"Thank you Mr. Ford for your kindness... However, Mr. Smith, please tell Mr. Ford that I have my own opinion on this matter... After all, this is the United States, and everyone has the right to retain their own opinion, right?...
You see, I have to go to dinner... Please forgive me for not inviting you to breakfast."
In Hollywood, Charlie Chaplin stood up from behind his luxurious desk, took the coat handed by the servant and put it on, put on his top hat, picked up his cane, bowed to Mr. Smith, and made a request.
The look of going out.
A man on the sofa quickly stood up and said with a smile:
"Mr. Chaplin... please don't think about Mr. Ford's identity. Just think about those poor people in Beiqing. They..."
As they talked, they came downstairs. A luxury car had already driven in front of Chaplin, and the driver opened the door respectfully for him.
Chaplin held his cane with both hands, tiptoed slightly, and showed his brightest smile to Mr. Smith:
"I'm sorry, sir... If Mr. Ford also wants to invest in my movie, please ask him to contact my production director directly... Then, that's it? It's a pleasure meeting you."
"Ah, Mr. Chaplin!" Smith held the car door and shouted, "One last request!"
Chaplin smiled patiently and bowed slightly, indicating that he could speak.
Smith took out a notebook and a pen and said excitedly:
"Sign your name for me!"
Chaplin nodded and said with a smile:
"It's a pleasure."
He took it, signed it, handed it to Smith, then got into the car and drove away.
Only Mr. Smith was left with Chaplin's signature, looking at the master's car in the distance, standing here excited and frustrated, pulling off his hat and spinning it in his hand.
…
As a result, the news of the rejection was quickly transmitted via telegraph from Los Angeles on the West Coast to Detroit on the East Coast, and Henry Ford also read the depressing news in his office.
Immediately afterwards, the news spread across the ocean and arrived in Nanjing. Badley was also reading the telegram dejectedly in his office.
But just at this time, another good news came.
Call Xiang Xiaoqiang and tell him that Her Majesty the Queen is willing to accept a Lincoln car as a gift, and he can have it delivered to the Palace Vehicle Department. Her Majesty will ride in it to appear in public at the appropriate time.
Badley was both happy and embarrassed after hearing this. His request was fulfilled, but his promise was not fulfilled.
He was very embarrassed to tell Xiang Xiaoqiang about Chaplin's rejection. Although Xiang Xiaoqiang was mentally prepared, he was still disappointed. He sighed and said nothing more. Badley felt very sorry and said that Ford would not let the count down.
The trust of Your Excellency and Her Majesty the Queen will continue to influence other celebrities in the United States and strive to let them play a role no less than that of Mr. Chaplin.
…
However, something happened that no one expected.
That night, Los Angeles, Hollywood.
Chaplin came out of his usual restaurant and was surrounded by a large group of reporters and movie fans as usual. The driver and bodyguards were about to block the crowd so that Mr. Chaplin could enter the car, but Chaplin stopped the driver and stood outside the car.
He held his cane with both hands, placed his feet in the iconic figure-eight shape, wore his top hat crookedly, raised his head, smiled at the crowd, and slowly moved his right index finger to his lips.
As soon as they saw the master's action, the reporters and fans quickly calmed down and looked at the master with excitement and reverence, guessing what he was going to say.
"My dear friends," Chaplin leaned forward, looked around the audience, and said with a smile, "I want to make a statement. Today at noon, a representative of a large Detroit automobile company approached me and wanted to invest on my behalf.
At a price, let me publicly express my opinion on Nanming’s attempt to purchase from the US military. Obviously
, he wanted me to support Nanming’s arms purchase. I suggested that the gentleman talk to my production director about investment. I told him that this is in the United States, and everyone has the right to retain their own opinions. I also have my own opinions.
.Opinions are opinions, and business is business. It’s uncomfortable to mix it up, as if my mouth has been bought with his money.
"Now it's time for me to express my opinion. I hate war, I hate war. Because war does no good at all except for poor people to kill each other and greedy bosses to make a fortune. But today I want to say that in
In the war that took place on the other side of the world, I supported Nanming. Although Nanming was far behind the United States in all aspects, I still supported her unequivocally. Because she is constantly moving forward, giving people hope. Unlike the United States, I support her.
It is the land under our feet that makes people feel that there is no hope at all.
"I don't want to see the wallets of those big arms dealers bulging at all. But at this time, I still want to appeal to you: Go! Go to your congressmen! Let them vote for Nanming's arms purchase! If
If Nan Ming's cause failed in Asia, then this would not only be a failure for Nan Ming, not only a failure for the people of the Northern Qing Dynasty who were in misery and darkness, not only a failure for Asia, but also for the whole world, and for each of us.
Human failure. Thank you."
After Chaplin finished speaking, cheers and screams rang out from all around. Everyone was applauding, and the spotlights kept flashing.
"...Oh, by the way," Chaplin had already gotten into the car, got out again, and smiled at the crowd, "What I said tonight has nothing to do with Mr. Henry Ford."
The crowd burst into laughter, and Chaplin got into the luxury car and drove away slowly.
…
This exciting news immediately flew from the west coast to the east coast, and then from the east coast to the other side of the world via Ford's special commercial telex that night.
Excluding the time difference, it was the morning of the 12th in Nanjing. Badley was relieved and lay on the sofa and let out a long breath. Then, he told Xiang Xiaoqiang the good news.
At this time, Shen Rongxuan also received news. He called Zhu Yourong and suggested that he seize the opportunity and play the two cards of "open media" and "freedom of movement" on today's negotiation table. This is a good time.
.Chaplin enjoys a high reputation among the lower class people in the United States. His public statement can immediately win over a considerable portion of the lower class people. And the lower class people hold the largest proportion of votes.
At this time, striking while the iron is hot may cause Chaplin to publicly express his support for Ming Dynasty's purchase of the US military, which will become a landmark event that will benefit Ming Dynasty.
…
During the negotiation on the morning of the 12th, these two demands were formally put forward to Xiaoqiang.
"...You must open up newspapers and radio," Xiang Xiaoqiang said solemnly at the negotiating table, holding documents, "and abolish the existing 'road strip' system so that anyone can move freely and enter and exit the border freely."
Yonggui's eyes widened with an expression of disbelief. But he did not speak, his eyes rolled rapidly, wondering how he should react. Should he run back and ask the emperor for instructions first.
Xiang Xiaoqiang continued:
"...To this end, we are willing to make major concessions to allow the Ming army to withdraw from Shanxi and accept the current conditions. I reiterate that this is the only possibility for our army to withdraw from Shanxi, and it is also the end of the war between the Ming and Qing Dynasties and the ushering in of long-term peace. The only possibility."
Xiang Xiaoqiang made a high-profile request in King Wu Villa. At the same time, a press conference was held in the official residence of the Chief Minister. Shen Rongxuan met with a group of people from home and abroad and explained to them the requests that Ming Dynasty was making to Beiqing. He also said , from now on, the decision-making power of the war has been handed over to the Beiqing.