"Southampton Port? A 100-year usage right?"
Elizabeth pondered, her deep blue eyes occasionally flashing with a glint of wisdom.
“Your Majesty, Lin Dong’s demands are excessive.” John continued to feel the temperature of his coffee cup, his heart filled with unease.
"It is a bit excessive, but, Your Excellency, have you considered why he dared to make such an outrageous demand?"
“That’s because… he knew exactly what we were thinking. Our country needs stability, it needs security…” John replied.
The Queen shook her head: "No, this is just an excuse for you politicians to numb yourselves."
"The real reason is that they are too powerful, so powerful that even a state apparatus can't do anything about them!"
"No matter how strong Lin Dong is, he's still just one person..." John didn't want to admit it, but his expression betrayed his guilty conscience.
The Queen chuckled, glancing at John's hands holding the coffee cup: "It's chilly, have some to warm your stomach."
“Yes.” John lowered his head and took a sip of coffee, finding it all bitter.
"Is it very bitter?" the Queen asked softly.
"Yes, it does taste a bit bitter," John answered honestly.
Do you know why? Because you didn't add sugar.
"Well......"
The Queen did not continue to ridicule him, but said:
“Prime Minister, you must never underestimate the power of a superhuman. Sometimes, he can easily overthrow a country.”
"Because the more powerful such a person is, the less restraint he has. The so-called rules of the game between countries have no effect on him."
"Unless you are 100% certain you can kill him!"
The bitterness in John's mouth spread to his heart; he understood that what the Queen said was the absolute truth.
However, as a maritime empire that once dominated the planet for over two hundred years, its inherent dignity remains.
"John, remember this: in the face of absolute power, the word 'dignity' is a joke!"
"More than a hundred years ago, our army could trample on the land of that great Eastern power at will."
"We want to rent Hong Kong, so we can rent it for a hundred years at will. Have we asked them if they're willing?"
"Why? Because the British Empire at that time was powerful enough."
"If their emperor doesn't agree, he might not see the sun rise the next day..."
After saying so much, the Queen felt a little thirsty. She picked up the coffee cup on the table and took a small sip.
“I understand!” Prime Minister John stood up. “Thank you very much for your explanation, Your Majesty. I will be going back now.”
Queen Elizabeth nodded, without rising to see him off:
"Go ahead, and remember what I just said: face is not important; dignity is earned through strength."
"We're taking the initiative to back down, passing the buck back to the White House and Wall Street, and waiting to see how things develop."
"It's just the port of Southampton. They say it's a 100-year lease, but let's see if Lin Dong can live for another 100 years."
"Understood, Your Majesty, I will handle it properly!" John bowed slightly, nodded politely to the butler Kane, and then turned to leave.
....................................
10 Downing Street, VIP Reception Room 1.
Shunok had already accompanied Lin Dong for three rounds of tea and eaten more than ten pastries.
The Prime Minister has been gone for almost half an hour.
I wonder what the final outcome of his conversation with Her Majesty the Queen will be.
Schnock sighed inwardly, feeling empty and helpless.
On the surface, all major affairs of the United Kingdom are decided by the Prime Minister and his cabinet.
But as anyone with common sense knows, when it comes to major national decisions, the Queen's opinion is paramount and cannot be avoided.
"Mr. Lin, when would be a convenient time for you to go and receive the artifacts that are currently at the British Museum?"
Seeing that the atmosphere was a bit quiet and awkward, Schnock tried to make conversation by asking a question.
"No rush, let's wait for the Prime Minister to return."
Lin Dong was eating snacks out of boredom when he heard this and chuckled:
“The million-dollar cultural relics are the capital we lent out, and the Port of Southampton is like interest.”
"Is this 100-year lease too much?"
“This…” Schnok had intended to ease the tension, but instead he had forced himself into an even more awkward situation.
He's in a dilemma, not knowing whether to answer or not.
Fortunately, at that moment, the Prime Minister returned with several cabinet ministers.
Judging from their expressions, Schnock guessed the general outcome.
Southampton Port is doomed!
But for some reason, Shunok didn't feel much disappointment; instead, his empty heart felt much more at ease.
"I'm so sorry, Mr. Lin, for keeping you waiting!"
Prime Minister John returned to his seat and apologized to Lin Dong.
"It's alright, we can wait 100 years, let alone just a few tens of minutes?" Lin Dong said with a smile.
John knew what Lin Dong meant and quickly replied, "Yes, in just over four months, Hong Kong will complete its century-long lease and return to China..."
“That’s fine, so as a return favor, it’s not wrong for me to lease the Port of Southampton for 100 years, is it?” Lin Dong asked.
“No problem… Mr. Lin, the Queen has agreed to your conditions, and we can begin working on the specific terms for leasing the port.”
"That's good, hahaha... It's a pleasure to cooperate!" Lin Dong was overjoyed and extended his right hand.
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