The scorching sun is in the sky. It is the highest temperature at noon. Xi Wang...

Beijing, Dongjiaomin Lane, British Embassy in China.

It is lunch time now, unlike usual. Today's lunch is held under the shade of the garden, and in addition to his wife, the people who dined with the British ambassador to China, there is also the French ambassador to China and his wife, which is a lunch and a gathering. Now the situation in Europe is getting more and more tense, and as allies, the friendship between Britain and France must be further strengthened. Especially the diplomats of the two countries, even if they are far away in Asia, they still cannot forget to strengthen the friendship between the two countries.

Originally, according to the romantic advice of the French minister's wife, they should have held a mountain picnic in the West Mountain Villa, but considering the complexity of the current Far East situation, the two ministers rationally decided to hold a picnic in the back garden of the British Embassy. According to the arrangement, the two ministers will hold a cricket match before the sun sets in the afternoon.

Now the picnic is basically over. The two ministers are sitting in the shade of the trees, talking in French, while the two ministers are standing under the awning of the cricket court, exchanging views on the current Far East situation.

"In my opinion, the current war shows that the Chinese, especially the United Front government, have the strength to change the strategic pattern of the Far East. No matter from any aspect, the Chinese have made full preparations for this war. I fully agree with the view of the Russian minister. If the war continues, Japan has no hope of victory at all. If the war expands and evolves into a long-term war, Japan will be completely dragged into this quagmire by China. If this is the case, then once a large-scale war breaks out in Europe, the Allies will not be able to use Japan's naval power. Therefore, in the view of the French government, rather than waiting for the Japanese government to be dragged down by this war, it is better to take effective measures now to restore peace in the Far East. Moreover, if a Sino-Japanese armistice can be reached, the French government does not mind further enhancing the good relations between France and China.

French ambassador to China Masli did not hide the changes in the French government's diplomatic stance at all. His words show that the French government has seen a huge change in China's national strength and political situation from this Sino-Japanese war. If Britain does not object, France will strengthen its relations with China.

The British ambassador to China, Jurden, obviously agreed with the French ambassador, but he also had his own opinions.

"Mr. Minister, your opinion is not unreasonable, but at present, the great emphasizing the action of the war to be intervened is difficult to work. On the one hand, the Chinese have won consecutive victories on the battlefield, which has inspired their fighting spirit and enhanced their ambitions. Under such circumstances, it is unlikely that the Chinese will accept the mediation proposal unless the Japanese make major concessions; on the other hand, the Japanese army has suffered significant losses on land and sea. This is difficult to accept both for the Japanese government and for the Japanese citizens. Therefore, even if the Chinese want to cease the war, the Japanese may not necessarily agree, unless the Chinese are willing to pay war reparations or even cede territory.

But both the US and Russian governments oppose mediation suggestions that prefer either party, which is unacceptable to the Japanese government. Although there are currently differences of opinions within the Japanese government, this does not mean that the Japanese are willing to give up their interests in China. The Japanese government does not oppose negotiations now, but they absolutely do not agree to give up Taiwan Island. As for the interests of South Manchuria, Japan also regards it as an interest related to the future of the country, but in this regard, the Chinese will not make concessions easily.

Under such circumstances, how could China and Japan accept mediation immediately? If the situation in Europe is not as tense as it is now, perhaps the great powers can unite and impose political and military pressure to force the warring sides to return to the negotiating table and resolve disputes in a peaceful manner. However, Europe is now facing a larger war, and no one can pay attention to the situation in the Far East. At present, only the Americans have the leisure to pay attention to the Far East. However, with the United States' military power in Asia, it is impossible to calm down the warring sides. Coupled with the Americans' hostility towards Japan, the United States cannot resolve the current Far East war alone.

To be honest, the fighting will and courage shown by the Chinese in this war really surprised Ji Liang, especially the bold use of new weapons and new tactics by the Chinese team. This made many Europeans even more curious. Perhaps the "mad president, Mr., is indeed a political wizard and a military wizard, but with China's current national strength, it is far from changing the strategic pattern of the entire Far East. At best, it is just a balance of Japan's power. This is obviously a situation that the US government is happy to see. The countries that confrontation in Asia are most in line with the interests of the US government's Far East.

Therefore, I think the US government's mediation position is not firm, at least until the winner is decided. The US government will not go all out to mediate.

Compared with the US government with a swaying position, what the British government is most worried about now is not whether Japan will lose in this war, but the political trend in Japan. If some politicians in Japan see China's military potential through this war, then no one can guarantee that the Japanese will not reach a reconciliation with the Chinese. This will make "Pan Asianism." Soaring, if Japan and China can live in peace from now on, that is a profound change to the strategic pattern of the Far East."

Seeing Juerdian analyze the relationship between China and Japan in this way, the French minister was very surprised.

"So, is the British government worried that China might form an alliance with Japan one day?"

To be honest, the French ambassador was very impressed by the imagination of the British government. It was obvious that China and Japan were in a war. The British read the latest Children's Day and read the latest Children's Day. "Ji is beginning to worry about the future." This Donghuang military group threatened China's ancient motto, which may be the so-called "worrying nothing.

"Although the possibility of a military alliance between China and Japan is very small, even if there is only a little possibility, the Allies must find ways to eliminate it in the bud. It is enough for Asia to awaken Japan for only one time. If the whole of Asia is awakened, it is a huge threat to the world order. Compared with this threat, the threat from Germany and the Allied Group is nothing. You should know that before the beginning of the Russo-Japanese War, "Pan-Asianism emerged in Japan. Their slogan is "Asia is Asia for Asians". This can actually be regarded as the Monroeism of Asia. For this, all European countries must raise their police slowness."

"But Mr. Minister, in my opinion, the "mad president of China does not seem to be a pan-Asianist, he is more like a fanatical nationalist, and he hates Japan extremely. On the other hand, in front of the strong European state, Japan has put such an attractive piece of fat meat like China but goes to Europe to make the idea of ​​making European interests. Isn't this a bit stupid?" The French minister said it was difficult to accept the view of the British minister.

Juerdian shook his head, disagreed with the French minister's knowledge.

"Mr. Minister, I'm afraid Europe will soon be out of its own. Once the European war breaks out, the British and French governments may not have enough power to maintain control over the Far East colonies. Now China is a tough bone, and the Japanese government can't even chew it. Japan dared to fight against Russia, so wouldn't it dare to fight against Britain or France now? Although Japan is an ally of Britain."

"Are you worried that the Japanese government will take advantage of the opportunity of the outbreak of the war in Southeast Asia?"

Hearing this, the French minister laughed and laughed very happily.

"It turns out that the British are also very interesting to be humorous. Mr. Minister, your concerns are redundant. The Japanese government has always wanted to become a first-class power. Now Britain and Japan are military alliances. How could Japan take advantage of the situation? How could a country that does not abide by the covenant become a first-class power? Even if the European war broke out, Japan would not send troops to attack the Asian colonies of Britain or France. However, the German government should be worried about the islands in Germany in the Pacific and the land of Germany in China

"This is just my personal opinion and personal opinion. It does not represent the position of the British government. I just expressed the concerns of some British diplomats. Mr. Minister, this is not an unfair worry. This is a plan ahead. As for Germany, it is difficult to judge what measures Germany will take in the Far East. Recently, the German ambassador is negotiating with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to return Qingdao. Once Qingdao is successfully handed over, Germany and China will only become closer. If the European war breaks out and Germany pulls China into the Allied Group, Russia may be hit by the east and west. Given the courage and wisdom shown by the Chinese team in this Sino-Japanese war, the Allies must not be taken lightly."

"I heard that Russia has dispatched some cavalry troops to the Far Eastern border area to strengthen its defense?" The French minister tentatively said.

"I have also heard that, but the Chinese have given Russia great benefits in the Mongolian region. I don't think the Russian government is determined to directly intervene in the Sino-Japanese War. Moreover, Germany has joined forces with the Austro-Hungarian Empire to officially issue a final communication with the Serbian government. The Russian Tsar is now having a headache about the situation of his Balkan allies and cannot extend his hand to the Far East."

Speaking of this, Jurden stopped because he saw an embassy staff walking hurriedly towards the cricket stadium, holding a telegram in his hand.

The embassy staff walked up to Juerdian and presented the telegram to the envoy.

"Sir, this is an urgent telegram just taken from the Tianjin Consulate. According to the reliable news from the Consulate, I took the sheep today and was in the German Concession in Tianjin. The "Gory Independence State, which is based on An Chonggen, was officially established. Not only did it declare the Declaration of Independence, An Chonggen also called on all Korean expatriates to return to North Korea to participate in the War of Independence. The Japanese government was very annoyed by this. The former Japanese Consul in Tianjin told the British Consulate that the Japanese government believed that this was a conspiracy between the Chinese and German governments, with the purpose of destroying the current international order. North Korea is custody by Japan, which is recognized by the international community. Now the Chinese and German governments are openly supporting North Korea's independence. This is undoubtedly provoking the entire civilized world.

Looking at the content of the telegram and listening to the narrative of the embassy staff, Juerdian's brow frowned and didn't speak for a long time.

The French minister came over, took the telegram from Juerdian, glanced at it for a few times, and then frowned.

This is indeed a provocation. It is not just Japan, it is a provocation of the entire colonial order of the great powers. North Korea was annexed by Japan. This is a fait accompli by the great powers. But now, the scene of the German concession has shaken this fact.

Why didn't the Koreans choose other places but chose Germany's concession in China? Does this show that the Japanese government's speculation is correct? Are China and the German governments really blatantly supporting North Korea's independence? If so, then the British government can't stand by.

"Please inform the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and inform the General Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the State Council. I will pay my respects to the President before sunset in the afternoon and consult with the President on certain international issues.
Chapter completed!