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Digging a canal is not a simple matter. Just the preliminary preparations will probably last for one or two years. After the formal construction starts, it will take at least several years to open. In addition, the labor problem also needs to be solved. These problems need to be discussed clearly by the Chinese Empire, France and the Kingdom of Spain. After the estimates of relevant professionals, it will cost at least 50 million pounds to be opened. So, how will the three countries allocate this money? The more you bear it, the larger the shares you hold in the canal company. The greater the profits you will get in the future. In the case of the Chinese Empire and France, although this amount of money is more, it is not impossible to get it out if you grit your teeth. However, everyone is very clear about the profits of the canal. It is unrealistic to ask who will give up some shares.

"This proposal was first proposed by the Chinese Empire. The Chinese Empire can afford 30 million pounds. However, we need 55% of the canal shares!" said Lin Zihao, the foreign minister of the Chinese Empire. Although 30 million pounds seem to be a lot, the money cannot be taken out at once. You can make it several times. In this way, the Chinese Empire can easily take out.

The Duke of Dalmatia and Spanish Foreign Minister Jose de Salamanca both frowned. The Chinese Empire took half of the shares of the Canal Company in an instant, and the two countries were only 35% left, and the Chinese Empire still had to control shares. How could this be done?

Foreign Minister Jose de Salamanca of the Kingdom of Spain hurriedly said: "Of the remaining 20 million pounds, the Kingdom of Spain can bear 15 million pounds. We only need 25% of the canal minister's shares."

The face of the French Prime Minister Duke Dalmatia suddenly became very ugly. Although France could obtain the last 10% of its shares for 5 million pounds, it seemed to be a big advantage. But what can five percent of its shares do in the canal company? It doesn't get any say. France is one of the great powers at all, so how can it allow such a thing to happen?

"No, France will never accept such conditions." The Duke of Dalmatia said angrily.

"Okay, Lord Duke, what are your suggestions?" Lin Zihao asked. He also knew that it would not be so easy for the Chinese Empire to take control of the canal at once. The Spanish Kingdom may not have too much opinion, but the French would definitely not agree.

"His Excellency Foreign Minister, let's not care about how much money the canal is to be built. If we give Egypt 10% of the shares, how should we allocate the remaining 90% of the shares? According to the allocated shares, we can bear the construction costs of the canal separately!" said the Duke of Dalmatia. In such a major event, France obviously cannot suffer a loss. Otherwise, once the canal is open, it will only be possible to see others make a lot of money. Although the canal has not been opened yet, making money is obvious!

"France should obtain at least 40% of the remaining 90% of the shares!" said the Duke of Dalmatia.

"The proposal to dig a canal was first proposed by the Chinese Empire, and our UK will only get 50%!" Lin Zihao also said.

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose de Salamanca's face suddenly became gloomy. France and the Chinese Empire divided the remaining 90% of the shares, leaving nothing for the Kingdom of Spain. Wouldn't this leave the Kingdom of Spain aside?

"No. The Kingdom of Spain will not agree to this plan. The Kingdom of Spain is also one of the founding countries of the Canal Development Company. How can it not occupy any shares? We will definitely not agree!" Jose de Salamanca said with great grievance.

At this moment, the Chinese Empire Foreign Minister Lin Zihao and the French Prime Minister Duke Dalmatia were both embarrassed.

"Let's do this, the shares owned by the Chinese Empire can be reduced to 45%!" Lin Zihao said generously.

"His Excellency Minister of Foreign Affairs, the shares owned by the Chinese Empire should be reduced to 40%, which is equivalent to the shares owned by France. In this way, the remaining 10% of the shares can be given to the Kingdom of Spain." said the Duke of Dalmatia. He believed that France and the Empire were equal, while the Kingdom of Spain was much smaller. In this way, France and the Empire of China would share 80% of the shares equally, and the remaining 10% of the shares were given to the Kingdom of Spain. However, his proposal made both the Chinese Empire and the Kingdom of Spain opposed it.

"No, Duke, this proposal by the Chinese Empire cannot accept. If the Chinese Empire can only hold 40% of the shares of the canal open company, then France also needs to reduce 5% of the shares. The Kingdom of Spain should own 15% of the shares!" Lin Zihao said. He thought so. If the Chinese Empire only had 40% of the shares, then if the Kingdom of Spain had 15% of the shares, the Kingdom of Spain and the Kingdom of Spain could control the canal. With the current relationship between the Chinese Empire and the Kingdom of Spain, the Kingdom of Spain would definitely follow the leader of the Chinese Empire.

"The Kingdom of Spain agrees to this plan!" Jose de Salamanca hurriedly said. The Kingdom of Spain is already very satisfied to be able to obtain 15% of the canal. After all, this 15% of the shares means an investment of at least seven million pounds. The future income will definitely be tens of millions of pounds. The Kingdom of Spain cannot obtain these shares compared with the Chinese Empire and France, and they will be satisfied.

The Duke of Dalmatia frowned. Their shares were five percent less than the Chinese Empire, which made him unacceptable. People from the French ruling class, including French King Louis Philip I, have always believed that France is no worse than the Chinese Empire. Even if both sides are in alliance, their status should be equal.

Therefore, the Duke of Dalmatia expressed clear opposition to this share allocation plan. However, both the Chinese Empire and the Kingdom of Spain strongly expressed their support. The three parties had a fierce debate on this.

In the next three days, the three parties negotiated many times. In the end, the Duke of Dalmatia agreed to the allocation plan on behalf of France. It was not for other reasons, but mainly because of financial resources. France had to pay 23.5 million pounds for this because it had signed a large order with the Chinese Empire. If the cost of digging the canal was as high as 50 million, forty percent of the shares would mean that it would have to bear 20 million pounds. The French government was really unbearable to bear this money. If the cost of digging was increased, the investment would also need to be increased.

On November 29, 1845, the Chinese Empire Foreign Minister Lin Zihao, the French Prime Minister Duke Dalmatia, and the Spanish Foreign Minister Jose de Salamanca signed the agreement on behalf of their respective countries. The three countries will formally form a canal development company and start the preparations before the canal is to obtain the consent of the Egyptian Governor. Otherwise, everything will be empty talk. Of course, if the Egyptian Governor disagrees, the Chinese Empire, France and the Kingdom of Spain will take other measures to get the Egyptian Governor to agree.

This negotiation cannot be kept secret at all. Western powers learned that China, France and the West had intended to dig a canal. For a time, all European powers expressed their willingness to participate in this plan. Especially the United Kingdom, Austrian Empire, the Kingdom of Prussia and Russia, this was the case. Everyone knew the strategic significance of this canal, so regardless of whether they had the financial resources, they all expressed their willingness to participate.

The visit of the Chinese Empire, Long Yufei and his party, had already attracted great attention from all countries. Especially the enemy of the Chinese Empire, Britain, is even more so. The British ambassador to France and the intelligence personnel of British intelligence agencies in France were paying full attention to this matter. Before, when France spent a huge amount of money to order machinery, warships and advanced technology from the Chinese Empire, Britain became panic. Now, the three countries of China, France and the three countries formed the canal development company, which completely made the British unable to sit still. Once this strategic path is mastered by the three countries of China, France and the three countries of China, France and the three countries of China, the United Kingdom will be at a disadvantage. Therefore, no matter what, Britain must join.

When the British Ambassador to France informed the news to the British Foreign Secretary Earl of Granville, Earl of Granville immediately went to the Governor's Office and reported to the Governor Stanley.

"His Excellency, the canal connecting the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea is very important. This will become a strategic road connecting the East and the West. We will never allow China, France and the West to master this canal. No matter what, the British Empire cannot be excluded." Earl of Granville said.

Earl Stanley's face was also very serious, and he also knew the importance of this canal. However, both China, France and the West had conflicts with Britain. Will they agree to Britain join?

"The three countries of their alliance are enough to solve all the problems of digging canals. Will they allow us to join?" asked Count Stanley.

"Prince Prime Minister, if they do not agree, we will join forces with other powers to put pressure on them, or we will form another canal development company to compete with them for the development power of the canal. We have a closer relationship with the Egyptian Governor, and there is no reason to lose to them!" said Earl of Granville. (To be continued...)
Chapter completed!