Chapter 1810: Long-Term Cooperation

"Long-term cooperation?" Rhenelu was stunned, and then a look of joy appeared on his face.

Ever since being defeated by the two countries of France and Britain, Portugal's strength had been declining day by day.

In the Colonial Area in America, although they produced metals like copper and iron, facilities such as the Factory were controlled by various industrial powers, and they could only be reduced to a raw material exporting country.

This caused them to lose huge profits and severely hindered their economic development.

This was certainly not a good thing for them.

As the country with the most developed industrial system in the world today, if Longyan were willing to cooperate with them, Portugal's national strength would develop rapidly.

Rhenelu was naturally one hundred percent willing in his heart; this was a deal that was sure to make a profit without any risk of loss.

Qin Zhangfeng said again: "We are prepared to form an alliance with you. We can provide Portugal with the necessary industrial aid, but the acquisition of anything requires bargaining chips."

"Lord Rhenelu, you understand what I mean."

Rhenelu nodded, and without any thought, said directly: "Our Portugal Colonial Area can provide Longyan with all the raw material support it needs."

"In exchange for Longyan's technical support."

Qin Zhangfeng laughed, said nothing, and continued walking forward.

Such a price was simply a deal that was sure to make a profit without any risk of loss for the Portugal Colonial Area.

However, for Longyan, it was not.

Rhenelu watched Qin Zhangfeng walking in front, his heart skipping a beat; he knew that the bargaining chip he had just offered was not exactly generous.

If one could reach an agreement with Longyan just by relying on resources.

Then those small countries in Africa would have even more of an advantage.

Rhenelu hurriedly caught up, not rushing to speak, but instead accompanying Qin Zhangfeng as he strolled around.

Looking at the facilities Portugal had built here, Rhenelu introduced them one by one, but Qin Zhangfeng was not interested in any of these things.

It was merely a cursory glance, nothing more.

Rhenelu still could not figure out what exactly Qin Zhangfeng wanted in order to cooperate with them.

Qin Zhangfeng paused his steps, walked to the front of the Portugal military camp, and asked: "Lord Rhenelu, how is the combat effectiveness of your Portugal troops?"

"Can they contend with the British troops and the French troops?"

Rhenelu gave a dry laugh and shook his head.

"Our Portugal maritime forces can be said to be invincible..."

Qin Zhangfeng looked at him and smiled faintly: "That was in the past. Let me tell you, Britain and France now both have steam-powered ships; your Portugal navy will be eliminated sooner or later!"

"Your old rival, Spain, is now actively leaning toward France, and its development might surpass yours."

"If Spain's troops become powerful, how much of your Portugal Colonial Area will be left?"

"This is a very important piece among your many overseas Colonial Areas, but your neighbor is the Spain Colonial Area. How do you think they will deal with you once they become powerful?"

"I think Lord Rhenelu should know the current situation of your Portugal better than I do."

Rhenelu looked at Qin Zhangfeng in astonishment; the other party had explained the pros and cons to him clearly.

That was why they in Portugal wanted to seek allies for cooperation.

To strengthen their own power and avoid losing all their overseas colonies in this war.

Qin Zhangfeng smiled: "Lord Rhenelu, you should understand now, right? You need to pay the corresponding sincerity."

Rhenelu nodded wildly. His eyes struggled for a moment, and he frowned as he said: "I still need to discuss this matter with others before I can give you an accurate answer, my lord."

"Our Portugal Colonial Area will definitely bring out sincerity."

Qin Zhangfeng nodded and smiled: "I will stay here for three days. Sorry to bother you, Lord Rhenelu."

Rhenelu bowed slightly: "It is a great honor."

Qin Zhangfeng turned and left, and Rhenelu quickly summoned the high-level officials of the Portugal Colonial Area to discuss this matter.

At this time, America.

Above the Ohio River Basin, at the British Front.

Although Qiaozhi had successfully arrived at the front line and was even promoted to Staff Officer, which gave him the opportunity to access top-secret military documents, after this search.

Qiaozhi did not find any of the information he needed.

Daoqi did not trust him.

However, Qiaozhi received news about Gelin; Gelin had not died in that battle, but was very seriously injured.

The person was now in the rear hospital, but was still in a comatose state.

Guarded by French Soldier sent by Daoqi.

Having learned this information and thinking about what had happened before.

Qiaozhi already fully understood what Gelin had encountered on the battlefield. His eyes were extremely gloomy, and at the thought of his close friend falling into this state today, he wished he could tear Daoqi into ten thousand pieces!

Qiaozhi's tightly clenched hand finally loosened.

He would not be as impulsive as Gelin; that would only cause him to fall into an even more passive situation.

Just at this moment, his door was knocked on gently.

"Councilor Qiaozhi, are you inside?"

"General Daoqi, please go over there for a moment."

Hearing this, Qiaozhi replied: "Okay, please wait a moment."

In less than a minute, Qiaozhi, wearing a brand-new dark blue military uniform with the medal belonging to a Councilor on it, followed the soldiers to Daoqi's command room.

Before even entering, Qiaozhi heard Daoqi's furious voice from inside.

"What are you all good for? Even when the French troops have reached the Monongahela River, you didn't know! Now that our troops have encountered such big trouble, tell me how to handle it!"

Creak—the sound of Qiaozhi opening the door interrupted General Daoqi's rage.

Everyone turned their heads in unison, looking at Qiaozhi, who was wearing a brand-new military uniform.

Perhaps because Qiaozhi was a newcomer, the anger on Daoqi's face softened a little, and he even managed to squeeze out a smile: "Qiaozhi, welcome, just find a seat and sit down."

Qiaozhi nodded and took a look around; because they had lost several battles, there were pitifully few officers left who could sit in the command room.

Qiaozhi found a moderately placed seat and sat down, watching as Daoqi held a command baton and pointed at the map.

What was marked on the map was a river not far from the front line.

It belonged to the Ohio River Basin; the terrain there was flat with no defenses, yet it was extremely critical.

Because one could launch a direct attack on this camp from there; if the French troops attacked, their battle line would be forced to retreat once again.

This would cause them to lose even more land.

It would make the territory of the British Colonial District shrink even further; they already had nowhere left to retreat, and behind them lay the living areas of the British here.

However, according to Qiaozhi's understanding, it was very possible that this battle did not happen.

If his deduction was correct, Daoqi should have reached some kind of cooperation with the French troops, even including the advancement of the battle line.

The Ohio River Basin was the ultimate goal of the French; they needed to establish a trading center there to maintain their economic and trade situation.

Britain also needed this trading center, having the same goal as the French.