Zeng Jize calmed down slightly, and said slowly: "The representative of the French side is so strong-worded, and he can still do it without blushing, without beating his heart, without panting, so easily, I am deeply impressed." It was the most absurd, outrageous, and bizarre statement I had ever heard in my diplomatic career, and it completely subverted my perception and made me wonder if we were in the same shijie and whether we were thinking with the same kind of brain. I am reminded of a philosopher who said: The difference between man and man is sometimes greater than the difference between man and monkey.

I would like to ask the rambling Monsieur Badno, and I will only ask softly if there is a word in the French dictionary called 'prisoner of war'. That is, a group of people who were captured by the enemy in the war, and relied on the enemy's leniency and mercy to save their lives in the end. But it seems that this Mr. Badno, who likes to describe it as an 'illegal detention' and demands for corresponding 'financial compensation', presumably does not have the word 'prisoner of war' in French. So I immediately had a very curious idea and wanted to ask for further advice. ”

At this time, listening to Zeng Jize's sharp and explicit sarcasm, the faces of the French delegation began to look not very good. Especially Badeno, who spoke just now, his face turned a little unnaturally red, he lowered his head to look at the teacup, and pretended to be calm, but Zeng Jize ignored him and continued to talk to himself.

"The idea is: I know that ten years ago there was the famous Franco-Prussian War, which all distinguished gentlemen must have experienced firsthand, in the Battle of Sedan in which Napoleon III and 83,000 officers and soldiers were 'illegally imprisoned' by Prussia, and in the Battle of Metz, Marshal Bazin and 170,000 officers and soldiers were 'illegally imprisoned' by Prussia. A total of 440,000 people were 'illegally imprisoned' during the war, and I believe that France must have received a considerable amount of 'economic compensation', I wonder if this Mr. Badeno can reveal a word or two? ”

Listening to Zeng Jize's obvious sarcasm and ridicule, the members of the French delegation all looked embarrassed, especially Badeno, who was even more red-faced and speechless. After a long time, he smiled reluctantly and said: "If Mr. Minister thinks that our conditions are still harsh and we have to adhere to a stubborn position, then when the French army crosses the Sino-Vietnamese border and enters China, the conditions for negotiation will be very different at that time." ”

Seeing that Baderno was still making false noises and threats, Zeng Jize could no longer bear it, slapped the table, tea splashed, and said: "Then we will wait for the day when the French army enters China, I want to see what kind of conditions you will propose!" ”

After saying that, he got up angrily, turned his head and left the table, while the other Chinese negotiators also got up and left, leaving only a bunch of French people sitting there, looking at each other.

The next day, the talks continued, and this time the arrogant Mr. Badeno sat down with a sinking face and did not say a word, and Baohai took the floor instead.

It seems that the French felt that yesterday Badeno's white face singing was not very successful, and today they changed their strategy and let Bao Hai sing red face.

Sure enough, as soon as Baohai came up, he put on an amiable face, talking about his friendship with China, how he likes China, how happy his cooperation with Zeng Jize is, and how he racked his brains and couldn't sleep at night in order to promote the friendship between China and France. How much he likes Chinese food culture, especially stinky tofu, which smells stinky but tastes fragrant, this is simply the magic of the East.

After "confessing" his friendship with China, Baohai began to test China's bottom line: "I believe that the Chinese gentlemen I respect share the same desire with us to end this tragedy that should not happen at all." As a sign of our good faith, we can put the dispute on compensation on hold for the time being, so that the negotiations can proceed smoothly. ”

But Zeng Jize immediately saw through his intentions, Baohai did not talk about "giving up", but about "shelving", obviously playing with words. I want to play this as a card and bring it up later when I bargain.

Zeng Jize naturally couldn't let him get his wish, and insisted: "The issue of reparations is related to the nature of the war, and who is right and who is wrong is a matter of principle of major rights and wrongs. If this issue is not clarified, the subsequent negotiations cannot continue. ”

Seeing that Zeng Jize was so resolute and tough, Baohai Zuihou "helplessly" announced: France is willing to give up the reparations to show its sincerity, and at the same time hopes that China can also show the same sincerity.

In fact, Baohai has been playing tricks on the issue of reparations, which is his deeper consideration as an old diplomat. This is really a question of diplomatic skills, but also a psychological tactic. After repeated tossing, he "had to" give up the compensation, which seemed to have made concessions on the surface, and also made the Chinese psychologically feel as if they had taken advantage of him and "owed" him a little debt, so that in the next negotiations, the Chinese may make corresponding concessions.

He thought that this was already enough discount, but Zeng Jize on the other side still shook his head, looking very dissatisfied.

This makes Baohai quite angry, I don't want money anymore, I have given in like this, and I am not satisfied? What else do you want to do?

Zeng Jize then began to speak: "Mr. Baohai seems to think that not asking for compensation is a gift to China, and I have to point out the hypocrisy and shame of Mr. Baohai, and I want to explain such a simple logic to you. You can't be rewarded for making mistakes. From the beginning to the end, China has repeatedly tolerated, but it must be pointed out that France made four serious mistakes in this war,

Ignoring the thousand-year-old vassal relationship between China and Vietnam, France forced Vietnam to sign the so-called Treaty of Saigon without China's knowledge, which was the first mistake;

France ignored China's suzerainty over Vietnam, and not only refused to recognize the China-Vietnam Charter, but instead obstructed it, violating relevant international law, which was the second mistake.

The third mistake was that France sent troops to invade Vietnam and attacked the Chinese troops stationed in Vietnam, causing a large number of casualties;

France's attack on China's southeastern coast and its attack on Taiwan, inflicting a large number of civilian casualties, is a violation of international norms and humanitarian principles, and this is the fourth mistake.

After committing these four mistakes, France does not say how to correct them, but is ashamed to ask for compensation, just as it is absurd for a robber to ask for compensation from his victims. After being solemnly refuted by our side, he put on a high posture of giving up the reparations, as if showing how sincere he was, and he was shy enough to let us show the corresponding sincerity, so reversing black and white, pointing to the deer as a horse, confusing right and wrong, don't you know that there is still the word shameless in the world, is it that the so-called gentlemanly demeanor of the French nation is like this, like a beast as arrogant and unreasonable, no shame or shame?

In view of this, we solemnly state once again that France should immediately stop all illegal actions, withdraw its military personnel, deeply reflect on its mistakes, and make a solemn daoqian to ensure that similar things will not happen again in the future. At the same time, practical actions will be taken to eliminate all adverse effects. The most important thing is to make economic compensation for the losses suffered by China.

Again, if you make a mistake, you can't get a reward, and you must pay us compensation! ”

After listening to this large set of reprimands, Baohai almost fainted. Zeng Jize scolded him so much, he simply pointed at his nose and scolded himself for being a brute! In this way, he also claimed to have "repeatedly tolerated" and scolded others for not being gentlemanly, what kind of god-like logic is this! Especially Zuihou's sentence that France wants to pay reparations to China, what he said is so righteous and strict, Baohai suddenly felt that there was a physiological feeling that he was coming, and he needed to go to the bathroom immediately.

After listening to the interpreter's explanation, the Frenchman next to him was in an uproar, and Badenau, who had been silent, couldn't bear it anymore, stood up and said loudly: "I hope that Mr. Minister can understand a simple fact, that is, where the war is fought, this is thousands of miles away from France, and if China cannot threaten Paris, then any talk of asking France for reparations is ridiculous and boring." ”

And Baohai, who has always been kind and polished, also tore off his disguise and said to Zeng Jize fiercely: "Mr. Minister, I doubt that your emperor is determined enough to fight to the death with the French Republic on the battlefield?" ”

Zeng Jize responded calmly but resolutely: "Then please find the answer on the battlefield!" ”

Baohai now understood that he had gone to the wrong Bodhisattva temple to worship the Buddha, and when he walked out of the meeting site, he couldn't help but muttered to the people around him: "Zeng Jize is really a cruel person." After saying that, he accidentally fell on the steps.

That night, Baohai sent a telegram to China: "Unless it is hit by a devastating military strike, China will never make any rational thinking." The Chinese troops in Vietnam could only be driven out, not withdrawn on their own. ”

Baohai's telegram completely shattered the original illusions of the French government, and the Gambida cabinet finally understood. Diplomatic blackmail will not lead to anything, and attention will have to be refocused on military action.

On the specific Jihua, Foreign Minister Falesina proposed to directly attack Dagukou and threaten Beijing and Tianjin, but Ganbida and others still remembered the tragic experience of the lonely fleet and felt that this bad idea was really crazy and risky. Moreover, once the fleet leaves Taiwan, the port of Keelung, which lacks support, is likely to be unable to withstand the counteroffensive of the Chinese. The day of the fall of Keelung Port must also be the day when Gambida stepped down.

The only option now is to continue the military offensive in Vietnam. At least so far, the French army has maintained a victorious posture in North Khat, Vietnam.

As for the commander of the army stationed in Vietnam, Lieutenant General Miller, he hoped to add a division, and it was indeed time to seriously consider it.