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Volume Two Chapter 247: Meeting with Old Friends

Princess Annastasia visited China on behalf of Tsar Nicholas II. Her status was no less than that of the head of state. However, it is impossible to expect this young girl who has not yet grown up to complete the mission of the special envoy. Baron Peter Nikolaevich Flanger was nominally the princess's guard officer. In fact, he was the real envoy of this mission designated by Nicholas II. After settling down His Royal Highness the Princess to rest, Baron Flanger made a request to negotiate as soon as possible to the Chinese government through the embassy. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who had already prepared, would soon give a reply, and the two sides would formally meet in the second day.

Fang Zida did not intend to intervene in this meeting. Tsar Russia was in a state of dimness, and the conditions proposed were nothing more than increasing material assistance. After a few years of war, Tsarist Russia, which was not well-founded, was almost as poor as pants. A large number of young and strong laborers in China were sent to the front line as cannon fodder, leaving a large number of farmland uncultivated, and the factories were extremely short of skilled workers, so they could only use women, elderly and children to replace them. In addition, the war continued to cause losses to the country's economy, the entire empire was on the verge of collapse. If it weren't for the large amount of material support from the Chinese government, the soldiers on the front line would probably not even have enough food.

Fang Zida was very clear about the purpose of Tsarist Russia. Under the current circumstances, appropriate support was still beneficial to the overall situation. However, Fang Zida was also prepared to collapse at any time. When the Ministry of Foreign Affairs asked Fang Zida how to negotiate with Tsarist Russia, Fang Zida proposed to continue to exchange land, equipment, and industrial raw materials for substances. As for the last two points of these three points, it was actually implemented a year ago, but Fang Zida felt that it was still far from enough. Since he knew that the other party was almost finished, why not take this opportunity to grab some good things back. Just like when the Soviet Union collapsed in later generations, capitalists around the world rushed over, trying to bite the fresh and delicious flesh and blood on this huge empire.

Of course, Tsarist Russia, one of the great powers, could never submit in this way. It is certain that she struggled to death. Fang Zida and Cao Rulin discussed this possibility in detail and prepared for a long talk. At the same time, Fang Zida also put forward a request that Cao Rulin could not understand, that is, no matter what, Princess Annastasia should be kept in China for at least half a year. As for the solution, this made Cao Rulin think about it.

Seeing Fang Zida's unfathomable smile appearing on the corner of his mouth, Cao Rulin was very surprised why he made such a request. Logically speaking, in everyone's eyes, Fang Zida is not lustful. No matter before and after getting married, he had almost never heard of Fang Zida's rumors going to visit the Eight Great Hutongs. Even if he had a drink with his friends once or twice, it would be a general social event, and he would not stay overnight. Could it be that Fang Zida actually moved his heart this time? He looked at this Tsarista princess who had not yet grown up? Although Cao Rulin did not deny that Princess Annastasia was beautiful and cute, the possibility was extremely small. The real reason was even more difficult to imagine.

When the talks between China and Russia began, Fang Zida had left the capital. After the Sino-Japanese War ceased, the domestic situation would not change much. Although the European war was still in full swing, at least in the short term, it still formed a stalemate. The Xu Shuzheng incident led to the Duan Sect and Anhui faction's slump. After Yuan Shikai's death, the political situation of the country gradually stabilized under the influence of this incident. Fang Zida took advantage of this short-term peace opportunity to prepare to visit abroad, and his target was not Europe, nor Japan, but the United States to the east of the ocean.

This is Fang Zida's first time going abroad since he returned from Europe. On the surface, he was under the banner of comprehensive cooperation with the United States' industry and economy. But in fact, his goal this time is Wall Street on New York, New York, the east coast of the United States. A war that has never been seen in the world to change the world's appearance by economic means is about to start thousands of miles away. As one of the commanders of this war, Fang Zida must personally rush to the United States to meet his allies and discuss plans to divide interests.

"Rui Yuan, you haven't been to the United States yet?"

Take the train from the capital to Tianjin, and then board the cruise ship to San Francisco directly in Tianjin. Among Fang Zida's group, except for Zhang Huchen and several other guards, he did not let the military go with him. Instead, he brought Yang Du, Jiang Zhiqing, Dai Jitao and others.

"If you go back to the president, you will be able to go to Japan at the farthest distance." Jiang Zhiqing replied with some shame.

"Haha, this time I go to the United States to have more trips, more checks, and more thoughts. This will have great benefits for you in the future. The United States of America is a new continent country with a history of only over a hundred years, but in such a short time they have become one of the few powerful countries in the world. If there is no accident, when the European war is over, the United States will replace Britain, France, Germany and other countries and become the most powerful country."

"Zhengming, I admit that the United States is developing very fast, but it is probably not so easy to replace Britain, France, Germany and other countries? Let's not talk about France and Germany. The European war has caused great damage to the two countries, and it is certain that the country's strength has been greatly damaged. However, Britain has not fought on its own land after all, let alone the glory of the Empire that the Sun Never Sets is so easy to strip away? Just relying on its colonies all over the world, it can be regarded as the number one power."

The person who said this was Yang Du, who was on the side. As the ship gradually went south, the climate began to warm up. The sea breeze blew on the deck. Yang Du, who was a little stuffy in the cabin, walked out to get some breath. He happened to hear the conversation between Fang Zida and Jiang Zhiqing and others, and couldn't help but interject.

"Haha, hearing is false, seeing is true. Everyone, some things I don't count. Anyway, we will arrive in the United States in more than ten days. At that time, we will see the strength of the United States with our own eyes. Wouldn't there be an answer?"

Fang Zida didn't tell the difference, but just smiled faintly. Yang Du nodded thoughtfully. Although he traveled around the country when he was young, he had never been to the United States. Fang Zida, who had been overseas for a long time, should have the most say in what the United States was. However, Yang Du never believed it easily, so he still planned to go to the place to see it before drawing a conclusion.

The cruise ship that Fang Zida and his friends took was only a short stop in Japan for one day. Considering that Japan was the base camp of the Revolutionary Party, Fang Zida was sensitive to his identity, so he did not get off the ship. In order to avoid trouble, Jiang Zhiqing and Dai Jitao also stayed on the ship, and waited for the ship to be filled with water, oil, coal and other supplies and quickly left Japan and continued to go east.

Compared with the unpredictable Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, etc., the Pacific Ocean is as famous as it is. The road is calm and there is no accident. Ten days later, the continent of America is close, and Fang Zida and his party are finally about to arrive in the United States.

San Francisco Pier.

Since Fang Zida visited the United States as the head of the Chinese government's cabinet, the US government attached great importance to this and arranged a small welcome ceremony at the dock.

Secretary of State Robert Lansing, Treasury Secretary William Gibbs McCardou and others came to San Francisco to welcome Fang Zida's arrival on behalf of President Wilson.

"The Americans are too stingy, right? Even if the president doesn't come, the vice president should come, right? And the chief of diplomacy doesn't come forward, what's that?" Before getting off the ship, Jiang Zhiqing muttered a little dissatisfied. Fang Zida suddenly felt funny and explained the political structure of the United States slightly. The United States is a presidential country, and the vice president has no real power. Instead, the Secretary of State assists the president in managing state affairs as the Prime Minister. Moreover, the United States does not have a Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As a few decades ago, the U.S. Foreign Ministry was incorporated into the State Department, and diplomatic matters were directly held by the Secretary of State. Therefore, it is most appropriate for Robert Lanxin to greet them as the Secretary of State on behalf of the President. In addition, the United States also took into account the identity of Fang Zida's Chief of Finance and the President of the Central Bank, and specially asked Secretary of Finance William Gibbs McAdu to accompany him. This is already very grand.

Jiang Zhiqing was embarrassed after hearing this. Yang Du and others couldn't help laughing apart. This was just a small episode. Soon the captain came here to invite Fang Zida to get off the boat. Fang Zida got up and nodded, tidied up his suit, and took everyone out.

"Hello, dear Mr. General, I am Robert Lansing. On behalf of the President, I welcome you to the free and great America for a state visit." Robert Lansing was the first secretary of state to greet him, with a smile on his face, and a polite politeness with a hint of pride and pride revealed from his bones.

"Thank you for your greeting by Mr. Secretary of State. It is an honor for me and my colleagues to come to the great United States. China and the United States have a long-standing friendship. I believe that during this visit, we can deepen the relationship between the two sides and achieve good cooperation. Finally, please allow me to express my sincere greetings to you." Fang Zida shook hands with the other party and replied in fluent English.

"Oh, Mr. General, you said so well. I will definitely convey the greetings from Mr. President. The former President also specially asked me to bring you an invitation, hoping that you can visit Washington."

"Thank you for your invitation, Mr. President, I am very happy to accept it."

The two sides talked a few words with a smile, and then introduced their respective escorts. Fang Zida shook hands and greeted each other one by one, especially when he shook hands with Minister William Gibbs McAdu, he also discussed economic issues with each other.

The official welcome ceremony ended soon. Fang Zida also met the leader of the Zhigong Party, Situ Meitang, and others at the dock. However, due to the official arrangement of the US, Fang Zida only talked to them for a few words, and then boarded the vehicle arranged by the Americans and left the dock.

Just checked in the hotel and the old friend who did not show up at the pier came soon.

"Old friend, are you okay?"

"Haha, long time no see Fang, I didn't expect you to have changed at all!"

Someone quickly invited Marcos in, and Fang Zida came forward to greet him with a smile and hugged him enthusiastically.

"I thought I would meet you at the dock." Asking Marcos to sit down, Fang Zida poured two glasses of wine first, and then handed one to the other party.

"My friend, I don't want to be on the headlines tomorrow. You should know how annoying those omnipresent reporters are. Anyway, you will stay in this hotel after all, so I was here waiting for you yesterday." After taking the wine glass, Marcos replied with a smile.

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Something happened at home, I didn't update yesterday, sorry
Chapter completed!
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