After the Minister of Defense held a memorasurable reception, the U.S. Ambassador to China immediately attended a meeting with Premier Zong Yingren.

That night, NNN and other U.S. news media first changed their tone and no longer reported on the Republic Navy's interception of the U.S. fleet, but focused on the repatriation of U.S. sailors. According to the agreement reached between the Republic and the United States, because the American crew members are not combatants, the Republic will unconditionally repatriate all American crew members in accordance with the previous commitments, and the United States only needs to buy tickets home for the crew members.

The "Hokkaido Incident" was over.

From the initial "vigorous" to the final "quiet", it can really be described as "thunder is loud and rain is small".

At 12:30 a.m. Beijing time, representatives of China, the United States, Europe, and Russia held the first round of informal consultations in Washington to discuss the Republic's strategic blockade of Japan. After the Republic allowed ships carrying humanitarian relief supplies to go to Japan, the United States, Europe, and Russia all recognized the "legitimacy" of the Republic's strategic blockade of Japan and promised not to provide Japan with any materials and equipment that could be used in the war.

After the first success was achieved, at the suggestion of the United States, consultations and negotiations on "humanitarian relief to Japan" were convened with the participation of China, the United States, Europe, Russia, Australia, and Canada. Of course, if the United States wants to lead the negotiations, it must make a commitment to try to persuade Japan to return to the "Paris armistice."

On the 13th, Japanese Foreign Minister Mashi Kitayama and Republic Foreign Minister Yan Shanglong met again in Paris.

Yan Shanglong and Kita Zhichuan first accepted the proposal of the French foreign minister and announced a temporary ceasefire during the talks.24

Although Kitayama Shikawa's "arrogance" is no longer so open, the results of the talks are still not ideal. The differences between the two sides on the "issue of the beginning of the war," the "issue of responsibility for the war," and the "issue of post-war relations" are very serious, and there is almost no room for negotiation.

The situation has taken a sharp turn for the worse, and the United States has begun to act aggressively in the republic, which is not necessarily a good thing.

On the night of the 13th, Beijing time, Yan Shanglong and Kitayama Shikawa were still holding talks in Paris. Wang Yuanqing invited Gu Weimin, Zong Yingren, Ye Zhisheng, Xiang Linghui and Li Cunxun to the Yuan Mansion.

"It's not very different from what we expected. The tone is still tough. Refuse to make any concessions. "Zong Yingren is in full charge of the negotiations. Let's talk about the situation first." I had a phone call with Foreign Minister Yan Shanglong. The first round of talks has ended, and Yamashikawa has made no commitments. A second round of talks will take place later. If nothing else. Still will not bear fruit. All indications. The United States has a very strong influence on Japan, and Japan's hardline attitude has nothing to do with the United States. It's just that it's not yet certain what the United States intends to do. It is therefore impossible to determine the direction of the negotiations. ”

"The United States has already begun to act. Not optimistic! Gu Weimin sighed. Said. "After sinking the American ship. Not only did the United States not get angry and take the initiative to engage with us. Discuss and resolve the issue of repatriation of crew members. Although we have every reason to believe that the state managed to sabotage the Paris armistice negotiations. But it is not clear what exactly the United States wants to do. Before the negotiations began, countries involved the European Union, Russia, Australia, Canada, etc. Raising humanitarian issues clearly wants to exert greater influence in the Western Pacific. Demonstrate the international standing and influence of the United States. We make appropriate concessions. It does not mean that we should recognize the status of the United States. ”

"Lao Gu is right. We cannot recognize the status of the United States. Wang Yuanqing picked up the cigarette. looked at Li Cunxun, who was sitting in the corner.

"The United States is secretly in contact with Britain, France, Russia, India, Pakistan and other countries. Pakistani intelligence has come to warn. ”

"Warning?" Gu Weimin also looked at Li Cunxun.

"The United States has offered to destroy nuclear weapons, presumably trying to make a fuss about the nuclear issue."

Wang Yuanqing sneered, as if he had expected it a long time ago.

"What is there to do on the nuclear issue, is it possible that the United States is willing to destroy all nuclear weapons?" Xiang Linghui shook his head with a smile and said, "Don't say that the United States is unwilling to destroy nuclear weapons, even if the United States is willing, will other countries follow suit?" Britain is good to say, after all, Britain and the United States are very close. Russia will certainly not promise, and without nuclear weapons, Russia is nothing. Nor is it likely that France will agree, at least not to make substantial concessions; As long as France wants to free Europe from the influence of the United States, it must retain nuclear weapons and provide a nuclear umbrella for EU countries; Without nuclear weapons, France would not have the status of a political power, and it would not want to sit in the position of the leader of the European Union. India and Pakistan are even less likely to agree that without nuclear weapons, neither India nor Pakistan will have any guarantee of national security. In addition to these nuclear states, Israel, Iran, Syria, Brazil, South Africa, Argentina and other countries have the ability to develop nuclear weapons. If nuclear weapons are to be eliminated, all countries should be brought together for a worldwide discussion. ”

Xiang Linghui said a lot, but he didn't pay attention to it.

"I think it's possible." Gu Weimin said as he looked at Wang Yuanqing.

“

As a result, the United States is likely to make a fuss about destroying nuclear weapons. Wang Yuanqing took the cigarette, pondered for a while, and said, "Putting aside the military level and looking at this war from the standpoint of international strategy, Japan's nuclear counterattack and our all-out strike have proved that in the face of a real big country, the nuclear weapons in the hands of small countries are not even decorations." What is the purpose of small countries exhibiting nuclear weapons? It is definitely used to deal with the military threat of the great powers. As China's 'national strategic defense system' begins the third phase of construction, the United States' 'national missile defense system' is also being developed simultaneously, and in the next five to 10 years, nuclear weapons will gradually lose their strategic deterrence capability, not to mention the few nuclear weapons in the hands of small countries, and even the nuclear retaliation capability of medium-sized nuclear countries such as Britain and France will be questioned. ”

"But ......"

Seeing Xiang Linghui's excited appearance, Li Cunxun hurriedly kicked him and told him to shut up.

"Look at the republic from a different perspective and through the eyes of the United States." Wang Yuanqing smiled faintly, took two puffs of cigarette, and said, "We can't tolerate a Japan with nuclear weapons, and we can tolerate an India with nuclear weapons?" The United States can't save Japan, but it can save India? If I were the President of the United States, I would also believe that in a few years, the Republic would resolve the Indian nuclear issue in the same way, eliminating the last immediate threat. While the United States is declining, the Republic is thriving. Although the emaciated camel is bigger than the horse, sooner or later the United States will have to face our challenge. For the United States, the only option is to buy more time and be better prepared before facing us. Compared with fighting another war a few years later, it is more in the interests of the United States to drag on the strategic negotiations for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons for more than a decade or even decades. From a realistic point of view, after this war, the international prestige of the United States will inevitably suffer a serious blow, and not only will the European Union, which is dominated by France, Germany, and Italy, actively get rid of US control, but the vast majority of third world countries will also try to draw a clear line with the United States. The United States urgently needs to find a foothold in other areas to demonstrate its importance in international affairs. By exerting influence on Japan and sabotaging the Paris armistice negotiations, the United States has shown its face. Although this face is not very glamorous, it has made many countries realize the importance of the United States. If the United States can seize the appetite of international public opinion, vigorously preach a 'nuclear-free world,' and take positive actions, the international status of the United States will be enhanced, and its influence will be fully displayed. ”

After patiently listening to Wang Yuanqing, Xiang Linghui consciously closed his mouth. As a soldier, he was better than many. But in terms of political talent, Xiang Linghui is far behind.

"This is just one, far from the end." Wang Yuanqing extinguished the cigarette butt, let out a long breath, and said, "We are actively courting France in order to weaken the influence of the United States. Westwood wasn't stupid and saw at a glance what we were trying to do. In addition to making a fuss about the nuclear issue, the United States will definitely make a fuss about other aspects, such as Japanese refugees, Japan's post-war reconstruction, the demilitarization of space, international shipping during wartime, and so on. ”

"We should take positive action to follow the United States." Zong Yingren immediately spoke.

Wang Yuanqing smiled and looked at Gu Weimin.

"The Prime Minister is right, we have to be sovereign." Gu Weimin did not hesitate and said, "For decades, we have been following the United States, and we have to consider the influence of the United States in everything we do. Although we have surpassed the United States in economic power, we still have not surpassed the United States in international standing. Why? In my opinion, the key is a lack of leadership and a lack of active participation in international affairs. There is a saying in the mall, 'Savvy people use the rules of the game, and good people make the rules of the game'. Although the national struggle is not a shopping mall struggle, this sentence is also used.

After the two world wars, the United States was able to replace Britain as the world's number one power, and in addition to the solid foundation of the United States, it was inextricably linked to the United States in formulating the international rules of the game. When we catch up with the United States, we can only try to use the rules of the game set by the United States. To surpass the United States, we must be the maker of the rules of the game! ”

Gu Weimin's words were concise and to the point, and everyone else nodded in agreement.

Of course, Gu Weimin did not steal the limelight from Wang Yuanqing. Over the years, Gu Weimin has long been aware that the biggest difference between Wang Yuanqing and Zhao Rundong is that Zhao Rundong is always busy dealing with the challenges of the United States, while Wang Yuanqing is taking the initiative to challenge the United States. Even compared with Ji Youguo, Wang Yuanqing plays a better role in "challenge". It can be seen from this that Wang Yuanqing has long seen the truth, and has been actively working to make the republic the formulation of the rules of the game!

Gu Weimin said the key problem, and Wang Yuanqing did not repeat the wordiness.

After letting Xiang Linghui go back to deploy a strategic strike against Japan, Ye Zhisheng coordinated military operations, and Zong Yingren was in charge of foreign affairs, Wang Yuanqing left Gu Weimin and Li Cunxun behind.

It's much more difficult to be the maker of the rules of the game than it is to use the rules of the game!