Beijing.

The solemn British Embassy in China has changed the calm atmosphere in the past. Negotiations between China and Japan have made everyone restless for two days. As the minister to China, Zhu Erdian nestled in the antique European-style hall.

On the sofa, with his eyes half closed, his hands kept tapping the large white Italian coffee table, and he patiently listened to Lieutenant Colonel Robertson's statement.

"Mr. Minister, based on the current battlefield situation, if China and Japan do not reach a ceasefire as soon as possible, then China and Japan will miss the opportunity to finally reach a decent agreement."

The young officer first stated the attributive of the problem. This may be the style of Europeans, who are so unkind to others, including their own superiors, when they see something right.

"Then you are so confident?"

Zhu Erdian did not express his attitude towards this issue. In the past two days, although two preliminary negotiations were held, each time, China struggled with the determination of war responsibility, while Japan was unwilling to be restrained in the negotiations.

, so the negotiations did not make any progress.

"Now, what many people cannot understand is that even if the army stops attacking, the nearly 80,000 Japanese troops in Jiao'ao will soon fall into collapse or be in a situation that is extremely unfavorable to Japan."

Robertson made another attributive.

"How to say?"

Zhu Erdian stopped tapping and cast a questioning look at him.

At this time, the lieutenant colonel quickly stood up, came to the huge military map on the wall, put on a soldier's posture, picked up the metal military pointer, pointed at the bottom of the map, and looked at the minister:

"Your Excellency, you see, the current battle line of the army is here, and the main reinforcements of the Jiangsu Army have formed an encirclement against the Japanese army ten days ago. In the past ten days, the Jiangsu Army has transferred a large number of aircraft to Shandong. According to what we currently know,

According to the intelligence, the air force has continuously increased the intensity of bombing against the Japanese army in the past ten days, and the bombing was concentrated on the Japanese army's munitions piles, artillery positions, and tents. It can be said that their first time was to prepare for the reception.

To prepare for the coming attack, I think continuing to delay will lead to the defeat of the Japanese First Army!"

"However, now the Chinese are struggling with the determination of war responsibility. You should know that all we can do now is to facilitate negotiations, and we cannot favor Japan in the determination of war responsibility. That is a fact after all."

On the surface, Zhu Erdian is implementing London's requirements, but in fact, as the executive agency, he flexibly controls the bottom line, and he has already guessed why the Chinese are entangled in these issues. They just hope to get it elsewhere.

compensate.

But what kind of compensation do they want?

Japan will obviously not return Kanto Prefecture or Taiwan, nor will it provide them with huge compensation. For the Chinese, it may not be easy for them to receive relatively fair "war damage compensation."

"Yes, on some factual issues, we cannot favor Japan, even though this is what London requires!"

"That's why the issue is as deadlocked as it is now."

"London's decision is a bureaucratic plan. As an embassy abroad, we must use diplomatic strategies flexibly."

Robertson said somewhat unconvinced.

At this time, the minister's phone rang. It was the French minister, urging him to facilitate negotiations as soon as possible. While answering the phone, he waved his hand, indicating that this was the end of the conversation today.

Unlike London, the French are now very eager for China to send troops. In view of the unfavorable progress of the war and the loss of a large number of troops, France has a serious shortage of domestic human resources. The military began to consider seeking foreign aid, and using troops was one of the options. Later, due to internal disagreements

, the motion to use the team was shelved. However, after a few months, the grim reality forced France to once again think of asking for help from China.

And now, France is even more pleased with the combat effectiveness shown by the regiment in Jiao'ao. In the eyes of the French, at least the regiment is no worse than the Indian army, and is even stronger than the British colonial corps. Therefore, France is very urgent.

It was hoped that China would end their conflict and join the "Allied cause".

"Your Excellency, Minister, our government hopes that I will convey our country's wishes to you. France needs China's army!"

During the phone call, Kant directly pointed out France's needs. In fact, after losing nearly a million troops, France has never been so eager to receive assistance from the outside as it is now. Kant even received a Paris permission, which was very "generous."

"As soon as the Sino-Japanese negotiations are concluded, France will submit an application to the Chinese government as soon as possible."

"So, we hope that the UK will maintain consistency with France and the United States in negotiations!"

"However, you should understand that the issues that the Chinese are struggling with now are the root cause of the stalemate in the negotiations!"

"Yes, yes, so we believe that now is the time for major powers to shoulder their obligations!"

obligation?

Zhu Erdian asked casually with his eyebrows twitching slightly.

"I wonder what kind of obligation Kant is referring to?"

"...In this conflict, China is the party forced to take up arms and exercise its right to self-defense!"

When Zhu Erdian expressed this conclusion on behalf of Britain, France, and the United States, he looked directly at Ishii Kikujiro. Before that, he had colluded with Japan. The identification of the three countries did not have any de facto binding force. Likewise, he

I also asked for China's attitude. What China needs is recognition.

Under the mediation of the three countries, the negotiations finally returned to the main topic, and when neither party expressed any objections, they began to enter the negotiation agenda.

For the entire negotiation process, as far as China is concerned, the core strategy is one word, "delay". Delay until the other party is unwilling to delay any longer, and then a peace treaty can be reached as a matter of course.

As China's chief negotiator, Lu Zhengxiang struggled with the Japanese in a pleasant manner from the very beginning. When he used the "drag" tactic, he first tried to reduce the number and time of negotiations.

"In order to ensure the smooth progress of the negotiations, I believe that the two countries must agree on a negotiation time before formal negotiations, so as to avoid being unable to proceed due to differences in interests between the two countries!"

Of course, Ishii Kikujiro has no objections to this. Tokyo's attitude is very clear. It must reach an agreement as soon as possible. The First Army on the Jiao'ao frontline sends dozens of telegrams almost every day. Their requirements are very clear. They need "drugs"

, ammunition, food, winter clothes, most of the first officers and soldiers on the Jiao'ao front line are wearing autumn clothes to fight the Chinese, so the negotiation process must be accelerated.

"I hope that negotiations will be held every day, including on Sundays, with the principle of speedy resolution."

Faced with Ishii's request, Lu Zhengxiang pretended to think deeply for a while, and then said:

"It is okay to meet every day, but it must be held on Sunday. There is no such practice in diplomatic customs. It seems unnecessary. It also involves the overtime work of a large number of staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Chinese government is in financial distress and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has a limited budget." , if overtime pay is added, it may not be affordable by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I hope your special envoy can understand!"

Lu Zhengxiang had already made plans for Ishii's plan. When he told his excuse, Zhu Erdian, Kant and Rui Shi'en who participated in the negotiations all nodded in denial. Lu Zhengxiang What Gao said is true. There is no precedent for Sunday's negotiations. Secondly, the lack of funds can be regarded as an excuse.

"There is another question. Although meetings are held every day, although I am the chief negotiator for China, as China's foreign minister, I cannot cancel all other official appointments. Therefore, I must make time every morning to receive guests. So meetings can only be held every afternoon."

This is another reasonable excuse. Although Tokyo emphasizes that the sooner the negotiation is better, it can end the Jiao'ao Incident as soon as possible, withdraw the First Army from Jiao'ao, and save the face of the Japanese Army. However, the Chinese request is reasonable and reasonable. Ishii Kikujiro has no choice but to Agreed.

After Ishii Kikujiro agreed, Lu Zhengxiang continued,

"Then let's stipulate that negotiations start at five o'clock every afternoon."

Regarding Lu Zhengxiang's delay, Ishii Kikujiro immediately raised objections.

"Five o'clock is too late. It is better to start at two o'clock in the afternoon. In order to restore peace between Japan and China as soon as possible and for the tranquility of the East, negotiations must continue at night."

"Cough, cough..."

Lu Zhengxiang coughed twice first, and then counter-offered on the spot,

"It's okay to negotiate at two o'clock, but my health is too bad and I can't continue the meeting at night."

Rui Enshi on the side spoke first when Zhu Erdian tried to interrupt.

"We believe that night negotiations are certainly inappropriate as well!"

Compared with the United Kingdom or France, the United States' China policy is relatively simple. What the United States pursues is commercial interests and avoids a country monopolizing China. In this negotiation, Washington's instructions are very clear, supporting China's Reasonable requests.

God helps the self-reliant. Before the conflict between the two countries, Rui Enshi, like the ministers of other countries, also lobbied Yuan Shikai to make concessions. But in the end, after the fleet demonstrated its ability to defend the country on the battlefield, especially after almost annihilating the Japanese fleet After that, the United States, which had been wary of Japan in the Pacific, breathed a sigh of relief. At the same time as it breathed a sigh of relief, its attitude toward China also changed.

Now in the U.S. Navy and U.S. political circles, a thought has begun to emerge, which is to support China to fight Japan. For the United States, which faces two oceans from east to west, they need to fight against traditional European powers in the Atlantic and Japan in the Pacific. Europe can still be balanced by the hostility among the traditional European powers, but Japan in Asia has no one to check and balance. In this conflict, China's sudden emergence can be said to have allowed the United States to see a glimmer of hope in maintaining the Pacific overnight. The hope of balance of power, to be precise, is the hope of containing Japan.

Even compared to the British hope that Asia will restore order, France hopes that China and Japan will restore peace, and the United States hopes that China can use negotiations to severely humiliate Japan or extract huge reparations from Japan, thus causing hostility between China and Japan. But if China and Japan have irresolvable hatred, then the United States will be able to sit back and relax in the Pacific. All the United States needs is to remind a certain party of the existence of the United States through appropriate statements at the appropriate time.

This kind of reminder can get unexpected benefits for the United States. China and Japan, which are restrained by each other, are unable to compete with the United States in the Pacific. It is precisely for this reason that Rui Enshi spoke out at the right time. He expressed support for Lu Zhengxiang, but his words seemed a bit subtle, and he specifically used "we".

Sure enough, Ishii was stunned by these words, and Zhu Erdian and Kande were even more stunned, but the two of them did not show anything strange. They knew that one of the prerequisites for Japan to sit at the negotiating table obediently is that the three major countries Unanimously, Japan, after losing its navy, could not resist the pressure from the three major powers, which is why Japan was allowed to sit at this negotiating table. If any inconsistent attitude of the three major powers is revealed at this time, it is very likely that Japan will withdraw from the negotiations. , and then take advantage of the conflicts of interests among the three major countries to pursue Japan's interests.

In any case, it is in no way in the interests of Britain or France to continue this conflict. The acquiescence of the two made Ishii feel a sense of ominousness in his heart. He realized that perhaps Japan had been betrayed!

When this consciousness emerged, he only felt a sense of desolation in his heart. He could realize what caused all this. To put it bluntly, it was the "desire" shown by Japan, based on the interests that various countries sought in China. Look, they have all spent decades working hard to seek more profits, but in the past twenty years, Japan has been like a hungry people. As soon as they have some muscles, they are exhausted. Greedyly obtaining wealth, land, and interests from China that other countries cannot reach, all of this has already caused dissatisfaction among various countries. After the outbreak of the European War, Japan tried to take advantage of the opportunity when the powers' sights were shifting westward and were unable to interfere in Asian affairs, intending to annex the entire China, and in order to seek "understanding" from Britain, Japan even used secret negotiations with Germany as a threat to threaten Britain to recognize Japan's expansion in China. Although Britain was forced to agree in the end, now, when Japan has lost its support After maintaining the capital, Japan was ruthlessly abandoned.

"Okuma doesn't understand what diplomacy is at all!"

Ishii Kikujiro, who felt desolate in his heart, couldn't help complaining to Okuma in his heart. Okuma's reckless advancement not only failed to bring any benefits to Japan, but also lost more, losing the main force of the navy, losing nearly 100,000 army troops, and exports to China dropped to the lowest level. Zero has now aroused vigilance and disgust in all countries.

This cannot but be said to be Japan's biggest defeat since the founding of Emperor Meiji!

While realizing that Japan was suffering the most serious crisis and the biggest defeat since the founding of Emperor Meiji, Ishii Kikujiro felt an unprecedented sense of mission deep in his heart. He realized that it was now he who came forward to save this country. It’s time for the country to turn the tide!

Since we are unable to object, we might as well be more straightforward on these details, first create a false impression for these people, and then try to save Japan's interests as much as possible during the negotiation, um, and still have dignity.

"Okay, I agree!"

Ishii Kikujiro readily agreed, making Zhu Erdian and Kant nodded slightly with satisfaction. They looked at each other and understood that from now on, the negotiations will officially begin, which means that the two countries will soon reach a ceasefire on the front line, maybe tomorrow.

After Ishii agreed, Lu Zhengxiang wordlessly picked up the teacup and took a sip. Then he looked at the empty cup, then looked at his pocket watch, and then said to Zhu Erdian.

"It's already four o'clock now. I developed the habit of drinking afternoon tea in Europe in my early years. Now is the time to drink afternoon tea. The minister shouldn't object!"

After saying that, without waiting for anyone else's reaction, Lu Zhengxiang rushed to the translator Shi Luze and gave instructions.

"Let's make do with the simplicity and have an afternoon meal in the conference room. Translator Shi, let's take a look at the arrangements!"

After giving the instructions, he turned his gaze and said slightly apologetically.

"I hope you don't mind, the conditions are a bit rough, and I hope you can understand!"

Lu Zhengxiang, who had already received orders from the president, was just trying to delay as much time as possible. Ishii's concession made him realize that maybe this negotiation could not drag on for long, but he could delay it as long as possible. !

"Since President Lu has made arrangements, let's follow President Lu's wishes!"

Although he had some complaints in his heart, Zhu Erdian still nodded in agreement. After Zhu Erdian agreed, Ishii Kikujiro could only express his agreement even though he was unwilling.

When having afternoon tea, Lu Zhengxiang always used Zhu Er's classics and Kant's interesting content to extend the afternoon tea drinking time. Rui Enshi on the side was even more active and even cooperated with him tacitly. As for when the afternoon tea was finished, it was already half past five in the afternoon.

It took the servant another ten minutes to clear the table. It was almost six o'clock before the negotiation started again.

"If the Chinese representatives have no objections, I think we can now hold formal negotiations on the "Jiao-Ao conflict." Out of international practice, we believe that a battlefield ceasefire should be implemented immediately in the Jiao-Ao area at the same time as the formal negotiations begin!"

The impatient Ishii Kikujiro made the request almost immediately after Lu Zhengxiang announced in his slow words that the negotiations had begun again.

"Um……"

In response, Lu Zhengxiang frowned, looking like he was thinking deeply. Time passed minute by minute in his consideration. After he thought for ten minutes, when the hour hand pointed to six o'clock, two o'clock, At this time, Lu Zhengxiang said with a rather embarrassed look.

"This issue, well, is not something that this representative can decide. It can only be decided after it is reported to the president. Let's leave it to be resolved tomorrow! Well, it's getting late, let's talk about it today!"

In this way, nothing came out of the one-day negotiation, and the negotiation was postponed to the next day. However, Ishii Kikujiro helplessly looked at Lu Zhengxiang who had stood up. In Beijing, he could wait, but in Jiao'ao Can the tens of thousands of officers and soldiers of the First Army on the battlefield wait any longer?
Chapter completed!