Walking in the marble gallery, Jurdians no longer feels the majesty of this ancient empire that has just been reborn.

The cold gazes of the soldiers in black uniforms standing on both sides of the gallery also made Zhu Erdian feel a little uncomfortable.

But what really makes Zhu Erdian want to smile wryly is probably the oil paintings hanging in the gallery. Galleries, galleries, although they are called marble galleries, are also galleries after all.

A gallery is a place to collect, display, or sell works of art. In the 16th century, the collection of works of art was displayed in the cloister of the mansion, which was the origin of the gallery. Later, similar settings were often found in aristocratic mansions.

After the 19th century, a gallery refers to a public display place for the audience to appreciate art works, which is basically the same as the nature of an art museum in terms of the nature of the exhibition, which may be smaller than the art museum, but it is more targeted to the works or art genres.

Of course, Yan Shao's gallery is only used for display.

In fact, Yan Shao attaches more importance to the length of the gallery than to the paintings hanging on the walls.

Many people who come to the presidential palace for the first time are usually the same as Yan Shao. After seeing the marble gallery, I was shocked by the length of the gallery and lost interest in admiring the works of art on either side of the walls.

However, this is not the case with Zhu Erdian, because Zhu Erdian has already received the news that Yan Shaotong Guò Yushi Group has acquired a large number of works of art from Europe and some other regions. Many of them can even be called heirlooms, and it is not an exaggeration to say that they are even designated as national treasures.

And there are many of them. It's works of art, including some oil paintings and the like.

Even Picasso's paintings Yan Shao also collected a few. Although Picasso was not very famous in this era. In fact, Yan Shao is not very appreciative of Picasso's art, but it must be said that Picasso's name is still very loud.

Even, it is very valuable―――――― which is what Yan Shao values.

It is precisely for this reason that Yan Shao will let people collect a few Picasso paintings. In this way, even if the descendants of Yan Shao will corrupt the foundation founded by Yan Shao in the future, at least with these paintings, they can be guaranteed to have no worries about food and clothing. Of course. If that day comes, these paintings may not be preserved.

After all, they are already losers, and it's hard to say whether they will care about these paintings.

If only that were the case. I'm afraid that Yan Shao can't do anything, he can't find a safe, and then save all the paintings there, and make a will. Unless it's really in danger. Otherwise, it must not be opened.

If you really say that, wouldn't you just sue someone else that there is a treasure in it?

Forget it, 0-0

In any case, it is always better to leave some more possessions to your descendants than to leave nothing behind.

Of course, all of the above things are the result of Yan Shao's insistence, and even the acquisition is private, and it is carried out secretly by the people under him.

Now no matter what, Yan Shao is also a celebrity. The whole world except for Africa or India and the like. There are very few people who don't know Yan Shao's name. After all, Yan Shao is also the president of China anyway, and the most important point is that. He was one of the Big Four at the Versailles Peace Conference.

Even people who do not know China very well cannot fail to understand the Versailles Peace Conference.

After all, the war before the peace conference lasted for four years, and directly caused the whole of Europe to become tattered, and the original glory of European civilization came to an end. Gradually from glory to sunset.

It is also because of this relationship that the Versailles Peace Conference can almost be said to have received the attention of the whole world. In this case, as one of the protagonists of the entire peace conference, and at the same time counting the later Russian affairs, Yan Shao can also be regarded as a celebrity.

Naturally, Yan Shao's every move is also easy to attract attention, if at this time Yan Shao suddenly buys a painting by a painter who is not very famous, and is even likely to be infamous more than the positive reputation, I'm afraid...

Maybe Picasso became famous in advance, but in fact Picasso was lucky, because in this world, there are many painters who are appreciated by others after his death.

Picasso, by contrast, became famous while he was alive, and of course, he was only notorious at first. After all, Picasso's painting style is not acceptable to everyone.

However, if Yan Shao participates in it, I am afraid that Picasso can really become famous a few years in advance.

After all, sometimes, what a so-called artist lacks is only a person who appreciates himself―――――― not appreciation, but appreciation. Because generally speaking, people who are qualified to reward people have a higher status, in other words, they can also give a lot of help.

As for the people who appreciate ...

Although they may be genuinely appreciative, it is a pity that they can bring too little help to those good painters.

At least they can help those painters as much as they are in a position to appreciate others. Because 'appreciation' is also a symbol of status in a way.

If he is the kind of person who is very good at his word, he can give unprecedented help, which is undoubtedly very important for a painter who needs someone to appreciate him.

And Yan Shao's current status, no matter who he appreciates, it is likely to bring great changes to people. Especially Yan Shao's status in today's China, if there is really a voice that Yan Shao likes Picasso's paintings very much, I am afraid that in the blink of an eye, Picasso may become a powerful person on the Chinese side.

Although Yan Shao felt that it was not a good thing to give some help to some talented people, he still hoped that these already talented people could go through some hardships first. After all, in a way, this is also an experience.

Therefore, Yan Shao will secretly send someone to buy it, instead of directly in his own name.

Of course, there is another reason for fear that the family will not support it. Mm-hmm, that's Elaline. Although they both had a high level of artistic appreciation, Picasso's style was still too abstract. Ordinary artists probably don't understand it very well.

Yan Shao naturally didn't expect them to understand, because Yan Shao himself didn't understand.

If one day they have to ask Yan Shao to tell what is good about these paintings, then the matter is really bad!

So, instead of bothering then, it's better to make it easier now.

――――――――――――――――――――――――

Although Yan Shao also acquired several paintings by Picasso, these paintings have basically been collected by Yan Shao in hidden places. And it's a secret channel through Guò Yan Shao's own, not to mention others. Even Katerina's secret service may not know that if ―――――― president always relies on only one intelligence agency, then Yan Shao's president is probably coming to an end.

Even if it's absolute trust. There is still a limit to the power that is the most basic requirement of a ruler.

It's not that you leave this means of containing the other party, or you don't trust him, but even if you absolutely trust the other party. This means must still be left behind. Because that's what rulers should do. In the same way, sometimes it is good for the other person to do this, because the other person is loyal to you now, or something else, but it does not mean that the other person will continue to do so after they have gained great power and experienced the benefits of power.

So, instead of waiting until the future to turn against each other, it's better to get it done first.

This is the case with Yan Shao. Not because he didn't trust Katarina, but because he should.

Caterina is clearly aware of this as well. So although he knew that Yan Shao also had his own intelligence organization in his hands, he didn't say much. In fact, Yan Shao was able to do this, and Caterina seemed more pleased.

Because in her opinion, this is what a good ruler should do.

Of course, what makes her even more gratifying is that Yan Shao attaches great importance to her family.

On the other hand, perhaps because Picasso's paintings were not very well displayed in this era, almost all of the paintings hanging in the gallery were more orthodox masterpieces.

As the British ambassador to China, it is certainly impossible for Zhu Erdian not to know about Yan Shao's collection of cultural relics, and he also knows that there are many famous paintings. So if the first time others visited, they were first struck by the marble gallery, then Jurdian's attention was more likely to be focused on the paintings.

Because these paintings symbolize the essence of European civilization.

Of course, not all of them are European, and there are also some ancient Chinese paintings.

In fact, the layout of the gallery is divided into left and right, the left is the ancient Chinese paintings, all of which are collected by Yan Shao through various channels, many of which can be called heirloom masterpieces, for this, the director of the Palace Museum did not come to annoy Yan Shao, just to let Yan Shao get these paintings to the museum.

And on the right, are the Western paintings that Yan Shao just mentioned.

Naturally, two paintings placed next to each other will certainly look unnatural. Fortunately, when designing this gallery, the designer has already taken this problem into account and used a variety of elements in the design, so although the paintings on the walls on both sides are in different styles, they don't look very inconsistent...

It's just that...

Looking at the Western paintings hanging on the wall on the right, Zhu Erdian's heart seemed a little bitter, after all, these once represented European civilization. And now they are hanging here with Chinese grandeur, especially the Palace Museum.

Zhu Erdian once went to see it himself, and the European Pavilion and several other museums inside were almost full of works of art related to Europe...

These can't help but make Zhu Erdian feel a little heartbroken, and also make him a little nostalgic for the past time.

Although Zhu Erdian was once a close friend of Yuan Shikai, and even now he often visits Yuan Shikai's home (for some reason, Yuan Shikai actually lived to this day, and it seems that he can live for two years), but as an Englishman and a diplomat of the British Empire in China, Zhu Erdian is most concerned about British interests.

Similarly, for the time when Britain was rampant in China, it cannot be said that Zhu Erdian really did not even have a little nostalgia.

At least compared to now, Zhu Erdian still misses the Chinese of the past.

Because anyway. The Chinese in the past were not as troublesome as they are now. Although as an old gentleman, Zhu Erdian may not like the groveling appearance of the Chinese in the past, but now this equality. Even the gesture of gradually starting to trouble the British was even more unpleasant.

But there is nothing he can do about it, after all, no matter what you do, you need strength.

And now he is most concerned about Iran, because he really can't understand what the Chinese plan to do in Iran.

Fortunately, he will soon be able to meet Yan Shao, and in the same way, even if it is a long marble gallery, there will always be a time to finish. It didn't take long for Zhu Erdian to come to Yan Shao's living room under the guidance of the staff.

By the time he got to the drawing room. Yan Shao was sitting in the hall tasting a glass of juice that the servant had just brought over.

Seeing Zhu Erdian coming, Yan Shao didn't get up, but reached out with a smile and beckoned Zhu Erdian to sit down.

"Come on. Mr. Ambassador. Quick, sit down..."

frowned slightly, but Zhu Erdian didn't refuse, but sat directly opposite Yan Shao, and then looked at Yan Shao.

Although it is properly maintained, Yan Shao is not like Ilaline after all, his appearance has not changed in the slightest compared with more than 10 years ago, in fact, Yan Shao has changed a lot over the years. At least every move. All are already about the same as an adult in their 30s.

Naturally, maintenance is sometimes very beneficial. At least compared to those who are thirty-seven years old, Yan Shao is obviously a little younger...

――+――――――――――――――――――――――

"Mr. President, I heard that you have something important to discuss with me, but I don't know what it is?"

As the servant brought the coffee, Zhu Erdian hurriedly asked after taking a polite sip.

This is also his main concern at the moment, so he doesn't mind getting straight to the point at all. Although Iran may seem unimportant, at least in this day and age, on the other hand, it is one of the barriers to India for the British, and the British will lock it up as long as it concerns India.

"Actually, things are quite simple..."I don't know if saying this will make Zhu Erdian even more nervous, Yan Shao said with a slight smile. You also know that in the past, the northern part of Iran has always belonged to the Russians, to be exact, the Russian sphere of influence. ”

"Naturally, because the previous war was still located in Soviet Russia in the eastern part of Europe, the Romanov dynasty that once ruled Russia for hundreds of years has completely disappeared, and even Russia has disappeared completely, leaving only one Soviet Russia still there..."

"Although in many ways the Russians appear to be the most powerful country to inherit Russian interests in northern Iran, having lost control of Central Asia, it has become difficult for them to influence Iran, especially when the country is almost surrounded on all sides. And China, which has already acquired the entire Central Asian region, is undoubtedly a more suitable heir than only that..."

Saying this, Yan Shao looked at Zhu Erdian, who was sitting opposite him.

Since the words have come to this point, it is certainly impossible for Zhu Erdian not to understand what Yan Shao meant.

"Do you mean, Mr. President, that your country wants to take over the rights and interests that Russia once had in northern Iran?" asked Jurdian, frowning slightly.

If there was one thing that pleased Britain in the wake of Russia's collapse, it was that Britain no longer had to worry about the threat from northern India. Although there was still an Iranian presence there, it was clear that Iran was not a big threat to Britain at this time.

Not to mention that now, even in a hundred years, Iran will not pose any real threat to Britain―――――― and despite being a declining old second-rate power, it will nevertheless be one of the most advanced countries in the world.

But now, the Chinese say that they want to inherit the rights of the Russians in Iran, which makes Zhu Erdian a little ...

"That's right...", he didn't directly say that he actually just wanted to build a railway in the north of Iran, and by the way, he was arranging some troops to be stationed there, after all, even if he was doing business, he also wanted to pay back the money at a sky-high price, Yan Shao just smiled slightly. Therefore, I hope that Mr. Minister can convey my country's request, that Russia, which has perished and occupied two-thirds of Russia's territory, and at the same time borders Iran and has great interests in the Middle East, should inherit Russia's interests in Iran. Our country will never end up in the same fate as Russia! ”

Hearing Yan Shao say this, Zhu Erdian opened his mouth, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he still couldn't say it. After all, even if he speaks out against it, the Chinese in front of him may not withdraw his demand.

In that case, it is better to convey the news to the London side, and then let the London side worry about it

Anyway, he is just an ambassador to China, and it is not his turn to take care of Iran's affairs.

Merely...

Looking at Yan Shao's calm and relaxed face, Zhu Erdian always felt that Yan Shao's real purpose was not here, but something other more important.

It's a pity that after watching it for a long time, Zhu Erdian still hasn't seen through Yan Shao's true thoughts.

About half an hour later, Zhu Erdian, who had left the presidential palace, returned to the embassy and sent a telegram to the London side via the embassy's telegram, which described Yan Shao's request in detail.

And after receiving the telegram, London was in an uproar ... (To be continued......)