As the sun sets in the west, Port Said gradually reaches the most beautiful moment of dusk, and the diplomatic negotiations in the consul's office are still continuing. They have lasted for three hours. The intense mental work has made Xiang Ying a little tired, but there are two things at stake. No matter how tired we are, we must hold on to the important matter of state-to-state relations. Tianlai novels www. ⒉
The confrontation between the two sides was very fierce. Xiang Ying had no hypocritical nonsense like ordinary diplomats. He went straight to the point and drove Counselor Raku into the corner.
The first thing that came up was Chi Guoguo's threat of force. This was no joke, but the Chinese already had the strength to fight in Port Said. The French Army here only had more than 3,000 troops, and it was not an elite force.
However, the Chinese have two thousand elite Marine Corps 6, and even the navy can draw four to five hundred people to assist in operations. These armed soldiers are not something that the French army can deal with, so Xiang Ying knows very well that once it evolves into actual combat, even if Without the help of the British, the Chinese could capture Port Said alone.
But war is not what Yuan wants. The most important and imminent task is the visit to Europe. If fire is fired here, the entire plan will be completely disrupted.
But the Chinese cannot take this loss, and they cannot allow France to impose such a knife in vain. When bargaining with France in the later period, every additional piece of evidence the Chinese add will be a piece of ammunition on the negotiation table. How big do you want the final cake to be? , it depends on how thick the accumulated guilt is.
So Xiao Letian's plan for Xiang Ying was to tighten first and then loosen, just like fishing, so that the hook in Counselor Laku's mouth would eventually become deeper and stronger.
So Xiang Ying had to put on a listening attitude at this moment. Anyway, the declaration of war just now had frightened Raku, so he should let the other party relax at this moment.
Counselor Raku continued with a dry mouth, "General! I have already understood the significance of the canal's existence. Now even if you station troops in the canal, what benefits will you get? It is not a waste of military expenses..."
"We and the UK can gain strategic initiative and huge commercial benefits from controlling the canal, but your business circle is east of Malacca..."
"Can't you understand this with your wisdom? Don't make wedding clothes for others in vain! You must launch a war when you know you won't get any benefits? This is not a decision that a good politician can make... "
Seeing Xiang Ying's face solemn and not refuting, Laku knew that these words had moved him and he quickly struck while the iron was hot. "There is no benefit. Giving help to the British in vain is the first disadvantage, and the other point is even more unacceptable to you..."
"The emperor of the Qing Dynasty and the Yuan Dynasty of the Chinese people paid state visits to Europe. Even the queen went beyond the prime minister to personally intervene in this diplomatic era. Can you imagine how important this visit is to you?"
"In the five thousand years of human civilization, have any Chinese emperors ever been to Europe? No! This is an epoch-making event that will definitely be recorded in the annals of human history!"
"You can imagine how many flowers and applause you will receive during this visit, what kind of courtesy the Emperor and Yuanhui will receive, and how many practical benefits you will get... These are what you need most!"
"And as long as this state visit is successful, at least many peace and friendship treaties will be signed. All countries that sign treaties or issue statements will actually recognize the status of the Chinese as an emerging country in disguise!"
"In other words, European countries will eventually recognize your emerging country! Isn't this what Yuan has always wanted?"
"But the war will destroy everything. All your attempts will be destroyed by this war. Your main force will be idle in Port Said and trapped in the constant siege and attack of the French army, but you will be isolated and helpless..."
"Even if you take advantage in a short time, this grand diplomatic event is destined to fail. You have risen too fast now. You just defeated Tsarist Russia and now you want to defeat France? Then you will really promote the Chinese nation in advance." Once the alliance is established, you will be in dire straits..."
When Xiang Ying heard this, he immediately pretended to be enlightened. He opened his mouth but could not speak. At this moment, Laku felt a little relieved and said in his heart that the most dangerous moment had finally passed. As long as there was no war, Qian Ying would be fine. Don't let such a war happen during my term.
After a moment of silence, Xiang Ying nodded, "I admit that what you said makes sense, but your provocation to us Chinese people is also real. If there is no explanation, we may not be able to convince the public!"
"You should also know that as a superior, Yuan must ensure his authority. If he remains indifferent in the face of such a provocation, what will the Chinese people think of him?"
"So, if you want us not to log on to 6, or not to start a war, then it depends on what you can provide..."
"What do you want?" Counselor Raku asked immediately.
"Compensation is necessary, but the amount of compensation requires long and slow negotiations. We are not in a hurry! Now you must provide an apology statement. This is necessary, because with such a statement, at least the soldiers can be calmed down. The anger in my heart..."
"You have to understand, after all, you shot at the emperor of the Qing Dynasty, and you almost killed the emperor of the Qing Empire! Such a big event has made our entire army restless. If you don't apologize and pay compensation, you want to make peace? This thing? That's just a dream..."
Counselor Raku was stunned for a moment. His expression was distorted as if he was constipated. He couldn't say anything even though he had grown up several times. Of course he didn't want to make such a statement, but there was some truth in what the Chinese said, and they had already been shot. The emperor, if he doesn't even have an apology, it really doesn't make sense.
Xiang Ying looked at him coldly, counting the time in his mind. He knew very well that the next plan was about to begin.
At the same time, platters of cold dishes have begun to be placed in the guest cabin on the Zhiyuan. Liu Dadao was successfully promoted to the head chef of the Zhiyuan through his rescue efforts. He is responsible for all food work.
Courses of delicious food were placed on the white tablecloth. Today's banquet followed European customs, with a long table and dishes uniformly placed in the center. Everyone had their own plates. The waiters would Help guests pass the food around.
Major General Jason and other British guests have not yet arrived. Xiao Letian, Wang Huaiyuan, Sima Yun and others gathered in the corner, drinking tea and eating some dried fruits, and talking about Xiang Ying's negotiations.
"I don't plan to start a war at all. The state visit is the biggest in the world. No accident can interfere with our schedule..." Xiao Letian peeled off the crispy pistachios and threw them in his mouth. The Middle East is the main pistachio production area. , the dried fruits here taste so good that Xiao Letian can’t stop eating them.
"But we can't suffer in vain, right? So now we have to force the French Consulate to issue an apology statement, and we must write down the entire experience of this conflict in writing..."
"This is called entering the public domain with one word, and there is no way to get it back! With the French's own confession, I am not afraid of them defaulting! You must be careful, the diplomats of these major powers in the world are the most shameless, keep your eyes open Just dare not admit what they did..."
"This is what I'm guarding against..."
