While Tolstoy recognized Yang Xu, Yang Xu also recognized Tolstoy. The two walked towards each other tacitly, and then approached.

"Dear Duke, I am very happy to see you here." Compared to the coldness of Berekov, Tolstoy now seems extremely enthusiastic, with a smile like a spring breeze on his face, and enthusiastically expresses his greetings to Yang Xu first.

Although both sides are opponents, the necessary etiquette is still needed. Yang Xu also smiled and greeted Tolstoy, and called him His Excellency the Earl.

The two of them exchanged a few greetings like old friends, then came to the pergola together to sit down. As for their guards, they were on both sides of the road, and the tea that had been prepared long ago was brought up by the orderly soldiers.

"I have been to many countries." Thank you, Tolstoy took a sip of tea first, felt the comfort of the fragrance in his mouth, and said with a smile: "Sweden, Denmark, the Ottoman Empire, and of course France and Austria, but no European country can be as great as your country. The Ming Empire is as dazzling as a pearl and can overshadow the whole world."

As he said that, Tolstoy pointed to the tea in front of him: "Just like this tea is worth as much as gold in Europe, but it is a common thing in the Ming Dynasty. Sometimes I really envy you Ming people. If God can make me choose again, I hope I can be born in the Ming Dynasty, become an ordinary Ming Dynasty person, and feel the strength and greatness of the Ming Dynasty."

As soon as he came up, Tolstoy showed his admiration and admiration for the Ming Dynasty. Although Yang Xu knew very well that this might be a means by the other party. Although Yang Xu was not a diplomat, he had also been in the officialdom. It is not uncommon for those who talk to others and talk to ghosts.

But no matter what, when a foreigner, especially a senior foreign nobleman who was a rival to the Ming Dynasty, spoke these words, Yang Xu, as a Ming Dynasty, still felt the pride and pride in his heart, and he also felt good about Tolstoy's first impression.

Tolstoy was not in a hurry to talk about the serious matter first, but instead began to talk about what he saw and heard in various countries on the topic just now.

As Russia's best diplomat and head of the secret police, Tolstoy does have some tricks in this regard. His words are funny and vivid, and he often praises the Ming Dynasty under appropriate circumstances. A few words make Yang Xu happy.

"I heard that the countries of the Ming Dynasty are the most prosperous cities in the world. I have been to Paris and have followed the descriptions of merchants returning to Europe from the Far East. Unfortunately, I have never had the opportunity to go to your country to see. If possible, will the Duke take me around your country's capital then?"

"Of course there is no problem." Although Yang Xu was dizzy after Tolstoy's bowl after bowl of ecstasy soup, Yang Xu was not completely confused by Tolstoy's words. When Tolstoy said this, Yang Xu smiled and said, "When the war between our two countries ends and peace comes, I am very happy to invite the Earl to our Ming Dynasty. When I can not only accompany you to visit the capital, but also take you to Jiangnan. Jiangnan is the most prosperous place in the Ming Dynasty, and it will make you feel the strength of the Ming Dynasty more than the capital."

"This is such an exciting suggestion. Thank you very much for the invitation from the Duke. I think we are friends now, aren't we?" Tolstoy asked with a smile.

Yang Xu also smiled without comment. He did not answer the other party's words, but just looked at the other party meaningfully.

"Well, it seems that the Duke is a qualified military strategist and politician, which makes me admire him very much." Tolstoy showed a sincere smile without any embarrassment.

"This old fox!" Yang Xu cursed inwardly. He was not Yang Xu's opponent when he was tied up in war, but Tolstoy was a master among the masters when he was talking.

From the beginning of the meeting to the present, everything Tolstoy did and said had intentions, and seemed to be guiding Yang Xu in this undisgusting way. Fortunately, Yang Xu was a little prepared, and he had already woken up and had not fallen into the trap of the other party. But even in reality, Tolstoy had a slight advantage in the first fight between the two sides.

I can't continue to let this old guy continue like this, otherwise God would know how Tolstoy would argue.

Thinking of this, Yang Xu coughed, cleared his throat and talked about the serious matters directly.

"Emperor, why did you ask to meet me this time? Could it be that your country has given you the authorization to end the war?"

"War? No! There has never been any war." Tolstoy shook his head and said nonsense with his mouth: "When did war break out between our two countries? Everything is just a misunderstanding."

Yang Xu was slightly stunned. This old guy opened his eyes and was talking lies! It has been more than a year since the Ming Dynasty and Russia started a war. Tolstoy actually said that there was no war between the two sides. You should know that over the past year, both sides suffered huge losses on the battlefield. The number of casualties between the two countries has exceeded 40,000. Such casualties, if they were on the European battlefield, would be enough to completely disappear on the map.

"Hisser Duke, this is not only Russia's view, but your emperor also thinks so." Seeing that Yang Xu was about to refute, Tolstoy said in front.

"Emperor, are you tired from a long journey?" Yang Xu asked unhappily, implying that the other party was unconscious due to fatigue? Tolstoy's words were really outrageous. Could it be that he wanted to change the facts based on these nonsense?

As soon as Yang Xu finished speaking, Tolstoy laughed again: "I understand what you mean, dear Duke, but this is indeed true."

As he said that, Tolstoy asked back: "I remember that Russia and the Ming Empire did not really announce the war between the two countries, right? Now our Russian embassy and envoys in the capital of the Ming Dynasty still exist, and your country has not expelled our Russian diplomats. The same is true for the Russian Empire. From this point of view, there is no actual war between you and us, right?"

Yang Xu was stunned. He never expected Tolstoy to use this as a saying, but he had to admit that this was indeed the case from this point of view.

Due to diplomatic considerations and Zhu Yicheng's decision, although the Ming Dynasty actually started a war with Russia, it has never announced that the war between the Ming Empire and the Russian Empire has begun. The same is true for Russia. It has not announced that the two countries are at war. Even diplomatic officials from both sides are still stationed in their respective capitals, and both sides have not directly expelled them.

According to the world's diplomatic methods today, once the two sides officially start a war, it is necessary to announce it to the whole world, but also to expel their respective diplomats at the same time, and to close the other side's embassy. However, without such measures, it is indeed impossible to say that the two countries are officially at war.

"So, can you explain why we are sitting here for now?" Yang Xu was not a diplomat after all. He didn't know how to answer this question for a while, so he could only use this method to ask back.

"Of course it's for the friendship between our two countries!" Tolstoy said with a smile: "Because the Mongols in Korchin and those damn Cossacks are right! The reason for the rebellious Qing court has led to the instability of the borders between the two countries in the north. His Majesty's Emperor had expressed his hope that both sides could work together to solve these problems. But isn't that the case now? Your country's purpose and position are also recognized by us Russia. Of course, because of the vast territory and inconvenient information transmission, there were some small misunderstandings on the front line, which led to some small frictions and conflicts. So as the envoy of His Majesty the Tsar, I came to the Far East to eliminate misunderstandings with your country and work together to solve the problems."

As he said that, Tolstoy spread his hands, his face full of sincerity and sincerity. For a moment, Yang Xu didn't know how to answer.
Chapter completed!