C58 (1/2)
Chapter 58 - Moral Cleanliness
Xiao Letian was angered by Hua Ruohan's words, he thought to himself, you are a diplomat, what morals do you have? When you accompanied English and French to the Yin Great Qing Dynasty, why didn't you think about morality?
”I am really surprised by Minister's understanding. This is a very normal business, how can you relate this to crime and conspiracy? Isn't brother's actions just regulating the financial markets in the country? Does the Minister think that the old financial system of the Qing dynasty is very advanced? ”
On the surface, Xiao Letian looked very polite and respectful, but in his heart, he had already started to curse, ”You old cunning merchant, I don't believe you can't see how fat the meat and bones I threw you guys. You don't even need to use your Americans's military power to break open the Great Qing's commercial barrier, isn't that what you dream of? This is not how negotiation posturing should be, be careful, you might use too much force and break it. ”
Xiao Letian did not know, but at the moment, Hua Ruohan's heart was churning, he never thought that Xiao Letian would actually throw out the big cake called Industrial Zones. The Minister was truly tempted, but he clearly remembered the telegram the President sent him.
I will use my life to repay you for the kindness you have given me, but you cannot use my morals to make a deal. My hands are unable to support any of the ambitious.
With just that one sentence, Hua Ruohan immediately understood the hidden meaning of President Lin Ken's words. It was not that the President did not want to sell Xiao Letian these things, but he wanted to follow the procedures of the law. This kind of business was only aimed at government level, it was impossible to buy it with Xiao Letian's identity as a commoner.
Moral cleanliness was something that most people would not be able to imagine. Although he was a stubborn and admirable man, he was still a statesman whose past history was well-known for his moral cleanliness.
The Minister Hua Ruohan shook his head still, ”Mr. Xiao, I will be honest with you. The President does not care about the conditions that you ask for, as it does not affect the interests of the United States. But, for the President, what identity do you use to buy it is a very important question... ”
In the end, Minister Hua Ruohan gritted his teeth and said viciously, ”If you want to reach a deal, there are only two conditions. First, you must obtain the transaction authorization letter from the Qing Government, or you can even become a high-ranking official of the daoyin level, so we can consider selling the warships to you, much less the scissor boat …”
”Also, you have to make sure that your actions are not a conspiracy to subvert your Home Country. If you find out anything like that, the United States will immediately stop trading …”
Sigh … Xiao Letian heaved a long sigh. The United States was completely different from the hegemonic United States, which had experienced two world wars. America at this time was a country with a spirit of pioneering innovation and even moral discipline, which was the starting point for a future power to flourish.
In real history, the United States had entered the fast track after Lin Ken maintained his national unity. Relying on his vast territory and abundant resources, coupled with the fact that the migrant countries did not have any historical burden, in the period from the Civil War to the First World War, less than fifty years had passed, they had quickly become one of the most powerful nations on Earth.
After the end of the war, the United States became the world's overlord, the number one country in the entire world. What was even more unbelievable was that after the first world war ended, the United States became a place where isolationism flourished. Even until the second world war, the Americans were not interested in international affairs.
It wasn't until Pearl Harbor that the United States officially entered the war, and by then the second world war was already halfway through.
Xiao Letian had a feeling that the United States before World War II and the United States after World War II were two completely different countries. Before World War II, the United States rarely displayed its image of hegemony, and he was more like a young genius with strict morals. After the Second World War, America became a wretched uncle, a tyrant on Earth.
This was not the time to consider so far, Xiao Letian could hear the determination in Hua Ruohan's tone, he knew that this should be the last condition of the President, after the negotiations had reached this stage, they had entered into a deadlock.
”You want me to find Qing Dynasty for a power of attorney? or even obtain the identity of a daoyin? ” Xiao Letian laughed bitterly as he looked at the Minister: ”What do you think are the chances of these two things happening?” Xiao Letian's question also got a bitter laugh from Hua Ruohan as he shook his head.
Looking for empress dowagers or Yi? To obtain this kind of authorization, it was a complete joke. It was no different from committing suicide. And the Qing Dynasty's daoyin s were all first or second grade powerful officials, they were already considered the peak officials, so why would Xiao Letian, the second monster Alone overseas, want to be their leader? Not even a window, let alone a door.
The silence in the room lasted for ten minutes. Xiao Letian thought about it carefully, and then suddenly laughed, ”Minister, thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to meet me. Please help me pay your respects to the President. As for His Excellency the President's request, I think I can give you a reply in a month's time … ”
At this time, Xiao Letian suddenly laughed craftily: ”It might be difficult for me to become the daoyin, but I feel like I have the life of a Prime Minister. Maybe in a month, I will use my identity as the Prime Minister to negotiate this deal with you …”
Hua Ruohan and Louis were shocked, they had even thought that Xiao Letian had gone mad. Besides, the Qing Dynasty did not have a prime minister. Could he be a minister of the Military Intelligence Service? If you can't even be considered a daoyin, you want to enter the Military Intelligence Service?
The first unofficial negotiation between Xiao Letian and the United States Government ended with Minister being completely confused. When Hua Ruohan and Louis were escorted by the embassy bodyguards to enter an inconspicuous Qing Guo carriage to leave, a panting little boy suddenly ran over from the other side of the street.
”Manager...” old shopkeeper's... ”Hurry up and go take a look …” When the servant ran to the entrance of Coastal building, he immediately saw Xiao Letian. This servant had fought in the Mountain Temple before, so he naturally knew that this was the real Big Boss.