Beiyang 1917

Lin Quanzhu couldn't laugh or cry when he heard the words, this Wang Geng really had the guts to start blackmailing people in front of the envoys of the four countries?However, Wang Geng's words revealed at least one message, that is, regardless of the progress of the president and the Congress, at least Duan's cabinet was unswervingly continuing to advance the matter of participating in the war.

"As for when China will be able to join the war, it is obviously a question that everyone is concerned about. I really can't answer this question, how about Deputy Chief Xia to answer?" Wang Geng kicked the ball to Deputy Foreign Minister Xia Yiting in the blink of an eye.

"Hey! Ladies and gentlemen! In fact, under the leadership of Premier Duan, the cabinet and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have been working hard to push China to officially declare war on Germany. I really can't get it out!" Xia Yiting cried bitterly in a hurry.

"Deputy Chief Xia, don't tell lies in front of real people. Your cabinet has too much influence on the Congress and the president! During the war, it is an abnormal state. At this time, you are still arguing with each other. When you decide to join the war, the day lily It's cold!" French Minister Kant shouted dissatisfiedly.

"Democracy and the rule of law are the goals we pursue in building a republic. Doesn't the U.S. government have to wait for the Senate and House of Representatives to pass the motion to join the war before the president can officially sign the war entry document?" Xia Yiting countered, not to be outdone.

"Alexander, your statement is inappropriate. Besides, the problem facing the Chinese government is not whether to join the war, but the fact that the president, parliament, cabinet and various forces in the south cannot fight under the same banner! It is a pity that Yuan Xiangcheng fell short, otherwise China There won't be such a fragmented situation before us!"

British Minister Zhu Erdian thought of his old friend President Yuan Da, and felt a little sentimental for a while.

"Everyone, the establishment of the War Participation Preparatory Office is one of Premier Duan's major initiatives to promote the motion to join the war. At such a critical moment, the Chinese government needs the great support of all countries in order to effectively continue to advance our common cause of defending world peace." Wang Geng said in a calm tone.

Obviously, Wang Geng's subtext is that when we join the war depends on how much support you give. The era of empty-handed white wolves is over, and it's time for you to get serious about aid!

The ministers of Britain and France turned their attention to the ministers of the United States and Japan after hearing the words. These two and the forces behind them are the decisive and dominant forces. Britain and France themselves are too weak to show any real sweetness!

"As long as China officially joins the war, everything is negotiable!" American Ambassador Rui Enshi said tactfully while practicing Tai Chi.

Wang Geng asked Xia Yiting next to him in a low voice. After hearing this, Xia Yiting nodded first, then shook his head, with a wry smile on his face. Wang Geng knew what he was doing, so he waved his hand and continued:

"I just asked Vice Minister Xia that when the Chinese government announced the severance of diplomatic relations with Germany on March 3, it put forward conditions to all countries. These conditions have not yet been officially responded and confirmed by all countries. China's sincerity?"

"The Chinese-government has been nagging about asking the Allied Powers for this and that. I don't know what specific conditions the Wang Supervisor said?" Lin Quanzhu asked with a laugh.

"Minister Lin is a noble person who forgets things too much, so I might as well reiterate it again!" Wang Geng said calmly, and our conditions are as follows:

1.The part of the Boxer indemnity belonging to Germany and Austria was permanently withdrawn, and the part belonging to the Allied Powers was suspended for 15 years.

2.Acknowledge China's timely 10% increase in import tariffs.

3.In the Treaty of Xin Chou and its appendices, it is hoped that the places that hinder China from preventing German actions can be removed, such as the prohibition of stationing Chinese troops within 20 miles around Tianjin, etc.

4.China's responsibility to the Allied countries is to provide raw materials and labor, based on the average price in the international market and not lower than the average income of workers in the Allied countries.

Wang Geng spoke eloquently and effortlessly about the various demands put forward by China, which surprised the ministers of the four countries, including Xia Yiting. How could this guy be so knowledgeable?

After a while, Japanese Minister Lin Quanzhu was the first to react, and couldn't help jumping up and shouting,

"Supervisor Wang, the conditions you mentioned are wrong. I remember that the first clause is that part of the German and Austrian indemnities will be revoked forever, and the part belonging to the Allied Powers will be suspended for 10 years. How did it become 15 years?!"

"I remember that the import tariff was increased by 5%. How did it change to 10%? Are you joking, Superintendent Wang?" French Minister Kant also yelled!

"There is also a problem with the fourth article. At that time, there was no limit on the cost and price of labor and raw materials." British Minister Zhu Erdian said slowly.

Nima, if I don’t say anything, you just pretend to be stupid, and I will add more details to you. Now you all remember what the Chinese-government put forward?I don't know what is good or bad!Wang Geng thought.

Xia Yiting rubbed his hands on the side, not knowing what to say. Obviously, he was not mentally prepared for Wang Geng's unauthorized increase of the price. Just now Wang Geng just asked himself if he had made four demands when he broke off diplomatic relations with Germany, so Xia Yiting nodded , and then Wang Geng asked if the other party had formally accepted these conditions, and Xia Yiting shook his head again. Who would have thought that Wang Geng would be so courageous to raise the price again!

"Everyone, before the agreement is formally concluded, it belongs to the scope of modification, not to mention how many agreements that have been officially signed have not been officially implemented. The Chinese government proposed these conditions a month ago, and countries have not confirmed and exchanged letters in time. , then today, it is understandable for us to raise the conditions again!"

Wang Geng didn't take the other party's yelling to heart at all, took a puff of cigarette slowly and methodically, and replied with a smile.

"Supervisor Wang, you are just a supervisor of negotiations with the United States. Although Director-General Wu Tingfang has resigned, there is Deputy Minister Xia of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here. Do you think you can represent the Chinese government?" French Minister Kant obviously used to the arrogance of the French , it was a bit unacceptable for a young man like Wang Geng to speak so arrogantly and arrogantly, and couldn't help but ridicule him.

"Mr. Kant, although tonight is just an informal secret consultation among the five countries, if you have any doubts about whether I can represent the Chinese government, I can't understand why you came into this room? I only talk to people who recognize me Deal, before you change your doubts about me, I ask you, the French envoy, to withdraw from this informal secret consultation! Get out of this room!"

Wang Geng's face turned cold, and he fought back fiercely.

"Hey! Deputy Chief Xia is here. We have no doubts about your identity. Kant, I think you should apologize to Supervisor Wang on this point!" British Minister Zhu Erdian saw that Kant couldn't bully Wang Geng, so he hurried out to smooth things over .

"Okay, Superintendent Wang, I take back my questioning of you just now, please don't take it to heart!" Kant's face remained unchanged, but a series of French came out of his mouth, obviously giving up the fluent Chinese he barely spoke just now.

Wang Geng's English, German, and Japanese are much better than French, but it doesn't take much for him to understand Kant's words, but this guy is deliberately exaggerating.

"I'm sorry, could you please say it again in Chinese? I don't know anything about French. I don't want to cause unnecessary misunderstandings again because of differences in language and ways of thinking!"

Alexander Kant's complexion was different, and finally he said it again in a low voice in Chinese with a blunt accent. It was the first time he had fallen on Wang Geng. Who would leave the venue to demonstrate during secret negotiations, let alone France asking for help? One side too!

"Supervisor Wang, are you sure these are the new conditions for joining the war proposed by the Chinese government?" Lin Quanzhu asked in disbelief. The attitude of the Japanese government towards China's participation in the war has changed several times, mainly because of concerns about the Shandong issue. After the outbreak of World War II, Japan sent troops to occupy Qingdao. They were afraid that China would go back as an ally after participating in the war, so they hoped that China would participate in the war, but also worried that Shandong’s interests would be taken back as a victorious country in a fair manner after the war.

However, at this time, Japan has reached a tacit agreement with Britain, France, the United States and Russia behind the scenes, and the Shandong issue will be resolved by another multilateral agreement. Therefore, at this moment, Japan has become one of the vanguards to promote China's participation in the war.

"The last time the Chinese government proposed these conditions, firstly, there was no official response or exchange of letters from other countries, and secondly, these conditions still failed to push the President and Congress to agree to join the war. More favorable conditions, so as to support us to ensure that China can declare war on Germany as soon as possible!"

Wang Geng's words sound reasonable, and the subtext is very clear. The more you delay and refuse to agree, the higher the price I will ask next time. Don't say that the Chinese government has let your pigeons go!It is entirely your own fault!