lcionline Chapter 1235 Had to compromise
Chapter 1235 Had to compromise
Sergei felt dizzy. Su Zhengyang's words were the last straw that broke the camel's back.
After a brief silence, he finally spoke with difficulty: "I...we accept this condition."
He felt his voice tremble as he said this, but he had no choice.
"But..." He took a deep breath, "Now Tsarist Russia is indeed unable to pay this indemnity in one lump sum. We hope..."
He paused, as if gathering up his courage: "I hope to pay in installments, or... use mineral resources to offset it. Siberia has rich coal and iron ore, we can..."
His voice became weaker and weaker, with a despair that was hard to conceal. When did the powerful Russian Empire fall to this point? Having to beg a young man for installment payments?
There was dead silence in the office.
Su Zhengyang put down the teacup, and a thoughtful look flashed in his eyes. Sergei's heart was in his throat - would this young president accept this request?
Su Zhengyang looked at Sergei's almost pleading expression, and a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.
He knew very well that this was the last bottom line of the Tsarist Russia. He had almost squeezed them dry, and forcing them further might backfire.
"Okay," he said, picking up his teacup, his tone softened, "Installation payment is acceptable."
Sergeimo's eyes lit up.
"But," Su Zhengyang put down his teacup, "the down payment must not be less than 34 million gold rubles. This must be written into the contract."
Sergei breathed a sigh of relief, as if a drowning man had finally grabbed a life-saving straw.
"But..." Su Zhengyang suddenly spoke again, "I have one last condition."
Sergei's heart began to tighten again.
"This treaty must be signed in public," Su Zhengyang's voice was unquestionable, "I will hold a press conference."
He stood up and walked to the window: "Tsarist Russia must publicly admit that forcing Shuiqing to cede land and pay compensation was a naked act of robbery."
Sergei's face turned pale in an instant.
This condition was even more unacceptable than reparations - it meant that Tsarist Russia had to pay not only money, but also dignity.
"This is not a bargaining chip," Su Zhengyang turned around, his eyes sharp, "This is our bottom line. Let the whole world see how the robber was forced to pay for his crimes."
Sergei smiled wryly and nodded.
Yes, the entire Tsarist Russia has lost too much - lost territory, lost money, lost military advantage. In such a situation, what face is there to speak of?
"We... accept this condition." There was deep fatigue in his voice.
Looking at Su Zhengyang's confident expression, Sergei suddenly realized that this negotiation was doomed to fail from the beginning. No, perhaps from the moment this young man took the presidency, Tsarist Russia had already lost.
This terrible young man, with his wisdom and skill, pushed the Tsarist Russia into a desperate situation step by step. He not only wanted to regain the lost territory, but also made the Tsarist Russia pay the price and make them admit their crimes in front of the whole world.
This is perfect revenge, a complete reckoning.
And this is just the beginning.
Sergei looked at the sunlight outside the window and suddenly had a premonition: this young man will definitely lead the entire China to stand on top of the world. When he uses this method to deal with other countries, who can stop him?
"Let's prepare for the press conference," Su Zhengyang's voice interrupted his thoughts, "Let the whole world see this historical reckoning."
After the negotiations, Su Zhengyang stood up, the sharpness on his face disappeared, and he revealed a gentle smile.
"Minister Sergei," he extended his right hand in a friendly manner, "since we have reached an agreement, let me show my hospitality."
Sergei was stunned for a moment. The young man's transformation was too fast. He was the arrogant winner just now, but in the blink of an eye he turned into a gentle host.
"I have arranged a banquet in Fengming Hall," Su Zhengyang's voice was gentle as if the previous tension had never happened, "Let's put aside the past and have a good meal. After all..."
He smiled meaningfully and said, "From now on, we are neighbors."
Sergei held that hand and felt the warmth of the other's palm. This terrifying young man could show such perfect demeanor after the thunderous means.
"Old Zhang," Su Zhengyang turned to Zhang Luanyu, "Take the two guests to the lounge to freshen up. We'll meet in Fengming Hall in half an hour."
Looking at Su Zhengyang's elegant manners, Sergei couldn't help but smile bitterly. This might be the most terrifying thing - this young man can not only defeat his opponents with thunderous means, but also resolve embarrassment with perfect etiquette.
In front of such a person, it doesn't seem so hard to accept a defeat with a sincere heart.
In the Fengming Hall, there was toasting and dining.
Su Zhengyang was elegant and well-spoken, totally different from the aggressive negotiator from a few hours ago. His analysis of the European situation was profound, and his insights into the internal situation of Tsarist Russia made Sergei nod his head frequently.
"Hitler's expansionist ambitions are already obvious," Su Zhengyang took a sip of wine, "and his attitude towards Austria is the best proof of that."
Sergei's eyes lit up. This young man's understanding of European politics far exceeded his imagination.
"Moreover," Su Zhengyang continued, "their blitzkrieg tactics are indeed worrying. If the Bird Empire is allowed to completely control the industrial resources of the European continent..."
He didn't finish, but everyone present knew what it meant.
Sergei put down his chopsticks and said solemnly: "Mr. President is right. The entire anti-will alliance is looking forward to China's joining."
He looked Su Zhengyang straight in the eye: "Hitler is a terrible lunatic. We must never let such a man rule Europe."
The restaurant fell silent for a moment.
"Hide your strength and bide your time," Su Zhengyang gently shook his glass, his eyes deep, "This is what China needs most right now."
His tone was calm, but it left no room for doubt: "We have just completed reunification and there is a lot of work to be done. It is not appropriate to get involved in the vortex of Europe at this time."
Sergei looked at the young man's profile and suddenly understood something.
Sit on the mountain and watch the tiger fight.
This young president intends to let the European powers consume each other in the flames of war, and China will play the role of a cold-eyed spectator in this drama.
"Of course," Su Zhengyang continued, with a hint of smile in his tone, "We will pay close attention to the development of the situation in Europe. After all, world peace and stability are related to the interests of every country."
These words were flawless, but they made Sergei's heart tremble.
He suddenly realized that the terrifying thing about this young man was not only his tough tactics, but also his strategic vision. He was waiting for the opportunity, waiting for the moment when the European powers would be defeated in the war.
The night outside the window deepened. As the glasses clinked, Sergei looked at the elegant young man sitting opposite him and shuddered.
This person is playing a bigger game, and these European powers may just be pawns on the chessboard.