This day is an unusual day for the capital of the United States.
The first visit of Wang Hengyue, President of the Republic of China, caused a sensation throughout the United States.
Especially his outstanding performance in San Francisco has become a household name in the United States. His outstanding performance in the so-called protests provoked by the Russians and Japanese further safeguarded the interests and dignity of the intervening countries and severely dealt a blow to those Bolsheviks.
The United States is such a strange country. They like the appearance of strong people, whether they are locals or foreigners. Once you show that you should be tough, in the eyes of many Americans, you will be regarded as a strong person.
A hero.
So before Wang Hengyue arrived in Washington, he already had a large number of American followers!
This is a very strange phenomenon.
Welcoming Wang Hengyue were US Vice President Thomas R. Marshall, Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby...
The reporters' spotlights flashed like crazy, freezing this historic moment.
"The great friendship between China and the United States begins here!"
In front of reporters, Marshall said such a sentence that has been passed down in history.
"Each of us is working hard and hopes that the great friendship will start from here and not just end here." Wang Hengyue also replied in the same way.
The flashing of the spotlight is even more intense and crazy!
On this day, the same headline appeared in all American newspapers:
"China-US cooperation has begun in an all-round way!"
Wang Hengyue and Marshall had a brief exchange, which did not touch on some core issues, but only had some discussions on the current future of China and the United States and the situation in Russia.
This meeting was more formal than substantive.
After the meeting, Thomas R. Marshall mentioned that President Woodrow Wilson was eagerly awaiting the arrival of the great president.
Wang Hengyue smiled.
Wilson was not eagerly waiting for his arrival, but he had no way to meet him in person.
When he first met President Wilson, the American president's health was even worse than Wang Hengyue expected.
With the support of his wife Edith, he barely stood there with a cane.
"Of all the meetings between heads of state, I'm afraid ours is the most special meeting." Wilson said humorously despite his poor physical condition.
Wilson's speech was a little unclear, but he could generally understand it. Wang Hengyue said with a smile: "Vice President Marshall said when he welcomed me, the great friendship between China and China begins here, so our friendship also begins here."
A smile appeared on Wilson's face. He had been standing for a little too long and he was already showing signs of weakness. After Edith apologized, she hurriedly helped her husband sit on a special wheelchair.
"What a wonderful meeting." Wilson laughed at himself: "A young Eastern president, an American president in a wheelchair. Our meeting will be disclosed sooner or later in the future. Maybe those reporters will be very upset. Why?
I didn’t take any memorable photos.”
Wang Hengyue smiled slightly: "Mr. President, a person's health does not hinder his greatness. My country and I will never forget that you spoke for China at the Paris Peace Conference and helped us as much as possible.
I have always wanted to express my gratitude to you, but never had the chance. Today I can finally say those two words. Thank you."
"No, it should be the United States that thanks you." President Wilson quickly said: "In the war in Europe, you gave Europe the greatest help. Sometimes I think, without China's help, the war would have been
Will it end so soon? Cooperation between China and the United States must begin more closely. This is beneficial to both parties. Although my term is about to end, in the limited time, I will continue to implement the comprehensive Sino-US
Cooperate with this policy.”
"This is in the interest of both of us!" Wang Hengyue said thoughtfully: "A strong United States, a stable development, is moving towards a strong China. The close cooperation between the two sides represents the close cooperation between the East and the West, both for the Far East and for the
It is necessary and indispensable for the entire world. Such cooperation is not allowed to be undermined by the outside world, including any country and any organization."
Wilson blinked slyly: "I think you mean another country in the Far East."
Wang Hengyue smiled and nodded.
Although the US president suffered two strokes and was in very poor physical condition, it did not seem to hinder his thinking.
"Compared to Japan, we attach more importance to cooperation with China. I have also discussed this with my next successor, Mr. Harding." President Wilson said seriously: "How to choose allies is very important and should not be
Just acting out of emotion. Judging from your series of actions towards Japan, the whole world knows your attitude. This cannot but cause us to think seriously. Japan, or China? But in the end we reached an agreement. China."
Wang Hengyue smiled lightly.
It's not how close the United States is to China, but their choice of self-interest.
If China is still weak and poor, then Wang Hengyue believes that the United States will throw China away like a broken sack and continue to choose to support Japan.
But it's different now.
Before the reunification of China was completed, the Japanese took advantage of the fact that Europe was mired in war and had no time to consider the opportunities in the Far East. They continued to develop their power in China, which seriously threatened the interests of Europe and the United States in China. This aroused strong dissatisfaction from the United States and European countries.
and vigilance.
Using a rising China to contain Japan's expansion in China and the Far East is what the European and American powers urgently need.
What's more, cooperation with China can bring greater benefits to these powers.
"In your opinion, will there be a war between China and Japan?" Wilson suddenly asked.
This question surprised Edith who was acting as a recorder next to her. She didn't know why her husband would suddenly ask such a question just a few years after the end of the European War.
Wang Hengyue was not surprised at all. He pondered for a while: "My country and I love peace and are never willing to have a war. I even hate war, but Japan may not think so. They are entrenched in the northeast of our country.
Everywhere in Qingdao is like a thorn in my eye..."
"The Chinese word should be 'a thorn in the eye, a thorn in the flesh', right?" President Wilson said with a smile, and then put away his smile: "I remember that according to the arrangement, you will talk to the congressmen in Congress the day after tomorrow. Mr. President, you should keep what you are thinking
Yes, tell those congressmen not to hide anything. This will be most beneficial to future cooperation between China and the United States."
"I will." Wang Hengyue said calmly: "Every sentence and every word that I think in my heart will not be forgotten."
President Wilson signaled to his wife not to record these conversations: "This is our private communication and will not hinder the negotiations and direction between China and the United States. Mr. President, I hope that your trip to the United States will be fruitful and you will gain something."
The harvest of the United States is also great. I like you, really, you are young and full of enthusiasm. What makes me and the Americans even more happy is that you also have the blood of the United States flowing in you."
Wang Hengyue was stunned for a moment before realizing what he meant.
Well, I "grew up" in the United States, and I am considered an American in the eyes of Americans. This is a ridiculous thing.
The life story Shunkou and Qin Guangcheng fabricated back then, God knows, will lead to so many things in the future.
It seems that not only President Wilson, but I will continue to be asked this question in the next few days. I don't know if Yu Yun has arranged it properly and if there are any flaws.
Wearing an "American" appearance in the United States will bring you many conveniences.
"I think you should talk to my successor, Mr. Harding." After speaking for a little longer, Wilson was obviously mentally exhausted, but he still tried his best to cheer up and said; "Mr. Harding is also looking forward to it very much."
As I meet with you, the change of president of the United States will not affect the development of relations between the two countries. I am very eager and convinced of this."
"I will. I also have such arrangements in my schedule." Wang Hengyue looked at Wilson: "I think it's time for me to say goodbye, Mr. President."
"Mr. President, I'm really rude." Wilson smiled bitterly. He tried to stand up, but failed: "I can't even send you out. I hope this won't leave any unpleasantness in your heart."
Memories.”
Wang Hengyue shook his head: "No, I just hope that your body can recover as soon as possible. If there is a chance, I hope to have another pleasant meeting with you in the Presidential Palace of China."
Wang Hengyue, Wilson and Edith all knew that this was just a good wish.
Wilson's physical condition was getting worse. If it weren't for the important event of the Chinese President's visit to the United States, Wilson would no longer have the energy to have such a meeting.
Edith sent Wang Hengyue to the door and said: "Mr. President, I feel sorry for my husband. But Americans still don't know about my husband's physical condition. This meeting, because I know that you grew up in the United States,
Speaks fluent English, so we didn't even use a translator..."
Wang Hengyue knew exactly what Edith wanted to say: "Madam, please rest assured that Mr. President's physical condition will not be leaked. Please convey to Mr. President my and my people's best wishes for him."
Edith nodded gratefully.
For Wang Hengyue, this meeting with President Wilson is just one step in his trip to the United States, and the more important follow-up will soon begin! (To be continued)