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

Chapter 1125 Diplomatic Dinner

"Secretary General Zhang," Su Zhengyang handed a list to Zhang Luanyu, "Please arrange a diplomatic dinner for the night after tomorrow at the state banquet hall of Longteng Hotel."

Zhang Luanyu took the list and quickly glanced at the names on it: English envoy Lord William Chesterfield, French ambassador Ms. Francoise Dubois, Russian royal representative Duke Nicholas Romanov, Italian representative Marco Antonio, Bird Empire diplomatic representative Seckt, Spanish representative Carlos Garcia, Portuguese representative José Silva...

"Mr. President," Zhang Luanyu raised his head, "This list includes almost all the important diplomatic representatives in China."

"That's right," Su Zhengyang said with a smile, "Yesterday's military parade showed them our strength, and now it's time to let them see our sincerity. For the invitations, use the ones with the dragon pattern and gold foil, and pair them with our best rice paper."

"I understand." Zhang Luanyu quickly wrote in his notebook, "For the menu, I suggest that it should be mainly traditional Chinese dishes, with some Western dishes as appropriate. As for drinks..."

"Let's use the red wine from the winery we just acquired, and prepare some brandy and vodka." Su Zhengyang added, "By the way, let Longteng's chef prepare a few special dishes that reflect China's cultural heritage."

&34;Yes. So the seating arrangement...&34;

"Follow international practice, but pay special attention to placing the English envoy and the Portuguese representative on my left and right hands respectively," Su Zhengyang said meaningfully.

Zhang Luanyu immediately understood the president's intention, and she continued to record: "I will ask the protocol department to prepare the best tableware and decorations. As for the band, I suggest a mix of folk music and Western bands."

"Very good, let's do it." Su Zhengyang nodded, "The invitation reads: Chinese President Su Zhengyang sincerely invites you to attend the Chinese diplomatic dinner to discuss the great plan of peaceful development."

Zhang Luanyu quickly drafted the invitation: "President, should we include a hint about Hong Kong City and Macau City on the invitation..."

"No need," Su Zhengyang waved his hand, "I will say what needs to be said at the dinner. The purpose of this dinner is to let them know that China has both strength and sincerity."

"I understand." Zhang Luanyu put away the documents and said, "I will arrange it right away and ensure that all invitations can be delivered to the envoys before this afternoon."

Watching Zhang Luanyu leave, Su Zhengyang walked to the window. Yesterday's military parade showed China's iron-blooded strength, and this dinner will show China's civilized demeanor. Conquering others with virtue is the attitude that a great country should have.

But if someone is ungrateful, then we can't blame China for being ruthless. After all, yesterday's military parade has proved that China is fully capable of taking back its own territory.

In the diplomatic suites of Longteng Hotel, the envoys received gold-stamped invitations one after another.

In room 1208, Lord William Chesterfield carefully examined the invitation card made of fine rice paper and gently stroked the golden dragon pattern with his fingers.

"It's really exquisite," he said on the phone, "London, this dinner must be a big deal. Yesterday's military parade, today's invitation, Su Zhengyang is trying to use both soft and hard tactics."

In the next room, Francois Dubois was telegraphing to Paris: "I think this is more than just an ordinary diplomatic dinner. After China demonstrated its military strength, it immediately took a negotiating stance. This is a sophisticated diplomatic tactic. I suggest that the Prime Minister's Office take it seriously."

Duke Romanov paced in his suite and said, "The invitation said 'discuss the plan of peaceful development'. Oh, there is something behind this. They showed such a strong military force yesterday, and today they are talking about peace. This is giving us a way out."

Italian representative Marco Antonio and Bird representative Seckt met in the corridor.

"It seems that Su Zhengyang wants to have a big negotiation," Seckt said in a low voice.

"That's right," Marco nodded. "We've already shown the stick yesterday, so today we have to talk about the carrot."

The Portuguese representative, José Silva, seemed particularly nervous. He immediately sent an encrypted telegram to Lisbon: "Please reply quickly to the Presidential Palace. China may raise the issue of Macau at the dinner. We need a clear bottom line for the negotiations."

Spanish representative Carlos Garcia wrote in his diary: "A brilliant move. First use military force to deter, then show goodwill with a diplomatic gesture. This Su Zhengyang is indeed not simple."

Envoys from various countries speculated on the real purpose of the dinner:

"It must be for Hong Kong and Macau," Chesterfield said to his secretary, "otherwise they wouldn't have planned to hold a dinner right after the parade."

"This is a test," Ms. Dubois analyzed. "China wants to see how other countries respond to its military rise."

"They want to redefine their position in the Far East," Prince Romanov wrote in a telegram, "and this dinner will be an important turning point."

Sekt and Marco were talking in low voices in the bar:

&34;Do you think they will make direct territorial claims?&34;

"That depends on our response. If we act too tough, those tanks yesterday were not just for show."

All the envoys understood that this would be a crucial diplomatic game. Yesterday's military parade had already shown their strength, and tomorrow's dinner would be the real battlefield. Everyone was waiting for this dinner, waiting to see what cards Su Zhengyang would play.

But one thing is certain: behind this seemingly peaceful dinner, there are undercurrents. After yesterday's military display, no one dares to underestimate any proposal from this Eastern power.

"Mr. President," Zhang Luanyu walked into the office, "The invitations have all been delivered to the envoys of various countries. But..."

"Hmm?" Su Zhengyang looked up from the documents.

"The president of the Asian League, Mr. Sukarno of Indo-Spain, handed in a visiting card." Zhang Luanyu handed in a gold-stamped letter, "They arrived in Beilongcheng yesterday and watched the military parade. This morning, they handed in this visiting card through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."

Su Zhengyang took the letter and his eyes narrowed slightly. The Asian Alliance, an alliance of Southeast Asian countries including India, Philippines, Cotton, and Siam, suddenly visited Fuso after its defeat, and it was obvious that they had other purposes.

"Sukarno..." Su Zhengyang said softly, "This young leader of Indo-West is quite interesting. Fuso has been defeated by us. Their visit at this time may not be so simple."

"Yes," Zhang Luanyu added, "According to the analysis of the intelligence department, a new situation has emerged in Southeast Asia since Fuso's defeat. Although these countries have gotten rid of the threat from Fuso, they seem to be somewhat worried about the future regional pattern."

"They are worried about us," Su Zhengyang stood up and walked to the window. "Yesterday's military parade showed them the strength of China. A powerful country that can defeat Fuso is just to their north, so of course they will be restless."

"That's true. In his visiting card, Sukarno specifically mentioned that he hoped to meet with the president alone to discuss "ways for East Asian countries to coexist peacefully."

Su Zhengyang turned around and said, "Interesting. They want to test our attitude. They are afraid that we will expand southward like Fusang, and they also want to gain greater autonomy in Southeast Asia after the British, French and other countries withdraw."

&34;So, what does the president mean?&34;

"Tell Sukarno," Su Zhengyang returned to his seat, "I will meet him at the Presidential Palace at 34 pm the day after tomorrow before the dinner. In addition..."

&34;Please go ahead.&34;

"Invite him to the dinner as well. Arrange him to sit opposite the French ambassador." Su Zhengyang smiled meaningfully, "Let the European powers see that the new order in Asia is no longer decided by them."

"I see." Zhang Luanyu quickly wrote down, "Then let's talk about the specific arrangements for the meeting..."

"We should follow the highest standards." Su Zhengyang said, "These emerging independent countries are very important to the future structure of Asia. They want to find a balance between China and the European powers. We might as well give them this opportunity."

Zhang Luanyu was thoughtful. The significance of this meeting has gone beyond simple diplomatic etiquette. After Fuso's defeat, the pattern of Southeast Asia is being reorganized. These former colonial countries are trying to find their place in the new international order. And China, as an emerging power that defeated Fuso, naturally became an object that they must take seriously.