It's not that Fang Jianxiong doesn't want to train these foreign devils fiercely now, considering that they have come from afar, and there are twenty Curtiss to assemble, it will take a week. Give them a good rest first.

Back at the headquarters, Fisher, Douglas, and Barkley were all waiting in the reception room, and when Fang Jianxiong appeared, Fisher stood up first, Douglas was a little slower, and Barkley hesitated and stood up.

"Mr. Douglas, Mr. Buckley, we meet again." Fang Jianxiong greeted with a smile, not ignoring Fisher, the actual highest status among the three, but not being so polite between the two.

"General Fang, the two gentlemen have brought the latest cooperation intentions, and I am the master to bring them here." Fisher stepped forward and greeted with a humble smile, and Fang Jianxiong naturally accepted this respect.

Douglas was used to it, and Barkley was a little unaccustomed, but he didn't show it.

"Hopefully this time it's good news, and to be honest, I'd love to work with the Americans as well. My most basic view of cooperation is a win-win situation. Fang Jianxiong sat down with a smile, Fisher didn't sit in a hurry, but applauded: "General Fang can always say something full of philosophy, and the word win-win is very interesting." ”

The other two Yankees were stunned and applauded. That's true.

"The reason is very simple, I need to develop industry, economy, transportation, etc., and with these, there is a corresponding market and taxes. Capital is profit-seeking, and it is unrealistic to invest without a satisfactory return on profits. As long as American capital comes. I have an obligation to make sufficient profits for my capital, and I have an obligation to protect these investment companies. ”

"General Fang, the tripartite talks in Shanghai have made people see a rising political star in this country. On behalf of some American people, I would like to express my heartfelt greetings and most sincere willingness to cooperate with you. Douglas also figured out Fang Jianxiong's path, and when he came up, he expressed his purpose clearly.

"On behalf of Bethlehem Steel, I would like to congratulate you. and put forward some wishes for cooperation. Barkley can only passively follow this rhythm, don't look at him as a deputy military attaché, the richest in the United States is the biggest. The richest here. It's Fisher, there's a private bank. Fisher's attitude clearly guided the atmosphere of today's talks.

"Good. Let's talk about it openly. Fang Jianxiong put away his smile and showed a solemn face, this is the gesture of preparing to start talking. The three of them each went to sit opposite each other, and Fang Jianxiong also had more recorders and translators around him.

"General Fang, Bethlehem would like to express our gratitude to you for your willingness to take over the Feihong Consciousness. And hope to deepen further cooperation with you. The strength of Bethlehem Steel Company, there is no doubt about it, and I am sure that it will satisfy you and your army. ”

Buckley spoke first, and Fang Jianxiong did not answer in a hurry, but clapped his hands. Yin Weijun on the side skillfully handed over a copy of the text, and Fang Jianxiong pushed it to the opposite side: "This is a purchase list, in addition to the Feihong, I also hope to take two light cruisers, mainly for the defense of the Yangtze River waterway." Specific tonnage. It's about between three thousand tons and five thousand tons. I am a layman in this regard, and the navy believes that the British Lin Xian class is the most suitable, and I hope to refer to the procurement. In addition to the ships, I will purchase about $3 million worth of equipment and raw materials for the production of rifles and small-caliber artillery for use by our army. ”

"Forgive me for taking the plunge. Why didn't the general directly place orders with American companies to purchase finished munitions? Barkley asked, and Darglas's face changed, and he was too slow to stop.

Fang Jianxiong didn't mean to be angry, and said lightly: "With all due respect, our army's existing equipment is basically German-made weaponized. Do you think it is necessary for me to make trouble for myself? ”

This sentence is very polite in nature. A soldier should know what this sentence means. It contains a lot of things, the most important of which is logistics, in terms of the quality of arms and cost performance, American goods are now in front of German goods, there is really no advantage. More critically, this sentence brings out a strong competitor, Germany!

The Americans are very aware of the disadvantages in the fire market, take the Phenom as an example, the guns on the battleship are required to be British, this is too slap in the face. It wasn't because of this, and it wouldn't have given rise to the Bethlehem contract.

"Your Excellency, my Government hopes that the Bethlehem contract will be renewed. This person I would like to see is Your Excellency. Douglas finally couldn't help but interject, Fang Jianxiong was obviously stunned, and then his face was silent.

There was silence in the reception room, waiting for the ticking of the clock in the corner. To be honest, Fang Jianxiong didn't expect this to happen, and Fisher didn't know about it beforehand. This should be an unexpected bonus after the opening of the tripartite talks, Fang Jianxiong appeared in a strong posture, and soon joined the team that controls the future and destiny of the country. After a period of observation, it is not difficult for Americans to find that only Fang Jianxiong is strong in economic and military investment. The other two are obviously much worse, needless to say Yuan Shikai in Beiyang, there are a few benefits that are cheaper than the Anglo-Japanese alliance. Only Fang Jianxiong has been trading with Germany and the United States, not the traditional Chinese market, which dominates the Anglo-Japanese alliance. Especially in large-scale procurement projects, Fang Jianxiong is not only ahead of the curve, but also faster.

Half an hour passed, Fang Jianxiong didn't speak but stood up and paced slowly in the living room, this hesitation was obvious. But everyone can understand what the Bethlehem contract means. It means that Fang Jianxiong must play the banner, what banner? The flag that dominates this country. It's a pity that as far as the current status quo is concerned, Fang Jianxiong looks at the rapid development, but in fact, the foundation is still insufficient. It is much stronger than the provisional government, but it is worse than the accumulation of Beiyang for many years. You also have to take into account the diplomatic environment and so on.

In fact, Fang Jianxiong at this moment is not thinking about whether to accept this contract, but how to accept it. Regarding the Bethlehem contract, Fang Jianxiong learned the details from Fisher. Objectively speaking, this is a relatively fair contract. From an objective point of view, once accepted, it will be tied to the car in the United States from now on. This result is not in line with Fang Jianxiong's national interests.

What Fang Jianxiong needs is to make a swing between Germany and the United States! But the allure of this contract is too great.

Finally, Fang Jianxiong stopped, subconsciously took out a cigarette and lit it, then returned to his position and said lightly: "This, you can talk about it." It is impossible to accept the Bethlehem contract in its entirety, and some adjustments will need to be made. Fang Jianxiong finally made up his mind, but there is a bit of a small flower here, and the so-called negotiable and adjusted are all foreshadowing for the future.

With the collapse of the Qing government becoming an inevitable general trend, the US government urgently needs a spokesman who can represent US interests in China. Judging from the current situation, Fang Jianxiong is undoubtedly the most suitable candidate. Previously, considering his lack of military strength and political influence, he only made a simple test. The situation of the tripartite talks has ushered in a new era, and at the same time, it has also strengthened the confidence of Americans.

"Okay, then let's put it aside for a while, and we'll move on to other cooperation." Fisher promptly picked up the past and began negotiations on a new theory. A big deal like the Bethlehem contract can't be explained in a sentence or two.

"General Fang, the American capital I represent has decided to cooperate with Your Excellency in the following projects: the expansion of the Ma'anshan Iron and Steel Plant, first, the annual output of 500,000 tons of steel after three years, the second joint venture to build the Huainan Coal Mine, and the third joint venture to build the Bengbu-Wuhan railway. Fourth, the Hanyang Gun Factory and the Wuhu Manufacturing Bureau, we have invested capital and technology for a maximum of five years, and the output can meet the needs of your armed 20 infantry divisions. Fifth, the Hankow American Concession was expanded, and the expanded area was used as an industrial park for American investment enterprises in China. Sixth....... ”

"Needless to say, the sixth, I can't agree to the fifth!" Fang Jianxiong suddenly spoke, interrupting Douglas.

When Douglas was stunned, Fisher smiled in time: "Your Excellency, General, if you can't expand the concession, it will be difficult to attract American capital to China. We have thought this out deliberately. ”

Fang Jian stood up and said, "There is no need to explain this, and there is no need to mention it. The concession, on my territory, will not expand in the slightest, this is the bottom line. Of course, I can create a special area, such as a county or several counties, which will be called special administrative regions for the time being. Any foreign investment in these areas will enjoy the highest treatment, that is, except for the garrison and the police, everything else is exactly the same as the concession. ”

Douglas, who was originally extremely disappointed, immediately lit up when he heard this, bowed slightly behind him, sat down with a smile and said, "Let's talk about ......." ”

This time, the negotiations lasted from morning to late at night, and both sides of the conversation spent a lot of energy at the negotiating table. Eventually, a document called the "Draft Memorandum of Understanding on Economic Cooperation" was issued, and since Fang Jianxiong did not become a true representative of the country, the name of the document did not indicate China and the United States.

After the meeting returned to the room, the light was on in the room, pushed the door in, Dou Qingmei was under the lamp and didn't know what to do, and when she heard the movement, she quickly put down the work in her hand and came over to greet and serve. Since that thing was done, the work of serving in front of me at night is all Dou Qingmei. Yin Weijun, who originally appeared often, stopped showing his head after dark.

"What are you busy with?" Fang Jianxiong asked a question when he accepted the foot burning service, Dou Qingmei lowered her head and was busy, looked up shyly, and said in a low voice: "It's nothing, just do some needlework." ”

Sewing? It's not easy for a woman in this era! With a secret sigh, Fang Jianxiong went to bed and lay down, stretching comfortably. I can finally relax, and after a tiring day, my mouth is dry.