The resignation of a founding minister like Zhao Tianlin from all public offices made many who didn't know the inside story wring their hands in regret. As a famous scholar in the Republic, Zhao Tianlin's influence skyrocketed with the establishment of the Asian International Tribunal; many believed Zhao Tianlin had a status similar to Wu Youping.

Those who understood the national political structure didn't think so. Yan Huiqing sighed at a private farewell party, "I didn't expect Brother Lu and Brother Zhao could both fulfill their lifelong wishes; I truly envy you."

Those who came to the farewell party were all personnel from the diplomatic circle. Tang Shaoyi couldn't help sighing, "Brother Lu, although the Civil Service Examination Rules are so strict now, Brother Lu could also serve the country as an advisor in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."

Lu Zhengxiang sighed, "Brother Tang misunderstood. I am not going to Europe because of the Civil Service Examination Rules. It is truly because I promised my wife long ago to go to a monastery."

Hearing this, several people at the meeting sighed. Lu Zhengxiang was a devout Christian, and his wife was Belgian. This year, Lu Zhengxiang's wife passed away, so Lu Zhengxiang contacted the church in his late wife's hometown, Belgium, requesting to become a monk in the Belgian church.

Tang Shaoyi wanted to persuade him further but didn't know what to say. He Rui and the Civility Party had a very clear attitude towards religion. As early as the "Civil Service Examination Rules" promulgated in 1924, it was stipulated that anyone with religious beliefs could not become a civil servant. Anyone who concealed their religious beliefs when filling out declaration materials, besides being fired immediately, their immediate family members who were civil servants would not be promoted for any reason within 10 years. If their family members had not yet become civil servants, they would not be allowed to take the civil service exam within 5 years.

For civil servants, such regulations actually cut off the path of civil service for these families, and even their extended families would be implicated. Tang Shaoyi always felt that Lu Zhengxiang leaving China might likely have been forced. But Lu Zhengxiang's own attitude was firm, so Tang Shaoyi couldn't say much more.

At this time, Lu Zhengxiang took the initiative to raise another topic. "Brother Gu, I heard that you were appointed to handle contact with the US this time?"

Wellington Koo (Gu Weijun) nodded. "Mr. Lu, I still have some doubts. Would you be willing to give some advice?"

Lu Zhengxiang nodded immediately. "This matter is of great importance. Only after talking with Brother Gu can I completely let go of worldly affairs."

Wellington Koo immediately introduced the "Chinese Exclusion Act" to the diplomats present. The US Chinese Exclusion Act was not a simple act of not accepting Chinese immigrants, but a comprehensive restriction act targeting all Asian immigrants, as well as investment, trade, and finance from Asia.

After the introduction, Wellington Koo asked, "Mr. Lu, if the United States insists on not relaxing, will it trigger a war?"

Lu Zhengxiang thought for a moment. "Since the Sino-British War has been fought, how does the United States plan to fight China? As for us, we can't start a war with the United States right now either."

Wellington Koo continued to ask, "If the US side refuses to give China normal treatment in terms of immigration, trade, and investment, will the relationship between China and the US only remain at the level of government diplomatic relations?"

Tang Shaoyi's gaze sharpened. He initially thought that since Sino-British issues were resolved through war, Sino-US issues should be solvable. Now, after listening to his son-in-law's judgment, he clearly realized that the issues between China and the US were not that simple. The US government was indeed very disrespectful to China regarding the "Chinese Exclusion Act", which could be said to have hurt China's dignity. If it were China in the Qing Dynasty and the Republic era, with weak national power, it could only endure it and couldn't care about the United States across the Pacific. Now that China had become a world power again, the "Chinese Exclusion Act" was an issue that absolutely could not be tolerated.

He Rui's government had recently been promulgating decrees one after another, starting to impose reciprocal restrictions on the United States, that is, the 'Exclusion of Americans Act'. According to China's current national power and international status, the United States would consider abolishing the "Chinese Exclusion Act". But Wellington Koo was right; abolishing the Exclusion Act did not mean the United States would agree to establish comprehensive economic relations with China.

The Sino-British Joint Communique established a case for comprehensive political, diplomatic, immigration, and commercial agreements between China and Britain. There also had to be such a complete set of Sino-US Joint Communiques between China and the US. Britain had to sign the Sino-British Joint Communique with China because of India. The United States was separated from China by a Pacific Ocean; if they didn't sign, China had no way to deal with the United States.

Thinking of this, Tang Shaoyi looked at Foreign Minister Yan Huiqing. He saw others also looking at Yan Huiqing, obviously wanting to hear He Rui's views from Yan Huiqing.

Lu Zhengxiang asked at this time, "Brother Yan, Chairman He's talent in diplomacy is far superior to mine. I wonder what plan Chairman He has?"

Yan Huiqing didn't want to say anything at this time. Although these principles were common knowledge for diplomats, diplomats could see the problems but had no way to solve them. If they wanted to solve them, they could only rely on the powerful strength possessed by the country. explaining China's thinking to these people now might be criticized as leaking secrets.

Seeing Yan Huiqing's expression, Lu Zhengxiang said frankly, "Among the countries in the world today, the distance between European continental countries and China is extremely far, separated by regions controlled by Britain, so there is actually no chance of intense conflict breaking out between China and European continental countries. Among the countries that can have intense conflicts with China, the Soviet Union has established security and economic mutual trust with China. Britain had to establish security and economic mutual trust with China. Although the current situation in Japan is unclear, the general trend is also in this direction. The only unknown is the United States. The United States can choose either. For China, the more countries with normal relations, the better. In my opinion, Chairman He tackles the easy first and difficult later; presumably, he still wants to be friendly with the United States. Only I don't know how Chairman He plans to do it."

Yan Huiqing heard his old friend speak so clearly and knew that his old friend's question was definitely not to make any transaction with this knowledge, but just couldn't let go of it in his heart. Finally, Yan Huiqing answered, "In the British order, what is left for the United States is a United States blockaded in North America. Although other European continental countries want to use the United States, in fact, European countries also want to completely exclude the United States from Europe. So the European continent to the east of the United States is actually a wall of copper and iron. Now, if China joins the strategy of blockading the United States, the United States' road to the west will also be blocked. Moreover, preventing US forces from entering the Western Pacific is a strategy China must inevitably adopt. Compared with the strategic interests of excluding the United States from the Western Pacific, the value brought by cooperation with the United States is, if not insignificant, at least far inferior."

Lu Zhengxiang nodded, his expression one of relieved ease. "Thank you, Brother Yan, for the guidance."