Episode 78 Moral Card

"Thank you, Mr. Ford, for your kindness...... But, Mr. Smith, tell Mr. Ford that I have my own opinion on the matter...... After all, this is in the United States, and everyone has the right to reserve their opinion, isn't it? …… You see, I'm going to have to eat......."

In Hollywood, Charlie Chaplin got up from behind his large plush desk, took the coat handed by the servant, put on his top hat, picked up his cane again, owed Mr. Smith, and made it look like he was going out.

A man on the sofa hurriedly stood up and said with a smile:

"Mr. Chaplin...... Please don't think about the identity of Mr. Ford, just think about the poor people in the Northern Qing Dynasty, they ......"

The two came downstairs as they spoke, and a luxury car was already driving in front of Chaplin, and the driver respectfully opened the door for him.

Chaplin held his cane in both hands, tiptoed slightly, and smiled brightest at Mr. Smith:

"I'm sorry sir...... If Mr. Ford also wants to invest in my films, please ask him to contact my production director directly...... So, that's it? It's been a pleasure to get to know you. ”

"Ah, Mr. Chaplin!" Smith grabbed the door and shouted, "One last request!" ”

Chaplin smiled patiently and bowed slightly, signaling that he could speak.

Smith took out a notebook and a pen and said excitedly:

"Sign for me!"

Chaplin nodded and said with a smile:

"Gladly."

He took it, swiped his name, handed it to Smith, and then got into the car and drove away.

Only this Mr. Smith was left with Chaplin's autograph and looking at the master's car from afar, standing here excitedly and dejectedly, tearing off his hat and turning it in his hand.

……

So, the news of the refusal was quickly transmitted by telegram from Los Angeles on the West Coast to Detroit on the East Coast, and Henry Ford read the disheartening news in his office.

Immediately afterwards, the news spread across the ocean and arrived in Nanjing. Bradley was also reading the telegram in his office.

But at this time, another good news came.

Call Xiaoqiang and tell him that Her Majesty the Empress is willing to accept a Lincoln sedan as a gift, and he can have someone deliver it to the palace car. His Majesty will ride it in due course to appear in public.

Bradley was both pleased and embarrassed to hear this. His own requirements were fulfilled, but his promises were not fulfilled.

He was very embarrassed to tell Xiang Xiaoqiang about Chaplin's refusal, although Xiang Xiaoqiang was also mentally prepared, but he was still disappointed, sighed, and didn't say anything. Bradley was very reluctant to do so, and said that the Ford Company would not fail the trust of His Excellency the Earl and His Majesty the Empress, and would continue to influence other celebrities in the United States, striving to make them play a role no less than that of Mr. Chaplin.

……

However, something happened that everyone did not expect.

That evening, Los Angeles, Hollywood.

Chaplin came out of the restaurant he frequented, and was surrounded by a large crowd of reporters and fans as usual. The driver and bodyguards were about to block the crowd so that Mr. Chaplin could get into the car, but Chaplin stopped the driver, stood outside the car, holding his cane in both hands, his feet in the trademark figure-eight shape, wearing a top hat crookedly, tilting his head, smiling at the crowd, and slowly moving his right index finger to his lips.

As soon as they saw the master's action, the reporters and fans quickly calmed down, looked at the master excitedly and reverently, guessing what he was going to say.

"My dear friends," Chaplin said, looking around the audience, smiling, "I have a statement. At noon today, a representative of a major automobile company in Detroit approached me and asked me to make a public opinion on Nanming's attempt to make a purchase from the United States at the cost of my investment. Obviously, he wanted me to support Nanming's arms purchase. I suggested that the gentleman talk to my director of production about investment. I said to him that this is in the United States, and everyone has the right to reserve their opinion. I also have my own opinions. Opinions are opinions, business is business. It was uncomfortable to mix together, as if my mouth had been bought with his money.

"Now it's time for me to share my opinion. I hate war, I hate war. Because war does nothing good except to make the poor slaughter each other and the greedy bosses to make a fortune. But today I want to say that in that war that took place on the other side of the world, I supported Nanming. Although Nanming is far behind the United States in all aspects, I still support her in a clear manner. Because she is constantly moving forward and giving people hope. It's not like the land under our feet, which makes people feel that there is no hope at all.

"I don't want to see the big arms dealers' wallets bulge. But at times like these, I still appeal to you: Go! Go to your councillors! Let them vote for Nanming Military Purchase! If Nanming's cause fails in Asia, then it will not only be the failure of Nanming, not only the failure of the people in the miserable darkness of the Northern Qing Dynasty, not only the failure of Asia, but also the failure of the whole world, and the failure of each and every one of us. Thank you. ”

After Chaplin finished speaking, cheers and screams rang out all around. Everyone was clapping, and the spotlights were flashing.

“…… Oh, by the way," Chaplin, who had already slipped into the car and came out again, smiling at the crowd, "what I said tonight has nothing to do with Mr. Henry Ford. ”

The crowd burst into laughter, and Chaplin got into the luxury car and drove away slowly.

……

This exciting news was immediately flown from the West Coast to the East Coast and from the East Coast to the other side of the world that night via Ford's dedicated commercial telegram.

Excluding the time difference, it was the morning of the 12th in Nanjing at this time. Relieved, Bradley let out a long breath as he lay down on the sofa. Then, he told Xiang Xiaoqiang the good news.

At this time, Shen Rongxuan also received the news. He called Zhu Yourong and suggested seizing the opportunity to play the two cards of "open media" and "freedom of movement" at today's negotiation table. This is the right time. Chaplin enjoys high prestige among the lower classes of the United States, and his public statement will immediately win over a considerable part of the people at the bottom. And the proportion of votes in the hands of the people at the bottom is the largest.

At this time, striking while the iron is hot may make Chaplin publicly express his support for the Ming Dynasty's military purchases, which will become a sign that the situation is favorable to the Ming Dynasty.

……

At the negotiation on the morning of the 12th, Xiang Xiaoqiang formally put forward these two requirements.

“…… You must open up the newspapers and the radio," Xiang Xiaoqiang said solemnly at the negotiating table, holding the document, "and abolish the existing 'road' system, so that anyone can move freely and enter and exit the border freely." ”

Yonggui's eyes widened with an expression of disbelief. But he didn't speak, his eyes rolling rapidly, wondering how he should react. Do you want to run back first and ask the emperor?

Xiang Xiaoqiang continued:

“…… To this end, we are willing to make significant concessions for the Ming army to withdraw from Shanxi and accept the present conditions. I repeat that this is the only possibility for our army to withdraw from Shanxi, and it is also the only possibility for the Ming and Qing dynasties to end the war and usher in a lasting peace. ”

Xiang Xiaoqiang made a high-profile request in Wuwang Villa, and at the same time, a press conference was also held in the official residence of the first assistant, and Shen Rongxuan met with a group of domestic and foreign people, explaining to them the requirements that the Ming Dynasty was making to the Northern Qing Dynasty. And said that from now on, the decision on the war has been handed over to the Northern Qing Dynasty.