Reborn as King of South America

Chapter 300 Diplomatic Arrangements
"Wait and see, and act accordingly." After receiving news from Paraguay and other channels that the situation in Brazil was about to get out of control, Li Mingyuan discussed with his officials and generals for two days and made a calm decision.

Han had just occupied Argentina, and nearly half of its main forces were dispersed in the newly occupied areas to deter local whites. If it intervened rashly in the Brazilian situation, it would face the dilemma of insufficient troops and exhausted troops, and secondly, there would be little war supplies left. If it went too far into the interior of Brazil too early, it would be difficult to guarantee logistics. Therefore, considering the two main factors of Han’s own situation and Britain’s unclear attitude towards Pedro II, Li Mingyuan chose to shift the focus to the domestic situation, first digest the already obtained results in Argentina and Uruguay, and then decide whether to send troops to seize Paraná State in southern Brazil depending on the changes in the war situation between Paraguay and Brazil. …………

"Mr. Yuji, please sit down."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Hu Yaji sat on a chair, pushed the tea brought by the guards to the end of the table, and said, "Your Highness summoned me. Is it because of the blockade of England?"

"Mr. Yuji guessed it right. The English blocked our maritime transport, and the connection between our homeland and overseas places was cut off. I have been worried about this matter these days."

"Your Highness, in my opinion, Argentina and Uruguay have been occupied by the Han army. People who have migrated from all over the northern part of the mainland are filling up the old places of Argentina and Uruguay. The purpose of the Argentine war has been achieved. In addition, judging from the British's voluntary withdrawal from the port bases along the coast of Argentina, it can be inferred that the British expeditionary fleet is currently in a dilemma. The British government must also be hesitant about the situation of its expeditionary fleet.

Therefore, I think the court might as well take advantage of the current opportunity to send officials to contact the English and put forward preliminary conditions for peace talks. Even if the negotiations fail, the court can still learn about the situation of the British expeditionary fleet and its domestic situation. "

"I have the same idea, so I invited you here today just to hear your opinion."

"According to the current situation, peace talks should be held sooner rather than later. If Your Highness agrees, I will prepare for peace talks with England in the next two days."

"Mr. Yuji is sixty years old this year, right?"

Li Mingyuan did not immediately agree to Hu Yaji's request.

"In the 64st year of Jiaqing's reign, I am exactly years old this year."

"In the twenty-first year of Jiaqing's reign, 1816..."

Li Mingyuan secretly calculated Hu Yaji's birth year and said hesitantly, "Mr. Yuji is sixty-four years old. I didn't want to trouble you with the English peace talks, but there is a lack of officials familiar with diplomatic affairs in our country. I can't bear to let you worry about state affairs at the age of sixty."

"Your Highness, I am grateful for your thoughtfulness."

Hu Yaji was touched and said, "I am in good health and can serve Your Highness for another ten years. The country is in need of people right now. I am only sixty-four, even if I am eighty-four, I am as ambitious as Jiang Taigong. I am willing to serve Your Highness and the Han Dynasty with all my heart!"

"Good, good, with the assistance of a wise man like Mr. Yu Ji, there is no need to worry about the success of the South American Han Kingdom!"

Li Mingyuan helped Hu Yaji, who was bowing, to his feet and encouraged him, "The Han Dynasty is still young, and domestic affairs are complicated. You and I, the king and ministers, need to work hard to maintain it. Mr. Yuji, please stay healthy. I still want to drink with you old ministers in 20 years."

"I will definitely keep it in mind." Hu Yaji was so moved that he couldn't help but shed a tear.

From a businessman to an official, Hu Yaji went from being an ordinary Chinese businessman in Southeast Asia to an important political official in the Han Kingdom in less than ten years. His father and his two sons were involved in politics, and the second son was in charge of the affairs of the Nanyang Whampoa Company. He himself was about to be granted the title of hereditary viscount. With such a life experience, Hu Yaji was not only grateful for Li Mingyuan's kindness in recognizing his talent, but also felt fortunate and satisfied.

Seeing Hu Yaji's performance, Li Mingyuan didn't want to provoke this old Chinese man any more. He personally helped him sit down and encouraged him, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has always been managed by you. I plan to wait until the situation stabilizes and appoint you as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who will be fully responsible for the foreign affairs of the Han Kingdom."

"Your Highness..."

"Hey, Mr. Yuji, don't refuse. I and the government officials have seen your performance in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs over the past few years. It is most appropriate for you to preside over the affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."

After the establishment of the country, the ten ministries and two houses, a total of twelve key central departments, needed a large number of middle and senior officials. In order to avoid forcing things to grow too fast and having too many officials under them, Hu Yaji, Chen Jinzhong and other Chinese businessmen and scholars who came from the Southeast Asian region were initially granted department and bureau-level official positions. After a few years, most officials were promoted. For example, Hu Yaji was promoted to the vice-ministerial level. In the absence of the chief minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, his power as the deputy chief minister was almost the same as that of the chief minister. Therefore, after hearing Li Mingyuan's plan to make him the official, Hu Yaji declined a few words and then agreed half-heartedly. "Your Highness, I have something to report to you."

"Sir, please speak."

"Then I will speak frankly."

Hu Yaji calmed down from the emotions of promotion and excitement, and quickly took on the role of the chief diplomat, saying, "The country has been established for nearly ten years, but before the Argentine War, the court has always focused on domestic expansion, industrial construction, overseas Chinese immigration and other matters. Although the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has important responsibilities among the twelve ministries, the foreign agencies established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the United States, Germany, France and other countries are all in the name of business stations. Based on national legal principles, the Han Kingdom has not established formal diplomatic relations with a European power.

Your Highness, the Qing court established formal diplomatic relations with the European powers seven years earlier than the Han Kingdom. If the Han Kingdom wants to ease relations with the European powers after the end of the Argentine War, it is very necessary to improve the functions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and clarify the formal diplomatic relations with various countries. "

"What Mr. Yuji said makes sense. The government was previously busy with domestic affairs and indeed had some omissions in foreign affairs."

Li Mingyuan nodded in agreement with Hu Yaji's suggestion.

"Germany, France, and England are all powerful countries, and they also have important influence on their home countries in terms of industry and commerce.

What advice do you have for the postwar diplomatic envoys stationed in the three countries? "

"In the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in terms of foreign affairs capabilities and experience, there are several candidates for the posts of ambassador to England and France, but there are not many officials in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who are familiar with the German language and have a certain understanding of the domestic situation in Germany."

"Nearly half of the government-funded students sent abroad are concentrated in Germany, and the industrial and military exchanges between China and Germany are also the closest. The selection of the minister to Germany is very important and must be carefully selected."

“Your Highness, what do you think of Lord Wang Youtian?
Anti-Chinese sentiment in the United States was boiling over. After the Argentine War, it was difficult for the government to maintain diplomatic relations with the United States. When Lord Wang returned to the country to report on his work after the war, it was a suitable time. "

"The anti-Chinese incident in the United States may be more serious than you think. Wang Youtian has other important tasks to attend to, so he can't spare the time to go to Germany."

Li Mingyuan waved his hand to reject Hu Yaji's proposal.

"Wang Youtian has been appointed to another post. Who else has the ability and qualifications to serve as the Minister to Germany?"

Hu Yaqi thought for a long time but couldn't come up with a suitable candidate.

"I remember that your third son Hu Jingde is familiar with English, German, and Japanese. Have you ever considered sending him to Germany to gain some experience?"

"My son only learned a few foreign languages ​​when he followed me in business in his early years. He is still far from being experienced enough to serve as the ambassador to Germany and deal with the Germans."

"You are over 30 years old, and four years ago you took the initiative to apply to study in Germany. There are many people in the government with your age and experience who have taken on important responsibilities. Mr. Hu should believe in your ability and give the younger generation a chance to exercise."

"But Jingde has no experience in taking charge of things on his own. If we rashly grant him such a big task, it may delay the important cooperation between the government and Germany."

"Then let's make this arrangement first. Hu Jingde's position will be promoted by half a level. He will be appointed as the deputy minister to Germany, with a rank of director-general. He will temporarily stay in the mainland to familiarize himself with the work arrangements of the minister to Germany. If a suitable candidate is found after the war, we will make adjustments."

(End of this chapter)