At noon the next day, the government guesthouse sent a footman to the brigade headquarters compound to inform that Reynoldson would come to visit in the afternoon. After Yuan Su returned to Luanzhou yesterday, he had asked Du Yu to contact Reynoldson.
.Both sides are very eager to negotiate and cooperate.
After making some preparations at noon, Reynoldson arrived at the brigade headquarters in a carriage just after 1:30 in the afternoon.
This time Reynoldson was not alone. He was accompanied by two other elderly British men.
After meeting in the office, Reynoldson made a formal introduction to Yuan Su. This time he specially invited Richard Hannoson, deputy consul of the Jinan Consulate, and Hank Alfred, first secretary of the consul. Yuan Su was very
He politely shook hands with the two officials from the British Consulate in Jinan and said hello, but he still had some grudges in his heart. He clearly remembered that Reynoldson said last time that he would invite the consul from the Jinan Consulate to come and talk to him in person.
But it doesn't matter, he is an official member of the British diplomatic mission, as long as the formal cooperation treaty can take effect.
Yuan Su did not talk too much during this meeting. He only expressed his hope to enter the negotiation stage as soon as possible, and also hoped that the United Kingdom could offer more favorable conditions as much as possible.
Vice Consul Richard said that as long as conditions permit, negotiations can officially begin tomorrow. However, before the formal negotiations, he confirmed some details with Yuan Su, such as the scope of investment in the coastline, and whether Yuan Su can provide protection to
To what extent, and how does China ensure the interests of British businessmen?
Regarding these issues, Yuan Su had naturally thought about it. What the British needed for such generous conditions was nothing more than a guarantee. He solemnly replied to Richard that as long as the British businessmen abide by the laws and disciplines and do not do anything excessive
I will do my best to protect their personal safety and industrial safety.
Protecting the personal safety of foreigners is out of basic international practice, while ensuring industrial safety is because one day, these foreign industries will become Chinese industries.
In order to make Richard clear about the bottom line, Yuan Su even used the recent dispute in the southern suburbs mine as an example. He would turn a blind eye to any problem that could be solved with money. But once money could not solve it, he would turn a blind eye.
If there is a problem, then I will investigate it strictly and thoroughly, and hold whoever is at fault accountable, without any favoritism.
This bottom line is actually very broad. Even if someone is killed, as long as the injured party is willing to accept compensation, the matter can still be suppressed.
Richard and Hank whispered to each other for a while, and then expressed that they could accept Yuan Su's principle of doing things. At the same time, they also solemnly guaranteed that the consulate would be responsible for the behavior of investors and would never do anything that violated Chinese laws and regulations.
At the end of the conversation, Yuan Su asked Reynoldson by the way, assuming that the cooperation was finalized, when would the weapons and equipment promised by the British side be delivered to Luanzhou at the earliest.
"General Yuan, when will you need this batch of armaments?" Reynoldson asked.
"Of course, the sooner the better. I can't wait to sign the contract tomorrow and get this batch of arms the day after tomorrow." Yuan Su said half-jokingly and half-seriously.
"I'm afraid we can't achieve such a fast speed. According to our estimates, the number of guns provided to General Yuan will be about 4,000. This is definitely not a small number. And we also believe that General Yuan does not want this to happen.
It’s too ostentatious. There is a saying in China called ‘Slow work produces careful work’, and this sentence is perfect for applying here.” Reynoldson said, shaking his head.
"Then when is the fastest time you can deliver it?" Yuan Su asked again.
"It's hard to say yet, but we guarantee that the first batch of supplies will be delivered within a month. The first batch of supplies not only includes more than 1,500 firearms, but also supporting ammunition, mechanical equipment and other contracts.
The prescribed donation materials." Reynoldson said unhurriedly.
"In short, as soon as possible." Of course, Yuan Su could not force the British to do anything, as long as he could get this batch of arms.
After deciding to officially start the negotiation tomorrow morning, Yuan Su ended the meeting. It would be useless to talk about anything today. He could not make a conclusion until the terms and conditions were sent tomorrow. He sent Reynoldson, Richard, and Hank to the meeting.
People left the barracks but did not arrive at the gate. Not only did the British need time to make final preparations before the negotiation, but they also needed to determine a clear psychological bottom line.
The summer solstice has long passed, and the weather in the north is getting hotter and hotter.
Shortly after meeting with Reynoldson and his party, the sky in Luanzhou gradually darkened, with bursts of thunder in the sky, and white light moving up and down in the dark clouds from time to time. Summer came a bit early this year, and it has not yet reached the ambush.
As the day progresses, thunderstorms can't help but appear. Whether it's the brigade compound or various districts in the city, people rush back to their homes quickly, collecting clothes, closing windows and doors, and putting away stalls in a mess.
Yuan Su was originally discussing with Chen Wenian, Zhao Shanhe, and He Qigong about the formal talks with the British tomorrow. Taking advantage of his free time, he came to the office window, looked at the threatening billowing dark clouds in the distance, frowned slightly and sighed.
One breath.
Chen Wenian was just immersed in sorting out the copywriting, while Zhao Shanhe watched from the side. Only He Qigong stood up and walked behind Yuan Su, looked at the sky and said to himself: "The thunderstorm in summer comes too early. This
It’s not a good sign.”
Yuan Su did not turn around, but said meaningfully: "God's will cannot be violated. It seems that our training plan will be postponed for a while." What he is worried about is not the weather, but the funding provided by the British. He can only wait for everything.
After all the equipment is delivered, it is easy to start the training plan.
He Qigong thought for a while and then said: "What you said is wrong. Although marching and fighting pay attention to the right time, place and people, if you really encounter unfavorable weather, is it difficult to stop and retreat? The more difficult the weather,
The more soldiers are required to hone themselves, only in this way can the soldiers truly have a training effect. What's more, the weather also changes from time to time, and there will always be sunny days after rain, so why do you need to prepare for a rainy day like this?"
Yuan Su knew that He Qigong did not understand what he meant. He was not worried about the weather. At the same time, he had the same concept of training in bad weather. However, since he chose to go with the British, he would naturally use British military training
Use it as a reference and cooperate with British equipment so that soldiers can become familiar with it and develop a combat system as soon as possible.
He had no intention of explaining anything to He Qigong, but just said with a smile: "You are right, the militia training will continue as usual, and the training of the entire army must also be done rain or shine."
The heavy rain continued all night long, and it didn't subside until early in the morning.