98. Indemnity for land cession (2)
Economic and trade regression is inevitable, France can be said to be a usury-type capitalist country, they rely on the developed financial business, cross-border usury, to grab huge profits, disaster in Shanghai alone, there are many French capital banks, BNP Paribas has a huge, manufacturing industry is not very strong, in addition to some old industries have a certain degree of leadership, most of the manufacturing industry not to mention the United Kingdom, even Germany can not compare, China does not need these financial products, And there is no shortage of money, do not take usurious loans, trade etc. is of course normal, not only Germany, but also Austria-Hungary has developed heavy industry, of course, it is necessary to focus on the business of the allies first. Pen, fun, and www.biquge.info
"I fully agree with your point of view," the businessman nodded in agreement, "We have always maintained a friendly attitude towards the Chinese government and Chinese business partners, and this will never change because of our government's attitude, please rest assured, Lord Guo." ”
Guo Songtao smiled secretly, he cleared his throat and took a puff of his cigar, "I am very clear about the concerns of all gentlemen, and the Qing government is also very clear that between China and France, what is most needed is all-round exchanges and mutual trust, not through some military confrontation to communicate, this kind of exchange is definitely not possible, please rest assured, gentlemen," he said with a smile to the French businessmen who were very concerned about his words, "Whether we go to war with France or not, whether we can sign a treaty smoothly, We will continue to carry out trade with foreign countries, and will never do anything that harms commercial trade. ”
As soon as the words came out, the big guy's hanging heart was immediately put down, and suddenly the sycophants were surging, and the flattery came and went, Guo Songtao smiled and pressed it, "Of course, I believe that all gentlemen are very successful people in the French business community, and when necessary, especially now, of course, you must play the role of a bridge between China and France," As soon as his words came out, the people around him immediately stopped talking, and listened carefully to Guo Songtao to continue, "Now, I can tell you directly, The negotiations between China and France are not going well, and I am worried that if this continues, it will definitely affect the trade relationship, which is not a threat, but just my concern. Consul in Guangzhou, his attitude is very tough, and there is a lack of effective communication between us, so I think it is a waste of time to continue to contact him," a foreign minister rarely said such serious words even in private, especially when preparing for a very important diplomatic negotiation, Guo Songtao said directly, "Bad progress, yes, yes, so I think gentlemen should play your role to bring Sino-French relations back to the right path." ”
The French businessmen looked at each other, "Mr. Guo, I heard rumors from the outside world that China has demanded compensation for the cession of land to France, is this true?" ”
Guo Songtao nodded, "It's true." ”
The consul in Guangzhou, who Guo Songtao called a hard-line attitude, leaned back in his chair like a mess of meat, "No, no, no," he said weakly, "We will never accept this condition!" His voice has long been hoarse, although he speaks viciously, but he has no strength to go crazy, in fact, it is not that he has no strength, but he has no confidence, and he has no confidence in China's negotiations.
"Our conditions are very rich and very considerable," Yang Bing, the king of France, said slowly, he took a sip of tea, and looked at the consul in Guangzhou through his glasses, "Our territorial requirements are very simple, neither will we ask for the French mainland in Europe, nor will we ask for the territory in Africa, but we just need a little bit of place, that's all." ”
"But what your country wants is French India!" The consul in Canton let out a low roar, like an injured old lion on the North African steppe, unwilling to grow old, but had to face this frustrating reality, "This is our strategic location in Asia, and the value of this place is even greater than that of Vietnam!" ”
"Why does Vietnam still think that it belongs to your country?" Wang Yangbing said disdainfully, "The current facts, and the previous history, Vietnam belongs to China and has nothing to do with your country, and there is no doubt that sovereignty lies with me." ”
Wang Yangbing meant, since Vietnam does not need to talk about the issue of ownership, there is no doubt about this, then it can only talk about other issues, then French India is a very good reason, "French India is far away from Europe and Africa, and it is not the main sphere of influence of your country, which is not an unacceptable thing for your country." ”
"France cannot accept the cession of land!"
"May I ask what qualifications do you have to say this now?" Wang Yang said coldly, "What does your country have?" Let's open the skylight and say something clear, your country is now in Asia, and there is still an army? Is there still funding? Is there still support from various countries? What else does your country have, and what qualifications do you have to say that France cannot cede land? Please see the situation clearly, Mr. Consul, please stop negotiating foreign affairs with the arrogance and prejudice of the past, and let me tell you the truth, the level of diplomacy in your country is exactly the same as it was in our country forty years ago. ”
"We have shown goodwill to cease the fighting and not continue the offensive in the direction of Saigon, does Mr. Consul think that the Governor's Palace of Saigon can withstand our new army! We have shown our sincerity in negotiations, so what about your country," Wang Yangbing took a sip of tea and sternly looked at the defeated rooster in front of him, the French consul in Guangzhou, "until now, there is no accurate word, if you can't be the plenipotentiary of Mr. Consul, then we can break the agreement immediately, of course, what ceasefire order can be abolished!" ”
"Of course, your country's demands are not harsh, but we really can't make concessions in French India, and we can't accept such a thing as ceding territory!" The defeat of the Franco-Prussian War not only buried the rule of Napoleon III, but also broke out the Paris Commune, a new thing that made various Western countries smell and change, and the turmoil lasted for several years before it stopped, such turmoil came from the cession of land, "Although I can accept it, but I can't call the shots," he saw Wang Yangbing's impatient expression, "This matter must be decided by the country, this is the authority of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, please be patient, Lord Wang!" (To be continued.) )