Sure enough, the day after Ito Hirofumi returned to Japan, British Ambassador to Japan Hamilton requested a meeting.

What was the British ambassador asking for his own visit? Hirofumi Ito knew very well. It seemed that the British were really anxious, so he met Hamilton in his office.

In fact, as soon as Ito Hirofumi's visit to East China ended, the UK knew the content of the consensus on this visit. In fact, East China did not conceal the consensus reached by the two sides. The content of the consensus reached by the two sides was seen in major media and newspapers the next day. After all, there is nothing to hide. Although Japan regarded East China as a national enemy after the end of the Far East War, East China did not deliberately promote hostility towards Japan. Now Japan is not actually posing a big threat to East China.

Regarding Hirobu Ito's visit, the propaganda of East China ** was that Japan was defeated by East China **, so he came to ask for peace, so he did not cause excessive reaction among the people.

The content of the consensus shocked the UK. In fact, the content of this consensus is nothing special. Not to mention that it is just a consensus and has not formed a formal agreement treaty. Even if the two parties finally sign a treaty, it still falls within the normal scope of relations between countries.

However, the UK does not want Japan to establish friendly state relations with East China, because what Britain needs is a hostile to East China, and helps Britain curb East China, and when conflicts or even wars occur, it will rush ahead of Britain and directly confront East China, and it is definitely not a Japan that has established normal state relations with East China, or even gradually moving towards friendly relations. Simply put, the UK hopes that Japan will serve itself as cannon fodder to fight East China.

Therefore, the UK also held an emergency discussion and negotiated countermeasures. Although according to general international practices, it is quite possible that this consensus will eventually become a formal treaty, but it is not absolute. Therefore, the UK still has the opportunity to prevent Japan and East China from signing a treaty, or modifying the content of the consensus. Of course, first of all, it is necessary to issue a warning to Japan, indicating that the UK is very dissatisfied with the attitude of this consensus, and then look at Japan's attitude and take the next step. This is the task of the British Ambassador to Japan Hamilton requesting to meet Hirobuki Ito.

Although I knew Hamilton's purpose in my heart, Hirobuki Ito's attitude was still very friendly and he was very enthusiastic after meeting. After the two sat down, they handed out cigarettes and invited Hamilton to have tea, and talked a lot of nonsense.

Although Hamilton came to provoke a rioter, Bi Jing was a diplomat and had basic politeness. Facing Hiromoto Ito's friendly and enthusiastic, he had professionalism on his face and did not hide his pretend smile. He did not refuse to hand over it to Hiromoto Ito. But he just said thank you politely and then stopped talking. When Hiromo Ito talked nonsense, Hamilton just acted as if he was listening attentively, but he just didn't respond. It was like he was pretending to be at the very moment.

Sure enough, Hirobuki Ito talked a lot for a while, but no one supported him and couldn't continue to say anything. He said embarrassedly: "Mr. Ambassador wants to see me, is there anything wrong?"

Seeing that Hirofumi Ito could not pretend anymore, he finally got to the point. Hamilton was also very funny. He wanted to play this trick in front of him, but his career was still a little short of it, so he took a formal attitude and said, "Mr. Prime Minister, you have reached a consensus with the East China ** this time. I don't know how you plan to deal with this consensus after you return to China!"

Hirobu Ito smiled and said, "Of course it was handed over to the Congress for discussion. The news I just received was that East China ** had passed this consensus. Therefore, if our Japanese Congress also passed it, it would officially sign an agreement and become a legally binding treaty between the two countries. Of course, if it was not passed in the Congress, this consensus can only be regarded as a diplomatic result and has no legal binding force. Mr. Ambassador, are you satisfied with my answer!"

Hamilton nodded and said, "Mr. Prime Minister, thank you for your reply. Now I would like to formally express my attitude to Japan on behalf of the British Empire. We oppose this consensus that ultimately forms a legally binding national treaty."

Hirofumi Ito looked surprised and said, "Mr. Ambassador, why is this? Can you explain it to me?"

Hamilton said: "Of course, because this consensus must have become a legally binding national treaty, it will cause serious damage to the [Four-Nation Alliance]. As a member of the Four-Nation Alliance, Japan has the obligation to maintain the stability and interests of the alliance."

Hirobuki Ito frowned and said, "Mr. Ambassador, Japan and East China have established normal state relations and have not violated the treaty of returning to the [Four-Country Alliance]! The treaty does not prohibit the member states of the [Alliance] from developing friendly relations with other countries!"

Hamilton glanced at Hirobuki Ito and said, "Mr. Prime Minister, let's talk straight. The [Four-Nation Alliance] is actually a military alliance with common defense. Although the [All] treaty does not clearly indicate the hostile countries of the [All], we all know that this common enemy is the East China **. Because the Four-Nation Alliance is now improving relations with Japan and even developing friendly relations, it makes us Britain, France, which is also an alliance, and Russia doubt Japan's sincerity to join the [Four-Nation Alliance]. At the same time, if this consensus eventually forms a legally binding national treaty, we will consider whether it is necessary to retain the qualifications of Japan's [All] member states."

Hirobu Ito's face finally became serious and said, "Mr. Ambassador, Is this the attitude of the United Kingdom? Does it represent the attitude of France and Russia?"

Hamilton said: "I just said that I am talking to the Prime Minister as a representative of the British Empire. Therefore, what I say now represents the attitude of the British Empire. As for the attitude of France and Russia, I cannot represent it, but I believe that their attitude should be consistent with that of Britain, and I believe that the Prime Minister will receive his attitude soon."

Hirobu Ito also looked stern and said, "Mr. Ambassador, the status of the member states of the [Four-Nation Alliance] is equal. Japan has its own foreign policy and has the right to choose a diplomatic route that is beneficial to it. It does not require the guidance of the other three countries. Japan and East China have established normal state relations, but it does not violate the provisions of the [Four-Nation Alliance] treaty provisions. Didn't Britain and France establish normal state relations with East China? Why can't Japan?"

Hamilton said: "Mr. Prime Minister, please remember that it is the [Four-Country Alliance] treaty that provides protection to Japan so that Japan is qualified to negotiate reciprocally with East China **. Otherwise, do you think East China ** will be so polite to Japan? Since it is the [Four-Country Alliance] treaty that protects Japan, then Japan has the obligation to obey the requirements of other [All] member states, rather than just taking care of its own interests."

Hirofumi Ito said coldly: "Mr. Ambassador, I do not deny that the [Four-Country Alliance] treaty does protect Japan, but Japan has made great contributions to the [Four-Country Alliance] and can completely overcome the protection of the [Four-Country Alliance] treaty. If other [All] member states believe that Japan is just a burden on the [Four-Country Alliance] and protection to Japan is just a kind of alms, then Japan can voluntarily withdraw from the [Four-Country Alliance] without considering other [All] member states."

Hamilton was stunned. Ito Hirobuki's tough attitude was a bit beyond his expectations, because what he said was to consider Japan's membership qualifications, but it was actually just an attitude of putting pressure on Japan, not really trying to kick Japan out of the [Four-Country Alliance], because the [Four-Country Alliance] was targeting the East China **, and now Russia's power in the Far East has declined, and only Japan can stand on the front line of the fight against the East China **. Once Japan is not in the [Four-Country Alliance], its actual role is not great. Therefore, it is not unreasonable that Hirobuki Ito made great contributions to the [Four-Country Alliance]. Now Ito Maifumi threatens to withdraw from the [Four-Country Alliance], and Hamilton dares not follow up. If it is really deadlocked, Japan really withdraws from the [Four-Country Alliance], then his political future will be home.

However, the biggest feature of diplomats is that they can bend and stretch, and their faces change faster than Sichuan opera. People who are keen can't be diplomats. Hamilton immediately said: "Mr. Prime Minister, we don't have this intention. Japan has made great contributions to the [Four-Nation Alliance]. This is what we all recognize. But since we have formed an alliance, any country's actions should consider the interests of the alliance, rather than just considering the interests of our own country. This is true for Japan, Britain, France, and Russia. We do not oppose Japan establishing normal state relations with East China, but only at this point, we do not want Japan to further enhance its relations with East China."

Seeing that the other party took a step back, Hirofumi Ito was also very energetic. He just said that Japan took the initiative to withdraw from the [Four-Nation Alliance], and he also said with gritted teeth. In fact, Japan really dared not withdraw from the [Four-Nation Alliance], just betting whether Britain dared to follow up, but Britain really dared not bet with Japan. It seems that there is really hope that it will force Britain to return its tariff rights, but it still has to take it slowly.

And even though Hamilton gave in, Hirobuki Ito also slowed down his tone and said, "Mr. Ambassador, of course we will also try our best to consider the interests of the alliance, but now Japan also has Japan's national conditions. The Far East War has greatly damaged Japan's vitality. Although it has helped various countries, it does not have enough strength to confront East China in a short period of time. To improve relations with East China, it is also to restore Japan's national strength as soon as possible. Because Japan's economy is very dependent on China, other member states of the [Alliance] should also think about Japan. Although the target of the [Alliance] is indeed the East China, in a short period of time, we will not have major conflicts with East China. Therefore, Japan used this period of time to improve its relations with East China, and to restore its national strength as soon as possible. This is also beneficial to the [Alliance]."

Hamilton nodded and said, "Okay! Mr. Prime Minister, I will report to the country truthfully for today's talks. If there are new opinions in the country, I will immediately report to the Prime Minister."
Chapter completed!