Greece to roman road

Constantine's affirmative reply made Banning feel more at ease.

I just heard that Constantine asked him to find a way to get the countries to allow the Congo Committee to collect tariffs. For a while, there was really nothing he could do.

Judging from the current situation, it is very likely that the Congo Committee will obtain management rights. However, it is a bit difficult for countries to allow tariffs to be collected.

Originally, the Congo Committee's acquisition of the management rights of Congo was a kind of opportunism. Everyone planned to use Congo as a buffer zone to avoid future conflicts among various countries in central Africa.

The French agreed because of the right of first refusal given by Constantine and were unwilling to go to war.

If the British government agrees this time, I am afraid that the protests from Germany and France will play a greater role.

Now that the Congolese Committee is managing it, everyone can still trade freely. For countries, it also saves a lot of upfront investment costs and can enjoy ready-made products. Why not?

If the management of the Congo Committee cannot satisfy everyone by then, the issue of management rights may be subject to twists and turns.

But now that the Congolese Commission has announced that it will collect tariffs, I'm afraid everyone's attitude towards the Congolese Commission is not so positive.

Because this is collecting money directly from the pockets of businessmen from various countries. After all, it is the Congolese market with 20 million people. It would be a pity to lose it. These Africans may not dislike the unsalable, inferior, and gathering dust in warehouses in Europe.

"Your Excellency, if we announce openly and openly now that we will collect tariffs in the Congo, I am afraid that there will be changes in our acquisition of management rights in the Congo."

"I think we should do it in stages and wait until the management rights are stable before raising the issue of tariffs."

"Anyway, the Committee will have firmly controlled the Congolese region by then. If they do not agree to collect tariffs, then the Congolese Committee will not be able to effectively manage the local situation due to its weak financial resources, and their business will not be able to do well."

"As time goes by, I am not afraid that they will not agree to charge tariffs," Banning said.

"Your Excellency the Duke", while the two were continuing to discuss countermeasures, Gladstone had already entered again.

"Mr. Prime Minister, what is your answer?" Constantine asked hurriedly.

"You are the winner today. I have to say that it is a genius plan. Who can believe that millions of square kilometers of land will belong to you from now on," Prime Minister Gladstone praised.

"You should really become a diplomat. Your ability to maneuver both vertically and horizontally is not inferior to those who have been immersed in the diplomatic field for many years."

"Destroy each one, divide and win over each other, and share the benefits. These combined methods are really beautiful. They are simply perfect diplomatic methods."

"If you want, you can come and work for the British government in the Foreign Office," Gladstone said, adding a touch of British humor.

"Thank you for your appreciation, Mr. Prime Minister, so you agree that the Congolese Commission will obtain the management rights of Congo?"

"Yes, I have just exchanged views with the French government and the German government via telegram, and they all agree that the Congo Committee should govern the Congo," Gladstone replied.

"Honestly, it was a fantastic victory, you know, when I heard about a privately sponsored group fighting the French and Portuguese for ownership of the Congo River Basin."

"My first idea was to organize the French expansion in Africa and support the Portuguese claims."

"The success of either of them would not be beyond my expectations. However, the only private organization that I didn't care about at all, your Congo Committee, succeeded," Gladstone said in a surprised tone. said.

"Congratulations. Under the premise that Congo has opened a free trade zone, there will be no doubt about management rights. But regarding other details, I'm afraid you will have to contact other countries participating in the Berlin Conference."

"Thank you very much for your support. This is a win-win situation. The results of the Congolese Committee's hard work in Africa for many years have finally been recognized by everyone, and the industry and commerce of various countries will get a vast African market, and Africans have gained civilization. Accepted by the world, instead of being in a primitive state of ignorance." Constantine did not feel that he had taken any advantage.

Countries have obtained a ready-made free trading market without doing anything but using words. It is hard to say who took advantage.

After receiving a positive reply from the British government, Constantine and Banning split into two groups. Banning went to Berlin to continue participating in the meeting and negotiating details with various countries.

Constantine himself went to Brussels, the capital of Belgium, to meet with King Leopold II of Belgium.

Together with Schmidt, he took a ship across the English Channel and arrived at Antwerp on the other side of the strait. The two took a train to Brussels.

With the help of the Brussels ambassador, the two traveled to the intended venue, the Brussels Theater.

Under the guidance of the theater waiter, the two were taken to a private room, where they saw Leopold, the King of Belgium, sitting calmly and calmly on the sofa.

"Your Majesty the King, we"

"Hush, the show is about to begin," Leopold interrupted Constantine, just looking intently in the direction of the stage.

Since this guy is so elegant and wants to invite him to watch the dance, he can only accompany him.

The light on the stage was dim, and the performance hall instantly became quiet. The curtain slowly opened, and male and female dancers were seen standing on the stage.

After the tribute, the music played slowly, and the dancing men and women followed the rhythm of the music. The men showed the beauty of strength and strength, and the women showed the beauty of weakness and sensuality. They combined strength and softness, and the charm of dance was undoubtedly revealed.

Although Constantine studied military politics more in this life and was an outsider in dance, it can still be seen that the performer has profound skills.

"Look at her, how beautiful she is, an angel," Leopold murmured to himself with a look of fascination.

Constantine looked helpless, this man was just chasing stars.

"Which dancer is this?" Constantine asked curiously.

"Cleo is a dancer from Paris, but her reputation is even better than dancing. I don't know how many people want to see her?" Leopold said.

"What do you want to do by inviting me here?" Constantine asked impatiently.

I traveled all the way from London to Brussels just to watch the show with me emotionally.

"It should be clear what you have done," Leopold said sinisterly.

After he said this, although there was no expression on his face, Constantine was really excited in his heart. Could it be the matter of the Cameron expedition?

Stanley had previously returned to Athens to seek assistance from him. The reason was that the Cameron expedition funded by Leopold had plans to set foot in the Congo, and he had specially dispatched 500 professional military personnel from the Royal Guards to support him. .

Could it be that his hands and feet were dirty and Leopold noticed it?