I don’t know whether it was intentional or unintentional or lack of experience, but the ministers and entourages from the five countries who came to visit were placed in the same elegant courtyard waiting. This inevitably made several ministers feel embarrassed. The war in South Africa was not over yet, but they all came to negotiate a truce. Although everyone was tacit, they were still a little embarrassed.

Fortunately, they were all plus officials, and after a few simple and polite greetings, the people quickly talked about the weather in Shanghai, the urban layout of Shanghai and the newly opened Shanghai-Hangzhou Highway, etc., and other topics related to itching and pain.

Soon, a middle-aged man wearing a long blue gown walked into the hall. This was Zheng Fujun, the chief manager of the palace, who was called the reception office, and the ministers he saw stopped talking and looked over. He walked straight to the German Minister Mumo and smiled and said, "The prince, please invite Minister Mumo and Consul Knape."

Watching Mummer and Knape walk out of the hall, a hint of surprise flashed in the eyes of the English minister Witoma. Yi Jingzuo actually saw the German minister before him. He vaguely smelled the scent of conspiracy and became alert in his heart.

In the living room of Changle Bookstore, when he saw Mumo and Knape coming in, he was content. Zhao Liewen stood up and took two steps to greet them. He shook hands with the two with a faint smile on his face and greeted them. After the resignation, Knape spoke first: "His Majesty the Emperor of our country is very interested in the transactions mentioned before with His Highness.

However, His Majesty is quite worried, worried that he would suffer revenge from England and France after purchasing these warships. His Highness must be very clear that the navy is different from the army. Our Navy was established late and not large in scale. Even if he suddenly has a large number of warships, he cannot compete with Britain and France."

Speaking of this, he stopped talking and looked at Mumo. His meaning was very clear. The topic was opened. Next, I saw that the other party had a very tight time. There were several ministers waiting to meet him. He didn't go around in circles and said straight: "His Majesty the Emperor of my country meant that while providing a large number of warships, His Highness could provide some new naval combat weapons, such as torpedoes, torpedo boats, submarines, and new mines. Only in this way can he compete with the navies of Britain and France."

After listening to the translation, Zhao Liewen was secretly funny. The German dared to speak. The Qing Navy could suppress the navies of European countries and other new naval warfare weapons. It has been secretive over the years. Once sold to Germany, how can we maintain our advantages? It is really whimsical!

Yi Zhizu did not think much and said slowly: "As long as your country is willing to pay, our country can transfer patented technologies for torpedoes, submarines, and anchor thunders."

After hearing this, Zhao Liewen couldn't help but be stunned. Once Europe has mastered torpedo, submarine, and anchor thunder technology, how can the Qing Navy maintain its advantages?

The translation of Mumo and Knape were also very surprised. The torpedo was the killer weapon of the Qing navy. Over the years, the Qing Dynasty has kept the torpedo technology secret. European countries have been working hard to develop, but have never been able to develop torpedoes with practical combat value.

Originally, both of them thought that the conditions proposed in China were too harsh and the Qing Dynasty could not agree. Unexpectedly, the other party agreed to transfer, not only torpedoes, but also torpedoes and anchor thunders!

After coming back to his senses, Mummerson was afraid that the translation was wrong, so he immediately ignored the etiquette and looked straight at the translation he brought, "I'm sure there was no error in understanding?"

The listener's translation was translated softly, Yi Zhizu smiled and said, "Tell him that he heard nothing wrong."

After confirming that the other party was serious, Mu Mo was a little unbelievable and hesitated: "I don't know what conditions do you have?"

"No conditions..." Yi Zhizu said, stretching out his right hand and shaking it, "Fifty million pounds! Patented technology for torpedo, submarine, and anchor thunder is packaged and transferred."

50 million pounds? Mummer was shocked for a long time and couldn't speak. It was really not enough to describe the price of this asking price. Germany's naval military expenditure for one year was less than 5 million pounds, which was equivalent to the sum of the naval military expenditure of more than ten years. After swallowing his saliva, he said with some difficulty: "Your Highness, this price... our country cannot afford it at all."

"Then there is no need to talk about it." Yi Zhizu showed an helpless expression, slowly lit a cigarette, and then changed the topic, "What is your attitude towards the war in South Africa?"

"The joint invasion of Transvaal was completely instigated by England." Mummer did not hesitate to blame England. "I am always friendly, and His Majesty the Emperor of our country has ordered that all military operations in South Africa be terminated immediately..."

Yi Quest said slowly: "It is reported that the five countries jointly sent troops to Transvaal, and your country monopolizes 40% of the Transvaal gold mine..."

"This is completely blinded by England." Mumo murmured, not knowing how to explain for a moment.

"This South African War, your country suffered heavy losses, all because of England's instigation and concealment. I think it's a pity that I hate." Yi Zhizu said slowly: "If you give your country a chance to retaliate, I wonder if your country is interested?"

A chance to take revenge on England? Mumo was a little confused about the other party's purpose for a moment, but he subconsciously felt that there would be no good things. He would probably use Germany as a gun, but now he is a man under the roof. He had to follow the topic and carefully tempted: "Please tell me clearly."

Yi Zhizu glanced at him and said in a very plain tone: "The reason why your country is instigated and deceived by England is nothing more than hoping to obtain South Africa's gold. However, South Africa not only has gold, but also diamonds. Kimberley's diamond mines produce millions of pounds every year..."

Is this to instigate the German army in South Africa to seize Kimberley? Mummer immediately looked bitter. This is not only to make Germany offend England to death, but to make the two countries last forever! He immediately said tactfully: "It is of great importance, and we must report to the country for instructions."

"I'm not referring to Kimberley." Yi Zhizu glanced at him, "It's not just Kimberley that produces diamonds in South Africa. The Betuna Reserve, which has only recently expanded, is also rich in diamonds, but it hasn't been discovered yet.

For the security of Transvaal, our country proposed to divide Beginner into your colony. I believe that England will not and dare not object."

This was a sudden turn. Mu Mo didn't react for a while. There was such a good thing? He looked at Yi Zhizu in disbelief and asked subconsciously: "What are the conditions for Your Highness?"

Yi Zhizu looked at him with a smile and said, "With Betuna, your country can expand from the east coast of Africa to Betuna with justification. This is a huge favor. What conditions do your country want me to propose?"

What does it mean? There is no condition? Mumo thought quickly in his mind, but he couldn't figure out the other party's intentions. He had to ask: "Betuna really has a diamond mine?"

Yi Zhizu nodded, "It's larger than Kimberley's diamond mine reserves!"

After coming out of the yard of Changle Bookstore, Mumo felt as unreal as a dream. He couldn't understand why the Qing Dynasty wanted to send Germany such a great benefit. What was the other party planning? To provoke hatred between England and Germany? This move was too generous. He couldn't understand and he was too lazy to think too much. He didn't need to decide such a thing at all. "Send a report to Berlin immediately."

In the living room, Zhao Liewen said suspiciously: "The shopkeeper really plans to sell torpedoes, submarines and new mines to Germany? 50 million pounds is a lot, but losing the naval advantage for 50 million pounds is not worth it anyway."

After a while of silence, Yi Zhizu said: "Isn't Huifu planning to rely on torpedo, submarine, anchor and mine technologies to maintain the naval advantage?"

After a pause, he continued: "It is already very good for our country to use torpedoes to maintain the naval advantage for ten years. In recent years, major powers in the world have been constantly conquering torpedo technology. It is estimated that in a few years, countries will be able to develop torpedoes with practical value.

Why insist on fighting this battle with European countries in South Africa is to consider that the advantage of torpedo will soon catch up with all countries, and the same is true for submarines. The research on submarines by Britain, France and the United States started earlier than my country, but it was not as concentrated as my country in manpower, material resources and financial resources to focus on research.

To be precise, my country's existing submarine technology is not much more advanced than Britain, France and the United States. What you are proud of is just a periscope. As for anchor thunder, it is even more worth mentioning.

It is a good thing for our country to be able to convert these patented technologies into huge amounts of funds. The Navy is a very expensive military force. Every update requires huge amounts of funds. I can foresee that the ironclad ships are about to enter a new era, and the existing ironclad ships will face elimination.

To maintain the naval advantage, we must grasp the renewal of warships, rather than keeping on the existing technological advantages. Only by constantly mastering new technologies can we maintain our advantages for a long time.”

"The shopkeeper is so bold!" Zhao Liewen sighed sincerely, and then asked: "If the shopkeeper is difficult, don't you worry about the Europeans turning against each other?"

"If I'm not sure, how dare I sell it?" Yi Zhizu smiled and said, "Even if it's sold, we won't be stupid enough to sell the most advanced ones. We have countermeasures for torpedo boats. As for submarines, the equipment for reconnaissance and searching submarines will be developed soon."

After hearing this, Zhao Liewen secretly laughed at himself for being worried, and then said worriedly: "Will Germany spend such huge amounts of money to purchase these patented technologies?"

"Isn't this a bait for Germany just now?" Yi Zhizu smiled and said, "As long as they are willing to take the bait, they will definitely buy it. As for the price, it is not impossible to negotiate. The most important thing is to shift English's attention to Germany."

"Will Germany take the bait?" Zhao Liewen said: "There is really a diamond mine with a larger reserve than Kimberley?"

"How could this be a joke? Of course there is." Yi Zhizu smiled and said, "As for whether Germany will take the bait, that's certain."

There is no doubt that Yi Zhizu dug a huge pit for Germany. Zhao Liewen secretly contempts Germany in his heart, pondering for a while, then he asked: "There are the ministers of the four countries, who will see first?"

"I'll be gone." Yi Zhizu said: "Call Yan Yangtian, you two will talk to them first. You can get a truce and pay compensation! Otherwise, not only our naval fleet would not mind doing a European cruise." After a pause, he reminded: "All the price is asking."

Charlottenburg Palace, Berlin.

"Good news." Bismarck presented a long telegram with a smile, "The Qing Dynasty agreed to sell patented technology for torpedoes, submarines and anchor mines, and also gave a big gift."

The Qing Dynasty actually agreed? The German Emperor William doubted whether he had heard it wrong. After receiving the telegram and reading it carefully, there was no smile on his face, "What are the intentions of the Qing people?"

"It is nothing more than stimulating the contradiction between our country and England." Bismarck said disrespectfully: "Once our naval strength is enough to threaten England, the other side will definitely shrink its forces and focus on Europe. The Qing people can take the opportunity to expand or develop with peace of mind."

William was silent for a while before looking up, "Are you not an honest agent?"

"Honest Broker" is a diplomatic concept proposed by Bismarck. Simply put, Germany does not claim territory and security interests for itself, but is eager to act as an arbiter and intermediary for other countries, so that these countries can trust and even rely on Germany. In this way, any major territorial change or security affairs in Europe requires Germany to participate in coordination, and then a coalition of major powers with Germany as its enemy will never appear.

The unified Germany has a large population, strong industrial strength and military strength. While breaking the balanced pattern of Europe, it is also in a situation of being surrounded by Germany because it is located in an unfavorable position in central Europe.

In order to resolve this dilemma, Bismarck proposed the diplomatic concept of "an honest agent", collected his ambitions and minions, carefully compiled chains of interests, and worked hard to weaken the hostility of neighboring countries towards Germany.

"Germany cannot be an honest agent forever." Bismarck looked at each other calmly, "It's not that we can't hear the calls of industrial and commercial masters, but before that, for the sake of national security, we had to tie our steps towards the world. Now, the opportunity has come!

After years of hard work, at present, the three countries that have the greatest threat to our country are France, which is an unresolvable enemy, and the other two are Russia and England. As long as we win one of these two countries, there is no need to swallow our anger!"

William raised his eyebrows, "Do you want to fight for Russia?"
Chapter completed!