SFS Chapter 1127 8 Great Elegant Events
Chapter 1127 8 Great Elegant Events
During the entire banquet, Su Zhengyang's performance made the envoys present feel extremely uneasy, especially Chesterfield and Silva.
They all remembered the madness displayed by the Chinese president during the concession negotiations just half a year ago.
However, Su Zhengyang tonight seemed like a different person. He sipped tea elegantly, talked and laughed, and talked with the envoys in various languages from time to time. His every move showed his elegance. He talked about poetry, history, and food, just like an oriental scholar who was well-read.
"The President has a unique understanding of Shakespeare," Chesterfield tried to ease his nervousness, but his voice was obviously shaking. His hand kept unconsciously touching his chest, where a secret letter was hidden, just in case.
"Oh," Su Zhengyang smiled gently, "I particularly like a sentence in Macbeth: "The darkest violence is often hidden under the most gentle appearance." What do you think, sir? "
These words made Chesterfield's face turn pale instantly.
Silva was even more restless. He had witnessed how Su Zhengyang executed those representatives at the negotiation table, and now this "madman" was discussing Portuguese literature with him. This contrast made him feel cold.
"Do you know?" Su Zhengyang wiped the corner of his mouth elegantly, "In Chinese tradition, the most terrifying thing is not the person who kills, but the person who can drink tea as if nothing happened after killing someone."
This sentence caused the entire table to fall into deathly silence.
Ms. Du Bois tried to remain calm: "Your Excellency the President's demeanor tonight surprised us all."
"Yes," Su Zhengyang smiled, "A mature country should learn to deal with problems in different ways. Violence is not the only option, but sometimes," he paused meaningfully, "it is the most effective option."
Duke Romanov whispered to Sekt beside him: "Compared to that madman who shot directly, Su Zhengyang is more terrifying."
Sekt nodded: "A man who can switch between killing and reciting poetry easily often means that his madness is planned."
Silva's hands were shaking, and the wine in the glass was shaking. He would rather face the crazy Su who showed his killing intent directly, at least that way he could know the other party's bottom line. But now this polite Su Zhengyang made him feel uneasy.
"Come on," Su Zhengyang raised his glass, "let's look forward to a peaceful future together. Of course," he glanced meaningfully at Chesterfield and Silva, "the premise of peace is fairness. Otherwise," his eyes suddenly became sharp, "we may have to negotiate in a different way."
The envoys raised their glasses with trembling hands, but everyone understood that behind the peaceful attitude of the Chinese president, there might be a storm brewing that was even more terrible than the one six months ago. As he said just now, the most terrible thing is not the person who kills, but the person who can drink tea as if nothing happened after killing someone.
And now Su Zhengyang has obviously mastered this art.
As the last dessert was finished, Su Zhengyang made a gesture, and the waiters quickly and quietly removed the tableware and replaced it with a set of exquisite purple clay tea sets.
Zhang Luanyu stepped forward and began to brew tea with skillful movements. The purple clay teapot in his hand was a masterpiece from the Ming Dynasty, and the patterns of dragons and phoenixes on the teapot were faintly visible under the light. Several waiters lit agarwood at the same time, and the elegant fragrance slowly permeated the air.
"Everyone," Su Zhengyang said softly, "There are 'eight elegant things' in Chinese culture. These are the eight most elegant arts of life summed up by our ancestors. Tonight, I want to share them with you."
He stood up and walked towards the guqin in the corner: "First, I'll play the guqin." His fingers gently plucked the strings, and a melody of "High Mountains and Flowing Water" sounded leisurely. "The sound of the guqin is like water, which can wash away the restlessness in people's hearts."
The envoys present couldn't help but hold their breath and listen. Even Silva, who was always nervous, relaxed a little.
"The next step is to play chess." Su Zhengyang gestured, and a waiter placed a jade Go board. "Go is like life, and you should never regret your move. Just like... promises between countries, once made, they should be kept." He glanced at Chesterfield meaningfully.
"The third is to burn incense." He pointed at the lingering agarwood, "Smelling incense can calm your mind, but too much can choke you. It's like power, it smells good in moderation, but too much can hurt you."
Suddenly, there was a sound of rain outside the window. "Fourth, listen to the rain." Su Zhengyang smiled, "Chinese people often say that listening to the sound of rain can tell the will of heaven. This rain tonight must also be the will of heaven."
Zhang Luanyu then offered fragrant tea. "Fifth, tea tasting." Su Zhengyang held the kettle and poured tea for the envoys, "Tea should be tasted slowly, and things should be discussed slowly. But some things," he looked at Silva, "will not be good if they are delayed too long."
"Sixth, dialogue." He looked around at everyone, "Now, we are doing the sixth elegant event. Using tea instead of wine, exchanging hearts. I wonder if you have anything to talk about?"
No one answered. Ms. DuBois's fingers tightened unconsciously around her teacup.
A group of dancers in gorgeous costumes entered the stage. "Seventh, watch the dance." "As the ancient music sounded, the dancers began to perform the "Rainbow Feather Dance." "The dance is beautiful, but it will eventually return to the starting point. Just like the separated land, it will eventually return. "
Finally, Su Zhengyang made a gesture of invitation and invited everyone to the terrace. "Eighth, enjoy the moon. The moonlight tonight is so beautiful." He looked up at the sky, "In China, the full moon symbolizes reunion. I believe that everything will be perfect in the near future."
Chesterfield and Silva exchanged a look of panic. Every word and sentence in the explanation of the eight noble things was full of hidden meanings. This "Crazy Su" who could shoot at the negotiation table, now used such a refined way to convey the same fierce message.
"Everyone," Su Zhengyang raised his teacup, "Let's drink tea instead of wine and celebrate the success together."
The envoys raised their glasses in response, but everyone felt the sharpness behind the aroma of tea. That night, the Chinese president used the most gentle way to show the toughest attitude.
The display of the eight elegant events has ended, but everyone understands that the real competition has just begun.
"Lord Chesterfield," Su Zhengyang stared at the English envoy like a sharp sword. The calm yet crazy look reminded Chesterfield of the bloody scene half a year ago.
Chesterfield took a sip of tea with forced calmness, but his trembling fingers betrayed his nervousness.
"In the past few years," Su Zhengyang said with a gentle smile on his face, but his eyes were still sharp. "Since I became president, there have indeed been many... misunderstandings between me and Yinggeli." He deliberately emphasized the word "misunderstanding".
The other envoys held their breath unconsciously. Zhang Luanyu stood aside, the teapot in his hand motionless.
&34；特别是在租界问题上，&34；苏正阳继续说道，&34；我们采取了一些...不太传统的谈判方式。&34；他的笑容加深，&34；想必勋爵还记得。&34；
Chesterfield's forehead was covered with cold sweat. He certainly remembered what those "unconventional negotiation methods" meant. The army's tanks rolling through the streets of the concession, the sound of artillery fire, and the gunshot at the negotiation table.
"However," Su Zhengyang changed his tone, "after England wisely returned all the domestic concessions, our relationship has indeed improved a lot. This proves that as long as there is sincerity, any problem can be solved."
He picked up the teacup, his eyes still fixed on Chesterfield: "The question now is whether our relationship can go further, it depends on your country's sincerity."
Chesterfield knew what he was hinting at. The Port City Problem.
"Mr. President," he said, trying to steady his voice, "We have always hoped to maintain friendly relations with China..."
"The premise of friendly relations is mutual respect," Su Zhengyang interrupted, his eyes suddenly turned cold, "and the premise of respect is to admit historical mistakes and correct them. Don't you agree, sir?"
Those eyes seemed to be able to see through people's hearts, and Chesterfield felt as if he had returned to the bloody negotiation scene. This "Crazy Su" who could take people's lives while chatting and laughing, was even more frightening at this moment.
"I...I will report your opinions to the country," Chesterfield said with difficulty.
"Very good," Su Zhengyang suddenly regained his gentle smile, "Come, try this cup of Longjing, this year's new tea, especially mellow."
The other envoys were all horrified when they saw this scene. The Chinese president's quick change reminded people of how he got his nickname "Madman". And now, this "Madman" was conveying the most dangerous signal in the most elegant way.
Zhang Luanyu added new tea to the Chesterfield at the right time. The sound of boiling water pouring into the teacup was particularly clear in the silent atmosphere.