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"What kind of choices will ******** make in a few years?"

With a corn pipe in his mouth, Zhu Erdian sat on the sofa by the fireplace in the smoking room, when the British ambassador to China, who had been in China for 32 years, had a trace of worry on his brow.

And beyond worry, there are more doubts.

In Nanjing's diplomatic circles, almost all diplomats know that the British ambassador to China, an Irishman from a peasant family, is a true China expert, completely different from other diplomats who claim to be China experts, he has lived and worked in China for 32 years, and as a British, he knows China even more than he knows about Britain.

Thirty-two years ago, at the age of 24, Zhu Erdian came to China, first as a trainee interpreter at the Beijing Consulate, and then at various coastal ports to learn consular business. After 38 years in China, he is very familiar with Chinese culture, officialdom and officials, and on the other hand, in addition to having good personal friendships with many Chinese officials, he and His Majesty the Emperor have known each other very early, and the two can be said to be old friends for more than 20 years, and they know each other very well in politics, character and style of life.

In Nanjing's diplomatic circles, although the so-called diplomatic corps has long since disappeared into invisibility, Zhu Erdian has the deepest qualifications and the highest prestige among the ambassadors to China, and even sometimes the Chinese government's foreign ministry has to coordinate the positions of various countries and settle diplomatic disputes through Zhu Erdian.

"...... of the direction of ********"

In the past few years, although the treaty between China and Britain has still been maintained, with the mutual vigilance of the two countries, the treaty has long become a binding force between the two countries. Diplomats have also noted that in the past few years, the relationship between China and Britain has become increasingly estranged, and in contrast, China's relations with Germany have become closer - in addition to the German generals who served as instructors at the Army University, China has cooperated with Germany in other areas, and now the two countries have strengthened their ties with the government and the military, and sensitive diplomats have realized that it seems that China is making a fundamental adjustment to its own diplomacy.

The direction of the ...... Ten years ago, Zhu Erdian would not have had to think about what China would do, but now ......

Any country that ignores China's power will eventually pay a price, the Russians, and even the Americans, especially the Russians, they have lost half of their country, and even the country is on the verge of extinction, they have already paid their own price, the same mistake, Zhu Erdian will not make, but it is precisely because of this that he feels embarrassed.

At this time, the door of the smoking room was pushed open, and the one who walked in was Finney, who had just graduated from Cambridge last year and came to China, the clerk Finney, who was very young, but only twenty-nine years old, perhaps because he came to China at the age of twenty-four, and was similar to Zhu Erdian in this regard, Zhu Erdian would like this young man, of course, the more important reason was to appreciate his wit and talent, to some extent, when he saw Finney, Zhu Erdian would have the feeling of seeing himself more than thirty years ago.

Walking in with the folder in his hand, Finney bent over the couch.

"Sir, a telegram from the Minister of Foreign Affairs."

Zhu Erdian spat out two small smoke rings, touched the short white whisker on the side of his mouth, and before he could raise his head to command, he saw that Finney, who had put down the telegram, had respectfully brought his glasses.

Nodding heartily, Jurdian put his pipe on the table, reached for the telegram that Feeney had presented, and looked at it carefully with his glasses.

“…… That's right, it seems that London has already made a decision! ”

Listening to Jurdian talking to himself, Feeney asked cautiously.

"Sir, London has already made a decision?"

Nodding, Zhu Erdian's brow tightened, and he put the pipe to his mouth again.

"It's nothing, it's good, the Foreign Secretary has sent a new decision, London will not renew the Sino-British Treaty with it!"

"It seems to be expected, but it's not a good thing, because the last restraints are gone!"

The so-called "Sino-British Treaty" was actually a secret treaty signed by Britain and the Northeast authorities in order to support the Northeast before the Sino-Russian War, which was almost equivalent to the Alliance Treaty, and it was that treaty that gave the Northeast the courage to carry on the war.

"Yes! That's not a good thing! ”

Zhu Erdian nodded and put the telegram on the table.

"The so-called foreign policy, in fact, is vague in its nature, there is no law to talk about, what was right yesterday may be wrong today, all foreign policy changes according to the changes of time and the situation, in the past, the domestic meaning was not to see China expand their influence in the Far East, and of course China did not want China to continue to be a solid ally of Germany in the Far East, and in the past few years, the estrangement of our relations with China is actually a conflict of interests......

Interests, the essence of diplomacy is actually to take interests as the core, but Zhu Erdian is very clear about this, at this time a Chinese servant brought refreshments, and Zhu Erdian greeted Finney.

"My gentleman, no matter what happens, afternoon tea cannot be ignored."

"Yes, sir, I completely agree with that."

The two sat opposite each other, sipping black tea and snacks with sugar cubes, waiting for the servant to withdraw, two years ago, they would not have been so careful, but now, they have to be careful, in the past few years, when the diplomats of various countries in Nanjing and the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs meet, they will always fall behind, and every time they negotiate and discuss, the Chinese diplomats always seem to know their bottom line very well, and easily control the negotiations.

At first, they thought that this was a group of very good diplomats appointed by the Chinese, but it was not until two years ago, when a servant of the US embassy exchanged money with a secret in his possession, that diplomats from various countries learned that under the name of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there was a Ministry of Foreign Affairs Intelligence Bureau, which was responsible for collecting diplomatic information.

The smooth negotiation table is not because of their talent, but because they have fundamentally grasped the bottom line of each country, that is, since then, countries have strengthened the security work of embassies and consulates in China, and have taken extremely strict precautions against those Chinese. And that only exposed the tip of the iceberg of Chinese intelligence work, and in the following two years, the Chinese could still obtain intelligence in the embassy through various channels.

However, at least they learned not to discuss issues in front of Chinese servants, and to guard against servants. Finally, when the servant withdrew, Finney couldn't bear it anymore and opened his mouth to break the silence.

"Sir, what do you think is domestic...... Does this pose a threat to Britain's future? ”

Jurdian tapped his pipe and shrugged.

"Finney, there is no friendship between nations, only a relationship of mutual use, which is a basic premise. Think about it, the Boer War consumed too many of our resources and strength, and in order to be able to confront Germany, Britain had already drawn up joint military plans with France, and even there was a treaty between us and the United States, although there was no solid and reliable agreement that would compel Britain to assist France or the United States in the event of a war with Germany or China, but once France was attacked, Britain would most likely not sit idly by, and we would not be able to sit idly by and watch Germany be strong, and we would not be able to sit idly by and watch Germany control the entire continent, This is the most basic foreign policy of the United Kingdom, so ......"

Finney shook the slightly frothy black tea in his cup, frowned and pondered for a moment before speaking.

"If this is the case, sir, is it possible to realize that China has become a potential enemy country for Britain?"

Zhu Erdian, who put down his pipe, shook his head and looked at Finney with a smile, and then said with a smile.

"Yes, in the past, we may have barely been friends, but now, China has actually become a potential enemy of Britain, but we don't have the power to stop them, so at this time, we need the help of the United States, which is why, in the end, London acquiesced to the deal between Vickers and the Chinese Navy, because we need China to provoke the United States, so that the American Congress can ratify the treaty."

Feeney nodded approvingly, took a sip of tea, and asked as if something had suddenly come to mind.

"Sir, do you mean that London is inciting a conflict between China and the United States?"

Zhu Erdian smiled slightly.

"That's diplomacy! As far as Britain is concerned, as long as China and the United States are at loggerheads, Britain will be able to focus on European affairs, so we need a confrontation between China and the United States to add a bargaining chip for diplomatic mediation. ”

Finney said after a moment's thought.

"If that's the case, does that mean that in the future, we still need to test the Chinese threat in Asia?"

Zhu Erdian waved his hand and smiled.

"Finney, diplomacy is an art, and the reason why it is called art is precisely because diplomacy is constantly adjusting, today's friends will be tomorrow's enemies, in diplomacy, even enemies, can be used, in the diplomatic profession...... There is no friendship at all."

Indeed, as London speculated, Britain must adjust its relations with China in all its respects at a time when China continues to affect British interests, but will this lead to China's complete tilt towards Germany? Of course, this proves that London's previous plan was accurate.

"Yes, sir, I think I understand!"

"In fact......"

While Finney seemed to understand something, Jurdian could let out a long sigh.

"Personally, I think London is making a mistake......"

"Oh?"

Finney couldn't help but wonder, Mr. Ambassador, what's wrong?

"Because we can't predict the future, we want to avoid a possible war and single-handedly bring about another war, and this battlefield ...... Maybe even get the whole world involved! Unless the whole world realizes the strength of the opposing alliance, and then takes action, through concessions, negotiations, and solutions, rather than resorting to war. ”

Don't...... From the ambassador's face, Finney saw the worry, and the meaning of his words could not be clearer, what did it mean? Does this mean that a clash between the great powers will be inevitable if London wishes?

"Therefore, diplomacy is sometimes very frustrating, even if you know that it is a mistake, but you have to carry it out......"

Two days later, Zhu Erdian went to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Chinese Empire and called on Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liang Dunyan; as everyone knows, this diplomat, who had studied in the United States as a child and later served as counselor and ambassador to Germany, became vice foreign minister after returning to China last year, and his appointment as vice foreign minister in the capacity of ambassador to Germany also means that China's foreign policy has been readjusted -- China has completely changed the line of pro-British diplomacy.

"It seems that London has decided!"

In the face of the news delivered by Zhu Erdian, although he already knew London's intentions through the intelligence agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Liang Dunyan, he still showed "surprise". But at the same time, it is also understood that the last shackles between China and Britain have also disappeared, what does this mean?

"Yes, I think, Nanjing probably holds the same position!"

Zhu Erdian's tone seemed very calm, as if he was telling an extremely ordinary thing, and when he said this, Liang Dunyan had already stood up, he walked to the wine cabinet, took out a bottle of three whiskey, and poured two glasses himself, because it was an old friend, he knew Zhu Erdian's habits, and he deliberately sandwiched two ice cubes. Then he handed the wine to Jurdian.

"My friend, neither of us knows what the future holds, but I hope we can cherish our friendship!"

Zhu Erdian, who took the whiskey, looked at the wine in the glass, and then looked at Liang Dunyan, who looked calm, and he nodded calmly.

"Yes, many things, we should cherish the friendship between each other!"

And this kind of friendship only exists between individuals, for China and Britain, as diplomats, they know very well that now, the relationship between the two countries has come to an end, and where it will go in the future is not something that the two can predict.

To be more precise, the two may be able to guess a future, but they can't guess how China and Britain will "get along" in that future, whether it will be peace or war as it is now.

"Come, let's make it for the sake of friendship!"

"For friendship!"

When the glasses of the two diplomats touched, the whiskey shone beautifully in the light, but the two men had their own hearts, and they knew that this so-called friendship was actually the wine in the glass......

After drinking it all, Zhu Erdian looked at the bustling street outside the window and said in an emotional tone.

"What a change here......"

What is changing? Is it local, or policy? I'm afraid only Zhu Erdian himself will know! (To be continued.) )