Wu Haoxuan's refusal to join the Allies made Hahausen, the German minister to China, very unhappy. In his view, Germany's goodwill towards the Chinese Empire was already very obvious, but the Chinese Empire still refused to cooperate, which was simply ignorant of what was good or bad.

"Your Excellency, I personally believe that it is more advantageous for the Chinese Empire and Germany to maintain the present relations than for the Chinese Empire to join the Central Powers. If the Chinese Empire joins the Central Powers, we will become the target of the Entente led by Britain and France, which will not only be detrimental to the development of the Chinese Empire, but will also be of very limited help to the Allies. If the Chinese Empire had not joined the Allies, but had actually maintained good relations with Germany, we would have been able to help Germany even more. All kinds of war resources that Germany needed could be obtained from the Chinese Empire. The British also have no right to interfere with the normal trade between our two countries. If our two countries form an alliance, the British will surely cut off the ties between our two countries at all costs. Wu Haoxuan said.

Minister Hahausen nodded, though emotionally he was a little unacceptable. However, he had to admit that Wu Haoxuan was right. With the strength of the British Royal Navy, it is too easy to cut off the link between China and Germany.

"However, once war breaks out, the connection between Germany and China will still be severed." Minister Hahausen said. The strategic routes of communication between the East and the West were controlled by the British. The Suez Canal and the Strait of Gibraltar, in particular, have become insurmountable obstacles.

"Your Excellency, I have heard of the intention of Germany to build a railway from Berlin to Baghdad. If this railway can be built, then we will be able to provide Germany with the war resources it needs in a steady stream through this railway. Wu Haoxuan continued.

"Yes, we do have a plan." Minister Hahausen nodded.

Late 80s of the 19th century. In order to dominate the world, Germany pursued the policy of eastward expansion, extended its influence into the Near East, and tried to build a railway to connect it with the European Continental Railway, and become a large railway from Hamburg and Berlin to the Persian Gulf through Constantinople and Baghdad. Not only did the railroad give German power control over Turkey; And it seriously threatened the Caucasus, Persia and other regions, as well as British India. Therefore. It was opposed and obstructed by Russia, France, and especially Britain. It also represents Germany's ambition to intervene in the Persian Gulf.

In 1888, Germany obtained a concession from the Ottoman Empire for the construction of the Bosphorus-Ankara railway, and established the German Asia Minor Company to build it. In 1889, on the instructions of the Kaiser, in January 1893 the company obtained a concession from the Ottoman Empire to extend the railway to Konya. Britain strongly objected, and Germany threatened to oppose British interests in Egypt, and Britain was forced to make concessions. In 1896, the railway was built. In 1903, Germany was granted a concession to build a railway from Konya to the Persian Gulf through Baghdad. Britain and France strongly opposed this, and after complicated negotiations, Britain still resolutely did not agree to Kuwait as the terminus of the line.

"The British, however, were opposed to the railway being built to Kuwait." Hahausen continued.

"If war breaks out. Germany only needed to send a part of its army to be able to sweep away the British army in the Persian Gulf. When the time comes, the occupation of the Persian Gulf will not be a problem at all. This will reopen a passage for Germany. Wu Haoxuan continued.

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, I will report this suggestion to the country." Hahausen said. He naturally knew that if the railway could be built to the Persian Gulf, then Germany would be able to get supplies of war resources nearby, without worrying about being cut off by the British.

The two sides also had an in-depth exchange of views in this regard. Eventually, Minister Hahausen left with a smile on his face.

"Finally got over the Germans." Wu Haoxuan couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

"Your Highness, the Germans are in relation to us. It's the most intimate, can't we really form an alliance with them? If we form an alliance, we may be able to get more support. Foreign Minister Tang Shaoyi asked.

"Hmph, don't think the Germans are good birds. In the world, there are no permanent allies, only permanent interests. The Germans helped us. It's just a desire to treat us like pawns. Wanting to tie us to their chariots, let's go and fight with the Entente. It's impossible! Wu Haoxuan snorted coldly.

"Your Highness, are you really not optimistic about the allies, they don't have a chance? If the Allies win, it will be a relationship between us and Germany. It's going to have a serious impact. Prime Minister Yang Du also said.

Although, the Allies led by Germany were very strong. However, the strength of the Entente was no less weak. What's more, don't forget that the big country with the world's largest industrial output value is still sitting on the mountain and watching the tiger fight. Once the United States joined the Entente, the Germans were dead. Even if we join, we will surely die. Wu Haoxuan shook his head. No one knows how amazing the war potential of the United States would be if it joined the war. Wu Haoxuan did not want the nascent empire to become a stepping stone for Americans to reach the top of the world.

Yang Du and Tang Shaoyi both nodded, they both believed in Wu Haoxuan's judgment. Since Wu Haoxuan believed that the Allies had lost, it was true that China could not get too close to the Allies. Otherwise, after the Entente won the war, they would turn around and liquidate, and China would be in trouble.

As if seeing through their thoughts, Wu Haoxuan continued: "However, although we cannot form an alliance with the Germans, it is very necessary to maintain good relations with them. We need the money and technology of the Germans as a means of developing our industry. In addition, we can continue to provide more resources to the Germans to make them stronger. In this way, the future war will be even more tragic. The power of the entire Western world will also be damaged even more as a result. This is very useful for the rise of empires. ”

Yang Du and Tang Shaoyi immediately understood Wu Haoxuan's thoughts, this was clearly to want the Entente and the Allied countries to fight more fiercely and pay a heavier price! However, in this case, it is indeed more beneficial for the Chinese Empire.

"The Americans are fighting with us on the same idea. Although they have become the countries with the largest industrial output in the world, they cannot compare with the Western powers in terms of international status. Therefore, once war breaks out, the Americans will certainly accumulate wealth by selling all kinds of war materials to the warring sides on a large scale. And what we have to do is to get a share of the profits, so as to develop our industry. As long as the plan succeeds, the empire will become an industrial power by then. Even if the Entente won the final war, they would not necessarily dare to be enemies of the Empire. What's more, in the later stages of the war, we can completely join the war and obtain the maximum benefit at the minimum cost. Wu Haoxuan told his plan and inventory.

Although Yang Du and Tang Shaoyi felt that Wu Haoxuan's plan was a little unrighteous. However, this is undoubtedly the best for the Empire.

After reaching an agreement with the Chinese Empire, the German government officially announced on April 15, 4607 (09) that Germany was willing to give up all its special interests in China and that the German leased land in China would be returned to China unconditionally. From this year onwards, Germany will no longer ask China to pay Gengzi reparations.

The Chinese Empire, on the other hand, appreciated the decision of the German government. At the same time, after receiving the order, the Chinese customs also began to handle customs clearance procedures for German merchant ships, so that German goods could enter the domestic market for sale. Of course, this time the tariff has not been raised to 5 percent, but to 15 percent. But even so, the Germans were very profitable.

The Germans were the first to compromise, which undoubtedly dealt a heavy blow to the Western world. Merchants from all over the world can still hold their breath when they watch the Germans' goods enter the Chinese market and start making a lot of money? Governments of various countries have been urged to take strong measures to change this situation.

In fact, the U.S. government was discussing the matter even before the Germans compromised.

The United States is now the home of William. Howard. The government led by President Taft. And the former President Theodore. Roosevelt stepped down last year.

Just after the Chinese Empire strongly reclaimed customs, William. Howard. President Taft has convened an emergency meeting to discuss the U.S. position. However, because the differences were too great, we were never able to reach an agreement.

On April 15, 4607 (09), President Taft convened a meeting again, hoping to reach an agreement. Vice President James. S. Sherman, Secretary of State Philand C. Knox, Secretary of the Treasury Franklin McVeigh, Secretary of War Jacob M. Dickinson, Secretary of the Navy George von Ringke Meyer, Secretary of the Interior Richard Achilles Barringer, Secretary of Commerce and Labor Charles Nagel, Secretary of Agriculture James Wilson, Attorney General George W. Wicksham, and Secretary of Posts Frank Harris Hitchcock were all present at the meeting.

The United States has few colonies in the world, except for Cuba and the Philippines, which were taken from the Spaniards. This is mainly because when the United States rose, the world was almost divided. Therefore, the Americans can only come up with an open-door policy and compete for the international market. The Chinese Empire, a rapidly developing market with a population of more than 400 million, is undoubtedly highly valued by the United States. The loss of this market will have a great impact on the U.S. industry. (To be continued......)

PS: The second update is coming, and it is about to be surpassed by the back, asking for a monthly pass! Thank you for the generous reward and monthly pass of the big tiger at the south gate of the book friend! Thank you for the tips from book friends tuna me, Feng Yuezheng, helloyour, book friend 140902000906488, and longkwok! Thanks to book friend Mao Xinghe, book lovers, dreams come true 88, falling leaves don't come back, Liu Lijin of Dongshan Village, Ningxiang County, Yiting, dizziness and shame I have a premonition of urgency 1, 01yyyy, baby obedient 888, mobile phone hero, traditional Chinese password, Li Zhencheng's monthly pass! Thanks to the book friend Nanmen Big Tiger for becoming the first leader of this book, Xiaoyu will be home today, and he can't break out, so he owes it first. After Xiaoyu finishes the subject 4 exam next Thursday, it will definitely break out!