Beiyang 1917

"Wang Geng, don't be a fool, let Xia Yiting speak for himself!" Duan Qirui interrupted Wang Geng's words, obviously not convinced that Xia Yiting's ability has advanced to such a level, that he can handle the envoys of the four countries by himself, and even deal with them. What kind of informal closed-door consultation, does Xia Yiting have the ability?Lao Duan instinctively didn't believe it, maybe it was a favor from Wang Geng, but it was still possible.

Duan Qirui didn't think it would be strange for anything to happen to Wang Geng, but it might not be credible if it was put on Xia Yiting, a general in the research department, so the old Duan asked Xia Yiting to say whether it was true or not Just know.

Xu Shuzheng breathed a sigh of relief on the sidelines. Obviously, the old Duan and his judgment were the same. The inconsistency is that Wang Geng put his good deeds on Xia Yiting's neck. Small sample, is this playing with me and starting to win people over?

Let's see what you two achieved in that informal closed-door consultation last night!

"Deputy Chief Xia, it's good to take credit and not be proud, but you don't need to hide it from the Prime Minister. Since the cabinet members are so concerned about the four conditions proposed by the Allied Powers when diplomatic relations were severed last time, Deputy Chief Xia might as well make yesterday and the four countries Tell everyone about the progress of the envoy's closed-door consultations?"

Xia Yiting managed to gather his mind. Under Wang Geng's encouraging eyes, he cleared his throat, opened the briefcase in front of him, and stuttered a little to report.

"Yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs took advantage of the opportunity that the United States might declare war on Germany that night. Under the arrangement of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a reception for the diplomatic corps at the Liuguo Hotel. Fulfillment of the four conditions proposed to the Allies!"

As soon as Xia Yiting said this, Duan Qirui nodded slightly, thinking that a child can be taught, this general of the research department who has always been a bit bookish, why did he hang out with Wang Geng all night, he has obviously been influenced by Wang Geng, at this moment Do you know that giving credit to your boss is taking more credit than yourself?Why did you go so early, you actually contradicted the old man just now!

Xu Shuzheng snorted coldly, thinking to you, what is wrong with learning from Wang Geng's slick tongue and flattering boss?Let's see what progress you two have made!

"What was the result?" Finance Minister Chen Jin-tao couldn't help asking, the boxer indemnity is like a heavy shackle on the head of the Chinese government, and the Ministry of Finance bears the brunt. 10 years, the bottom line is five years to agree, but I don't know what Wu Tingfang hasn't done, what happened to Xia Yiting!

"According to Wang Geng's suggestion, during the informal consultations behind closed doors yesterday, we proposed the first article, the exemption of German and Austrian indemnities, and the suspension of indemnities from the Allied Powers for 15 years!" Xia Yiting stammered, although Wang Geng said confidently Asking prices all over the place to repay the money on the spot, the big powers may not be able to agree to a 15-year delay, but a 10-year delay is always possible, but Xia Yiting really has no idea.

"The last time I didn't agree to a 10-year delay, yesterday you told someone that you wanted to delay it for 15 years?" Chen Jin-tao couldn't believe his ears, Xia Yiting lost his mind and went crazy and messed around with Wang Geng?The lion opened his mouth and asked the foreigners for a price indiscriminately!

There was a buzzing sound in the meeting room. It was obvious that Xia Yiting, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs who had always been well-behaved, had undergone a radical change that was a bit unexpected!

Duan Qirui twirled his beard and didn't look at Xia Yiting, but looked at Wang Geng, who was smiling beside him. Obviously, this guy was the one behind the scene, with some skills, at least he dared to think and act, wasn't it the same way back then?

But Xu Shuzheng said with a cold smile, "Don't think that if you press every step of the way, you can make the envoys give in. Xia Yiting, don't be hesitant, tell me all the new conditions you put forward with the envoys of the four countries! I want to see how you can transform yourself into a new one." A national hero!"

Xia Yiting was overwhelmed by Xu Shuzheng's sarcasm, looked at Wang Geng's confident and encouraging eyes, and said all the new conditions that Wang Geng raised with the ministers of the four countries yesterday!

"The tariff has increased from 5% to 10%?" Chen Jin-tao and Xu Shiying beside him looked at each other with a hint of joy on their faces.If the import tariff is raised like this, and the Boxer indemnity is suspended, the government's finances will be much easier immediately, and the two of them cannot help but be unhappy.

"China's participation in the war only provides labor and raw materials, but the price must be based on market conditions?" The head of the agricultural businessman is more sensitive to labor and raw materials. This is obviously much more favorable than the five francs a day salary!

After Xia Yiting finished talking about the new four items, Xu Shuzheng knocked on the table and said, "Deputy Chief Xia, your extravagant asking price is too exaggerated. Even if the United States joins the war, I don't think the big powers will agree to these conditions! What are you doing?" Playing with fire and offending the envoys of the four countries, who will wipe your ass!"

Xia Yiting finished speaking in one breath, and finally heaved a sigh of relief. At this moment, he was so nervous before, and while taking out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his forehead, he replied to Xu Shuzheng,

"On behalf of the Prime Minister and the cabinet, it is the duty of my Ministry of Foreign Affairs to represent the Chinese-government in negotiating with the foreign powers. Although I am not talented, the Prime Minister valued me and entrusted me with the post of Deputy Minister. Now I am acting as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. This time When is it the Ministry of War’s turn to tell me what to do? Who will wipe my ass is the Prime Minister’s concern, so don’t bother Deputy Chief Xu!”

Xu Shuzheng was turned pale by Xia Yitingye, and couldn't help but slapped the table to turn his face, but Duan Qirui waved his hands and shouted,

"You Zheng, Ting Zhai, everyone, please don't say a few words. You two are still from Jiangsu, and Ting Zhai is two years older than you. How is it proper to be so arrogant? How proper is it!" The Prime Minister patted the table, Xu Shuzheng He sat back, sulking without saying a word.

Xia Yiting knew in his heart that Duan Qirui was helping each other, and it was actually rare that he did not favor Xu Shuzheng. He immediately felt refreshed, and then Shi Shiran said,

"The prime minister's admonition is that Ting Zhai has been taught. The new four articles were submitted to the ministers of the four countries last night. According to the judgment of the supervisor, the four countries will have a reply within three days at the latest!" Xia Yiting said with admiring and grateful eyes He turned to Wang Geng again, muttering in his heart, but you must be sure, otherwise you and I will become the laughing stock of everyone.

"Wang Geng, so you were present the whole time. Well, since you are the foreign ministry's supervisor of negotiations with the United States, it is very appropriate for you to help Ting Zhai in this matter. Do you judge that the four countries can agree to...the four conditions just now?!" Duan Qirui's voice was full of anticipation, and he looked at Wang Geng with gentle eyes.

"Except for the 15-year suspension of Boxer's compensation, they won't agree. The other three items are probably not a big problem. I think the other party will give in to 10 years' suspension of Boxer's compensation at most!" Wang Geng answered concisely, his tone full of confidence!

"Is this 10% increase in import tariffs acceptable?" Finance Minister Chen Jin-tao couldn't help asking, his eyes full of eagerness.

"That's not a big problem. Anyway, Britain and France are too busy to take care of themselves. In the trade with China, Japanese cotton yarn and American cotton are the big ones. Although Japan is unwilling, since American cotton as raw material has agreed to pay 10% more tariffs, Japanese cotton yarn is also I don’t worry that the cotton yarn spun from American cotton by the Chinese will snatch its market, so I don’t think it’s a big problem, and the United States will force Japan to accept this condition!”

Wang Geng obviously has a plan in his mind. With what this guy said, the chief ministers of Duan Qirui's cabinet here have finally seen the signs. It is probably not Xia Yiting who led the informal closed-door negotiations with the four countries last night, but the Prime Minister. The celebrity Wang Geng in front of me supervised it!

"Wang Geng, self-confidence is very good. If you are too confident, you are easy to be proud. Are you sure that you will get an answer within three days? Let alone a 10-year postponement, we will accept the compensation even if it is suspended for 5 years!" Duan Qirui stared at Wang Geng's face. The eyes want to see whether this guy's confidence and judgment are true or false.

"Don't worry, Prime Minister. I judge that although the four countries are unwilling, they will eventually reach a compromise. Except for the first one that the other party will ask to change the 15 years to 10 years, the other three will be fully accepted! The key now is that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs strives for Are these four conditions enough to convince Congress or the President to pass a motion to declare war on Germany and Austria!" Wang Geng pointed out the key issue!

Nima, I have created the conditions for you. The question is, do you have the ability to persuade Li Yuanhong or the Congress?Could it be that Zhang Xun had to be moved out to stir up trouble in the end?