"Mr. Zhou, I am Guo Taiqi," Guo Taiqi said with fists clasped when they met, "We met at the national crisis meeting. I wonder if Mr. Zhou still remembers it?"
"How could you not remember? Brother Guo is well!" Zhou Hexuan laughed.
Guo Taiqi has two impressive features. One is his waxed back hair style, which is so shiny that a fly will slip when he stands on it; the other is the gentleman's civilized stick in his hand, no matter where he goes
, no matter what occasion he attends, he even uses a stick to go to the toilet.
Well, this is a very naughty diplomat.
It's a pity that no matter how much he pays attention to appearance, Guo Taiqi is not as elegant as Gu Weijun. Because he is born with a short stature and a round, baby face. His approachability is more than enough, but his majesty is really lacking.
Zhou Hexuan invited Guo Taiqi into the room, and asked Sun Yongzhen to go downstairs and bring two cups of coffee up. He said with a smile: "When Brother Guo returns to China after fulfilling his duties, he should be promoted to Minister of Foreign Affairs, right?"
Guo Taiqi was previously serving as Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and was suddenly transferred to the United Kingdom as Ambassador to the United Kingdom. As long as he makes some achievements, he will definitely be promoted to the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs when he returns to his country. Guo Taiqi said with a wry smile: "Weak countries have no diplomacy.
Being the ambassador to the UK is the most difficult job, I just hope that I can open up the situation a little bit."
"From the current point of view, there are indeed some difficulties." Zhou Hexuan said.
Guo Taiqi cupped his fists and said, "Brother Zhou is familiar with international affairs and is well-known in Europe. Please enlighten me."
Zhou Hexuan said: "Don't take it seriously if you give me advice, let's just discuss it together."
Guo Taiqi said enthusiastically: "Brother Zhou, please speak."
Zhou Hexuan analyzed: "Brother Guo also said just now that a weak country cannot have diplomacy. China is a weak country, so when it comes to diplomacy, national strength cannot help at all. It can only rely on the situation of other countries and take advantage of the trend. Think about it.
To open up a diplomatic situation in the UK, we must first understand three points. First, the international trend; second, the British political situation; third, the social situation in the UK."
"Brother Zhou's words are of great significance," Guo Taiqi said.
Zhou Hexuan continued: "It is not difficult to guess the international trend. Since the European War (World War I), the major powers have realized the horror of war, so they do not want to fight anymore. The outbreak of the world economic crisis has made countries unable to cope with their financial constraints, and appeasement has become popular.
.From this point of view, it is absolutely impossible to use the help of the League of Nations or the British government to sanction Japan. Even if Japan really occupied Shanghai and seriously violated British interests, Britain could only condemn it a few words."
"That's right," Guo Taiqi nodded, "but even if it's just a moral condemnation, we have to fight for it. At least we have a legitimate voice in diplomacy."
Zhou Hexuan added: "Let's look at the political situation in the UK. Affected by the world economic crisis, the UK's trade volume has dropped severely, and free trade has gradually been suppressed by protectionism. The UK took the lead in abandoning the gold standard last year, causing the pound exchange rate to plummet this year. Coupled with the UK's unemployment rate
surge, frequent general strikes, and various far-left and far-right ideological trends. The current British king and British cabinet tend to adopt conservative policies. They only want to stabilize the overall situation and focus on restoring economic and social stability.
Will try any risky behavior."
Guo Taiqi said with a headache: "This is even more difficult to handle."
"So, Brother Guo, you can only start from the private sector." Zhou Hexuan said.
"How to start from the private sector?" Guo Taiqi asked quickly.
Zhou Hexuan explained: "Don't rush for success, use all means to promote yourself and China, and gain the sympathy and support of the British people. Then wait for the opportunity and wait for the opportunity to act."
Guo Taiqi remained silent for a long time before saying: "It seems that this is the only way."
Historically, it took Guo Taiqi several years to understand this truth. He initially took the high-level diplomacy route and actively made friends with British nobles and officials, but later found that it was of no use at all.
In desperation, Guo Taiqi could only change his mind. He never missed any opportunity. Whether it was a diplomatic banquet or an ordinary occasion, as long as he was present, he would definitely find ways to deliver a passionate speech, so that the British people would gradually understand and sympathize with China.
Support China.
Therefore, during the Anti-Japanese War, Guo Taiqi became famous and was regarded by the British people as the representative of China's tenacious resistance to the war. He was hailed as an "outstanding speaker" by the British media. Oxford University even took the initiative to award him an honorary doctorate in law.
The tragic facts of the Nanjing Massacre spread rapidly in the United Kingdom under the planning of Guo Taiqi. Under pressure from Japan, the United Kingdom once closed the Burma Road. It was also because of Guo Taiqi's efforts that the United Kingdom finally agreed to reopen the Burma Road.
.
When Guo Taiqi was transferred back to China to serve as Foreign Minister, The Times commented: "During his tenure as ambassador to the UK, Mr. Guo represented the country firmly and peacefully...Ambassador Guo performed arduous tasks during his tenure and was respected by all parties."
"
Unfortunately, Guo Taiqi was not a member of Chiang Kai-shek, but belonged to Wang Zhaoming's clique in his early years. He was transferred back to China to serve as Foreign Minister for only half a year, but was dismissed for misappropriation of public funds and misconduct in his private life. He was not reinstated until the victory of the Anti-Japanese War.
In Zhou Hexuan's view, Guo Taiqi's two charges of misappropriation of public funds and misconduct in private life must be true. After all, Guo Taiqi is a slutty person who cares about face and enjoys enjoyment, but it would be ridiculous to be dismissed given the corrupt atmosphere of the Kuomintang at that time.
Officials who are not corrupt and do not enjoy themselves will be suspected of being Communists, and I have never seen anyone dismissed from their posts because of this.
So, it doesn’t matter whether you do practical things or not, the key is to stand on the right side.
Zhou Hexuan said: "Brother Guo, you should first make friends with the British Labor Party."
"I also hope to visit Mr. Macdonald, but he doesn't see me at all." Guo Taiqi said frustrated.
Zhou Hexuan said: "It is not Macdonald's National Labor Party, but the Independent Labor Party!"
Guo Taiqi wondered: "The Independent Labor Party is now an opposition party, and is jointly suppressed by the Conservative Party, the Liberal Party and the National Labor Party. I heard that the King of England is very dissatisfied with the Independent Labor Party. Why do you want to make friends with them?"
Zhou Hexuan said with a smile: "There are two reasons. First, many British people at the bottom side side with the Independent Labor Party. If they gain the support of the Independent Labor Party, it will be easier to win the support of the British people; second, the Conservative Party, the Liberal Party and the National Labor Party are now
A coalition cabinet has been formed. They each have their own interests and are busy restoring the economy and stabilizing society. They have no time to join in the fun with you. To sum up, you only have this choice now, and I happen to have a relationship with the leader of the Independent Labor Party.
, I can introduce you to them."
"Thank you so much!" Guo Taiqi said.
Zhou Hexuan added: "British political parties are changing, but the royal family is firmly on the Diaoyutai. While making friends with the Labor Party, you should also try to build a good relationship with the nobles. I can help you introduce Prince Albert."
Guo Taiqi said happily: "That would be better."
Zhou Hexuan added: "Finally, I strongly recommend that you make friends with an Englishman."
"Who?" Guo Taiqi asked.
"Churchill." Zhou Hexuan said.
Guo Taiqi wondered: "I seem to have heard of this person, but why should I make friends with him?"
Zhou Hexuan said: "In today's Britain, whether it is the Labor Party, the Liberal Party or the Conservative Party, they all advocate disarmament and oppose war. Only a few people resist joining the army and call for preparations for war. Churchill is the most famous one. The situation in Europe is very delicate now.
A war will inevitably break out within 10 years, and by then Churchill is likely to hold an important position, or even become prime minister."
"What potential does he have?" Guo Taiqi was very interested. Being able to make friends with a future British Prime Minister was too tempting for him.
"I'm just saying it's possible," Zhou Hexuan didn't finish his sentence, he smiled, "and Churchill is at his lowest point now. The whole British people are against the war. He calls for war alone, and no one is willing to listen to him. All you have to do is speak up.
If you keep your mouth shut and be wary of the German Nazis, Churchill will definitely regard you as a comrade, and you can easily gain his friendship. Not only Churchill, but you can make friends with anyone in the British political circle who advocates preparation for war, and their future development prospects are very good.
"
Guo Taiqi is also a veteran. He drew inferences and said with a smile: "I understand, talk about socialism with the Labor Party, talk about international friendship with the aristocrats, talk about military expansion and war preparations with Churchill, and talk about world peace with ordinary people."
"That's it!" Zhou Hexuan gave a thumbs up.
Guo Taiqi said with emotion: "Listening to your words is worth ten years of reading. Brother Zhou's suggestion made me suddenly enlightened, and my diplomatic thinking suddenly opened up."