pappabearbooks Chapter 87 Compensation Amount
Chapter 87 Compensation Amount
Langston sat down again, his tone much more conciliatory when he spoke: "Mr. Wang, after discussion, we agree in principle to your first two demands. The trade embargo can be lifted immediately, and the amount of compensation can be negotiated. The London representative office... can be established as an 'informal business organization' and enjoy actual diplomatic facilities."
"And the third point?" Wang Wenwu asked.
"Further consultations are needed," Langston said carefully. "The British Empire cannot publicly recognize any country's 'special rights' in its colonies. But... we can reach an internal understanding that, in extreme circumstances, we will not object to your taking necessary humanitarian action."
Wang Wenwu smiled inwardly.
It's just a different way of saying the same thing. The British always need to find a way to save face.
"That's acceptable," he said. "And the amount of compensation?"
Archibald gritted his teeth: "Eight hundred thousand pounds. That's the limit."
"One million five hundred thousand."
"Nine hundred thousand!"
"One million three hundred thousand." Wang Wenwu leaned forward. "Mr. Chairman, let me remind you that during the sanctions, Lanfang purchased special steel from Krupp in Germany at a price 15 percent lower than the British quote. If we make this purchase contract public, how do you think the British Iron and Steel Institute will react?"
Archibald's face turned red.
Fisher interjected, "Mr. Wang, regarding technological cooperation..."
coming.
Wang Wenwu asked, puzzled: "Technological cooperation?"
"Your side has unique expertise in shipbuilding," Fisher said cautiously. "The British Navy is undergoing modernization, and cooperation on certain projects would greatly benefit mutual trust."
"for example?"
"For example... a joint design of a new cruiser? Or, could Britain purchase some of your... non-core subsystems?" Fisher's eyes were fixed on Wang Wenwu's briefcase, where the blue-covered document was located.
Wang Wenwu pondered for a moment: "I need to consult with the domestic authorities about this matter. But in principle, Lanfang is willing to share its technological achievements with friendly countries—on the basis of equality and mutual benefit."
He neither agreed nor refused. He left an opening.
Fisher understood and nodded: "Of course, of course."
The subsequent negotiations proceeded with an almost uncanny ease. The terms were finalized one by one, and the text was drafted overnight. By 5 p.m., both sides had reached an agreement on the main terms of the UK-China Trade and Navigation Memorandum of Understanding.
The signing ceremony is scheduled for three days later.
At the end, Langston escorted Wang Wenwu to the door and suddenly said, "Mr. Wang, His Majesty the King wishes to meet with you privately tomorrow afternoon. It will be an informal tea gathering at Buckingham Palace."
Wang Wenwu stopped: "Your Majesty?"
"Yes. His Majesty is very interested in Eastern affairs." Langston paused. "Of course, this does not represent the official position; it was purely a private meeting."
"I am deeply honored."
The next day at 4 p.m., at the side gate of Buckingham Palace.
There was no honor guard, no reporters, only an elderly butler in a tailcoat leading the way. We walked through a long corridor, the walls covered with oil paintings of kings and queens throughout history. We stopped before an unassuming oak door.
"His Majesty is waiting for you."
Pushing open the door, one enters a small living room. Firewood burns in the fireplace—it's still a bit chilly in London in May. A small round table with three chairs sits by the window. Edward VII sits in the main seat, with Prime Minister Campbell-Banaman beside him.
The king was in his sixties, with a white beard, dressed in dark casual clothes, and without a crown. Seeing Wang Wenwu enter, he smiled and rose—a rare occurrence, as the king usually did not rise to greet guests.
"Mr. Wang, welcome."
Wang Wenwu bowed—not in the British style, but in a slight Chinese bow: "Your Majesty, Your Excellency the Prime Minister. Thank you for the audience."
The tea was ready. Darjeeling tea from India, served with small sandwiches and scones. The maid poured the tea and left, closing the door behind her, leaving only the three of them in the living room.
"Is this Mr. Wang's first time in London?" the King asked casually.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
What do you think of London?
"Very...ancient," Wang Wenwu said cautiously, "There is a lot of history worth learning from."
The king smiled: "Ancient, sometimes, means a burden. A three-hundred-year-old empire is a large ship that's hard to turn around."
There's more to that than meets the eye.
Campbell-Bannaman continued, "Mr. Wang, yesterday's negotiations went very smoothly. We all hope that Anglo-Chinese relations can develop steadily."
"This is Lanfang's wish."
There was a few seconds of silence. The firewood in the fireplace crackled.
The King set down his teacup and leaned forward slightly: "Mr. Wang, I have a question, purely out of personal curiosity—how does Lanfang, as a newly emerging nation, view the current situation in Europe?"
coming.
Wang Wenwu was prepared, but still pretended to think for a moment: "What does Your Majesty mean?"
"For example... Germany," the King said casually. "Emperor Wilhelm is very enthusiastic about naval development. He recently ordered six new battleships, supposedly designed by Lanfang?"
To test the waters.
"Lanfang's cooperation with Germany was purely a commercial transaction," Wang Wenwu said. "We provided warship designs to Germany, and Germany paid for them. It's like how British shipyards built warships for Japan."
"But the technological content is different," Campbell-Bannerman interjected. "Japan bought the traditional design. Germany got... the next generation of technology."
Wang Wenwu put down his teacup and sat up straight.
Now is a critical moment.
"Your Majesty, Your Excellency the Prime Minister," he said clearly, his pace slowing, "please allow me to speak frankly—Lanfang is Lanfang of Asia. Our compatriots are in Asia, our homeland is in Asia. All our efforts are for the protection of overseas Chinese and the rebuilding of our homeland in Southeast Asia."
He paused, looking into the king's eyes:
"The balance of power in Europe should be maintained by the wisdom and restraint of Europe's great nations. Germany, France, Britain... these countries with profound history and civilization are capable of managing their relations with each other. Lanfang has neither the will nor the power to intervene in European affairs. Our concerns lie in Asia."
The message was long, but the meaning was clear: we won't get involved.
Edward VII's expression relaxed visibly. He leaned back in his chair and even broke into a genuine smile.
"A wise stance," said the king. "Young sir, you are very clear-headed. Some countries... are always trying to meddle in everything, but often end up losing on both fronts."
He personally picked up the teapot and refilled Wang Wenwu's teacup—this was an extremely high honor.
"Mr. Wang, I also traveled to Asia when I was young. India, Ceylon, Hong Kong... it was a vibrant place. I am very happy to see that Asians can also build modern nations and master advanced technologies. This is progress in civilization."
"Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty."
"However," the king changed the subject, "technology is a double-edged sword. Too advanced, and it can easily cause...concern."
Wang Wenwu understood: "Lanfang's technological development has always been for defensive purposes. We build ships to protect shipping lanes and our compatriots, not to challenge the existing maritime order."
"That's good." The king nodded and took out a small velvet box from his pocket. "A small gift, nothing more."
Wang Wenwu took it and opened it. It was a pair of cufflinks, made of gold and inlaid with diamonds, shaped like the swords of Royal Navy officers.
"May Lanfang and the British Empire remain forever on friendly terms," the King said.
"Lanfang will forever remember His Majesty's friendship."