On August 9th, the most famous Hantang Hotel in Beijing was chartered for a huge amount of money. You know, this is one of the most luxurious hotels in China, and it costs at least 50,000 Chinese yuan to charter a night. In this era, this price is definitely a sky-high price.

At the entrance of the hotel, two short middle-aged men in tuxedos were waiting for the arrival of guests. They are the people who chartered the Hantang Hotel, Japanese Foreign Minister Shuzo Aoki and former Japanese Minister to China Taro Kawaguchi. The two stood at the door of the hotel, waiting for the guests while talking in a whisper. The guests they invited were diplomats from Britain, France, the United States, and Russia. After China insisted on using tough measures against Japan and refused to let Japan go, Aoki Shuzo and others had no choice but to take measures to save themselves. After hearing that China is very harsh on the conditions put forward by various countries, Aoki Shuzo believes that the opportunity has come. If countries come together to put pressure on China, it may have a very good effect. Therefore, he reluctantly spent 100,000 Chinese yuan to charter the Hantang Hotel, prepared this ball, and invited officials from various countries to participate. All countries gave him a lot of face and said that they would participate in this ball.

"Your Excellency, can those European and American ghost animals unite with the empire to put pressure on the Chinese people? They are all forgetful people, and they are not worth believing at all! Taro Kawaguchi whispered. The cost of tonight reached 100,000 Chinese yuan, 50,000 yuan to charter the venue, plus other famous wine and food, and the desire was spent a huge amount of money. When Japan was already starving, it cost 100,000 Chinese won, equivalent to 250,000 yen, to invite diplomats from various countries to a ball. Taro Kawaguchi felt pain in his flesh when he thought about it.

"Kawaguchi. There is no way back for the empire now. This is the last chance for the Empire. If you can't tie the Japanese and the Great Powers together, once the Shina people and the Great Powers come to an agreement, the empire will be over! Shuzo Aoki replied. His face was a little unpleasant, because he found that what he was doing was like a mantis arm as a car.

"Yes, Your Excellency Prime Minister Lu! However, it is necessary to get the people of China to agree to peace talks with the Empire. I'm afraid it's going to be very difficult. The conditions offered by the people of China to the great powers are very harsh, let alone the empire! Taro Kawaguchi said. The last time they met Wu Tingfang, the conditions put forward by Wu Tingfang were obviously to destroy Japan.

"The harsher the conditions put forward by the Shina people, the better it would be for the empire. The great powers were at a disadvantage in this war. But except for Russia, the other countries have not suffered much damage. If China and the Great Powers cannot come to an agreement and continue the war. Then, the branch did not have the time and energy to launch an attack on the Empire. Even if the branch is very powerful. They can't afford to drag it either! Shuzo Aoki said. China's development in recent years has been very rapid. But after all, the foundation is too thin, and compared with the Western powers, there is still a very big gap. Perhaps in a short period of time, China can gain the upper hand. But if it drags on for a long time, China can't afford to delay it. So, this is Japan's last chance. The reason why Shuzo Aoki held this dance was to hope that all countries could reach an agreement and fight China to the end.

At 7 p.m., as night falls, the heat slowly dissipates and the weather becomes cooler. The number of people on the streets gradually increased. The area where Hantang Hotel is located is the most prosperous street in Beijing, and the street is also full of people.

"Didi!" The car drove slowly down the street, and the driver kept honking his horn. It can be seen from the small flag planted on the front of the car that this car belongs to the Russian Embassy in China. After the arrival of the Russian Foreign Minister in Beijing, the car was also removed from the closed embassy for the use of the Russian Foreign Minister.

Soon, the car stopped in front of the Hantang Hotel. Russian Foreign Minister Izvorsky and former Russian Minister to China Kasini got out of the car. Shuzo Aoki and Taro Kawaguchi hurriedly greeted them.

"Your Excellency the Foreign Secretary and the Minister are welcome to my ball!" Shuzo Aoki smiled.

"Your Excellency Aoki is so polite!" Russian Foreign Minister Izvorsky also said with a smile.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Russian Foreign Minister Izvorsky and Casini were invited to the hotel. As for the other members of the Russian mission to China, they came alone.

Subsequently, US Secretary of State John? Sherman, former U.S. Minister to China Sherlock. French Foreign Minister Alexandre? Ribeauaud, former French minister to China Pierre, also arrived at the Han Tang Hotel. The arrival of guests made Shuzo Aoki and Taro Kawaguchi very happy.

Lord Lansdowne, British Foreign Secretary, and Juerdian, former British Minister to China, were the last to arrive. Although the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs had provided them with a carriage, Lord Lansdowne insisted on using a four-wheeled carriage, as if that was the only way to show his aristocratic demeanor. Actually, Lord Lansdowne has not been doing well these days. When he reported the results of the negotiations to London, he was suddenly met with Prime Minister Arthur? Belfour's reprimand. The new British cabinet has come to power, and its rule is still unstable, and it is possible that it will be ousted at any time. If China cannot reach an agreement to attack India or Australia, it will put the cabinet under great pressure again. At a time when Britain was unable to defend India and Australia, once these two important colonies fell, the angry people would surely overthrow the cabinet again. At the same time, London is unacceptable to China's conditions. Burma and the Straits Settlements were lost, and Britain knew it would not return. However, the huge war reparations, which Britain could not pay. The Cabinet demanded that Lord Landsdown keep the war reparations to a minimum, preferably within ten million pounds. This was very difficult for Lord Lansdowne, and in his opinion, it was simply an impossible task.

When Lord Lansdowne, the British Foreign Secretary, arrived, the ball began. Shuzo Aoki, as the host, gave an enthusiastic speech and wished everyone a pleasant evening. After that, the well-dressed diplomats hugged their respective dance partners and began to dance to the sound of music. Fortunately, there are many women among the journalists who remain in Beijing from all over the world. In addition, there are many foreign businessmen in Beijing. And this time on the mission to China, many diplomats also brought their wives with them, otherwise, they would not be able to gather so many female companions. If it doesn't work, many people are afraid that they will have to pay for prostitutes to make up the numbers.

Several foreign ministers, instead of lingering on the ladies attending the ball, were talking in a corner. There is no doubt that they are all under pressure from within their respective countries, and they are all required to do their best to reach an agreement with China and pay the least possible cost. It's just that such contradictory requirements make everyone very difficult.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I heard that the conditions offered by the Chinese to you are very harsh, which is simply unacceptable to all countries. In my opinion, the Chinese are completely too arrogant. They just gained a slight advantage on the battlefield, and they were so arrogant that it was really infuriating. In my opinion, countries should unite and put pressure on China to withdraw these harsh conditions! As the owner, Shuzo Aoki said first.

Everyone smiled, they naturally knew what happened to Aoki Shuzo. If they can still reach an agreement with China to end the war, then Japan can only go to extinction. Although, all countries do not want to see Japan perish, and hope that Japan can continue to contain China. But now in this situation, they take care of themselves. As for Japan, they can only let themselves fend for themselves.

"Guys, I think that's a good idea. The conditions put forward by the Chinese are unacceptable to Russia. For this reason, His Majesty the Tsar did not hesitate to fight to the death with the Chinese. If we unite, the Chinese should know the difficulties and retreat! Russian Foreign Minister Izvorsky agreed. Tsar Nicholas II did not agree to the conditions put forward by the Chinese side, then there would be no truce between Russia and China. So he had to think of something else. Joint pressure from all countries is undoubtedly a good way.

"I agree too! Although, in this war, we cannot defeat China. But we must weaken China as much as possible. Once China has gained enough benefits from us, China will definitely take off quickly. This is unacceptable to all of us. Therefore, reducing the losses of countries is not only beneficial for the present, but also beneficial for the future! "U.S. Secretary of State John? Sherman also said. Once China takes off, it will still be difficult for the United States to defeat China in the next war. It is even possible to be completely defeated by China. Therefore, the United States must find a way to contain China's development.

"If everyone agrees, then I agree!" British Foreign Secretary Lord Lansdowne also said. His heart was full of sadness, when did the British Empire, the world's largest power, also need to unite with other countries to be able to suppress China, a country that has just begun to develop. At the beginning, no country in the world could be hostile to Britain. Once the fleet of the British Royal Navy appeared, all countries had to accept the British conditions.

"France is also in favour of joining forces with other countries." French Foreign Minister Alexandre? Ribo also said. Among the countries, China's conditions to France can be said to be the most lenient. Of course, if it can further reduce its losses, France will certainly not refuse.

Aoki Shuzo's face was full of smiles, and he was very satisfied with everyone's reaction. After the meeting, everyone began to enjoy the wonderful dance party. Delicious wine and food, as well as beautiful women, became the theme of the evening! (To be continued.) )

PS: The third update is here! The fourth watch is at 11 o'clock! Ask for a subscription, ask for a monthly pass, ask for a like! Thank you for the extreme deep-sea diving and the reward of the Eagle of the People's Liberation Army! Thank you for the monthly pass that you will understand when your heart is broken!