As automobiles become more widely available in China, especially the military, trucks are replacing mules and horses, which makes China's oil consumption increasing. Not to mention that all the warships of the Imperial Navy use oil-fired boilers, and the consumption of oil is even more terrifying. Every time a warship of the Navy goes to sea, it burns a large amount of heavy oil, and these are the real oil tigers.

"Is there that much oil there?" Tang Shaoyi was stunned for a moment, obviously not very convinced. The importance of oil has long been unquestionable.

In the beginning, China imported all the oil it needed from the United States. However, after the Sino-US conflict, it is no longer possible to import oil from the United States. Fortunately, the empire's oil fields in the northeast were exploited. In addition, after the empire took control of the Indonesian archipelago, a large number of oil fields were discovered here. Today, the vast majority of the oil consumed by the empire is extracted from the Indonesian archipelago. Only a small part of the oil extracted in China is extracted. Emperor Wu Haoxuan knew that although China was not an oil-poor country, it was definitely not rich in oil resources. If you can extract less oil in the country, you can extract a little less, and it can be regarded as leaving a little for future generations.

Although the Indonesian archipelago is rich in oil resources, it is getting faster and faster with China's economic development. The consumption of oil will continue to rise. Ten years at most, the oil extracted in the Indonesian archipelago will not be enough to support China's development. At this point, China will have to acquire other oil and gas resources. The Persian Gulf, a world-famous oil producing area in later generations, was undoubtedly Wu Haoxuan's goal.

If the Persian Gulf is a pot where most of the world's oil flows, Kuwait is undoubtedly the bottom of the pot. One can imagine how rich the oil resources there are. What's more, northern Kuwait was an Iraqi colony controlled by the Ottoman Turkish Empire. Right now. The Ottoman Empire was a member of the Central Powers. After the empire joined the Entente and declared war on the Central Powers, it could justifiably attack north and snatch Iraq over. In this way, the empire will have more oil resources in its hands, enough for the empire to use for a long, long time.

Wu Haoxuan for the oil of the Persian Gulf. I've been salivating for a long time. It's just that it has always been the territory of the British, and the empire has never been able to intervene. Now, the British desperately want the Empire to join them in the fight. Well, of course, the empire will not give up this opportunity.

"Well, there's a lot of oil there, indeed. If we get Kuwait, we can attack Iraq north. It is also an important oil producer. After taking control of this place, the empire will not have to worry about oil in the future. Wu Haoxuan said with certainty.

"So. Your Majesty. This time, we are going to get Kuwait in our hands as well. I believe that the British will certainly compromise if we are willing to go to war. For them, Kuwait is nothing more than insignificant. Tang Shaoyi said.

"Go for it. If the British do not agree to these conditions of the Empire, then we will not go to war! Even, it is possible to threaten them, and we join the Allies in the fight. Wu Haoxuan said. In order to be able to intervene in the Middle East, an important oil-producing area, Wu Haoxuan also tried his best.

"Yes. Your Majesty. Tang Shaoyi nodded.

The next day, the meeting between the Imperial Foreign Secretary, Tang Shaoyi, and Sir Zhu Erdian continued. In the meeting. Tang Shaoyi proposed that the people of the empire wanted to keep the peace and were unwilling to go to war. This made Sir Jurdian a little regretful.

"Your Excellency Foreign Minister, China, as one of the world's great powers, should work hard for world peace. As long as the Allies are defeated, the world will be truly at peace. Moreover. For China, there are also huge benefits. Sir Jurdian continued.

"Actually, His Majesty the Emperor also means this, hoping that a permanent peace can be achieved." Tang Shaoyi said.

Suddenly, Sir Jurdian's face was overjoyed. Originally, he thought it would be difficult to convince China. However, I didn't expect that the mountains and rivers would be full of doubts, and the willows and flowers would be bright and another village! The Chinese emperor was inclined to participate in the war. So, this shows that there is a great possibility that China will join the war!

"Yes, although the Chinese emperor is young, he has a very precise vision. He would not have been unaware of how much it would benefit China after joining the war. Sir Jurdian thought to himself.

"His Majesty the Emperor of China is far-sighted, and his decision is undoubtedly correct." Sir Jurdian said.

"Your Excellency, His Majesty the Emperor is inclined to go to war. However, he is not satisfied with the conditions that your country has proposed. If the British could agree to some of the Empire's conditions, the Empire would be willing to join the Entente in the war. Tang Shaoyi said.

"Your Excellency, Foreign Secretary, please speak." Sir Jurdians nodded. He also knew that if he wanted to draw China into the camp of the Entente, he would definitely have to pay some price. The conditions that have been put forward are just a test for China.

Subsequently, Tang Shaoyi put forward several conditions put forward by Wu Haoxuan one by one.

Sir Zhu Erdian's brows were already furrowed, and the conditions proposed by the Chinese side were somewhat unexpected to them. Regarding Xiangjiang, the British side has long been prepared. They know that the Chinese will definitely not give up on Xiangjiang. China has become one of the world's great powers, and naturally does not want its territory to be occupied by the British all the time. Although, for Britain, the strategic location of Xiangjiang is very important, and it can be said that it is the front-line position for Britain to contain China. Although, because of its small size, Xiangjiang cannot deploy too many troops. Even if it is a large army, it will be made dumplings by powerful China. However, it could be used as a base for the British to gather intelligence on China.

The British also knew that if China wanted to forcibly take back the Xiangjiang, the British could do nothing about it. They also thought that if China was to be drawn into the Entente, the Chinese government would definitely take the opportunity to propose the recovery of Xiangjiang. In this regard, the British government decided after discussion that it would not be a big deal to return Xiangjiang to China. Now that China has truly risen, it is no longer realistic to try to contain China through a small Xiangjiang.

However, several other conditions put forward by the Chinese, especially the claim to the Kuwaiti colony, completely exceeded British expectations. Although Kuwait is indeed a British colony, Britain has never paid attention to that barren land at all. Now, the Chinese actually want this colony and have to make the British wary.

"Your Excellency, the colony of Kuwait is also important to the British Empire. Can this condition be changed? Sir Jurden said.

"Does Kuwait matter to the UK? In that case, let's trade Sri Lanka for Kuwait. Tang Shaoyi said casually.

In terms of strategic significance, it is clear that Sri Lanka is more important. It is a major transportation route in the Indian Ocean. It was also on the edge of Britain's most important colony, India. If China occupies Sri Lanka, wouldn't that show that they have the strength to march on India at any time? In that case, the consequences are truly unimaginable.

"No, Sri Lanka is also an important colony of the British Empire, and it cannot be handed over to China." Sir Jurdian shook his head repeatedly.

"Your Excellency, this is already the bottom line of the Empire. If Britain still does not agree, then the empire can only regret it. We'll probably have no choice but to remain neutral. Tang Shaoyi said.

Sir Jurdian's brows furrowed tightly, he knew that China was threatening them. However, Britain has no way to counteract at all!

"That's right. Your Excellency, Sir General. I have to remind Your Excellency. During this time, the Allies were also actively lobbying the Reich. If His Majesty the Emperor thinks that Britain is not sincere, and decides to join the Allies in the war, there is nothing we can do about it. Tang Shaoyi continued.

Suddenly, Sir Zhu Erdian's face couldn't help but change greatly. If China continues to remain neutral, it will not have much impact on Britain. Then, once China joins the Allies in the war, it will be a disaster for Britain. Now, the war has been going on for two and a half years, and it will probably take more than a year to end it. But if China joins the Allies in the war, even if the Entente wants to win, I am afraid it will have to fight for a few years. The current situation in Britain is already very difficult. As soon as China launched an attack on these British colonies, the collapse of Britain was imminent! Therefore, Britain must do everything possible to prevent China from joining the Allied War.

"Your Excellency Foreign Secretary, Britain is very sincere in inviting China to join the Entente. Regarding those conditions put forward by China, although a little harsh. However, there is still the possibility of negotiation. I will report the conditions in China to the country. Sir Jurden said.

Although he was very angry in his heart, he also knew that the current Britain had no other way but to suppress the anger in his heart and accept the blackmail of the Chinese.

"Well, I hope that the British government will give good consideration to the legitimate interests of the Empire." Tang Shaoyi nodded.

Then, Sir Zhu Erdian said goodbye and left, and Tang Shaoyi sent him to the door of the office with a smile on his face.

When Sir Jurdian left the Imperial Foreign Office and got into the Legation car, the smile on his face disappeared completely.

"Damn, these greedy yellow-skinned monkeys, when did their appetite become so big? Aren't they afraid of being strung to death? One day, the British Empire will let them spit out all their profits. Sir Jurdian said viciously. (To be continued.) )

PS: The third update is here, asking for monthly passes and recommended tickets! Thank you for the reward of the book friend Yuexia Golden Pig and Qin Han Tang Ming!