Iron Dynasty

Chapter 1134

“These despicable British people, the Empire’s fleet made a friendly visit to them, and they used the opportunity to detain our warships for half a month!”

With the rising sun, the anger of the people of Qingzhou City was ignited by an article in the newspaper. The issue was being discussed in every street and household.

“A tragic lesson must be taught to the British. The war in India did not harm the British mainland, so the British people there cannot understand the Empire’s power. They are living in a dream created by British politicians. Only by using cannonballs to teach these British citizens a lesson will they understand their current position.”

Next to the Imperial Building, which was under construction in Qingzhou City, workers were passionately discussing the contents of the newspaper.

“Teaching those politicians a lesson is enough; why kill the common people? They haven’t done anything wrong,” a worker said while eating a flatbread.

The worker who was reading the newspaper sneered and said, “It’s pointless to explain it to an idiot like you”.

“Who are you calling an idiot? What did I say that was wrong?” the insulted worker asked, getting angry.

“Then let me ask you, who manufactured the British people’s guns and bullets? Who enjoyed the benefits of Britain’s expansion and lived a high-quality life? And who supported Britain’s foreign colonization for a better life?” the worker with the newspaper asked, one by one.

“Of course, the British themselves,” the worker said, realizing his mistake and feeling a little guilty.

“That’s the point. Which British soldier doesn’t come from a British family? When they committed massacres abroad, why didn’t they think about whether other people were innocent?”

“Exactly. I heard the British paid bounties for killing people,” someone chimed in.

“You’re not wrong at all. Under the Empire’s cannonballs, there will be no unjust souls. In the same way, we are all willing to advance and retreat with the Empire.”

The workers all voiced their agreement.

Qingzhou Naval Academy.

When the newspaper arrived, the naval academy was inexplicably angry. This anger came from two sources: one was anger toward the British, and the other was anger at the Imperial Navy for not taking a tougher stance.

“Now our navy can’t hold its head up. I really don’t understand why Commander Yue Yun is willing to endure such humiliation.”

An academy student was trembling with anger, wishing he could board a warship and teach the British a lesson right then. Yue Yun had once been a role model in the naval academy, and every student had considered him a lifelong goal. However, this incident had obviously changed the students’ way of thinking. They no longer worshiped Yue Yun as an idol because they suddenly realized that he could also make stupid mistakes.

“If it were me, I would rather die in battle than live on…” another student shouted.

Before he could finish, he felt a sharp pain in his backside and was sent flying, tumbling to the ground. He looked up and saw his instructor, Ding Chang, standing behind him.

“Are you all that idle? Everyone, run ten laps around the playground. If anyone dares to slack off, I’ll break his legs!” Ding Chang roared.

The students fell silent when they saw Ding Chang. They were very familiar with their instructor’s fiery temper, and they all ran to the playground, moving faster than rabbits. After all the students had left, Ding Chang turned to Liu Chen and said, “The general’s reputation is completely ruined.”

Liu Chen said, “Yes, many naval generals are also critical of the general. Many people are even worried about being implicated. This is really ironic.”

“There will always be traitors. It’s normal for some people to only think about getting promoted and making money. It’s just a pity that the general has spent half his life in the army, but now he has been dismissed from his position, leaving a stain on his life,” Ding Chang said.

“A stain is a stain. It’s better than losing one’s life. The general must be fifty this year, and his children and grandchildren are all grown up. What could be more practical than enjoying family happiness?” Liu Chen said.

Ding Chang looked at Liu Chen and asked, “What are you thinking?”

“The order has already been issued. The Emperor wants to eliminate all of Britain’s naval power. I’m going to Europe to wash away our shame,” Liu Chen said.

Ding Chang nodded upon hearing this. “We have to fight back. Otherwise, where will our Naval Academy put its face in the future?”

Liu Chen sighed. With Yue Yun’s dismissal, the navy had truly been divided. After a long time, he seemed to vaguely understand something, but it was something that could not be openly discussed.

Morning Tea Shop.

Niu Ben and Luo Quan were having morning tea. With the rise of the Empire, the living standards of the Empire had improved rapidly. Qingzhou City was filled with shops doing all kinds of business, but he and Luo Quan’s favorite was morning tea.

“Yue Yun isn’t stupid. It’s just that this matter could have been handled better,” Luo Quan said, drinking his tea with a hint of world-weariness.

Niu Ben, wearing his reading glasses, was looking at the newspaper. He glanced at Luo Quan. In the past two years, they had handed over their ranches to their families to manage because they were getting old and some things were beyond their control. Especially Luo Quan, after Luo Hong’s death, he seemed to have aged overnight and had no interest in anything.

“That’s easy to say, but who can understand his true thoughts?” Niu Ben said.

Luo Quan took a sip of tea and said, “No matter what, the Emperor’s position is unshakable now.”

Niu Ben nodded and smiled. “Why should we care about these things? As the saying goes, if you’re not in the position, you don’t meddle in its politics. Besides, the Empire’s weapons and equipment are being updated so quickly that old bones like us can’t keep up. What’s the point of holding a position and not doing anything?”

“Hahaha…” Luo Quan laughed upon hearing this. He pointed at Niu Ben and said, “What an image. The Empire is now full of talented people, so it’s not like before, when it was hard to find a good general.”

While the two of them were chatting, the Grand Secretariat and the General Staff Department were unprecedentedly busy. Pang Yukun issued an order to the imperial shipyard to produce all types of transport ships and warships at full capacity. He also ordered the procurement of various canned foods from the cannery. At the same time, he opened the construction of the Suez Canal to the private sector, allowing private construction companies to participate in the project.

Meanwhile, Cui Shang’an requested that the military factory mass-produce various weapons and ammunition. He also requested that the equipping of the second generation of Han-style rifles, grenade launchers, and tanks be accelerated in order to widen the generational gap between the two sides in the war. At the same time, the General Staff Department also asked the automobile factory to provide a large number of military transport vehicles. In this upcoming war, they would make full use of the Empire’s technological advantages.

While the Empire was actively preparing for the upcoming war, Xiao Ming officially signed the order for the war against Britain in the Imperial Study. This order was sent to the British Embassy in Qingzhou City immediately. At the same time the declaration of war was delivered, Xiao Ming ordered the expulsion of all British people from the Empire.