The catkins are fluttering, the lotus leaves are green, the peach blossoms are splendid, the spring in Shanghai is the most suitable for the suburbs, however, for Yi Zhicontent, the suburbs are purely a luxury, with the continuous development of firearms, the wind of assassination is becoming more and more popular, whether it is Europe, America or Asia, there will be an endless stream of assassination cases every year.

Not to mention going out in the suburbs, even if he goes out now, he must be hugged before and after, and naturally he will not have the elegance of such literati, besides, there is really no elegance at all, he is more willing to be sad in the garden of the house.

The view of the Lotus Garden was excellent, and Yi Zhizhi did not go to the Changle Book House as usual after the morning, but went straight into the Lotus Garden, because he had set the place to meet the ministers of England and France, and he felt that it was more appropriate to have a showdown with England in the Lotus Garden in the bright spring than in a closed conference room.

The reason why the showdown with England so quickly was not because of the leakage of the news, in fact, the news was leaked at his behest, and the purpose of this was to avoid long nights and dreams, and to avoid the swaying of Germany, Austria and Italy.

Wei Tuma and Baohai were very punctual, and the group entered the lotus garden accompanied by Zhao Liewen at eight o'clock and five o'clock, and Yi Zhizhi greeted the group in front of the listening rain building, and after a polite and indifferent salute, everyone came to the viewing platform and sat down in turn.

Wittoma said bluntly: "In this negotiation, I feel that my country and France have been treated differently, or it can be said that they have been treated unfairly. ”

"Without any reason, Britain, France, Germany, Austria and Italy brazenly sent troops to invade the Transvaal, which seems to me to be no different from a gang crime." Yi Zhixiang said very politely: "Gang crimes, naturally, there are main criminals and accomplices, and the main criminals and accomplices must naturally be treated differently, so how can it be fair?" ”

The expression on Wittoma's face was a little stiff, "Our country did not directly send troops to the Transvaal. ”

"Humph!" Yi Zhishu snorted coldly, "If it weren't for your country's instigation, concession and support, how would the four countries of Germany, France, Austria and Italy dare and how could they invade the Transvaal?" ”

Listening to the translation, the French minister Baohai said in a deep voice: "The five countries invaded the Transvaal and plotted to rob the Transvaal gold mines, according to the agreement, Germany monopolized forty percent of the shares and sent troops to the Transvaal, and Germany also had the largest number of troops, why was my France also treated differently?" ”

Yi Zhishu slowly turned his head to look at him, and said coldly: "If there is no Britain and France to sell warships on a large scale, and if there is no large-scale joint fleet, the five countries dare to increase their troops in South Africa unscrupulously?" As for Germany, the situation in the naval battle of Maputo, you should be well aware. ”

Is it also wrong to sell battleships? This is completely unreasonable! Baohai was depressed for a while, although he knew that the other party was deliberately trying to take this opportunity to intensify the contradiction between Britain and France and Germany, but he still didn't dare to pierce this layer of window paper, after all, if he really wanted to pierce it, Yuan Qi might be even more unscrupulous!

After a slight groan, he said: "Sending troops to the Transvaal, our country is also instigated and blinded, no matter what, it is not the main culprit." ”

Yi Zhizu teased: "The naval and land commanders of the Five Nations Alliance are all French generals, France is not the main culprit, is it still not an accomplice?" ”

"It was completely forced." Bao Hai hurriedly distinguished.

Yi Zhixiang didn't bother to pay attention to him, slowly lit a cigarette, turned to look at Wittoma, and said: "As the two great empires of the East and the West, they can live in peace, and there is no fundamental conflict of interest between our two countries, even if our country bought Maputo in South Africa, we have no intention of expanding in South Africa, and we have no intention of competing with your country for control .......of South Africa." ”

Since the rise of the Qing Dynasty, it has seized Burma, Bangladesh, and the Persian Gulf, forming a three-sided encirclement of India. And the control of the Transvaal in South Africa, the loss of the world's largest gold mine in England, the construction of the Eurasian railway, and the vigorous development of the navy, if these are not fundamental interests, what are the fundamental interests?

"This South African war has made my country sober up a lot." "The Transvaal is of great importance to our country, and in order to ensure the safety of the Transvaal, we consider it necessary to weaken your sphere of influence in South Africa.

A preliminary agreement has been reached between our country and Germany, Austria and Italy, under which Bechuana will be ceded to Germany and Natal to Austria-Hungary and Italy. ”

Because he already knew the news, Wei Tuma was quite calm, and the more flat the other party's tone, the tougher his attitude became, this was no longer to discuss with him, but to inform him that the current Qing State had full strength to forcibly occupy and occupy the British Empire's colony in South Africa!

There was no anger, no arguments, he knew very well that since the Qing State had reached a preliminary agreement with Germany, Austria and Italy, no matter how angry it was and how strong the opposition was, it would not have any effect, and if he wanted to redeem it, he could only report to London and let London put pressure on Germany, Austria and Italy.

With a slight mutter, he said in a gentle tone: "If our country makes such a big concession in South Africa, can your country make corresponding concessions in India and war reparations?" ”

Yi Zhizu glanced at him, seemed to be a little surprised by the other party's reaction, and after thinking about it, he said: "Don't worry, what we have is time to talk slowly, and then talk about others after the implementation of one by one, of course, we can also talk while fighting, or talk about it again, and talk about it again." ”

Wei Tuoma had judged that Qing Guo would not give up easily this time, and when he heard this, he immediately became vigilant, and it was obvious that the other party was deliberately delaying time, and he groaned slightly, and then he said: "I will truthfully report His Highness's intentions to the country." ”

Prime Minister's Residence, 10 Downing Street, Westminster Borough, London, England.

The Marquess of Salisbury, the Foreign Secretary, presented a telegram to Prime Minister Disraeli with a serious expression, "The Qing people have clearly proposed to cede the colonies of South Africa to Germany, Austria and Italy...... ”

Disraeli was shocked, took the telegram and quickly glanced at it a few times and carefully read it from beginning to end, and then slowly put down the telegram in his hand for a while, ceding the two colonies of Bechuana and Natal, the Qing people have a really big appetite! What made him even more disturbed was that it was actually ceded to Germany, Austria and Italy, which was more serious than the consequences of the Qing State directly ceding Bechuana and Natal!

After being silent for a long time, he said in a deep voice: "What is Qingguo's intention?" Intent on provoking contradictions between our country and Germany, Austria and Italy? Do Germany, Austria and Italy dare to accept it? ”

Hearing this, Salisbury sighed secretly, the British Empire is no longer what it used to be, what would Germany, Austria and Italy not dare? He said in a somewhat low voice: "Obviously, the Qing State is deliberately intensifying the contradictions between our country and the three German countries, and if the Qing State strongly supports it, the three countries will not have any concerns." ”

Disraeli was speechless for a while, the proud navy of the British Empire was completely vulnerable in front of the Qing navy, if the Qing sold torpedo submarines to Germany, Austria and Italy, people really had nothing to worry about, sighed lightly, and then said: "The Qing country is obviously uneasy and kind, Germany, Austria and Italy will not fail to see it, I think, I need to go to Berlin in person." ”

After the reunification of Germany, it was strictly guarded against by other countries, and now that it has the opportunity to rise strongly, how can it be easily abandoned? In the face of national interests, the overall situation and the general righteousness are not worth mentioning, and when you go to Berlin at this time, you will most likely be given a cold reception.

Salisbury said softly: "Judging from the current situation, we should not be under the illusion that the German, Austrian and Italian countries will give up their interests in South Africa through oppression, and it is more important to prevent the Qing State from joining forces with the German, Austrian and Italian countries than the interests of the empire in South Africa.

It is better to simply abandon Bechuana and Natal, agree to the division of the three countries, and then invite the three countries to come to London to discuss the formulation of a new order in South Africa. ”

Directly abandon Bechuana and Natal? Disraeli frowned, he was naturally a little unwilling to give up so easily, because if he did so, he would inevitably face heavy pressure at home, but this suggestion was not unreasonable, compared to the safety of Europe.

After weighing it for a while, he said in a muffled voice: "Then send a letter to invite Germany, Austria and Italy to come to London." ”

Charlottenburg Palace, Berlin, Germany.

The afternoon sun shone warmly, and Kaiser Wilhelm I, who was in his early eighties, sat on the lawn basking in the sun, squinting unconsciously, and it was easy to get sleepy in spring, and old people like him preferred to bask in the sun and were more likely to be sleepy.

A slight sound of footsteps disturbed his purity, and he opened his eyes with some displeasure, and only then did he sit up and say, "It seems that today is a good day." ”

"It's a good day." Bismarck sat down in front of him as he spoke, and took a telegram from his file bag, "The British have agreed to divide Bechuana and Natal into our three kingdoms, but have invited us to London to negotiate a new order in South Africa. ”

Putting on reading glasses and reading the telegram, William smiled a little, "When did the British talk so well?" Is this afraid that we will form an alliance with the Qing State? ”

"The colony of South Africa, England can no longer keep it, but it is just a favor." Bismarck said slowly: "We are invited to London to discuss not a new order in South Africa, but how to join forces to counter the threat from the Qing State. Austria-Hungary and Italy have successively called us to inquire about our attitude. ”

"Don't bother." William waved his hand, "What kind of new order, it's not too late to discuss after the treaty is signed." After a pause, he then asked, "Did the Russians react?" ”

"Moscow looks at the news, Russian Prime Minister Gorchakov has set a schedule to visit Berlin." Bismarck said and took out another telegram.

"Good!" William bowed his head and said, "Invite the Austrian Prime Minister to Berlin together." ”

For five days in a row, the invitation letter sent out was like a mud cow into the sea, there was no reaction at all, Disraeli realized that the matter might be more serious than he imagined, and in the case of clearly agreeing to the division of Bezuna and Natal among Germany, Austria and Italy, Germany, Austria and Italy still ignored it, which shows that the benefits given by the Qing State have been great enough to make the three countries go against the grain!

In addition to the disappointment and indignation, there is deep worry and endless regret, Disraeli did not expect that Qingguo's counterattack would come so quickly and so powerfully! He didn't expect that the Qing Kingdom would dare to directly extend its hand to Europe, and it had the ability to have a serious impact on the pattern of Europe!

"Your Excellency, I have just received news that Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Gorchakov is about to visit Berlin." Salisbury reported softly.

Gorchakov is going to visit Berlin? Disraeli's heart sank, and he said keenly: "It was facilitated by the Qing Kingdom?" ”

"It should be." Salisbury nodded, "At the Berlin Conference, Russia and Austria fought badly, Germany failed to mediate, and turned to support Austria-Hungary, and relations with Russia deteriorated. ”

After a pause, he continued: "The negotiations with the Qing State cannot be delayed any longer, otherwise the situation may be even worse. Moreover, at the moment we have no choice but to accept the conditions of the Qing people. ”

This is a big truth, but it is very contrary, Disraeli is gloomy and silent, there is really no other choice, to continue the war, can only be exchanged for more and greater defeats, the situation can only deteriorate out of control, in the case of the loss of naval superiority, the British Empire does not see the slightest hope of victory.

Seeing that he was silent, Salisbury said slowly: "After the Qing State annexed the Persian Gulf, it seems that it has stopped its external expansion, even in South Africa, it has no intention of expansion, and it should be possible to live in peace, at least for a short time."

I believe that our main focus should now be on Europe, or more precisely, on Germany, because if the Qing Dynasty supports Germany, the situation in Europe as a whole may become tense. ”

Hearing this, Disraeli's face softened a little, the Qing State seems to have indeed stopped its foreign expansion over the years, the most obvious is South Africa, although the Portuguese bought a large area of land south of the Zambezi River, but the Qing State has not established a province to set up a county for effective governance, the Landeswaal Gold Mine is extremely important to the Qing State, and the Qing State has not annexed it.

The most obvious thing is that this time, the Qing State could take the opportunity to expand in South Africa, but it did not have the slightest intention of expansion, but instead sent Bechuana and Natal to Germany, Austria and Italy.

As long as the Qing State does not continue to expand, perhaps, it is not impossible for the two empires to live in peace with each other, of course, this refers to the present! In the current situation, Europe seems to be a greater threat to the British Empire.

After being silent for a while, he slowed down and said, "How does the Qing Congress support Germany?" It is impossible to really sell torpedoes, submarines, new mines and other naval weapons to Germany, right? ”

Salisbury glanced at him and said in a deep voice: "If the Qing State still has torpedoes with better performance, or if it can effectively intercept torpedoes and detect submarines under the surface of the sea, then it is not impossible to sell torpedoes, submarines, new mines, etc. to Germany." ”