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On March 20, Chinese Foreign Minister Wu Tingfang met with German Ambassador to China Lucas. After receiving the notice from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lucas was a little strange. Because of his relationship with the Chinese royal family, Lucas is still very influential in China. However, as relations between Germany and China slowly enter an impasse, these influences are also rapidly declining. And this is undoubtedly what Britain, France, the United States, Russia and other countries are willing to see! The strength of the Entente was significantly stronger than that of the Central Powers. But if China joins the side of the Allies in the war, then the outcome of the future war will be unpredictable! As a result, relations between China and Germany are getting worse and worse, which is exactly what Britain, France, the United States, and Russia have hoped for.

"Alas! I don't know if the domestic strategy is correct or not. Without China's help, it would be very difficult for the empire to defeat Britain and France! Lucas sat in the car to China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and thought secretly. Since last year, a series of German foreign policies have caused a rift in the relationship between China and Germany!

"Hello, Mr. Lucas!" After being invited into Wu Tingfang's office by the secretary, Lucas saw Wu Tingfang greet him with a smile on his face. This made him a little vigilant, according to their Chinese saying, nothing to offer is either a traitor or a thief!

"Hello, Your Excellency Wu Tingfang!" Lucas was equally smiling.

"Your Excellency Wu Tingfang, I don't know what happened when you saw me this time?" After a pleasant exchange, Lucas asked straight to the point.

"Mr. Lucas, that's right. The Reich now needs the help of Germany! Wu Tingfang said.

Lucas's heart tightened, and then asked quietly: "Germany is an ally of China, and if there is something that needs help, Germany will definitely not postpone it." Of course. This needs to be within the capabilities of Germany! ”

"That's right, Mr. Lucas, the Reich knows that Germany is supporting Lisaldo Garcia in Ecuador in seizing power in Ecuador, right?" Wu Tingfang asked.

"That's right!" Lucas nodded. He wondered in his heart, is the Chinese ready to expand into South America after their expansion to Europe and Africa has been blocked? This is not a good thing for Germany! South America is an important market for Germany. In Africa and elsewhere, after being colonized by Britain and France, South America, which became independent through the Guò Revolution, became an important market for emerging industrial powers such as Germany. Of course, the same is true for the United States. A large amount of German capital entered South America. Plunder cheap raw materials from South America, and then sell the goods back to South America to make a lot of profits. If China were to enter South America, it would inevitably cause serious damage to Germany's interests.

"Mr. Lucas, you must already know that the Americans are stepping up the construction of the Panama Canal! Once the canal is opened, it will certainly promote economic development. But. The U.S. Navy was also able to access the Guò Canal and quickly reach the West Coast. This is a huge threat to our country! Therefore, the Imperial Navy and the General Staff decided after studying it. We need to get a naval base in the U.S. and China to contain the U.S. Navy. As soon as the United States dares to enter the Pacific Ocean through the Guò Panama Canal, we will destroy them at the first opportunity! Wu Tingfang said solemnly. Previously, Wang Yuze had always regarded the United States as China's number one enemy. Many of the Empire's important ministers couldn't figure it out. Compared to the industrial power of the United States. The military strength of the United States is simply too bad. However, Tong Guò observes the development of the United States in recent years. Everyone has agreed with Wang Yuze's point of view. After Theodore Roosevelt came to power, the military strength of the United States has been greatly developed. The navy has planned to build more than 20 new-type battleships, and the army plans to maintain a standing military strength of 40 divisions and 500,000 troops, which can be expanded to more than 3 million in wartime. If China wants to gain world hegemony, the United States will undoubtedly be one of China's biggest obstacles!

Lucas was silent, he now understood what Wu Tingfang meant, China needs to build a military base on the territory of Ecuador. Therefore, the support of Germany is needed. Of course, this military base is certainly used to contain the United States, but it will also deepen China's influence in the South American region. Once China intends to make a move on South America, it will certainly save a lot of trouble by having a military base.

"I wonder where China plans to build its base?" Lucas asked.

"We have researched and intend to take the island of Santa Cruz to the Ecuadorian concession. Mr. Lucas, please rest assured, this is an island thousands of kilometers away from Ecuador, and we have no ambitions for Ecuador! Wu Tingfang said.

Lucas nodded, but he didn't believe much of Wu Tingfang's words. Although, China has the largest population in the world, the largest market. However, as China's industry continues to grow, sooner or later they will need overseas markets. When the time comes, Ecuador and other South American countries will definitely become China's targets.

"Mr. Lucas, for this military base, His Majesty has already nodded. The Navy has also made up its mind. If we can't get this military base by peaceful means, the Navy may take a more aggressive approach! Wu Tingfang reminded.

Lucas's face couldn't help but change, the home port of the Pacific Fleet of the Chinese Navy is only 7,000 kilometers away from the island of Santa Cruz in Ecuador. At the speed of the Chinese Navy, it will be possible to arrive in a maximum of ten days. Moreover, now Ecuador is in chaos, and if the Chinese want to seize Santa Cruz Island, or even more, Ecuadorian roots have no way to stop it! Wu Tingfang's words have clearly revealed the meaning that China must obtain Santa Cruz Island. Unless Germany is willing to fight China for Ecuador, no one can prevent this from happening. And Germany, can it fight with China? Not to mention the relationship between the two sides and the comparison of the naval strength of the two sides, the German navy wants to rush from Europe to Ecuador, nearly 20,000 kilometers, and the Chinese navy can completely wait for work and once again achieve a brilliant victory. What's more, fighting China for the sake of an Ecuador is simply not worth it.

"Your Excellency Wu Tingfang, I already understand what the Chinese side means, and I will contact China. I don't have any opinion on China building a naval base on Santa Cruz. Moreover, after the opening of the Panama Canal, the Americans were able to invest more forces in South America, and China's establishment of military bases in Central America was very useful to curb the expansion of the Americans! Lucas said. If it can't be stopped, Germany can only think on the bright side.

"It's great to have the support of Germany. As long as Lisaldo Garcia agrees to hand over the island of Santa Cruz to us, China will fully support him as president of Ecuador! Wu Tingfang also said.

Lucas was noncommittal, and with the support of China, it would be easier for Lisaldo Garcia to defeat the American-backed Leonidas Praza. Once Lisaldo Garcia becomes president of Ecuador, Germany will be able to reap the rewards handsomely!

After seeing off Lucas, Wu Tingfang summoned the Colombian ambassador to China, Carlos Marin, non-stop. As long as the German side agrees, China's acquisition of Santa Cruz Island is already a certainty. Then, there is another military base left.

Colombia's ambassador to China, Carlos Marín, was also very strange after receiving a notice from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The relationship between Colombia and China is very normal. Normally, when the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs holds a cocktail party, it will also invite him to participate. But other than that, he had very few opportunities to meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wu Tingfang. The relationship between China and Colombia is only to maintain the agricultural products of Colombia in China, and then export some industrial products to Colombia. The annual trade volume between the two sides is very small. After all, almost the entire South American market is in European hands.

"Your Excellency Wu Tingfang, I am very happy to meet you!" After Carlos Marin saw Wu Tingfang, he immediately greeted respectfully. Although China is very far away from Colombia, the powerful China is still something that Colombia can only look up to!

"Hello, Lord Marin!" Mr. Wu invited Carlos Marin to the sofa in the office's sitting area.

After that, the two chatted all over the world, which made Carlos Marin a little confused. As China's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wu Tingfang is obviously very busy every day, and it is impossible to summon him just to chat with him!

"Your Excellency Marin, I heard that the Americans have been trying to overthrow the regime in your country?" Wu Tingfang said suddenly.

"Huh? Your Excellency Dinh Fong, the Americans have split Panama from Colombia. However, their ambitions for Colombia have not been extinguished. However, Colombia will not give in! Carlos Marin said.

"Your Excellency Marin, you know that our relations between China and the United States have always been very tense. Therefore, we, China, are willing to help Colombia against the invasion of the United States! Wu Tingfang said.

"Your Excellency Wu Tingfang, thank you so much!" Carlos Marin said with a quick smile. At the same time, he was also secretly vigilant in his heart, there is no free lunch in the world, and the Chinese will obviously not be so kind. If the Americans are a jackal, the Chinese are even more tigers.

"Your Excellency Marin, in order to cope with the expansion of the Americans in South America, the empire needs to establish a naval base in South America, and after our analysis, Tumaco in the province of Nariño in your country is very suitable!" Wu Tingfang finally expressed China's intentions!