person in this entire team, besides Xie Tianyao and Grand Eunuch Zhou, who knew the direction Longyan would take next.

The Eleventh Prince...

This prince, who was never favored, would successfully inherit the throne of Longyan...

And then, Longyan would enter a period of adaptation to a constitutional monarchy...

Liu Zheng naturally had no objections.

He himself had no interest in the throne; being an emperor was truly too restrictive and too exhausting. He was more

concerned with how to achieve success and realize his own value given this chance to live again.

No matter how chaotic things were inside Longyan, what he was contemplating at this moment was still the global landscape.

Because he knew.

At this moment, looming over Longyan was a rising superpower, and that was Tsarist Russia.

Those powerful European nations were still very far from Longyan, but Tsarist Russia was very close...

This great bear, Tsarist Russia, had the ability to erode Longyan at any time, but Longyan could not afford not to develop. Since Longyan had to develop, it would inevitably attract the attention of these great powers. Thus, under such circumstances, Liu Zheng could only choose to be proactive.

To strike first.

Being passive and taking a beating was not his style.

The land of Liaodong was of the utmost importance.

He supported Niu Chaofeng precisely because he wanted a buffer between them and Tsarist Russia, but Niu Chaofeng was clearly not enough... Liu Zheng planned to continue increasing troops in Liaodong as the political situation in Longyan gradually stabilized. Only in this way could he firmly pin Tsarist Russia down in the icy, snowy Great North.

Additionally.

The European situation also needed attention.

Britain's power, as well as the well-known historical events to come, the French Revolution, the American Revolutionary War...

Liu Zheng took a deep breath while riding his horse.

The French Revolution... meant that a great man would emerge once again, Napoleon...

Coupled with Peter I of Tsarist Russia, the powerful Britain... and America, which was about to become independent and already possessed a strong industrial and commercial foundation.

Good heavens.

This is simply a historical hodgepodge...

Of course.

It is precisely because of such a brilliant and varied world that it is worth Liu Zheng planning for it, and worth Liu Zheng participating in it.

Suez Bay.

It must be taken!

Longyan must be stable. This is the biggest reason why Liu Zheng is unwilling to fight for the throne for Xie Chan; firstly, a chaotic Longyan would miss its best developmental period. Furthermore, Xie Chan herself might not even like being some Female Emperor...

It's just that...

Liu Zheng also knows the current situation in Liangzhou...

Blooming in many places, developing in many places.

No matter how much money Yintan City can make, it certainly cannot hold up anymore.

"Colonization..."

"Seizing..."

Liu Zheng gave a bitter smile.

He finally decided to walk down this path after all.

Since ancient times, powerful Empires have never been able to separate themselves from the struggle and plunder for resources and wealth.

It's just that...

Liu Zheng had always thought that the money-making ability of Yintan City could support his ambitions.

But looking at it now, it is far from enough, far from enough...

Liu Zheng, who has always been committed to a policy of conciliation toward colonies, should also consider thinking of a Method that can be a compromise.

Let's plunder reasonably.

Otherwise, he is very likely to be unable to keep up with the pace of powerful nations like Britain.

In short.

At present, the first thing to consider is for the political situation of Longyan to stabilize first, and then it is the land of Liaodong, the development of Australia, and the situation in Europe; Liu Zheng must participate.

Navy.

Continue to develop the navy.

Continue to invest the plundered resources into naval development!

Then.

Liu Zheng feels that he now also needs a place.

Just like the North America colonies of Britain.

He needs a fulcrum.

He needs a fulcrum that integrates a shipyard, an Arsenal, and a military base.

Where should it be chosen?

Liu Zheng started to get a headache again. Pop-ups have been severe recently, please click to download to avoid pop-ups.