This was a threat in itself, but as a diplomat, Edward Thornton did not give a direct answer, but said with a smile.
"Mr. Zhu, you should be very clear that Britain's position is fair. We will not accept any changes to Chile's territory, including indirect changes."
In other words, Britain would not accept a provisional government ruling Chile.
"We believe that it is necessary for Chile's political situation to return to the situation before the outbreak of the war. Of course, we will promote a comprehensive reconciliation between Santiago and the interim government. Mr. Zhu, please believe that for you, this is the best choice!"
After a pause, Edward Thornton said.
"What you get through the treaty can even be strengthened to a certain extent. Of course, considering that Chile is a country with strong self-esteem, your right to station troops will definitely be revoked."
After the threat, the carrot was naturally thrown out. In Edward Thornton's view, this was London's greatest goodwill, and the other party should probably accept it.
But to Edward Thornton's surprise, Zhu Xianhai shook his head and said.
"Mr. Ambassador, you must understand that this is America!"
Then he said seriously.
"Americans should make the decision on affairs in the Americas, rather than letting outsiders dictate!"
Uh... Edward Thornton, who was scolded back, looked at Zhu Xianhai dumbfounded.
What?
what did he say?
He refused?
But he also said that American affairs should be decided by Americans... You, are you an American?
Looking at Edward who was dumbfounded and speechless, Zhu Xianhai sat up straight.
Yes, I am an American!
Things in America should be decided by Americans!
And the Chinese are now Americans too!
"In that case..."
Standing up, Edward Thornton said seriously.
"I think London will respond accordingly soon!"
In front of the company headquarters building, when he was about to board the carriage, Edward Thornton said to Zhu Xianhai who came to see him off.
"Zhu Xianhai, indeed, as you said, American affairs should be decided by the Americans, but please believe that even in independent American countries, they must also consider the diplomatic impact."
When considering the impact of diplomacy, it is clearly about considering the attitude of the United Kingdom!
In response, Zhu Xianhai just smiled and nodded.
"Of course, we have always valued our relations with any European country!"
Edward Thornton just nodded slightly. He knew what the other person's answer meant, which was to tell him that there was not only one Britain in the world, but there were other countries in Europe.
The purpose of this trip has been defeated.
After boarding the carriage, Edward Thornton once again looked out the window at Nanhua.
"Sir, it seems we haven't gained anything from this trip."
Counselor Schneider said following him.
"No,"
Edward Thornton shook his head and said.
"The harvest is very great, Schneider, you came to Nanhua last year. Have you ever told me what kind of impression this place left on you?"
"impression?"
Schneider, who was sent to Nanhua as a trade representative, has been here for two years and of course has a certain understanding of this place.
"The most impressive thing...is the people, sir. Before the railway was built, immigrant ships sailed into Nanhua Bay almost every day, and then those Chinese immigrants poured in like a tide. There were bronze skinned people everywhere. They belong to them, sir. When I contacted officials from the Immigration Department, they even proudly declared that by the end of this year, the population of Nanhua will exceed one million people!"
"This number is indeed astonishing, but you have to know that there are 400 million people in China. There is a war there. It is normal for people to flock here. Mr. Zhu only needs to provide funds and ships. Bringing millions of cheap labor here, but that's not the most important thing."
Edward Thornton, who had traveled to Asia aboard a Royal Navy warship when he was young, was no stranger to China.
"What's important..."
Looking at the city market outside the window, Edward Thornton sighed.
"We once thought that this was just a chartered company interested in expanding colonial undertakings. Perhaps one day, this place would become another granary of Britain. But to our surprise, this company has shown more than just a presence on the grasslands. It was land reclamation and grazing, but industry. When I was meeting with Zhu Xianhai, I noticed that looking out from his office, on the distant skyline, there were towering chimneys everywhere, and they even invented the electric light."
Glancing at the streetlight, Edward Thornton sighed.
"What do we see in Bueno Aires? What we see are the rich and powerful, farmers who enjoy wealth. The universities there are nothing more than clubs for rich children, where they study literature, law, music, Painting, but not much interest in science, there are not even factories there, but not only are there many factories, but the products they produce have quietly opened up the South American market in the past few years, Schneider , last month, someone from the British Chamber of Commerce in Buenos Aires claimed that 90% of local cotton now comes from South China, and British cotton is withdrawing from the Americas little by little..."
Schneider, as the trade representative, naturally knows this very well, he said.
"I'm afraid this is directly related to the war in the United States. After the outbreak of the American Civil War, the shortage of cotton supply caused British factories to under-operate. This had an extremely serious impact on our commodity exports..."
"What now?"
Turning to look at Schneider, Edward Thornton said.
"As early as last year, the cotton supply from Egypt and India was able to meet the needs of British factories. At the beginning of the year, the North and South sides of the United States also started negotiations. Cotton exports are returning to normal, but our exports to South America have not recovered, and are even still there. We are losing the South American market little by little...because there are already new sellers in this market!"
Who is this seller?
Of course it’s Nan Hua.
"So, London already has an intention?"
Everything is ultimately about business. Even as a junior diplomat, Schneider also knows the responsibilities of British diplomats-business is the most important.
"Yes, but this is not just business, Schneider, the emergence of an America in North America has caused us a lot of headaches. What if one day, another America appears in South America?"
Looking at the city outside the car window, Edward Thornton frowned.
"A place that is enterprising in industry will definitely have good future development! But this is not what we need, not what Britain needs. For Britain, what we need is the wheat of the New World. The New World
beef and the resources of the New World, but it is by no means a new way of industrial products to compete with British industrial products."
The interests between countries are so naked. Great Britain's half-century layout in South America was not to help the country achieve true independence and prosperity, but to obtain the resources on this land.
An enterprising regime is obviously not what Britain needs. Edward Thornton is naturally very clear about this. This is also the purpose of his coming to this land as a diplomat, but now he is facing an enterprising place.
.
This place is likely to disrupt Britain's plans for this land.
"So now, we must find a way to stop this..."
"Stop this?"
Schneider said in surprise.
"So what should we do?"
Edward Thornton said with a smile.
"It's not what we should do, Schneider, you are still young. Some things are not what we have to do, but what we want others to do! In other words, what we encourage others to do!"