Due to Ye Ziweng's illness, the accompanying work of Princess Charlotte was fully entrusted to Wang Chunling, president and editor-in-chief of Xiangxi Daily. Coincidentally, both Wang Chunling and Princess Charlotte speak German, making communication almost effortless.

  After the dinner, Ms. Wang Chunling accompanied Princess Charlotte to the living area to watch a movie, which is still relatively new and novel in Europe. Zhao Songyang brought ten guards with him as ordered. Although Anjiang, this model city, has successfully achieved zero crime through planned economy and household registration management, basic dignity is still necessary. And the couples who plan to go to the movies tonight may be disappointed because General Wang Zhenyu has already ordered a private screening.

  "Honorable Grand Duke, please allow me to use the honorific title for you used by your subordinates. I am very grateful for the friendly attitude shown towards Luxembourg. I think our country needs your further assistance now. Of course, we will not ask for one-sided gains. We hope to form a mutually beneficial cooperative relationship between us." Minister of State Juncker expressed his sincere attitude towards Wang Zhenyu's side, and thus everyone could get straight to the point and avoid unnecessary verbosity.

  "Has Lord Heng arrived?" Wang Zhenyu asked in a low voice. Wang Zhenbang didn't respond and immediately left the scene.

  "Honorable Vice Premier Yung, I appreciate your frankness and directness. I think we can skip many unnecessary steps, directly state our expectations to each other, and then see how big the gap is and whether it's worth our sincere effort to narrow this gap." Wang Zhenyu also clearly expressed his attitude: "Everyone, let's stop beating around the bush and talk about conditions."

  The Grand Duke nodded in satisfaction, took a folder from his deputy's hand, and opened it lightly: "The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg hopes to rent a piece of land from your country for a long time, becoming a temporary residence for the citizens of the Grand Duchy. Please note that we are not going to establish a concession or colony, but only hope to obtain a refuge from European disputes and continue to develop our economy through this rented land. Of course, we will also provide sufficient returns for this. We plan to provide an interest-free loan of 200 million pounds to you and the region led by you, with a loan period of ten years. I think this condition is quite generous."

  Wang Zhenyu didn't say a word, he thought for a moment and knew that this thin Luxembourg old man deliberately pressed the price down by 200 million pounds of loan without repayment, really stingy.

  Wang Zhenyu pretended to be calm and smiled, saying: "Dear Vice Premier Rong Ke, can I understand it this way? This is just a business deal. You only need us to renovate some houses and then provide them for your people to live in. You don't even have to pay rent or lend us money for development, that's all?"

  Jongker apparently didn't catch the sarcastic tone in Wang Zhenyu's words and continued to say with a self-satisfied smile: "Oh no, you misunderstood. In fact, apart from extraterritorial jurisdiction, I hope this is a temporary concession. The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg will retain its military, judicial, and diplomatic powers within this region. Of course, I know that your country's current situation is very unstable, so the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg will also fully support you in maintaining your current position."

  Wang Zhenyu almost laughed out loud. He gently closed the folder in front of him and smiled at Rong Ke, saying: "In that case, I think we don't need to continue talking about anything else. The negotiating partner you need is a merciful and selfless God, not me, a greedy Chinese general. You can rest well in my city, and let's not say anything more."

  Watching Wang Zhenyu suddenly get up and want to leave, Rong Ke's clever mind finally realized that he had gotten the whole question completely wrong from start to finish, and with one opening price, he scared away the customer.

  "Don't go yet, dear King. My country needs your help. What I said just now was only a personal suggestion of mine. You can also make your own suggestions."

  Wang Zhenyu and Zhao Hengyu exchanged a glance, thinking to themselves: "Since you're the one seeking help, what's with the attitude? Do you think I'm the Qing government?"

  Wang Zhenyu still smiled and sat down: "As I said earlier, the gap between us is too big, it's not even necessary to talk about it, Mr. Rong Ke. If possible, I hope you can be more sincere and bring out your sincerity. Otherwise, whatever conditions I propose will be meaningless, right? As for me, I'll only discuss conditions that can move me, Wang Zhenyu. Please understand this about me. I didn't read much when I was young, my temper is quick, and I was rash just now, don't mind it."

  With rich diplomatic experience, Rong Ke knew he had encountered a tough role, but for the sake of the future of 300,000 compatriots, he endured and signaled his assistant to bring over another file.

  "Alright, King. Actually, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is very generous when it comes to genuinely helping its friends. In fact, we have a series of plans, but they must be combined with your local actual situation. However, in terms of funding, we can discuss first. For example, we are willing to pay an annual rent of 30 million pounds to you and your local government, on the condition that you provide sufficient land for our citizens to live in and guarantee us the raw materials needed for industrial development, such as coal and iron. Of course, as a return, we consider building a military factory for you according to the standard of Luxembourg's largest military factory, and providing enough equipment to arm 10,000 troops. We are a small country after all, otherwise, we wouldn't have come here to seek refuge. This condition is very reasonable. Additionally, reserving the military and judicial institutions is our basic requirement because no one can guarantee that you will always be our friend. Self-protection is the basic attitude of being responsible for 300,000 Luxembourg citizens."

  Wang Zhenyu listened carefully to the translation and occasionally wrote or drew something with a pencil in his own notebook after each word was finished.

  After Vice Premier Jung said a lot, Wang Zhenyu finally spoke up: "Vice Premier Jung, I must say thank you because I truly felt your sincerity. This matter is very complicated and can't be discussed by one or two people in just one or two days. So my opinion is that we first set a general direction, and the specific details of cooperation can be discussed with the people below me. Has Wang Zhenbang arrived?"

  "This is my predecessor, Mr. Qīn Héng. He was the chief of staff for my uncle and has great ability to handle things. My plan is like this: take the map..." Qīn Héng was appointed as the director of the Changde Administrative Office after his betrayal in the Battle of Changde, but he didn't idle around and instead went north to meet Wang Longzhong at the behest of Wang Zhenyu, who intended to entrust him with an important task.

  The map was spread out, and Wang Zhenyu pointed to the location of Liuzhou, saying "This is it. I plan to make this entire region a settlement for you Luxembourgers. Once an agreement is reached, I will use the funds you provided in advance to build infrastructure here, including water and electricity facilities, drainage and sewage systems, as well as railways and highways. Ha ha, three connections and one leveling are a must! As for industrial development, in order to eliminate our mutual distrust, my suggestion is that we work together. For example, steel mills - we can build a million-ton-per-year steel mill in Liuzhou. Look, the iron ore deposits in Lianzhou County on the east side of Liuzhou have high iron content, and the coal resources in Laibin to the south are also very rich. And look at transportation - if we just extend the railway to Laibin, it can reach the sea via Youjiang River. How about that, my friends? I think my plan is quite reasonable."

  Several high-ranking officials from Luxembourg exchanged glances and nodded in agreement. Wang Zhenyu waved his hand, indicating for the map to be taken away: "As I mentioned earlier, regarding the retention of troops, I agree that this is not our home after all, and some defense can be understood. However, we must limit the scope of activity. Moreover, I am unwilling to have the entire city enclosed. I hope Liu Zhou will not become a concession zone. In fact, I do not even have the authority to sign a concession treaty. So, I hope you can understand my difficulties. As for your government being able to continue existing in this city, Liu Zhou is just a central hub for your country within our territory. Your citizens can enter our established enterprises, factories, schools, and engage in various work, including our government. You can also become civil servants. We recognize dual nationality, that's all. Additionally, when Europe becomes peaceful and stable, you will return home, and we will discuss the issue of transfer again. Can't we do it this way? My intention is roughly these few points. If your side still thinks it's possible to negotiate, then let's divide into several groups and start discussing specific issues. I hope we can reach an agreement as soon as possible."

  Junker and several other Luxembourg officials immediately began a tense conversation in German. Indeed, time was too pressing. Junker soon agreed to divide into groups for consultations.

  Wang Zhenyu's mood suddenly improved, and he turned to Wang Zhenbang and said: "Let Ye Lao talk to them about the issue of financial aid, don't be polite, we're also taking risks, who knows how the British and French will react; let Yang Wanguo deal with the military issue, make it clear so as not to cause trouble in the future. As for the urban planning issue, let Old Marshal (Qingheng) and Huang Xuchu discuss it together, I'm thinking of setting up a special city within Liuzhou City, with Old Marshal as the mayor and Huang Xuchu as the deputy, you can forget about being the secretary-general of the Guangxi Provincial Government, what's the point of being a secretary under military control? Let Wang Zixiang, the civil affairs director, arrange it himself after he takes office. You guys go and negotiate well, solve all the problems that can be solved now."