Chapter 1836: A Greater Goal

"That is true, but Mr. Dike, do we not need to consider the Ottoman Empire?"

"They control the Red Sea, where the Longyan Fleet is also present; if we launch an attack on Cairo now, it is highly likely that the Longyan Fleet will impose a total blockade on us."

"Our British Colonial District would also suffer a devastating blow!"

The British generals offered their advice one after another.

Dike looked at the crowd, an unnamed fury igniting in his heart, yet regarding this matter, he was utterly helpless.

Luojinsi, who controlled the British presence in the Mediterranean Sea, said with a tone of finality: "Recently, many more Longyan fleets have appeared on the Red Sea."

"I have dealt with Jiang Xuan before; since he dared to send troops deep into the French Colonial Zone, it means he was long prepared and on guard against us."

"It is best not to think about Cairo anymore."

Watching the most influential naval general in the Egypt British Colonial District speak, Dike could only accept it helplessly.

Luojinsi fell silent for a moment, then smiled as he looked at Dike and said: "Why must we argue endlessly over this place called Egypt?"

"Even if the Mediterranean Sea were to become an inland lake for Longyan, it would not affect the development of our Britain."

"The ones who should be worried about this are the other countries in Europe."

Dike looked at Luojinsi in confusion, and the others stared at him with expressions of incomprehension.

Britain had always wanted to enter the European continent but lacked the opportunity; if the Mediterranean Sea were to become a Longyan inland lake, it would bring immense profits, and they would use this opportunity to completely control Europe.

How could such a relationship not concern their Britain?

Luojinsi smiled again and said: "What I mean is, let France, let Italy, let those countries on the European continent go and compete directly with Longyan on the Sinai Peninsula and the Arabian Peninsula."

"Egypt is a place with many deserts; although its Geography is important, for us, fighting there now is a waste of our wealth."

"The area of the Africa continent is vast; in North Africa alone, we have obtained more iron production in one year than in America."

"Not to mention the slave trade."

"Let the countries on the European continent deal with Longyan; we should set our sights on the entire Africa continent and take this opportunity to attack the colonies of France and other European powers on the Africa continent!"

The crowd nodded, and Luojinsi's words successfully convinced them.

A smile appeared on Dike's angry face as well, and he expressed his full agreement with Luojinsi's proposal.

Luojinsi placed a report on the table: "This is the latest report from Britain; our research on the Dreadnought-class Battleship has succeeded, and we have now begun to manufacture more battleships."

Dreadnought-class Battleship!

They had heard of it long ago, but being stationed in Egypt, they did not know much about the battleship currently being developed back home.

They only knew it adopted Longyan's Giant Steam Engine.

It was said it would be built into a terrifying battleship like the Longyan Supply Ship.

They had not expected it to be successfully developed now, and everyone was very excited.

With these Dreadnought-class Battleships, their Britain would regain hegemony on the seas, and Longyan's Battleship would no longer be a threat.

"Luojinsi, you are right; our vision should be more long-term; there are indeed many places on the Africa continent that can become our colonies!"

……

At this time, Britain.

Following the successful research of the Dreadnought-class Battleship, George III ordered an increase in capital investment.

To manufacture more Dreadnought-class Battleships as quickly as possible.

And such work no longer required Newton.

Regarding the disappearance of Stephenson, the British government was still investigating, and Mo Cheng and Hu Xi'er had both been questioned several times.

If not for Newton's status, I fear what Mo Cheng and Hu Xi'er encountered would not have been as simple as questioning.

The treatment they received in Britain made the two of them want to return to Longyan as soon as possible.

Newton discovered the Han, triggering an academic storm.

Ultimately, under the strong interference of the Royal Academy, it became Newton's invention.

Newton was indignant about this because he believed it lacked fairness.

But he also gained a friendship with Leibniz.

Newton, Mo Cheng, and Hu Xi'er, the daily routine for the three of them now was thinking about how to leave Britain and London as soon as possible.

But Mo Cheng and Hu Xi'er were key subjects of investigation for Britain.

They were almost under house arrest in London; the British Soldiers watching them outside would even question them about things like buying groceries, and would never give them a chance to leave.

This day, Leibniz brought them a piece of news.

"Mo Cheng, have you ever heard of Iceland?"

Mo Cheng shook his head; he truly did not know.

Leibniz said again: "That island became famous because of you Longyan people."

"It is not far from Britain, but no one had discovered it before, until a Longyan merchant named Jiang Xuelan built a trading center on this island."

"In recent days, because Saxony submitted to Longyan, the trade sanctions imposed by various European countries on Longyan..."

Hu Xi'er's eyes lit up; she did not listen carefully to what Leibniz said afterward, but she showed a keen interest in Iceland.

Although she did not know who Jiang Xuelan was, she was a Longyan person.

A merchant, selling goods to Europe...

These were all key pieces of information; ever since Stephenson left, they had been under strict surveillance.

They did not know if Stephenson's letter had reached Longyan yet.

They also did not know how the rescue mission by Longyan was progressing.

But they could not wait; Hu Xi'er decided to save herself.

She looked at Leibniz and said: "You mean, a person named Jiang Xuelan built a trading center on an island not far from Britain?"

"Can you tell me more about this?"

Leibniz looked a bit embarrassed: "I only heard about this from a friend of mine; he has been doing business in Britain these days, and that is where I heard it from."

Hu Xi'er's eyes became even more excited, and she said: "Then can you introduce your friend to us?"

Mo Cheng and Newton said from the side: "Why would we want to know him?"

Hu Xi'er glared at the two of them, and they quickly shut their mouths.

Leibniz scratched his head, not understanding why Hu Xi'er wanted to meet his friend.

But he still said: "There is nothing wrong with that; I will introduce him to you."

Hu Xi'er's face lit up with joy.

After Leibniz left, Mo Cheng asked in great confusion: "Xi'er, why do you want to know a British merchant?"

"He cannot take us away either."

Hu Xi'er wrapped her arms around his neck and said with a seductive smile: "He cannot, but that Dragon Flame merchant named Jiang Xuelan can."

Mo Cheng solemnly pushed Hu Xi'er away and said: "Then let us hurry and get to know that merchant."