“GutenAbend,verehrteDame,dubistsosch?nheuteAbend~”

In front of the domed gate of the European style, the doorman with blue-gray eyes bowed his body, greeted politely, and opened the door for the two.

"Vielen Dankfür Ihr Kompliment (Thank you for the compliment)."

Hu Rui bowed slightly, and replied in place of Sanniang.

The cocktail party was set up in the public concession area of Shanghai, and the genuine Hu Dashao gene hidden in Hu Rui's body finally had room to play, and he directly put aside the translation and communicated proficiently in German. While speaking, he led Sanniang into the banquet hall.

"Oh, don't be afraid, I'm here. Just wait for you to follow me, be natural, and go straight to get whatever you want to eat and drink. ”

Ten fingers interlocked, Hu Rui clearly felt Sanniang's nervousness and uneasiness, the pink and jade little hand tightly grasped Hu Rui's rough big hand, and the palm was slightly sweaty. Feeling the nervousness of the beauties around him, Hu Ruiwan smiled, took Sanniang's tightly held hand, leaned on his chest, turned his head sideways to lean against his ear, and whispered comfortingly.

"I'm fine, just a little ...... Not adapting. ”

Sanniang blushed, bowed her head slightly, and whispered to defend her embarrassment. Out of a woman's nature for a sense of security, Sanniang involuntarily leaned towards Hu Rui beside her.

"By the way, what did you all say when you came in just now?"

After easing down for a while, Saniang raised her head curiously and asked.

"Polite greetings, you see the sword is given to the hero, and the Yiren is wearing red makeup. I said that the dress I designed by myself was passed down to fit well, and it turned out that I was such a tasteful and talented person, and it was a shame not to be a designer! ”

With the kind invitation of Gubirov. Hu Dashuai was also happy to steal half a day of leisure, and teased the Yan Nuxia who was not smiling on weekdays without any scruples.

"No face and no skin!"

Sanniang unconsciously pulled the cloak to cover herself tighter. glanced at someone and said coquettishly.

"Good evening, honorable general, your arrival has made the whole party without regrets. Is this your girlfriend? ”

The two did not say a few words, and as the organizer of the banquet, Gubirov strode up with a smile of joy.

Guten Abend, vielen Dankfür Ihreliebevolle Einladungen.Einführung, dasistmeine Verlobte, mein Begleiternurheute Abend.InderTatk?nntemanauf Deutschsagen. Introducing, this is my fiancée. And my only female companion tonight. Actually, you can speak German. ）”

Looking at Yan Sanniang, who was still a bird, the corners of Hu Rui's mouth outlined a good-looking arc, and greeted him in German with a wicked smile.

Vielen Dankfür Ihre Freundlichkeit, Ihre Gener?le, Ihre Verlobteistsch?n. Kommjetzt, wirdder Empfangoffiziellbeginnen. Your fiancée is beautiful. Come in, the party is about to begin. ）”

Gubirov smiled ambiguously. Hu Rui's words undoubtedly confirmed the accuracy of the previous information from the side. In order to win over the new generation of warlords who have sprung up in the Yangtze River basin. The first-class Akhal-Teke horses that were sent out were not in vain.

"Come, let's go."

After the pleasantries, Gubirov turned sideways and moved out of the way. There is a huge fireplace in the ballroom, and the inside, plus the doors and windows are closed, so it is very warm. This makes the coat and cloak a bit cumbersome. Hu Rui politely helped Sanniang take off the woolen cloak. handed it over to the waiter, took Sanniang and whispered.

"What did you tell him, laughing so badly......"

Looking at the two people with a smile on their faces, Sanniang had the feeling that Little Red Riding Hood had met the big bad wolf. I couldn't help but ask.

"Ahem, trust me, just a pure polite greeting."

Someone with a black belly took advantage of the shortcomings of Yan Nuxia's German convenience, and after taking advantage of outsiders, he hurriedly prevaricated with a meaningful smile.

"Really?!"

Sanniang will be skeptical.

As the main guest of honor tonight, Hu Rui's arrival means the official start of the reception. The appearance of Sanniang undoubtedly became the most dazzling highlight of the reception, and the attention of the Western gentlemen discussing beer, opera and business in twos and threes, as well as the female companions around them, were all attracted to it. They all raised their wine glasses to signal, and even more of them had already put it down, ready to step forward and invite them to dance together, so that they could kiss Fangze.

The people present were mainly the staff of the embassies of various countries, as well as the employees and directors of major foreign banks. They have been in China for a few days, and in their impression that Chinese women are ignorant and backward, Chinese women are also fixed as women with small feet in draggy robes. The appearance of Sanniang undoubtedly subverted all their previous concepts of Chinese women, and it was even more shocking for a while (there would be no concept of temperament beauty).

The anxious playboys couldn't help but prepare to step forward, but they saw Hu Dashuai, who was looking at Sanniang tightly like a female leopard protector. I can only pout my lips and continue to wait for the opportunity. It was a reception in the name of the German Krupp family, and everyone who could appear on this occasion was either rich or noble. As the only oriental face in the audience, these gentlemen from Europe also have to weigh the cost of pickling girls.

Gubirov also put a lot of effort into preparing for this reception, with the best salmon caviar, German sausage, pasta, apple pie, Australian lobster, elbow with German sauce, bacon, and all kinds of breads and cakes, all of which are of high variety and quality. Hu Dashuai took Sanniang for a walk, avoiding the big Yanmar that was full of pungent perfume smell, and eager to try all kinds of boys, and found a secluded place to sit down. Prepare for a quiet meal.

"Your Excellency General, may I take the liberty of disturbing you?"

Hu Dashuai just put a piece of apple pie on the plate for Sanniang, watching Sanniang eat with relish, and was about to sigh about a woman's nature for sweets.

The person who came was the American Minister Douglas, holding a glass of champagne and saying apologetically.

"Good,pleaseforgivemethisismyfiancee,andwereheretotalkabout.(haode, please forgive me, this is my fiancée, let's talk here.) ）”

Hu Rui took Sanniang's empty plate and stood at the table to collect suitable food. I'm going to feed my own snack guys. replied angrily, the tone was very blunt, and the urine nature of capitalism was revealed, which smelled fishy.

"Haode, of course."

Douglas, who was eager to add to his political achievements, didn't mind. He shrugged his shoulders and raised the champagne in his hand in greeting.

"I beg your pardon. I heard that you recently ordered almost a whole detachment from Germany. Including light cruisers, destroyers, submarines and a large number of torpedoes and ammunition. The total amount is more than 30 million silver dollars, and the total tonnage of the ships ordered exceeds the total tonnage of your country's existing navy. Please tell me, is this true? ”

Finally seized the opportunity, Douglas no longer cared about the demeanor and face of any minister, and eagerly asked directly.

Silver dollars issued at the end of the Qing Dynasty had a high silver content. It is directly linked to silver. The order of more than 30 million silver dollars is almost equivalent to 70 million US dollars! You must know that in the late Qing Dynasty, the U.S. government and the Manchu Qing government, which was already returning to the past, signed the famous "Naval Treaty of Bethlehem". It was hoped that by supporting the Qing government, it would also counter the increasingly powerful Japanese Combined Fleet. The total amount of loans involved in this unfinished treaty, which made later generations sigh at the seapower, was more than $100 million. In other words, the order received by the German Krupp side was almost equivalent to nearly 70% of the "Naval Treaty of Bethlehem", which was still in a secret state at that time! The United States, which is so anxious to open up the Chinese market and support a staunch ally to jointly guard against Japan, is very anxious.

In the past, the United States, as one of the great powers in Europe, would not look down on a small warlord like Hurui. But this is no longer the case, the tide of the Great Revolution is growing stronger in China, and the Manchu regime, which had been pinned on by the US government, has weakened its control over the whole country, and the United States, as a new generation of European powers, is anxious. Seeing the twilight of the Manchu regime, it was eager to find a suitable spokesman in China to ensure the opening of China's door and thus ensure the existing interests of the United States in China.

Hu Rui, who had risen to prominence, was fully in line with the demands of the Americans, and the territory of this small warlord in the Far East was too important, directly in the Yangtze River valley under British control. The most important thing is the Confederacy, which is more important than the name, the young warlord who studied abroad in Germany and has a deep hatred for Japan based on his previous contacts, and is a nationalist through and through. In addition, the two sides had a good experience of cooperation in the Wuhu Industrial Park before, so after receiving the news that the Germans had contracted a large number of naval orders, the Americans could no longer sit still.

"Yes, our existing naval ships are too old, many of them are products of the late 19th century, and they are no longer suitable for the needs of future coastal defense. The German side offers various concessions and loans, as well as a large number of jishu transfers. Mr. Douglas, such conditions are very favorable, aren't they?! ”

Hu Rui replied half-truthfully.

Sanniang took a plate of food carefully selected by Hu Dashuai with peace of mind, moved her position slightly, and ate by herself while pricking up her ears.

"I beg your pardon, my honorable General, as far as I know, you are an Army-born general. Your territory is located along the Yangtze River, but you don't have an urgent need for surface defense. According to the news, you have not only ordered a large number of ships this time, but also a considerable amount of new Krupp fortress guns, mines, shipbuilding machinery, and a large number of army equipment such as rifles and artillery. It even includes a number of production lines for heavy artillery and supporting ammunition. I beg your pardon, can I understand that there will be a large-scale military operation against the Chinese regime by that army under your command in the coming period?! ”

Douglas said this, his face was full of red light, and he could barely hold his wine glass in excitement. Eagerly awaiting an answer.

It's good to be ambitious. The United States is in need of an anti-Japanese and pro-American ally in the Far East. There is only enough potential and room for interests, and the United States is not short of banknotes. With a bit of support, the young local warlord will be propped up to the throne of China's leader. Then what the United States gets is not only a firm ally, but also the opportunity for a large number of American-funded companies to enter China, and a beautiful blueprint for the future to contain the Japanese Navy. If you can make this happen during your career, then ......

Douglas almost jumped to his feet with excitement, holding his breath at Hurry's answer.

As soon as the words fell, Yan Nuxia, who was feasting, and Hu Rui, who was searching for food, were stunned at the same time, and their questioning eyes locked on Douglas, who was eager.

Douglas Nature Meeting. He shrugged his shoulders in reply.

"Even if it is, I remember that Napoleon, who once ran rampant in most of Europe, once said, 'A soldier who does not want to be a general is not a good soldier,' and similarly, as a Chinese, I also aspire to lead my country to prosperity and strength." It's not an easy road. I desperately need a strong ally to provide support and protection in the early stages. ”

There was a deep groan. Hu Rui asked tentatively, word for word.

"Oh God! Excuse me. The United States is also strong! Our previous experience with good cooperation has shown that the United States can also provide you with all the arms and machinery you need. If they can, young people should give due consideration to the United States. We're strong too! ”

After receiving the long-awaited answer in his heart, Douglas could no longer sit still, waving his fists excitedly and patting his chest. In a trance, he saw his unpredictable future and the huge wealth that came with it.

"Poof~ I'm sorry. Forgive me, do you mean the meagre army or the navy, which is still in its infancy? I admit that the United States is indeed a great power economically, but it seems to lack the military liliang of economic power. Do you know about the Naval Treaty of Bethlehem? That's the premise. Well, I wish you a great evening and look forward to seeing you again~"

Hurui backhanded a shot and poked Douglas in the sore spot with a stick. Then he greeted politely, and took Sanniang, who had a round belly, to the side. Douglas, who was left in place and depressed, was forced to suffer sadly in Nari.

"What do you say now? Also, what do you zuihou and the Naval Treaty of Bethlehem that he mentioned? ”

Directly ignoring the gaze of a large wolf that followed her, Sanniang asked in a low voice.

"When we go back, we must pay close attention to the secrecy work and check whether it is the secret that we leaked here. As for the so-called "Naval Treaty of Bethlehem", it was a secret agreement between the Manchu government and the United States, and the main content was the Sino-American alliance to counter the Anglo-Japanese alliance. The Americans provided a huge loan of more than $100 million for the Manchu government to order the latest Dreadnought-class battleships from the United States at that time. At this stage, the United Kingdom is still the first power in Shijie, and now the European war is a foregone conclusion, and we must be careful step by step. The Americans want us to be pawns, and we can't afford to do this! The Treaty of Bethlehem was premised on an alliance between the two countries, and we have not yet seized political power over the whole country at this stage. This is just a drag-and-knife ploy, and the Americans will not do a loss-making business, and if he really wants to do it, we will be happy to take advantage of it. ”

Hu Rui, who is well versed in the history of the Republic of China, glanced at all kinds of people around him, and whispered in Sanniang's ear to explain.

"Okay, I'll leave this to me, the confidentiality regulations still need to be improved. So what's going on now? ”

Sanniang patted her round little belly and asked with a cute face.

"Now? Let's go dancing first! ”

Satisfied, seeing the depressed eyes of a group of European deacons behind him who were looking forward and backward, Hu Rui happily wrapped his arms around Sanniang's waist. Taking advantage of the moment when Sanniang was stunned, he hugged Sanniang and walked into the dance floor to the beautiful waltz music...... (To be continued......)