Like I said, if Ray? If Copa doesn't want to sit in the post of minister to China until he retires, he will have to find something to do in China, something to make Paris pay attention to it.

And Yan Shao was his choice after some careful consideration.

First of all, Yan Shao is very powerful, and the French obviously have little interest in the Battle of Cihu River, so although this battle caused a sensation in China, the number of people who know about this matter in Europe is probably less than a hundred—————— this is still counting the diplomats sent by China to Europe.

However, as the French minister to China, before taking office, Ray ? Copa always has something to know. And after some understanding, Ray? Kopa also knows a little more about Yan Shao's strength.

For example, after the Battle of Cihu River, Yan Shao's Kuomintang has become the third most powerful force after Beiyang and the League, and even surpasses the League in terms of overall strength.

Although this strength is nothing in the eyes of the French, it is very objective in China, and with these strengths, Yan Shao is more or less qualified to cooperate with France.

Of course, for the moment all this is just thunder? Copa's own subjective thoughts, whether Paris will agree to cooperate with Yan Shao is still a difficult thing to say. After all, the Yangtze River is within the scope of Britain's inherent power, while France and Britain are allies—————— and although there are some disagreements between the two countries, they are still much closer than Russia.

It is difficult to say what the British would think if France did anything in Anhui, and these are things that Paris has to consider. Nature. Thunder? Kopa can also be good at advocating, and for the sake of face afterwards, it is estimated that Paris will grit its teeth and admit it. Just Ray? Copa's political career is probably coming to an end.

But Ray? Kopa is not worried about this problem at all, and if Yan Shao is really willing to cooperate with France, he also has an innate advantage that others do not have, that is, he has a very close relationship with France...

First of all, Yan Shao became famous in France, and his writings were also 'created' in France, so Yan Shao has a considerable reputation in France. This is true even after almost ten years, and his experience of fame in France can easily make the French feel good about him.

Secondly. Yan Shao's lover is a Frenchman, and her father is also a French lieutenant general.

Europe and China, especially the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China, are different from the period of the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China. China's so-called generals are simply everywhere. In Europe, a lieutenant general is definitely much more honorable than a diplomat in a remote country or a colonial governor.

As long as Yan Shao is willing, with Bertrand's influence in France, he can completely contact Paris. In addition, many officers of the Anhui Army, especially senior officers, have served in the Foreign Legion and have a natural affinity for France, which is very useful...

Of course, if only that's all. For Paris, it was not worth risking hostility with Britain for the sake of an ordinary warlord in the Far East. But don't go any further. Now at least 200,000 cars are driving on the roads of Europe every year, and these cars are basically produced from the ordinary province of Anhui...

This alone was enough to give Anhui a different place in the eyes of the bureaucrats in Paris.

And as long as this deal can be reached, then next Ray? What Kopa has to do is to continue to promote the importance of Anhui in the eyes of Paris, and by that time his status as a minister to China will naturally increase...

However, there is also a premise for all this, that is, Yan Shao is willing to be with Lei? Copa cooperation.

If you don't want to, Ray? Copa's ideas are still empty...

No matter what kind of cooperation, there is actually a very important premise, that is...

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"Cooperation?" More or less already guessed Ray? Copa's intention, so Yan Shao didn't show too much surprise, and after listening to his words, Yan Shao only asked lightly. "Why do you ask that?"

"Because it's good for both of us..."Ray? Coppa said categorically, at this moment, his originally somewhat rickety body straightened up, and the whole person seemed to be in his 20s.

"Benefits?"

"That's right." Thunder? Copa nodded before continuing. "Before coming to Anhui, I had already learned something from the officials of the Consulate General in Shanghai, the current China, after the revolution just ended, although it is still a complete country, but it has been divided into countless forces internally, such as Beiyang, the strongest in northern China, and the alliance that controls most of the southern provinces, and there are other provinces controlled by powerful factions in other places, strictly speaking, you are also considered this faction..."

"In Beiyang, Yuan Shikai, the leader of Beiyang, has a good personal relationship with Zhu Erdian, the British minister to China, and from a certain point of view, the people standing behind Beiyang are actually British. And what about the League? The top management of the League also has a lot of contacts with the Japanese side, and the headquarters of the League is located in Tokyo, Japan, which means that we can also see the Japanese as the backers of the Alliance..."

"There are the British behind Beiyang, and the Japanese behind the Alliance, Mr. Yan, don't you think this situation is very unfavorable for you?"

Listen to Ray? Copa's words, Yan Shao's eyes flickered.

In fact, his words were exactly what Yan Shao had been worried about in the past.

Of course, Yan Shao doesn't need to worry about Japan or Britain, and will directly send troops for the sake of Beiyang or the Alliance, but indirect help is still possible, for example...

Ammunition...

Yan Shaowei, how can he promise an enemy 4 times his own in Cihu River? It is by virtue of a firepower advantage that is far superior to that of the enemy. If it weren't for the advantage in firepower, so that the people who begged for Yan Jun felt that it was basically hopeless to cross the Cihu River, it would be impossible for him to use money to respond to Shan and Bi Gao, and let them turn against each other—————— how much they could give with money to counter, it would be better to grab it directly...

The problem is that if there is a conflict between Yan Shao and Beiyang one day in the future, the British will stand up and announce sanctions against both sides. There is also no need for sanctions, only the declaration of an arms embargo on both warring parties ...

Yan Shao is already working hard to stock up on weapons and ammunition, but the consumption of ammunition in war has always been very alarming. The weapons and ammunition that Yan Shao had stockpiled in the past couldn't last long at all. If the British announced an arms embargo on both warring sides, of course there would be nothing on the Beiyang side, not to mention that the north already had a certain amount of arms production capacity, and the little arms in the Beiyang would not consume much ammunition, but Yan Shao's side, as long as the original reserve of ammunition was consumed, it would be almost instantaneous. Yan Shao's troops will be beaten back to their original shape...

What will happen next seems to be something that can be imagined...

With the power of one province against half of China, if Yan Shao's subordinates are all elites, there is naturally no problem. But even if those troops were trained by the French regular army, it would be impossible to catch up with the North Seas in a short time...

In the absence of equipment advantages, it is already rare to be able to hold Anhui...

However, if Yan Shao can reach an agreement with France. Make it a closer ally. Or if it is a partner, then even if there is a conflict between Yan Shao and Beiyang one day in the future, and the French come forward, if the British want to interfere, they will have to consider the meaning of the French...

Yes, the Yangtze River is indeed within the reach of the British, but don't forget that the British are fundamentally in Europe. For the British, apart from India, there is absolutely no concession. Everything else is subordinate.

At a time when the situation in Europe is becoming more and more tense, the British need to stand closely with the French.

At this time, due to the backwardness of the means of communication. In some remote areas, Britain, France and other countries still attach great importance to the views of local diplomats. In other words, in these remote areas, Britain, France and other countries usually consider some policies according to the intentions of local diplomats...

And China, located in the Far East, is obviously a second-class region for Britain now, and in this case, it is natural that what Zhu Erdian says...

After all, the emperor is far away, and London doesn't know what the situation in China is...

But if the French come forward ...

When Yan Shao and Yuan Shikai clashed, and the French stood up, then it was obvious that neither sanctions nor an arms embargo could continue...

After that, as long as Yan Shao is able to do a good job, solve the opponent as quickly as possible, and then ensure that the interests of the British in China will not suffer any losses, then even if the British have any opinions, they will temporarily endure this situation for the sake of the situation in Europe...

At least in Ray? According to Kopa, this is how it will be...

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Yan Shao's eyes flickered slightly, and he didn't speak after half a sound.

"You seem to have misunderstood something, although the situation in my country is very complicated now, but whether it is me, or the military and people of Anhui are extremely supportive of the central government and President Yuan, we will not at all..."

However, before Yan Shao finished speaking, Lei? Copa had already raised his hand to interrupt his next words.

"Mr. Yan, we are all smart people, don't talk about this useless nonsense, everything that is happening in Anhui right now can prove your purpose, and now you are telling me this, isn't it a little ridiculous..."

Yan Shao smiled helplessly, and only spoke after half a sound.

"Well, I'm really interested in what you have to say, but ...... I can't only get benefits from cooperating with you, there has never been a cheap bargain in this world, since I can get some benefits, then, I'm afraid I will also give something..."

"It's refreshing to talk to smart people..."Ray? Kopaha. "But don't worry, I didn't mean to see you in Paris this time, it's just that the old man is not willing to end his political career like this, that's all, so I won't give you any problems, and I won't let you do something you can't do at all..."

"But just like you said, there is no cheap in this world, and everything must follow the principle of equivalent exchange. If you are willing to cooperate with me, then you can get the guarantee of our country, so that whatever you do in the future, you don't need to consider the views of the British or the Japanese, but you also need to pay some price, but as I said earlier, I will come to you this time, just because I don't want to retreat like this, old man, so the price you have to pay is also very simple..." Thunder? Copa groaned. "To put it simply, it's profit..."

"What are the European countries colonizing everywhere for? Of course it can't be for the useless population. It can only be interests, and if you can get certain benefits from the Parisian side, the rest of the matter will be simple..."

"Benefits..."Yan Shao nodded. Economically? ”

"Can also..."Ray? Copa thought for a moment and said. "To be honest, there is no suitable place in Anhui to be a military port, and I guess it is unlikely that you will agree to the stationing of foreign troops here, and if it is an economic benefit, I believe that the resistance of the British should be weaker..."

Although Ray? Copa didn't think the British would turn their back on France over this. But everything is afraid of what if, if it really provokes the British...

Yes, in Europe, Britain does need France. But let's not forget, France needs Britain too. And there is still a strait between Britain and the European continent, and there is nothing between France and Germany...

"So..."After pondering in his heart, Yan Shao looked at Lei? Copa. "I can't answer you right now. Can you wait a few days? I'll talk to my subordinates later..."

"Of course it's fine..."Ray? Copa smiled. "Let's be honest. I'm really tired today, and if you really want to talk to me, I'm afraid I won't have that much energy, but after all, I'm just appointed minister to China, and I can't stay in Anhui all the time without going to the north, so let's do it, how about three days, three days? I stayed in Anhui for three more days. You gave me an answer in three days..."

"Three days, that's enough for me to get everyone back," thought of it. Yan Shao is colorful. "Okay!"

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After returning to the manor from the factory, Yan Shao and Lei? Kopa kept his head down thinking about something.

Naturally, the two are divided into two cars, so they don't know each other's situation when they see each other.

However, in Yan Shao's car, looking at Yan Shao's contemplative expression, he opened his mouth, but Elanon, who was sitting on the side, didn't say anything.

As a Frenchman, Elaine naturally hoped that Yan Shao would agree, but after the most reluctance, she still endured it and decided to let Yan Shao make this decision by herself...

After leaving the factory, the convoy soon returned to the estate. It's just that when Yan Shao and the others got out of the car and planned to go back to the room to rest, they saw an amazing scene on the lawn outside the manor.

On the lawn, Ray? Copa's wife was holding Fumiko and saying something, and she had a kind smile on her face that Eleno and Caterina had never seen before. And next to him, Kaoru Otsuki looked at the old and young pair with a smile on his face...

Despite Ray? Copa's wife didn't know much Japanese, nor did she know Chinese, and Fumiko didn't know much French, but apparently that didn't get in the way of communication between the two...

Looking at the scene on the lawn, whether it's Elinor or Ray? Kopa and the others all had a smile on their faces, but on the side, Yan Shao was still thinking about what happened just now...

The Japanese behind the alliance were nothing, and as long as the First World War had not begun, the British would not have allowed the Japanese to mess around in China. So there is no need for Yan Shao to estimate the Japanese behind the Alliance, but the situation with the British is completely different ...

Although the United States was the real superpower in later generations, Britain was the undisputed hegemon in this world, and this position was maintained until the outbreak of World War II...

To be precise, it was the Suez Canal crisis in 1956 that old powers such as Britain and France really stepped down from the altar and ceded their positions to the United States and the Soviet Union and made themselves second-rate countries.

It was also through this crisis that the United States and the Soviet Union completely replaced the original status of Britain and France, which were old powers, but now there are still more than 40 years before 1956.

Although Yan Shao has always despised Britain on a spiritual level, in fact, if Britain decides to deal with Yan Shao, even if it is just careless, it will be enough to cause Yan Shao great trouble...

In this case, France is undoubtedly a good choice.

First of all, France does not have much power in Asia, especially in the Far East, and at most there is only one Vietnam. The danger to Yan Shao is not as great as the threat of Britain, Japan, Russia or even the United States, and secondly, as the hegemon of Europe, France is a good choice for cooperation now and in the future...

Especially in the future...

However, the future is still too far away, so for the time being, we only need to think about the present...

Although Yan Shao now plans to discuss it with others, he has actually decided in his heart that he wants to cooperate with the French.

On the other hand, after receiving the urgent telegram sent by Yan Shao, except for a few people who were too far away to rush back for the time being, even Zhang Ying returned to Anqing from Suzhou as quickly as possible.

Regarding Yan Shao's decision, the attitude of others is very consistent.

Agree...

If as a descendant, Yan Shao can still despise France at the spiritual level (such as World War II, World War II, World War II or something), then as people of this era, Zhang Ying and Fu Xiuming will not be able to reach this level.

And Yuan Shikai and the British have a good personal relationship, it is simply a well-known thing, in this case, they will also worry about what to do if the British intervene in the conflict between the two sides in the future, at this time the French took the initiative to send it to the door, which is naturally an excellent choice...

What's more, the conditions of the French are not harsh, so when the vote is held, it is directly unanimously approved... (To be continued......)