After the lamp, it is not unusual for Prince Xuan to have visitors in his study. However, tonight's visitor is a blonde, blue-eyed, burly, hideous-looking foreign devil - this is not very common.

This visitor, we have met face-to-face: Prussian Minister to China, Li Fusi.

Entering Prince Xuan's mansion, Minister Li did not go through the main gate, but walked through the corner gate, sneakily, like a thief.

It is normal for foreign ministers to visit Prince Xuan in Prince Xuan's mansion, whether in public or private affairs, and there is no need to be so sneaky, but if there are too many times and too many frequencies, it is certainly not normal to come once every ten days and half a month--where do you come from so many urgent official duties? Isn't it possible to discuss and negotiate with the "Advisory Committee" or the "Prime Minister's National Affairs Yamen"?

Therefore, Li Fusi's visit to Prince Xuan, half of the day, half of the night, and the visit at night, all covered up his tracks and did not go through the main gate, so that from the outside world's point of view, the interaction between the Prussian minister and the Chinese prime minister was not so frequent and eye-catching, and the relevant countries and people were probably not so sensitive.

This frequent meeting between Minister Li and Prince Xuan began after the Austro-Prussian War, and became more and more intimate in the sixth year of Tongzhi -- after the Chinese New Year of 1867 -- because a major secret cooperation between China and Prussia had already begun to enter the stage of practical operation.

The success or failure of this secret cooperation has a bearing on the national fortunes of the two countries, and both sides have awakened their spirits.

The specifics of the cooperation: at a suitable point in time, Prussia in Europe, China in Asia. At the same time unleashed a war against France.

"Your Royal Highness." Lee Fusi said. "I received a telegram from Prime Minister Bismarck, who said that he fully believed in the sincerity and determination of the Chinese Government for cooperation, but he nevertheless instructed me to confirm with you face to face -- to be open and honest, the strategic objectives that China and Prussia will achieve in this cooperation. He said. I hope you don't think that this request of his sounds...... Uh, a little bit ...... Impolite. ”

Guan Zhuofan said with a smile: "How come? I very much appreciate Prime Minister Bismarck's 'open and honest' words and practices - true friends, as they should be. ”

"Yes!" "Chancellor Bismarck said that although he had never met you, he had long regarded you as his most sincere and respected friend. ”

After a pause, he continued: "The Prime Minister instructed to show sincerity. I should first inform you of the strategic objectives that Prussia hopes to achieve in the European theater of operations-"

"Please."

"The Prussian army is approaching or entering Paris," said Liforth slowly. "To force France to sign an alliance under the city, including: the abdication of the French Emperor Napoleon III, the reimbursement of Prussia by France for military expenses of not less than 200 million francs, and the cession of Alsace and Lorraine to Prussia."

Not less than 200 million francs? Guan Zhuofan almost laughed.

At this time, Prussia's appetite was not too big, I don't know if you really "entered Paris", and the price offered is still this number? Although, this is already an astonishing astronomical amount.

On the surface, of course, Guan Zhuofan is still dignified.

"Arthas and Lorraine?" He nodded, "Rich in coal and iron, it's really a good place!" France's coal and iron reserves were originally inferior to Prussia's, and Alsace and Lorraine changed hands between France and Prussia, and I believe that France will no longer be able to compete with Prussia on the European continent from now on. ”

Li Fusi smiled slightly, and said, "I think so too—it may not be enough to say that...... Humble, but, I think, this strategic goal is a full expression of Prussia's ...... This determination is also a testament to Prussia's commitment to this cooperation...... Sincerity. ”

Goal is a reflection of determination and sincerity -- that's a saying, well, kind of funny.

"After that," said Kwan Zhuofan, "it is logical that South Germany and North Germany could be merged, and the whole German nation could be united into one country, with Prussia as the center, -- it would be the most powerful and dynamic country on the European continent." ”

"By your promise," said Leefus, "we also think, hehe, after the victory of the war, this ...... It's really a natural thing to do. ”

After a pause, a sincere smile appeared on Li Fusi's "pirate face": "This is a European matter - may I ask Your Royal Highness, what are the strategic goals of the Chinese government in Asia?" ”

"If I didn't guess wrong," Guan Zhuofan smiled slightly, "Prime Minister Bismarck has his own unique views on this issue. Well, before I state the position of the Chinese government, can I ...... Listen to the Prime Minister's opinion first? ――If it's convenient? ”

Li Fusi's eyes flashed.

"You are truly eye-catching, Your Highness the Prince! But, well, Chancellor Bismarck said that he was not qualified to dictate the policies of the Chinese government......"

"It's not finger-pointing, it's sincere advice from a friend."

"Thank you for your understanding, Your Highness, then, I ...... It's rude. ”

"Please."

Prime Minister Bismarck said that there are many clauses in the Sino-French Whampoa Treaty and the Sino-French Treaty of Tianjin, which are very unfair to China, so he hopes that, first, the relevant clauses will be changed, and it is best to abolish these two treaties and re-sign the relevant treaties, and in the new treaties, France must give up all unreasonable rights and interests in China. Of course, it is ultimately up to the Chinese government to decide which terms are unfair and which are 'unreasonable rights'. ”

"Hmm."

"Among them, it should include that France renounced the war reparations obtained under the Sino-French Treaty of Tientsin, and that the reparations already paid should be returned to the Chinese government."

"Hmm."

"Second, the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of Saigon, signed by France and Vietnam, should be abrogated; Bien Hoa, Gia Dinh, Dinh Dinh and Kunlun Islands, the Vietnamese territories occupied by the French, should be returned to Vietnam; The French military forces in the Vietnamese 'Sam Ki' and the entire Indochina Peninsula should be withdrawn. ”

After a pause, he said: "China's traditional rights and interests in Vietnam should be completely restored." ”

"Well, anything else?"

"Well, Chancellor Bismarck said that he could think of it for the time being...... That's all. He repeatedly stressed that these suggestions were completely out of his passion for his friends, and were only for His Royal Highness's reference. ”

"Well, these suggestions are very reasonable, and I am very touched by Chancellor Bismarck's plan for his friends."

"There is a saying in your country that 'a word of praise is honored by Huagon,' and Prime Minister Bismarck will be very pleased and honored to hear your praise."

"Your Excellency is so gracious," said Guan Zhuofan, "please tell Prime Minister Bismarck that I fully accept his suggestion, which is highly consistent with the policy of the Chinese Government." In addition, I think it is necessary to add that France relinquishes the administration of Catholic affairs in China and returns it to the Catholic Church in Rome. ”

Li Fusi's eyes burned: "Your Royal Highness, this is a wise decision!" Well, with all due respect, I would like to confirm to you once again: can I consider that what you have said above represents the established policy of the Chinese government? -- I mean, can these decisions be formally written into the secret agreement between our two countries? ”

"Yes," Guan Zhuofan said in a very affirmative tone, "what I have said above is the established policy of the Chinese government, and it can be officially written into the secret agreement between you and us." ”

"Great!"

Li Fusi couldn't hide his excitement, waved his hand gently, and said: "Your Royal Highness, I have seen that in the near future, the great and ancient China will re-emerge on the Asian continent...... No, it should be said, reign on the Asian continent again! I...... Can't wait to raise a glass to celebrate! ”

Hehe, you're really good at talking.

"Your Excellency," Guan Zhuofan said with a smile, "what I see is that Prussia dominates Germany and reigns over the European continent. ”

Li Fusi laughed.

Prussia overstepped its bounds and planned for China, but it was not thoughtful, and it felt a little "heartbroken", which seemed to be a very strange thing. So, does Prussia really care so much about China as an ally?

Well, allies, of course, care is still concern, but, in the final analysis, not for China, but for Prussia itself.

*(To be continued.) )