British Prime Minister Henry Temple was lying on the bed, snoring loudly. Temple went to the Presidential Palace for a banquet at noon, and drank with the officials of the negotiating team until the afternoon. Then everyone was drunk, and they were all carried back. Temple also He was so drunk that after he came back, he fell on the bed and fell asleep. At some point, Temple blinked his eyes and opened his eyes. There was a painful look on his wrinkled face, and he stretched out his thin hands to rub his temples. He murmured: "My head hurts so much, the Chinese liquor is too strong."
Temple could only smile bitterly when he thought of the fun he had during the day. In order to ease the relationship between the two parties, he drank so much that he forgot his identity.
"Here comes someone."
Temple's old voice came out, and immediately the door opened and a soldier walked in.
"I need to wash up and get ready."
"yes."
The soldier turned and left, quickly preparing toiletries for Temple. After Temple finished washing, he put on clean and fresh clothes and felt much more comfortable. At about the same time, Seward and Muravyov , Philip and other officials from various countries had also woken up and came to the hall after washing up.
Philip's eyes fell on Muravyov, and he said with a smile on his face: "In the afternoon, I remember that Mr. Muravyov drank the most. It was really a huge amount, which is admirable."
Muravyov frowned, there was a thorn in his words.
Drink the most.
However, he was convinced.
Muravyov was also an old fox. His expression remained calm and he said calmly: "It's a pity that although I have a lot of food, I'm still drunk. It's really hard to talk about it." He replied calmly to Philip, and then started talking. After changing the subject, he immediately returned to the topic and continued: "Li Zhen wants to use this banquet to ease the relationship between the two parties. The idea is good, but as officials of the negotiation team, we represent the interests of our respective countries and must stick to our own bottom line. The reason why we have a closer relationship with Li Zhen is for our convenience. China is a country that pays attention to human relations. As long as the relationship is good, everything will be easy to talk about. If we have a good relationship with Li Zhen, we may really only need a small compensation in the end. We can get the captured soldiers back."
Siward shook his head and chuckled, and said: "You can have this idea, and you can work in this direction, but you can't place all your hopes on the idea of conquering Li Zhen, otherwise we may get hurt ourselves."
Philip interrupted and said: "Tomorrow morning, we will continue to meet with Li Zhen and start negotiations again."
Temple nodded and said, "Well, everyone is tired, let's go and rest."
The group of people returned to their respective rooms to rest and wait to meet again tomorrow morning. The next morning, after the members of the negotiation team had breakfast, they set off for the Presidential Palace. The group of people arrived outside the Presidential Palace. After the soldiers reported, soon, The soldiers took Temple and others to the conference room. Not long after, Li Zhen also arrived with Hu Linyi, Peng Yulin, Liu Jintang and others.
The people on both sides were smiling and seemed very friendly.
Li Zhen took the lead and said: "Your Excellency Temple, after you got drunk yesterday afternoon, the gentlemen of the negotiation team will be fine when they go back."
Temple replied: "Thank you, President Lee, for your concern. Everything is fine."
Li Zhen smiled and said: "In that case, let's get back to the business." After a pause, Li Zhen continued: "As for the captured commanders, envoys and soldiers of various countries, the 30 million silver dollars from Britain, France, the United States and Russia can be slightly changed. , adjusted to 25 million silver dollars, reducing the money by one-sixth. As for the 10 million silver dollars of the other small countries, it remains unchanged and remains 10 million silver dollars. I think you can see my sincerity. If Everyone agrees, we can sign the contract immediately, and then implement the plan in batches. I will return the captured soldiers in batches, and you will compensate the money in batches."
Temple, Philip and others smiled unnaturally.
Five million silver dollars.
For various countries, a reduction of five million is undoubtedly a drop in the bucket and will have little impact.
Li Zhen looked around and asked: "Isn't it enough? This is my biggest concession."
Temple complained: "I have seen President Lee's sincerity in being able to reduce five million silver dollars. However, the land area of the United Kingdom is only as big as a palm, not even a fraction of China's. Twenty-five million silver dollars It is just drizzle to China, but to Britain it is a heavy mountain, overwhelming. It is not that Britain cannot get so much money, but because a large amount of money is in areas controlled by outsiders. Such as Africa, India and other places. There is money in these places, but it is very difficult for them to raise 25 million silver dollars, which can easily trigger civil war. I am telling the truth. I ask President Li to forgive me."
Philip nodded and said in agreement: "The situations in France and the UK are similar. Among them, the situation in France is worse. The British regime is stable and the country has a strong leader. There is no crisis, but those who intend to subvert the French regime are ready to move. , leading to domestic tensions, and a large amount of money being placed in controlled areas outside. Once more than 20 million silver dollars are mobilized from the country, it will immediately trigger a crisis. President Lee, the problem facing France is very serious. Please ask President Lee I can understand."
Muravyov frowned and cursed secretly in his heart.
The first person to say that the country is short of money is undoubtedly a fool, while the second person can barely make any profit.
If he also said the same thing, it would have no effect.
Muravyov thought for a while and said in a neither humble nor condescending manner: "President Li, compared to France and the United Kingdom, the situation in Tsarist Russia is worse. Tsarist Russia has no areas under control, does not have the economic strength of Britain and France, and is located in the north. The iceberg zone has a harsh environment and has always been short of money. Because of this, wars have been launched repeatedly. It is really difficult to collect money."
This statement made Temple and Philip look with disdain on their faces.
Siward grimaced and continued: "President Lee personally participated in the Civil War between the North and the South. He knew the brutality of the war and the damage it caused to the country. Twenty-five million silver dollars is not a small amount, and the financial burden on the country is not huge. Get up."
Immediately afterwards, officials from other countries expressed their own difficulties.
Li Zhen frowned, thinking that these people were doing the same thing again.
The last time I said I had no money, this time I said I had no money again. It became a complaint gathering.
Li Zhen had a strong point in his heart, which was definitely impossible to change. He changed his mind and prepared to move closer to the established goal and start executing his established plan. Li Zhen put his hands on the conference table and said with a smile: "I understand. As for your difficulties, I also know that it is not easy for countries to collect tens of millions of silver dollars at once."
"Yes, President Lee is sensible."
"President Lee is indeed the wisest ruler among the countries in the world today, and he has an insight into the situations of various countries."
"President Li, please consider our actual situation and provide certain concessions."
The meeting room became lively. Officials from various countries echoed Li Zhen one after another, and they all wanted to seek maximum benefits for their countries. For them, every little thing they could win was worth it. After all, flattering would not cost them anything, especially these people. People saw that they had a meal with Li Zhen yesterday and lost five million silver dollars. They even wanted to get closer to Li Zhen and hoped that Li Zhen would reduce some of his money. For the officials of a small country who still had ten million silver dollars. He said that he felt more urgent and wanted to reduce his country's debt.
Liu Jintang glanced at the officials from various countries, feeling amused.
Trying to impress the president is a fool's errand.
Li Zhen looked sincere and continued: "I understand the difficulties of various countries and know that it is difficult for them to come up with money. For this reason, I have thought of a way to help you overcome the current difficulties. This must be the most appropriate way."
Phillip immediately said: "What can I do?"
The rest of the people also looked curious, with expectations in their eyes.
Li Zhen said: "It's very simple. Transfer the land you occupy and mortgage the money."
"impossible."
Henry Temple immediately objected, his tone was firm, and he did not give in at all.
Philip looked ugly and said: "President Li is really humorous. Do you think it is possible to transfer the territory?"
Muravyov said solemnly: "President Li, losing money is a small matter, but when it comes to ceding territory, it is undoubtedly a matter of humiliation to the country. Once such a thing is decided, everyone here will become It is absolutely impossible, I say on behalf of the Tsar, for the criminals of their respective countries to reach an agreement."
Seward said: "The United States Federation has not been independent for a long time, and the civil strife has just ended. Moreover, the United States Federation is across an ocean from China. If it really cedes territory, I am afraid it will be inappropriate and not conducive to China's management."
The remaining officials from the small country shook their heads repeatedly, looking ugly.
Li Zhen seemed very calm and was not disturbed by the commotion.
His eyes fell on Henry Temple and continued: "Your Excellency Temple, the transfer of territory I am talking about is not the transfer of British mainland land, but the transfer of overseas territories controlled by the British. For example, India in the southwest of China is to the British Generally speaking, the transfer of India to China will not have much impact. It is just that it loses an area under its control, and the UK can completely develop the rest of the area, don't you think?"
Temple frowned and said: "President Lee is simply arrogant. This is gangsterism."
"robber."
Li Zhen laughed and continued: "Isn't the British occupation of India an act of banditry? We all treat each other."
Temple frowned, unable to decide.
Li Zhen looked at Philip again and said: "Sir Philip, France also has places in Southeast Asia, such as Cambodia, Laos and other places. These small places can be transferred to China to compensate for China's losses."
"Robber, you are a robber. It's impossible. This is absolutely impossible."
Philip roared, unable to suppress his anger.
Li Zhen smiled and did not talk to Philip anymore. He looked at the Dutch officials and said with a smile: "The Netherlands also has a place in the south. The East Indies (Indonesia, Malaysia, etc.) are under the control of the Netherlands. As long as your country I believe it is also possible to transfer the East Indies area."
The Dutch official frowned and looked ugly.
Li Zhen stared at Muravyov again and said: "There is no area controlled by Tsarist Russia in the north, but I clearly remember that during the Tang Dynasty, Lake Baikal belonged to China. During the period of the Manchu Emperor, the treaty signed between Kangxi and Qianlong , which led to the cession of Lake Baikal. As long as your country returns the area around Lake Baikal to China, it can also pay off its debts."
Muravyov looked very calm and said nothing.
Seward smiled and said, "How is President Lee going to impose conditions on the U.S. Federation?"
ps: I have to drive outside again, so I’ll just update the bird.