The luncheon lasted until 1:30, and the large ice sculpture of the royal family was replaced five times, and the dishes were also replaced five times as if they were running water.
After the Russian envoy was 'invited' out of the banquet by the queen, the atmosphere at the scene immediately became much more harmonious. Even the French envoy Montauban, who had been making trouble, became quiet.
Everyone knows the Queen's bottom line, which is that verbal probing is allowed, but serious conflicts in public are absolutely not allowed, let alone using fists in violation of diplomatic etiquette.
Everything Ivan did was completely disregarding diplomatic etiquette, and he even forgot whose territory this was. There would definitely be no good results if he messed with the Queen.
Of course, the queen would not make it too difficult for the envoy and let him go out for a day to calm down. Then let him participate in the subsequent diplomatic activities when he should. After all, she couldn't offend Tsarist Russia too much for a group of Chinese people.
The bickering came to an end for the time being, and the host and guest began to toast each other. Xiao Letian, accompanied by Fang Guan, began to meet and exchange a few words with the special envoys from various countries.
Several reporters wanted to interview Xiao Letian, but they all declined due to lack of time. What a joke. On the surface, Xiao Letian looked indifferent, but in fact, he knew who was under the most pressure.
This kind of battlefield without gunpowder is actually far more cruel than a real war. For soldiers and officers, a momentary mistake may be the loss of a high ground and the collapse of a line of defense.
Failure in a short period of time can be made up for through hard work in the later stage, but if a politician of Xiao Letian's level makes a mistake, the losses will be countless.
In diplomatic negotiations, how much does it cost to lower tariffs by 5 percentage points? In the post-war ceasefire negotiations, a single slip of the tongue may lead to huge changes in the national border.
Don't think that since the head of state does not have to go to the front line and all the hard work is done by his subordinates, he will have no pressure. On the contrary, he will be under greater pressure. Every step he takes must be responsible for the entire Chinese nation.
While drinking and drinking, Xiao Letian met many new friends as well as many old friends. There were false politenesses and warm greetings. However, everyone present did not dare to drink deeply, and everything was carried out politely while restraining the banquet. rhythm.
The queen was obviously a little tired. She was sitting in the most distinguished position in the north, and her grandson and grandson were chatting with her. No one dared to pick on the queen's rudeness. On this occasion, the queen was the most senior and she had this privilege.
Prince Edward toasted a round of wine, took the time to walk to his mother and handed her a piece of fruit with a fork. The queen ate it happily, but asked in a low voice, "What's your impression? Do you have any feelings?"
"Yes! I was very surprised. I smelled a very familiar smell from this man! If my judgment is correct, Xiao Letian is not a scholar or a politician at heart, nor does he have the ambition to be an emperor or general... "
"He feels more like a businessman to me. He spends every penny but will never let the business collapse!"
"Haha... I really didn't expect that you actually gave such a comment! A businessman... I wish I were a businessman!"
Having said this, the queen looked at her grandson William with a smile, "My little William, grandma, please lean on me. Do you think this is a good idea for this Eastern politician if he is a businessman?"
William tilted his head and thought for a while, "Grandma... If the head of state in the East is essentially a businessman, then he should respect the contract and have the spirit of contract. This is the essence of a businessman..."
"But are Eastern merchants the same as our European merchants? I have heard many people who have been to the East talk about how power dominates everything in that country, and credit must give way to power!"
"The cornerstone of business cooperation is a contract, but as soon as those people become stronger, they will overturn the contract they personally recognized. Isn't it dangerous to cooperate with such businessmen?"
"Oh, my dear grandson, you are so right..." Queen Victoria picked out a Swiss chocolate candy and stuffed it into her grandson's mouth.
The Queen turned to look at her son and said calmly, "You, as an uncle, are not as clear-eyed as your nephew. So what if Xiao Letian is a businessman? Is he a businessman who believes in the European value system, or is he an Eastern type who is dependent on power? Where are the businessmen on the left and right? Let’s figure these things out and then talk about whether you believe it or not!”
Edward didn't dare to show any impatience on his face as he listened to his mother's scolding, but he still sighed secretly in his heart. His mother's knot in her heart towards him was still not resolved, and the blame for his father's death was still firmly pinned on him.
It is really difficult to satisfy such a mother!
"Yes, mother, I will continue to observe him. The Duke of Newcastle and Xiao Letian have some business in oriental mysterious spices, and I also want to mix in some of the business of summer decoctions. Through these small-scale business cooperation, I I think we should be able to find out something about Xiao Letian..."
"Haha... Will a country founder who created the Chinese race from scratch be so easily tempted by you?" The Queen shook her head helplessly, "Forget it, there is no good way now, it is a dispensable small business anyway, you guys Just go and give it a try, but remember, be careful!”
"This Chinese sophistry is really incredible. Most people can't get around him. You have to be careful!"
While the queen and her son were having a secret conversation, the banquet was coming to an end. At 1:45 p.m., the palace guard blew the trumpet, and the queen stood up and gave her last toast.
According to the schedule, this is the end of the banquet. Afterwards, Xiao Letian and others will have the honor to visit Buckingham Palace, which actually gives these distinguished guests more than an hour of rest.
In the afternoon, the envoys will visit Westminster Abbey and pay homage to the tombs of British forefathers, and then visit Parliament and Big Ben.
The Five Points Mission officially entered Marlborough House, commonly known as the East Palace among the citizens, where Xiao Letian lived during his visit to the UK.
At seven o'clock in the evening, a traditional state banquet will be prepared in the banquet hall of Buckingham Palace, followed by a dance to entertain guests from the East. The day's itinerary will last until midnight.
Just as Xiao Letian was listening to the Queen's toast and applauding to figure out the timetable, suddenly a fragrant wind blew around him, and a figure broke into his sight.
"I really didn't expect that you have such a sharp tongue, and your sophistry skills are unparalleled!"
Xiao Letian turned around to look, and his heart was so tight that he almost couldn't breathe. "This respected lady... I don't know what I should call you?"
In a person's life, he will always meet some people. As long as you see them, flowers will bloom in your heart!
It can make time stand still, make space void, and make people feel that all matter in the world is in vain at this moment, and only the person in front of them is real.
At that moment, Xiao Letian couldn't feel the other people in the banquet at all, as if they were the only two people left on the South Lawn of Buckingham Palace.
Even the air is sweet at this moment!
