In Granville's eyes, the value of the Persian Gulf is mainly strategic value, but the economic value is not large, the area around the Persian Gulf is either a desert or a desert, desolate and barren, and the population is very sparse, the two major empires Ottoman Turkey and Persia, of which Turkey is frequently close to the Mediterranean, and the only value is the Persian Empire.

However, with the expansion of the Qing Dynasty to the Persian Gulf and the construction of the Northwest Railway, Britain and Russia have basically lost the Persian market.

He was suspicious that the Qing controlled the Persian Gulf in order to expand into the Middle East, all the way to the Mediterranean coast, thus threatening all of Europe.

After a slight groan, he spoke: "We can withdraw from the Persian Gulf, but your country must promise not to invade Ottoman Turkey and Persia, not to continue to expand westward to the banks of the Suez Canal, and not to allow the Russians to gain access to the sea in the Persian Gulf. ”

There are so many conditions! Yi Zhengxing glanced at him and said unhurriedly: "Letting your country withdraw from the Persian Gulf through negotiations is actually giving your country enough respect, and we don't want unpleasant things to happen with your country in the Persian Gulf." ”

This is a fact, with the current military strength of the Qing State, it is indeed capable of expelling them from the Persian Gulf, Granville groaned, and then said: "I have to remind your country that if your country expands into the Middle East, it will not be our country, but the whole of Europe, and no country wants to see your country control the Middle East." ”

"It is with this in mind that our country has no intention of getting involved in Ottoman Turkey and has no intention of expanding in the Mediterranean." Yi Zhengxing said slowly: "China's control of the Persian Gulf is only to ensure the security of China's southwest and western frontiers, and your country can rest assured. ”

Granville was naturally skeptical of these words, "We need to sign an agreement to make sure of that." ”

"Yes." Yi Zhengxing said simply: "China can sign treaties with your country, as well as with Ottoman Turkey and Persia, to define the borders. ”

Hearing this, Granville felt a little relieved, with such an agreement, Britain can at least withdraw from the Persian Gulf very decently, and will not be criticized by European countries in the future, paused, he said: "Exit the Persian Gulf, we need a certain amount of time, ten years, how?" ”

Yi Zhengxing smiled when he heard this, "Procrastination, this is not like your country's style, one year, at most one year, not longer, otherwise it will be difficult for me to explain to the country." ”

Although Yi Zhengxing was very clear about the old man's intentions, he still sent a telegram to Yi Zhixin immediately after returning to the city, informing Yi Zhixin of Granville's proposal in detail.

Yi Zhizhi really has no intention of continuing to expand to the Middle East, the strategic position of the Middle East is extremely prominent, but if the Qing Dynasty dares to get involved in the Middle East, there is really a possibility that there will be a situation of mass attack, and it is very likely that a number of European powers will unite to oppose it, even if the Qing Dynasty pulls Russia in, it will not help.

It shows that the Qing Dynasty is now a strong country, but he knows in his heart that in terms of industrial production capacity, it is far from England, let alone Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Austria united, and he does not dare to declare war on the whole world like the late Qing Dynasty.

After receiving Yi Zhengxing's telegram from Cape Town, he immediately replied that as long as the British agreed to withdraw from the Persian Gulf, they agreed to the conditions they had proposed, but we should not be involved, and the European countries should not be involved, and the Middle East should be regarded as a major strategic buffer zone between the East and the West.

The Cape Town talks between the Qing and British countries were discussed on and off for more than a month, and they did not end until early May, and as soon as the results were announced, reporters from all over the world gathered in Cape Town were greatly surprised, and the Qing state, which was extremely strong on the battlefield, was not strong at all at the negotiating table.

The Qing state, which won a great victory by sea and land, not only did not take the opportunity to cede the British colonies in South Africa, but even returned the occupied port of Durban and Kimberley to the British, and did not pay war reparations, and the British only paid 3 million pounds for the reconstruction of Maputo and the repair of Pretoria.

In addition, the two sides agreed on the boundaries of the British colonies in South Africa with the Transvaal, Orange and Qing colonies in South Africa.

Of course, many reporters suspect that the two countries have signed a secret agreement, but despite many inquiries, they have no clue.

In fact, the Qing and Britain did not sign any secret agreement, and the two countries discussed signing an agreement on Britain's withdrawal from the Persian Gulf in Tehran next year.

When the news came back to China, the government and the opposition were also in an uproar, because there was an example of the Franco-Prussian War, and the country generally had high expectations for the South African negotiations, but I did not expect that the result of the talks for more than a month was actually such a result, 3 million pounds sterling was equivalent to only 12 million in silver, which could not be compared with the huge indemnity of up to 700 million in France.

"Big shopkeeper, will this have a bad impact on the reputation of Xingzhi." Zhao Liewen smiled bitterly and patted the thick stack of newspapers on the coffee table, he knew very well that the purpose of letting Yi Zhengxing go to South Africa was to gain political capital for Yi Zhengxing, and now it seemed to be self-defeating, he said tentatively: "Is it to write an article to guide public opinion?" ”

After a slight sigh, Yi Zhizhi said: "It is indeed necessary to guide public opinion, on the topic of long-distance friendship and close attack, Germany and France are bordered, and they are both European military powers, which can be described as one mountain and no two tigers."

In the Franco-Prussian War, Germany demanded a huge amount of war reparations, not only because Germany, which had just completed reunification, was in urgent need of funds for development, but also in order to weaken France's strength to the greatest extent and curb France's rapid recovery.

The situation between the Qing and Britain is different, we and Britain belong to the two major empires of the East and the West, and there is no fundamental conflict of interest, Britain is not only China's largest foreign trading country, but also has a huge investment in China, we have no reason to damage the relationship between the Qing and Britain for small profits, and there is no need to artificially create the confrontation between the two empires of the East and the West.

China is currently in the stage of gradual opening up, we need to introduce a large amount of foreign capital, what we need is not war, but peace, and we are willing to coexist peacefully with all countries in the world. ”

After quickly memorizing this paragraph, Zhao Liewen said: "Published in the name of the big shopkeeper? ”

Yi Zhishu nodded and said, "Since it is to justify the practice, it is naturally inconvenient for others to fake it." ”

As soon as the publication of "Distant Friendship and Close Attack" signed by Changle Jushi, the trend of public opinion immediately changed, and many people wrote articles one after another to wave their flags and shout for it, and foreign-language newspapers in Guangzhou and Shanghai also reprinted it one after another and gave it high praise.

This article is not only to guide public opinion, but also to show the attitude of the Qing State in handling foreign relations, people who know a little about the Qing State know that Yi Zhizhi is the great treasurer of Yuanqi, the Zhennan King of the Qing Dynasty is the real helmsman of the Qing State, his attitude is the attitude of the Qing State, and the embassies of various countries have also sent this article back to China by telegram.

As soon as this article appeared in the newspapers in European countries, they were relieved that they had a skeptical attitude towards the Cape Town negotiations between the Qing and the British, and it is no wonder that the Cape Town negotiations were such a result.

Of course, the British dignitaries who know the inside story are full of slander and are willing to coexist peacefully with all countries in the world? This is the end of the war, began to shout peace, a few years ago, when the frequent expansion of foreign wars, did you not see you shouting peaceful coexistence? I have never seen such shameless, shouting peace while forcing them to withdraw from the Persian Gulf.

The heated discussion of "Distant Friendship and Close Attack" has not subsided, and the Qing Dynasty ironclad fleet hanging the golden dragon flag has appeared on the sea surface of the Persian Gulf, and the Qing State is discussing the signing of the relevant agreement on the Persian Gulf in Tehran next year.

Of course, this kind of thing, the Qing Dynasty will not make a big show, Britain for its own dignity, is also pinching its nose and not making a noise, can only take a silent attitude of cooperation, the Persian Gulf around the Persian Gulf of a number of small countries to see the backers have fallen, and the prestige of the Qing Dynasty ironclad fleet, naturally know that if you don't want to be annihilated, you must make the wisest choice, and immediately switch to the Qing Dynasty, and the entire Persian Gulf has changed almost overnight.

Entering June, Shanghai has also entered the rainy season, not only rainy but also a little stuffy, the train from Beijing to Shanghai arrived in Shanghai is noon, as soon as the train arrives, Yi will feel a humid heat, to talk about the climate, or Beijing is more comfortable, however, his attention was quickly attracted by the three cars parked on the platform.

Yuan Qi developed an internal combustion engine car, he had heard of it, and he also heard that this kind of car powered by an internal combustion engine was much more comfortable than a four-wheeled carriage. ”

"At present, there are only five vehicles in Shanghai, and it is rare to see them in leisure." Yan Shikuan said with a smile: "This time, I am under the light of King Gong." As he spoke, he stretched out his hand and saluted, "King Gong might as well compare it and see if it is more comfortable than a four-wheeled carriage." ”

The car drove out of the station, gradually accelerating on the wide road, and the speed soon surpassed the carriage, and Yi Yiyi who was sitting in the car sighed, "Every time I come to Shanghai, I can always come into contact with some new things." After a pause, he continued: "I heard that Yuan Qi is going to make this kind of car in large quantities? ”

Yan Shikuan smiled when he heard this, "As far as the streets of Jingshi are concerned, I'm afraid it's not suitable for this kind of car, this thing is delicate, and it needs asphalt roads." ”

"Jingshi is also considering following Shanghai's example and widening the streets and paving asphalt roads." Yi said with a smile that he came to Shanghai this time at the invitation of Yi Zhizhi to discuss the infrastructure construction of various provinces, including the urban construction of provincial capitals, and Jingshi is of course the top priority.

The car stopped outside the courtyard gate of Changle Bookstore, and Yi Zhicontent, who saw it, was waiting outside the courtyard gate, and Yi walked up quickly to meet him as soon as he got out of the car and said with a smile: "Cape Town negotiations, there is another article behind it?" It's not convenient to ask on the phone, but I've been holding back for a while. ”

Seeing him ask about this, Yi couldn't help but smile contentedly: "When did Yuan Qi ever make a loss-making transaction?" The two smiled and bowed, and then slowly walked into the courtyard, and Yi asked "Is it the Persian Gulf?" ”

Yi Zhishu nodded, "Yes, the Persian Gulf is very important to the Qing Dynasty, but it can't be reflected yet." ”

As early as when Yuan Qi was slightly northwest and first proposed to expand in the northwest, Yi Zhishu once said that the Persian Gulf was a cornucopia, and Yi had heard of it, but he didn't know what the specific benefits of the Persian Gulf were, so he immediately smiled and said: "Brother Guocheng, don't play dumb riddles....... ”

Yi Zhicontent, but the conversation changed, "What is your impression of the car?" ”

"Much stronger than a four-wheeled carriage." Yi Dao: "I heard that the speed can be improved?" ”

"Yes, automobiles, like trains, have unlimited potential for development, which is the biggest difference from horse-drawn carriages." Yi Zhishu said slowly: "In time, cars will become the most important means of land transportation and transportation. ”

Yi said suspiciously: "Does it have anything to do with the Persian Gulf?" ”

"The Persian Gulf produces the fuel needed for cars." Yi Zhizu said slowly: "The First World War in South Africa was a dispute between the Qing and Britain, not for the gold mines of South Africa, but for the Persian Gulf. ”

Hearing this, Yi couldn't help but secretly speak, so that the Persian Gulf is more important than the gold mines in South Africa? Entering the house and sitting down, Yi Zhizhi said: "This time King Qinggong came to Shanghai, mainly to discuss lending to the imperial court and building water conservancy, roads and bridges and other infrastructure projects in .......various provinces. ”

Yi felt a little strange about this matter all the way, and immediately said: "This is a good thing, but the amount of money borrowed by the imperial court is too large, but it is unbearable to bear the weight of interest." ”

Yi Zhizhi said simply: "How about giving you the lowest interest, three points per year?" ”

The annual interest rate of three points, which can be said to be low, can not be lower, the lowest in history is also the annual interest rate of five points, Yi was secretly happy, but said quietly: "The annual interest rate of three points is indeed low enough, but the amount is too large, the annual interest is also not a decimal, the income of the imperial court, Brother Guocheng knows, the imperial court is currently not capable of building infrastructure on such a large scale." ”

Glancing at him, Yi Zhizu said in a light tone: "If the court is unwilling, Yuan Qi can take the lead, but in this case, Yuan Qi will have no money to pay taxes." ”

If Yuan Qi does not pay taxes, the income of the imperial court will be much less, and this matter is led by Yuan Qi, what is the imperial court? Yi suddenly became a little anxious, "Although this is a good thing, it is not a trivial matter, such a big move, the cabinet and the parliament must not make a fuss." ”

"I can't say what I can do at the moment." Yi Zhizu said slowly: "Otherwise, King Rigong will not come to Shanghai in person." ”

Yi said: "In general, let me understand what's going on?" ”

"A large-scale, prolonged economic crisis that has swept the world is on the verge of erupting." Yi Zhizu said in a deep voice: "This worldwide economic crisis, my country will also be affected, and the purpose of taking these measures is to reduce the impact of this economic crisis on my country as much as possible." ”