Greece’s Roman Road

After reaching an agreement with the French, Constantine and Schmidt left Paris and hurried to Berlin, Germany, to attend the ongoing Berlin conference aimed at resolving disputes between countries over the Congo and the watershed.

After the two arrived at the Greek embassy in Berlin, they met Banning, who had already attended the opening ceremony of the meeting.

"Banning, how was the meeting going?" Constantine asked anxiously.

For the sake of a Congo River Basin, he ran around and worked hard. Now it's finally time to harvest, how can he not be in a hurry?

At this moment, France, Portugal, and the Congolese Committee are still in a tense confrontation.

"From the very beginning of the meeting, there was a dispute," Banning said helplessly.

"Countries such as Britain, France, Jose, etc., hope that Germany will not touch their sphere of influence, but the Germans think the so-called 'sphere of influence' is too absurd," Banning explained.

At the beginning of the Berlin Conference, there was a problem, and the Germans expressed that they did not understand what a "sphere of influence" was.

The Germans believe that only if you fly the national flag, have garrisoned troops, have police, and have judicial organs there, and are exercising effective management, it belongs to your territory;

You have nothing there, but you say that you belong to your sphere of influence. The Germans think this is too funny.

In Bismarck's view, European countries only have some strongholds in the coastal areas of Africa, and the vast inland areas of Africa are still unclaimed.

"So Britain, France, Spain, Portugal and other countries held a small meeting on their own, trying to figure out how to explain to the Germans: Although I didn't fly the national flag, garrison troops, police, or enforce the judicial system there, it was still mine. "Sphere of Influence"

"The Germans believe that effective occupation should determine the owner of a piece of land, that is, to establish a system of management personnel, army, and justice in the local area." Banning said.

The meeting has been going on for half a month, and everyone is still arguing.

On July 19, Constantine and Banning came to a Rococo mansion at 77 Wilhelmstraße in Berlin.

This is the Chancellery of the German Empire.

The two were led to a reception room by a servant. The Prime Minister of the Second German Empire, Bismarck, was a big belly, wearing a uniform, with a gray mustache on his fat cheeks.

"The two of you are here for the issue of the ownership of the Congo River Basin?" Bismarck asked.

"Yes, Your Excellency Bismarck, what do you think should be done in the Congo River Basin?" Constantine asked respectfully.

This is a famous politician and diplomat in Europe, the main driving force behind the unification of Germany.

"Are you behind the Congolese committee?"

"To be honest, I'm not optimistic about this plan to develop a deserted tropical African colony. Do you know how much money it will cost?" Bismarck said bluntly.

"The Congolese Council will accomplish its task, but until then, it needs to acquire Congolese management," Constantine said firmly.

The African plan has come to this stage, how could it be given up just because one sentence is not optimistic?

"Well, now that you have made up your mind, Your Excellency, why do you have the confidence to acquire Congo's ownership when all countries are staring at you? Just relying on your entrusted governance treaties?" Bismarck said.

Politicians are realists.

"Reliance? In fact, my biggest reliance is that all countries are eager to get it, and Greece is enough to reassure them," Constantine said calmly.

Frankly speaking, at this moment, Constantine was complicated:

Sadly, Greece's weak strength; joy is that the weak strength has become the guarantee of obtaining the Congo. Countries can believe that the Greeks have no threat to obtain the Congo.

Bismarck lowered his head and considered what Constantine said. After Constantine's prompt, he also woke up:

Strong countries can't be at odds with each other, and a small country's acquisition of a strong country has become an acceptable result for all parties.

"Which country did your plan get the support of?" Bismarck said with a frown.

"The French and Americans have already expressed their support for the request for the management of the Congo River Basin, which has just passed the Commission," Constantine said.

"No wonder Your Excellency the Duke is so confident." Hearing this, Bismarck also understood. I'm afraid this is the source of Constantine's confidence.

"What is your asking price?" Constantine asked.

"The conditions you gave to France and the United States are the same for Germany."

"Free trade, the goods of all countries can be sold fairly in the Congo River Basin, and the Congolese Commission cannot take any measures to limit this principle," Constantine said.

"In this case, there is nothing wrong with Germany here. As long as other countries agree, Germany will not object. The Congolese Commission will obtain the management rights of the Congo."

Constantine let out a long breath and dealt with another side, and he was getting closer and closer to the goal.

Because of the peculiarity of the Congolese Committee (a private organization), in the meetings held by representatives of various countries, UU read www.uukanshu. The com committee is only eligible for observers.

Therefore, Constantine ordered Banning to attend the meeting, and he himself was responsible for meeting privately with other countries.

On July 22, Constantine crossed the English Channel from Berlin, Germany to London, England.

Constantine and Schmidt took a carriage to 10 Downing Street, the residence of the British Prime Minister.

The two of them, led by the staff, went to the reception room, but they encountered an accident on the way. The two were bumping into Gladstone and cuddling with a heavily makeup woman, behaving intimately.

Seeing this scene, the clerk looked embarrassed and hurriedly explained in a low voice: "Your Excellency, Prime Minister Gladstone is like this. He often brings women to the Prime Minister's official residence, not intentionally to be negligent."

Hearing his explanation, Constantine didn't know whether to laugh or cry. The Prime Minister's feelings were so unrestrained that he would bring all the girls to the Prime Minister's official residence.

It seemed that the voices of the two were interrupting, and Mr. Prime Minister Gladstone walked towards them.

The male staff walked up to Gladstone and whispered in a low voice.

"Welcome to England, Your Excellency." What is it about politics? Gladstone, who has been on the Prime Minister's throne for the second time, greeted Constantine like no one else.

Then the two walked into a secret guest room.

"Mr. Prime Minister, I have come to discuss the ownership of the Congo River with you this time," Constantine said.

"But the British government has issued a statement that we support the Portuguese's acquisition of the Congo River region, and this cannot be changed," Gladstone said firmly.

"So what? The Portuguese have never established effective rule anywhere. Just because of historical reasons, they can get the Congo River Basin? That's ridiculous." Constantine did not back down.

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