Guo Songtao didn't react for a while, "Of course, your country's navy is the most powerful in the world, we have always believed this, before entering Chinese waters, it must be your country's navy to escort Prince Edward's ......" He used to flatter a bunch of words, which didn't need to go through his mind, but he then seemed to have discovered something, looked at the Englishman opposite, and then turned his head to look at Xie Yunong on the side, Xie Yunong's face was full of anger, and he understood, "Excuseme? ”

"We have no trust in your navy, a navy cannot be built with money, but requires brains and many years of accumulation, so we think," Fourys continued to say haughtily, "that your navy is not good enough to take on the heavy responsibility of escorting the Prince of Wales, so we in the British Foreign Office think that it is more appropriate for our Far East Fleet of the British Empire to escort His Royal Highness." Pen @ fun @ pavilion wWw. ｂｉｑUｇE。 ｉｎｆｏ”

"I'm sorry, Counselor," Guo Songtao lifted his glasses, and a stern look shot out of the top of the glasses, "Do you think it is appropriate for your navy to enter China's territorial waters?" ”

"For diplomatic purposes, of course, it is appropriate, and rest assured, this is not the time of 1840, when we had no intention of going to war," Fours said slowly, "The fleet of the British Empire sailed to the shores of China just to escort His Royal Highness. ”

Guo Songtao shook his head and took off his eyes, "Your country's fleet is invincible, I admit this, your country's navy is coming to China's maritime frontier, to be honest, our sailors can't resist," Guo Songtao was also honest and said something, "This fact does not need to be concealed, I once again affirm one point, China's naval fleet is only built to defend the coastal sea, so your country's naval fleet often travels to and from China's South China Sea, we have never said anything, nor have we protested to your country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, after all," Guo Songtao spread his hands, "We can't stop you, and we also know that your country has no ill will towards us now, so when the navy of the British Empire passes through the South China Sea, our sailors will only supervise one or two, and there will be no action against each other by force." But this time," Guo Songtao pointed down at the text spread out on the case, "it was different. ”

Guo Songtao continued in fluent English, "We can understand that your country is for the purpose of escorting Prince Edward, but we cannot accept that on the official itinerary, your country's fleet appears in China's waters, at least not on the itinerary to escort Prince Edward. ”

"This was decided by our British Foreign Office and Admiralty at the same time." Fu Les said strongly.

"Please consider our hardships, Mr. Ambassador," Guo Songtao turned his face to look at Ambassador Wade, "Although the relationship between your country and the Qing Dynasty is now harmonious, and it has reached the level of mutual visits between the heads of state of the two countries, I would like to remind a few gentlemen that your country has already had two wars with the Qing Dynasty through the navy, and even if we agree to your country's navy docked at the port of Tianjin, what will our people and subjects think when they see the flying rice flag?" Needless to say, this is bound to cause incalculable panic and commotion, and I am sure that this will have a detrimental effect on the conduct of foreign affairs between the two countries, and on the purpose of this visit by Prince Edward, and I invite a few gentlemen to take this into account. ”

"That is something for your country to consider," continued Fourys, "and we hope that this visit to China will be a success, so your country should inform your subjects and be informed of it, and I am sure that there will be no commotion or uneasiness, and from another point of view, it seems that your country does not have to care about the meaning of ordinary people." ”

"Every government needs to scruple and take into account the opinions of the common people, and our Qing Dynasty is no exception," Xie Yunong continued, "I protest against your country's discriminatory policy, eight years ago, our Queen Mother was escorted to the British mainland by your country's navy in India, and our Queen Mother Your Majesty believes in your country's navy so much, I did not expect that your country is now violating China's sovereignty in the name of insecurity, I express my great regret for this, if your country did it intentionally." In addition," he continued to sneer, "your country thinks that our sailors are not capable of taking on the heavy responsibility of escorting Prince Edward, but you must know that our navy division of the Great Qing Dynasty is basically composed of your country's personnel and warships, that is, is your country not confident in its own naval military strength?" Or did you give bad technology and ships to China? This is again a question of the integrity of cooperation between the two countries! ”

Foures was speechless, but then he thought of another question, "China has recently had a diplomatic dispute with France over the affairs of Vietnam, and we have reason to wonder how Prince Edward, who is escorted by your country, can guarantee his own safety if there is a military conflict or war between China and France in the South China Sea?" ”

Not to be outdone, Xie Yunong shook his head and retorted politely, "There is a difference between military action and diplomacy, since we have negotiated with the French, there will be no conflict in the South China Sea because of the Vietnamese issue, and your country, which claims to be the empire on which the sun never sets, and the French, who were defeated by the Germans, still dare to disturb the crown prince of your country?" ”

The two sides began to debate and rebuttal, the conference room was full of gunpowder, and at this time, Ambassador Wade stood up, raised his hands, and pressed it weakly downward, "Please gentlemen calm down, negotiations are like this, you need to make concessions and understand each other, His Royal Highness Prince Edward is already on the journey, I believe that we can overcome any difficulties," the meaning of these words is still to compromise with the Chinese side, otherwise it will be a serious diplomatic accident to return halfway," As for how to satisfy both sides, I would like to listen to your opinion, Minister. ”

Guo Songtao picked up his glasses, "I can't decide that your country's navy has entered China's territorial waters through the official form without explanation, just like Mr. Ambassador, there are also your country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Prime Minister, I still need to report to the Prime Minister Yamen before I can decide, but there is one point, your country's navy cannot appear alone on the official itinerary, I am sure about this, since the two countries cannot reach an agreement, let's put this issue aside for the next discussion," Guo Songtao opened the text againFouries and Wade looked at each other, and also opened the text of the memo on the table, "Please turn to page fifteen, there is a discussion of the etiquette of China to welcome Prince Edward." (To be continued.) )