The Queen's decision to confer the title of Duke on Bonham was a surprise to everyone, and it also showed her determination to reconcile with China.

Although the parliamentarians and ministers were shocked, surprisingly no one objected, after all, China has proved its status as a world power with its actions, which is a fact that no one can deny, and Alice is the queen of China, and it is not normal for Bonham to not be a duke.

Moreover, under the current situation, it is very unrealistic for Britain to retake the Asia-Pacific region, so why should it continue to be hostile to China? Reconciling with China and shifting the strategic focus back to Europe is the sensible choice.

The British have always been very sensible, they are very good at judging the situation, when in war, they will not be stingy in a war, and when they are not in war, they will not fight their opponents to the end.

Of course, this does not mean that Britain has no ideas about the Asia-Pacific region, Japan is a chess piece in the hands of Britain, and he will continue to use Japan to contain China, and if there is a miracle and China loses to Russia in the war, then perhaps Britain will examine and revise its attitude towards China.

Coincidentally, while the Palace of Westminster was deliberating on matters concerning China, the French Emperor Napoleon III also summoned Genui, Benito and Montdouban to the Elysée Palace.

When the three of them met, they were all stunned, especially Genui, who had a lot of ideas, Benito and Meng Douban were pro-China, and they were the immediate interests of friendship with China, and they both made a fortune through China, what did the emperor mean by summoning these two people? Is it intended to be friendly with China and fall into the trap for Britain?

"See Your Majesty!" The trio bowed to Napoleon III, who was on high the throne.

"I am honored that gentlemen can attend my invitation in the midst of their busy schedules, please be seated!" Napoleon III smiled and stretched out his hand.

The three of them sat down one after another.

Napoleon III did not talk nonsense and asked directly: "The situation in the Far East has changed abruptly, Britain, the Netherlands, Spain have lost their colonies in Asia, and even India has been freed from British rule with the assistance of the Chinese. Since you have close relations with China and good personal relations with the Chinese Emperor, I would like to ask you to help me refer to the future policy of France in the Far East. ”

The three of them looked at each other, and Meng Douban said first: "Your Majesty, the Emperor of China and I met in Weimo, and I am also honored to be invited to be one of the protocols for the founding of China. I have witnessed the tremendous changes that have taken place in China in recent years, many poor people have lived a prosperous life, the originally fragile army has burst into terrifying combat effectiveness, and many leading scientific and technological products have been created by the Chinese, and all this can only be attributed to the Chinese emperor himself.

What is particularly commendable is that he has no selfish motives, and everything he does is to make China strong. It is precisely this noble quality of his that can lead and unite the Chinese and make China full of vitality in a short period of time.

Of course, his talents in military, political, economic, scientific and technological fields are also breathtaking, and he can always create one miracle after another, so it is unwise to be an enemy of such a person and such a China. China should go further on the basis of the consistent friendship between France and China and deepen exchanges between the two countries in all fields. To build the Franco-Chinese friendship into a model of exchanges between the East and the West. ”

Meng Douban did not hesitate to praise Wang Feng, Genui and Benito also nodded again and again, they all watched Wang Feng grow step by step, China grew step by step, and did not feel that there was an exaggeration.

Napoleon III chuckled: "Franco-Chinese friendship? Does it include a tractor production line, a £1 million biogas technology transfer agreement? And a biogas company with a Chinese stake? By the way, Your Excellency Benito, where are you in the automotive technology introduction agreement with the Chinese side? ”

Benito and Meng Douban were stunned, they didn't understand what Napoleon III meant, and they were secretly frightened by this accurate information. This shows that their every move is under the nose of Napoleon III, and there are no secrets at all.

Benito had no choice but to be honest: "Technology transfer is a manifestation of the friendship between France and China, although the introduction of technology from China seems embarrassing, but we should not just pass by with new technologies for the sake of face, China does have advantages in some aspects of high-tech technology."

As for the automobile production line you mentioned, the Chinese suggested that I wait for the time being, because manufacturing cars is not only a simple technology, but also involves a series of links such as oil exploration and exploitation, as well as oil refining, and the Chinese are willing to cooperate with me in oil first, but this requires huge investment, and I am considering it. ”

Napoleon III nodded and said: "This is feasible, the calorific value of the oil refined, which is greater than the calorific value of coal, will definitely replace coal in the future, Your Excellency Benito, if you have financial difficulties, the state is willing to take a stake, Monsieur Meng Douban, please also tell Hugo, if he no longer opposes me, I can allow him to return to China." ”

Meng Douban said: "I can't promise you on behalf of Hugo, but I can convey your kindness to him. ”

The atmosphere in the hall was still very good, but what I didn't expect was that Napoleon III suddenly smiled and roared: "You have all benefited from China and earned a lot of francs, so what about Indochina?" Do you want to give it to the Chinese? ”

Everyone was shocked, but only surprised, after all, cooperation with China is not illegal, even if Napoleon III wants to deal with them, there must be a sufficient legal basis, and you can't do whatever you want.

After looking at each other, Genui said helplessly: "Your Majesty, I think it's time for us to face up to reality, although China has always adhered to the "Franco-Chinese Treaty of Guangzhou" and the "Franco-Chinese Shouchun Treaty" because of the friendly relations between France and China, but after all, China controls the Strait of Malacca, and the lifeblood of Indochina is in his hands, if there is a conflict between France and China in the future, and he blocks the strait, then we will follow in the footsteps of Britain in Indochina, so I think we should draw up a timetable for the withdrawal of military personnel and implement it gradually. ”

Napoleon III said expressionlessly: "According to you, you have abandoned Indochina?" ”

Genui shook his head: "It's not a complete abandonment, the process of China helping the Chinese in Southeast Asia to build a nation inspired me, we can plan to return power to the royal families of the Khmer, Nanzhang and Vietnam, and then include Siam, to help them build a modern country, accept the French ideology and cultural form, and exert French influence."

I think these four countries are happy to accept it, because China is too strong, and anyone who has a strong neighbor by their side will have trouble sleeping, and they must be worried that if they make a mistake, there will be a Chinese army with a butcher's knife in their hands, and no one wants to be the next Burma, especially Vietnam, which has been taken half of its territory by China, and they hate and fear it.

In contrast, the harm that we France have inflicted is nothing at all, and if France extends an olive branch and is willing to rely on them, they will only weep with gratitude. ”

"Hmm~~" It took a long time for Napoleon III to mutter: "It seems that this can only be the case, leave this matter to you, I don't want our investment to see no return." ”

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Genui gave a salute and said: "Today's Asia-Pacific is already China's sphere of influence, we don't need to mix in it on the surface, we just need to maintain friendly relations with China, and at the same time immediately withdraw the strategic focus to the west, and take advantage of the heavy losses suffered by Britain to restore the glory of the French nation on the European continent, which will make Your Majesty more loved by the people, and now that China has announced trade sanctions against the United Kingdom, should we follow up?" ”

Napoleon III did not answer, but took out his pipe and smoked it one after the other, showing his inner hesitation, and the other three also lit their cigarettes, and in a short time the whole room was filled with dark blue smoke.

"What do you see?" Napoleon III asked slowly.

Meng Douban took over and said: "I think we can wait and see, first of all, according to China's definition of human rights and environmental protection, French workers are only a little better than the UK, and Paris is also very polluted, so what qualifications do they have to sanction the UK?"

Second, Britain will definitely respond in the face of China's sanctions, if once an agreement is reached with China, China lifts sanctions against Britain, then we will be in a very awkward situation, although Britain has suffered losses in Asia, but it still has a large area of colonies in Africa, in a short period of time, the strength will not be too low, we do not need to bear the frontal anger of Britain.

Of course, we should seize the opportunity to step up our efforts to seize market share in the Asia-Pacific region, especially in China, and try to squeeze out British goods."

"Yes, that's the safest option." Napoleon III smiled.

Genui immediately struck the snake and proposed: "Your Majesty, since there is a solution to the Indochina question, I think we can agree to China's conditions, our compatriots have been imprisoned for too long. ”

"Good!" Napoleon III replied: "I authorize you as envoy plenipotentiary, to conclude an agreement with the Chinese government on my behalf, and if you have the opportunity, to convey friendship to the Emperor of China on my behalf, and to wish him great victory in the war against Russia." ”

"Yes! Your Majesty! Genui gave another salute.

Although there was still confrontation with China, Napoleon III, at least on the surface, had clearly shown a friendly attitude towards China, which made Benito's heart move, and a bold idea came to mind, and after a little hesitation, he said: "Your Majesty, if France wants to expand its influence in Europe and regain its glory in history, now is the best opportunity, I don't know if you dare to take risks." ”

Adventure, for Napoleon III, was never a big deal, he was an adventurer and a political opportunist at heart, and he became interested at the moment, and signaled: "Please speak up." ”

Benito suppressed his excitement and said: "You can declare war on Austria, help Sardinia regain the territory occupied by Austria, and complete the cause of the unification of Italy, Italy will definitely stand with you as your closest ally!" (To be continued.) )