Chapter 1094 The Dining Table of Imperialist Powers (Third update, please subscribe)

While the Ming Dynasty had hundreds of thousands of troops on the border, ready to fight and await the arrival of "Day X", the world situation was operating at that time. The Ming Dynasty and Spain were still wrangling in Cuba, and at the same time, secret negotiations with the United States were also taking place there.

Why do we need to hold secret negotiations? Of course, it is to end the confrontation. If we want to end the confrontation, we must reach a consensus on the interests of each party at the negotiation table. In fact, it is just like eating meat at the table. Everyone shares the meat, but no one can eat alone.

The "America Star" departed from Huizhou and sped across the vast land. Although it was hot outside, there was a cool breeze inside the car. This is the most magical part of the "America Star". Actually, it is not magical at all. The ventilation ducts are cooled by ice boxes. As for the ice in the ice boxes, they are replaced when the car stops.

Although the lowering measures were a bit primitive, the cool and pleasant temperature would still always be praised. However, at this moment, the people in this first-class compartment did not seem surprised by the air-conditioning in the compartment. They were looking through the latest information and occasionally whispered to each other.

The leader, a portly older man, had his eyes closed, seemingly thinking about something. On the coffee table next to the sofa, there was a thick stack of newspapers, all of which were recent. Among them were several official letters, which were the latest news sent by the Consul in Huizhou.

"How long will it take to reach Zhongdu?"

"Three hours."

"Let's prepare a little more..."

While people in the carriage were discussing in English, no one noticed that there was a small intercom hanging above the ventilator at the bottom corner of the carriage. In another carriage, several agents were constantly writing down the words coming from the loudspeaker with pens.

The secret war on the silent front has never stopped

Three hours later, the "American Star" train stopped at the dedicated platform of Zhongdu Railway Station. Four BMW cars with the American flag flying on them were already parked next to the platform.

Soon four cars drove out of the train station and headed along the wide Huaxia Avenue towards the Imperial Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The motorcade was moving very fast on the 20-lane avenue, with the four black BMWs even reaching a high speed of 70 to 80 kilometers. Leading the way ahead of the cars was a motorcade of motorcyclists wearing Imperial Army uniforms and steel helmets.

In the first car sat American Secretary James Gillespie Bryan and American Ambassador to Ming John Watson Foster, who were sitting in the back seat.

Along the way, while Ambassador Foster introduced the various changes that had occurred in the past half month, Special Envoy Bryan remained silent. He sat motionless, staring at the city outside the car window without blinking.

This was his first time in Zhongdu, and he came as the president's secret envoy.

"Ten days ago, the Navy Department of the Ming Empire issued an order to transfer two battleships of the Pacific Fleet to Cuba. They have now left their home port of Cape Harbor."

The information Foster introduced was all the latest information. In this era when communication could only rely on wired radio and telephone, once the ship left the port, it would lose contact with the land. Therefore, as a special envoy, Brian needed to understand the basic situation before the talks began.

"What about Hawaii? Did they withdraw the fleet they sent there?"

Brian asked.

“There is no news on this yet.”

"It seems that they are unlikely to make concessions in Hawaii."

Brian said to himself that as a special envoy, he still had this basic judgment ability.

In fact, Hawaii is no longer important to the United States now. What is important is Cuba.

The negotiations will begin soon.

…

The so-called secret negotiations are actually "dividing the spoils", or in other words, the two sides exchange opinions in private, and the essence of such opinions is to reach a consensus on interests. However, the negotiations now being conducted between the Ming Dynasty and the United States involve a third country.

Putting Spain on the table but rejecting it at the door, this is the essence of diplomacy in this era - weak countries are meant to be sacrificed. The Ming Dynasty is no stranger to such negotiations, and the United States... is no novice either.

"Let's get this straight to the point. The blood of the empire will never be shed in vain!"

After half an hour of negotiations, Zhuge Jun moved his shoulders somewhat unsatisfactorily, then he put out his cigar and pressed the butt into the glass ashtray.

"Therefore, we must get corresponding compensation. This involves the dignity of the empire!"

Okay, now let’s get straight to the point!

“I take it for granted.”

Envoy Bryan replied that at this point, Washington knew very well that the Ming Empire would not give up if it did not receive compensation.

"We can shift our focus from the Caribbean to another direction, such as the Pacific Ocean, where Washington believes the Empire can obtain corresponding supplements for itself, such as the Philippines. If the Empire agrees to make concessions in Cuba, Washington will support the Empire's claims against Spain, such as at the expense of the Philippines."

How did the imperialist powers reach consensus in their negotiations? On the one hand, it was the deterrence of strength, but on the other hand, it was by sacrificing the interests of other countries, such as the interests of weak and small countries.

After all, for the great powers, they will not easily solve the problem through war if it can be solved through the negotiation table.

And the great powers are also happy to resolve the dispute in this way, after all, it is the lowest cost way. So the Americans have prepared their offer.

The current negotiations are just a time for bargaining, but one thing is certain: Spain has been put on the table of the great powers.

"The Philippines... Do you think a distant Philippines can make up for everything?"

Zhuge Jun asked, he looked at the other party meaningfully, and the bottom line of the Americans was exposed - in order to ensure that Cuba would not be occupied by the empire, they did not rule out the expansion of the empire in other directions.

Of course, the premise of such expansion is that it cannot threaten the United States.

"What is he thinking? Will he agree?"

While Brian was trying to gauge the other party's thoughts, what he didn't know was that his bottom line had already been exposed on the train.

At this moment, he repeated what he had said before in his mind - the Philippines was a bait thrown by the United States to induce the Ming Dynasty to make concessions. Why the Philippines? Because it was far enough. As for Britain's interests in Asia, it was not something the United States considered.

Even in Washington's view, the Ming Dynasty's extension of its hand to the Philippines and Southeast Asia was beneficial to the United States, as it could intensify the conflict between them and Britain, making the confrontation between them more intense.

This is the characteristic of Anglo-Saxons - they never hesitate to betray their teammates.

But at this moment, Zhuge Jun unexpectedly said:

"I'm sorry, Mr. Envoy, the Empire has no interest in the Philippines at all, especially in a place so far away. We have no interest at all."

Brian was stunned for a moment. He felt that the foreign minister in front of him was like a magician who heard what he had only said in his mind.

They obviously understood the US's intentions, so they rejected it so directly. Now that they have rejected it, what should they do next?

Are we going to throw Hawaii out?

But Hawaii is the meat they have already eaten. How could they make concessions for something that is already in their mouths?

But after thinking for a while, Brian did not throw out Hawaii at the first time. Instead, he slightly nodded his head towards the translator, and then said something softly, and then the translator said.

"Your Excellency, the Special Envoy feels a little tired. I hope today's negotiations will end here!"

As soon as the translator finished speaking, Brian stood up.

The first day of negotiations ended.

(End of this chapter)