When Guan Zhuofan entered the inner city of Beijing from Chongwen Gate, he was already close to Chenzheng.

After entering the city, he naturally went to the Forbidden City first to ask for an excerpt, and a word came from the palace: Give a day off, and Ming'er doesn't have to go straight.

However, Guan Zhuofan was not blessed to enjoy this rare day of vacation. Early the next morning, he met with the acting French minister Borone, at the "advisory committee" of Ginkgo Hutong.

When Guan Zhuofan was still in Shanghai, Bo Luone proposed to meet King Xuanjun, and asked more than once: When will King Xuanjun return to Beijing? If King Xuanjun wants to stay in Shanghai, this envoy can go to Shanghai to meet him.

With such eagerness, it can be seen that the French want to do business, and the matter is heavy and urgent.

The French Legation also consulted the Prime Minister's Department of National Affairs about the incident, but it could not get the main point. Prince Gong sent a message to Borone: The matter is presided over by King Xuanjun, and only he can give you a "satisfactory answer".

Boronnet was tall and lean, with a delicately trimmed beard on his upper lip, and when he saluted, he bowed slightly, and then straightened his chest. He was almost a head taller than Guan Zhuofan, but when he spoke, his neck was straight. This posture always made the person opposite feel that there was a hint of contempt in his downward gaze - although this was not always his intention.

Guan Zhuofan looked at it at a glance, and "hummed" in his heart: This is a very authentic Gallic chicken.

Borone is not very old, not yet forty years old. He, the "Acting Minister to China," has the title of Counsellor -- please note, just Counsellor. Not a "Minister Counsellor".

Borone took office this time last year. It's been a whole year. The French also used a counselor to be the "acting minister", and the importance attached to China was greater than that of Britain and the United States.

After a brief exchange of greetings between the two sides, Boronnet immediately got straight to the point: "Your Highness, the French Imperial Government wants to know, the Chinese government." Why not take a neutral stance, but instead issue a statement in support of Prussia and condemnation of Austria? ”

Your sister, what's the tone?

"I want to know," Guan Zhuofan said coldly, "what role did France play in the competition between Prussia and Austria?" Who China supports and who is against, is there anything in the way of France? ”

Borone paused for a moment, and slowed down his tone slightly: "In the dispute between Prussia and Austria, we in France have no selfish interests -- Prussia and Austria are all friendly countries of France. Your Highness. I think if two of my friends had a quarrel. As a third party, I should promote peace talks, not add fuel to the fire. For that, I must remain neutral - this is the most basic and most important position to take. ”

After a pause, he added: "This is the role that France 'plays'. France did this, and China should do the same - as far as I know, China and Prussia have not signed any treaties, so China must support Prussia and oppose Austria in the event of a dispute between Prussia and Austria, right? ”

Hmph, it's not a loss to engage in diplomacy, and it's a set of things to say. However, France has no "self-interest"? Also, where do so many "shoulds" come from? Do you think you're the world's policeman? France, you still owe a little bit of fire.

Okay, Lao Tzu will give you a hard time.

"Mr. Minister," Guan Zhuofan smiled slightly, "our government believes that justice and fairness are more important than the so-called 'neutrality'. ”

"Your Highness," Borone's eyes widened, "you mean, the Prussian-Austrian dispute, Prussia...... Representing justice? ”

"Yes."

"Your Highness," said Borone slowly, "you have a good reputation for great knowledge and acumen—and you must know where the dispute between Prussia and Austria began. ”

"Of course - for the Schleswig-Holstein region."

Although Borone said, "You must know", he still had a somewhat surprised look on his face when he heard the words "Schleswig-Holstein".

He nodded and said, "The Schleswig-Holstein region, where Danes and Germans live together, was originally under Danish rule. The year before, war broke out between the Germans and the Danes, Prussia and Austria joined forces against Denmark, and the Danes finally conceded defeat, and the ownership of the Schleswig-Holstein region passed into German hands. At that time, Prussia and Austria agreed to jointly administer Schleswig-Holstein, with Prussia in charge of Schleswig and Austria in charge of Holstein. ”

After a pause, he said: "I want to know about these situations, and I want to come to His Highness to understand." ”

"Yes."

"Then Your Highness must know," Borone's tone became aggressive, "that the dispute between Prussia and Austria stems from the fact that Prussia is not satisfied with Schleswig, and demands a share of Holstein's rights? ”

"What do you mean, Mr. Minister," Guan Zhuofan said calmly, "the dispute between Prussia and Austria is in Prussia?" ”

"I'm not judging who is right and who is wrong, I'm just pointing out a fact - Your Highness, isn't that true?"

"This is indeed true - but, I think, Prussia's demand is perfectly justified."

Borone's face sank: "Completely legitimate? Your Highness, your opinion on this matter is really ingenious. ”

"Inventive?" Guan Zhuofan sneered, "Okay, let's take a look, am I 'ingenious'?" ”

After a pause, he said: "For Schleswig-Holstein, the Germans and the Danes fought two wars, and the war of the year before was the second. Austria did not participate in the first war, and Prussia was the main force of the Germans. The second time, this time the year before, Austria was involved, but it was still Prussia that took the lead. That is to say, the Germans won Schleswig-Holstein, and Prussia exerted more effort and played a greater role than Austria, so after the war, what should not be done with a little more profit? ”

Borone's face became even more ugly: "Your Highness, please don't forget that at the beginning, regarding the management of the Schleswig-Holstein region, the Prussian and Austrian families reached an agreement!" “

"How?" Guan Zhuofan said lightly, "After the agreement is reached, can't it be revised?" I remember that in 1854 and 1856, your country proposed to China twice to revise the "Sino-French Whampoa Treaty". ”

Borone's face turned red: "This ...... How can these two things be confused? ”

"I think it," Guan Zhuofan's tone brought out a bit of ridicule, "These two things are very similar!" The one who declared war first was Austria, not Prussia - right? You say, if you don't agree to amend the treaty, you won't agree, what will you do? In my opinion, Austria is to Prussia and France is to China. Hehe, no wonder, your government wants to come out and fight for Austria! ”

*(To be continued......)