Tsumen, British Consulate of Tsumen. During the Sino-Japanese negotiations, Japanese representatives Saionji Gongwang and Lin Dong basically stayed here at all times, except for resting in a hotel arranged by the Chinese side. The British Minister to China, Sir Jurdian, was also here. On the Japanese side, they constantly begged the British side to test the pressure of the Chinese Empire, so that the Chinese Empire could lower the conditions for negotiations and stop the blockade of Japan.

An office on the second floor of the British Consulate in Jinmen has now become the temporary office of Sir Jurdian.

"Your Excellency Xiyuan Temple, Your Excellency Lin, I am sorry to tell you. The attitude of the Chinese is still very tough. Especially since their army has just won a big victory on the Korean Peninsula. In this case, it will be even more difficult to get them to give in. I'm even worried that they'll raise their asking price because of this. Sir Jurden said.

The British were actually very unhappy with the Chinese Empire's tough attitude this time. Because, their demands were ignored by the Chinese, which made them lose face. Although Japan was an ally of Britain, they could not help at all at this time. Although Britain is the world's number one power, if China does not give them face, they will not be able to do anything.

Of course, Britain's overall strength is still much stronger than that of the Chinese Empire. Without the Germans, Britain would have had the strength to go to war with China and make China pay a heavy price. The strength of the British Royal Navy is much, much stronger than that of the Chinese Navy. Even if the British Army can't do it, it can't completely defeat China. But once the British wiped out the Chinese navy, then blockaded the Chinese coast, and even used naval artillery to turn the cities along the Chinese coast into ruins. Such a price is also unbearable for China. However, now the Germans are challenging British hegemony, so that Britain has to shrink its power in the world. This made it impossible for the British to tear their faces with China at this time.

Therefore, the British could only say that they could not do anything about the pleas of their allies.

"Your Excellency, the British Empire is the world's most powerful country, and the Japanese Empire is the most loyal ally of the British Empire. Is the British Empire going to watch the Japanese Empire sink step by step? Once China loses the constraints of the Great Japanese Empire, it will be a disaster for the entire Far East and Asia. Therefore, to support the Empire of Japan is to contain China and to protect the interests of the British Empire. Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Dong said. At the very least, their interests are aligned on the issue of containing China.

"Your Excellency Lin, I'm sorry. We've seen the problem you mentioned. But the damned Germans are provoking the British Empire, and it will be difficult for us to take care of the Chinese until the Germans are resolved. Sir Jurdian said helplessly. Europe is the center of gravity of the United Kingdom.

Obviously, the British were very dissatisfied with the behavior of the Chinese Empire this time. But they can't do it, so they can only ignore it for the time being. Maybe. In the future, the British will regain face and make the Chinese Empire pay a huge price for it. But. And this is definitely not now, but after they solved the threat from the Germans.

"Your Excellency Xiyuan Temple, Your Excellency Lin. The British government believes that you should continue to negotiate with the Chinese government. Of course, the conditions put forward by the Chinese government are very harsh. But you can talk about it step by step. Ask them to lower their requirements as much as possible and eventually come to an agreement. Only in this way can the war end. After all, now that the war continues, it will hurt Japan even more. Sir Jurden said.

Japan is like a seriously wounded person. It's bleeding. Only a quick stop to the bleeding will give Japan a chance to recover. However, Japan's inability to accept China's conditions not only failed to stop the bleeding, but further worsened its injuries. In this case, Japan will only pay a heavier price.

"Sir, we can all understand what you say. However, the conditions for the Chinese are too harsh. If they had agreed to their terms, Japan would never have had a chance to turn the tables around. Xiyuan Temple Gongwang said.

"The conditions put forward by the Chinese are harsh, but we will find ways to help you further lower the conditions of the Chinese." However, it is also unrealistic for Japan to end this war without paying any losses. Sir Jurden reminded. If you lose a war and want to end it, you have to pay the price, which is the norm.

Xiyuan Temple Gongwang and Lin Dong both nodded, how could they not know this? It's just that the Chinese side is asking too high for them to accept.

"Japan is an ally of the British Empire, and the British Empire will not give up on Japan. As long as Japan can end the war with China, we can provide Japan with the most advanced dreadnoughts to rearm Japan. Sir Jurden said. This is undoubtedly a slap in the face to a sweet date.

Britain saw Japan as its ally, or rather as a dog it had raised in the Far East. But overall, the Japanese dog seems to be a little difficult to control, and if it is a little stronger, it will have the ambition to break away from the control of the director. Therefore, Britain did not want Japan to be too powerful. It would be better for Japan to become a regional power, so that Japan could not do without the support of Britain. Britain can also use Japan to contain China and ensure British interests in the Far East.

Britain promised to provide Japan with the latest dreadnoughts, which made the faces of Xiyuan Temple Gongwang and Lin Dong look a lot better. Although Japan had just lost the war, they were still beginning to reflect on how they could defeat China in the next war. The dreadnought is undoubtedly an important weapon that Japan considers indispensable for them.

"Thank you for the help of the British Empire. If the Chinese are willing to make some concessions, we also hope to be able to accept war. However, Japan may not be able to do anything about the Chinese's demand for war reparations. Xiyuan Temple Gongwang said.

Japan's finances are already in a terrible state. Coupled with the defeat in the war, Japan's finances are on the verge of collapse. Even if an agreement was reached with the Chinese Empire, the Japanese did not have the financial resources to pay war reparations. In this case, the Chinese will naturally not give up.

"In terms of war reparations, Britain can provide some help, on the one hand, you can pay in installments, and on the other hand, the British Empire and the French Republic can provide a certain amount of loans to Japan." Sir Jurdian said.

"Britain is indeed an ally of Japan, and when the Japanese Empire survives this crisis, we will definitely not forget the kindness of the British Empire." Xiyuan Temple Gongwang hurriedly expressed his gratitude. With the help of the British, the chances of them surviving this crisis are undoubtedly much greater.

Subsequently, Xiyuan Temple Gongwang and Lin Dong said that they would soon resume negotiations with the Chinese Empire.

Sir Jurdian expressed his appreciation for this.

After Xiyuan Temple Gongwang and Lin Dong left, Sir Zhu Erdian looked at the back of the two leaving, and a smile appeared on his face. After Japan's defeat in this war, it was actually of great benefit to Britain. Japan before the war was too powerful to be faintly out of British control. Now, Japan's defeat has forced Japan to turn to Britain once again. The United Kingdom, on the other hand, can take the opportunity to put a dog chain around the neck of the Japanese and make Japan an obedient pug.

Only in this way will Britain be able to ensure control of Japan and prevent Japan from turning against its masters.

After Saionji Gongwang and Lin Dong returned to the hotel, the staff sent a telegram from Japan. After reading the telegram, both Gongwang and Lin Dong of Xiyuan Temple did not look good.

"Your Excellency, those guys want you to carry the cauldron. Once you sign a peace treaty, you will be regarded as a thief by the people at home. When the time comes, you'll have nothing but step down. Lin Dong looked angry.

China instructed them to reach an agreement with the Chinese government as soon as possible to end the war. Some concessions can be made if necessary.

Compared with the anger on Lin Dong's face, the expression of Gongwang in Xiyuan Temple was much more natural. Perhaps, he had expected this a long time ago.

"We lost this battle, and I already knew that I couldn't get through the position of prime minister. However, in order to appease us, they promised us the position of a patriarch, which was a good compensation. Xiyuan Temple Gongwang said.

"However, they will give you a place as a patriarch, but surely more than one of them will become the new patriarch." Lin Dong said.

"It's nature. But now we do need to step down, rebuild our strength, and wait for our chances. After the army guys came to power, they would only talk about the war brought by the Great Japanese Empire. However, with the current strength of the Chinese Empire, it was no longer something that Japan could defeat. Once their ambitions fail, we are the ones who end up cleaning up the mess. Xiyuan Temple Gongwang said.

Saionji did not believe that Japan would be able to win future wars. On the contrary, he also thinks that Japan is very likely. Unless it is the West that organizes another eight-nation coalition to invade China. Otherwise, it would be very difficult for Japan alone to defeat China. And when the time comes, it's their chance.

Lin Dong nodded, although he was a little unwilling in his heart. But he also knew that there was no other way for them.

On March 25, 4608 (10), the Japanese side requested the continuation of negotiations.

Yang Du, Prime Minister of the Chinese Empire, and Tang Shaoyi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, went to Jinmen, and the negotiations between the two sides began again. (To be continued.) )