Chapter 706: Enemies and Friends (Part II)

Seeing that Mr. President actually brought the topic to the "friendly relations" between China and Britain again. Zhu Erdian was a little helpless, he felt that the other party's words made some sense, but it seemed to be a little plausible, would Japan take advantage of the European war to seize the British colonies in Asia?

Judging from the current performance of Japanese politics, this kind of possible 'sex' is almost non-existent, but the non-existence does not mean that you can sit back and relax, as the foreign 'diploma' of the empire on which the sun never sets, Zhu Erdian knows very well what kind of policy Britain relies on to rise, such a weak If there is no war between China and Japan, or if Japan can gain the upper hand in this war, then Japan will not have any covetousness, but now, Japan has not only suffered defeats, but also the political situation in Japan is very sinister, in this case, who can guarantee that the political situation in Japan will not change? Who can guarantee that once Japan's New Deal comes to power, it will not change its current pro-British policy?

International politics is unpredictable, and today's friends may be tomorrow's enemies. The only trade-offs are interests, national interests, and national interests, and as two different countries and different races, it is obviously impossible for Japan and Britain to maintain a long-term friendship. It was only in the early days of Japan's foreign expansion that the British government had taken advantage of the Russian threat and China's weakness to successfully draw Japan's attention to the East Asian continent, which was able to avoid Japan's southward expansion policy, but now, with the rise of China, where will the Japanese government go?

In the past, China was the "sick man of East Asia", and Japan could expand to China unscrupulously, but it was only because of the containment of other powers that Japan had to restrain its ambitions and take cautious steps forward, but now, Japan's feet have kicked a hard stone, and Japan has only discovered that China has awakened, so can the East Asian expansion policy formulated before be continued?

Unless China is defeated, the United Front is forced to step down, and Zhao Bei is forced to go into the opposition, Japan will have to abandon its original policy of East Asian expansion, and once it has abandoned its original policy of East Asian expansion. It is impossible for the Japanese government to close the country's 'door' to this, and internal pressure will certainly force Japan to change the direction of expansion.

Japan can't expand in the direction of China, so where can it expand? Northern? It is the territory of Russia, and the climate is harsh, Japan may not be able to see it, then the only choice left is the south, Southeast Asia, where natural resources are abundant, the climate is warm, very suitable for Japan, even if Japan does not dare to fight the idea of Britain and France, but no one can guarantee that Japan will not fight the idea of the Netherlands, if the Japanese government really changes the direction of Japan's strategic attack, it will be a disaster for the current entire Asian colonial order.

……

Zhu Erdian quickly reined in his thoughts, the basic policies of these countries were not something that he, a foreign affairs official, should 'worry about', he only needed to do his part well, and now, his part is to handle the relationship between China and Britain, and must win over China to prevent China from completely falling to Germany, in that case. In the event of a war in Europe, Britain's Asian interests would be under great threat.

Since China's president, Mr. President, has once again hinted at the possibility of friendly coexistence between China and Britain, Zhu Erdian naturally cannot but express something.

"Mr. President, as a British foreign officer who has lived in China for many years, I have many friends in China and have many good memories, and I certainly believe what Mr. President just said, the Chinese are very peaceful, and the traditional Chinese culture believes in the golden mean, which is very conducive to international peace. But on the other hand, I also see that it is very regrettable that China and Japan are now at war because of certain conflicts of interest between the two countries, and it seems to me that it would be very wise for Asia and the world if China and Japan could end this senseless war as soon as possible. If Mr. President wishes for peace, I will do my utmost to facilitate this and urge the international community to continue its mediation with a view to an early truce. ”

Seeing that Zhu Erdian was still playing officially, Zhao Bei was a little helpless, to be honest, he was very happy to form an alliance with the British, but from Zhu Erdian's words just now, he did not hear any changes in the British political position, perhaps in the eyes of the British government, Japan is still an ally worth wooing, and China. It is clear that there is no military power, especially a navy, capable of maintaining the balance of power in Asia.

"When the first war breaks out, you British will change your mind."

Zhao Bei pondered in his heart, but what came out of his mouth was another set of official tones.

"Mr. Minister, in terms of 'private' relations, I don't have any prejudices against you, in my opinion, you are indeed an excellent foreign 'diplomatic officer', but the current Sino-Japanese relations cannot be improved by relying on the talent and wisdom of foreign 'diplomatic relations', and it is military strength that ultimately determines the direction of Sino-Japanese relations, and it is still too early to talk about mediation under the current situation, but if the Japanese government really intends to use foreign 'diplomatic means' to resolve the current dispute, I personally have no objection."

In his opinion, the president still recognizes the strength of Britain, otherwise, he will not once again knock on the side in front of him to suggest that China and Britain "strengthen friendship", in Zhu Erdian's view, this is "awe", as long as this awe exists. Britain would not have to worry that China would stumble Britain over its colonies in Asia.

"Excuse me, Mr. President, I'm done, and now, I take my leave. I will convey your views and suggestions to the relevant parties, and I will continue to work the issue of mediation in the Sino-Japanese war, but I need to remind you, Mr. President, that the Japanese government is very angry about the matter of the 'independent state of Korea,' and if this matter is not resolved, I am afraid that any foreign 'diplomacy' efforts will be of no avail. ”

Seeing Zhu Erdian stand up. Zhao Bei also stood up, and very politely sent the British minister out of the office, and sent it all the way downstairs to the commander's hall, watching the British minister's car go away.

After returning to the office, Zhao Bei immediately shook the phone to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and told the staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that once Foreign Minister Wu Tingfang rushed back to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he would be asked to come to the president's office again, and the president had something important to say.

Half an hour later, Wu Tingfang rushed back to the president's office covered in sweat.

"Chief Wu, please take a seat, four tigers, herbal tea."

Zhao Bei was also polite, ordered the guards to serve tea, and then sat face-to-face with Wu Tingfang on the sofa in the corner.

"Chief Wu, how is the matter of Qingdao's 'handover' going? Has the German side set a date for 'surrender'? ”

When Wu Tingfang heard that this was the case, his hanging heart relaxed, nodded, and said: "The German side is very cooperative, although it has not yet been finalized." The Germans mean that the German company will continue to control the railway, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs believes that since it is the restoration of sovereignty, the railway should not be dealt with separately, therefore, the opinion of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to redeem the Jiaoji Railway, but at present, the war is tense, the state finances are stretched, and the central and the Ministry of Finance really cannot come up with so much cash, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Finance are currently negotiating with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to see if they can raise funds from the private sector to turn the railway into a private railway, and the matter is still ongoing, so no report has been submitted。 If the President wants to know the details now, I will instruct someone to draft the report when I get back. ”

Zhao Bei nodded, pondered for a moment, and then asked, "Are the Germans still mentioning the Sino-German alliance?" ”

"I mentioned it several times. However, the Foreign Ministry still blocked the matter of the last Diet, and the German side seemed to be very anxious, but it was difficult to turn the other cheek. ”

Speaking of this, Wu Tingfang changed his words and asked: "I wonder whether the president wants to form an alliance with Germany or with Britain?" When he met with the British minister just now, the president seemed to have mentioned this matter, and although it was very vague, he could hear the president's intentions, and it seemed that in the president's opinion, it was not impossible to form an alliance with the British. ”

Zhao Bei smiled faintly and said: "Regarding what I just said, you must keep it secret, don't tell anyone, I called you over to tell you about it." In fact, in my opinion, whether it is an alliance with Britain or an alliance with Germany, it is nothing more than looking for a backer, and now that the war in Europe is about to start, the alliance is not busy with it, let's wait and take a look, the so-called 'icing on the cake' is not as good as 'sending charcoal in the snow', even if the alliance is formed, it is necessary to choose a good time, and you can't put a hot face on the cold ass. ”

Wu Tingfang also smiled and said: "I also understand this truth, but in my opinion, the British don't seem to be counting on it now, but the Russians have this meaning." ”

"Russia? What do you mean? Zhao Bei was stunned.

Wu Tingfang said: "Yesterday, Shaochuan sent a secret telegram from Russia, saying that a Russian Grand Duke had revealed to him. Although it is not clear whether this is what the tsar himself meant, Shaochuan said that since the start of the Sino-Japanese war, the Russian political elite was very shocked by the performance of the Chinese army, and many Russian nobles were worried that once the war broke out in Europe, Russia would not be able to take care of the Far East, so they suggested to the tsar that while the war had not yet broken out, they should quickly conclude an alliance with China, eliminate their worries, and make every effort to deal with the situation in Europe. ”

"Oh? What do the Russians think? ”

Zhao Bei smiled again and said, "What is the benefit of forming an alliance with Russia?" There are no benefits, but there are many disadvantages, wasn't the Manchu Qing Dynasty cheated by Russia? We can't be fooled, after you go back, you will telegraph Tang Shaoyi and tell him to be perfunctory, there is no need to take it seriously, Russia is not like Germany, Russia's territory borders our China, and Russia is not like Britain, Britain is so self-aware that it knows how much it can eat, once Russia eats, it will not stop until it dies. ”

"But now the situation is different from the previous Qing Dynasty, we have the strength in China, we shouldn't be cheated, right?" Wu Tingfang obviously didn't understand what Zhao Bei really meant.

Of course, Zhao Bei will not make his position clear now, but he just shook his head and said: "Chief Wu, who is the enemy and who is the friend, we must distinguish clearly, the more at this time, the more we have to calm down, we can't let others take advantage of our China, now we can only take advantage of other countries, soon, this international advantage is getting more and more, we don't take advantage of nothing." ”

Speaking of this, Zhao Bei glanced at Wu Tingfang's full head of white hair and sighed: "Chief Wu, are you over seventy years old this year?" ”

"Seventy-two, indeed old." Wu Tingfang nodded.

"Ling Gongzi Wu Chaoshu is very effective in serving as minister in Chile and Peru, some people suggest that he be transferred back to China and entrusted with important tasks, and General Wu is very old, Chaoshu should indeed come back to see, I have decided that when the war is over, I will transfer Chaoshu back to China and take up positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or other ministries."

Hearing the president say this, Wu Tingfang came back to his senses, so he said: "Thank you for the president's cultivation of dogs, I am now incapacitated, and I really need someone to take care of me nearby, and my term of office will expire soon, and at that time, I will leave the court and live for the rest of my life." ”

Seeing Wu Tingfang so upright, Zhao Bei was very satisfied, as for the candidate for the Minister of Foreign Affairs, he had already chosen, just waiting for this Minister Wu to retire, there is no prime minister in the current cabinet, the Minister of Foreign Affairs actually assumes the role of the prime minister of the cabinet, although the power of this role is divided by the 'attendant' office and the superintendent, but as a necessary supplement to the commander-in-chief, the cabinet departments still play an important role, so the candidate for the chief of foreign affairs must have rich political experience, and must be able to serve the public.