"Mr. Fish, your suggestion is very feasible, but since you in the United States are so fond of free trade, why should we first talk about why the United States charges high industrial taxes on industrial products from our country and Britain and France? That's how we can be equal! Guo Songtao stood up and said after receiving Zeng Guofan's gesture.

Since the founding of the United States, it has maintained high tariffs on industrial products, and everyone understands that the United States is protecting its domestic industrial development, while on the other hand, the United States can easily obtain foreign exchange through a large amount of grain output and cotton export, and then use foreign exchange to buy machinery and raw materials needed by its own industry from Europe. This is the reason for the rapid industrial talk of the United States, and of course the flexible acceptance of foreign capital is also another important reason.

"Sir, this is an internal affair of the United States, and it has nothing to do with this conference, I hope you will be clear." Fish returned without humility or arrogance.

"Africa, it's none of your business! On this continent, the United States is not in a position to dictate. Guo Songtao said loudly. The audience was shocked by this remark, and those present looked sideways and whispered to discuss. McMahon had a disapproving expression, and Gladstone's eyes lit up, and he silently drank the tea.

"What did you say, sir?" Fish couldn't believe that someone could say such things like a bandit at such a meeting, and he didn't know that the great powers were the bandits.

"I think Mr. Guo said it very clearly, but Mr. Fish still doesn't understand?" François-Paul Jules Grevy said coldly from his seat.

"Why is it that we in the United States are not qualified to participate in African affairs, you must know that Liberia is our colony, and we also have a say in Africa." Fishgreen said.

"Since the issue of trade agreements is not appropriate, let's talk about the ownership of Liberia. According to our discussions with France and China, it has been decided that Liberia will be placed under the protection of Great Britain in order to better civilize its people. Gladstone, as soon as these words came out, the diplomats present immediately exchanged their heads. Fish was shocked. In December 1821, the abolitionist movement arose in the United States, sending black Americans back to Africa, and Providence Island was the place where the first black American immigrants landed in the early 19th century, and was named Liberia (Free City) in 1824. In 1838, the Commonwealth of Liberia was established, and the "American Colonization Association" was appointed as governor. On July 26, 1847, the Republic of Liberia was proclaimed, known as the first republic in Africa. Another black settlement established the Republic of Maryland on February 4, 1854, and was incorporated into Liberia in 1857. Liberia, although politically rear, is at least still affiliated with the United States. At this point, Gladstone said that he was going to deal with Liberia, and it was clearly aimed at the United States.

"No, no, Mr. Gladstone, Liberia is a colony of the United States, you are a naked invasion, are you going to declare war on us?" Fish was furious.

"What about a declaration of war?" Zeng Guofan stood up, put his pen against the papers on the table, looked at Fish, and glanced at the Russian ambassador Bilostov. Then he said: "Mr. Fish, give you a piece of advice, go back and tell your president that you are not qualified here!" You Americans, likewise inadequate! And if this advice is not clear enough, I believe that Great Britain will regain the glory of the Thirteen Colonies, that France will have the ability to redeem Louisiana, and that the Chinese Empire will dominate the lands west of the Mississippi River, is that clear enough? As soon as the words ended, there was silence in the hall, Gladstone first determined the feasibility of this sentence, and finally gave up such a plan in his heart, even if Britain recovered the thirteen colonies, it would still spend more energy and national strength on the maintenance of the colonies. As for McMahon, although he did not speak, he was very excited in his heart, if France did take back Louisiana, it would be more useful than grabbing more land in Africa, of course, the final decision depends on the domestic situation.

As for Hamilton Fish at this time, he was completely stupid, cold from head to toe, as secretary of state, he knew very well what these words meant, if in the past he would have thought that this was just intimidation by the Chinese, but now the United States and Britain have produced a huge contradiction over the "Alabama claim", coupled with historical factors, I am afraid that the previous words may not necessarily become true, if China, France, and Britain have some secret agreement, then the United States will be finished. The most important thing is that the military strength of China and Britain in North America is fully capable of doing it. The military strength of China and Britain in North America is far stronger than that of the United States, and the United States has just finished fighting a civil war! If the three countries really unite at this time, the consequences will be obvious.

"Just kidding!" Seeing the silence in the venue, Zeng Guofan suddenly smiled and was naughty (naughty?!). Author, you are naughty, how old is Zeng Guofan and still naughty), "How about this American-style joke?" I just learned. ”

"It's okay with this joke!" Gladstone came back to his senses first, and then continued.

"Haha! I think this joke is pretty good, I love it! Duke McMahon laughed and continued.

"I didn't expect Mr. Zeng to joke, it's a standard American joke, Your Excellency is so humorous." Fish quickly picked up the conversation.

"So, does Mr. Hamilton feel justified to place Liberia under the protection of the British Empire?" Charlie Yilu came to a sentence of divine mending.

"I think I need to contact the country a little more, I can't call the shots." Fish had to bite the bullet back.

"Let's go have some tea! It's tea time! This time, His Majesty the Emperor of our country ordered me to bring some exquisite black tea for everyone to taste. Guo Songtao clapped his hands and said to the people present.

"Thank you Emperor for his generosity, so let's go and taste it!" Duke McMahon was the first to get up, followed by Gladstone and Bismarck, and the curtain came to an end.

As for Hamilton Fish, he had to hurry to the U.S. Embassy in Egypt to send a telegram to the country.

"Mr. Zeng, that joke is not funny at all, and it is even a little scary." Gladstone said silently while sipping tea.

"I'm more interested in whether it's a joke or not." McMahon said.

"Do you think it's a joke! You think it's what it is. Zeng Guofan said with a smile.

After being speechless for a while, Zeng Guofan saw the situation and said: "Although it is just a joke, we still have to share the cake of the United States." ”

"Yes, the tariffs of the Americans really upset our businessmen." McMahon continued

On the other side of the tea room, Bismarck was having a friendly conversation with Guo Songtao.

"Mr. Prime Minister, I understand your and Germany's doubts, is it right to cede the Congo River valley to France?" Guo Songtao was not in a hurry to explain to Bismarck, "Germany's voice on the African continent is still too light, so we have to choose France, of course, I hope that the relationship between the two countries will not be misunderstood." ”

"The relationship between our two countries has always been friendly, and I personally understand your country's intentions in Africa." Bismarck was no ordinary man, and the master diplomat, who claimed to be able to play eight balls, understood Germany's weakness in African affairs. In addition, although Bismarck helped Germany obtain a large number of colonies through the Berlin West Africa Conference in history, he fundamentally did not approve of Germany's excessive participation in overseas colonial affairs, and he clearly knew that Germany's center of gravity was on the European continent and its opponent was France. Although he was reluctant to accept the large territory of the Congo, he preferred that the French would spend their limited energy on the colonies, so as to reduce the threat to Germany in Europe.

"Also, Mr. Prime Minister, the Emperor greatly admires your unity with Germany, and he wishes you to visit the East in due course." Guo Songtao sent an invitation to Bismarck at the right time.

"Thank you for the praise of the ruler of the East (Lin Hong's title in Europe), thank you very much for the invitation of your country, I will definitely go there after a while. The German Empire would be China's most solid ally on the European continent. Bismarck was still honored by the invitation of the Chinese emperor. The existence of a united China by Germany played a great role, both directly and indirectly. The direct ones are weapons, ammunition and loans, and the indirect ones are that Russia was crippled by China and was unable to interfere in the Austro-Prussian War.

"Of course, since Germany's gains at this conference are difficult to match your country's status as a great power, in order to better maintain the friendship between the two countries, China has decided to sign an agreement on Africa's opening up to your country to safeguard your country's interests in Africa." Guo Songtao said mysteriously.

"Oh?!"