Just before Xu Jie left, Xu Jie received a secret telegram from the British government from the telegraph office, and then a mysterious Englishman came to Weihai, and this 40-year-old British gentleman who called himself William came to Xu Jie's study with Galene, and this made Xu Jie feel quite surprised, what is the identity of this person named William? Can you get the guarantee of both the British government and Gaylin at the same time?

"Dear Mr. Xu, there is no need for you to doubt my identity, I think the secret telegram from the British government and Miss Garing are enough to prove my reliability. First, I can bring you enough information and help that has a direct bearing on the future of you and your country. Second, this help is not gratuitous, and we need your sincerity. William's tone was full of arrogance.

"I think I already know what your Excellency's so-called information is, if I'm not mistaken, it should be the recent transfer of the Russians, right? They're a little restless, that's clear to me. Xu Jie frowned and said.

"It's not just restlessness, if it's just the Russians, I think Your Excellency is enough to deal with it, but the enemy doesn't just come from outside. The fortresses were breached from within. William said elegantly, looking determined to win.

"We have enough strength in Beiyang to deal with the bad behavior of the Russians, and at the same time, we can also suppress some hostile forces in the country. It is okay to exchange interests between countries, but they must be equal, and we can talk about finance and trade, but sovereignty is absolutely not allowed. Russia has a lot of enemies, and we can find enough partners. Xu Jie had already estimated that the British might already know about the center's dealings with the Russians. But to be on the safe side, he didn't break it.

"Your attitude is very unfriendly, and I even feel that your words are full of contempt for the British Empire, which is a very dangerous move." William's words were calm, but at the same time very oppressive.

"This is just your assumption, and I don't think anyone will read the slightest contempt from it, but I am just emphasizing that both sides should cooperate on an equal footing. We do need the help of the British Empire, but at the same time, the British Empire needs us to contain Russia. We are even needed to contain France, which is allied with the Russians. Xu Jie was unmoved.

"Equality? In the light of Your Excellency and your country's situation, it seems that there is no room for bargaining in such a difficult situation, right? Equal to the strongest empire in the world? Are you kidding? William said with a smile.

"Then Your Excellency, please go back. I will discuss this directly with London, even though you can represent the Prime Minister, but you cannot represent Parliament! If your country behaves like you, then I have to choose Germany and Italy. What your country can provide, both countries can provide, advanced warships, all kinds of equipment, as well as talent and money. Xu Jie unceremoniously interrupted the other party.

"You must know that the current relations between Germany and Russia are very good, and Germany will not openly offend Russia. As for Italy? It can only be said that Italy is not yet on the table of the Far East. William said.

"The Three Emperors Alliance has ended. I don't think it is difficult to guess how the Kaiser would have chosen the Germans who chose Austria-Hungary over Russia, and Germany and France were old enemies, and Russia was developed with the support of French funds. And all we need are resources that are available through normal channels, so, I dare to assure you, the Germans will agree, and will probably be more than happy that we defeat the Russians. Xu Jie paused, looked at the other party and continued.

"Don't think that I only know the navy, in fact, my knowledge of the army and international strategy is not bad. I know it. Since the visit of the French president to Russia, the German Army has been formulating a plan on how to resist the Franco-Russian attack on two fronts, and I also know that since the Reinsurance Treaty was not renewed, because of the relationship between Austria-Hungary and Russia, in fact, Germany has stood on the opposite side of Russia, coupled with the arrogance of the German peacock, this conflict is necessary and certain. Xu Jie sneered. …,

"Well, then, Mr. Wilhelm, please tell me what kind of assistance your country can provide in such a situation that the German Reich cannot provide?" Xu Jie's blade-like eyes made William quite uncomfortable.

"Xu, you are a little conceited, Mr. William is just a little overly expressive, the British Empire and your country should be very good friends, we need to put aside some unnecessary disputes to seek common interests." Gaylin said slowly.

"I'm just defending my homeland. Beiyang has already given your country the greatest preferential treatment within the scope of what can be permitted, and your country is not satisfied? We cannot serve your country in vain. For this reason, the German Empire and the Kingdom of Italy have already expressed considerable displeasure, and you know that Lord Nakado maintains a very good relationship with a German branch, and I personally have an extraordinary relationship with the Italian Admiralty Minister and the Chief Designer of the Navy. We are already under a lot of pressure, but we still provide the best possible convenience for the entry of your capital, which is very sincere. Xu Jie softened and said.

"But now this matter is very important, and our British Empire may even face a war as a result, and as Mr. Xu said, the Franco-Russian alliance threatens both your country and our country. And in order to help your country suppress Russia, we need to pay too much, so we must be compensated, and as for the specific compensation, I think we can talk about it. William tried to make his tone as sincere as possible.

"Tell me, what do you want to gain from?" Xu Jie asked.

"First, the loosening of restrictions on Japan. Japan has apologized for what it has done, so Japan does not believe that it is necessary to treat Japan in the same way as a slave, and that Japan should become a normal country. William said firmly in his tone.

"Second, your country should further open up the mainland market, including finance, transportation and commerce, and your government should allow more people to enjoy the progress brought about by industrial civilization. Third, as an ally of your country, I believe that in terms of foreign policy, your country should work with Japan to deal with all common crises. William looked at the other party's reaction after speaking.

"Open the mainland market, don't say whether I agree or not, just from the perspective of Beiyang's capabilities, at present, Beiyang's control over the entire inland region is very low, we welcome your country's products and technology, but the premise is our products and technology. At the same time, we must also be responsible for our national industry, which is an issue that cannot be compromised. Xu Jie said.

"It is true that Beiyang has little influence on the mainland, but we can help Beiyang gradually expand this influence, as for the economic aspect? What we want is only the opening of mines and factories, the free circulation of goods, and all national treatment, which is not too much, as an ally, Beiyang or the return of the country dominated by Beiyang in the future should show sincerity. William explained.

"Full national rights? Suffice it to say that your country is our ally, not your economic colony, and we want to develop our own industry, so we must protect the fragile national industry, and some key areas must be dominated by our country, but we can provide some preferential conditions relative to foreign countries, and the specific operation depends on your sincerity and help. Xu Jie paused, and without giving William time to interject, he continued: "As for the alliance? I believe that my country and your country have common interests in maintaining stability in the Far East, so I can consult and negotiate on the situation in the Far East. ”

"The situation in the Far East? If I understand correctly, what does Master Xu mean is that our alliance is only against France and Russia in the Far East, and if France and Russia challenge the British Empire in other respects, your country will not intervene? Isn't that so? William gave up on the economic issue for the time being, because he knew that there would be no guarantees or concessions until the exchange of benefits had officially begun. The issue of alliances is the most realistic and meaningful. After all, Britain now needed a reliable force to deal with Russian expansion in the Far East. …,

"It can be understood that our alliance must be defined by a specific goal and a certain scope, and our country has no intention of expanding its influence within the scope of the whole world, so we will not meddle in the relations between major powers outside of East Asia." Xu Jie nodded. In fact, for Xu Jie, who is familiar with the trend of history, even if it is signed now, after the reconciliation between Britain and France in 1905, this treaty is a waste of paper! So even if it expands to a global scale, it doesn't matter in the slightest, anyway, it's against France and Russia, and it has nothing to do with Germany!

"Xu, I finally learned your shrewdness once, if the other party does not expand the scope of application of the treaty, I think it will be difficult to continue the discussion, so I hope Your Excellency will think twice." William thought for a while and said, the current Beiyang can be predicted from the foreseeable future, even if it wants to expand, it does not have that strength, so it is impossible to find trouble in other countries outside East Asia, what Britain needs is that once France and Russia can't get along with the British Empire in other aspects, Beiyang can contain their strength in the Far East. Therefore, the British government still attaches more importance to this. After all, the fleet of the current Beiyang system still has a certain strength.

"The issue of alliance is definitely not something that I can decide alone, I need to ask Li Zhongtang for instructions, so please give me some time." Xu Jie pondered for a moment and then gave an ambiguous reply.

"So since Lord Xu can't make a decision on this matter alone, can Lord Xu make some kind of commitment on the point of lifting restrictions on the Japanese side?" William glanced at Xu Jie, and finally threw out this most critical and thorny problem, for Britain, the best way to prevent Beiyang from becoming bigger after defeating Russia is to support another country to contain him, and in East Asia, only Japan meets this condition, although Japan lost the most defeat in the First Sino-Japanese War, but the strength reflected is still worthy of Britain's attention. And it is for this reason that William Zhilu said that Xu Jie will not let go easily!

Thank you for the reward of the book friend Qiang Lin, as well as the book friend and my heart for the reward and monthly ticket support, yesterday's subscription was very good, and the author is very excited~~. In order to thank all readers, the author will add a more chapter of ~~~ in the evening. Thank you for your support~~ (Welcome to your support, is my biggest motivation.) )