Located on the southernmost shore of Zhongnanhai, Xiyuan Restaurant was originally part of the Baoyue Building by the Taiye Pond, and after 1895, it was successively modernized several times, because of its location close to Xinhua Gate, which was convenient for personnel to enter and exit, it was later converted into a central government restaurant.

In fact, at the beginning, the relevant departments wanted to put the dining place in the Ziguang Pavilion in the north, but after Chen Zeyu knew about it, he changed it back, although it was a former Qing Dynasty building, but after all, it was once used as an important state affairs hall, and there were many historical cultural relics in the interior, Chen Zeyu naturally would not allow his subordinates to mess around, and finally chose to choose and simply put it in this Baoyue Building.

"Dear Mr. Dounale, it is a pleasure to be here to invite you to dinner."

After pouring two glasses of champagne, Chen Zeyu raised his glass and said, "You must know that in the years since I became the head of the republic, I have never invited a country's diplomatic minister here, and today you are the first foreign friend to come here, cheers!" ”

"Oh, that's my pleasure!"

The British Minister, Sir Dou Nale, took a sip of champagne and said with a wry smile.

"Seriously, Your Excellency! It's not easy to meet you. ”

"I'm very sorry that it was a mistake on the part of our government personnel, they should have informed me earlier." Chen Zeyu replied slightly apologetically.

"I heard that you went to the Northeast to inspect?" While eating, Dou Nale asked with interest, "I know that the north of your country borders the Russians. ”

Swallowing the steak in his mouth, Chen Zeyu readily admitted, "That's right, the things at hand are always unfinished, especially when this kingdom has just been established!" ”

"Yes, I have witnessed the development of your country in the past few years, especially the tremendous changes in military capabilities!" Dou Nale praised.

"There's no way around it," Chen Zeyu shrugged and poured himself and Dou Nale a glass of wine as he said, "Especially in today's world full of dangers, Seris must have a shield and a sword to protect himself. ”

Dou Nale looked at the young head in front of him and nodded, "What you said is right, especially when there are still evil neighbors around!" ”

"Hehe, that's right!" Chen Zeyu raised his glass to invite him to drink, and said, "Especially when there is more than one evil neighbor!" Cheers! ”

"Cheers!" felt that the topic had never entered the link he expected, and Dou Nale had no choice but to raise his glass in response.

As a part of the original Baoyue Building, the newly built Xiyuan Restaurant inherits the original basic architectural style, and cleverly adds several lighting facilities in the right place, and the pure and immaculate large flat glass perfectly integrates with the original ancient building while also providing an excellent view for the dining guests.

"Mr. Dou Nale, what do you think of the scenery outside? Dining here is definitely a spiritual treat. ”

Accompanying the British Minister Dou Nale into the dining room, Chen Zeyu sat on a chair and pointed to the night view of the Taiye Pool outside the window.

Not only this Xiyuan restaurant, but after Chen Zeyu and other high-level officials moved into Zhongnanhai, all major buildings and scenic spots, including Taiye Pool, have undergone large-scale electrification transformation, and now under the reflection of the street lamps by the lake, the entire Taiye Pool is suddenly set off like a fairyland.

Following the direction of Chen Zeyu's finger, the British minister was also unconsciously fascinated at a glance.

"Did you know? Speaking of the place where we din, there is also a beautiful legend. ”

"Oh?" Dou Nale whispered with interest, "What kind of legend is it?" ”

"The place where we dined today is actually part of the former Qing Baoyue Building. Legend has it that Baoyue Tower was built by Emperor Qianlong to please a concubine from the Western Regions. ”

Chen Zeyu pointed to the surrounding buildings and continued to explain.

"Because this concubine has missed her hometown since entering the palace, and she is depressed all day long, Emperor Qianlong in order to save the smile of his concubine, he invited back a large number of craftsmen from Xiangfei's hometown from the Western Regions, and built this Baoyue Tower for his concubine in imitation of the local architectural style, so that Xiangfei can restore her former happiness......

"What a beautiful legend, for this beautiful concubine, cheers!" Dou Nale raised his glass in a rather evocative exclamation.

What Chen Zeyu didn't go on to say was that Qianlong's mother, the Empress Dowager Xiaosheng, learned of this incident and felt that this concubine from the Western Regions only knew how to confuse the emperor, so she ordered someone to secretly hang the concubine. Chen Zeyu didn't have time to sympathize with this concubine, the beautiful legend was originally constructed by later generations, so naturally he wouldn't say these words at this time.

"Cheers!"

During the dining room, Dou Nale asked tactfully, "I heard that your government organized a large number of people to go to the northern border for reclamation?" With all due respect, I have deep doubts that their safety can be guaranteed. ”

"You mean the Russians?" Chen Zeyu nodded.

Dou Nale put down his knife and fork and said, "The appetite of the Russians is unimaginable, and they have expanded their territory a thousand times in just a few hundred years since the founding of the country. From Europe, Central Asia to the Far East, these Russians are constantly thinking about how to seize the lands of other countries! Just like what they're doing in Japan right now! Do you think the Japanese can do anything to threaten them?! The expansion of the Russians is so unjustified, the nature of this nation is such that the fanatical idea of aggression has long been ingrained in their hearts!! ”

Chen Zeyu laughed secretly in his heart while listening, the British minister in front of him didn't know that if it weren't for his own existence affecting the development of history in this time and space, it wouldn't be long before the Japanese would really teach the Russians a hard lesson. From this point of view, the Russian army did not make a mistake in choosing an enemy for itself, which is a real precaution.

"You are right, Mr. Minister! The Russian expansion in the Far East is indeed remarkable, but at least until now, they have not done anything to harm our country, have they? ”

"Oh, no, no, no! Honorable Yuan Xiansheng, when you really realize their danger, it may be too late! You should really see for yourself what is going on in Japan today, including the atrocities of the Russian Far East Army, which are simply a bunch of beasts! ”

Dou Nale gestured with an unconsciously anxious expression, "To the Russians, we must take as much cooperation as possible to suppress their expansion around the world!" ”

Chen Zeyu shook his head and said, "Mr. Minister, what you said is very reasonable!" But I can't convince the people to pursue a hostile policy against a neutral country, and besides, it's not in the interests of the Republic of Seris! ”

"Can Yuan Xiansheng really ignore the expansion of the Russians in the Far East? Since your country was able to resume diplomatic relations with Japan some time ago, it is clear that government officials, including you, are still worried. Dou Nale said with a smile.

Chen Zeyu swallowed the wine in his mouth, shrugged his shoulders and responded, "Hehe, although I don't like Japan very much, I still have deep sympathy for all these disasters that have happened in their national territory. From a humanitarian point of view, Japan was able to restore diplomatic and trade relations with Japan and release more than 2,000 Japanese soldiers who had trespassed into the territory of Tohoku without permission. ”

Dou Nale raised his glass with a smile and said, "Thank you for your generosity, for these 2,000 Japanese soldiers, cheers!" ”

"Cheers!" Chen Zeyu raised the goblet in his hand, and after drinking it, he said, "War is an unfortunate thing for both Japan and Russia, and my country deeply regrets this, and I personally hope that both sides can end the war as soon as possible and accept the diplomatic mediation of various countries." ”

"However, this does not mean that our country has let go of the problem with the Japanese! You must know that the atrocities in Arthur on that day are still vividly remembered, and the Russians may have committed unforgivable crimes in Japan, but the Japanese army may not have done better than them! You must have heard that a Japanese detachment actually ate the human flesh of a Russian officer, and newspapers in various countries have reported this matter before! ”

Dou Nale frowned and said, "But Your Excellency, this is all because of Japan's previous invasion by Russia and the collapse of the domestic food supply, which was the result of the evil consequences!" In the final analysis, all the sins were caused by the Russians, and now, with the assistance of our country, the basic order has been restored to most parts of Japan. The Japanese government has also apologized for the atrocities committed in the previous war, and its willingness to make good relations with your country is still worthy of recognition. ”

"Friend?! Haha," Chen Zeyu laughed unconsciously, "You don't know yet!" Mr. Fumio Yano, Japan's new minister to Seris, has been chasing our country for war reparations these days, do you think I should 'return' Taiwan to them? Well?! ”

Dou Nale looked at the young leader opposite in surprise, "No, how can the Japanese be so arrogant!" ”

"It is clear that you underestimated the stupidity of the Japanese! How can you affirm the diplomatic sincerity of the Japanese government when the survival of our own country is in question, but we still never forget to invade foreign countries? ”

After mocking the Japanese, Chen Zeyu raised his glass and saluted, "Our government has deep respect for the empire on which the sun never sets, and it has always followed in the footsteps of your government in its treatment of the Russian Baltic Fleet. But when it comes to the dispute involving Japan, I beg your pardon for the inability of the Ceris government, including myself, to do nothing, sorry! ”

"Oh, that's a shame!"

Dou Nale was still immersed in the arrogance of the Japanese and couldn't understand it, and after hearing Chen Zeyu's words, he had to raise his glass bitterly in response.

"Your Excellency, Minister, do not need to be too dismayed, although you cannot cooperate with your country's actions on the question of Japan! But our country will not support the expansion of the Russians in Japan in any way! Don't talk about that! ”

Chen Zeyu motioned to the waiter on the side to help with the dishes, "Come, come, Mr. Dou Nale, try this Dengying beef, there is a folk legend when it comes to this dish......"

For this Minister Dou Nale, Chen Zeyu obviously did not really "put his heart in his heart" and would not support Russia in any form? Chen Zeyu had to admit that he had just lied to the Englishman in front of him. In fact, he not only supported it, but also supported it quite a lot! As of the beginning of this year, Seris has sent more than 93,700 tons of grain, 4,500 tons of cotton cloth and countless livestock to the Russian army stationed in Japan in the form of trade alone in more than a year, which has greatly reduced the logistical pressure of the Russian army in the Far East and supported the other side's pioneering cause in Hokkaido, Japan.

What Chen Zeyu did not tell Dou Nale was that not only would he not be hostile to the Russians, but would also provide all the trade needs of the Russian troops in Japan as much as possible.

In fact, the government of the republic, including himself, was happy to see the expansion of the Russians in the direction of Japan. By the beginning of 1898, the Russian government had drawn a total of 290,000 garrisons from the Far East, 1,050,000 Slavic immigrants, and a large number of weapons and industrial and agricultural equipment. It can be said that the situation in the Far East has been tilted by the dispute between Japan and Russia, and every little more pressure on the Japanese means that Seris is less of a military threat from the Russians.

Chen Zeyu did not have any good intentions towards the Russians, because of this blood-pumping expansion, Russia itself was gradually weakening its military strength on the Far Eastern continent. The scales had already tilted, and at the right time, Chen Zeyu's army of the Republic did not mind giving this northern neighbor the most ferocious fatal blow!