Almost two weeks have passed since the convening of the Conference on the Limitation of Naval Armaments. At the meeting, although the British and American governments agreed on similar measures, the Chinese delegation headed by Gu Weijun still stuck to its bottom line and refused to make any concessions.

At the same time, the Japanese delegation, which was supposed to be the helper of Britain and the United States, also had a slightly more difficult attitude on this matter, which naturally made Britain and the United States feel very difficult.

Especially in the U.S. government, you must know that more than eighty percent of the reporters gathered outside the venue are Americans. Now, these American journalists, along with the American citizens gathered outside, are waiting for the news of the success of the meeting.

However, they have never been able to come up with any good results...

In fact, although measures have been taken to block news, in fact, it is difficult to block this kind of news all the time. After all, when there are more people who know a piece of news, it is difficult to shut everyone up. Especially when there are so many people involved in this meeting.

In addition, the meeting has been held for such a long time, but it has not even been able to come up with any substantive results, and I am afraid that no one will want to believe that there is nothing wrong in it.

So inside the venue, when the governments of the six countries were still arguing with each other over this matter, on the other hand, it could be said that rumors were spreading outside the venue...

There are basically all kinds of rumors, and some even claim that the whole meeting is basically on the verge of breaking. Of course, the outcome of such negotiations cannot satisfy the isolationist American people. After all, what they are looking forward to is the success of the negotiations, after which the United States no longer has to worry about any threats, and only needs the news that it is honestly living its own small life.

And not the failure of negotiations. The news that several countries have once again set off an arms race, and finally there will be another world war.

At the same time, because of this news, many American people ran to the door of the government to protest, which also attracted tremendous pressure on the US government―――――― of course, the news of the failure of the negotiations must have been spread by people from the Special Affairs Bureau. The purpose is also very simple, that is, to put pressure on the US government.

On the other hand. Although the U.S. Bureau of Investigation has more or less guessed something, there is not much to do about it. First, the Bureau of Investigation has always had nothing to do with the Special Service Bureau in the past time. Several fights have almost always ended in failure.

Second, even if they want to do something, what can they do? You can't arrest all the people who spread rumors, can you? That's too many people to arrest.

Of course, they didn't think that they would have to capture the king first.

Merely...

Which one is the thief. Which is the king?

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Facing pressure from the public and public opinion. The national government is nothing. In fact, there is still a lot of support for the Communist's insistence on the Washington Conference. Especially in the eyes of the Chinese people, who have just experienced a revival, they absolutely cannot accept any disgraceful agreement.

Thus, the more the Nationalist government insisted on a humiliating treaty, the more satisfied the people became.

On the other hand, the pressure on the US government is relatively great, not to mention that this time the Nationalist government has made it very clear. Resolutely refusing to give in, and even putting on an attitude of not hesitating to delay the meeting until all four super-dreadnoughts are put into service, the attitude of the US government has softened relatively speaking.

"Well—" closed his eyes after reading the contents of the most recent meeting. Wilson frowned slightly. "I would like to invite the Chinese delegation to come and talk to them personally..."

"A wise decision." Stand aside. Roosevelt agreed.

However, Wilson smiled bitterly at his words.

Where is this a wise decision, it can only be said that there is nothing to be done. After all, if it weren't for the uneven situation at the meeting, Wilson wouldn't have needed to get straight to the point.

On the other hand, just when Li Liang and Gu Weijun really made up their minds to delay the meeting until all four Jairus-class battleships were launched for service, an invitation from Wilson was also sent into their hands.

"You say, what is Wilson's purpose in inviting us..."

Looking at the invitation card in his hand, Li Liang looked at Gu Weijun and Bu Zigao.

He had not thought of declining Wilson's invitation in the slightest, because there was no way to turn down such an invitation. Of course, this is not to say that he is worried about what Wilson will do to him if he refuses, but the president of the other side has issued a formal invitation and he has refused, which is itself a very impolite behavior in a diplomatic situation.

At present, China can only be regarded as an upstart on the stage of the great powers, and while it continues to strengthen its strength, it also needs to be polite―――――― at least on the surface.

This kind of rejection of the invitation made by the US head of state when there is no deep hatred between the two sides and there is nothing very important about the two sides is undoubtedly an impolite expression.

"Who knows...", shaking his head slightly, Buzigao made his own answer very straightforwardly.

On the side, Gu Weijun replied after thinking for a moment. "Maybe it's for the sake of the meeting, obviously the Americans can't stand it anymore, so they want us to bow our heads or say ......... It's to know what we want..."

"If that's the case, then it's going to be easy to do...", and after putting the invitation aside, Li Liang walked to the floor-to-ceiling mirror on the side and straightened up his clothes. Prepare well, and when the evening comes, accompany me to the White House..."

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In fact, when they first arrived in Washington, Li Liang and the others had already been to the White House. After all, no matter how you look at it, even if it is out of courtesy, Americans should invite them to the White House―――――― unless the relationship between the two sides is already so bad that the relationship between the two sides is already bad. To the point where they don't even need to cover up with each other.

But it's clear that relations between China and the United States are not that bad. So at least in terms of face, each other is still maintained well.

But even so, because the previous meeting was not very smooth. After that, the Americans never invited Li Liang and his party again. Therefore, this time it can be said that Li Liang and the others only visited once except when they just arrived in Washington...

"Mr. President, they are already here..."

While Wilson himself was still in the president's office and didn't know what to think, Roosevelt suddenly walked in from the outside and whispered in Wilson's ear.

"It's already here!" Hearing Roosevelt's words, Wilson's spirits were shaken, and he rose from his seat. Walk briskly outside.

Just not very far from the White House, a convoy was approaching in the direction of the White House. By the time the convoy arrived at the White House, Wilson, Roosevelt, and a number of other high-ranking Washington officials in the White House had already gathered.

Glancing around at the top of the Washington administration. Secretary of State Charles frowned slightly. "It's just to receive some yellow-skinned monkeys, is it necessary to make such a big move!"

"No way, who called them a bunch of unusual yellow-skinned monkeys...", said an American official who thought he was quite funny.

Listen to the frolicking of Charles and the others on the side. Roosevelt smiled wryly.

Maybe it's because of the relationship with Chinese people in the past. So Roosevelt wasn't very discriminatory against the Chinese. At least it is definitely not as explicit as Charles and others on the side, especially after the emergence of the National Social Government, Roosevelt himself has a great change in his opinion of the National Social Government. Therefore, after hearing the voices of other officials in the Washington administration around him, Roosevelt felt a little uncomfortable...

Fortunately, the convoy that arrived later interrupted their words, and at the same time, other American officials, including Charles, also restrained their original expressions and replaced them with stern expressions. There are also smiling ―――――― professional politicians of a welcoming nature, trustworthy.

At least on the surface, it is absolutely invisible. These people slander and insult China.

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After coming down from Chezi Mountain, Li Liang, Gu Weijun and others, who were dressed in neat clothes, exchanged pleasantries with Wilson, Roosevelt and others. Especially for Roosevelt himself, it can be described in a different way.

After some greetings, Li Liang, Gu Weijun and others also followed Wilson and his party to one of the rooms in the White House.

The room was already filled with refreshments, but perhaps because the focus of the meeting was not the reception. So the layout of the room is not like an ordinary banquet, but rather a meeting, a meeting where people can talk about business while eating...

After noticing this, Gu Weijun and Li Liang glanced at each other, and already had some premonitions about the next show.

Sure enough, after everyone sat down, Wilson first reviewed the friendship between China and the United States, and then changed the topic and shifted the topic to this meeting...

"I believe that your country is aware of the importance of this meeting in Washington, D.C., and that almost all the people of the world are now following this meeting in Washington, D.C., and are looking forward to the success of the meeting, which I believe is true even in your country, and it is precisely because of this that I feel that I do not understand why your government has been reluctant to make concessions at this meeting in order to ensure the smooth and successful success of the conference as a whole, Good news for those who are looking forward to the success of the conference..."

Hearing Wilson's words, Gu Weijun didn't laugh directly this time like he did at the venue, but just shook his head slightly and sighed lightly. "Naturally, my government would like to see the meeting go smoothly, because it is of great importance for the peace of the whole world, and it can even be said that we are responsible for the peace of future generations. The problem, however, is that the responsibilities and difficulties of this conference should not be borne on the shoulders of any one country alone, and likewise, even for the sake of peace, Japan would not have agreed to such a humiliating treaty. ”

Speaking of this, after glancing at Li Liang and getting permission from the other party, Gu Weijun continued to speak. "As we all know, although our country is a country with a very long history. It can even be said to be one of the oldest countries in existence, but the history of our government is very short, and it takes less than seven years to stop vomiting. It's just a new member of the Club of the Great Powers..."

"In the same way, we do not deny that although our navy has developed by leaps and bounds compared with when the government was first established, there is still a very big gap between it and a powerful country like yours and the United Kingdom, and because of this. Although my Government has been a very big substitute for this conference, it has never been expected to be able to obtain the same conditions as your country and the United Kingdom at this conference. ”

However, this does not mean that our country will accept or even be inferior to the French will. It is only the last treaty among the six countries. ”

"This is a complete insult to our country..."

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Hearing Gu Weijun say this, Charles on the side coughed lightly. "The words can't be said afterwards at the meeting. My Government does not recognize the strength of your country. Is it comparable to France and Italy..."

Although he hated the Socialist Government in his heart, Charles knew the importance of this meeting, so he didn't want to mess up this meeting...

However, hearing his words, Bu Zigao on the side suddenly replied. "However, we believe that we should have a higher status than the French and Italians, and not merely on a par with France and Italy..."

"This is also the attitude of our government." Glancing at Bu Zigao on the side, Gu Weijun said straightforwardly.

"What do you mean?" Glancing at Gu Weijun and Bu Zigao, Wilson also stopped Charles, who was beside him who wanted to stand up and refute. asked softly.

"I believe that your country should also know how great the contradiction between Japan and Japan really is. Therefore, even if the conditions of our country cannot exceed that of Japan. But at least it must not be lower than this country, which is absolutely unacceptable to our country, so our country's demand is very simple, that is, at least to get the same conditions as Japan..."

"Is this a final condition?" Stunned, Wilson asked.

"That's right." Li Liang, who had not spoken at this time, suddenly opened his mouth and nodded. "This is the condition of our country, and we are equally aware of the importance of this conference and the expectations of the people of the world for this conference, and our Government is equally unwilling to live up to the expectations of the people of the world, but only if what is agreed upon at this conference is beneficial to our Government, or at least not to the detriment of our Government's interests. At present, among all countries, Japan is the only country that is likely to have a large-scale armed conflict with Japan, so even if Japan does not ask for conditions that are stronger than Japan, at least it must not let its own navy be weaker than Japan, so Japan's conditions are very simple, that is, no matter what level Japan is in, Japan will ask for the same conditions as Japan. ”

"Of course, the Japanese government is well aware that there is still a certain gap between our navy and the Japanese navy, but it is still easy to make up for this gap. At least according to the telegram that has just arrived from the country not long ago, the progress of the four Jairus-class battleships currently under construction is going well, and if nothing regrettable happens, the launch of the battleships before the end of this year is almost a certainty. ”

"It is true that there is a certain gap between Japan and Japan in terms of navy, but this gap is definitely not decisive. Especially in terms of capital ships, although Japan currently has at least six super-dreadnoughts after counting the two Nagato-class battleships under construction, as long as the four Jairus-class can be commissioned, then the four super-dreadnoughts with 16-inch 406mm guns may not be weaker than the two super-dreadnoughts with 16-inch guns and four with 356mm guns. ”

"What's more, except for super dreadnoughts, the Japanese government does not own any dreadnoughts, only battle cruisers and ordinary pre-dreadnoughts."

"As for our country, we have at least three dreadnoughts and one battle cruiser, one of which was even built by your shipyard. I believe that your government should be very clear about the performance of this dreadnought, in other words, as long as those four super-dreadnoughts can be launched, then at least on paper, we will be on an equal footing with the Japanese Navy..."

Speaking of this, Li Liang glanced up at Wilson, lowered his head and pondered for a while before continuing. "As we have said, the only purpose of our government is to never be inferior to Japan in terms of navy, which is something that we cannot and is the only one that cannot be accepted. At the same time, we hope that your country will accept our only request and decision. ”

"Of course, we are also willing to pay a certain price for this, and I believe that it should be able to satisfy your country and the British..."

"The price?" Hearing this, Wilson looked interested. "I wonder what price your country intends to pay?"

"Very brief..."Seeing that Wilson seemed very interested, Li Liang smiled slightly and said slowly. The price we have to pay is .........."

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After talking with Wilson, late at night, Li Liang and the others left the White House in a car and returned to their residence. Subsequently, the U.S. government sent personnel to contact the British government. On the third day, the meeting, which had been at an impasse, finally made a breakthrough... (To be continued......)