The second volume is full of glory and splendor in the capital, and the spirit is full of vitality in the foggy city. Chapter 313: 723 (3)
Subtitle of this chapter: Heavyweight supporting actors
19:45 GMT.
It was completely dark at this time, but Piccadilly in the center of London was brightly lit.
This is an old industrial country. In 1921, when most parts of the world were still shrouded in the darkness of ignorance, the nights of the foggy city had already been illuminated by the light of modern civilization.
But how much blood of people is needed as oil and how much flesh of people is needed as ointment to ignite the brilliant light of modern civilization?
The invitation said the reception would start at 8 o'clock, but they arrived at the Japanese Embassy in the United Kingdom a quarter of an hour early.
At this time, many cars had already parked in front of the embassy, and cars and carriages were driving in one after another.
Both the car and the people in it look quite respectable.
After all, this is a real social occasion for the upper class, and also a real international diplomatic activity. Only rich or noble people can come here, and those who are not rich or noble have to put on a brave face.
"Sir, when shall I pick you up?"
"Thank you, but you don't have to come pick us up..." Yuan Yan suddenly took out a British pound and handed it over. "We can go back by ourselves."
“Beep, beep, beep.”
A medium-sized truck passed them, and the driver honked his horn. Master Yuan looked up and saw his own driver.
He nodded to Xiaokang and watched the truck drive towards Piccadilly Circus tube station...
The four of them walked slowly towards the gate of the embassy, where several Japanese men in plain clothes were standing.
Although they are not tall, they are short and strong with tough faces, so they should be security personnel.
It is impossible for such a diplomatic reception to have no guards at all, at least there should be some gatekeepers.
In addition to the Japanese, there were a few British officers standing not far away, but they were either opening car doors for dignitaries or directing traffic.
Whether they are Japanese or British, they have no concept of "anti-terrorism" at all.
Who said this is 1921?
Who says this is Greater London?
Who asked for a "Comrade Tai Sui" to appear out of nowhere on this timeline?
Master Yuan showed them the invitation and they were let in without even looking at it.
The four dwarfs all focused their attention on the beautiful girl and didn't even bother looking at the invitation.
He entered the entrance hall, and there stood a middle-aged man he had seen before, the Chinese ambassador to the UK, Keishiro Matsui, whom Yuan Yanshu had met before.
Seeing the gorgeously dressed Lin Huiyin, he couldn't help but be slightly distracted. However, he was a calm and composed professional diplomat after all, so he immediately turned around and asked the attendant who was also stunned.
The attendant, who had just woken up from a dream, whispered something in the ambassador's ear.
In fact, after receiving the invitation, Yuan Yanshu was required to send a reply, stating the name of her female companion. According to social etiquette at the time, even if you didn't have any female friends, you had to find one to bring with you.
Well, this is a bit like renting a girlfriend when you go back to your hometown during the Spring Festival.
However, because the invitation was personally delivered by Yamamoto Isoroku, he waived this formality. The Japanese also knew that he was bringing Lin Huiyin with him.
The senior diplomat smiled professionally, bowed to the lady and said, "Ms. Lin, welcome."
Lin Huiyin also responded gracefully: "Thank you, Minister Matsui."
Then he turned to the man and said, "Dr. Yuan, I'm glad we meet again. His Royal Highness Prince Digong has always been thinking about you."
Master Yuan said politely, "Minister Matsui, I am deeply honored to receive this invitation. As for the thoughts of His Royal Highness the Prince of your country, I am deeply troubled."
"You two, we'll talk later. This way, please."
An attendant took the invitation from Yuan Yanshu and led them to the main door. There was also a muezzin at the door, calling out the names on the invitation.
Then Yuan Lin and the other person walked in and bowed to everyone in the hall before they could enter the venue.
Louise Baker and Emma Pulitzer arrived shortly thereafter.
As the grandson of a Wall Street miracle, it was not difficult for Mr. Baker Jr. to get an invitation for himself.
Emma Pulitzer was heard grumbling quietly, "Neo, I can't bring my camera in."
"It's okay, Emma." Yuan Yanshu comforted: "Don't worry, I will help you get the photos you want."
Then he began to observe his surroundings.
Just as he expected, the hall had been transformed into a completely Western-style ballroom that could accommodate at least two or three hundred guests.
This must have been planned during the design phase. If the Chinese Embassy in the UK were to hold such a reception, they would have had to find another venue.
This converted ballroom doesn't have a stage, but instead has stairs in the middle. There are also loudspeakers on the stairs, where someone will give a speech later.
"Yuan Jun, you're here?"
He had just taken a look at the furnishings of the ballroom when an acquaintance came up to say hello.
This acquaintance was Yamamoto Isoroku, and when he saw Lin Huiyin, he was also stupid for a moment, stammering a little: "This, this, this must be Miss Lin. She is indeed a rare beauty."
Ba Maoqian glanced at Master Yuan and thought to himself, he is indeed a notorious lecher.
Master Yuan took a look at the eighty cents and said to himself, he is indeed a notorious lecher.
Yamamoto Isoroku pointed to the plain-looking girl beside him, who was wearing a Western dress instead of a kimono, and said, "Let me introduce you. This is Minister Matsui's daughter, Ms. Matsui Sachiko."
Yuan Yanshu naturally had no interest in the plain-looking girl. She casually kissed her hand and said, "Ms. Matsui, nice to meet you."
Unexpectedly, Miss Matsui was quite enthusiastic. She took his arm and said delicately, "Dr. Yuan, I'm so happy to meet you. I'm your loyal fan..."
Yamamoto Isoroku also came to Lin Huiyin and said attentively: "Miss Lin, are you here to study abroad..."
"Dr. Yuan, I really love your "Chocolat"..."
"Ms. Lin, have you ever been to Japan?"
"Dr. Yuan, let me tell you..."
"Ms. Lin, let me tell you..."
You're really wasting my time!
Master Yuan was complaining in his heart, drinking champagne, and having to deal with these two hungry Japanese at the same time. He was really annoyed.
At this moment, he heard the muezzin's call: "Gu Weijun, Ambassador of the Republic of China to the United Kingdom, and his wife Huang Huilan."
Yuan Yan suddenly felt as if she had been pardoned. She took Lin Huiyin's hand and apologized to the two Japanese: "Excuse me, you two. I have to go see our minister. Please excuse me."
"Shaochuan, Huilan. Let me introduce you. This is the daughter of Doufeigong, Miss Lin Huiyin."
When they saw the beautiful girl next to their uncle and father-in-law, expressions of surprise and astonishment flashed across their faces.
Huang Huilan's eyes lit up, and she asked rather impolitely, "Ms. Lin, who made this dress? Why haven't I seen a dress like this before?"
She naturally wore the latest, most high-end, most luxurious gowns, and was adorned with jewels. This was Ms. Huang's style; otherwise, why would she marry Gu Weijun, who was married for the second time... no, the third time?
However, due to her innate conditions, even if her clothes are of extraordinary value, they are not as good as Xiao Linzi's.
Lin Huiyin glanced at Master Yuan and said honestly, "Madam Gu, this was designed by Mr. Hongjian."
"Oh, Hongjian. I really didn't realize you had that ability! I didn't expect you could design fashion..."
Ms. Huang said with "delight" and "envy," "My Aunt Mingzhu is so lucky! I guess you'll be the one to take care of her dresses from now on."
Finally, she chuckled in an "unfathomable" way: "Haha..."
"Hehe..." Yuan Yan chuckled when she heard this.
How could he not hear the hidden meaning in her words? She was saying that he was a married man.
Really, please stop laughing at the second brother, our two elder brothers. How could your husband be any smarter than me in abandoning his original wife and hooking up with the Prime Minister's daughter?
"Huilan, this is nature. I am an artist after all. Discovering and creating beauty is my lifelong pursuit."
I'm going to start a "Hanfu craze" after I return to China.
"The Minister of the United States of America to the British Empire has arrived with his wife!"
"The French Republic's Minister to the British Empire has arrived with his wife!"
"The Siamese ambassador to the British Empire has arrived with his wife!"
"The Minister of the Argentine Republic to the British Empire has arrived with his wife!"
While these four were chatting, more and more foreign envoys arrived at the venue.
Four oceans and four continents... Master Yuan did not see any envoys from Africa. It seems that the black uncles today are not considered "civilized countries" and are all colonies managed by Europeans.
As a diplomat, Gu Weijun naturally had to bring his wife to socialize with these colleagues. So the couple apologized and parted ways with Yuan Lin.
"Huiyin, have some champagne."
Yuan Yan suddenly took two glasses of champagne from the tray held by the waiter and handed one to her female companion. At the same time, she lowered her voice and said, "Relax a little and don't be too nervous."
After all, they are all seventeen-year-old girls.
A hundred years from now, girls of this age still won’t be in college... But the situation a hundred years from now will be very complicated, with some teenage girls live-streaming and auctioning things online.
How could Lin Huiyin
She took the glass stiffly, tried to smile at her teacher, and took a sip of champagne.
"The Marquis George Curzon, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of the British Empire, and his wife have arrived!"
At this moment, our Master Yuan heard a familiar name. In fact, this guy is not unfamiliar to later generations of Seres history enthusiasts.
First, when Curzon was the Governor-General of India, he bypassed the Qing Dynasty and forced the Lhasa government to sign the Lhasa Treaty.
The consequence of this treaty is that it provides the so-called "legal basis" for the independence of the snowy plateau.
Many independence activists and Westerners regarded the signing of the Lhasa Treaty as a sign that the Snowy Plateau had the right to sign diplomatic treaties independently, thereby proving that it was an independent country at the time.
Secondly , the Curzon Line, one of the triggers of World War II, was named after this gentleman.
By the way, after the "Miracle on the Vistula , the Polish commander Piłsudski became a little inflated and actually wanted to establish a federal state - the Intermar Federation - that would include Poland, the three Baltic countries, Yugoslavia, Hungary, Romania, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Well, actually, the Polish people had this very romantic (middle) and romantic (secondary) idea a long time ago. They still remember the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, which was once peaceful and independent.
This is not surprising, since this so-called "Most Noble Commonwealth" was the largest and most populous country in Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries.
However, how could other Europeans, including the British, allow such a thing to happen? As the British Foreign Secretary, Curzon easily ruined the matter. In fact, it was really not that difficult, because the Inter-Sea Federation was just a wishful thinking of the Poles.
After all, the real world is not a game like Hearts of Iron.
Third, Curzon was the key figure in the rise of the Turkic Kingdom.
To put it simply, as mentioned earlier, the condition for the Kingdom of Italy to participate in World War I was to obtain the ports on the Adriatic Sea and the Aegean Sea.
On the Aegean Sea, there is a port called Smyrna. It has been a very important trading center since ancient times. It was a colonial city of the ancient Greeks. It was occupied by the Ottoman Empire in the mid-to-late 15th century. It is now called "Izmir".
Britain, the troublemaker, did not want Italy to expand its influence into the Aegean Sea, so it encouraged Greece to send troops to occupy Asia Minor, including Smyrna, in May 1919. The Second Greco-Turkish War broke out.
On July 17, 1921, the Greek army occupied Kütahya and attempted to capture Ankara. The Turkish army retreated to the east bank of the Sakarya River and fought for 22 consecutive days to stop the Greek attack.
In other words, at this point in time, Greece and Türkiye are at war.
Next, in the original timeline, Greece would be driven out of Asia Minor by Türkiye.
On July 24, 1923, the Allies on one side and Turkey on the other signed the Treaty of Lausanne. Greece was forced to return Eastern Thrace, the islands of Imres and Tenedos to Turkey and give up its claim to Smyrna.
This treaty was of great historical significance, establishing the boundaries of modern Turkey. Although Turkey gave up its territories in the Arab region and Cyprus, it retained Eastern Thrace and abolished the independence of Armenia and the autonomy of the Kurds.
Whether it was inciting the Greeks or betraying the Greeks, it was inseparable from this guy Curzon.
Our Master Yuan probably could not change the outcome of this war, nor could he change the fact that Mustafa Kemal Atatürk shone brightly in this war and became the "Father of the Republic of Turkey."
Although the future Tuji Country is indeed disgusting, it has nothing to do with him. In fact, he can't control it even if he wants to.
" Winston and his wife have arrived!"
Hahaha!
Yuan Yan suddenly laughed three times in her heart. This guy is here after all.
Churchill is of course much more famous than Curzon, but precisely because he is so famous, there is not much to introduce.
Now all that was missing was George Lloyd, the Prime Minister of the British Empire.
But it doesn’t matter whether he comes or not, because whether it is the current British Prime Minister or the future British Prime Minister, they are all supporting roles in this big news.
As luck would have it, Churchill turned around and saw Master Yuan with a burning gaze.
When the two looked at each other, a sincere smile immediately broke out on Yuan Yanshu's face, and she raised the wine glass in her hand to express her "respect" to this key figure in history.
"Teacher, do you know him?" Lin Huiyin asked when she saw this.
"No, so we have to go get to know him now."
Our Master Yuan pulled Lin Huiyin up and walked towards the Churchills...
"Comrades, Tai Sui has sent a message. Now we are waiting for the two protagonists to show up. Please be prepared."
Condor parked the car in a secluded place and waited patiently for Master Yuan's instructions.
At his command, several of the twelve zodiac animals took off their black robes and zodiac masks, revealing high-end attire and faces that looked very similar to Westerners.
Their appearance was created by Shen Hou - Zeng Xianzhang.
The operatives, disguised as guests, walked slowly toward the embassy.
Xiaokang got out of the car and couldn't participate in the operation. If he accidentally revealed his identity, his boss wouldn't be able to clear his name even if he jumped into the Thames. So he was responsible for passing on the message outside.
Now it was Xiao Pohai who started the car and slowly followed...
