"I said Zixin, aren't it just a few unreasonable Japanese? Why do you look sad? Since the Japanese government has clearly stated that it is going to raise diplomatic protests, this protest cannot be taken back. Why should we make trouble for ourselves? The generals come to block the water and soil come to cover it. Isn't it just a diplomatic protest? In the past, when the Qing court and Beiyang, we Chinese received fewer foreign protests? To be honest, even if the Japanese came to break off diplomatic relations with us this time, we have no need to worry at all. Indeed, after the outbreak of the European War, there was no restraint from European powers, and the Japanese were already the only dominant in the Far East, but China is not a soft persimmon that he lets him take!"

Since the girl revealed that she was pregnant, Li Han has never touched cigarettes. He knew how serious the harm of cigarettes was, so he tried to restrain himself. If he hadn't been unable to help but worry, he wouldn't have touched cigarettes.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Lu Zhengxiang arrived at the Presidential Palace with a bitter face. The president's office was already filled with smoke and clouds. Without the equivalent of more than a dozen cigarettes, it was impossible to create such a choking environment. Obviously, his mood was not as indifferent as he said.

"Ahem!"

Lu Zhengxiang, who is not addicted to smoking, doesn't like the smell of smoke. He walked over and knocked the window to the maximum, then turned around and sat down opposite the president. The two have been in contact for a while, and he has basically figured out the thoughts of the young man opposite. If you honestly complete the tasks you should do, don't think about it or form small parties. He is actually a very kind and easy-to-talk boss.

The president's words made Lu Zhengxiang feel a little relieved. After taking a cup of tea handed over by the young housekeeper, Lu Zhengxiang thanked him, sorted out his thoughts, and expressed his plans.

"President Junjian, the Japanese Minister, submitted diplomatic protest letters to the central and government of our country this time, is probably not that simple. As the President said, my country has received many diplomatic protest letters from Japan during the previous dynasty and President Yuan. However, based on the current time and time, we are very worried about whether the Japanese have any intentions. A few days ago, the Japanese Minister asked for the first time to submit diplomatic protest letters to the President. According to the procedures, my Ministry of Foreign Affairs has the right to accept it, but the Japanese envoy refused to hand it to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and called for you to see you. This is a diplomatic taboo. I have dealt with Hibiki many times. Although this person is sometimes arrogant and unreasonable, he basically follows diplomatic principles. We are worried about what changes may occur in Japan in this action!"

Li Han twisted the cigarette butts and looked at the only two cigarette bags left. He suddenly remembered the girl's shadow in his mind. His hands shook slightly, and he still took the few cigarette bags and matches back into the drawer.

"President Lu, tell me what you think!"

"The Japanese are not good!" Lu Zhengxiang's answer was firm, "President, I think it should be related to Germany... my country has been negotiating with Germany to take back Qingdao since July. No matter how confidential the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Security Bureau are, no matter how confidential the outside world is, it is impossible for the outside world to receive any news. Europe is fighting fiercely. Germany's largest overseas fleet, the Far East Fleet, is now docking in Qingdao, our country. If it weren't for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that had published a letter of neutrality to the outside world, I'm afraid Britain, Japan and other countries would have started to make trouble. I mean, it is either the Japanese government that cannot resist declaring war on Germany and attacking Qingdao, or the Allies that are hostile to Germany in the European wars such as Britain and France, to test China on China. As we all know, our government is close to Germany, Austria and other countries!"

As one of the best diplomats in China in this era, Lu Zhengxiang's speculation was almost perfect. Li Han mastered the Bureau of Investigation and had already received the news in advance that Japan had made all preparations to declare war on Germany, just because the British were worried that Japan would increase its power after annexed Germany's colonies in China, and they had never agreed to the Japanese citing the "British-Japanese Covenant" to start war on Germany. Due to the British's unwillingness to indulge Japan's expansion, the Japanese then tried to find an excuse to declare war on Germany. China took over Qingdao, which gave the Japanese a good excuse.

However, Lu Zhengxiang also had a fatal mistake, that is, Britain and Japan did not want to deal with the German Far East Fleet with a total tonnage of up to 140,000 tons. The reason why this fleet existed safely is not because the great powers feared the neutral legislation of the Republic of China. Just kidding, when did the great powers see the Republic of China at the moment? Russia's navy has completely declined since the Russo-Japanese War, and the Pacific Fleet has only a few broken ships. It is already barely enough to be vigilant outside Vladivostok. The combined fleets of Britain and France in China and Southeast Asia are only the old cruisers and battleships above 8,000 tons produced at the end of the last century, and the battleships are not a 1,000-ton cruiser, and three latest battleships of more than 30,000 tons.

The cruiser's opponent did not attack the German Far East Fleet. The Japanese Navy had that strength, but firstly, the Japanese Navy had just experienced the naval bribery case of "Yamamoto Hon Bingwei", and the domestic naval seniors were in intensive mobilization, and personnel were in chaos; secondly, the Japanese Navy was unwilling to fight against three German battlecruisers of more than 30,000 tons alone, worried that the naval main battleship would be damaged; thirdly, the British wanted to win over Japan against the German Far East Fleet, but they were unwilling to see Japan expanding to land and distribute bait. How could the Japanese senior leaders be willing to work? In no way, the British could only travel thousands of miles to mobilize two new main battleships and cruisers from the Mediterranean Fleet and the Indian Ocean Fleet to China.

"General Lu, you said it very well, I guess that's what it means. Moreover, you said on the phone last night that the Japanese minister dared to show the vice president's face. The Japanese obviously had made some determination or decision in this arrogant and rude performance. Japan renewed the contract with Britain in the year of 1911 and signed a ten-year British-Japanese alliance agreement. Although Germany has won consecutive games in Europe, it is an indisputable fact that the British navy has completely cut off the ties with overseas colonies. Based on the performance of Japan, an island country in recent decades, it is not difficult to speculate that they are likely to take risks and cited the "British-Japanese Alliance Agreement" to join the Allies to declare war on Germany, and even... send troops to Qingdao!"

President Li is quite satisfied with his hard work over the past few months. Although Lu Zhengxiang and him have some differences, he has done a very good job in the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs. Sometimes Li Han thinks that Yuan Shikai had nothing to do before, and putting Lu Zhengxiang in the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs is much more practical than putting him in the position of Prime Minister of the Cabinet. This person is very real, and he can quickly devote himself to any job he gives him, so it is most appropriate to let him do dirty work like diplomacy and tiring work. Let him be the Prime Minister of the Cabinet. With his character and sense of responsibility, he undoubtedly makes himself uncomfortable.

Now the diplomacy of the Republic of China is in a dilemma, and we must focus on the relationship between the four countries. The first is Sino-US relations, the second is Sino-German relations, the third is Sino-British relations, and the fourth is Sino-Japanese relations. Because we know that the power of the four countries, Russia, France, Italy and Austria, declined after World War I, since we took over the highest level, the task he gave to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been relatively relaxed. We only need to temporarily maintain the relationship with the four countries as much as possible, and we do not need to pursue it.

China-US and China-Germany relations are naturally not to mention. Although China-UK relations are full of contradictions, Britain is a world-class power. In the face of global and European interests, this country has obviously taken the initiative and ease in the Far East. Even though both sides know that this country is just the idea of ​​settlement in the autumn, the relationship between the two countries has made some progress. However, China-Japan relations are not, and they can never make much progress. It is no wonder that Japan invades Taiwan Island in military and sovereignty, cut off the Liaodong Peninsula, and the two huge compensations of Sino-Japanese War and Gengzi are all stings that pierce the hearts of the new government; in terms of economy, Japan, whose domestic market is not large, Japanese textile workers

The industry and shipbuilding industry are almost supported by the huge demand of the Chinese market. The continuous dumping of Japanese manufacturing to China at low prices is not very high. It is a big blow to the emerging domestic primary industrial processed products. Conservatively estimated that there is a trade deficit between China and Japan ranging from 300 to 50 million yen per year. This is not the gray benefits brought by the Manchuria and Japan in various factories and mines in various places. It is no exaggeration to say that the biggest sucker that feeds Japan's evil neighbor is China. The bigger North Korea and Japan's own country can barely match the benefits that the Japanese government has continuously obtained from China every year.

In this case, if you are unwilling to continue to cut your flesh and feed your wolves like the previous Qing and Beiyang governments, the new government needs to be prepared to meet the hostility of the Japanese government, which is something that will inevitably happen. Because no one will voluntarily give up for that huge benefit.

The two discussed some details, and then the Foreign Affairs Office of the Presidential Office sent a diplomatic invitation to the Japanese ambassador to China. Not long after, the Japanese ambassador to China Hirai simply brought a few people and an interpreter to the Presidential Office.

Because he was unable to make a breakthrough in the new government, and some of the "cooperation" that Yuan Shikai had acquiesced during the Beiyang period but had not signed an agreement were rejected by the elegant young new president in front of him, and there were already many dissatisfaction with him in China. It was revealed to him that the domestic senior officials were already considering recalling the former Japanese ambassador to Italy who was sent to Italy as ministers for 12 years and returned to the Far East. Since he became the minister of Qing in 2008, Ijiyuan Hiroki has won a lot of benefits for Japan in China, and the attitude of recalling him in China is already very obvious. In this case, Hiroi's face will naturally not look good. After the Meiji Restoration in Japan, Japan pays great attention to the ability of officials, especially officials like him who are not Chinese, who are dismissed before the end of his term, basically means that his political career is about to end.

In this case, Rizhiyi attacked as soon as he started, and was full of anger. "Your Excellency President, our government has submitted a diplomatic protest letter to your country. You have refused it after many years. Could it be that my great Japanese Empire is a poor country in your eyes? Or is your contempt for my great Japanese Empire!"

Li Han's expression was very "shocked", as if he didn't expect Rizhiyi's attitude at all. He stood up and asked in a somewhat "urgent" tone: "Mr. I don't know where our government offended your country, why did the envoy have such a misunderstanding. China and Japan are both the three powerful yellow races in the Far East. As the leader of East Asian powers, how could our country neglect or look down on your country? A misunderstanding... There must be some misunderstanding!"

Rizhiyi's anger was not gone, and after a cold snort, his face was as deep as iron, without any intention of ease or taking the opportunity to step down. This made President Li, opposite him, feel in his heart, knowing that the Japanese government might have made up his mind to declare war on Germany. Although he had been delayed for more than ten days, the Japanese government would eventually send troops to occupy Qingdao!

After understanding the attitude of the Japanese, he had no intention of dealing with it. He took the initiative in Japan. Since the other party had clearly tried to fight, all the tricks that could not keep up with the table were commanded to attract Japan's contempt. As the interim president of the Republic of China, Li Han naturally had to pay attention to the dignity of the country. With his increasing attitude, his face became cold and solemn.

"On behalf of the Japanese government, I would like to seriously protest against China to the central government of your country, and the contact and negotiations between the government and the evil European countries of the independent countries to take over Qingdao. As the provocation of the European war, the independent country itself is to despise the international order and the power of various countries. Our country's invocation of the "British-Japan Alliance Agreement" will have the right to take all actions against the independent country when necessary. China's private contact with this evil country made our Great Japanese Empire very dissatisfied with it. I hope that your central government can take into account the feelings of the Japanese people. As the strongest country in East Asia, Japan has the obligation to maintain order in East Asia and the Far East during turbulent times. Therefore, our government wants me to convey diplomatic protests to China, hoping that your country will return soon!"

"I have accepted the protest letter from your ambassador. On behalf of your country, I express my regret for your protest, on behalf of your country and your government, although our government has always paid attention to strengthening the traditional friendship with Japan, it is a pity that some of your country's politicians do not want to see China-Japan friendship. They attempt to obstruct friendly exchanges between China and Japan by protesting and interfering in our country's national affairs. But history will tell them that as two major powers of the Far East sea power and land power, without peaceful coexistence between China and Japan, Western powers will never give up the desire to colonize our yellow races. The re-rise of the East Asian nation and culture can only be a dream forever! In addition, since your government's diplomatic protest is a serious interference in our country's national affairs and sovereignty, as the president of the Republic of China, on behalf of our country's 400,000 and 50 million citizens, I formally protested to your government on behalf of our country's verbal protests. Later, our official written protest will also be submitted to your country's Prime Minister by our country's ambassador to Japan!"

Rizhiyi was shocked. He didn't expect China's reaction to be so strong, even for a tit-for-tat, and there was no compromise between the previous dynasty and the Beiyang period. However, what else can I say? Since both countries have submitted diplomatic protests to each other, it is impossible to conduct diplomatic mediation. Therefore, he simply responded to Li Han's reaction with silence. For other things, let the domestic politicians worry.

Both Rijiyi and Li Han understood that this time, I'm afraid both countries are playing real. After the start of the European War, the strategic balance of the Far East has been pushed to the edge of the cliff, and no one knows what will happen next. The United States, the only international power outside the European War, is still hesitantly quarreling whether to interfere in Far East affairs because of its strong isolationism and lack of confidence in its own country's strength.

The United States has huge interests in both China and Japan. Although it now has more interests in Japan, there are many politicians in the United States. Since the Chinese government approved the establishment of a joint venture "Far East Railway Company" with the United States and Pacific Railway Company, the Americans have seen a huge market prospect that will reach billions or even tens of billions of dollars in the future. It can be concluded that the Americans will never give up their interests in China. Especially since the Russo-Japanese War, Japan has not followed the American plan and has since become opposed with Russia. Instead, it has quickly reached a tacit understanding with its former enemies to resist the expansion of US capital in Manchuria and Mongolia. In addition, the Japanese navy's ambition for the Pacific Ocean. The future Far East situation is not without waves. At least although the Japanese have an absolute advantage, China is not without trump cards.

Everything has to be watched on the battlefield.

There is a quality that is worth admiring in Japan, that is, respecting the strong and the backbone. Perhaps it is out of diplomatic etiquette, or more out of admiration for the President. Although the relationship between the two sides has dropped to a freezing point, Riiyi has not made any actions that are malfunctioning from diplomatic etiquette. Before leaving, he bowed deeply to Li Han, and then left the presidential palace with Fanze without looking back.
Chapter completed!