Fox of France

Regarding the appeal of Babel and the people of the Netherlands in southern Africa, Treville said that because of the perverse actions of the British, in order to maintain justice, it is indeed a matter of time before France declares war on the United Kingdom, and maybe it has already started. .

"However, like you, we have no special way to understand the situation in Europe." Treville said, "Within my authority, I can only send personnel back to Europe to help you make a request to the French government. However, My friend, you also know that if the war has not started, then you still need to wait. And if the war does start, Europe will be the main battlefield, and an army will be deployed in a very far away place outside the main battlefield, This is still a matter that requires a considerable price. Moreover, the supply of logistical materials will be very difficult."

"We can help with logistics!" Babel said, "We have food, gunpowder, and even war horses. You French don't need to bring them. We have horses. You just need to bring guns and cannons. .”

"The problem is the cannon. Do you have a port where you can dock warships and transport ships so that the cannon can land smoothly?" Treville asked.

These Dutch people do have a port in their hands, but only a port where two fishing boats can dock. It is impossible to rely on warships or large transport ships, and there is no corresponding port equipment. What's more, if there is such a port control in their hands, they can lie down and collect money. They fought the British to death because of something wrong.

"We don't have a usable port." Babel thought for a while and said, "But we can temporarily build a temporary port that can dock warships and transport ships. In fact, there are several places with good conditions and conditions for building ports. It will take several months for your people to go back and then wait for the army to come over? During this time, we should be able to build the temporary port."

So Treville asked Babel to draft a petition, and then asked all the Dutch people to sign it, and then handed over the document to his subordinates, and asked him to return to Europe on a fast transportation ship. Speaking of which, fast traffic ships are no longer the fastest ships, but because of their long enough range and strong support, they are still widely used.

Then Babel and the others arranged for people to monitor the British army in Cape Town-in fact, because of the previous battle, the British did not dare to come out. In short, near Cape Town, the basic situation is:

"John inside, it's a man who came out to fight!" The Dutch militiaman shouted with a loudspeaker from outside the range of the cannon.

"The rebels outside, you have the guts to rush up!" The British leaned next to the cannon and shouted at the Dutch militiamen outside.

"Come down!"

"Come here! Come here! What are you afraid of? Come here!"

The British did not come out, and the Dutch militia did not pass. Of course, this seems to be very beneficial to the Dutch militia. However, even Treville did not expect that the besieged Cape Town was not short of food. Because it is a port, without a navy, the port is very difficult to block.

Indeed, at this time, in Europe, most countries did not dare to violate France's will and trade with the British, but in southern Africa, far away from Europe, the situation was different. Because there are still a large number of barbarians here, they don't even know France or England at all, so Napoleon's great reputation naturally cannot prevent them from trading with the British. Therefore, the British easily used all kinds of surplus iron tools to exchange a lot of food from Uncle Hei. Anyway, this kind of transaction does not require any port on Uncle Hei's side, as long as there is a place where boats can dock, metal tools, and food can be exchanged smoothly. So the British don't use it, at least for now, they don't have to worry about food.

However, which port of the Dutch militia was only half expanded before it was discovered by the British. The British also had two frigates in Cape Town - old sail cruisers. This kind of warship is useless in Europe, but in more distant places, these warships are still useful. For example, in South Africa, the East, and the Far East, these old-fashioned warships are still being used in large numbers. In addition to decommissioning a large number of old-fashioned sailing warships, the British also transferred a large part of them to the Far East. For example, the British flagship "Victory" was now in the British East India Company. Of course, the East India Company modified the ship, reducing the gun deck by one layer and converting the bottom gun deck into a cargo hold.

After discovering that the Dutch were expanding the port, the British were of course not polite. Then they drove two frigates over, fired a cannonball, and smashed the half-expanded port to pieces. As for the Dutch, they don't have any artillery, and they have no ability to resist even when facing the British sailing warships that are outdated by the times.

After destroying the port that the Dutch were expanding, the two British frigates would turn around the coastline almost every few days, as long as they found any port, even if it was just a small port for fishing boats , They were all messed up. Obviously, a port that could allow the cannon to land could not be built.

"The port can't be built nowadays. What should we do if the fleet comes? If we knew this, we should get a boat first and send some mines over." Treville said to Babel.

"Mr. Treville, it's really not our fault, it's because the British are too cunning." Babel said.

"This is not a time to discuss who to blame, but a time to think about how to deal with it," Treville said.

So Babel was silent, and after a while he said: "If, if the fleet really comes, then it's okay to go to Maputo or Walvis Bay. Then come here by land from there. "

"How is this possible? It's nearly 2,000 kilometers to get here from Maputo or Walvis Bay. Considering that there are no decent roads in Africa, how is this possible?" Treville couldn't help shaking his head.

"Then the fleet first moors at the bay on the side of Saldanha. That bay is in good condition and suitable for building a large port. The port we originally expanded is over there. Anyway, it is surrounded by land on three sides, even if the wind blows , there will not be too many waves in the bay. When the fleet arrives, the British warships will not dare to do bad things again, and we will quickly build the pier... Believe me, it will not take much time." Babel replied.

"As far as I know, there is a lack of fresh water in the area of ​​Sadanil." Treville said with a frown.

"Ah, Philip, you don't have to worry about this. We will definitely guarantee fresh water. Besides, you shouldn't have too many people coming. There is no problem with fresh water."

"It's not about people, but the ship itself consumes a lot of fresh water." Treville reminded.

"Okay, don't worry, I will prepare it." Babel said, "We will not only equip them with drinking water, but even prepare water for them to bathe in."

In fact, there was a wireless transmitter on Philip Treville's high-speed traffic boat. As long as you sail about 2,000 kilometers north, you can get in touch with the French strongholds in Central Africa by radio, and through them, relay the news back to Paris quickly. So in fact Paris soon knew the situation in South Africa.

Napoleon summoned the generals of the navy and army to discuss the situation in South Africa.

"Your Excellency the First Regent, I know that South Africa's strategic position is very important. But now we are in a hurry to do something in South Africa, why?" Marshal Treville asked.

"If the British are defeated, then for the sake of diplomatic relations, we also want to restore the Netherlands to Cape Town. However, we must have a reliable foothold in this area. After the war, the British Do people still want to keep India? And if we want to enter India, it is very necessary to obtain a base in South Africa.” Napoleon said, “In addition, an expedition team of the Academy of Sciences to investigate African organisms is at a distance from the port of Maputo. Gold sand was found in a creek near a highland about 500 kilometers away. The local natives called this area the Golden Mountain. Then the Academy of Sciences sent mineral experts again, using the same pretext of studying migratory birds, to visit this place again..."

"How?" Marshal Berthier hurriedly asked.

"After investigation, they believe that there is a relatively large gold mine in this area. Of course, this is only a possibility. Maybe this gold mine is not as big as imagined." Napoleon smiled, "But even if it is only for this possibility, it is worth our money. Do it in South Africa. First take Cape Town, and then temporarily use it as a base - Cape Town is still far away from our destination - then look for a harbor on the east coast as a stronghold, and finally control it land of gold.

Of course, everyone knows that this reason cannot be made public, so the public reason is that we want to establish a base on the east coast of South Africa to support our return to India. Therefore, the country will not invest much power in the development of the inland, and it will mainly be led by individuals. Ladies and gentlemen, you are all my best friends and should know what this opportunity means. Well, we can form an investment company together. Of course, I suggest that when forming this company, everyone should prepare white gloves. "

"Your Majesty, you are really... the Atlantic Ocean, and I can't hold my gratitude and love for you." Augereau said gratefully.

"Me too, me too..." Murat said loudly.