"If you want to realize your strategy in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, how many battleships do you think you need to build?" The British Foreign Minister's tone was sour. Britain could not be obediently located in the Atlantic Ocean and allow China to dominate the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Even knowing that there is a gap between the current level of shipbuilding and China's shipbuilding, the British foreign minister has adopted a tentative approach to adjust the pace of negotiations.

Although Li Xin has reflected on China's diplomatic work, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs believes that China's diplomacy can probably be classified as "naval diplomacy." In other words, there is no technical content, and diplomacy is simply promoted by virtue of the huge superiority in strength. This kind of diplomacy is very effective, or at least very efficient, in dealing with countries that have direct borders and maritime contacts. But it is of little use in the face of a country like Romania. Finally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs believes that the current work should be done in a more detailed and comprehensive manner.

It's just that it takes time and energy, and in terms of pure efficiency, naval artillery diplomacy is undoubtedly a model of efficiency. Just as the cost of cruising the Chinese fleet in the Mediterranean Sea is huge, the British have never been willing to engage in such serious and in-depth discussions with China before.

"China plans to build 45 battleships in the next 10 years, according to the traditional model of one-third overhaul, one-third on duty, and one-third at sea, which is probably enough to maintain order in the Pacific and Indian Oceans." Li Xin said lightly and happily. In peacetime, 15 battleships cruised in two oceans, and in wartime, more than 30 warships were able to enter battle in a very short time, which was enough to maintain China's hegemony in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

"Is your country's production capacity capable of achieving such a goal?" Although the British foreign minister has now stopped eating naval meals, with Britain's shipbuilding capabilities, it is an impossible task to build 45 battleships in 10 years. The British foreign minister did not believe in this grand plan put forward by Li Xin.

Li Xin didn't argue, he smiled: "Please wait and see." ”

These words were sonorous and forceful, and Li Xin's heart could not help but waver a little in his heart about changing the work policy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Naval artillery diplomacy is so good that a country can make any demands with whatever kind of strength it has. The thrill of this brainless refresh is irresistible. If it is the strategy of the new type of diplomacy, it is necessary to abandon the unilateral position and make friends and build relations with the upper echelons of various countries. It's not going to work for a decade.

The British foreign minister did not want to raise this issue anymore, and there is now a fierce debate in Britain about why the British Navy is lagging behind the Chinese Navy. At least there are those who are angry and frustrated in the newspapers, and there are those who suspect that China's warships are far less powerful than they appear to be. However, the British newspapers have demanded that Britain quickly solve the current situation and not let the gap between Britain and China become wider and wider.

Not only the newspapers, but also the British upper class were quite shocked by this. Not to mention that the Chinese ship ran at a speed of 19 knots for six or seven hours in a row, and this alone caused the Admiralty to be blamed a lot. The Admiralty actually shifted the blame to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, accusing it of failing to get the information early.

The Foreign Minister had no other choice, he could only do his essential work at this time, so the Foreign Minister changed the subject, "Your Excellency, we are going to convene an international conference on the Bulgarian question in London. With regard to the actions of the Russians, we hope that Your Excellency will be able to fulfill the promises made before. ”

"The previous pledge was aimed at the UK's attitude in the short term. Now that the situation has changed so dramatically, we have to reconsider our position. Although we still do not support an open Russian invasion of Bulgaria, this should have been a war between the Ottoman Empire and Russia. Didn't Britain think that this should be a dispute within the ongoing Eleventh Russo-Turkish War? Li Xin also began to discuss this issue.

The British Foreign Minister shook his head again and again, "Bulgaria to the Ottoman Empire is probably equivalent to the East African administrative region to China......"

Hearing this, Li Xin immediately objected, "Let me interrupt, all personnel appointments in the East African Administrative Region are decided by the Chinese central government, and the East African Administrative Region does not have completely independent financial and personnel rights. Under radio contact, they report regularly to China. Bulgaria is an almost completely autonomous administrative region, which is very different from the East African administrative region. ”

"Okay!" The British foreign minister waved his hand, and the Chinese foreign minister's insistence on a position is indeed good, but it is not the point at this time. To keep the discussion going, the British foreign minister switched the analogy and said, "East Africa is roughly what Siam is to China." Although theoretically they were all under the rule of an emperor, in practice they had their own choices. Russia's approach now is not directed against Austria-Hungary, but on the bottom line of the British Empire. ”

Li Xin can fully understand this, after the Bulgarian incident, the whole of Europe shook. It is not only Britain that is extremely dissatisfied with Russia's approach, but it can be said that the whole of Europe is very dissatisfied with this. Li Xin then asked: "Then do you think that China's stance can solve any practical problems?" If you think so, then I really think that you are overestimating China's influence on Russia. ”

The British Foreign Minister is not a three-year-old child, how could he not know such a situation. As a veteran diplomat, the British foreign minister has already seen something from Li Xin's expression. After a moment of silence, the British Foreign Minister asked cheerfully: "If there is a conflict between Britain and Russia, which side will China be on?" ”

That's a good question. What Li Xin wants to see most is Europe's own internal strife, and what China wants to see most is Europe's own internal strife and indecision. So she replied briskly: "This is Europe's own problem, and we will not be on the side of Russia or Britain." China has taken a completely neutral stance on this matter. Your Excellency does not have to worry about China providing warships or naval technology to Russia. ”

The British foreign minister's greatest concern is that when Britain and Russia clash in the Black Sea, China suddenly joins the war. If the Suez Canal fell into the hands of the Chinese, Britain would lose a lot. After listening to Li Xin's words, the British Foreign Minister was about to test the sincerity of the Chinese Foreign Minister, but heard Li Xin continue: "Your Excellency, please rest assured. It is not enough for our own use of our new warships, where are the surplus ships sold to Russia. As for the transfer of naval technology, you don't have to worry about it even more. As for the shipbuilding capabilities of Russia, I believe the British are well aware. Even if they get our drawings, the Russians will not be able to build our Chinese warships. What's more, Russia's shipbuilding industry has long been infiltrated like fishing nets. Providing technology and drawings to Russia is tantamount to providing them to other countries free of charge. We in China are very efficient, and we will never do such things that are not beneficial at all. ”

The British foreign minister seemed to have caught a lifeline, and he immediately followed up, "That means that China will not provide naval technology to other European countries?" ”

Li Xin nodded solemnly, "Your Excellency, the United Kingdom is the only European country that has obtained our naval technology. For me, Britain is a very admirable adversary, and it is also a truly civilized country with a global vision. The contradictions and struggles between China and Britain are a competition between two countries that have also entered an era of high civilization. My country hopes that this struggle will be a struggle only between our two countries, and not a mutual destruction. What good will it do us to arm other European countries, even if we overthrow the British order? Is there any necessary connection between the destruction of Britain and the interests of China? No matter what other countries think, at least we in China don't think so. ”

If it were the foreign ministers of other European countries, they probably wouldn't be able to understand Li Xin's words. The British foreign minister, who has been a-stirring stick for hundreds of years, fully understands the sincerity of these words. This is how the British treated the European continent, and Britain was the only European country that did not destroy the countries on the continent. Only by maintaining the balance of power in Europe can the British calmly manipulate the situation on the European continent. If Britain simply and brutally disposed of the countries on the European continent, it would only benefit other countries.

With a complicated expression, the British foreign minister asked, "Does China want Europe to maintain a balance of power?" ”

"We want Europe to maintain the status quo. The result of changing the status quo is likely to be a situation that is completely beyond our imagination, so what good will it do for China? Nor do we see the benefits of such a change. Just like the Atlantic Ocean now, we just have to discuss it with the UK. If we provide naval technology to the rest of Europe, Britain will not be able to withstand the collapse. Who do we talk to when the time comes? And will the emerging countries be as smart and rational as the UK? We are deeply skeptical. Li Xin said solemnly, but his heart was very cool. Once the strength is recognized by the other party, the simplicity and brightness brought by it are indescribable. As long as Britain's current strategy is to dominate the Atlantic, rather than choosing to die with China in fear. Many of the negotiations can even be described in extreme depth.

In the days following the talks, the British Foreign Minister led Chinese Foreign Minister Li Xin to visit a number of important members of the British Cabinet. Judging by the content of the conversation, Li Xin can probably be sure that the foreign minister has cleverly used China's attitude, and regards the consensus of "fighting without breaking" with China as the "political achievement" of the British foreign minister.

Li Xin is also willing to cooperate with the work of the British Foreign Minister, unlike the collective leadership of the central government in China, the British system is the standard feudal + liberal capitalist set, and the various systems rely on individual qualifications, not collective leadership. Therefore, what Li Xin is talking about must be an idea reached within the central government, and the British foreign minister needs to rely on his personal merits to obtain higher status and interests.

Going to meet the Indian Empress Victoria was the pinnacle of this diplomacy, and the Indian Empress Victoria, who has a beautiful round face, was quite satisfied with the establishment of some kind of bottom line between China and Britain. At least superficially satisfied. For Britain in the near future, there is nothing more important than peace with China.

The Empress of India is 14 years older than the Chinese Emperor Comrade Wei Ze, and this year she is already 66 years old. The old lady who was entering old age had a family affair with Li Xin at the banquet and asked Wei Ze if his children had already married. Li Xinxin said: "Are you still ready to marry our majesty?" ”

As a Chinese, even if Li Xin is well-informed, he also thinks that marrying a barbarian, even if he is a very outstanding barbarian, is not something to boast about. China's 800 million people, where will there be a shortage of partners to marry Wei Ze's children. However, he can only answer truthfully about such things, "The children of Comrade Wei Ze, the emperor of our country, are still married." ”

The Empress of India smiled and said, "I hope that your country will be able to send the children of His Majesty the Emperor of your country to visit our country on behalf of the Emperor." ”