xymnovel Chapter 96 The Emperor May Not Have Deceived Us
Chapter 96 The Emperor May Not Have Deceived Us
Chapter 96 The Emperor May Not Have Deceived Us
Forsyth took his leave to rest and await news.
Melbourne and Palmerston immediately sent people to summon John Paley, the governor of Hudson Bay Company, George Simpson, the governor of Hudson Bay Rupert Estate, and John McLaughlin, the chief agent of Fort Vancouver, to inquire about and discuss matters in the Americas.
Palmerston first gave a general overview of the US's attitude as conveyed by Forsyth.
Then let John McLaughlin give everyone another briefing on what he knew about the West Coast.
After the introduction, George Simpson exclaimed, "We should take the advice of the United States and at least send troops to the area to assert our presence."
"To ensure that the area remains in a state of dispute."
"Even if the final decision is to abandon these lands, the military presence can be used to gain negotiating power, and then the withdrawal of troops can be used to exchange for certain benefits from the Han Dynasty."
"Otherwise, we would be giving this land away to the Han Dynasty for nothing."
John Paley, speaking on behalf of the Hudson Bay Company, immediately stated: "Mr. Simpson is right, and we cannot follow the United States' advice entirely. We should send the army to the west coast of America."
"Because only the army can actually occupy the land."
"If Britain only sends its navy to participate in the war, even if it assists the United States army in seizing the land there, it will eventually become the spoils of war for the United States."
"After listening, Palmerston sighed and said, "That's right. Any politician with a little common sense knows that unless the objective of the operation is simply to assist the allies, it is impossible to simply send the navy to fight in a foreign land."
"However, since the land there originally belonged to the Hudson Bay Company, the Hudson Bay Company should now organize its army to be responsible for the actual occupation of the land."
John Paley and George Simpson exchanged a glance, and Paley, representing the Hudson's Bay Company, stated: "With authorization from the King and Parliament, the Hudson's Bay Company may independently mobilize the army and pay certain military costs."
"But the company's maximum capacity is probably between two and three thousand people, which may not be enough to achieve the goal."
"The Kingdom's government should also provide support, and the key is to urge Mexico to send troops to participate in the operation."
Prime Minister Viscount Melbourne acknowledged Hudson Bay's stance but felt the operation was still fraught with difficulties and uncertainties: "The most important part of this operation is Mexico, but the situation in Mexico has been too chaotic in recent years, and it's unclear how much effort they can commit."
"The Kingdom's government can organize forces to participate at the same time, but the west coast of America is simply too far away."
"We either have to go south around the entire American continent or go east across the entire Indian and Pacific Oceans to reach this remote place."
"The distance is so great, and the key is that there are no places nearby that can provide support, and we have no way to send a large enough number of troops to participate in the operation."
"If only the Northwest Passage could be directly opened to traffic—"
The people present had basically reached a consensus and decided that they should organize forces to participate in this operation.
However, while making the decision, everyone also realized that the matter would be fraught with difficulties.
"Remote" is not just a figure of speech for Melbourne, but an objective fact.
The northwestern coast of North America was the place most beyond the reach of Europeans at that time.
Europeans believed that opening up the legendary Northwest Passage was the only way to reverse this situation.
The so-called Northwest Passage is the route that goes through the northernmost part of the Americas, through northern Canada, and around the Bering Strait.
From the Arctic Ocean to the East or the west coast of America.
Europeans explored this area for over a century but never found a direct sea route.
Currently, the only known route is the one traversed by explorers using sleds and other means of transport over land.
However, if seagoing vessels cannot reach the destination directly, they cannot quickly transport enough manpower and supplies.
The group vented their frustrations through complaints, which further strengthened their resolve to explore the Northwest Passage.
Then a perfectly reasonable decision was made on the spot.
George Simpson was appointed as a representative to travel to St. Petersburg in Russia to negotiate with the Russia-America Company.
Britain could recognize the Rakshasa Kingdom's interests in Alaska, and the two sides could trade furs and goods there.
It demands that Russia maintain consistency with the United Kingdom, the United States, and Mexico on matters concerning the Americas.
Even if we cannot participate in the pressure campaign against the Han Dynasty, we cannot side with the Han Dynasty.
Prime Minister Melbourne, Palmerston, John Paley, and others remained in Britain to formally begin preparations for military action.
The Prime Minister requested the King's authorization to deploy the Navy and signed an order allowing the Hudson Bay Company to organize the Army.
At the same time, the final decision of Britain was communicated to Citizen Secretary of State Forsyth.
McLaughlin was appointed as the representative of the British and Hudson Bay Company to accompany Forsyth back to North America.
Urge the United States and Mexico to prepare for coordinated action.
After receiving the notification, Forsyth breathed a sigh of relief and immediately met again with Melbourne, Palmerzun, Paley, McLaughlin, and others.
After confirming the needs and goals of both parties, a simple memorandum of understanding on how to cooperate was signed, and then McLaughlin returned to North America.
When Forsyth returned to North America, he found that the atmosphere in the city had changed, and the crowds in front of the banks were much larger.
The number of people loitering on the streets also seems to have increased.
The newsboys on the street shouting out messages about declining land prices in western states and seeking investment and purchase opportunities are the most common topics.
Forsyth sensed something was wrong again.
Forsyth first settled McLaughlin in, then immediately went to the White House alone.
He paid a visit to the newly inaugurated President Martin Van Buren.
Forsyth first explained Britain's position: "Britain accepted our proposal, but demanded that the United States make concessions in the disputed territory of Oregon."
"Considering the current situation, I proposed that the disputed area north of the Columbia River be demarcated at 48 degrees north latitude, and they quickly accepted this proposal."
"Britain has now begun organizing its army and navy, and it is estimated that it will take two months to arrive in America."
Van Buren acknowledged Forsyth's concession: "Mr. Forsyth, you've worked hard. Before driving out the Han people, it's not wise to argue too much over such details."
After finishing his business, Forsyth pressed for details about what he was concerned about: "Since I came back, I've sensed something's off in the market. What's happened in the last month or so?"
Van Buren, somewhat exasperated, explained to Forsyth: "New York banks have stopped exchanging gold and silver, which has ironically led to more and more people exchanging gold and silver."
"Runs of banks also occurred in other places, causing more banks to stop exchanging funds."
"The situation seems to be getting worse and worse. Some small and medium-sized banks have closed down and are in fact bankrupt."
"The value of the vouchers they issued has depreciated significantly."
"Many companies have closed down, so naturally some workers have started to lose their jobs, and more people are wandering the streets."
"Prices also began to rise at the same time, and the market situation is not very optimistic."
As Forsyth listened to these words, the worries and doubts that had repeatedly surged within him finally became certain: "The Emperor may not have been deceiving us—"
Van Buren was taken aback: "What emperor? What do you mean by 'no deception'? Are you talking about the so-called economic crisis predicted by the Han emperor?"
Forsyth immediately said, "Yes, according to the Emperor and Irving, what we are seeing now are all signs of an economic crisis."
"So the economic crisis has already begun, and the market collapse caused by land investment in the United States has begun."
"It just started a little over six months later than the emperor had anticipated."
Van Buren's expression was grim: "Since the Emperor made a prediction, did he also predict when it would end?"
Forsyth recalled the conversation between Liu Yulong and Irving: "After most banks and companies go bankrupt, the market will enter a depression, just like Britain ten years ago."
"It will likely take several years before things improve —"
Van Buren immediately pressed, "Wait for bankruptcy? Enter a recession that lasts for years? Isn't there any way to control it in advance?"
Forsyth shook his head directly: "No, at least countries like Britain and the United States have no way to control the economic crisis."
"Stability can only be restored once the wrong investors leave the market."
Van Buren's expression was somber, yet he said with a glimmer of hope, "No, no, no—it can't really be like what the Emperor and Owen said, can it? My term of office for the next few years—"
Forsyth said, in a very somber mood, "This is indeed very bad news for the President—"
"But all we can do is wait and observe to see if the situation changes for the better."
"Let's focus on preparing for things on the west coast of America at the same time —"
Van Buren was speechless and could only deal with the situation with a sliver of hope, hoping that the situation wouldn't get any worse.
In the following period, Van Buren and Forsyth observed market trends while preparing for West Coast affairs.
Arrange for Forsyth and McLaughlin to travel to Mexico together to coordinate subsequent action plans.
Due to the relative urgency of the situation, the British side also quickly completed preparations.
A total of sixty warships were assembled, including six third-class ships and four fourth-class ships, a size that was a quarter larger than the fleet of the Opium War.
However, the number of soldiers carried was actually less, only three thousand army soldiers.
Because the fleet needed to carry enough supplies, and also leave room for the US and Mexican troops.
The fleet arrived off the east coast of North America in early June.
According to the plan, the additional 0 troops prepared by the United States will join the British Army and then head to southern Mexico.
The armies of both countries will travel along the Nicaragua River and Lake Nicaragua route, crossing the American continent to reach the west coast of the Americas.
The British naval fleet will sail south around South America to transport military supplies back to the west coast of Nicaragua.
After the army and navy rendezvous on the West Coast, they will then join forces with the Mexican army and navy before heading north to California and Oregon.
However, during the period when both parties formulated and implemented the plan, the situation in the Citibank market began to deteriorate rapidly.
When summer arrived, a chain reaction of "major collapses" finally occurred.
Numerous banks and companies went bankrupt and collapsed, leaving many workers unemployed and homeless.
Land prices, government bond prices, and market prices in the west have all collapsed and spiraled out of control.
The situation in the United States has finally begun to affect Britain.