Iron Dynasty Chapter 980

The breeze from the Thames River swept in, and Nick's gaze held profound depth.

He turned to Murphy and declared, “I support your proposal. Moreover, don't you think we ought to work on strengthening ties with France? Facing this Eastern Empire alone proves too challenging for us.”

“Europe has spent centuries locked in internal conflicts. The root cause lies in Europeans' haughty conviction that their continent stands as the world's core and their culture reigns supreme. Beyond Europe, no rival merited true engagement. Yet now, circumstances have shifted dramatically,” Murphy remarked with deep feeling. “I truly wish our delegation to the Great Yu Empire achieves some success this time, or we'll face endless woes across the globe.”

Nick gave a grave nod in response.

As the pair conversed, the Cao family duo had already boarded a carriage bound for their Thames-side home.

Inside the carriage, Cao Zheng-tong appeared somewhat anxious. He inquired, “Father, will the British truly elevate the standing of Great Yu Empire citizens here in Britain?”

Cao Kun sat with eyes shut in repose. He replied unhurriedly, “Victoria lacks alternatives. Should the British cling to their overbearing pride, they'll suffer even greater losses.”

“That's my hope too. Then, we won't endure mockery from the British locals anymore,” Cao Zheng-tong muttered, clenching his teeth.

Despite their long stay in Britain, existence here brought little joy. Local white supremacists frequently harassed them without cause. Without parliamentary guards for protection, they might have ended up as slaves.

Seizing this chance, they planned to demand improved status for Great Yu Empire folk, granting them legal equality with the British.

“Moving forward, we must urge the parliament to allocate land for a Great Yu Empire community. That way, we can unite our people and reform our own assembly,” Cao Kun stated, still smarting from his southern setback.

From their recent observations, they learned Britain harbored lingering Great Yu Empire slaves, smuggled over from Asia by the British.

By liberating these individuals from bondage, they would earn lasting gratitude and loyal supporters for his efforts.

Cao Zheng-tong nodded thoughtfully. Such prospects offered them a vital opening. Even without returning to the Great Yu Empire, prosperity awaited in Britain.

The British required their presence, after all.

…

France, Paris.

The city buzzed with identical unrest as Britain. Once the two surviving British vessels limped back to London, word of the allied fleet's crushing loss spread swiftly.

For the fledgling French Republic, this news struck like a thunderbolt.

Upon hearing it, Paris's elite nobles converged at the executive office of Lord Protector André.

He commanded supreme authority in French affairs, military and political alike.

“We never should have joined forces with the British for that fleet. With only their ships returning, who can say if our vessels fell to British treachery or the Great Yu Empire's might?” Duke Adrian bellowed. He'd always despised the British.

This offshore island power constantly schemed against France's rise.

“Exactly, it reeks of a British plot.”

“Demand an immediate probe into this affair.”

“…”

The nobles erupted in uproar.

André slumped in his seat, massaging his aching brow. He'd endorsed the alliance personally, and this rout now tarnished his prestige.

For Europe's dominant force like France to crumble in the East shamed any leader.

“Quiet down, everyone!” André rapped the desk sharply.

He scanned the assembled nobles. These were the industrialists who'd toppled France's old monarchy, forming the backbone of the Republic's new elite.

“The British gain nothing by misleading us on this. It yields them no advantage in Asia. The Great Yu Empire's formidable power stands clear for all to see, backed by the technologies we've acquired from them. The fleet's downfall merely underscores that reality. Persisting in rivalry with Britain risks forfeiting even more distant territories. Remember, our pact with them carves up Asia, but none exists with the Great Yu Empire—and worst of all, they're perilously near our Indochina holdings.” As the revolutionary figurehead who'd dismantled the French crown, André possessed sharp insight and bold resolve.

He faced the nobles' scrutiny without flinching, earning his moniker “the dictator.”

“If not British deceit, then we're staring down a graver peril. We need strategies to safeguard Indochina right away,” one noble uttered in dread.

André's frown deepened. That very fear gnawed at him. Unlike Britain, their possessions lay too proximate to the Great Yu Empire.

The fleet's venture had ignited open hostility with the Great Yu Empire, inviting potential reprisals.

Losing Indochina would shatter his standing, threatening his grip on power.

“We must dispatch our own envoys to the Great Yu Empire first, suing for peace,” André announced to the group. “At minimum, we buy time to dissect their advancements fully. Delay conflict until then. With steam engines proliferating across France, we'll forge superior arms and strike back decisively against the Great Yu Empire.”

The nobles murmured agreement. They'd all encountered the Great Yu Empire expert aiding them. Over the last two years, his guidance had propelled French manufacturing forward leaps and bounds.

His array of scientific concepts had stunned Parisian scholars. Now, experts toiled relentlessly to manifest those ideas into tangible breakthroughs.

“This stands as our wisest path forward,” Duke Adrian affirmed. “Yielding briefly secures the breathing room to triumph.”

André inclined his head. Then he added, “Still, prepare for the direst outcomes. Should the Great Yu Empire spurn negotiations, clashes in Indochina become inevitable. Thus, alongside the delegation, ramp up training for Indochina's natives to bolster our defenses, while rushing fresh guns to the lines to halt the Great Yu Empire's advance.”

He figured other Asian colonial powers shared this alarm, with Britain likely mirroring these steps.

After all, Britain's far-flung stakes dwarfed their own.

Noting the lack of dissent, André directed the diplomat at his side, “Starting today, assemble the envoy team and set sail within seven days.”