Chapter 360: France's Order

Nicholas I did not wait for Mejid's surrender. Not only did Mejid not surrender, but he dared to demand the Russian army to withdraw from the two Danube principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia with the support of Britain and France.

On October 16, 1853, the angry Nicholas I declared war on the Ottoman Empire, and the Crimean War officially broke out.

Russia's declaration of war on the Ottoman Empire made Napoleon III, who was far away in Paris, ecstatic.

The French Empire and Napoleon III, who had just ascended the throne of emperor, urgently needed a victory in a foreign war.

France needed a war to break the shackles of the Vienna system on France and re-establish the prestige of the French Empire on the European continent.

Napoleon III himself needed a victory in a foreign war to win the support of the French people and to re-establish the prestige of his family among the European royal families.

However, Napoleon knew in his heart that it was not the best time for France to join the war.

First of all, the enthusiasm of the French people to join the war had not yet been ignited.

Secondly, the French army, which had been in disuse for many years, was not ready.

On the outskirts of Paris, a group of generals of the Second French Empire tested the new guns that James brought back from America.

"Generals, how about the American rifles?"

After the test, Napoleon III asked his generals expressionlessly.

Before these French generals tested the new American guns, Napoleon III himself had already fiddled with the gun.

He already had the answer in his heart about the performance of this new American gun.

Napoleon III felt mixed emotions. The young country across the ocean still needed assistance and blood transfusion from France when it became independent.

Now they can produce such advanced weapons by themselves. France has fallen far behind in the past half century.

"It's better than the rifled guns that the British have just replaced, and it's the same as the Dreyse needle-fired guns equipped by the Prussians." Bocas put down the Walter 1851E rifle in his hand and said.

"Compared to our own French firearms?" Napoleon III asked bluntly.

The French generals were speechless. At present, the French army is equipped with MLE1842, MLE1853, MLE184LE1853 carbines, these four types of guns.

These four types of guns are still serious smoothbore guns. Not to mention compared with the American breech-loading Minié bullet, there is a huge gap even compared with the British 1851 muzzle-loading Minié rifle.

Some French military products have been surpassed by the United States.

Although the French generals present, including Napoleon III himself, were unwilling to accept this, they still had to admit the fact in front of them.

"There is no comparison between these two weapons." After a long pause, Bouchard still plucked up the courage to say, "Your Majesty, if our French army can be equipped with this weapon, it can save the lives of many French men!"

Bouchard knew the current situation of the French Army.

Napoleon III also revealed to these generals that France was about to join the war against the Russians.

The French army urgently needed an advanced and reliable light weapon, and the American weapon was very suitable for them.

"Mr. James, order 50,000 rifles and 50,000 sets of military uniforms from the Americans and ask them to deliver them as soon as possible." Napoleon III sighed and said to James with his hands behind his back.

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The war that took place on the other side of the ocean had a big impact on Liang Yao, but it was also a small impact.

The big impact was that he could use this opportunity to win some military orders for California and make a lot of money from the war.

The small impact was that he could not directly intervene in the conflict and could only be a bystander.

In Tingtao Garden, after a perfect relationship with Aoki Ling, Liang Yao patted Aoki Ling's tight buttocks, put on his pajamas, took out a bookmarked "Napoleonic Code" from the bookshelf, and warmed himself by the fireplace.

Compared with Napoleon's great achievements in sweeping across Europe, he believed that this code was the most valuable asset Napoleon left to future generations.

It was a pity that he did not know French and could not read the original "Napoleonic Code", but could only read the English translation of the "Napoleonic Code".

It was already a little chilly in California in November, and even though he was sitting next to the fireplace, Liang Yao couldn't help yawning.

Seeing this, Qing Mu Ling hurriedly took a cloak and put it on Liang Yao.

Before Liang Yao turned a few pages of the book in his hand, he heard Hu Jinchen outside the door announcing the visit of Frele Goff and August.

Liang Yao had to close the book, put it back in place, and then changed his clothes to come to the living room to meet Le Goff and August.

"General Liang."

Seeing Liang Yao coming to the living room, Le Goff and August, who had been waiting in the living room for a long time, stood up and took off their hats and bowed to Liang Yao.

After the Rothschild family inspected California, they felt that California was a place with great business prospects, so they kept August in California. He was responsible for the Rothschild Bank and the family's kerosene business.

Rothschild Bank became the third foreign bank in California after Barings Bank and Bank of France.

"You two are not here for no reason. Just say what you want to say." Liang Yao motioned Le Goff and August to sit down, and took the hot tea handed over by the Mexican maid.

"The loan provided by the Rothschild family has been fully delivered. My boss, Mr. James, asked me to remind you that I hope you must fulfill your promise next year and provide 2 million liters of kerosene to the Rothschild family every month." August said.

James urged for the goods, presumably because kerosene is selling very well in the European market.

Compared with the huge European market, the monthly supply of 2 million liters of kerosene can only be said to be a drop in the bucket.

At present, the pitiful production capacity of kerosene in Los Angeles is not enough to supply Europe, let alone the American market.

Fan Daze also often sent telegrams to Liang Yao to complain that the supply of kerosene was too small, and the kerosene store in Crystal Palace was out of stock for a long time.

Now is also the time for other California capitals besides the American Group to enter the oil refining industry in Los Angeles.

The refining capacity of Standard Oil Company is still limited after all.

Deng Wenshun also often complained to him that the crude oil refining capacity in Los Angeles could not keep up with the production capacity of crude oil, and crude oil has been in a serious surplus.

"Please call Sir James. Standard Oil will provide 2 million liters of kerosene every month as scheduled." Liang Yao said.

"I feel relieved with your words." August nodded and said, "Kerosene is very popular in Paris and London. Sir James asked me to tell you that if you need more funds to expand production capacity, you can apply for a loan from Rothschild Bank at any time. The door of Rothschild Bank is always open to you."