C56 (1/2)
Chapter 56 - Abraham Lin Ken
American Minister Hua Ruohan, this was the first time he had met Xiao Letian, he never would have thought that the first person he saw in a suit, such a great figure, would actually be stuffing a dog into his mouth as if it were a bun. Even with his years of diplomatic training, he was still a little unable to hold it in. He stared straight at Xiao Letian as he stuffed a bun into his mouth.
”Louis, is this the civilized envoy you spoke of, Xiao? ”Heavens, his way of eating is so different from a gentleman's …” In the second floor of Coastal building's private room, Hua Ruohan who was dressed in casual clothes stood at the window. Beside him was the American missionary, Louis.
”Well, yes, there are times when it's hard for Shaw to equate himself with a gentleman, but I assure you, Shao is still very, very... ”Civilization, of course, on the premise that you didn't provoke him …” Louis was a little embarrassed when he said this. An economic criminal like Xiao Letian, who cast his own currency, how could he get along with a gentleman?
At this time, at the entrance of Coastal building, Manager Fan Lian was already waiting for Xiao Letian. The shop assistant had already reported that Mr. Xiao had already entered the city, why is it that he still hasn't arrived for so long?
Upstairs, two Master Yang s were waiting for you. Good, you ran off to eat dog and ignore bun, and you even brought them back with a bag.
”Aiya, how are you going to eat this kind of thing? It's all done by those with strength, if you don't clean it up, you might cause trouble. When we get back, Hu Niu will make trouble for me again …” Fan Lian looked at this future son-in-law in front of him and shook his head as he sighed.
What old shopkeeper said was right, at that time, Ignoring Steamed Bun was not really a noble food. There was a lot of meat, a large price, and it was also very affordable. This was a typical civilian food, someone with Xiao Letian's status really shouldn't eat these things.
However, there was no other way around it. The future generation of dogs would follow the fine line and open a star restaurant. In the hearts of the people, it had long since become a high-end restaurant. Therefore, it was understandable for Xiao Letian to taste and eat so much.
”My apologies, gentlemen. The variety of delicacies on the Chinese mainland is too alluring for me. I apologize for making you wait for so long …” The moment Xiao Letian entered the private room, he heard a string of words coming from the New York language, and his eyes immediately lit up.
”Mr. Xiao, I am here in my personal capacity to meet you today. Please do not bring out the words' Minister '. During today's meeting, United States Government and I will not admit to each other that we have met, and no written information will enter into the discussion. That is to say, we did not meet in private this time around … ”
Hua Ruohan's expression was solemn as he said, ”I have to remind Sir, if the 'rumors' of our meeting spread out from you, then all our cooperation and friendship would be completely abolished …”
He knew that he was facing a genuine old cunning fox. In Second Opium War, this Hua Ruohan would help the Great Qing to manage the crisis on the surface, but behind everyone's back, he would provide a large amount of information to the English and French Army, and even discuss the next plan together.
He was a diplomat in his fifties who, thanks to his superior diplomatic skills and intelligence skills, had allowed the United States to enjoy all the preferential terms of the Tianjin and Beijing treaties with the three countries of the English and French without having sent out a single soldier.
In 1860, for the Chinese, it was the time of the outbreak of the disgraceful Second Opium War, and that same year, in the United States of America, on the other side of the ocean, Abraham. Lin Ken officially took office as the President. At that time, the political and economic situation in the United States was getting worse, the industrial capitalists of the north and the manor lords of the south were opposing each other, and the country was on the verge of splitting up.
To be honest, at that time, the United States could not send any soldiers to participate in the operations of the English and French's army. At that time, Europe and the continent were not as close as the later generations. Since the British and French combined forces had won the Beijing, it was naturally for the other English and French to enjoy the benefits of the contract.
Russian had sent out her Cossack to threaten Yue Yang a little, but they could be considered to have helped him before. From the beginning to the end, it was Hua Ruohan leading the diplomatic team as they ran back and forth between Beijing and Tianjin. Finally, relying on the strength of the diplomatic community, he allowed the United States to enjoy the benefits of this war.
What is an elite? This was an elite. It would not be an exaggeration to say that he was the modern Su Qin Zhang Yi. Xiao Letian had met such a master schemer today, the smile on his face had not changed, but his heart had become extremely nervous.
”I agree with Mr. Hua Ruohan's suggestion very much. As an outstanding diplomat, you have your own strict rules and regulations. I agree with you very much. After Xiao Letian finished speaking in English, she extended her hand out to invite them to take a seat.
There were more than a dozen exquisite dishes on the round table. Coastal building's seafood was very good at it, and the scenery outside the window was also very unique. However, the four of them were not interested in eating. Both of them actually fell into a short period of silence.
Hua Ruohan did not rub sand in his eyes. Based on the accurate usage of the diplomatic word in Xiao Letian's English, he was sure that this young man had received a good education from a noble. It had to be known that this era was not the era where future generations of consultants were developed. Even within Europe and America, there were a lot of illiterates. It was already quite good for ordinary people to be able to read newspapers.
With this level of education, it's not easy for a person to use a strict diplomatic vocabulary. But why was there no record of the New York-based Chinese in the intelligence network? If there was such an outstanding young man studying in New York City, it was impossible for Hua Ruohan not to know of this.