Dongjiaomin Lane, since the Second Opium War in the Qing Dynasty, Britain, France, the United States and Russia, according to the corresponding provisions of the Tianjin Treaty, the ministers of the four countries moved into Dongjiaomin Lane one after another and officially opened an embassy in Beijing. Subsequently, the embassies of various countries chose the Dongjiaomin Lane as the site, and gradually formed the embassy gathering place. By 1900, according to the provisions of the Xinchou Treaty, Dongjiaomin Lane was officially classified as an embassy area.

Like Britain, France and other countries, the German Embassy also received the "Shangfang Sword" in Dongjiaomin Lane. Fang Zida, who took the "Shangfang Sword" to contact ambassadors of various countries based on the reform of the central bank's currency system and the exchange rates of currencies for various countries. But these are all concealment. His main purpose was the German Embassy. When he received the news, Marsan heard that the Central Bank's president Fang Zida came to visit, he immediately invited him to enter. He pretended to be a pretentious nonsense and said nothing about China's currency reform. When he sent the Central Bank's entourage and embassy staff to go to the other side for technical discussions, Marsan and Fang Zida, who were alone, quickly started a soft conversation.

"Mr. Fang, you are really here. We have just called back about Qingdao, Berlin."

"Oh, what do you say about your country's call back?" Fang Zida asked in a low voice.

Shaking his head slightly, Marsan said a little depressedly: "Although your Majesty thinks our suggestions are feasible, for the great Germany, returning Qing Island so recklessly will harm the interests and glory of Germany."

Frowning, Fang Zida asked back: "Didn't you explain it to Berlin? Once a war starts, your country will inevitably fail to protect Qinghai Island, but will suffer unnecessary losses in Qinghai Island. In this case, why not return Qinghai Island to our country in advance to win China's friendship? Moreover, this kind of return is not without a price. As a neutral country, our country will definitely try its best to help your country win this war. Isn't this a win-win situation?"

"Win win? Haha, this is a good word, what you describe is really appropriate." Marchan smiled and said, "Your Majesty believes that this war will not last too long. Although Qingzhai Island is far away from the European mainland, it only takes half a year to hold on with its strong fortress, and the European war will be decided. In this case, why should we, Germany, return Qingzhai Island to your country?"

"This is your wishful thinking. Your Majesty is a little too optimistic. There is an old saying in China that we might give it to you here."

Seeing that Ma Ersan looked at him, Fang Zida smiled faintly and said, "The authorities are confused. The bystanders are clear! His Majesty the Emperor is too confident. This is what is called the authorities are confused."

Marsan shook his head: "Although your statement is interesting, your majesty's will is also the will of Germany. It is very difficult to make your majesty change your mind. Moreover, for me, although it is not as optimistic as Your Majesty, with our powerful army, I also feel that it may not take too much time to defeat your opponent."

Fang Zida was a little anxious. He never expected that the German Emperor William II would be so stubborn. Could it be that Fang Zida could tell Marsan directly that he could predict the future? Or would he directly say that the war would last for four years and lead to the defeat of the German Empire, and also lead to the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Ottoman Empire and the Tsarist Russia?

"Don't your country want to have a friend in the war? And can you reduce some of the pressure on your country's war from this friend?" Fang Zida tried his best to convince Ma Ersan.

"Berlin has analyzed this matter. Although having an allies like China is not a bad thing for us Germany, China's military potential is too low. This cannot help Germany at all. As for the opinions you mentioned about commercial support by Mr. Fang, it sounds good. But how do you transport goods to Germany? You must know that in the Far East, the navies of Britain, France and Russia can completely block all maritime channels. There is also the Japanese navies, which are known as the number one in Asia. As for going inland, this is even more impossible."

Marsan seemed to have known that Fang Zida would mention this matter for a long time, and expressed Berlin's view with a smile. In his opinion, Berlin's view was not wrong. He himself did not notice this when he was in Qing Island. If he could not get benefits from China at all and returned it to Qing Island for nothing, how could the proud William II accept it?

"I understand, is the key or this question?" Fang Zida asked thoughtfully.

Marshen did not hide it. After all, everyone has already talked about this. As a qualified diplomat, even if an agreement cannot be reached, and good relations with China and try to keep China neutral, it is a step that must be done in a sensitive situation.

"If this is a problem, I think your country doesn't have to worry." Unexpectedly, Fang Zida said this with a smile, which made Ma Ersan confused for a moment.

"As long as your country can agree to return it to Qingdao in advance, our country will definitely be able to ensure that normal trade with you during the war. As for the navies of Britain, France and other countries, your country can rest assured that our country can solve the problem by itself."

Seeing Fang Zida so confident, Ma Erzan didn't believe it at all. In his opinion, this was just Fang Zida bragging. In diplomacy, there were many ways to deceive. No matter how the other party said Hua Haodao, how could he swear? It was not impossible to turn against others in a blink of an eye. As Germany's plenipotent representative in China, Ma Erzan would not fool him with such a few words.

"Why? Don't believe it?" Fang Zida saw Ma Ersan's thoughts at a glance, and immediately did not explain much. He took out a few pieces of paper from his pocket and gently pushed it in front of him.

"This is..." Marchan, confused, took a look and was immediately attracted by the content above. He quickly picked up and looked at it. The more he looked, his eyes wider, and he couldn't believe his eyes.

"Mr. Fang, what are these?"

"What? You are not clear yet?" Fang Zida pointed and smiled: "The above countries and these companies, even your companies and consortiums, have commercial agreements with our country. As long as the war breaks out, I can transport goods from China to Europe through these channels and sell them to your country. Of course, if your country refuses our kindness, we can also resell these materials to Britain, France and other countries. I think the British and French governments and merchants will definitely be very happy. After all, business is business after all, and sometimes I am not easy to intervene!"

"This is intimidation!" Ma Ersan growled with a gloomy face, but he was shocked. No one expected that the young man sitting in front of him would have been prepared long ago. Although these papers could be blown away with a gust of wind, Ma Ersan could weigh the names of the countries and companies listed above, as well as the amount represented by the huge amount of military supplies.

"No! This is not a threat, it is just a kind warning!" Fang Zida said with a serious expression: "Originally, these are all prepared by your country. Since your country does not intend to accept the kindness of the Republic of China, we naturally have to have another choice."

"You can't do this! Are you not afraid of German anger?" Marsan was a little anxious and said quickly.

"Why can't? Of course we can!" Fang Zida smoked a cigar and gently knocked off the ash from the ashtray: "Don't your Majesty think that the war will not last? I will let him realize this mistake. By that time, maybe he will be more awake and review our country's original suggestions. Oh, by the way, I assumed last time on Qing* Island that if your country rejects our kindness, our country can also join the Allies. Qing* Island is my country of the Republic of China. No matter how many people die, no matter how much the cost, we will take it back."

Marsan was speechless and sat there for a long time without coming back to his senses. In his opinion, the Chinese have always compromised and bowed to them, Westerners, but Fang Zida is different from any Chinese. Not only are they not afraid of them, they are confronting each other everywhere, but he has no choice but to do anything to him.

In fact, Berlin's reply was not as firm as Marsan said. William II was indeed arrogant and unwilling to return Qingdao easily. However, the German Emperor was not a brainless man. In the reply, he not only expressed the idea that it was impossible to hand over Qingdao so easily, but also analyzed the contents that Marsan had said before and Fang Zida. But at the end of the message, Berlin still left some room to allow Marsan to continue negotiating with the Chinese. While striving for German interests, he could also make a little concession at the appropriate time, but as for how to do it and how to give it to, Berlin did not write a word.

Fightingly, Ma Ersan thought about how to circulate, but before he could figure out his ideas, Fang Zida said another sentence.

"In fact, declaring war with Germany is not without benefits. Although it may be a bit more expensive to get back to Qingdao, you can also make a lot of money."

"What does it mean?" Ma Ersan didn't understand what Fang Zida pointed out.

"It's very simple!" Fang Zida smiled harmlessly with white teeth: "According to the regulations of the belligerent countries, once our country declares war on your country, it will not only confiscate all your country's assets in our country, but also all the loans will be invalidated for all the treaties from the Qing Dynasty to the present. Let me calculate... Your country's assets in our country are put aside first. If it's just a loan, the addition of the Boxer Indemnity and the aftermath loan last year will be estimated to be more than 20 million pounds. Tsk tsk! It's such a huge sum of money!"

Marsan Teng stood up suddenly, his face turned red, and he stared at Fang Zida with anger, looking extremely excited. However, Fang Zida still smiled slightly like before, holding a cigar in his right hand and a glass of wine in his left hand. He sat leisurely and crossed his legs. (To be continued...)
Chapter completed!