The royal palace is a symbol of royal power, a proof of rule, the palace flows with a long history, and the palace shines with a glorious civilization. In 1703, the Duke of Buckingham built a palace in a mulberry garden and named it Buckingham Palace. More than twenty years later, George III bought it, and the palace began its complex and legendary history. It was the Imperial Memorial Hall, the Art Gallery, the Offices and the Treasury until 1837, when it was officially used as a royal palace.

Buckingham Palace is not only a testament to Britain's glorious history, but also a spiritual embodiment. Here, there have been countless loyal generals who have succeeded the British Empire, and countless careerists who have tried their best to conquer the world. A royal palace protected by a loyal soul will only last for a long time in history, which is an important reason why Buckingham Palace is still regarded as a spiritual pillar by the British. In the era of rapid development of capitalism, the fact that a representative of a monarchy can stand tall in it stems from an ideology and people's nostalgia for glory.

Spiritual beliefs make Britain what it is. Britain is not a country that has become a world power by virtue of its vast land and resources, and when people mention the Empire, they recall more of the revolutionary spirit and indomitable cohesion of this traditional country. It does not have a long border to boast of, nor does it have a mouth-watering abundance of resources, but it has a number of firsts that have shocked the world.

The first country to carry out the bourgeois revolution, the first to start the industrial revolution. More than two decades ago, Britain was responsible for nearly half of the world's industrial production. The British Isles are like a man-eating flower with a beautiful appearance but a heart like a femme fatale, and beneath the seemingly bright exterior lies a huge ambition.

Britain's lack of wealth makes it insecure, and only constant expansion can make up for its spiritual emptiness. As a result, more and more of the British became plundering machines, and they became insane, mutilated thieves at sea. They greedily scavenged land for themselves, and divided 1/4 of the world's land into their own territory, becoming the only "empire that does not fall" in the world.

The docile waters of the Atlantic Ocean give the British a gentlemanly demeanor typical of Europe; The turbulent waves caused by the hurricane also created the fighting spirit of the British. It is the perfect combination of the two that has enabled Britain to eventually lead the whole world, including civilization, for a century!

After the victory of the "Boer War", Britain had to face serious economic problems, and any country could see that the country in the "Boer War" was enough to make any country fearful, weak under the appearance of strength, and ambitious countries began to try to challenge this "weak empire".

An empire may decline temporarily or permanently, but the influence of this country will not fade in an instant, and the wounds brought by the Boer War to Britain are being quickly repaired, and Britain is still standing at the top of the world at this time, showing the world the glory of the empire.

Whether it is a symbol or a pillar, Buckingham Palace is the heart of the "Empire", even more than 200 years after the king lost power, he still affects the whole of Britain, and even the whole world, and is still the focus of attention.

Once again, a royal ball at Buckingham Palace is more attractive and eye-catching than an ordinary ball, but it has attracted the attention of the entire Western world from the moment it was held, not because of the political elite, nobles, and economic magnates of the United Kingdom, including the Prime Minister, nor because of the dazzling jewels of the ladies.

Rather, it was a ball hosted by the British royal family for a lady who was a guest at Buckingham Palace, and from this ball, people could keenly perceive that Britain's eastern policy might change radically.

The ball was held in the Royal Ballroom, the largest room in the palace, built 54 years ago for Queen Victoria, decorated in white and gold, with a semicircular ceiling with giant crystal chandeliers and a painting of the War of the Roses on the top of the walls.

At this time, the ball has begun for dozens of minutes, and the gentlemen have begun to invite their dance partners to dance to the sound of music. Chen, however, wore a Han-style Confucian skirt and raised his fingers to chat casually with the politicians.

Many noble ladies looked at her with a look of jealousy in their eyes. Now the whole of London and the whole of Europe know, Ji Li in front of you? Chen is likely to become the "Empress of the Chinese Empire" in the future, and in recent days, she has been the guest of honor at the Buckingham Palace, and she is not only the richest woman in Europe, but also the most powerful woman in China in the future.

You must know that a month ago, when she first returned to England, the London press had reported her arrival with "the vain wife returned to England to seek protection", and now the London newspapers are full of praise for her, as if they have forgotten the original ridicule, maybe China is a declining and ignorant country, but as British, they are also excited that the queen of this empire is British.

Perhaps this is also one of the reasons why the British royal family held this ball, but the British upper echelons who are familiar with the inside know that this ball is in some ways a demonstration by the royal family to the cabinet.

On the issue of dealing with China, Edward VII, who was regarded by the outside world as "a lazy thinker and a frivolous person on the left and right", was surprisingly enthusiastic, and under the encouragement of the nobles and palace officials on the left and right, Edward VII was more inclined to recognize Nanjing immediately.

Also in the eyes of the cynical Edward VII, it was also with this attitude to Arthur? Demonstration of the "Civilian Cabinet" in Belfort. Who made Arthur? What about Balfour breaking with the tradition of the Conservative Party being led by aristocrats?

But compared to the enthusiasm of the royal family, to Arthur? Prime Minister Balfour's cabinet was very conservative, preferring to use the recognition of Nanking to gain more rights in China, even including the Tibetan issue, which is now being invaded by the British and is marching on Lhasa.

On the question of Tibet, China's Nanking regime was so unexpectedly tough that the Nanking ruler swore that "it will never recognize the occupation of Tibet by any country, nor will it recognize any agreement signed between the local authorities of Tibet and the British!" ", and warned that Britain was trying to wage a war.

If it weren't for the fact that Nanking had not yet taken control of Sichuan, perhaps the British army that had occupied Gyantse eleven days earlier would have faced the Liberation Army that had entered Tibet when they marched to Lhasa. Balfour has no doubts about what they will do in the end.

On the one hand, the politicians of Downing Street understood that Nanjing's replacement of Yanjing was irrevocable, but on the other hand, they were unwilling to fight a war in Tibetan province without any results.

As the protagonist of the ball, Ji Li did not dance, and no one even invited the pregnant lady, but Ji Li was more than happy to communicate with London's political elite and ambassadors at this ball, after all, the reason why she came to London from Singapore was to win the recognition of the European powers in Nanjing.

“…… I think Germany will, and should, hold the Trident in the hands of the Poseidon! ”

When Ji Li said this, her pretty face was full of smiles, and the smile on the face of this person who was called "the most beautiful lady in London's upper class" only made Feng ? The German ambassador to England, who was in his sixties, was shaken. I couldn't help but agree with the jealous words of the ladies.

"How unjust is God to concentrate wealth, power, and the most important appearance of a woman in one person!"

"After all, the Trident in the hands of the Poseidon does not stipulate that it should only be in the hands of one country, is it?"

That's when Arthur? Balfour came over with a wine glass.

"Congratulations, Madame Chen, just before attending the ball, I received a telegram from the legation in the Qing Kingdom, the capital has been conquered by the Liberation Army, the emperor of the Qing State committed suicide, and the Queen Mother became a prisoner!"

Arthur? Balfour said, raising his glass in congratulations.

"Congratulations, Mrs. Chen! Your husband has won this war! ”

Feng? After congratulating him, Bossberg turned and left, not forgetting to glance back at the future queen as he left.

"Your Excellency, I think it can be proved at least one point now that His Majesty is wise when it comes to China!"

Ji Li's joke, just let Arthur? Balfour shrugged his shoulders helplessly.

"Although my relationship with His Majesty is very fragile, this is not an obstacle, on some issues, I have common opinions with His Majesty!"

As a politician, Arthur? Balfour, of course, did not mind saying what a politician should say, as if he were dealing with the Nanking regime. The Nanking regime's armies moved so quickly that the Qing were destroyed before the British could reach any treaty or agreement with the Qing state, which was perhaps the only thing to regret.

But the same opinion is sometimes limited by profits! I hope Mrs. Chen can understand! ”

"Of course, Your Excellency, I think a lot of times, we make some mistakes, but any mistakes can be remedied, what do you think?"

"Does this mistake include Tibetan provinces?"

When asked, Ji Li still had a smile on her face, and now she has learned how to deal with these politicians.

"This ......"

Arthur? Balfour was stunned for a moment, then said.

"I think I can talk about this later, what do you think?"

In recent times, Arthur? Balfour kept getting a message from the Shanghai Consulate that as a new regime that promised to revitalize the nation, they would never make any concessions on the Tibetan issue like the Manchus, but for Tibetan Province, Downing Street still had plans for Downing Street.

The ball went on, and as the most important guest of the ball, Ji Li never entered the dance floor, partly because of her physical inconvenience, but also because she had her own concerns, although she was far away in London, she also knew everything that was going on in China, and naturally tried her best to avoid the accusations of the national newspapers.

When Ji Li avoided the invitation of others, Sun Baoqi, who was the former Qing minister to Britain, from time to time turned his attention to this lady, whom he said would be possible to "motherize the world", and a week earlier, he had made a point to visit his wife at Stirling Manor, because he understood that this lady did not have wide support in the country, and he did not mind being a supporter of his wife.

Sun Baoqi, who is good at speculation, has always been good at this kind of speculation, and he has no sympathy for his own children and relatives who are now in prison, what is more important than keeping his glory and wealth? Apparently not.

"Hmm!"

Seeing that his wife was talking with British dignitaries and ambassadors from time to time, Sun Baoqi beat the drum and wondered if he should remind his wife again to pay attention to his prestige, and now this lady is his backer, and this mountain cannot fall no matter what.

"We must keep this backer!"

When Sun Baoqi was thinking about it in his heart, the dance party was coming to an end, and looking at the smile on his wife's face from a distance, Sun Baoqi knew that Mrs. might have gained a lot today.

Every afternoon at 4 p.m., the maid brings refreshments into the study: Darjeeling black tea, sandwiches and a plate of desserts.

In Gilly personally for John? Abbasnot? After Mr. and Mrs. Fisher poured a cup of black tea, Ji Li made an invitation according to the Han etiquette, looking at Ji Li with the grace of raising her fingers according to the Han ceremony, and Mrs. Fisher looked at Ji Li with a look of envy in her eyes, but today is obviously not a conversation between ladies.

"Ji Li, congratulations!"

Fisher's face was filled with joy in his congratulations, and in his opinion his efforts had won Britain an ally, whether it was the future head of state or the wife of the head of state, and most importantly, their affection for Britain was unquestionable, especially Ji Li in front of him, who was British, a Britishman loyal to Britain, and also a future first lady.

"Now that both Germany and France are about to lead the way of England, John, I really doubt that the political wisdom of Great Britain will have been exhausted by the time the twentieth century comes."

Ji Li, who was sipping Darjeeling black tea, put on a look of pity, and she would only say it in front of Fisher.

"At the very least, it is certain that Downing Street is far less intelligent than it was twenty years ago, and over the years its short-sightedness has led not only to British diplomacy but also to the navy to a crisis!"

Fisher nodded in agreement.

"After nearly a hundred years of unchallenged complacency, the whole of Britain should now be able to hear the faint sound of thunder in the distance!"

Although he was the commander-in-chief of Portsmouth, it was now rumored throughout London that he was likely to become the First Sea Lord of the British Navy by the end of the year, and for Fisher to know what he needed to do to become First Sea Lord in the future.

"John, my husband, entrust me to express his gratitude to you! Whether or not Britain will be able to recognize Nanking immediately, but your efforts have proven our friendship! ”

Gilly thanked Fisher, who had been perhaps the most enthusiastic senior official in Britain in the past month in the past month, and who had not been able to influence the decision on Downing Street, had at least proved by his actions that he had made a promise that time would prove his friendship.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't able to help you!"

Fisher's face was slightly apologetic, he was sorry for his inability to promote London's recognition of the Nanking regime. Thinking in his heart, Fisher spoke again.

"If you wish, I can get your country to send naval students to the UK!"

Fisher spoke with extreme confidence when he made this suggestion, as he had been in charge of naval education as the Second Sea Secretary of the Admiralty, and naturally had enough influence to "stuff" some foreign students who were not countries with diplomatic relations with the Naval Academy, and of course this premise was that they were willing.

"Please tell your husband that he wants to build a navy that can protect him, and that it is not enough to build a naval school to train officers, it is very necessary to send students abroad, Ji Li."

Fisher said seriously that a month ago, he used his position to help Chen Moran hire 56 professors from the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth to teach in China.

"Hmm!"

Ji Li pondered for a moment before opening her mouth to thank her.

"Thank you, John, I think it will take me to get in touch with my husband before I can make a decision, but I think he will be more than happy to accept your offer."

"Of course! That's as it should be! ”

Fisher's acceptance made Fisher feel a little more comfortable, and since the two met, Gilly and her husband had been expressing their friendship with their generosity, but he had not been able to reciprocate this generosity. Out of the Navy, perhaps his influence is very limited, but in the Navy he is confident enough to give them any help they need.

"John, don't you have another gift for them?"

Mrs. Fisher suddenly interjected, her expression was a little mysterious, in fact, the two of them had come to visit Ji Li today to give her another gift.

"Gifts?"

Ji Li was surprised to think of the small gift that the two of them brought when they came, are there any other gifts?

"I'm afraid this gift is not something that ordinary people can accept......"

Fisher paused for a moment, and saw that Ji Li's face was full of curiosity, before continuing.

"I've been working hard to weed out the Royal Navy's Scrooge-style dump, and last month, for a variety of reasons, two new warships were added to the Royal Navy's dump!"

Fisher looked rather helpless as he spoke.

"At the end of last year, the situation in the Far East had developed to a very tense point, war was about to break out, and Russia and Russia were actively seeking to purchase ships in order to expand their strength, and at that time the two warships built by the British Elsvik ship and the Vickers shipyard for the Chilean Navy had terminated their contracts due to the easing of the situation in South America, and were seeking buyers. In order to prevent these two battleships from being bought by the Russians, the navy hurriedly came forward to buy these two battleships! ”

Seeing Ji Li's puzzled look, Fisher continued to explain.

"This is out of the needs of the "British Alliance Treaty", Downing Street asked the Navy to buy, but these two warships are not British, these two battleships do not meet British standards in many aspects, and even the ammunition does not meet British standards, in order to maintain these two warships that were commissioned just a month ago, the Navy has to buy non-standard ammunition at a high price!"

In Fisher's eyes, not to mention that the two "South American" warships ordered by Chile were far from meeting the needs of the British Navy, it was natural that in his mind, these two almost new warships, which had been in service for less than a month, were naturally classified into the "miser-like pile" of the Royal Navy.

"I have persuaded the Admiralty to sell the two warships, "Agile" and "Triumph", but no country is interested in these two warships, except for Russia and Yuben, who are at war, so the Navy is considering reducing the price of these two warships! in order to find a buyer. ”

As he spoke, Fisher's brows flashed with a strange look, and when the two battleships, "Agile" and "Triumph", entered his fleet, he began to criticize these two "non-British" warships, and it was the unceremonious criticism and accusations that made the Admiralty agree to sell them, but the only regret was that after excluding these two countries, almost no country was interested in them.

"Ji Li, after the Qing Navy uprising, the Chinese Navy only has a poor 5 cruisers as capital ships, and they are all old ships from a few years ago, the Chinese Navy needs warships, 5 cruisers are far from being able to maintain China's coastal defense needs, Russia has hundreds of thousands of tons of warships, and it is said that it also has more than 100,000 tons of warships, even if China has no plans to expand its navy in recent years, it also needs a small number of capital ships to maintain the coastal defense of the entire country!"

In fact, from the very beginning, the reason why Fisher lashed out at these two armies was that he hoped to sell these two brand-new warships to China, and if Russia and the Japanese were excluded, no country in the world would buy these two warships, and the exclusion of Russia was due to the "British Alliance" and the exclusion of the Japanese army, but it was out of consideration for the future, and the expansionist sentiment shown by Germany made Britain have to consider the future with Russia.

If the Chinese are willing to buy these two warships, the British Navy can throw away these two "cutting-edge but not conforming to British norms" warships, and can get an additional amount of money for the construction of new warships, which is exactly what Fisher wants, although he has not yet become Secretary of the Navy, but it does not prevent him from beginning to think about the reform of the Navy after becoming Secretary of the Navy, eliminating those "miser-style garbage heaps", and adding new warships is one of the priorities of reform.

"But Downing Street there...... We don't have diplomatic relations with Britain right now! ”

"The English psyche is naturally inclined to rebellion - as long as it is a foreign rebellion!"

(To be continued)