.Li Jingfang just smiled slightly and did not answer.

"In order to maintain peace in East Asia, our country has decided to extend a hand of friendship to your country." As soon as Rockhill said, he began to carefully observe Li Jingfang's reaction, but he saw that the new Foreign Minister was still drinking coffee slowly, without even trembling his fingers. "Smart Earl, please believe in the sincerity of our country. The United States is willing to provide your country with all the materials needed for war at a preferential price. If your country lacks funds, we can provide loans to pay the goods. All is just out of the friendship between the two countries and the common vision of restoring peace in Xi'an in the Pacific."

Li Jingfang stared at the other party for a while and said calmly: "What are your conditions?"

"Our country can provide a low-interest loan of up to $500 million to purchase our country's goods." Rockhill simply made a move. "Our request is very simple, to share the interests of your country in the Philippines, the priority development rights of the Far Eastern territory after the war, and to obtain the right to lease Guam."

Li Jingfang looked at the other party with fun, and Zhan Yan smiled: "If you want to get so many benefits if you have a loan of 500 million US dollars? William, you have a good idea."

"This is a favorable thing for both sides." William Rockhill took off his glasses, took out his handkerchief and wiped it carefully. "For your country, the situation is not optimistic. The aid of our country is likely to determine the victory or defeat of this war."

"This is a very heavy bargaining position. The famous American Han Xuetong raised his head and looked at Li Jingfang seriously, "the bargaining chip that determines the outcome."

"William, are you threatening me?" Li Jingfang said lightly, "If I don't agree, you will go to the Japanese and Russians? Is this your attitude towards your friends?"

"My friend, you misunderstood." Rockhill said with a smile. "As far as my government is concerned, it is also the opinion of the President. Of course, we must first consider the safety of our Chinese friends. But you should also know that we are neutral countries after all, and we must consider the interests of our own people more. We are a democratic government, Lee. If we ignore the interests and demands of the people, we are betrayal of the United States."

"Okay, I think I understand what you mean." Li Jingfang nodded, "I will report this matter to my emperor, William, I won't leave you much. I will invite you to have tea some other day."

William Rockhill stood up, took his hat and coat, bowed politely, and turned away.

Li Jingfang looked at the gentle and elegant Han Xuexi, with a complicated expression. After pondering for a moment, he turned his head and smiled at Lu Zhengxiang, Director of the American Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "Zi Xin, what do you think?"

Lu Zhengxiang is 33 years old this year, which is the age for men to have the strongest sense of career and responsibility. He is a new generation of diplomatic talents who grew up after the founding of the country. Since joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he has caught up with the stage of the founding of the Empire and the rapid improvement of national strength. In addition, Zheng Ying incited nationalism and had a tough attitude towards the outside world. As soon as Lu Zhengxiang arrived at the American Division, he caught up with the Empire to strongly intervene in the Spanish-American War and to the diplomacy of US gunboats. This person was heard and heard that it was hawkish, so he naturally became a number of hardliners in the diplomatic system.

This time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reshuffle, Lu Zhengxiang took the lead in the Americas Division in one fell swoop, thinking about making achievements. But the new emperor brought out Li Jingfang, who had been retired for many years, to be in charge of diplomacy. The old man of the Li family was a warm Tai Chi routine. He faced the neutral powers, whether it was blackmailing the table or the yin* who was sweet-mouthed, he was always peaceful and upright and never turned against him, which made Lu Zhengxiang feel a little nervous.

When Li Jingfang asked this today, Lu Zhengxiang raised his eyebrows and said calmly: "I always grow up and have no need to say much."

Li Jingfang still looked calm and smiled slightly: "Zi Xin, I have been in business for many years. You are an expert in diplomacy with the United States. At this time, you are the only one who takes the initiative."

Lu Zhengxiang thought for a moment and nodded: "Since that's the case, I'll be ugly."

"From the following perspective, Americans simply want to take advantage of the situation. The United States is a country with two foreign countries, but unfortunately it has risen too late. The east coast of the Atlantic Ocean is a ban on European powers, especially Britain and France, and the United States cannot enter. While the United States is gradually infiltrating the Latin American world, it turns its attention to the Pacific."

"The Western Pacific is a complex situation where all parties struggle. The empire, Russians, Japanese, British, Spanish, Netherlands, French, Siam, and various forces are entangled and restrained, which gives Americans room to take action." Lu Zhengxiang said, "Although the Americans' economy is rising rapidly, the combat power of the army and navy is still far behind the European powers, especially the army is more behind. The Americans are now simply seeing the imperial chaos and their strength declines, and they have the intention to take advantage of the situation and want to gain some benefits without bloodshed. Using loans as bait, they have taken root in the Philippines, economic infiltration as tentacles, and Guam as a base for force to spy on the Western Pacific, and gain a foothold for the future containment of the empire's outbound Pacific."

"Once the United States controls the Philippines and waits for an opportunity to use economic means to master or unite Japan and Russia, the empire will only be left with Taiwan and Ryukyu to go forward, and the strategic situation is at a disadvantage." Lu Zhengxiang talked happily, "In my humble opinion, this matter will last forever and must not be agreed."

Li Jingfang looked at the diplomatic cadre and nodded slowly: "Zi Xin, what you said makes sense. However, I need to add something more."

Lu Zhengxiang's eyes flashed with light, and his eyes were staring at Li Jingfang with bright eyes.

"Americans, out of their hearts, do not want us to be overwhelmed by Japan and Russia." Li Jingfang said slowly, "What they most want to see is that the three parties are stalemate, and they are exhausted and in debt. They can wield US dollars to get rid of the benefits of our three families. Now they feel that the empire is in chaos, and this balanced strength turns sharply to Russia and Japan, so they are also anxious. They really want to help. And what Rockhill said is not unreasonable. After all, the United States is a democratic country, and taxpayers will not agree to these elite politicians helping another country for free. Zixin, do you think this is the reason?"

Lu Zhengxiang thought for a moment and nodded silently.

"They want to test and strive to get more benefits, including what you said just now. On the other hand, they also need to have an explanation inside. The American isolationist idea is still deeply rooted." Li Jingfang smiled, "The people, even countries like the United States, see more immediate and direct interests, and do not understand the long-term strategic layout too much. Even elites like Theodore Roosevelt, who are far-sighted and amazing, have to worry about public opinion. In this regard, they are not as good as the empire."

Lu Zhengxiang looked at the emperor's minister of foreign affairs and felt a little strange.

"Since the United States has extended its hand and the empire needs friends now and does not want to have another enemy, we must strive to use this help in a real way." Li Jingfang smiled slightly, "If they want to explain, we will explain it to them. But it is absolutely impossible to harm children and grandchildren. Zixin, let's discuss it carefully first and then meet your Majesty. This time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will make a good start."

Lu Zhengxiang was excited and nodded vigorously.

"This new dynasty always has a new atmosphere." Li Jingfang stood up, came behind Lu Zhengxiang, and gently patted the young handsome man on the shoulder, "Zi Xin, I am just a transitional figure and will not work for a long time. I am used to being idle and wild-he, and I really don't want to trek into the muddy waters of the officialdom again. If it weren't for the kindness of the late emperor and the trust of His Majesty, I would have been unwilling to come out."

"You have to work hard." Li Jingfang said seriously, "This Ministry of Foreign Affairs belongs to your generation sooner or later."

"Roosevelt, an old fox, really knows how to pick it up." Zheng Yu snorted, "This is a decision to make a fuss about us. If it was too early, my father wouldn't dump them at all. If it was too late, if we were defeated, I'm afraid there would be many people in them who would not agree. The carrot stick president made up his mind to help us maintain the balance between us and Japan and Russia."

Li Jingfang and Lu Zhengxiang nodded convincedly when they looked at the young and overly young new emperor, but they were both first-class and old-fashioned.

"I need some joint development rights in the Philippines, and there are some discussions on this. I and the late emperor have discussed a long time ago, bringing the Americans over to stir up the water in the South China Sea and seeking comprehensive cooperation with the United States after the war." As soon as Zheng Yu said this, Li Jingfang and Lu Zhengxiang were both excited, and Lu Zhengxiang was even more excited. If this is the case, then his North American department will undoubtedly rise in status in the future.

"The Philippines' development is the cheapest, the empire is the ultimate advantage." Li Jingfang and Lu Zhengxiang looked at each other and tacitly said, "The Spaniards are already in the Philippines, and anyone with a clear eye can see this. If you win this battle, the empire can be justified and gain a sphere of influence in the surrounding areas. Those who know each other can still take advantage of it. Those who don't know each other, the outcome of Cuba is a lesson for the past. Americans want to come in and share some benefits, and they also have to show their sincerity."

"Guam Americans can't imagine it." Zheng Yu took a sip of tea and said lightly, "Far East, the intention to sign some business cooperation with them is better. But now it can only be a secret agreement. After all, it is still Russia's territory... Draw them some big cakes in front. At that time, when negotiating with Russia, the Americans will at least not stand on Russia's side. As for how much they can finally cash, it depends on the next direction between the empire and them."

"We must talk about the depth and height." Zheng Yu pondered for a while, and then spoke, "After winning this battle, the Pacific Ocean will be a situation where China and the United States will share the world equally. Even the British can only withdraw from Malacca and Australia. After the war, the Empire will continue to build ships and expand the Marine Corps. In any case, the Empire will establish an absolute circle of interests in the Western Pacific, and all places such as North Korea, Japan, the Philippines, the Far East, Java, Borneo, and the Indochina Peninsula must be included."

"To achieve this goal, we will inevitably have conflicts with Britain. At this time, it is beneficial to pull the United States in. At least it cannot be allowed to stand on the opposite side." Zheng Yu took another sip of tea and glanced at Lu Zhengxiang, "Zi Xin, how do you see the empire and the United States reach an agreement on both sides of the Pacific in the future? How to distribute interests?"

Lu Zhengxiang was refreshed, thought for a moment, and said solemnly: "I think the negotiations with the United States can be divided into three steps. The first step is the stage of both sides surveying and showing each other's bargaining chips. At this stage, the empire must express the sincerity of Sino-US cooperation and give enough attractive chips, but also clarify the empire's bottom line and demands. There are two key points: First, pull the United States on the chariot and let them firmly stand on the side of the empire before deciding the victory or defeat; Second, let the United States feel the empire's confidence and prevent them from asking for prices all over the place."

Zheng Yu narrowed his eyes slightly and drank tea without comment.

"The second step is to take advantage of certain favorable situations on the battlefield and sign the first step agreement as soon as possible to incorporate Americans' economy and productivity. Using American loans to purchase American goods can at least make up for some of the domestic productivity gap."

"The third step is to reach a relatively reasonable agreement on the disposal of spoils with the United States after the victory of the Empire is decided. As His Majesty said, for the development of the Far Eastern territory, the Empire can use the surplus capital of the United States, whether in the form of debt or industrial capital, to lay eggs with chickens. This is the concept that the late emperor has always emphasized. The Empire has produced people, unearthed land, and developed development rights for a certain period of time. The Americans pay, donate machines, and conduct exploration, so that the newly occupied territory can form economic interests as soon as possible, rather than becoming a long-term economic burden for the Empire."

"The fourth step is to divide the forces after the war, which is the most complex and dangerous." Lu Zhengxiang took a deep breath, "If it is not handled well, China and the United States may also turn against each other. From the following, there are two major public opinions in the United States: the first is the elites led by Theodore Roosevelt, who emphasize geopolitics and are committed to expanding the influence of the United States, especially political and military influence, that is, they have the intention to tentatively occupy the United States' monopoly interests; the other is other business people and the middle class, who are always full of doubts about war, and they hope to use the advantages of the United States' industrial power to achieve peaceful expansion and seize economic benefits in the form of open doors."

"For the empire, both public opinion must be used, but under different stages and backgrounds, there must be emphasis." Lu Zhengxiang continued, "For the empire, what is most likely to trigger the conflict between China and the United States is that the empire's absolute interest circle and the exclusive interests of the United States are in conflict, and the common interests of the empire and the Americans should be relatively more common. My suggestion is to sign a memorandum with the United States on the commercial interests within the sphere of influence of the Pacific on both sides of the Pacific to establish a bilateral most-favored-nation treatment."

When Zheng Yu heard this, a light flashed in his eyes.

"Bilateral most-favored-nation treatment, that is, the signing countries receive preferential policies from each other in the past, present and future to all other countries, mainly including economic and trade exchanges, as well as investment and immigration issues." Lu Zhengxiang continued, "Bilateral most-favored-nation treatment can also be set for restrictions, such as customs alliances, special tariffs and other terms may not be included in the most-favored-nation treatment. Bilateral most-favored-nation treatment is more beneficial to both China and the United States. For the United States, the country has developed productivity, but due to its lack of colonies, it can only rely on the open door policy and Latin America, a disobedient backyard. If conditions similar to those in the Sino-British trade agreement can be obtained in the empire, the United States' industry and commerce

Industry capital will be happy to see its success. As for the impact of Empire's industry and commerce on the US market, the current Empire's export structure mainly mainly focuses on agricultural products, raw materials, semi-finished products and light products, has little impact on the United States. In the Empire's automobile industry, Americans are still starting, and the Empire's main competitors in the US market are French and Germans. American automobile companies are too small and do not have much political influence. On the contrary, oil giants such as Rockefeller and the Empire oil industry have reached a division agreement, and the Empire's hot sales in the United States are happy to see its success. As for the impact of Americans on the Empire's economy, we still have to weigh the trade-offs. I only express my opinions on diplomacy and the United States."

"The United States is an immigrant country and has a strong demand for high-quality labor." Lu Zhengxiang said freely, "The empire has opened up people's wisdom for many years, and has attached importance to English education, especially the establishment of Youth League Youth League. Over the years, a large number of organized and disciplined high-quality laborers have entered society, which has a very good economic enhancement effect on the empire. Chinese people have proved their ability in the United States. For the United States, these easy-to-manage, hardworking and hardworking workers are excellent new immigrants. This is also very attractive to American industry and commerce. Of course, as for the perception of the lower-class people in the United States, this requires the middle and upper-class people to weigh it."

"The United States has strong capital, advanced technology, abundant labor, vast territory, rich resources, and relatively backward infrastructure. With China as its base, it can radiate the entire East Asia and Southeast Asia and obtain broad market space, so the two sides are very complementary." Lu Zhengxiang continued, "This bilateral special preferential system can establish a close economic ties between China and the United States, thereby eliminating the possible outbreak of wars in the Pacific, and greatly benefiting the development speed of the empire's new occupation territory, as well as using American capital and technology to achieve large-scale industrial and commercial development plans."

Zheng Yu looked at the history of this year who tried his best to cheer up Beiyang diplomacy and was known for his strictness and integrity. He even fired the nephew of Yuan Shikai, who was then the president, and was a diplomatic talent that attracted the attention of the world. Feeling this different historical time and space, the sharp edge of this rising star in the diplomatic world, he couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

China is full of talents, and it is a pity that time, luck and momentum, which prevents these aspiring people from displaying their talents, and even goes astray due to fame or vision.

He was silent for a while and smiled at Lu Zhengxiang: "Zi Xin, it seems that you have really thought about diplomacy against the United States. Today, both of you are here, so let's discuss your four steps in China and the United States."

Lu Zhengxiang nodded solemnly...

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