Chapter 128: Painting cake

At the Brisbane Governor’s residence, the negotiations between Governor Cook and Consul Su Kaiser are underway. Tens of nautical miles away from the port, the confrontation between the Chinese and British ships continues.

From the afternoon of this day, the sky was gloomy and terrible, and in the evening, the wind suddenly blew. The gas lights in the reception room seemed to be blinking lightly and darkly. The Chinese "Governor of Manila" newspaper had long published the possible typhoon attack on the east coast of Australia's Pacific Ocean.

Governor Cook did not expect that the arrival of the British Empire's Asian fleet would worsen the situation. If the confrontation between the two fleets on the East Coast was inconceivable, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Now he had to begin to seriously consider the requirements of the Chinese. It was no problem to place Chinese people in Brisbane City and demarcate an area as Chinatown. However, the Chinese insisted on obtaining ownership of the land by purchasing or leasing. This method was a common method used by civilized worlds to treat barbaric countries. In the past, it was called the Concession, but now it was done by the Chinese people in the opposite direction. It was somewhat ironic.

As for the idea of ​​building a town for Chinese people to live in Jinpi area, it is even more unacceptable.

Although the conditions put forward by the Chinese are so harsh, Governor Cook hopes to clearly tell the Chinese and Australians what they think through communication, so that they can understand that these are unrealistic requirements.

But Su Kaiser's attitude is so tough that there is almost no sign of compromise. This is the third time the two have met.

"Consul Su, I hope you can understand that if you continue to stalemate like this, you may have consequences that we cannot bear." As soon as Governor Cook finished speaking, a dazzling lightning outside teared the sky, followed by a thunderclap. The gas lights inside suddenly flashed and then went out, and the entire reception room fell into a ball of darkness.

The raindrops as big as soybeans hit the windows, and the wind roared, as if the whole house would be swept away by a storm at any time.

Soon, the candles lit up, and the darkness of the storm and rain outside the glass window became even more terrifying.

Unlike Cook who frequently looked out the window, Boss Su was not affected by the thunder. The scar on his face looked soft under the candlelight. With a smile, Boss Su said: "I think that if Queensland can protect the safety of Chinese merchants and trade security, the entire Queensland region will benefit from it. Doesn't Mr. Cook think that our trade relationship is crucial?"

Governor Cook remained silent, and he did not want to deteriorate with the Chinese to cut off trade relations between the two sides, which would be extremely fatal to Queensland.

Nearly an hour later, Governor Cook was still patiently hoping that Boss Su would understand his situation. Finally, he said that even if he agreed to lease or sell land to the Chinese, the British Governor in Melbourne would not agree to reach such an agreement with China.

Tasting coffee and looking at the sky outside, Boss Su knew that there would be no result today. He was a little anxious. If the stalemate continues, once the confrontation warships conflict, the consequences will be extremely terrifying.

When Boss Su was about to say goodbye, the door of the negotiation room was suddenly pushed open, and a white clerk with wet body hurried in from outside, and his watery boots were left marks on the carpet.

He hurried to Governor Cook and whispered a few words in his ear. Governor Cook looked at him in shock and asked, "Is the Chinese warship good?" Shocked, his voice was a little louder, and Boss Su could hear it clearly.

Boss Su felt nervous and didn't care about some etiquette anymore. He asked anxiously: "Mr. Cook, what happened?"

Mr. Cook looked a little embarrassed, but he knew he could not hide it, and said, "The roar encountered huge waves and almost turned over. Now he has arrived at the harbor for maintenance."

The British ravage battleships all have balance problems, and the problem of rolling in the wind and waves is serious. It is really difficult to follow the Chinese naval ships in circles in the storm and waves.

Boss Su breathed a sigh of relief and immediately said, "Okay, it seems that this confrontation is temporarily over."

Boss Su did not mean to be sarcastic. However, the Australian officials in the hall naturally felt their faces were dull. Cook nodded awkwardly and sent Boss Su out. He thought to himself, could the Chinese naval technology really be strong enough to compete with the empire of the sun? Although he didn't want to believe it, today's affairs undoubtedly poured cold water on all of them. The era of superstitious belief in the British Emperor's factual power seems to be gone forever.

...

Looking through the telegram, Ye Zhao didn't expect the confrontation to end in this way. Seeing Li Hongzhang sitting upright on the soft pier below, Ye Zhao slowly put down the letter of the text and said, "What do you think?"

Although the Queensland authorities have softened their attitude, Li Hongzhang's face has no joy, but has become more solemn: "I think that I am afraid that the British subjects will clamor and think that this is a shameful failure. The country will take the opportunity to increase military expenditure and create more new ships."

Ye Zhao nodded slightly: "It's great that you can see this." He sighed in his heart. Could it be that if he really wants to start an arms race with the sun? In fact, is the gold of black Africa and southern Africa so important? The empire needs to maintain a huge army. If he competes with the British again, he will be unable to catch up.

After a moment of silence, Ye Zhao asked, "What do you think about opening up the party ban?" Now Li Hongzhang is becoming more and more trusted by Ye Zhao, and is also the next prime minister in Ye Zhao's mind. Ye Zhao hopes that during Li Hongzhang's presidency, the monarch and ministers will work sincerely to do things for all parties. This shocking idea naturally needs to be exaggerated in advance.

At first, Li Hongzhang was shocked when he heard that the emperor wanted to ban the party. Although he had long been familiar with the Western political structure, the most taboo thing in the dynasty society was party struggles. Nowadays, it is not surprising that it is not surprising that Li Hongzhang, the private works of the great emperor, has been read. What else can be done in his heart besides admiration? The checks and balances and supervision of power, and how can the people's opinion be reflected? The emperor's holy theory mentioned that this is the real people's noble people's noble people's noble people's noble people's noble people's noble people's noble people's noble people's noble people's noble people's desires and ruthlessness? Compared to what the great emperor thought, the so-called saint lord who used to be talking about what the so-called lord should not be ashamed of death? It is really God blessed China and brought down the saints to the world. How could he have such a bold and wise monarch for eternity?

Ye Zhao smiled again at this time: "Can you think about forming a party now? You can form a group, and Zhou Jingshan can form a group. If you can do it now, you won't have to come to me if you have any opinions or differences in the future. You will debate on the newsprint yourself to see which one can convince the majority of the citizens."

Li Hongzhang knew that the emperor was joking. Opening the party’s ban was not a overnight achievement, and there were too many things to consider. Moreover, the emperor also mentioned in his works that Middle-earth is not as vast as the Western Regions, with a vast territory and a complex population. Therefore, he ignored the Western style, especially in centralization, and must not lose to the local area. He also said that the democratic election system and supervision system must go their own way. There are many misunderstandings in the political structure of the Western Barbarians, and it will gradually emerge.

However, seeing that the emperor seemed to be in a good mood, Li Hongzhang laughed a few times. No matter how powerful he was, Li Hongzhang would not forget the emperor's favor and care when he was in a downturn. Even if he was named Marquis of Wanhu, he was not as good as the emperor's grace.

Ye Zhao thought about it and said, "In a while, maybe this year, or next year, I'm going to go to Europe to have a look."

Li Hongzhang was shocked and said in horror: "This, Master, this must not be done."

Ye Zhao twisted the Buddhist beads on his hand and said, "I know what you want to say, but if I don't go to Europe, some misunderstandings will never be dissolved. Forget it, you don't have to say it, I'll think about it again."

Li Hongzhang lowered his head and said, "Yes, I just want to put the country first and don't take risks."

"You go now, I'll tell you, be careful." Ye Zhao picked up the Buddhist beads in his hand.

Li Hongzhang hurriedly got up and bowed to leave.

At this time, the setting sun shone, and the ground bell rang out crisp and melodious music. It was at 6 o'clock in the afternoon. The sixth-grade Yiwan, who was serving beside him, bowed slightly and asked for instructions: "Long live, who will go to the palace for dinner?"

Nowadays, the cost of the palace is reduced, and the palace maids have begun to wear mass-produced uniforms, absorbing the complicated imperial palace costumes designed by the Tang, Song, Han Dynasty clothing and costumes of all dynasties, only on major festivals. On weekdays, palace maids wear maid skirts or maids' regular clothes. For example, Yiwan Dongzhu now wears a dark green uniform and trousers, which is quite beautiful and charming.

Ye Zhao said: "Please accompany me to have a meal in the Yangxin Palace."

Dongzhu wanted to go to Nuan and sent Ye Zhao's oral orders. Ye Zhao pointed to the phone on the kang table and said, "Use this." He thought again and said, "Forget it." Then he picked up the phone and shook the handle. Dongzhu was startled and stood aside and served, took the handle and shook it.

Nowadays, several concubines have telephones in their palaces, but few people usually use them. Even if they are Zhu Sisi, they will not use telephones to contact the outside world. If they communicate and communicate in the palace, no one will rely on it. Therefore, many of them have become decorations.

The Kunning Palace line was connected through the palace telephone and the Fangshen. It took a long time before someone answered the answer. It was shocked to see the palace maids of Kunning Palace and didn't know how to react for a while.

Rong'er answered the phone. She grew up with Ye Zhao since she was a child. It is no exaggeration to say that she knows Ye Zhao best. She also knows that only Ye Zhao would use this new thing to find her. Other concubines would definitely not do this due to etiquette.

"Come here to have a meal with me, can I bake a cake for you?" When Ye Zhao heard Rong'er's still sweet voice on the phone, he felt tenderness in his heart, as if he was back many years ago, teaching her all kinds of novel things.

Rong'er chuckled and said, "Okay." If there were palace maids on the side of the two of them when they were talking, she would not agree so happily, so as not to think that she was arrogant because of her favor.

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Chapter completed!