The second obstacle was the expiration of the German-Russian Reinsurance Treaty and the establishment of the Franco-Russian alliance. Five years ago, the Russians were anxious to develop their industries and were waiting for money and asked Germany for loans; But Germany, fearing that an industrialized Russia would pose a threat to it, refused to lend. France, on the other hand, was making allies everywhere to fight against Germany, and seeing that Russia had hit a nail in the coffin with Germany, it immediately seized this opportunity to win over Russia. They took advantage of the situation and invested huge sums of money in Russia, and also provided Russia with a large amount of technology. In contrast, Russia naturally chose France. In addition, the capital in Russia, which was controlled by France, could not allow Russia to return to Germany. This political influence, which is exported through large-scale lending, cannot be changed by the personal will of the monarch; The kind of luck of Frederick the Redbeard was only an accidental product of a particular era, and it would never happen again in the present era! ”

Cecil cleared his throat and said slowly, "Therefore, although there are now signs of warming relations between Germany and Russia, it is only a fragile alliance between the two sides that have a common interest in Russia's eastward stance, and put aside their prejudices for a while. Because of the existence of these two obstacles that I have just mentioned, Germany is destined to become a stranger to Russia in the future, and eventually become enemies. Therefore, the Germans would never turn to Russia, nor would they fully support their future enemies; Because once they do this, they are making enemies, and they can't get along with themselves. ”

"However, isn't Germany now building ships for Russia supporting Russia's eastward expansion strategy?" Prentis was still puzzled and couldn't help but ask.

Cecil said hesitantly: "Supporting Russia's eastward expansion and fully supporting Russia's eastward expansion are two completely different concepts. There are many ways to support Russia, including building warships, providing loans, and sending military correctional officers...... And so on; And to fully support Russia is to help it in all aspects. In fact, it is easy for the Germans to guess that they want Russia to fight Japan with the support of the British Empire, so that he can profit from it. And Russia, which has consumed a lot of national strength in the Far East, is what Germany wants to see the most! Therefore, Germany chose the most vicious way of building ships for Russia. In this way, Germany supported Russia's eastward advance and eased its own pressure on the European land; It also allowed Russia to invest a lot of money in the bottomless pit of the navy, and it could not pose any threat to Germany on land. What's more, these warships will also be deployed in the Far East, and there will be no conflict with the German power! With such a sure-fire business, the Germans will certainly not stop at it. It is predictable that they will build more warships for Russia's Pacific Fleet in the coming time. ”

Speaking of this, Cecil smiled slightly and said, "Since the retirement of old Otto, these Hans have not had such a delicate hand for a long time. If I could, I'd love to meet this guy who came up with such an idea. ”

Prentis had an epiphany in his heart. When he thought that he had just flaunted international politics in front of Cecil, he couldn't help but feel a little surprised in his heart, and his head lowered slightly. Cecil didn't notice Prentis's move, he paused for a moment, a fierce light flashed in his eyes, and said coldly: "However, Germany's sale of warships to Russia directly harms the interests of the British Empire, and we must teach this group of Hans a lesson." The mane of the lion of the British Empire is not something that any country can pick up! ”

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Lightning lit up, and heavy rain swept through. Cecil glanced at the rainy night outside the window, and for a moment he didn't know how to beat the disobedient little brother of Germany. If the sanctions are too harsh, there is no guarantee that Germany will be determined to do another "three-country intervention"; And if the force is too light, it will not hurt or itch on the Germans, and it will not work as it should. He sighed softly and drank the coffee with his hand, the familiar and luscious taste stimulating the gustatory nerves, but it still did not dispel the gloom in his mind.

The door creaked open, and the waiter walked in slightly hunched. Cecil was displeased to see the waiter's rain-soaked shoes on the smooth floor, leaving a mass of stains; There was an undisguised look of disgust in his eyes, and he said, "Within 2 minutes, I will see the ground that you have soiled completely restored to its original state." By the way, how did you get in, what's the matter? When the waiter heard this, he saluted the person in front of him and said, "Lord Marquis, the German ambassador Jodik has come to visit, and now he is outside the door." ”

"Huh?" Cecil was shocked, and he and Prentis next to him glanced at each other, and they both saw surprise and incomprehension in the other's eyes. They were just talking about the Germans, and Jodik came to the door! In a matter of moments, Cecil had gone through all the possibilities of the German ambassador's visit, and he slowly raised his hand and said to the waiter: "I know what I said, go and invite him in." ”

The rain was pouring and the thunder was rumbling. After a short time, a gray-haired old man, Shi Shiran, stepped up the stairs and walked up to them under the gaze of Cecil and Plundick. Cecil noticed that the old fellow in front of him had stomped the water stains on the soles of his shoes in certain places before entering the door; Along the way, there was no stain left on the floor. Seeing this scene, Cecil, the bearded Mediterranean, sighed secretly, this is the quality that a gentleman who has been influenced by the upper class culture should have.

Be polite and courteous, and sit down in Anka. Cecil looked at the German who was sitting at the bottom and asked, "Mr. Jodik, how come you have become like little Prentis, and like to go out at night?" You know, now is not the time to go to work, and if I'm not there, Mr. Ambassador, you'll have to run for nothing. ”

Jodik smiled and said, "It's indeed possible. I have known me, however, that Mr. Cecil is serious and rigorous, and that even at night he will be at the Prime Minister's Mansion in his plans for the future of the British Empire. It seems that what I know is not wrong, Mr. Cecil was able to form a cabinet three times and become the Prime Minister of the British Empire, and indeed he has a will that ordinary people cannot reach. Hearing Jodik speak of his proudest accomplishments in a praising tone, Rao was a man of joy when Cecil knew that the German in front of him was playing on the spot. He coughed and said, "Mr. Ambassador is definitely not here today just to say this." ”

"Definitely. I'm here for something that happened recently. I, the German Empire, undertook the construction of an armored cruiser for Russia. At this point, Jodik paused, and glanced at the two Englishmen; Seeing that there was not the slightest reaction on the faces of the two, Yodik had an epiphany. This had happened five days earlier, and with the efficiency of the British, it was probable that they had already been informed of it.

After a while, Cecil said slowly: "The sale of warships to foreign countries is your country's internal affair, and the British Empire should not interfere, but this matter must be treated differently. Your country has taken the initiative to build warships for Russia, and it is a large capital ship with a displacement of more than 10,000 tons, which is really disappointing to the empire! ”

Cecil could not hide the look of regret in his eyes, and in a deep tone of hatred that iron could not be made of steel, he earnestly instructed: "Since ancient times, Russia has been the source of war. Their insatiable greed for territory has reached an intolerable level; Obviously he already has twice the vast territory of Europe, but he still wants to plot the land of the Qing Kingdom! Over the years, it was precisely because of its naval strength that Russia hierbated in the Far East; And if the Russians had this large patrol ship in the Far East, how much of a threat would it pose to peace in the Far East? If the Reich does not respond to this, I, the Prime Minister, will not have to go now. ”

"What should your country respond to, Mr. Prime Minister?" Jodick asked cautiously.

"Mr. Ambassador, I beg your pardon for being blunt. For so many years, your country has enjoyed the preferential tariffs of the British Empire, and has been able to obtain a trade surplus of tens of millions of pounds from the British Empire every year; But how did you repay the British Empire? Last year, your country joined the Russian-led intervention alliance and exhorted Japan to renounce its land occupation of the Liaodong region of the Qing Dynasty. And now, your country has taken the initiative to help the Russians build warships, and this warship will be deployed to the Far East after it is completed. Both of these things are harmful to the British Empire! In this case, it makes sense that the Empire must withdraw some of the tariff concessions on your goods. It was also in the interests of the British Empire. Cecil said lightly.

Hearing that the British wanted to impose sanctions on tariffs, Yodik could no longer maintain a calm and breezy posture. He collected his thoughts, and then said, "Mr. Prime Minister, you may have had a misunderstanding there. The British Empire's tariff favors to Germany have always been deeply felt by Germany. Otherwise, Germany would not have refused to issue loans and bonds to the industrialization of Russia five years ago, taking into account its friendly feelings with your country. This time, Germany helped Russia build warships, which was not only harmless to the British Empire, but beneficial! ”

Cecil's brow twitched, and there was already a flame of anger surging in his heart; The Germans had no shame in helping Britain's imaginary enemy, Russia, build warships, and even said that it was a good thing for Britain! However, he has been in the political arena for most of his life, and he has long been able to control and release freely, although he has resentment in his heart, but he does not show a trace of anger on his face. He looked at the Germans in front of him and said, "Good for the British Empire?" We would like to hear about it. Jodick nodded, and explained to Cecil in detail the excuse he had already thought of.