Greece to roman road

After reaching an agreement with the French, Constantine and Schmidt left Paris and hurried to Berlin, Germany, to participate in the ongoing Berlin Conference aimed at resolving disputes between countries regarding the Congo and the basin.

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

"Banning, how did the meeting go?" Constantine asked anxiously.

He traveled around and worked hard for the Congo River Basin. Now it was finally time to harvest. How could he not be in a hurry?

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

"The meeting got into a dispute from the beginning," Banning said helplessly.

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

The Berlin Conference encountered problems at the beginning. The Germans expressed that they did not understand what a "sphere of influence" was.

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

The Germans think it's funny that you have nothing there and yet you say it belongs to your sphere of influence.

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

"So, Britain, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal and other countries held a small meeting to figure out how to explain to the Germans: Although I did not fly the national flag, have no troops, no police, and no judicial system there, it still belongs to me. "Sphere of Influence"

"The Germans believe that what determines the owner of a piece of land should be effective occupation, that is, the establishment of local management, military, judicial and other systems can be considered effective occupation," Banning said.

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

On July 19, Constantine and Banning came to a rococo-style mansion at 77 Wilhelmstrasse in Berlin.

This is the Chancellery of the German Empire.

The two were led into a reception room by a servant. Bismarck, the Prime Minister of the Second German Empire, was pot-bellied, wearing a uniform, and had a gray mustache on his fat cheeks.

"Are you two here about the ownership of the Congo River Basin?" Bismarck asked.

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

This is a well-known politician and diplomat in Europe. He is the main driving force behind the reunification of Germany. He is known as a person who can play with the "five balls" (referring to the five countries of Britain, France, Germany, Austria and Russia).

“You’re behind the Congolese Commission?”

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

"The Congolese Commission will complete its task, but before that, it needs to obtain the administration of the Congo," Constantine said firmly.

The African plan has reached this stage, how could it be given up just because it is not promising?

"Well, now that your mind has been made up, Your Majesty the Duke, then why do you have the confidence to obtain ownership of the Congo when all countries are eyeing it? Just relying on your mandate treaties?" Bismarck said.

Politicians are realists.

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

Frankly speaking, Constantine felt complicated at this moment:

What is sad is that Greece's weak strength is; what is joyful is that its weak strength has become a guarantee for acquiring the Congo, and all countries can believe that there is no threat to the Greeks' acquisition of the Congo.

Bismarck lowered his head and considered Constantine's words. After Constantine's prompting, he also came to his senses:

When powerful countries quarrel, it becomes an acceptable outcome for all parties if a small country acquires a powerful country.

"Which country supports your plan?" Bismarck said with a frown.

"The French and Americans have already expressed their support for the recent request by the Commission to gain management rights for the Congo River Basin," Constantine said.

"No wonder His Excellency the Duke is so confident." After hearing this, Bismarck also understood. I am afraid that this is the source of Constantine's confidence.

"What's your asking price?", Constantine asked.

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

"With free trade, goods from 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 will be no problem in Germany. As long as other countries agree, Germany will not object and the Congolese Committee will obtain the management rights of Congo."

Constantine let out a sigh of relief and solved another party, and he was getting closer and closer to his goal.

Because of the special nature of the Congolese Committee (a private organization), the Committee only has the status of an observer in meetings held by representatives of various countries.

Therefore, Constantine ordered Banning to attend the meeting, while he 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 No. 10 Downing Street, the residence of the British Prime Minister.

The two people, led by the staff, went to the reception room, but they encountered an accident on the way. They bumped into Gladstone cuddling up to a woman wearing heavy makeup, behaving intimately.

The staff member looked embarrassed when he saw this scene, and hurriedly explained in a low voice: "Your Excellency, Prime Minister Gladstone is like this. He often brings women to the Prime Minister's residence. He does not mean to be negligent."

Hearing his explanation, Constantine didn't know whether to laugh or cry. The Prime Minister was really romantic and uninhibited. He would bring girls to the Prime Minister's official residence when he wanted to pick up girls.

As if disturbed by the two people talking, Prime Minister Gladstone walked towards them.

The male clerk walked up to Gladstone and whispered softly.

"Welcome to England, Your Excellency the Duke." Gladstone, who was political after all, had ascended to the throne of Prime Minister for the second time, greeted Constantine like a normal person.

Then the two of them walked into a secret reception room.

"Mr. Prime Minister, I am here to discuss with you the ownership of the Congo River," Constantine said.

"But the British government has issued a statement that we support the Portuguese in gaining the Congo River area, and this cannot be changed," Gladstone said resolutely.

"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 give in.