Volume Four, Xiongguan Mandao, True Like Iron, Chapter Five Hundred and Three Concessions
It can be said that Richard got nothing from the first meeting, which made Richard, who was very satisfied when he came, very depressed. As a representative of the consortium and the government and a third-rate politician, Richard did not feel that this was the case when he set off from the United States.
What difficulties will there be in the next trip to China? In his opinion, although China has won the Sino-Soviet war, it still cannot be called a world power. At best, it is on the same level as a second-rate country like Japan.
After such a war, according to the views of some people in the United States, China's economy may have reached the brink of collapse. The Chinese government will never refuse "friendly help" from the United States, not to mention that it is not just the American consortium behind it.
and the military, as well as the covert support of the entire Western world. Under such circumstances, completing this task is simply a piece of cake.
Who would have thought that the first confrontation would be a disappointment. The progress was not as smooth as he imagined. It can even be said that China's response disappointed him. After the meeting, he returned to the temporarily collapsed Liuguo Hotel and became furious.
Richard couldn't help but curse, and even planned to send a telegram to China, asking the United States to exert economic and diplomatic pressure on the Chinese government to force China to make concessions.
"This is not appropriate!" Unexpectedly, it was Eisenhower who objected on the spot. He made it clear that he did not agree with Richard's doing this. Not to mention whether the country would agree to Richard's request, even if it was economically and diplomatically opposed to the Chinese government,
What about applying pressure to force Fang Zida to make concessions? Judging from today's meeting, Eisenhower felt that Fang Zida is a very difficult person to deal with. The greatest possibility of Richard's approach is counterproductive and will only anger the Chinese.
It might make this matter worse.
Eisenhower represented the military. Due to the outstanding performance of the Chinese National Defense Forces in the Sino-Soviet War, the top brass of the U.S. military became very interested in China. Now, due to policy reasons, the status of the U.S. military within the U.S. government is declining day by day. The military
The large-scale layoffs and reduction of officer quotas have seriously affected the overall strength of the United States. As a representative of the military, Eisenhower is responsible for the important task of carrying out multi-faceted cooperation with the Chinese National Defense Forces, especially various new weapons of the Chinese, such as:
Rocket launchers, napalm bombs, aircraft, new tanks, etc..., the US military needs comprehensive cooperation in this area to gain some bargaining chips to negotiate with domestic politicians, thereby stabilizing the military's position.
From this point of view, Eisenhower's starting point and purpose are very different from Richard's. He did not care much about economic and political issues, but focused on his own tasks. Once he angered the Chinese Prime Minister, everything would be self-defeating.
It's all over.
"This yellow-skinned monkey, who does he think he is? The king of the world?" An angry Richard waved his hands and his face turned red: "He must be taught a lesson! It is us white people who want him to wake up to this world.
Forget it! Sanctions! Blockade! I don’t believe this bastard won’t give in!”
"Sir, please pay attention to your remarks! If you want to provoke a war, I have no objection, but please be careful! The military will never support your behavior." He looked like a clown jumping up and down.
Richard Eisenhower poured cold water on him, and at the same time turned his attention to Marcos, who had been silent.
Marcos added appropriately: "Mr. Richard, please don't forget the purpose of our coming here. Not only will you not be able to gain benefits by doing this, you will even lose the friendship we maintain with China."
"You..." Richard did not expect that his companions would veto his decision. Without their support, his suggestion would never be approved by the country. The hands waving in the air could not help but stop, breathing heavily.
, Richard stared at Marcos and the others, and finally deflated like a defeated rooster.
"Then what do you think we should do? This damn bastard! Are we really going to leave China with empty hands and go to Russia in the ice and snow to negotiate with the so-called empress?"
"Of course this is impossible. Even if we go, we must first deal with the Chinese." Eisenhower shook his head and said: "The whole world knows the current situation in China and Russia. The only one who can make a decision is the person we saw today. Only he nodded in agreement.
Only the Empress of Russia will cooperate, there is no doubt about this." After a pause, Eisenhower turned his attention to Marcos again, thought for a while and asked: "Mr. Marcos, as an old friend of the Prime Minister, can you
How about communicating through personal relationships? After all, successful negotiation will be of great benefit to the United States, the consortium, and even your family and individual."
Marcos thought for a moment and replied happily: "Of course there is no problem with private consultations. The Chinese are a nation that has always valued friendship. Moreover, the Chinese are also a nation that saves face. This has been discussed with Mr. Prime Minister and I for many years.
I have deep experience in the process of our interactions. However, gentlemen, I must first remind you that from my personal point of view, it is probably impossible for the Prime Minister to fully accept our requests. I think you also know that what we have proposed this time
The demands are too broad, and some aspects have seriously touched China's interests. Although Mr. Fang is China's Prime Minister, as he said, he is not the dictatorial Stalin, and he cannot completely decide some things."
Eisenhower nodded silently. In fact, he also understood that Marcos was right. The domestic price this time was too high. If these demands and conditions were placed on the US government, no politician would agree, and they might even
This anger. In fact, for Eisenhower, his main concern was only the military aspect. As long as the military's bottom line was reached, he didn't care about the demands of consortia and some politicians. What's more, the British and French used the United States to
They will not even pay attention to other excessive demands made to the Chinese people.
Marcos continued: "So I suggest that before private contact, we should adjust the current requirements, modify the conditions, and try to reach a limit acceptable to both parties. Only then will there be a possibility of success. Otherwise, this matter will
There is nothing I can do."
Marcos shrugged his shoulders and spread his hands. As soon as he finished speaking, Richard retorted angrily: "No! None of these conditions can be modified! We must never give in. It is impossible to make concessions to the Chinese! We must ask them all
accept!"
Marcos immediately stood up and showed a helpless expression to Eisenhower: "Ike, in this case I think I can go back to the room to pack my luggage. I don't think staying in China will be of any use..."
"Please wait!" Eisenhower quickly stood up to stop him, turned to Richard and said: "Sir, you cannot represent the opinions of me and Mr. Marcos, let alone the opinions of the United States! As one of the three members, I suggest
Let’s report this matter and our suggestions to the country at the same time, and let the country make a decision.”
Richard opened his mouth, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end nothing came out. Next, Eisenhower personally drafted a telegram in the name of the military representative, and then invited Marcos to sign it. After reading it, Marcos took out a pen to sign.
He signed it and then handed it to Richard. Richard read it after a few glances and was very dissatisfied with the content. However, since Eisenhower and Marcos had already made a decision, it would be useless for him to object, so he reluctantly signed it.
The transoceanic telegram was quickly sent, and a reply from the United States was delivered to the three of them two days later. In view of the attitude of the Chinese government, after consultations between the U.S. government, the military, and the consortium, they finally agreed to relax the requirements and re-
Requirements to negotiate with the Chinese.
After obtaining the domestic authorization, Eisenhower began to negotiate with Marcos and Richard to modify the content of the terms. Due to the different representatives and positions of the three people, the revision of these terms did not go smoothly, and they argued for several days before reluctantly coming up with it.
An unsatisfactory result. After the result came out, Marcos once again asked to meet with Fang Zida in a private capacity.
Chapter completed!