Sure enough, the day after Ito returned to Japan, Hamilton, the British ambassador to Japan, asked for a face-to-face meeting.

The British ambassador asked for a meeting with him, and Ito Hirobumi certainly knew it, and it seemed that the British were really anxious, so he met Hamilton in his office.

In fact, as soon as Ito Hirobumi's visit to East China was over, Britain knew the content of the consensus on the visit, and in fact, East China did not hide the visit, and the content of the consensus reached by the two sides appeared in major media and newspapers the next day. After all, there is nothing to hide, although after the end of the Far East War, Japan regarded East China as a national enemy, but East China did not deliberately promote hostility towards Japan, and Bi Jing is now Japan is actually not much of a threat to East China.

Regarding Ito Hirobumi's visit, the propaganda of East China ** was that Japan was defeated by East China**, so it came to ask for peace, so it did not cause an excessive reaction among the people.

However, the content of the consensus shocked the United Kingdom, in fact, the content of this consensus is not special, not to mention that it is still only a consensus, and no formal agreement treaty has been formed, even if the two sides finally sign a treaty, it is also within the normal scope of relations between countries.

However, Britain does not want Japan to establish friendly relations with East China, because what Britain needs is a Japan that is hostile to East China and helps Britain contain East China. To put it simply, Britain just wants Japan to be cannon fodder against East China.

Although according to the general practice of the world, the possibility of such a consensus eventually becoming a formal treaty is quite high, but it is not absolute, so Britain still has the opportunity to prevent Japan and East China from signing a treaty, or to revise the content of the consensus. Of course, first of all, it is necessary to issue a warning to Japan**, saying that Britain is very dissatisfied with this consensus, and then look at Japan's attitude and take the next step. This was the mission of the British ambassador to Japan, Hamilton, to request a meeting with Hirobumi Ito.

Although he knew Hamilton's intentions, Ito Hirobumi's attitude was still very friendly, and he was very enthusiastic after meeting, and after the two sat down, they handed over cigarettes and invited Hamilton to tea, and talked a lot of nonsense.

In the face of Ito Hirobumi's friendliness and enthusiasm, with professionalism on his face, he did not hide his pretended smile, and did not refuse to hand over cigarettes and tea, but only politely said thank you, and then stopped talking, and when Ito Hirobumi talked nonsense about Silas, Hamilton just put on a look of listening, but he just didn't answer, and it depends on when you pretend to be.

Sure enough, Ito Hirobumi was in a mess for a while, but no one cheered him on, and he couldn't go on, and said, "Mr. Ambassador wants to see me, is there anything wrong!"

Seeing that Ito Hirofumi couldn't pretend anymore, and finally got to the point, Hamilton was also funny in his heart, and wanted to play this game in front of him, but the way was still a little worse, so he put on a businesslike posture and said: "Mr. Prime Minister, you have visited East China ** this time, and reached a consensus with East China**, I don't know how you plan to deal with this consensus after you return to China!"

Ito Hirobumi said with a smile: "Of course, it will be submitted to the Diet for discussion, and I just received the news that this consensus has been adopted by the East China **, so if our Japanese Diet also passes, the agreement will be formally signed and become a legally binding treaty between the two countries." Of course, if it is not passed by the Congress, this consensus can only be regarded as a diplomatic achievement and is not legally binding. Mr. Ambassador, are you satisfied with my answer?"

Hamilton nodded and said, "Mr. Prime Minister, thank you for your reply, and now on behalf of the British Empire, I would like to formally express my attitude to Japan, and we oppose the conclusion of this consensus into a legally binding national treaty." ”

Ito Hirobumi looked surprised and said, "Mr. Ambassador, why is that? Can you explain it to me?"

Hamilton said: "Of course, because it is certain that this consensus will become a legally binding national treaty, it will cause serious damage to the [Quad Alliance], and Japan, as a member of the Quad Alliance, has an obligation to maintain the stability and interests of the alliance." ”

Ito Hirobumi frowned and said, "Mr. Ambassador, the establishment of normal state-to-state relations between Japan and East China has not violated the treaty of the [Four-Power Alliance]! The treaty does not prohibit the member countries of the [Alliance] from developing friendly relations with other countries!"

Hamilton glanced at Ito Hirobumi and said: "Mr. Prime Minister, let's be straightforward, the [Four-Power Alliance] is actually a military alliance for common defense, although the treaty of the [Alliance] does not clearly specify the hostile countries of the [Alliance], but we all know that this common enemy is East China**, because the four countries are now improving relations between Japan and East China**, and even developing friendly relations, so that Britain, as well as France and Russia, which are also allies, doubt Japan joining the [Four-Power Alliance] and if this consensus eventually results in a legally binding national treaty, we will consider whether it is necessary to retain Japan's membership as a member of the [Alliance]. ”

Ito Hirobumi's face finally became serious, and he said, "Mr. Ambassador, questioning Japan's status as a member of the [Alliance], is this the attitude of Britain? Does it represent the attitude of France and Russia?"

Hamilton said: "As I just said, I am talking to Mr. Prime Minister as a representative of the British Empire, so what I am saying now represents the attitude of the British Empire, as for the attitude of France and Russia, I cannot represent, but I believe that their attitude should be the same as that of Britain, and I believe that Mr. Prime Minister will be able to receive his attitude in the near future." ”

Hirobumi Ito also made a straight face and said, "Mr. Ambassador, the status of the members of the [Four-Nation Alliance] is equal, and Japan has its own foreign policy, and it also has the right to choose a diplomatic course that is beneficial to itself, and does not need the guidance of the other three countries. The establishment of normal state-to-state relations between Japan and East China has not violated the provisions of the treaty of the [Four-Power Alliance], and have not Britain and France established normal state-to-state relations with East China? Why can't Japan? ”

Hamilton said: "Mr. Prime Minister, please remember that it is the [Four-Nation Alliance] Treaty that provides protection to Japan, and Japan is qualified to conduct reciprocal negotiations with East China**, otherwise do you think that East China ** will be so polite to Japan? Since it is the [Four-Power Alliance] Treaty that protects Japan, then Japan has the obligation to obey the demands of other [Alliance] member countries, instead of only looking at its own interests." ”

Ito Hirobumi said coldly: "Mr. Ambassador, I do not deny that the [Four-Nation Alliance] Treaty does protect Japan, but Japan's contribution to the [Four-Nation Alliance] is huge, and it can completely withstand the protection of Japan by the [Alliance] Treaty. ”

Hamilton was stunned, Ito Hirobumi's tough attitude was a little unexpected by him, because what he said about considering Japan's [Alliance] membership was actually just an attitude of putting pressure on Japan, and it was not really about kicking Japan out of the [Quad Alliance], because the [Quad Alliance] was aimed at East China, and now Russia's power in the Far East has declined, and only Japan can be on the front line against East China. Without Japan, the actual role would not be great, so it is not unreasonable for Ito Hirobumi to say that Japan's contribution to the [Quad Alliance] is huge. Now Ito has threatened to withdraw from the [Quad Alliance], and Hamilton does not dare to take it down, if it is really stiff, and Japan really withdraws from the [Quad Alliance], then his political future will be at home.

However, the biggest characteristic of a diplomat is that he can bend and stretch, and he can change his face faster than Sichuan opera, and a person with tendons can't be a diplomat, Hamilton immediately said: "Mr. Prime Minister, we don't mean that, Japan's contribution in the [Quad Alliance] is huge, which is recognized by our other [Alliance] members, but since the alliance has been formed, any country should consider the interests of the alliance, not only consider the interests of its own country, Japan is like this, we Britain, and France, We are not opposed to the establishment of normal state-to-state relations between Japan and East China, but we only end here, and we do not want Japan to further enhance its relations with East China. ”

Seeing that the other party took a step back, Ito Hirobumi was also in high spirits, just now he said that Japan took the initiative to withdraw from the [Quadrituary Alliance], and he also gritted his teeth and said, in fact, Japan really did not dare to withdraw from the [Quadruple Alliance], that is, he bet on whether Britain would dare to follow up, but Britain really did not dare to bet with Japan, it seems that there is really hope to force Britain to return the tariff rights, but it is still necessary to take his time.

And even though Hamilton took a step back, Ito Hirobumi also slowed down his tone and said: "Mr. Ambassador, of course, we will try our best to consider the interests of the alliance, but now Japan also has Japan's national conditions, the Far East War has greatly damaged Japan's vitality, although there is help from various countries, but in a short period of time there is not enough strength to confront East China**, and improve relations with East China**, but also to restore Japan's national strength as soon as possible, because Japan's economy is very dependent on China, please other [Alliance] member countries should also think about Japan." Although the target of the [Quadrilateral Alliance] is indeed East China**, in a short period of time, we will not have a major conflict with East China**, so Japan used this time to improve relations with East China**, also in order to restore its national strength as soon as possible, which is also beneficial to the [Quadruple Alliance]. ”

Hamilton nodded and said, "Okay, Mr. Prime Minister, I will report to China truthfully for today's talks, and if there is any new opinion in China, I will immediately inform Mr. Prime Minister." ”

Hirobumi Ito also nodded and said, "Okay, there is Mr. Ambassador." ”