Kwok Songtao stopped at the South Bay of Macau, which had not yet been polluted, and the water was sparkling and boats were coming and going. Tall trees are planted on both sides of the road on the shore, and the shore naturally curves into a green corridor. In the old days, people dressed in gray cloth coarse clothes watched from afar the "ministers", and occasionally the noise of children caused loud shouts.

Lin Ashi pointed to a spacious western-style building on the shore and said: "This is the old Wu Dong's house in Macau. ”

After saying that, Lin Ah took the lead, and Guo Songtao entered the house. The Portuguese ambassador Du Bian had already left on his own, and the soldiers accompanying him outside had already protected the house.

This house imitates many characteristics of Western architecture, with many open windows and inlaid glass, so that people can enjoy the garden in front of the house and behind the house, and also see the beautiful scenery of South Bay. Not long after the three of them sat down, Captain Wu, who was waiting outside the door, led the two foreigners into the house.

Seeing that the waiting guests had arrived, Lin Ashi greeted him and introduced him to Guo Songtao.

This is Mr. George, the new U.S. commercial director in China, and this is Mr. Martin, the captain of the USS Georgia. "Because the trade agreement between the United States since its last visit to China has expired, and although diplomatic relations were established last time, the United States did not send an ambassador to China, only a commercial director in China, and China has only sent a diplomatic and commercial affairs officer in the United States, but not an ambassador.

"This is Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Guo Songtao."

There was a warm greeting between the guest and the host, and George warmly shook Guo Songtao's hands, and then put his face on Guo Songtao's left cheek. Lin Zexu's face twitched imperceptibly, for Guo Songtao, who had no habit of breaking his sleeves. George's current situation did make him feel a little hindered, but fortunately, Guo Songtao gave a new education from the university and understood Western etiquette. However, these minor issues will not affect the convergence of interests between China and the United States.

"First of all, on behalf of the U.S. government, I would like to congratulate the squadron on its victory in Singapore." Lin Ashi repeated George's words fluently in Chinese on the side.

George shrugged his shoulders and continued: "I believe that the Chinese can win this war, and we in the United States are willing to maintain good relations with China, and in order to show our sincerity, we in the United States have revoked Britain's military access in our country and refused their right to request the passage of materials." In addition, we hope that the two countries will discuss the exchange of ambassadors. ”

Guo Songtao nodded and said: "On behalf of His Majesty the Emperor, I would like to greet Mr. President of your country, and Mr. Wu Bingjian of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will conduct specific negotiations with the representatives of your country later, thank you, Mr. George, and the heroic Captain Martin." ”

In a newly built house in Da Nang, Vietnam, Hu Linyi, the Minister of Cabinet Affairs, and Emerson, a French businessman, had a cordial conversation as Hu Linyi, who had returned from studying in France, and he easily talked about familiar topics with Emerson.

Emerson sniffed, the cement on the wall had not yet dried, and the pungent smell of cement made his nose a little uncomfortable. These Chinese-made cements caught Emerson's attention. In his opinion, the technology of the Chinese has made great progress. And they seem to intend to stay in Vietnam for a long time. Outside, on the port construction site, the workers are in full swing, and the forts mixed with cement and stone seem to be very well protected.

Emerson was a businessman in the field, but he was actually a high-ranking military attache sent by the French government to Southeast Asia. The French had always wanted to find a foothold in Southeast Asia, but Southeast Asia had basically been carved up by the great powers, and they finally chose Vietnam. When the French helped Nguyen Phuc Anh seize power in Vietnam, they expected to obtain Vietnamese land, but after Nguyen Phuc Anh's death, his son Nguyen Phuc Kyauk did not admit this account. Now there are even killings of French missionaries in Vietnam.

China has suddenly appeared in Vietnam since the occupation of Kalimantan and is stationed in Da Nang. The situation became more and more unfavorable for France. But the Chinese have a good reason, after all, Vietnam has always been a subject country of China, they are completely exercising the rights of their suzerain, and if France wants to gain a foothold in Vietnam, this is an insurmountable obstacle.

Emerson has been thinking about these questions for a long time, looking at the Chinese soldiers who are practicing at the window, Emerson picked up the tea bowl and took a sip, the taste of the tea leaves was a little bitter. But the return mouth is comfortable. The faint fragrance makes the mouth and tongue relish, leaving a charm between the cheeks and teeth.

Emerson said with a smile: "Dear Chinese friends. We in France have made great efforts to support your war with Great Britain, and I believe that the ambassador in Beijing, Mr. Aitang, has already told your cabinet that if France has a port of its own in Southeast Asia, I think the relationship between our two countries will go further. ”

Hu Linyi understood what Emerson was hinting at, and the cabinet had provided him with detailed information about the situation in Vietnam. Recently, the French were very frustrated in Vietnam, and they worked hard to train an agent, Nguyen Phuc Anh, but his life did not last long, and the current king of the Nguyen Dynasty did not buy it, but killed the French missionary. Hu Linyi had already taken a countermeasure, and he said with a smile: "The empire and France are friendly countries, and our interests are the same. As long as the British were there, it was impossible for France to find suitable trading partners in East and Southeast Asia. Now we can offer more friendly conditions to the French government, expand trade between the two countries, allow the French to invest directly in China, and allow French missionaries to preach in China. ”

These conditions were originally China's promise to France, and Emerson's hopes were naturally more than that. He opened his mouth and said directly: "We hope that Nguyen Phuc Kyauk of Vietnam will treat the French missionaries well and lease the Cape of Golden Ou in southern Vietnam to the French. ”

Before leaving, Du Shoutian repeatedly reminded Hu Linyi to deepen friendship with the French as much as possible, but Hu Linyi did not think that to make good relations, it must betray China's interests, and the Indochina Peninsula must be China's backyard, so that China's own interests can be guaranteed, so Hu Linyi replied skillfully: "Vietnam is a vassal country of China, and we have the responsibility to ensure the integrity of its territory. And on behalf of the Empire, I will urge the Nguyen Dynasty to improve its attitude towards the French missionaries. As for the lease of land, the dignity and sovereignty of the country are at stake. His Majesty the Emperor would have to give an answer, and in my own presumption, such a decision would be impossible. I believe that Mr. Emerson knows that the current China is no longer the Manchu Qing Dynasty of the past, and not everyone can seize the land of China. ”

How could Mosen not know that the international view of China has long since changed, and that China is now worthy of learning from Western European countries in all aspects of politics, economy, and law. But it was the battle of Singapore that really made an international splash, which discouraged many countries from following the British and made Emerson realize the power of China, and France had temporarily dismissed the idea of competing with China for Vietnam.

He said with some disappointment: "I regret your remarks, not long ago, I provided your country with the latest information on the British Expeditionary Fleet. Your Excellency's remarks are regrettable. ”

Hu Linyi laughed: "China and France are both great countries with a long history, and in order to stop Britain from bullying the weak and maintain a just international order, our two countries have the obligation and responsibility to unite. In order to show the sincerity of our country, on behalf of the imperial court, I agree to the supply of the French ** ship in Chinese ports. ”

Emerson saw that Guo Songtao's tone was relaxed, and leaned forward from the chair to approach Guo Songtao and said, "If your country ceded Da Nang to France for management, we could pay your country a certain amount of money every year. ”

Hu Linyi's head shook like a rattle, and he pushed his hands and said: "The biggest concession I can personally make is to allow French ships to anchor in Da Nang, and as for security, you can rest assured that we have strengthened the defense facilities of the port." In addition, China will also build ports in southern Vietnam in the future, and French ships will definitely be allowed to berth at that time. ”

Emerson still wanted to be able to get the land that the French themselves managed, constantly insisting on the need for a port.

Hu Linyi said a little unhappily: "Your Excellency, this is difficult for a strong man. Isn't your country still satisfied with the large quantities of tea, silk, and porcelain that our country has provided to its merchants and to provide more treaty ports to your country? ”

Emerson is actually happy with the outcome of the talks, and he is only trying to fight for the benefits as much as he can. For Vietnam, now that China has woken up to the importance of this, the French naturally can't compete with it. But even if you want to throw it away, you should fight for it more. Emerson stood up, smiled and hugged Hu Linyi. There was originally a stiff atmosphere. became harmonious again, Hu Linyi is not like Guo Songtao. He studied in France for many years and naturally adapted to Western etiquette.

The Chinese occupation of Singapore has focused the world's attention on Singapore. All countries are speculating about how the British will regain this vital golden waterway.