Chapter 88

The core of the British Empire's interests in China can be summed up in the word stability. Looking at the world, this policy is probably at work. As a pioneer, the British Empire has colonies all over the world. As the world's most powerful country today, the British government

Strive to seek the continuation of this world hegemony.

A chaotic China is not in the interest of the British Empire. In such a huge China, the Eight-Power Allied Forces in the Gengzi Years were unable to complete the possibility of dividing the colony, let alone now. The conflicts in China at this stage cannot be solved by the British Empire simply using the threat of force.

The problem that can be solved is not that the British Empire does not have this ability, but that it has not reached that point.

As long as China's internal conflicts do not harm the interests of the British Empire, drastic actions may be taken. It is true that Zhu Erdian and Yuan Shikai are good friends, but they cannot advocate military intervention in China's issues just because of this.

Then, the only thing that can be done is to continue to support Yuan Shikai's rule. From another perspective, Britain is still the strongest in the world, but it has begun to decline. In Europe, it is challenged by Germany, and in the Far East, China, its allies

Japan and Russia have greater ambitions, and the two emerging countries, Germany and the United States, also have their own interests and demands.

There are too many external forces fettering the British Empire, and the British Empire can only play a balanced role, rather than the heyday of the Victorian era, when it could attack whoever it wanted and gain a lot of benefits.

Since it is difficult to obtain greater benefits by using force, under the current situation, there needs to be a step of relaxation between China's two most powerful forces. Therefore, out of consideration of their own interests, the Americans acted like this

Role.

Mr. Douglas, the U.S. government's special advisor on Far East affairs and an expert on China, played a role in fueling this. In a report to Congress, Douglas emphasized that Fang Jianxiong, the most powerful warlord in China today, is deeply opposed to the Anglo-Japanese alliance.

There is a strong sense of alertness, even resentment. The United States wants to pursue the greatest interests in China. This can be demonstrated by playing a greater role in Chinese affairs.

The famous financier Mr. Fisher has a close personal relationship with Fang Jianxiong and can play a role as a mediator. Today happens to be the completion of Fisher's new residence and the sixteenth birthday of his daughter Alice. So a cocktail party was held and invited

All parties participate. How should I put it? When all parties need an excuse to sit down and talk, this is a good opportunity.

"Your Excellency, General. According to the investigation, Japan, the Promised Empire and its ally, is mobilizing the fleet. I have spoken to Minister Mr. Ryans and hope that you can treat this issue carefully." The tone of the American consul was tactful, and he also sent a copy.

Ryans' handwritten letter, presented with both hands.

Before Marshal Fang could reach out, Lady Yin had already taken it and handed it to Marshal with both hands. When she opened it, she found that there was nothing to grasp. The general idea is that the ministers of the four countries have a bottom line, and I hope Marshal Fang will not touch it.

Damn, this is not in line with the interests of the great powers in China.

It’s a lot of pressure! This is the reality in China!

……………………

When the lights first came on, there was a lot of traffic in front of the mansion of the financier Mr. Fisher in the British Concession.

This time, all the distinguished people were invited to the reception, and the consuls from various countries were very considerate and came to the door one after another. Carriages came one by one, and they entered the door one by one, looking like dogs. There was a band playing music in the yard, and Fisher and

The lady greets every visitor warmly.

A pair of blue eyes stared at the gate for a long time, full of expectation.

Guests came one after another, and the girl was disappointed again and again. "Alice, the guests need to listen to your performance!"

Alice had to give up waiting at her mother's call and turned back to the piano surrounded by the band on the grass in the middle of the garden. The already slim girl, wearing the most popular long dress nowadays, bowed politely.

In the hands of Qianqian Jade, the notes flow like water in this spring night. It is still a safe journey to that song!

Marshal Fang's appearance was not too impressive, and the concession was relatively safe, so only one car came to the door.

When I got off the bus, Fisher was already waiting here at the gate. Also waiting here were the new British Consul Johnson and the new Japanese Consul Takahashi. These two consuls have been recently adjusted. The former was originally

Consul in Wuhu, he had gotten along quite well with Mr. Fang before, and had facilitated many cooperations between Eurasia Group and Swire Shipping Company. When Mr. Fang sent troops to Chongqing, Swire Shipping Company also borrowed a lot of business. Zhu Erdian believes that Zhan

Sen is more suitable to appear in this position, it is recommended to adjust.

Takahashi's situation is a little different. His previous public identity was a professor at the University of Tokyo, an expert on Chinese culture and history. The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs believes that a scholar with research on China is more suitable to appear in the current era.

position, because according to the investigation, Fang Jianxiong is still a very traditional Chinese at heart.

The appearance of Fang Jianxiong immediately became the focus of attention, especially the scene where the two consuls appeared at the same time to accompany and greet him.

"Welcome, Your Excellency, General. Your arrival is an honor for our family. In Chinese, you are full of glory!" Fisher spoke in half English and half Chinese. Fang Jianxiong, dressed in traditional casual clothes, smiled and stepped forward to shake hands.

Said: "It's my honor to receive your invitation. By the way, your Chinese has improved very quickly."

Jason, the consul of the British Empire, smiled very naturally when facing Fang Jianxiong. How can I put this? In the few years in Wuhu, this buddy had enough benefits in his pocket. When faced with ways that could bring benefits and political achievements to him,

Commander, Jason naturally showed a friendly expression, stepped forward and stretched out his hand: "Your Excellency, I have to say that your changes are surprising."

"Haha, Jason, my old friend came to Wuhan to take up a post. Why didn't you inform me in advance so that I could help you?" Fang Jianxiong spoke in Chinese. Jason, who has been in China for many years, can naturally understand it. He answered with a smile.

: "You are still as polite as ever."

Japanese Consul Takahashi was a stranger, but that didn’t stop him from speaking proficient Chinese and bowing: “Japanese Consul in Hankou, Takahashi Keiji, has met His Excellency the General. He has heard about his name for a long time, and it is like thunder. When I saw him today, I realized that he is worthy of the name.

, he deserves to be regarded as a young hero in China today."

Fang Jianxiong was still surprised. The Mandarin spoken by this Japanese was a little smoother than his own. At least Fang Dashuai had a Wuhu accent. The Wuhu accent was a bit like the Nanjing dialect, but it was still a bit different from the Mandarin.

"Thank you, Mr. Takahashi. I have always attached great importance to the friendship with Japan. I have also had many contacts with your country's Mr. Nobujun Aoki and Mr. Fubu Ishika. The success of China's revolution cannot be achieved without Japanese friends.

support. Here, I must reiterate that the United Autonomous Region Government is willing to strengthen economic, political exchanges and military cooperation with the Japanese Empire."

Fang Jianxiong's words may seem to be polite, but in fact, when heard by others, they mean something completely different. What does Aoki Nobuzumi do and his private contacts can all lead to a series of things. Gao

Of course, Qiao also understood that these words were dirty, but from another perspective, Fang Jianxiong's words in public were sending a signal.

Japan's interests in China, one of the most important ones are resources. The iron mines in Daye and the iron mines in Northeast China are the focus. The Japanese government's move to change the consul is itself a signal. The iron mines in Daye,

That was under the rule of Marshal Fang. Not to mention, the section from Chongqing to Wuhu in the Yangtze River Basin is now Fang Jianxiong’s sphere of influence. This area is the traditional sphere of influence of the British Empire, and the Japanese also have major interests here, so

The replacement of the two consuls was an unworthy surprise.

The appearance of today's main guest immediately attracted most of the attention. As the actual controller of this territory, Fang Jianxiong's salary was not low. Consuls and businessmen from various countries came forward to pay their respects.

Fang Jianxiong smiled calmly and nodded. This kind of cocktail party really didn't put much pressure on him. Along the way, the music in front suddenly stopped. Alice stood up from behind the piano with a surprised face, holding her skirt in both hands and walking quickly.

Come forward.

As today's "protagonist", this move is not very polite to other guests, but most of the guests have heard a story from the girl's mother. They are not surprised by this.

Westerners of this era do not have a good sense of the East, especially those with strong ill intentions. For example, the Russian young man Morochev felt a bit sour when he saw the girl walking forward to greet Marshal Fang.

A guest next to me said: "I heard that the damn warlord is an out-and-out barbarian. I'm very curious as to why he was invited."

This sentence triggered a burst of low-pitched laughter. Obviously, in the eyes of many foreigners, there is no difference between Chinese and barbarians.

"Thank you for coming!" Alice stopped three steps away and bowed to salute. Fang Jianxiong smiled and nodded, stepped forward and kissed her outstretched hand and said: "It's such an honor to come to your birthday party.

"

"Can I invite you to play a song with me?" The sixteen-year-old girl's eyes are full of affection, and even a fool can see it. The emotional tendencies shown by this amazingly beautiful girl are enough to make

Some people who had admired her for a long time went crazy. For example, the former Morochev was said to be a small Russian nobleman. He came to China with his uncle and ran a tea brick factory in Hankou. When he met Alice for the first time, he was shocked.

Then he went to Fisher's house every day, but except for the first polite meeting, Alice never talked to him again.
Chapter completed!