At the White House, U.S. President Wilson looked at the information in front of him and couldn't help but be at a loss.

According to the data, China has surpassed the United States in many areas, especially in business, and a large number of technologically advanced enterprises have emerged in China.

Although the value of U.S. exports increased significantly as a result of the war in Europe, the market in many regions is shrinking.

The United States is a business-oriented country, a country controlled by businessmen, and as a president, his job is to bluff the people and serve the capitalists.

However, as a president, his power is also very great, and it is completely okay to move the interests of capitalists in a certain field.

The focus is on re-election, and if he does not work well with the capitalists during his term in office, he will be removed from the list of the next president for re-election.

There are also presidents who have been assassinated even while in office.

Wilson naturally wants to be re-elected, and the president of the United States, as the most powerful person in the United States, wants to be re-elected.

In order to be re-elected, it is necessary to have a business policy in place.

China's rise has seriously jeopardized the interests of the United States.

But how to curb China's commercial expansion is a headache for Wilson, because the United States lacks other means than to close its own door tightly.

However, it is comforting to note that the United States is an important market for China, and closing the door of the United States is enough to curb China's development speed.

At this time, many areas of the United States seem to have returned to the time when they were just reading, when the United States relied on tariff protection to keep British goods out.

Now Chinese goods are coming, and many of these goods are of better quality and lower prices than their American counterparts, and American goods cannot compete at all.

Under such circumstances, the political axe must stand up for the capitalists of the country.

Wilson's headache is that the current trade friction between China and the United States is already very tense, and if the trade friction is created at this time, it may cause some disputes.

U.S. Secretary of State Robert stood aside and reminded Wilson: "China is extremely dissatisfied with the trade friction provoked by the United States, and their Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a strongly worded note three days ago, saying that since the United States is a country that talks a lot about equal opportunities, but it keeps raising tariffs against China, China may take necessary countermeasures." ”

"And according to intelligence, their East China-class battleship will be launched for acceptance in a few months, which is one of the most advanced battleships in the world built by the Chinese." Robert continued.

"Hell, how could they possibly build the most advanced battleship." Wilson said with a slight depression, although with doubts, but more with complaints.

"The technology of the Germans." Robert said with a shrug.

Wilson patted the table and said: "Our previous foreign policy was really a failure, why should we choose to support China, now the situation in Asia has been completely unbalanced, it will take at least five years to recover, and the situation of our United States in the past five years is really embarrassing." ”

"We didn't help them much before, but no one could have imagined that the Chinese would develop so quickly, which may have something to do with their cultural heritage." But in any case, their speed is really to the detriment of American interests. If we continue to create trade frictions, China is very likely to get involved in the Philippines. Robert said.

"Won't the U.S. Western Pacific Fleet be able to stop the Chinese Navy? It will take at least a year or two for their battleships to form combat effectiveness~! Wilson waved his hand and said, "In the navy, the Chinese are just like a child, as an adult, would you be afraid of a child with a knife?" ”

Robert sneered: "This book has already paid a heavy price for this, if we don't pay attention to it, then it will only be the next one, although I don't know much about military affairs, but China's submarines and bombers have completely changed the pattern of naval warfare, and our Western Pacific Fleet happens to have no experience in these aspects, but we are like children, and they are like teenagers who are getting stronger." ”

Robert added: "When we can't threaten the interests of the Chinese, that is, when war is very likely to break out, we are threatening China's interests at the moment, and China is also threatening the interests of the United States, and what both sides need is a balance." ”

"You're right, what we need is a balance, and the key to maintaining this balance is to restore the strength of the United States, and only by regaining the strength to contend with China can the United States take the initiative diplomatically and commercially."

"But Ben will not be able to regain his strength in the short term."

"No, what Ben lacks is only the strength of the navy, or the lack of money." Wilson said energetically: "As long as we provide enough loans to Yueben, then Yueben can obtain a barrier for us America, and we don't have to fear the threat of the Chinese when we hide behind." But for the time being, we do face a threat from China, and a temporary balance is needed. ”

"Then, we had better reach an agreement with China, otherwise there is a possibility that the contradictions will continue to intensify, and once a war breaks out, it will disrupt our current state." Robert continued.

"Hmm!" Wilson nodded, now the United States is in a state of making a lot of war money, if it starts a war with China at this time, it will be drawn into the war, and then it may affect the United States' trade with Europe.

…… On 23 June, at the invitation of the US political axe, Zhu Xiaocheng, foreign minister of the East China political axe, took a passenger ship to the United States for a so-called 'goodwill visit,' which in fact the United States wanted to use as an excuse to hold commercial policy negotiations with China.

This is the first time that the United States has asked East China to visit the United States, and it has a certain historical significance. This shows that China's international status has risen dramatically and is no longer an inconsequential semi-colonial country.

Zhu Xiaocheng arrived in the United States on 28 June, and then began commercial negotiations with US Secretary of State Robert Lansing on 1 July.

The two sides quickly reached a consensus on the commercial issue in South America, that is, the "equal opportunity" proposed by the United States as the program, and the business investment of the two sides in South America depends on their own investment means.

The United States does not actually want to achieve any equalization of opportunities with China in South America, but there is no reason to oppose it, after all, this is a concept put forward by the United States itself.

In addition, South America is not the territory of the United States, and although the United States regards it as its backyard, it does not mean that it has a reason to interfere with Chinese investment in South America.

Zhu Xiaocheng strongly said that China has been extremely dissatisfied with the behavior of the United States in provoking trade frictions, and once again implicitly said that if this continues, China will take countermeasures. He also said that China has no interest in the Philippines, but in a certain environment, China's interest in the Philippines will become very strong.

Robert said that as long as China recognizes U.S. interests in the Philippines, the U.S. can make some concessions.

The tone of both sides has been set, and then it is time for the specific bargaining stage.

China is making a fuss about the Philippines, while the United States hopes that China will recognize US interests in the Philippines in writing, and the main purpose of both sides is the issue of trade frictions.

The Philippines is related to the expansion strategy of the United States and is a colony of the United States in Asia, so this colony is more important to the United States, especially militarily.

As long as the Philippines is there, it will not be directly beaten to the doorstep.

In the past, the United States was on guard against China, but now it is facing China that is even more dangerous than Japan.

Relations between China and the United States were good in the past, but as China expanded, the conflict between the two sides suddenly became commercially apparent.

Under such circumstances, the two sides must achieve a new consensus and balance, which is needed by both sides.

The negotiations lasted nearly three days, during which Zhu Xiaocheng had fun and talked, touring Washington under the leadership of Robert and negotiating with Robert on trade issues.

The differences between the two sides are mainly focused on agriculture and textiles, which are basically agriculture.

Zhu Xiaocheng asked the United States to immediately lower tariff restrictions on these goods, but Robert was unwilling to accept them all, after all, if they accepted them in full, then American agriculture would be hit very hard, and even if tariffs were set at present, American agriculture would still languish because of the loss of the international market.

Robert said that it can only be partially accepted, and the United States can reduce import tariffs on industrial products, but import tariffs on agricultural products can only be maintained at best.

After a few days, there was no other progress, and US Secretary of State Robert's attitude was very resolute, and Zhu Xiaocheng had no choice but to report to the chairman of the NPC National Committee.

Xia Jun listened to the report and said to Zhu Xiaocheng: "Very good, according to this condition, we recognize the interests of the United States in the Philippines." ”

This result is indeed what Xia Jun is happy to see, and the main force that will impact the US economy is not agricultural products, but industrial products.

At present, China is in a stage of rapid internal development, and many times it is unable to sell some industrial products to the United States, because of strong domestic demand and small production capacity.

But the future will be different, as long as China's industrial capacity expands to a certain scale, then things like steel can be dumped directly in the United States.

Steel is a thing with little added value, and the main force is naturally automobiles, electrical appliances, and supplies, as long as the US tariffs do not make a fuss about these things, there is no problem, and Xia Jun's purpose has been achieved.

After receiving Xia Jun's instructions, Zhu Xiaocheng quickly reached an agreement with the United States.

The two sides signed the "Ju-Lansing Agreement" in Washington, D.C., in which China recognizes that the United States has the right to rule over the Philippines, and at the same time, the United States recognizes that China has the right to protect the Chinese in the world, and the United States will fully protect the interests of the Philippines and the Chinese in the United States, and cancel the Chinese discrimination bill. At the same time, the United States maintains the current tariff level, lowers import tariffs on some eight commodities, including textiles and supplies, and keeps import tariffs on other commodities unchanged. China has also lowered import tariffs on 13 U.S. goods, including coal, while keeping tariffs on other goods unchanged.

The agreement is valid for fifteen years.

A paper agreement balances the relationship between the two sides.

But in fact, China is more advantageous, and the United States does not see any problems, now the United States is a headache and foot pain, now agriculture has been hit and the import tariffs on agricultural products have been raised, and the future industrial products are a headache for the American political axe, but the American political axe has not foreseen such a situation.

At present, the United States is the most industrially developed country in the world, and its annual steel output has skyrocketed to 30 million tons, while China's output is only 12 million tons, and the output of pig iron is three times that of China.

At present, China can only maintain the domestic supply of industrial raw materials, but cannot export steel and other raw materials to other countries, which is the main reason why the United States does not see future changes.

At present, the United States has confidence in industry, and even if some industrial products are dominated by China, it is irrelevant to the United States, but in agriculture, the impact of China's agricultural development on American agriculture has already threatened the agricultural security of the United States.

After the two sides signed the agreement, they shook hands and exchanged texts, announcing that the agreement was officially in force.

After that, Zhu Xiaocheng will continue to stay in the United States for a one-month inspection and visit, and will go to major cities in the United States and have some exchanges with the American people.

…… On 8 July, the US political axe convened a meeting, after which it announced the repeal of the discrimination against Chinese people, and the US political axe recognized the important role of Chinese workers in the economic development of the United States and made a solemn apology to the Chinese in the United States.

The US political axe is willing to apologize to the Chinese in the United States, mainly out of consideration to appease the Chinese people's feelings.

At present, China has risen, and if they still maintain the China discrimination bill, then it will be a naked slap in the face, and the relationship between the two sides will inevitably continue to deteriorate.

Therefore, the repeal of the Chinese discrimination bill can only be said to be an imperative and unavoidable issue.

An apology from the Chinese does not undermine the dignity of the US political axe, but rather makes people feel their grace and can better ease the current tension with China.

Zhu Xiaocheng was also present at the press conference of the American political axe, and he became the object of the reporters' siege, and the reporter of the New York Times asked Zhu Xiaocheng: "How will China's political axe get along with the United States in the international community in the future, diplomatically, commercially, militarily, and so on." ”

Zhu Xiaocheng carried forward the great and glorious tradition and replied with a cliché: "The friendship between the political axe of East China and the political axe of the United States has been established a long time ago, and the two sides are like good friends. In the future, China's East China political axe will give full consideration to the US position in diplomacy. In business, strengthen cooperation with the United States to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results. Militarily, China will strengthen military-technical exchanges with the United States for common progress and common development......"

If you say it, you don't say it, and a group of reporters roll their eyes.

The news of the US political axe's repeal of the discrimination against Chinese and its apology soon spread throughout the United States, and a grand celebration rally was held the next day for Chinese Americans.

Many Chinese shed tears of excitement after hearing the news.

The diplomatic actions of East China's political axe have made every overseas Chinese feel the strong backing provided for them when the country is strong.

Overseas Chinese also quickly returned to their hearts.

In terms of diplomacy, East China's political axe has achieved fruitful results in recent years.

First of all, the Entente opened up their colonies and lowered the export duties and import duties on many raw materials, so that China could mine many cheap raw materials in the Entente colonies and sell goods into these colonies and dominions.

Now that a commercial agreement has been reached with the United States, it is possible to create a more stable trade environment in the future.

These diplomatic gains have been largely due to China's increased military force.

Military power has made China's fist bigger and harder, so it has the right to speak.

Although the U.S. political axe has maintained a balance with China on the one hand, it has begun to increase aid to China on the other hand, hoping to restore the previous balance.

China and the United States are both Asian countries, and if the two powers compete, the third party will prevail, and the United States' voice will be expanded in Asia, and this is also the main motive for the United States to support the restoration of its national strength.

He seized the opportunity and benefited from the support of the Allied countries and the United States to vigorously restore the navy and actively study military aircraft, submarines, anti-submarine and other technologies.

In addition, Ben is vigorously increasing its investment in the army, hoping to compete with the East China political axe in the army.

He summed up the reasons for the defeat of the Shandong War, and the main reason for the conclusion was that he underestimated the enemy and fought against the water, and at the same time lagged behind in combat weapons.

If there is a war with China next time, it will most likely happen in Korea, and most of the current army strength is concentrated in Korea, and the strength has risen to 500,000, compared with the 300,000 troops of China's Northeast Military Region, but it is not daring to attack now.

This is because the Chinese war is no longer certain of victory, the gap between the navy and the air force is too great, and the gap in army equipment is also very large.

If China had launched an attack in Korea, China would have to cut off its maritime communications with North Korea, and it would be only a matter of time before the Korean army would be destroyed.

The navy is still the main goal of the current construction, and it is said that the navy needs to restore its strength, it still needs to catch up with and surpass the Chinese navy, and it is even more necessary to strengthen its air defense and antisubmarine capabilities.

As long as you have money, everything is not a problem.

At this time, the United States increased its aid to the Entente, which was naturally a long drought and nectar, and the increase in foreign export trade to the Entente countries gradually eased the air.

The strength of the East China Army will increase to 1.5 million this year, and if you count the 500,000 troops of the Beiyang political axe, then it will be nearly 2 million.

In terms of the Air Force, in addition to the Mosquito aircraft already equipped, East China Political Axe is also constantly developing more advanced long-range bombers and fighters.

The strength of the East China Navy is also growing rapidly, and the first East China-class battleship, which began construction two years ago, will be launched in mid-July.

From manufacturing to launching of a warship, it is not the whole process, and after launching, it also has to carry out navigation inspection, which is also a relatively complex work.

Some inexperienced countries don't even know how to test it.

However, the East China Navy has a manual issued by Xia Jun, and it has its own set of methods on how to test the warships that are launched, and the inspection will generally be carried out for at least half a year.

The first East China-class battleship was named 'Fujian', the second was named 'Zhejiang' and will be launched in September, and the third was named 'Jiangxi' and will be completed and launched by the end of the year.

(To be continued)