Chapter 259: Britain, the expert in fanning the flames (third update, please subscribe)
threaten!
How could it not be a threat?
This was a threat in itself, but as a diplomat, Edward Thornton did not give a direct answer, but said with a smile.
"Mr. Zhu, you should be very clear that Britain's position is fair. We will not accept any changes to Chile's territory, including indirect changes."
In other words, Britain would not accept a provisional government ruling Chile.
"We believe that Chile's political situation needs to return to the situation before the outbreak of the war. Of course, we will facilitate a comprehensive reconciliation between Santiago and the interim government. Mr. Zhu, please believe that this is the best choice for you!"
After a pause, Edward Thornton said.
"What you have obtained through the treaty can even be strengthened to some extent. Of course, considering that Chile is a country with strong self-esteem, your right to station troops must be revoked."
After the threat, the natural thing is to throw out a carrot. In Edward Thornton's view, this is London's greatest goodwill, and the other party should accept it.
But to Edward Thornton's surprise, Zhu Xianhai shook his head and said.
"Mr. Ambassador, you have to understand that this is America!"
Then he said seriously.
"American affairs should be decided by Americans, not by outsiders!"
Uh... Edward Thornton, who was retorted, looked at Zhu Xianhai in amazement.
What?
What did he say?
He refused?
But he also said that American affairs should be decided by Americans...You, are you an American?
Looking at Edward who was dumbfounded and speechless, Zhu Xianhai sat up straight.
Yes, I am American!
American affairs should be decided by Americans!
And the Chinese are now also Americans!
"In that case..."
Standing up, Edward Thornton said seriously.
"I think London will have a corresponding answer soon!"
In front of the company's headquarters building, as he was about to board the carriage, Edward Thornton said to Zhu Xianhai who came to see him off.
"Zhu Xianhai, it is true that, as you said, American affairs should indeed be decided by Americans, but please believe that even in independent American countries, they must consider the diplomatic impact."
What do you mean by considering the diplomatic impact? It is obviously considering the attitude of Britain!
In response, Zhu Xianhai just smiled and nodded.
"Of course, we always value our relations with any European country very much!"
Edward Thornton just nodded slightly. He knew what the other party's answer meant. It was telling him that there was not only one Britain in the world, but also other countries in Europe.
The purpose of this trip has been defeated.
After getting on the carriage, Edward Thornton once again looked out the window at Nanhua.
"Sir, it seems that we have gained nothing from this trip."
Counselor Schneider, who was following him, said.
"No,"
Edward Thornton shook his head.
"It's been a great gain, Schneider. You came to Nanhua last year. Did you tell me what impression this place left on you?"
"impression?"
Schneider, who was sent to South China as a trade representative, has been here for two years and certainly has some understanding of the place.
"The most impressive thing is... the people, sir. Before the railway was built, immigrant ships would enter Nanhua Bay almost every day, and then those Chinese immigrants poured in like a tide. Everywhere there were bronze skin and their people. Sir, when I met with officials from the Immigration Bureau, they even proudly declared that by the end of this year, the population of Nanhua would exceed one million!"
"This number is indeed astonishing, but you have to know that there are 400 million people in China, and there is war there. It is normal for people to flock here. Mr. Zhu only needs to provide funds and ships to bring millions of cheap laborers here, but this is not the most important thing."
Edward Thornton, who had traveled to Asia on a Royal Navy warship when he was young, was no stranger to China.
"What's important is..."
Edward Thornton sighed as he looked out the window at the city scene.
"We once thought that this was just a chartered company that was interested in expanding its colonial business. Perhaps one day, this place would become another granary of Britain. However, to our surprise, this company showed that it was not just about reclaiming wasteland and grazing on the grassland, but also about industry. When I met with Zhu Xianhai, I noticed that when I looked out from his office, the skyline in the distance was full of towering chimneys. They even invented electric lights."
Glancing at the street light, Edward Thornton sighed.
"What do we see in Buenos Aires? We see the rich and powerful and farmers enjoying their wealth. The universities there are nothing more than clubs for the children of the rich. They study literature, law, music, and painting there, but they have little interest in science. There are not even any factories there. However, there are not only many factories here, but also the goods they produce have quietly opened up the South American market in the past few years. Schneider, last month, someone from the British Chamber of Commerce in Buenos Aires announced that 90% of the local cotton cloth now comes from South China, and British cotton cloth is withdrawing from the Americas little by little..."
As trade representative, Schneider is well aware of this, he said.
"This is probably directly related to the war in the United States. After the outbreak of the American Civil War, the shortage of cotton supply led to insufficient operation of British factories, which had an extremely serious impact on our commodity exports..."
"And now?"
Turning his head to look at Schneider, Edward Thornton said.
"As early as last year, the cotton supply from Egypt and India was able to meet the needs of British factories. In addition, negotiations between the North and South of the United States began at the beginning of the year, and cotton exports are returning to normal. However, our exports to South America have not recovered, and we are even losing the South American market little by little... because there are new sellers in this market!"
Who is this seller?
Of course it’s Nanhua.
"So, London has already made an intention?"
Everything is ultimately for business. Even as a junior diplomat, Schneider knows the duties of a British diplomat - business is the most important thing.
"Yes, but this is not just about business, Schneider. The emergence of an America in North America is already a headache for us. What if another America appears in South America one day?"
Looking at the city outside the car window, Edward Thornton frowned.
"A place that is determined to make progress in industry will definitely have a good future! But this is not what we need, not what Britain needs. For Britain, what we need is wheat from the New World, beef from the New World, and resources from the New World, but not industrial products from the New World to compete with British industrial products."
The interests between countries are so naked. Great Britain has been planning in South America for half a century, not to help it achieve true independence and prosperity, but to obtain the resources on this land.
An aggressive regime is obviously not what Britain needs. Edward Thornton is naturally very clear about this, which is also the purpose of his coming to this land as a diplomat, but now he is facing a place that is aggressive.
This place is likely to disrupt Britain's plans for this land.
"So now, we have to find a way to stop this..."
"Stop this?"
Schneider was surprised.
"So what should we do?"
Edward Thornton said with a smile.
"It's not what we should do, Schneider. You are still young. Some things are not what we should do, but what we should let others do! Or in other words, what we should encourage others to do!"
(End of this chapter)
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