Not long after Zhu Jingyuan sent Charlotte back to his residence, French Crown Prince Charles and Foreign Minister Talleyrand arrived.
The main purpose was to inform Zhu Jingyuan of Louis XVI's decision and then discuss subsequent cooperation plans.
After hearing this, Zhu Jingyuan nodded slowly:
“It seems that France is willing to stand with our Ming Dynasty, but its determination is still not very strong.
"But this is understandable. After all, we have been rivals for more than ten years, and it takes time to adjust the relationship.
“The step-by-step approach is feasible and should be said to be the most appropriate way.
“If you want to set up a joint venture and avoid irritating local manufacturers, it is better to do it directly in the name of a private person.
"There is no need to use the name of the Ming Dynasty royal consortium and the French court.
"In my name and Charles's, we jointly invested in building some factories, each holding half of the shares.
"No one can say anything this way. What do you think, Charles?"
Ciel nodded with interest and said:
"I think it's okay. Let's invest together. What factory should we build first? Let's build an aircraft manufacturing factory!"
Zhu Jingyuan shook his head directly:
"Don't be too ambitious, let's build a bicycle factory first.
“Then build motorized bicycles with engines, and then go on to build four-wheeled cars.
"In the process of product upgrading, we will gradually expand supporting industries such as steel, chemicals, and machinery manufacturing."
Charles nodded subconsciously, and then subconsciously reminded:
"But we have bicycle factories in France, as well as motor vehicles and cars. We don't need special help from Ming..."
Zhu Jingyuan smiled and waved his hand and said:
"As far as I know, France has also built its own aircraft.
“So whether we are building a car factory or an aircraft factory, aren’t they both of the same nature?
"Char, you said it yourself, France hopes to get help from Ming Dynasty and hopes to master relevant technologies through cooperation.
“However, you should also understand that it is impossible for Daming to directly provide core technology without any worries from the beginning.
"Our cooperation still needs to be gradual and gradually accumulate trust...
“This is a cooperation between two countries, not a friendship between the two of you, there are too many situations to consider.
"Even between the two of us, we haven't been so familiar from the beginning, right?"
Charles finally fully understood Zhu Jingyuan's thinking:
"I understand, dear friend, let's discuss the details now and how the cooperation will be carried out.
"In addition to factories, there is also transportation in Canada, as well as the schools and newspapers you mentioned..."
Zhu Jingyuan and Charles discussed it for a long time and listed a lot of ideas in various aspects.
This kind of discussion is actually just the beginning, equivalent to the process of divergent thinking and brainstorming.
Next, both parties need to arrange specific personnel and start cooperation on each item in detail.
Charles and Talleyrand will also continue to stay in Xintianfu, serving as a channel and representative for communication and negotiation between the two parties.
Zhu Jingyuan and Charles will also meet frequently to jointly decide on matters that need to be decided.
…………
Charlotte returned to her residence from Zhu Jingyuan's palace, and Amelia had returned from the internal meeting.
When Amelia saw Charlotte, she immediately came over and asked directly:
"Charlotte, the servant said that you went to see Prince Dashi. Did you say that we have to say goodbye and leave?"
Charlotte said directly:
"I said we were leaving, but His Royal Highness retained me and invited me to stay for a while.
"His Royal Highness is very enthusiastic. I also want to continue playing here, so I agreed to His Highness."
Charlotte said casually, went to get the remaining game coins for today, and prepared to go to the game arcade to play games.
Amelia was shocked when she heard the news:
"What did you say? Prince Dashi wants to keep you here?"
Charlotte nodded naturally:
"Yes, aunt, so if you want to leave, just go. You don't need to take me with you. I want to continue living here."
Amelia suddenly collapsed:
"You are the Queen of America. How can you, the heir to the British throne, live in Ming Dynasty for a long time..."
Charlotte said completely nonchalantly:
"Why not? Anyway, I can't decide anything in the United States, and I am only second in line to the throne in the UK.
"I can't do anything anyway. I'm not as happy here in America or London. I might as well stay here."
After Charlotte finished speaking, she went to play.
Amelia hesitated for a while, then went to gather the people who had just held the meeting again.
Amelia explained Charlotte's situation to her companions.
After hearing this, Frederick looked confused:
"Is the relationship between Prince Dashi and Charlotte so good?"
Grenville pretended not to hear what Prince Frederick said and looked at the other two American representatives with a frown:
"This...may not be just a simple invitation and retention..."
Munro said directly:
"The purpose of Prince Daesh may be to detain Her Majesty Queen Charlotte."
Jefferson continued:
“It’s so normal that the United Kingdom Parliament rejected all the requests made by Prince Dashi.
"What does this mean? It means that the United Kingdom still maintains the highest level of alert against Ming Dynasty.
"This is to still treat Ming Dynasty as the number one enemy and be vigilant. It is normal for Ming Dynasty to take some targeted responses."
Frederick finally realized that he had just been embarrassed, and his thoughts had not entered politics at all.
However, he quickly adjusted his mentality and continued to express his opinions and inquiries:
“Didn’t everyone say before that opening up those industries to Ming Dynasty would harm the interests of our local manufacturers.
“Is that why all the people who represent their interests in the parliament are against it?
"Our royal family has no intention of continuing to be an enemy of the Ming Dynasty!"
Monroe looked at Frederick:
"Yes, from our perspective, this is the logic and reason.
“The British royal family does not want to be an enemy of Ming Dynasty.
“But in Daming’s view, no matter how this decision is made, the actual result is that the United Kingdom refuses to cooperate.
“The United Kingdom rejects all forms of cooperation and does not engage in any form of economic binding with Ming Dynasty.
“This objectively treats Ming Dynasty as a comprehensive competitor.
"Of course Ming Dynasty also regards Britain as its enemy."
Frederick seemed to understand:
"Then what should we do now?
"We just came out from Napoleon's side, and now we are in the hands of Ming Dynasty!
"On Napoleon's side we still have hope of victory.
"We can't do anything here in Daming!"
Monroe and Jefferson looked at Grenville together.
Grenville looked very serious and said in a rather heavy tone:
"I'm going to bid farewell to Prince Dashi tomorrow and let's talk about Prince Dashi's tone."
…………
The next morning.
British Foreign Secretary Grenville, Prince Frederick, Princess Amelia, Queen Charlotte of the United States, Prime Minister Monroe, and Speaker Jefferson came to visit Zhu Jingyuan.
Zhu Jingyuan met them in the living room of Ciqing Palace.
After the two sides greeted each other, Grenville first explained the British decision in a formal manner:
“I am very sorry, Your Highness, but all the proposals for the United Kingdom to lend money to Ming Dynasty and open up a series of industries have not been passed in the United Kingdom Parliament.
“Therefore, relevant cooperation cannot be carried out, and there is no point in us continuing to stay here.
"So we're here to say goodbye to you today."
After hearing this, Zhu Jingyuan said very lazily:
"This is really a pity, but if cooperation doesn't lead to friendship, you don't have to go back in such a hurry.
"It's the coldest winter in the northern hemisphere right now. It's better for everyone to spend the winter in Xintianfu before leaving."
Prince Frederick immediately said:
"Thank you for your enthusiasm, but we have been away from home for three years and want to go back as soon as possible to reunite with our parents and siblings.
"So I'm really sorry, we really have to go, thank you for your hospitality these days, we all enjoyed it..."
Zhu Jingyuan nodded lightly:
"In this case, I won't keep you here, and I wish you all a safe journey.
Frederick and others were stunned when they heard this sentence.
They were worried that Zhu Jingyuan would force them to stay, but Zhu Jingyuan agreed so easily.
However, Zhu Jingyuan did not mention Charlotte.
So Amelia asked:
"Sorry, Your Highness, Charlotte told me before that you invited her to continue living in Xintianfu?"
Zhu Jingyuan nodded naturally:
"Yes, I will arrange for people to take good care of Charlotte. You don't have to worry about her..."
Charlotte was also very cooperative. She came out of the crowd and stood beside Zhu Jingyuan, waving to them.
Amelia said a little excitedly:
"Your Highness, you cannot detain Charlotte. Charlotte must return to London..."
When Zhu Jingyuan heard this, he did not explain that this was not a detention, but that it was just a royal exchange event.
Instead, with a straight face and a hint of sternness, he asked the other party directly:
"Why not? Do I need your permission to do anything?"
Amelia was frightened by Zhu Jingyuan's changed face and took a step back.
At this time Grenville spoke:
"Your Highness, what conditions do you want to let Her Majesty Queen Charlotte leave?"
Zhu Jingyuan said calmly:
“We need to ensure that Britain and the United States do not become enemies of Ming Dynasty.
"I wonder if you have ever heard the story of the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period in China?
“It is also a very typical method to use key royal members of the other party as hostages.
"If you can't provide guarantees in other aspects, then you can only ask the Queen of America to guarantee it."
Of course, all the Thai and Western intellectuals and politicians in this world have studied the history of China.
Especially during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, this kind of history involves confrontation and exchanges between countries.
Of course they all understand the tradition of Proton.
In the history of China, the proton tradition was only useful during the Spring and Autumn Period, and was of little significance after the Qin and Han Dynasties.
However, the situation in various countries in Europe and the West is very similar to the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods in China.
Proton tradition happens to be useful here.
Grenville took a deep breath, adjusted his mentality, and tried to persuade Zhu Jingyuan:
"Your Highness, we can continue to discuss how to gain each other's trust.
"You can put forward whatever conditions you want. There is no need to use protons as a guarantee."
Zhu Jingyuan laughed dryly:
“Trust is mutual, and I put forward so many conditions that can be used to enhance trust.
"It turned out that you British people didn't take it to heart at all and rejected it completely.
“This shows that you have no intention of increasing trust with Ming Dynasty.
"So there is no need to continue the discussion, letting Charlotte stay is the best way.
"Whenever it is necessary for Charlotte to succeed to the throne, I will personally escort her back to become the Queen of the United Kingdom."
(End of chapter)
