Chapter 563: Threat of War (Second update, please subscribe)
…Now, in Washington.
In Secretary of State Clayston's conference room, Clayston would occasionally glance at the silent Ming ambassador.
Dong Kun, the diplomat who once accompanied Zuo Zongtang on a study tour to Europe and the United States, had an angry look on his face at this moment.
This anger is undisguised!
The trial in Los Angeles made Dong Kun feel very angry. No, it should be said that he was furious.
He was simply filled with rage. If anger could kill, there would probably be no one alive here now.
Before this, he had said that American law was a joke, but he never expected that Americans would be so shameless.
"This trial!"
Clayston said after a moment of silence.
"Although it's not satisfactory, the thugs have all been punished accordingly!"
Clayston put on a forced smile, trying to break the silence that was troubling him.
As a lawyer, he certainly knew what this so-called trial was.
This is absolutely an unfair trial.
This trial was a joke from the beginning. But this joke could very well turn into a war between nations!
"Please believe that this is a result based on the existing evidence. It may not be satisfactory, but it is the best result!"
"I said, American law is a joke!"
He raised his head slightly, then Dong Kun said, suppressing his inner anger.
"You have proved this to the world in a perfunctory way! Not only have you proved to the world that American law is a joke, but you are also trying to use this joke to convince the Ming Empire to tell us. This is what you call fairness. This is what you call justice. You are insulting! Are you insulting the Ming Empire?"
Taking a deep breath and suppressing the anger in his heart, Dong Kun said.
"Now, according to the instructions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Ming Empire, I need to inform you that the Ming Empire believes that the legal treatment of the "Los Angeles Massacre" completely violates the basic legal principles. In order to defend the interests of the Ming Empire's expatriates, we will take any measures that can be adopted."
“What are the measures that can be taken?”
Clayston asked in a lost voice.
"Our fleet is heading to Los Angeles, Mr. Secretary of State."
Dong Kun said coldly.
"Your behavior is provoking anger!"
After the initial shock, Cranston said in a slightly excited tone.
"Mr. Ambassador, the United States will not accept any threats of war, let alone any blackmail under the pretext of war!"
Realizing that he seemed a little excited, Cranston added.
"There is no need for our two countries to clash over the Los Angeles incident. This is definitely not the only option!"
"It is indeed not the only choice, so we have been patient, Mr. Secretary of State. For so many years, we have been enduring your arrogance, your prejudice, and the laws you have introduced, which are full of discrimination against Chinese people. What have we got for our protests? Your unscrupulous discrimination!"
Staring at Clayston, Dong Kun spoke briefly.
"You must understand one fact. This world values strength. You are not qualified to talk to the Ming Empire in a condescending manner!"
After saying this, Dong Kun stood up and looked at Clayton and said.
"I think there is no need for us to discuss this further. You have already proved everything with your actions!"
"What?"
Clayston stood up and spoke loudly.
"War, if it breaks out, it will not be a good thing for the Ming Empire."
"If a war breaks out, it will be because of your arrogance and discrimination!"
After saying this, Dong Kun turned around and left.
When walking out of the U.S. State Department, Dong Kun looked at the weather outside - it had started snowing, and there were only a handful of passers-by on the sidewalk, all of them were hurrying on their way, and snowflakes were falling from the sky.
"These arrogant Anglo-Saxons will have to pay the price for their arrogance sooner or later!"
Dong Kun knew that his mission for the day had been completed and he had no way to stop what might happen next.
"This snow...comes at just the right time!"
…
When Zhu Xianhai received the telegram from the Chinese Embassy in the United States, he was not surprised and even felt that it was a matter of course.
“This result is indeed very American!”
Throwing the document on the table, Zhu Xianhai said sarcastically.
"Even the White House cannot interfere with the judges, and even the judges cannot interfere with the jurors. Whether it is a federal judge or a California court, they cannot influence the decision of the local jury. So, no matter what, this is the final result."
This is the judicial system of the United States. How can this system convince the jury that even if someone has committed murder, the guilty person can be acquitted? The judge is just a referee.
Zhu Xianhai took out a cigar from the cigar box, cut off one end with a stainless steel cigar scissors, lit it, and took two puffs silently.
“Very American, indeed.”
Zhu Guozhong looked at the silent Majesty and asked.
"Your Majesty, what should we do next?"
"Of course it was the guns that spoke!"
Zhu Xianhai answered directly.
"The outcome has already been determined. If Americans can have their persistence, then we also have our principles."
During the Tianjin Incident last year, France, Britain, the United States, Russia, Prussia, Belgium, and Spain jointly lodged a "protest" against the Qing Dynasty and mobilized warships to Dagukou to threaten it. How did the Qing Dynasty deal with it?
Sixteen civilians were killed and sixteen heads were used as a reply. If the Treaty Qing did not chop off those sixteen heads, what would be the result? The result is obvious. The coalition forces would definitely bombard Dagu, then land and rush into Tianjin City to ask the Treaty Qing for an explanation.
Now, it is Daming's turn to go to the United States to seek an explanation.
However, the United States is not a country that is clear about the treaty after all, and they are stubborn!
"Your Majesty, the fleet's bombardment of Los Angeles will definitely cause a great response. After all, the United States is a member of the civilized countries."
Zhu Guozhong reminded him tactfully. As someone who had studied in Europe, he was well aware of the double standards of Europeans.
"A civilized country?"
Zhu Xianhai laughed.
"Guozhong, Europeans are essentially the same as us Chinese. In ancient times, China had the "Hua Yi Defense" to distinguish between the Chinese and the barbarians. There are roughly three criteria for its measurement: blood relationship, geographical location, and cultural measurement criteria such as clothing and etiquette. The Chinese have etiquette, but the barbarians do not. In the final analysis, what is the core of this "Hua Yi Defense"? It is that the Chinese are human beings, and the barbarians are not human beings, and it is the superiority of civilization over barbarism. This mentality has been affecting the Chinese for two thousand years."
Holding a cigar between his fingers, Zhu Xianhai looked at Zhu Guozhong. As Elizabeth's younger brother, he was also extremely handsome, definitely a Latin handsome guy. According to the "Chinese-barbarian defense", he, Elizabeth, or even Charlotte, were all "barbarians" and "beasts".
You see, this is the definition of barbarism by civilization! If you don't accept it, you can overturn his rules if you have the ability.
Just like "our Song Dynasty" is a "brother" with Liao, Jin, and Mongolia. Why did they form so-called brother states?
It’s just because my fist isn’t as hard as his, so I can’t beat him.
The so-called civilized rules are essentially about fists, and strength is everything.
"However, despite being the Celestial Empire, China, until the Ming Dynasty, did not boast of its cultural superiority," as the 17th-century Spanish missionary Zeng Dezhao recorded: "The Chinese readily praise any virtues of their neighbors and bravely admit that they are inferior, while people from other countries do not like anything other than their own country. When the Chinese see products from Europe, even if they are not exquisite, they still give a sigh of admiration... This humble attitude is really admirable, especially for a nation that surpasses others in talent. It is a shame for those who are blind and deliberately belittle what they see."
When saying this, Zhu Xianhai's mood was a bit complicated. The reason for the complexity was that how an open and studious nation could become a conservative and unenterprising nation.
Because of this, we naturally think of the Qing Dynasty, which was ruled by barbarians but always claimed "my Celestial Empire is great". Even until now, they are still complacent and seem conservative on the surface, but in fact the only reason they reject progress is to maintain the enslavement of China by one clan and one family!
The so-called conservatism and rejection of progress are essentially just to maintain the rule, but they are just replaced with a relatively better name.
"And what about the Europeans? Since the Age of Exploration, especially since the Industrial Revolution, they have come up with the term "civilized world". What is the "civilized world"? Guozhong, can you tell me more?"
Zhu Guozhong smiled coldly, then answered his own question.
"It's very simple. The world of white people who believe in Jesus Christ! This is the civilized world. As for the rest, they are barbaric countries!"
(End of this chapter)
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