Chapter 87: Compensation Amount

Lansdowne sat back down, his tone much softened when he spoke: "Mr. Wang, after discussion, we agree in principle to your first two demands. The lifting of trade restrictions can take effect immediately, and the compensation amount is negotiable. The London representative office... can be established under the name of an 'informal commercial institution,' enjoying practical diplomatic conveniences."

"And the third point?" Wang Wenwu asked.

"That requires further consultation." Lansdowne chose his words carefully. "The British Empire cannot publicly recognize any nation's 'special rights' within its colonies. But... we can reach an internal understanding, namely that under extreme circumstances, we would not object to your side taking necessary humanitarian action."

Wang Wenwu laughed inwardly.

Rephrased, but the substance was the same. The British always needed a way to save face.

"Acceptable," he said. "Then the compensation amount?"

Archibald gritted his teeth: "Eight hundred thousand pounds. That is the upper limit."

"One and a half million."

"Nine hundred thousand!"

"One million three hundred thousand." Wang Wenwu leaned forward. "Mr. Chairman, I remind you that during the sanctions, the price at which Lanfang procured specialty steel from Germany's Krupp company was fifteen percent lower than the British quote. If we make this procurement contract public, how do you think the British Iron and Steel Association would react?"

Archibald's face flushed red.

Fisher interjected: "Mr. Wang, regarding technical cooperation..."

Here it comes.

Wang Wenwu feigned puzzlement: "Technical cooperation?"

"Your side has... unique strengths in the field of shipbuilding." Fisher chose his words cautiously. "The British Navy is currently undergoing modernization reforms. If both sides could cooperate on certain projects, it would greatly benefit mutual trust."

"For instance?"

"For instance... jointly designing a new type of cruiser? Or, Britain could procure certain... non-core subsystems from your side?" Fisher's eyes were fixed on Wang Wenwu's briefcase, which held that blue-covered document.

Wang Wenwu pondered for a moment: "On this matter, I need to seek instructions from home. But in principle, Lanfang is willing to share the fruits of technology with friendly nations—on a basis of equality and mutual benefit."

He neither agreed nor refused. He left the door open.

Fisher understood and nodded: "Of course, of course."

The negotiations that followed were peculiarly smooth. Clauses were finalized one by one, and the text was drafted overnight. By five o'clock in the afternoon, the two sides had already reached agreement on the main clauses of the Yingguo-Lanfang Trade and Navigation Memorandum of Understanding.

The signing ceremony was set for three days later.

As they were leaving, Lansdowne saw Wang Wenwu to the door and suddenly said: "Mr. Wang, His Majesty the King wishes to meet with you privately tomorrow afternoon. At Buckingham Palace, an informal Tea Meeting."

Wang Wenwu stopped: "His Majesty the King?"

"Yes. His Majesty is very interested in Eastern affairs." Lansdowne paused. "Of course, this does not represent an official stance; it is purely a private meeting."

"I am deeply honored."

The next afternoon at four o'clock, the side entrance of Buckingham Palace.

No honor guard, no journalists, only an old butler in a tailcoat leading the way. Through a long corridor, the walls covered with oil paintings—all of successive kings and queens. They stopped before an unremarkable oak door.

"His Majesty is waiting for you."

Pushing open the door revealed a small drawing room. Firewood burned in the fireplace—London in May was still a bit chilly. A small round table sat by the window, with three chairs. Edward VII sat in the main seat, with Prime Minister Campbell-Bannerman beside him.

The King was in his sixties, with a graying beard, dressed in dark casual clothes, wearing no crown. Seeing Wang Wenwu enter, he smiled and rose to his feet—this was rare; the King did not usually rise to greet guests on his own initiative.

"Mr. Wang, welcome."

Wang Wenwu bowed—not in the British style, but a slight Chinese bow: "Your Majesty, Prime Minister. Thank you for receiving me."

Tea had already been prepared. Indian Darjeeling black tea, served with dainty sandwiches and scones. After the maid poured the tea, she withdrew. The door closed, and only the three of them remained in the drawing room.

"Is this Mr. Wang's first time in London?" the King opened, as if making casual conversation.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"What do you think of London?"

"Very... ancient." Wang Wenwu chose his words carefully. "There is much history worth learning from."

The King laughed: "Ancient sometimes also means a burden. A three-hundred-year-old empire—a large ship is hard to turn around."

There was more to those words than met the ear.

Campbell-Bannerman picked up the thread: "Mr. Wang, yesterday's negotiations went very smoothly. We all hope that Yingguo-Lanfang relations can develop steadily."

"That is Lanfang's wish as well."

A few seconds of silence. Firewood crackled in the fireplace.

The King set down his teacup and leaned slightly forward: "Mr. Wang, I have a question, purely out of personal curiosity—as a newly emerging nation, how does Lanfang view the current situation in Europe?"

Here it comes.

Wang Wenwu was prepared, but still feigned thinking for a moment: "What does Your Majesty refer to?"

"For instance... Deguo." The King said it casually. "Kaiser Wilhelm is very enthusiastic about naval construction. He has recently ordered six new battleships—designed by Lanfang, I hear?"

Probing.

"Lanfang's cooperation with Deguo is purely commercial in nature," Wang Wenwu said. "We provide warship designs for Deguo, and Deguo pays the fees. Just as British shipyards build warships for Japan."

"But the level of technology is different." Campbell-Bannerman interjected. "What Japan bought was still traditional design. What Deguo obtained was... a new generation of technology."

Wang Wenwu set down his teacup and sat up straight.

Now was the critical moment.

"Your Majesty, Prime Minister," his voice was clear, his pace slowed, "please allow me to speak plainly—Lanfang is Lanfang of Yazhou. Our compatriots are in Yazhou, our homeland is in Yazhou. All our efforts are to protect overseas Chinese and rebuild our ancestral land in South Ocean."

He paused, looking into the King's eyes:

"The balance of Europe should be maintained by the great nations of Europe through wisdom and restraint. Deguo, Faguo, Yingguo... these nations with deep history and civilization have the ability to manage their relations well. Lanfang has neither the intention nor sufficient strength to intervene in European affairs. Our concerns are in Yazhou."

A long speech, but the meaning was clear: we will not get involved.

The expression on Edward VII's face relaxed at a visible pace. He leaned back in his chair and even revealed a sincere smile.

"A wise position," the King said. "Young sir, you are very clear-headed. Some nations... always want to meddle everywhere, and often end up empty-handed on both fronts."

He personally picked up the teapot and refilled Wang Wenwu's cup—this was an extremely high honor.

"Mr. Wang, I too visited Yazhou when I was young. India, Ceylon, Hong Kong... it is a place full of vitality. I am very glad to see that the people of Yazhou can also build modern nations and master advanced technology. This is the progress of civilization."

"Thank you for Your Majesty's understanding."

"However," the king shifted his tone, "technology is a double-edged sword. Too advanced, and it tends to provoke… concern."

Wang Wenwu understood: "Lanfang's technological development has always been for defensive purposes. We build warships to protect shipping lanes and safeguard our fellow countrymen, not to challenge the existing maritime order."

"That is good." The king nodded and produced a small velvet box from his breast pocket. "A small gift, a token of my regard."

Wang Wenwu took it and opened it. Inside was a pair of cufflinks, made of gold and set with diamonds, fashioned in the shape of a Royal Navy officer's sword.

"May Lanfang and the British Empire remain forever friends," the king said.

"Lanfang will always remember Your Majesty's friendship."