The most concerned topic among foreign consuls is the current political situation in Peking.

Since the fall of President Cao Kun for bribery, Duan Qirui was pushed to the front desk to take power temporarily, but he was actually just a puppet. He wanted to use the contradictions between various warlords to maintain balance and consolidate his dominance, but in the end he was in a bad mood.

Finally, the conflict between Feng Yuxiang and the Fengtian faction intensified, the Fengtian faction united Wu Peifu to overthrow Feng, and the National Army was driven out of North China.

Today, Peking is jointly controlled by the Zhili and Fengtian warlords, led by Wu Peifu and Zhang Zuolin. When the two went to Beijing to meet on the first day of the month, there was a fierce quarrel over the regime issue, and a stalemate was formed. Wu Peifu proposed to restore Cao Kun's legal system because they were all Zhili warlords. However, Zhang Zuolin hoped to restore the law and reconvene the parliament in order to form the Regent's cabinet.

Nowadays, let alone the president of the Republic of China, there is not even the Congress or the Cabinet. The Beiyang government is completely paralyzed and the salary of civil servants has not been paid for a month.

At this chaos, all kinds of demons and monsters popped up, and even the call for support for Puyi's restoration was not small. Kang Youwei was actively running for the emperor, hoping to get Wu Peifu's support. In order to increase the bargaining chips with Zhang Zuolin, Wu Peifu did not refuse at all, and the royalists were in danger of reviving.

It is precisely because of this that Chu Yupu, a Fengtian warlord, was so concerned about the every move of the deposed emperor Puyi and accepted Zhou Hexuan's bad idea of ​​seducing the queen.

Foreigners are anxious because they are concerned about many vital interests. They hope that the Beiyang government can restore superficial order as soon as possible.

Faced with the questions raised by foreign consuls, Chu Yupu patted his chest and promised: "Don't worry, everyone, we, Marshal Zhang, will definitely be able to settle the situation. The new Congress and the cabinet will be formed in one or two months at the latest!"

The foreign consul still wanted to ask about the details, but Chu Yupu, a rough man, didn't understand politics, just talked nonsense. When it came to the key points, it either spoke big or beat the other, which made the foreigners speechless.

Zhou Hexuan is very clear about this issue.

Historically, Zhang Zuolin and Wu Peifu compromised each other, took a step back, and restored the cabinet appointed by Cao Kun, but Cao Kun himself failed to successfully return to become president. But Zhang Zuolin was even stronger after all, and soon forced the Prime Minister of the cabinet to resign. The actual control of the Beiyang government finally fell into Zhang Zuolin's hands.

Zhou Hexuan dared not say such words, as he had to hide his weaknesses, so as not to cause trouble again.

The foreigners and Chu Yupu, a rough man, couldn't explain clearly, so they just started chatting about religion, art, politics, literature, fashion... one by one.

Chu Yupu couldn't get in touch, so he could only mutter and complain: "This group of foreign devils is really hard to serve."

Zhou Hexuan originally wanted to take the opportunity to make friends with several foreign consuls, but due to the presence of Marshal Chu, he really did not dare to show off and could only follow him and laugh with him honestly.

Suddenly, a waltz sounded in the hall, and foreigners walked in pairs like a dance floor.

Chu Yupu felt even more depressed because he didn't know how to dance at all, so he could only take his fifth concubine to rest, rolled up his sleeves and said, "Grandma, I shouldn't have held this banquet tonight."

A foreign woman in her 40s suddenly came over. She seemed to be very interested in the newly rising warlords and said in bad Chinese: "Mr. Dashen, can I dance with you?"

"That...this..." Marshal Chu, who has always been decisive and rude, was actually twisted at this moment.

Shin Yeo-young smiled and said, "Master, Mr. Zhou travels to Western countries, he will definitely dance foreigners."

Chu Yupu finally found the steps and pointed at Zhou Hexuan and said, "Yes, you go, you must dance well, don't embarrass me."

Zhou Hexuan smiled helplessly and said, "Abide by the order."

Then Chu Yupu said to the foreign lady: "I feel a little uncomfortable today, so I'll let Secretary Zhou dance with you."

Zhou Hexuan walked to the foreign lady, spread his hands and bent down and saluted, "Beautiful lady, I'm honored to dance with you."

Seeing that Zhou Hexuan was tall and handsome, it seemed to suit his appetite, the foreign woman smiled and put her hand in his palm. The two walked slowly towards the dance floor together.

This woman has a pretty good face and figure, but she has too many freckles and her thick foundation cannot be covered. Zhou Hexuan looks at the nose and the nose, and instantly enters the sage mode. He holds the foreign woman's hand with one hand and holds the other's waist with the other hand, moving his body to the rhythm of the music.

"Oh, your dance is good," praised the foreign lady, "What's your name?"

"My name is Zhou Hexuan, and my English name is Charles. I am currently the foreign secretary of Shuai Shuai," Zhou Hexuan asked politely, "Do you dare to ask about the lady's name?"

The foreign lady said, "My name is Maryne Cape, you can call me Mary."

"Cape? It's really an ancient surname," Zhou Hexuan smiled, "Your ancestor must be a French nobleman."

Marrien said in surprise: "Do you actually know the Cape family?"

Zhou Hexuan smiled and said, "Of course, the Cape family is so famous. The famous Earl of Paris and Duke of France have a profound impact on French history. Later, the Bourbon family of the Bourbon dynasty was just a branch of the Cape family."

"You are a learned Chinese," said Ma Ruien. "Even if my last name is in France, few people know its origin. After all, we have been in decline for hundreds of years."

Zhou Hexuan deliberately complimented: "A great family is like a great nation, with a profound heritage. Even if it declines for a moment, there will always be a day when it will be glorious again."

"Thank you for your blessing." Ma Ruien was very happy.

The two chatted for a while, and then Zhou Hexuan finally understood her identity. It turned out that she was the wife of the French consul and had been in Tianjin for several years.

After all, he is a romantic and fashionable Frenchman, and the topic gradually turns to art. Marrien asked: "You said you lived in France for two years. Which school of painters do you like the most? Impressionism?"

"No, no, Impressionism is outdated," Zhou Hexuan said, "I am a believer of futurism."

Marrien said in surprise: "Then you are trendy enough that many Europeans cannot accept the Futuristic School. Especially the French, Futurism is always challenging authority."

Zhou Hexuan said: "The essence of life is development and movement. Art cannot only reflect the existence of the past, but must return to life and pursue a better and unpredictable future. In terms of art, the most typical disadvantage of the French is that they tend to be female, gentle, charming and static. This is too outdated. One day, they will be addicted to the glory of the past. Futurism is a good medicine."

"A very novel and profound view," Maryen praised, "are you majoring in art?"

"No, in fact, I don't have any degree. I have been wandering around the world for the past ten years, observing Western civilization from the perspective of a low-level bystander..." Zhou Hexuan began to make up stories and pretend.
Chapter completed!