Beiyang 1917

Speaking of which, Wang Geng stood up, and turned to Japanese Minister Lin Quanzhu,

"Minister Lin, although I am not the supervisor of the foreign ministry's negotiations with Japan, I am still Prime Minister Duan's national policy adviser and foreign military secretary. I look forward to a new chapter in the cooperation between China and Japan!"

Speaking of which, Wang Geng reached out and shook hands with Lin Quanzhu who was a little at a loss, and then he turned around and said to U.S. Minister Rui Enshi,

"Minister Rui, whether China can participate in the war depends on how much support Premier Duan can get from you. I have said everything that needs to be said. I look forward to getting encouraging and good news as soon as possible." He extended his hand and shook Rui Enshi.

This guy shook hands with Zhu Erdian and Kant politely, then turned to Xia Yiting who was also at a loss and said with a smile,

"Senior Minister, let's withdraw first. I don't know if the envoys of Russia, Germany and Austria have come today. You can introduce me later!"

"Hey! Hey! Superintendent Wang, how can we leave before the matter is settled? The Chinese government has broken off diplomatic relations with Germany and Austria. How can the ministers of these two countries come to the reception of the ministers! The status of the Russian ministers is also different. I don’t understand the whole pot of gruel, let’s sit down and talk about it!” Hearing that Wang Geng was going to meet the German, Austrian and Russian envoys, and knowing that this guy was bluffing, the British envoy Zhu Erdian couldn’t help standing up anxiously He grabbed Wang Geng's arm.

"Minister Zhu Erdian, you are an old friend of the Chinese people. What you want to say has already been said just now. My headquarters is in Nanyuan. If you can accept my previous conditions, it will not be too late for us to sit down and talk. Otherwise, don't delay It’s time for everyone, the east is not bright and the west is bright, I believe that whether to support Premier Duan and his cabinet in China, or other local separatist forces, the governments of Britain, France, Japan and the United States should make a decision!”

Speaking of which, Wang Geng turned to Japanese Minister Lin Quanzhu and said, "Minister Lin, our Prime Minister Duan has always had a good relationship with you Japan, and I look forward to Japan playing a greater role between China and the big powers! You can contact us at any time if you need anything. Deputy Chief Xia may come directly to my Nanyuan as a guest!"

Before Lin Quanzhu could react, he turned to the American Minister Rui Enshi and said, "Minister Rui, Washington will not hinder you from making a wise decision, but the source of Sino-US cooperation must start from you. President Wilson and his I still know a few people in the cabinet, if you have any difficulties, just tell me, and I will help you!"

After finishing speaking, Wang Geng saluted gracefully, and dragged the overwhelmed Foreign Minister Xia Yiting out of the private room of the American Embassy in the Liuguo Hotel without looking back.

"Wang Geng, what you said today is too exaggerated. Does Prime Minister Duan know the conditions you mentioned? You really offended the United States and Japan, and things will be difficult for us in the future!"

When going downstairs, Xia Yiting couldn't help complaining that a weak country has always had no diplomacy. It is not a day or two for Chinese diplomats to humble themselves in front of the envoys of the great powers. Wang Geng's arrogant performance just now made Xia Yiting I was horrified to see it.

"When it's time to bluff people, you have to bluff people. Now the United States, Japan, Britain, and France are asking us. We are barefoot and not afraid of wearing shoes. The situation in Russia is not stable. If we really unite with Germany, Austria and Russia to make peace, there will be wars." If the fight continues, Britain and France will not be able to consume energy. I heard that men between the ages of 15 and 60 in Britain and France are all on the list of mobilization and conscription, and they are the ones who can't afford it!"

Wang Geng lowered his voice to comfort the pale Xia Yiting.

"Is China sending 300 million expeditionary troops to bluff them in the future? I was really shocked. The total number of all ** troops in the Republic of China is less than 100 million!" Xia Yiting asked Wang Geng's arm. .

"Brother Ting Zhai! You are too honest. You never tire of deceitful soldiers. According to my estimates, the United States only recruited and trained 300-400 million soldiers at most in the war, and only 100-200 million can be sent to the European battlefield. China's mobilization and logistical support capabilities It is far behind the United States, a powerful capitalist country, let alone 300 million expeditionary troops, if we can get 30 in half a year, it will be amazing!"

Since Wang Geng had the intention to win Xia Yiting over for his own use in the future, he didn't intend to hide it from him, and explained it to him as he went downstairs.

"Did the German-Austrian envoy really rush back to China after announcing the severance of diplomatic relations last month?" Wang Geng asked Xia Yiting as he got out of the elevator.

"Last month, on behalf of the Chinese government, Wu Tingfang sent a note to the German minister announcing the severance of diplomatic relations between China and Germany. The German minister Paul von Hintze returned home. Now it is said that the German Consul General in Shanghai, Hubert Knipping, is staying in charge of the contacts between the two countries! Austria The ambassador to China was originally a charge d’affaires, but the Austrian charge d’affaires Defour is still messing around in Beijing.”

As for Russia, after the Russian Tsar abdicated in mid-March, the Russian Minister to China Kudashov was authorized by the Russian Provisional Government to stay behind. Due to the unstable political situation in Russia, the new Minister will be dispatched at some point! "Xia Yiting replied in a straightforward manner.

"Well, Vice President Xia, why don't you let it go, find some excuse tomorrow morning to meet the charge d'affaires of the German and Austrian embassy staying in Beijing, find a room where there is no one, invite them to drink tea, read the newspaper, and hang out Let them go back in half a day! The Russian minister is the same, let's sing a play for Zhu Erdian and the others to see!" Wang Geng looked at Xia Yiting and said with a smile.

"There's nothing wrong with the appointment of the Russian envoy. China has broken off diplomatic relations with Germany and Austria, so it's easy to invite the chargé d'affaires over here... Prime Minister Duan, should I ask for instructions first?" Xia Yiting was stunned for a moment, and said awkwardly.

"What are you afraid of? Let's just sing a play. There is no need to alarm Premier Duan. I will tell him later. By the way, you have to match me with the office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the translation secretary. My pair of Americans Can’t the negotiating supervisor always meet with foreign envoys in the Nanyuan barracks? Gu Weijun’s telegrams have to be copied and forwarded to my Nanyuan headquarters every day?”

Wang Geng grabbed Xia Yiting's hand and asked in a low voice.

"It was originally assigned to you, but the Prime Minister said that you might have to arrange it yourself. You may not dare to use the person I gave you from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs!" Xia Yiting said truthfully. Duan Qirui was obviously worried that Wang Geng, who was not familiar with the situation when he first came here, would miss the big deal if someone puts his eyes and ears around the beauty.

"Deputy Chief Xia, Prime Minister Duan is 52 years old this year. In terms of character, qualifications, prestige and ability, he is the top candidate to lead Beiyang to lead the country after President Yuan. What is lacking under him is Xu Youzheng's ability. In terms of diplomacy, I think Duan The Prime Minister is very optimistic about you, Deputy Chief Xia!" Wang Geng said in a low voice half-truthfully, it was still early, and the two sat down on the sofa in a corner of the banquet hall and whispered.

"Really? Tell me to be very fast, or you won't be too out of touch! What's your word? The Prime Minister really said that?" Xia Yiting couldn't help saying with a smile on his face.

"Succeed, brother Ting Zhai, you can call me by my name. I used to call it Shouqing. I haven't used it since I stayed in the US. I'll ask Prime Minister Duan to get me another one later!" Wang Geng rubbed his head in embarrassment. , Shouqing, I can't remember which teacher in Tsinghua Academy gave him the word.

"The Prime Minister is the leader of a country, so he can praise you so bluntly in front of others, but I think people are still a little bit capable. It is true that Prime Minister Duan appreciates you. Xu Youzheng, you, and me, speaking of it, we all You are from Jiangsu, your Zhenjiang is in an iron triangle with my Wuxi and Xu Shuzheng's Hui County in the north of the Jiangbei, and we are destined! If you want me to say, the position of the foreign minister is none other than you!"

Wang Geng didn't care about himself at all, but the newcomer who was favored by Duan Qirui when he first came, actually shook an olive branch and began to pour Xia Yiting with obsessive soup.

"Brother Wang, you are right. President Duan's theory of character and ability is quite good, but he is a bit partial in terms of employing people. Xu Youzheng's ability is absolutely convincing, but his temper is too bad, and his mind is so... It's a bit small. It's really not easy to get along with, but I don't think he will treat you for the time being, after all, your brother is the most popular person in front of Premier Duan!"

Xia Yiting's face turned red for a while and turned pale for a while. In his eyes, although Wang Geng was young, he was a capable catfish. Maybe Duan Qirui had an extra Wang Geng under his command, which could really sweep away Xu Shuzheng's dominance in the past. According to the weather, people who are not directly related to me may really have the opportunity to join Prime Minister Duan.

As for the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Xia Yiting did not dare to think about it. The cabinet of the Republic of China will fall and rise again at any time. It is better to be a deputy minister and hold the real power in the ministry to be at ease.

"Brother Ting Zhai, I know you may be thinking that being a foreign minister who is about to resign at any time is not as good as being a deputy minister who seizes the real power of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is understandable for you to think so before, after all, the cabinet of the Republic of China collapsed more than The book is still fast, but the times are changing, no matter from the perspective of the nation and the nation, or the perspective of personal development, the way out when the grass falls with the wind is getting smaller and smaller!"

"How do you say this? I would like to hear the details!" Xia Yiting's heart was shocked, and he couldn't help saying.