On November 15, 1856, Fang Minghong, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Empire, met with Mascaiano, the plenipotentiary of Chilean President Manuel Monte Torres. This meeting between the two opened a new chapter in the relationship between the Chinese Empire and South America, and also caused a fundamental change in the situation in South America. Chile, a small South American country, embraced the thick thighs of the Chinese Empire, and made them begin to develop rapidly. In particular, the military strength has undergone earth-shaking changes. It also allowed Chile to grow rapidly into the overlord of South America and become the spokesperson of the empire in South America.

Of course, Chile also paid some price to become the spokesperson of the Chinese Empire in South America. Of course, these prices are insignificant compared to their gains. The support of the empire is completely indispensable to the rise of Chile.

"Your Excellency, Lord Wei has other arrangements, so I will be responsible for this meeting." As soon as we met, Fang Minghong, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, put forward this point.

Chilean envoy Mascaiano expressed his understanding of this. After all, the Chinese Empire is now the world hegemon, and Chile is just a small South American country with a population of only more than 1.5 million. It is already a gift from the Chinese Empire that the Chinese Empire can send a deputy foreign minister to see him.

"Mr. Fang, thank you for taking the time to meet me. I hope that our two countries can form a comprehensive partnership with each other at the order of our President, Manuel Monte Torres." said Mascaiano.

"Oh? I don't know where you want the Empire and Chile to cooperate in those aspects?" Fang Minghong asked calmly. Although the Chinese Empire coveted Chile's copper ore and saltpeter, this does not mean that the Empire would look at Chile in a different way. China, which ruled most of the earth, is now a vast land. There is no shortage of copper ore and saltpeter in the empire's territory.

"Master Fang, Chile hopes to buy a batch of army and naval equipment from the Chinese Empire. And hopes to hire instructors from the Chinese Empire to train Chile's army. In addition, Chile hopes to get the support of the Chinese Empire in diplomacy and industry!" The envoy of Mascaiano continued. Chile is now a backward agricultural country, with an annual fiscal revenue of only 50 million gold pesos, equivalent to only 20 million Chinese yuan. This is mainly earned from exporting mineral resources. But even so, Chile has already shown its ambition for neighboring countries. Once Chile can successfully expand to the surrounding areas, they will become stronger. This is also the goal of the Chilean president's efforts. However, in order to ensure the success of expansion, Chile also urgently needs foreign aid. The Chinese Empire, which has just won the world war and become the new world hegemon, has undoubtedly become the best choice for Chile.

"Selling equipment from the army and navy requires approval from the empire's General Staff. However, I don't think there is any problem with this. The empire has begun to lay off its troops, and there are a large number of weapons and equipment to be sold, and the price is not too expensive. Although it is second-hand goods, the quality is absolutely guaranteed. This is definitely a good choice for Chile." Fang Minghong said. The imperial army has dismantled one million combat troops, and there is indeed a large number of weapons and equipment to be sold. As for the navy, there may not be any new warships. But there are still some old warships. For example, the "Western Zhou-class" warships and "Eastern Zhou-class" warships that have been ready to retire can be sold to Chile. Anyway, the naval strength of South American countries is too different. Even if they are given a few of these old warships, they can still be king in South America.

"Sir Fang, this is great. Chile needs such reliable and inexpensive weapons!" said the envoy of Mascaiano. Although it is a second-hand product, Chile doesn't mind. The equipment of the Chinese army has become famous in this world war. Moreover, second-hand products mean that the price is cheaper, and Chile can buy more weapons and equipment at a low price. This is undoubtedly good news for Chile, which is not rich in financial resources. Of course, judging from the current financial resources of South American countries, Chile, which has a large amount of copper ore and saltpeter exports, has lost the richest countries. The other countries are still much worse than Chile. This also makes the copper ore and saltpeter occupied by Chile jealous of other countries. In order to preserve these wealth, Chile must also strengthen its arms.

"As for sending instructors to Chile, this requires the consent of the General Staff. In this way, you can give a list of about how many weapons a Chile needs, and then I will report to the General Staff and discuss it in detail later!" Fang Minghong said.

"Okay, Lord Fang. Chile needs to arm an army of 50,000 people and a navy of 10,000 people. We hope to equip the army with the organization and weapon configuration of the Chinese army." said Special Envoy Mascaiano.

Fang Minghong nodded: "Well, I understand! In this way, you go back and wait for the news first. I will notify you after I have coordinated with the General Staff!"

For a country with a population of only more than 1.5 million, a 60,000 army and navy is enough, and it is even a bit too much. After all, the Chinese Empire has a population of nearly 600 million, and it only has up to five million troops in the war. Judging from this proportion, Chile is already a bit of a military force. It seems that the neighboring countries around Chile will have a hard time.

"Okay, Lord Fang, thank you very much for your help!" Mascaiano left the Imperial Ministry of Foreign Affairs after saying a word of thanks.

Fang Minghong immediately called the General Staff to contact the General Staff. That afternoon, the General Staff sent a major general and the deputy minister of the Logistics and Equipment Department to discuss this issue with him.

"Are the Chileans preparing to launch an attack on neighboring countries? Otherwise, a country with a population of 1.5 million would actually arm so many troops, it would be incredible!" said Major General Chen Qingqiu, deputy minister of the Logistics and Equipment Department.

"What do the Chileans plan? Since they want to buy weapons, they should sell them. Anyway, we have sealed up so many rescue weapons. The Chileans want us to send instructors and train the army according to the Imperial Army. This is interesting. No matter how you look, it seems that the Chileans want to surrender to us!" Major General Zhang Yuchen, deputy director of the Operations Department of the General Staff, said with a smile.

"South America is too far from the empire, and the strength of each country is not strong. Apart from resources, there is no place to make the empire excited. Especially when the empire needs to completely suppress the Germans from now on, the empire will not take fierce measures to occupy South America. In this case, controlling South America by supporting agents and ensuring that South America's resources are used by the empire, to be precise, not for our enemies. This is the best way!" Fang Minghong also said.

Major General Chen Qingqiu and Major General Zhang Yuchen both nodded. If the copper ore and saltpeter in South America can be controlled by the empire and do not flow into the Germans, it will undoubtedly be a huge blow to the Germans. Although there are still many places in the world that produce saltpeter, its output and purity are not as great as Chile, and most of them are under the control of China. Once Chile is also controlled by the empire, it will not be easy for the Germans to buy saltpeter, which is undoubtedly a huge blow to the Germans' military strength.

"The Chileans plan to arm the 50,000 army, which means 8 brigades have more than 2,000 people. We can suggest that the Chileans form 7 infantry brigades and one cavalry brigade according to the empire, and the other 2,000 people can form two artillery battalions. In this way, the army should be more comprehensive. We can sell 40,000 rifles, 500 light machine guns and 100 heavy machine guns, 600 mortars, 200 75mm field guns and 24 105mm light howitzers to the Chileans. In this way, the equipment of the Chilean army can be greatly ahead of other South American countries!" Major General Zhang Yuchen gave his own opinions.

"The Navy's "Western Zhou-class" warships and "Eastern Zhou-class" warships can also be sold to them. In addition, the castrated light cruisers and destroyers can also be sold. In this way, the Chilean navy also has. The specific number depends on how much the Chileans can afford! The "Western Zhou-class" warships are two million yuan per ship. Although they are old, they can still be used for decades after renovating the power and weapon systems. The same is true for the "Eastern Zhou-class" warships, three million yuan per ship. As for the castrated light cruisers and destroyers, the "Solar Class" can be used for "Solar Class"

Light cruisers and the "Tiangang-class" light cruisers are based on the model, and construction can be started for them again, and they can be built in a maximum of one year. The "Solar Class" light cruisers collect 1.4 million Chinese yuan. The "Tiangang-class" destroyers collect 1.0 million Chinese yuan. Of course, since the Chilean navy is only about 10,000 people, after deducting the port personnel, they will be sold to them two "East Zhou-class" warships, four "Western Zhou-class" warships, four "Solar Class" light cruisers and six "Tiangang-class" destroyers." Major General Chen Qingqiu, deputy director of the Logistics and Equipment Department, said.

Although the "Western Zhou-class" warships and the "Eastern Zhou-class" warships are old and their combat power is far from comparable to mainstream battleships. However, for small South American countries, the 210mm main gun is already very powerful. The sail warships of other countries are not the opponents of such warships at all. Whether it is speed or firepower, it is doubtful that they are defense. The sail warships and these warships are a gap of an era. It can be said that if Chile purchased these warships, then they will become the most powerful country in South America. (To be continued, please search for astronomy, the novel is better, updated and faster!

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