Chapter 5 mediation

The British Embassy in Anxing District, Nanjing, was once the British Consulate in Nanjing. After the British recognized the Chinese Empire and established diplomatic relations with it, it became the British Embassy in China. The new plenipotentiary in China, Zhu Erdian, and the Dutch Minister Krober, were waiting for them while drinking afternoon tea in the reception room of the minister. Intelligence from London and other regions.

After the calm Juerdian, Klober's expression was extremely nervous. From the morning until now, he has cursed the governor of the East Indies and the mayor of Suras in his heart countless times. Their stupidity has plunged the Netherlands into this extremely embarrassing situation. The instructions from the mainland are very clear and asked him to ask for a request. The British Minister to China mediate from it.

"...The Chinese may be bluffing, but behind the bluff, there must be something they want!"

He took off a piece of snack from the three-story shelf, and Zhu Erdian gently speculated about the attitude of the Chinese.

"You mean that the Chinese have no intention of declaring war on the Netherlands?"

"Declaration of war? No! They won't do that!"

Affirm first, but then Zhu Erdian shook his head again.

"But it is not ruled out that they protect overseas Chinese by force and take the opportunity to achieve some goals!"

"What is it like..."

Just as Klober was about to speak, a British naval officer walked into the reception room.

"Your Excellency! A telegram from the headquarters of the Chinese fleet!"

After receiving the telegram, Zhu Erdian's expression changed slightly.

"Crober, it has now been confirmed that the Chinese fleet has left the port early this morning, with two warships and five cruisers, which are all the main force of the Chinese navy, followed by armed troop carriers!"

"Are they really going to occupy East Indies?"

Crober, who was shocked, asked anxiously. According to the previous speculation of the two people, as long as the Chinese do not move the main force of the fleet, the Chinese are bluffing. Now they not only use the main force of the fleet, but also the main force of the whole Chinese navy. In today's Asia, except for the Japanese navy, and even the British The Chinese fleet can't fight against this fleet.

"I'm afraid only Your Majesty can answer you!"

Even as a Chinese interpreter, Zhu Erdian, who has been in China for nearly 30 years, is confused in the face of this situation. Whether it is the Chinese temporary ruling axe in the past or the current Chinese Empire, they are completely different from the diplomatic affairs of the Manchu Qing Dynasty. They are willing to fully open their markets to foreign countries, but as a premise, However, they withdrew their tariffs. In the face of the threat of force by various countries, they flexibly used diplomatic means when making uncompromising gestures, and finally achieved their basic goals with concessions.

Railway road rights and tariffs, all of which are clear evidence of this superficial toughness, but in fact, flexible diplomacy! But here in the Netherlands, it is hard to figure out that the Netherlands is not a strong country. Their weak fleet is far from the opponent of the Chinese navy. In the face of a weak opponent, is it possible for the Chinese to hope for a diplomatic solution?

"Jordan, the Netherlands may be a small country, but if the Chinese choose war, then we can only choose war. Please believe that this is not a war between China and the Netherlands, but a war between Europe and Asians. Now, Japan is challenging Russia in the northeast, and China is trying to touch Southeast Asia, which is inconsistent. In line with the interests of the Netherlands, it also violates the interests of the United Kingdom! If Britain or other Europe sits by and watch the Chinese occupation of the Dutch East India, then in the future, we, the whole of Europe, will have to face the damage of China and Japan, these two Asian countries to the interests of Europe in the Asian region!"

Crober, who recovered from the initial panic, hurriedly tried to tie the interests of the Netherlands with the interests of Britain.

And what he said in exchange was only for Zhu Erdian's helpless smile in his heart. Although it can't be said to be Bo Xishan, compared with the heyday of the Victorian era, it is not what it used to be. The rise of the United States has surpassed Britain in terms of economy, and it is not optimistic in terms of diplomacy. Germany is becoming more and more aggressive, constantly creating trouble in the Balkans, North Africa and Palestine.

Britain's dominant trade share in China's market and the British financial industry's investment in China make Britain unable to pay attention to this country. Britain really has no energy to take into account the situation in China. The interests and the reality of the situation determine the tone of the British policy towards China: stability overriding everything.

But what do the Chinese want?

Thinking about this question, an old friend who took an important position in China's new cabinet appeared in Zhu Erdian's mind. Maybe he can give himself an answer!

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Empire, No. 55 Guangfu Avenue, the Ministry of Internal Affairs is thought to be the administrative agency responsible for domestic affairs. Different from diplomatic and other deployments, it has seven departments of civil governance, police affairs, etiquette and education, civil engineering, Xinjiang, overseas Chinese affairs, and health, each with its own director. Yuan Shikai, the first Minister of Internal Affairs and Minister of Internal Affairs, is the first Minister of Internal Affairs. In the eyes of the outside world, Yuan Shikai, who wandered on the steel wire several times, but unexpectedly served as the Minister of Internal Affairs. The chief teacher was a little confused about the emperor's meaning. Although the powers and responsibilities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs are scattered, the scope of the jurisdiction of the empire is wide, which is also correct. Because of this, if in the past, others would think that the government was waiting for the opportunity to "clean up" Yuan Shikai, then now everyone can see that Yuan Shikai was not only not cleaned up, but "the holy family is Zhenglong".

It is also because of this that Yuan Shikai once again became a dignitary of the government cabinet in China after half a year of silence. However, while enjoying the external scenery, Yuan Shikai became more careful than in the past. He knew better than anyone that on the surface, he mastered the strength of the "strong" department of 150,000 police officers across the country, just looking at It's just powerful. The Ministry of Internal Affairs only has the right to supervise local policing. It is a domestic policing principle for local policing.

As early as when he was not in power and intend to let him be in charge of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, when Yuan Shikai accepted it, he only regarded the Ministry of Internal Affairs as a "jumping board", but this springboard was far from as easy as he thought. Tibet, Mongolia, Huihui and the management of prisoners of war in the flag were all on the forefront of the storm.

At this time, the visit of the British minister Zhu Erdian once again made Yuan Shikai difficult. Zhu Erdian is a Chinese man and also his old friend. But to tell the truth, it is absolutely impossible. First, he doesn't want to, and second, he can't, but Yuan Shikai needs Zhu Erdian's friendship. To be precise, he is him. The British friendship represented.

"Do you still need to say that?"

In the face of Zhu Erdian's problem, Yuan Shikai blinked his eyes and thought for a moment.

"This Dutchman is killing people. Killing people can't be nodding! They slapped your majesty in the face fiercely and ascended the throne here. The people who killed him over there were the clay figurine and three surnames, not to mention..."

Zhu Erdian understood what Yuan Shikai meant. His Majesty was by no means a coward, so he said.

"So, your country must invade the Dutch East India with a fleet."

"Invasion?"

With a cold snort, Yuan Shikai first sent Zhu Erdian a gesture to invite tea, and then picked up the teacup and moistened his throat.

"It's just to protect overseas Chinese. We are overseas Chinese with various countries, that is, our overseas Chinese should not be treated fairly, and China naturally needs to say something?"

"So does your country consider the reaction of all countries if your country retaliates?"

Yuan Shikai pointed to the colorful vase of Kangxi Kiln in an office. This is a treasure sent by the Mongolian princes who came to the ceremony. Those princes were afraid of being cut by the knives of the second division, but such a good thing is the property of the state. If the private person receives more than 100 yuan and does not report it, it is the crime of killing the head. .

"This porcelain itself is already full of cracks. Sometimes, if you want to repair it, you have to take risks and drill a few holes with a gold and steel drill. If you can't nail it, you can't repair it!"

There is a sound outside the string, you might as well identify yourself. Zhu Erdian stopped to meditate for a while before he said.

"For Britain, the stability of your country is overriding, which is why London instructed me to mediate."

"Hmm! It's natural to have a strong country to mediate from it! It's better than a war, isn't it?"

Yuan Shikai slightly raised his voice and said.

"However, it seems that we should go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs!"

"Old friend, you understand, I need your help!"

At this time, Zhu Erdian did not hide his purpose again.

"Old friend..."

Yuan Shikai smiled bitterly and put on a very helpless look.

"You are going to hurt your old friend!"

"Yuan, this is just an exchange of views between old friends on some current events!"

Zhu Erdian played the word game cunningly.

"You..."

Yuan Shikai immediately stretched his eyebrows, pointed to Zhu Erdian, and said with a smile.

"You didn't learn anything in China, you just learned our dross!"

The two looked at each other and smiled. Decades of old friendship made them talk without identity constraints, although they both understand that each other can never give up their identity.

"For China, I think there is nothing more important than fairness. Your Majesty has traveled to more than a dozen foreign countries. What Your Majesty values is fairness. There has been a trace of fairness in the wilderness and outsiders? The shame of one or two silver, the battle of Huangpu River Bridge!"

In this statement, Zhu Erdian fully understands that in addition to the compensation and pensions that the Chinese people will definitely demand, they are afraid of fair treatment for overseas Chinese.

But he still blinked his eyes and looked at his old friend.

"I think you may have other pursuits unless you are fair, don't you?"

And for Zhu Erdian's question, Yuan Shikai was very deep, but he was drinking tea on his face. He knew what he could say and what he couldn't say, so he asked back.

"In the view of your minister, what kind of pursuit should China hold?"

Zhu Erdian was stunned when he kicked the ball back into his arms, and then Yuan Shikai said again.

"Four years ago, when I was the governor of Zhili, you told me that people must pay for stupid choices. You told me that this is an international standard, and I agree!"

"You mean..."

(to be continued)