Located on the southernmost shore of Zhongnanhai, Xiyuan Restaurant was originally part of the Baoyue Building by the Taiye Pond, and after several modernizations after 1895, it was later converted into the Central Political Axe Restaurant because of its location close to Xinhua Gate and convenient for personnel to enter and exit.

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 political axemen, 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 finally said that she was depressed, 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 regained the happiness of the past, you can still see a lot of Western Regions style buildings in the south of Taiye Pond from this side......"

"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, "Before I heard about your country's political axe, you 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 they're doing now! Do you think I could do anything to threaten them?! The expansion of the Russians is so unjustified, the natural surname of this nation is so, and 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 he 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 go and see for yourself what is going on today, including the atrocities of the Russian Far Eastern Army, they are 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 restore diplomatic relations with Yuben in the previous period, it can be seen that the political officials, including you, still have concerns. 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 this country 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 has restored diplomatic and trade relations with the country and released more than 2,000 soldiers who trespassed into the northeastern part of the country. ”

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

"Cheers!" Chen Zeyu raised the goblet in his hand, and after drinking it all, he continued, "War is an unfortunate thing for both Russia 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 mustard between me and myself! You must know that the brutality of Lushun is still vivid, and the Russians may have committed unforgivable crimes in Lushun, but the army may not have done better than them! You must have also heard that a small 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 the previous Russian invasion and the collapse of the domestic food supply!" In the final analysis, all the sins were caused by the Russians, and now, with the aid of our country, the basic order has been restored in most parts of the country. He also apologized for the atrocities of the previous war, and their willingness to make friends with your country is still worthy of recognition. ”

"Friend?! Haha," Chen Zeyu laughed unconsciously, "You don't know yet!" Mr. Fumio Yano, the new minister to Serris, 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 I be so arrogant!" ”

"Obviously, you underestimated my own stupidity! At a time when the survival of my own country is in question, I still never forget to invade foreign countries, how can you let me affirm the diplomatic sincerity of this political axe?! ”

After mocking himself, Chen Zeyu raised his glass and saluted, "My country's political axe has deep respect for the Empire, and I have always followed in the footsteps of your country's political axe in the treatment of the Russian Baltic Fleet. But in terms of the dispute involved, please forgive me and myself for [***] for your efforts, sorry! ”

"Oh, that's a shame!"

Dou Nale was still immersed in his own arrogance 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, though you cannot cooperate with your country's actions on this matter! But our country will also not support the expansion of the Russians in this way 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 had 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, which greatly reduced the logistical pressure on the Russian army in the Far East and supported the other side's pioneering cause in Hokkaido.

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 stationed in China as much as possible.

In fact, the Republic's political axes, including himself, were happy to see the Russians expand in their own direction. By the beginning of 1898, 290,000 garrisons, 1,050,000 Slavic immigrants, and a large number of weapons and industrial and agricultural equipment had been drawn from the Far East. It can be said that the situation in the entire Far East has been tilted because of the dispute between Russia, and every little more pressure he bears means that Seris will face less military threat from a part of 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 republican [***] team didn't mind giving the northern neighbor the most ferocious fatal blow!

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