Warlords: Rising from the Northwest Border and Sweeping Across the Powers

Chapter 1129 3 days

"Everyone, take care," Su Zhengyang said goodbye to the other envoys, but then changed the subject, "However, Duke Romanov, Lord Chesterfield, and Mr. Silva, could you please move to the study? I would like to have an in-depth discussion on some...historical issues."

The faces of the three envoys turned pale instantly. They all understood what this "in-depth communication" meant. The bloody negotiation half a year ago started with a similar "private communication".

Zhang Luanyu stood at the door of the study, watching the three envoys walk heavily in. He noticed that Chesterfield's fingers trembled slightly when he adjusted his tie, Silva's forehead was already sweating, and even the usually arrogant Romanov was unconsciously pursing his lips.

"Please come in," Su Zhengyang made an inviting gesture, with that chillingly gentle smile still on his face.

In the study, antique mahogany furniture set off the wall of books. But the three envoys focused their attention on the pistol on Su Zhengyang's desk - it was with this gun that he taught everyone an unforgettable lesson during the negotiations half a year ago.

Chesterfield was thinking: He mentioned the ownership of the port city, and now he left the three of us alone, so it was obvious that he was going to use force. But he acted so calmly, which made it even more unpredictable.

Silva's thoughts became even more confused: just now he hinted at the issue of Australia City through the tea ceremony, and now he summoned him alone, could it be that he wanted to imitate the tactics used during the concession negotiations?

Romanov was secretly on guard: the territorial issue in the Far East has been dormant for many years, and he suddenly brought it up tonight and left me alone, so I was afraid that something bad might happen.

"Sit down," Su Zhengyang motioned the three to take a seat, "Tea or wine?"

"Tea... tea is fine." The three people answered in unison. No one dared to get drunk at this time.

Zhang Luanyu stood aside, watching this scene, and sighed in his heart: The most terrifying thing about this "Crazy Su" president is that people can never guess his next move. He can take people's lives while chatting and laughing, and he can also convey the most severe threats in the gentlest way.

And now, in this study, what kind of drama will this Chinese president, who is feared by envoys from all over the world, stage?

The three envoys sat on the edge of their seats, waiting for this late-night "exchange" to begin.

"Everyone," Su Zhengyang made tea himself, his movements elegant and calm, "Let's get straight to the point tonight."

This sentence made the three envoys' hearts rise to their throats. They were more accustomed to Su Zhengyang's roundabout way, and being straightforward made them even more uneasy.

"Lord Chesterfield, Mr. Silva," Su Zhengyang put down the teapot, his eyes burning, "Regarding the issue of Hong Kong City and Macau City, I think China's attitude is very clear - these two pieces of land must be returned unconditionally."

Without any preparation or hint, such a straightforward request left the two envoys at a loss as to how to respond.

Chesterfield subconsciously adjusted his tie and said, "Mr. President, this question...I'm afraid it's not that simple. The treaty we signed with the Shuiqing Empire..."

"Treaties?" Su Zhengyang suddenly laughed, a chilling smile, "You mean those treaties that were forced to be signed with powerful ships and guns?"

Silva also hurriedly agreed: "But no matter what, these treaties are valid under international law..."

"Pah!" Su Zhengyang put the cup in his hand heavily on the table, and the tea splashed out, leaving a few dark marks on the table. This sudden action made the three envoys shudder.

"I am not here to discuss international law with you today," Su Zhengyang's voice remained calm, but his eyes had become sharp, "but to tell you a fact: these two pieces of land must be returned. As for the method..." He glanced meaningfully at the pistol on the table, "I think you should still remember the lesson from half a year ago."

Chesterfield and Silva looked at each other, the cold sweat on their foreheads flowing down uncontrollably. They both knew the methods of this "Crazy Su".

"Mr. President," Chesterfield said calmly, "After all, this involves the validity of historical treaties..."

"Historical treaties?" Su Zhengyang sneered, "Then let's talk about history. How did you get these lands back then? What means did you use? Now, you still want to use these unequal treaties as a shield?"

Zhang Luanyu stood aside, watching the two envoys turn pale. They obviously didn't expect that the president would be so direct tonight.

"I'll give you three days," Su Zhengyang picked up the teacup, his tone suddenly turned cold, "After three days, I want to see your official reply. Don't talk to me about anything that requires asking for instructions from the country, don't talk to me about anything that needs to be discussed. Three days is the deadline."

"Three...three days?" Chesterfield said in a choked voice, "This is impossible..."

"Nothing is impossible," Su Zhengyang interrupted, a dangerous glint in his eyes, "I only gave you one day for the concession negotiations half a year ago. Now I'm giving you three days, for the sake of our diplomatic relations."

Chesterfield and Silva looked at each other and saw deep fear in each other's eyes. They finally understood why this "Crazy Su" acted so calm tonight - because he had a plan in mind and didn't need to use those threatening means anymore.

Now, they face a more terrible choice: either make a decision within three days, or... wait for an outcome worse than half a year ago.

"As for Duke Romanov," Su Zhengyang suddenly turned to the Russian representative who had been secretly rejoicing, "You should have guessed what I am going to say."

Romanov's Adam's apple rolled noticeably. He was just feeling lucky that he was just a bystander, but he didn't expect it would be his turn so soon.

"Far East," Su Zhengyang said these four words lightly, as if he was talking about today's weather, "One million and a half square kilometers of land should be returned to its original owner."

"This... this is impossible!" Romanov stood up suddenly, but after meeting Su Zhengyang's cold eyes, he slowly sat back down.

"Why not?" Su Zhengyang's voice remained calm, but every word was as sharp as a knife. "Because you have occupied it for too long? Or because you think these lands are already yours?"

"Mr. President," Romanov said calmly, "These territorial issues involve the fundamental interests of both countries..."

"Pah!" Su Zhengyang put the teacup down heavily again, and this time the tea splashed directly onto Romanov's collar.

"Fundamental interests?" Su Zhengyang sneered, "When you used your powerful ships and cannons to seize these lands, did you ever consider our fundamental interests?"

Zhang Luanyu noticed that Romanov's hands had begun to tremble uncontrollably.

"I'll give you the same amount of time as they did," Su Zhengyang pointed at Chesterfield and Silva, "three days. Within three days, I want to see the clear attitude of Tsarist Russia on the issue of the return of the Far East."

"This is impossible!" Romanov lost his voice again, "Several generations of Russians have lived on this land..."

"Who originally lived there?" Su Zhengyang's voice suddenly rose, and a fierce look flashed in his eyes. "Before you blasted open that piece of land with artillery fire, who lived there?"

Romanov was speechless for a moment.

"Three days," Su Zhengyang repeated, "Don't talk to me about any historical issues, don't talk to me about fait accompli. I just want one answer - either return it, or..." He glanced meaningfully at the gun on the table.

Chesterfield and Silva looked at Romanov's embarrassment, but they were not happy at all. They all understood that this "Su madman" wanted to solve all territorial issues at once.

"Everyone," Su Zhengyang stood up and signaled the end of the conversation, "I believe you are all smart people. I look forward to seeing a satisfactory answer in three days."

The three envoys staggered out of the study, each of them with cold sweat on their backs. They finally understood why this man was called "Crazy Su" - because his madness was so methodical and unquestionable.

And now, they only have three days left to deal with this crazy yet sober decision.