In the living room of the town guard, the consul of the British Empire was quietly drinking coffee, although his appearance looked hideous and ugly in the eyes of the Chinese, but his demeanor was still admirable, showing the gentlemanly demeanor of the British Empire to the fullest, and the consul of Toei, Shiro Ono, was carefully drinking tea, his appearance was a typical Asian yellow face, he was not ugly and even a little handsome, but he was nearly half a head shorter than the average Chinese, and a pair of mouse eyes turned around when drinking tea, giving people a sense of obscenity and filth, that perception is really not as good as the Western devil in Brazil.

Before Chang Zhenbang met them, he first went to the clothes mirror at the entrance of the hall to tidy up his clothes a little, and after buttoning the style and discipline, he slowly walked into the living room.

After Ono Shiro saw Chang Zhenbang appear at the door of the living room, he hurriedly threw the tea in his hand on the table, making a crisp sound, which made Basili who was drinking coffee frown, but he didn't say anything, after drinking the coffee in his hand, he gently put it aside, took the handkerchief handed by the servant, wiped the coffee traces left on the corner of his mouth, and then slowly stood up. cursed in his heart for the pomp and circumstance of the British.

Chang Zhenbang waited for the two consuls to stand up before he walked over slowly, shook hands one by one, and after the guests and hosts sat down, Ono Shiro stood up and said: "At present, the imperial activities in various parts of your country are in full swing, looking around, there are almost no provinces, no cities, and now such signs have begun to appear in Jiujiang City, I don't know what Chang Zhen's envoy thinks about this." ”

Chang Zhenbang glanced at Shiro Ono, then turned his gaze to Basili and said, "Your Excellency has been coming to Jiujiang for so long, don't you know if you are still used to drinking the clouds and mist of Lushan?" ”

Basili smiled slightly, spoke some English, and immediately the translator behind him said aloud: "Thank you for your concern, the tea in Lushan tastes very good, and it is often used to give away to some friends, and they are full of praise for Lushan tea, but although the tea is delicious, coffee has formed my personal habits, just like people in your country think of tea instead of coffee." ”

Chang Zhenbang nodded and said, "What the consul said is very reasonable, I don't know if Your Excellency came here today to persuade you?" ”

"Persuade?" The translator next to him didn't seem to understand the meaning of the word, and seemed puzzled.

Chang Zhenbang smiled and said: "Persuasion is the meaning of persuading someone to become the emperor, which is the imperial movement that Consul Ono said." ”

The interpreter finally understood what was going on after his explanation, and muttered to Basili again. , Basiri nodded, obviously acknowledging Chang Zhenbang's statement.

Ono Shiro was very angry at Chang Zhenbang's ignorance, and said, "Lord Guardian, Your Excellency Basiri and I have come here for this matter, and I hope to get a positive answer from you!" ”

Chang Zhenbang smiled slightly, and said lightly to Basili: "China is a country that pays attention to people, if the people in this country want to do this, even if it seems to you to be very distorted, it will continue to be done, for the question of the imperial system, my answer is only two words." ”

Ono Shiro suppressed his anger and said, "I don't know what your two words are. Yes or no! ”

Basili said: "Your Excellency's attitude on this issue determines the behavior of the gentlemen in the Jiujiang Concession, and I hope that your Excellency will be cautious. ”

Chang Zhenbang said lightly: "Stable." ”

"Stable?" Shiro Ono said in surprise. Basili, however, smiled contentedly.

Chang Zhenbang glanced at Ono Shiro contemptuously, and said: "Whether my country implements an imperial system or a republican system, it is the choice of our people, not something that I can decide personally, what I can do is to ensure that Jiujiang City maintains its stability and prosperity in this political change, I don't know if my reply satisfies the consuls?" ”

Basiri said with a smile: "On behalf of the British Empire, I only express my understanding and approval of the choice made by Your Excellency, the imperial activities are in full swing in your country, and many originally silent areas such as Yunnan and Sichuan have also emerged in favor of the imperial movement, what will be the future of Jiujiang, you and I are not certain, but I hope that you can and should remember today's statement, and strive to maintain the stability of Jiujiang, only stability can guarantee the highest interests of the empire and your country." ”

Ono Shiro said contemptuously to Chang Zhenbang: "Stability is the minimum need for the operation of a country's power, and the town guard does not seem to have given us the most direct answer. ”

Chang Zhenbang said-for-tat: "This is the ancient wisdom of our country's politics, and it is definitely not something that a samurai who can only kill people with a knife can know. ”

"Bagaya Road, Chang Zhenbang, are you slandering the empire?" Shiro Ono said viciously. After speaking, the strong warriors behind him held the hilts of their swords, and they had the posture of killing Chang Zhenbang on the spot.

Chang Zhenbang smiled and said, "I have a deep friendship with Dongying and Tokyo, but I don't dare to compliment Your Excellency." ”

After listening to the translator's translation, Basili couldn't help but laugh and said, "Please restrain your anger, how can a person engaged in foreign affairs infiltrate his private feelings?" ”

When Ono heard this, his face immediately turned red, Basiri's words really embarrassed him more than giving him a few slaps in public, if these words spread to the top, he was afraid that a catastrophe would come, and he would apologize, but he really couldn't be calm with the Chinese, just like he couldn't humbly bow in front of the officials of the British Empire no matter what he did.

The Toei samurai behind him also took off their offensive postures and stood behind Ono respectfully.

"Lord Chang is really sorry, please forgive me for my unintentional mistake." Shiro Ono bowed to Chang Zhenbang and apologized.

Chang Zhenbang hurriedly stretched out his hand and said: "Your Excellency is serious, they are all Oriental peoples, I can understand the meaning of your words better than Your Excellency Basiri, but ......" He glanced at Ono Shiro, and raised his little thumb to point at Basili, and quickly took it back, Ono immediately understood that Chang Zhenbang had something to say in front of Basili seriously, and immediately said: "Your magnanimity is sincerely admired, if your strength is not enough to maintain stability, the empire is willing to give your adult appropriate help." ”

Basili couldn't help frowning, this Ono Shiro went from being angry just now and almost drawing a knife to offering help, this kind of change made him a little uncomfortable, and he couldn't help but think of the words 'secret diplomacy' in his mind, and it seemed that he would find an opportunity to negotiate with this oriental official later. Thinking of this, he smiled and said, "For the sake of stability, the British Empire is also willing to give the adults appropriate help at the right time." ”

"Thank you for your kindness!" Chang Zhenbang bowed slightly and said: "The stability of Jiujiang City Zhenbang is sworn to maintain, please rest assured." ”

After getting Chang Zhenbang's satisfactory answer, Basiri and Ono Shiro said goodbye almost at the same time, Chang Zhenbang hurriedly sent the two foreign consuls out of the door, about a few minutes later, Ono Shiro appeared in front of Chang Zhenbang again, thanks to him being able to change into a decent Chinese robe and horse coat in such a short time, if he didn't know that he was from Dongying, he really thought he was a native Chinese.

"What Your Excellency Ono means, Zhenbang still understands, but Zhenbang doesn't know what your country's attitude is towards President Yuan's title of emperor?"

"Does the attitude of the empire matter?" Shiro Ono asked arrogantly.

Chang Zhenbang said: "As far as I know, Dongying is extremely positive about President Yuan's sports performance as emperor. The persuasion activities carried out in many parts of our country are behind the impetus of your country. ”

Ono Shiro smiled secretly when he heard this, and said: "There is no free lunch in the world, President Yuan has been intimate with the empire for a long time, and the empire is naturally willing to see him become the emperor in order to establish a more long-term friendship." If you are to pursue a policy of goodwill towards the Empire. As a friend of Your Excellency, the Empire is naturally willing to extend a hand of friendship to Your Excellency. ”

Chang Zhenbang said lightly: "Before Your Excellency Ono came, he should have investigated the identity of Chang someone!" ”

Ono Shiro said without hesitation: "Since Your Excellency raised this question, then there is no need to hide it from the next, Your Excellency's good impression of Dongying, the empire has known for a long time, and I regret Your Excellency's original emotional injury, I hope that your Excellency will not be dissatisfied with the empire because of a woman, which is extremely unwise." In your wisdom, you will not act in such an unwise manner. ”

Chang Zhenbang smiled bitterly: "I know, I naturally won't offend a country for a woman, and I'm not Wu Sangui!" But I hope you can do me a small favor. ”

Ono Shiro said: "Your Excellency, it doesn't matter, the empire is quite generous in return to friends. ”

Chang Zhenbang said: "Cancel the marriage between Miss Sakurako and the Sanjo family, this busy Your Excellency should be able to do it!" ”

Ono Shiro was stunned, he didn't expect him to make this request, it seems that that woman has a high status in Chang Zhenbang's heart, thinking of this, he smiled at the corner of his mouth and said: "This is the private matter of the Wuchuan family, the empire has no right to interfere in family affairs, but I am willing to try it." ”

Chang Zhenbang said: "In return, this official is willing to be consistent with your country in the persuasion movement, and use his own strength to maintain your country's legitimate interests in Jiujiang from being harmed." ”

Shiro Ono smiled slightly, stretched out his hand, and said, "May you and I have a happy cooperation!" ”

Chang Zhenbang stretched out his hand and said, "Happy cooperation!" ”

Sending off Shiro Ono, the consul in Brazil sent an invitation card and invited him to enjoy the light and go to afternoon tea.

This novel is from Reading Books