On the ordinary streets of Paris in the evening, the lower half of the four-story French-style red brick buildings was submerged in the shadow created by the buildings across the street, while the upper half was painted red by the setting sun. The window glass and a few metal and reflective objects on the sloping roofs shone in the setting sun, making the mottled outer walls of the ancient stone buildings appear even darker. Regardless of the gap between any buildings, as long as one looked in the direction of the Eiffel Tower, one could see the tall tower standing proudly in the field of vision under the horizon.

The ash roads crushed by vehicles were uneven. A large number of Parisian citizens in ordinary clothes walked on the gravel sidewalks on both sides of the road. Under their feet, the cobblestones had been completely trampled into the underground mud. Only in the position close to the roadside could a small number of cobblestones be seen revealing part of their oval shape.

The closer to the Palais Garnier (Paris Opera House), the better the road became. The gravel sidewalk was replaced by cement-hardened ground. When the magnificent Palais Garnier revealed its huge shape before Yan Huiqing's eyes, Yan Huiqing noticed that the footpath under his feet was already paved with stone slabs. Although the stone slabs were broken, the beautiful shape constructed when they were first paved could still be seen.

Besides cars, gorgeously decorated carriages stopped at the entrance of the resplendent opera house. After the gorgeous passengers got off, the coachmen drove proudly towards the parking lot. Yan Huiqing walked up the steps to the dedicated entrance. Seeing Yan Huiqing, the guard turned his head and said something to the guard opposite. The one opposite walked quickly into the entrance. A moment later, a person dressed in a long formal suit, looking like a manager, came out to welcome him. After looking at Yan Huiqing for a moment, he stepped forward politely and said, "Mr. Minister, welcome."

The interior of the Palais Garnier was far more gorgeous than the outside. All walls had complex flower cluster reliefs. Bright lights illuminated these beautiful shapes, as well as the murals in between and the ceiling paintings at the top of the corridor. The light and shadow created made the flat and three-dimensional artworks merge into one. It fully displayed the style of French luxury architectural aesthetics and art.

Passing through the luxurious corridor and climbing the stairs, the manager led Yan Huiqing and others into the Minister's box on the second floor. There was an excellent viewing angle here. As soon as Yan Huiqing sat down, he saw many people in the boxes opposite and in the seats on the first floor looking at him, and some even raised binoculars to see more clearly.

Before long, there was a knock on the door of the box. The attendants of some big shots came to deliver business cards. The secretary introduced the names on the business cards and their identities to Yan Huiqing one by one with excellent memory. Among them were directors of the Bank of France, owners and general managers of large French enterprises. Yan Huiqing soon heard an interesting person from them, Professor Michel. This professor from École Normale Supérieure (ENS) also sent a business card to Yan Huiqing.

Should I meet him? Such a thought arose in Yan Huiqing's mind. Soon, Yan Huiqing suppressed this impulse. It was not suitable to meet these people today, especially this professor from ENS. As a diplomat, Yan Huiqing could confront foreign government personnel face to face, but facing non-official personnel such as scholars and reporters, Yan Huiqing must remain polite. Now inviting a professor from ENS to the box would be very impolite behavior.

The polite way would be for Yan Huiqing to send someone specially to ENS tomorrow to request a visit to the school. After obtaining permission from ENS, inquire during the visit if Professor Michel is at the school. If Professor Michel is at school at that time, request to meet with Professor Michel. If Professor Michel is not there, ask the school to forward the letter requesting to meet Professor Michel.

As a diplomat, one must respect foreign people. Even if a war breaks out with that country, it must be emphasized that there is no malice towards the foreign people. Such politeness proves the attitude of Chinese officials towards French civilians.

The opera performed today was *Turandot*. This opera is an oriental story imagined by the West. A princess of the Yuan Dynasty, Turandot (Mongolian meaning "warm"), in order to avenge her ancestor who was abducted in the dark night, ordered that if a man could guess her three riddles, she would marry him; if he guessed wrong, he would be executed. Over three years, many unlucky people had lost their lives.

A Tartar prince, after seeing Princess Turandot in Dadu (Beijing), was overwhelmed by her beauty, pursued the princess, and finally won the princess's love and the beauty.

Yan Huiqing's Italian was not very good, and this story did not seem particularly touching to Chinese people. But in the 7th act (scene), when the actor sang "Nessun Dorma", the heartfelt admiration and longing in the singing voice were not wild and wanton, but deep and full of surging emotions. Yan Huiqing was moved and stood up to applaud with the equally moved audience.

Many people in the second-floor boxes noticed Yan Huiqing's emotion, but what surprised them was that not long after, Yan Huiqing left the box with his secretary. Until the end of the performance, the box was empty; Yan Huiqing did not finish watching the performance.

In the box opposite, a glamorous French lady said to her companion puzzledly, "This Chinese minister is really strange. He applauded for 'Nessun Dorma', but didn't watch the 8th act at all."

Her companion answered in a pleasant mezzo-soprano, "Maybe he doesn't like this opera." Although the tone was flat, the disappointment was very clear.

It had to be said that this French lady with a pleasant mezzo-soprano guessed Yan Huiqing's view of *Turandot* correctly. But the reason Yan Huiqing left was that the embassy sent news that China and the United States finally signed the "Agreement on Sino-US Citizen Travel, Migration, and Judicial Cooperation". This agreement was undoubtedly a representative of the breakthrough in Sino-US relations. Yan Huiqing wanted to see the content of this agreement immediately.

The Chinese Embassy in France did not receive the full text for the time being, only a rough outline. Yan Huiqing read it item by item and finally felt relieved. The Chinese terms were formulated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. At least this outline was completely consistent with the clauses in Yan Huiqing's memory. That is to say, the United States accepted China's request.

Taking off his glasses, Yan Huiqing couldn't help thinking that the French government was discussing the proposal made by He Rui at this time. Yan Huiqing was very confident in the signing of this Sino-French strategic cooperation. He Rui accurately grasped France's needs. But He Rui clearly put forward China's demands in his handwritten letter: 'France provides China with a 20 billion franc interest-free loan, provided in two years. Starting from the 3rd year after the full payment of 20 billion francs, it will be paid off in 10 years.'

Yan Huiqing believed He Rui would never ask for an exorbitant price. But if this condition were proposed by someone else, Yan Huiqing would definitely think the person proposing this condition made such a judgment with an extremely unserious attitude. Of course, Yan Huiqing also knew very well. If the French government agreed to such a condition, it meant Sino-French cooperation would inevitably be truly implemented.

Élysée Palace, the French presidential residence, was brightly lit. The French President, Prime Minister, Speaker of the House, Foreign Minister, and Chairman of the Bank of France were ready to make the final decision. Chairman of the Bank of France, Mr. Mabeuf, wiped the sweat from his fat face, ready to speak.

Born into a family of bankers in Marseille, he became a senior student at the University of Paris, entered École Normale Supérieure, then worked in several large French enterprises, and later returned to the banking industry, accumulating experience continuously, becoming one of the many directors of the Bank of France.

If it weren't for overworking to raise funds for France during the Great War in Europe, leading to serious illness, he should still have his consistently thin figure. But to treat the illness, Chairman Mabeuf used hormones. Although the condition was greatly alleviated, his body became fat like this.

However, the burden of the body did not affect Mr. Mabeuf's thinking ability. After understanding the plan proposed by the Chinese side, Chairman Mabeuf understood that he must make the Sino-French cooperation complete. At this time, French President Doumergue asked, "Mr. Mabeuf, do you still think this cooperation is an opportunity for France?"

"Yes." Mr. Mabeuf answered decisively. Although the obesity caused by endocrine problems made his whole body fat tremble when he stood up, Mr. Mabeuf still stood straight, just like when he was young.

"Mr. President, I guarantee with my personal career experience and God's mercy that the plan of Chairman He Rui of the Chinese government fully considers France's interests. This is simply a plan tailored for France. For France, I ask you to fully accept Mr. He Rui's conditions."

After two days of discussion, many people in the economic circle explained their views on this proposal to the French high-level officials. The upper echelons, including French President Doumergue, had understood that He Rui's plan indeed conformed to France's interests. But relatively, He Rui's conditions seemed... very bold. An interest-free loan of 20 billion francs, paid off in 10 years. Even if people in the French economic circle thought this condition was not unacceptable, the Prime Minister thought the French cabinet would probably not agree to such a request.

Mabeuf fully understood the views of the government's upper echelons, so he emphasized his own view, "20 billion francs indeed seems very risky, but France's short-term income will greatly exceed this sum. In the long run, France will gain financial confidence and industrial revival from this strategic opportunity. In my personal opinion, Mr. He Rui's request is very fair."

Seeing the government high-level officials still hesitating, Mabeuf continued, "Such a huge investment entering a country like China that lacks an industrial foundation will definitely have problems during execution. Therefore, I suggest that France form an expert group to go to China, provide suggestions to the Chinese side in a timely manner, and help them solve difficulties encountered in industrial development."

Hearing the firm view of the Chairman of the Bank of France, French President Doumergue also made up his mind, "Mr. Mabeuf, do you think we can propose modifications to Mr. He Rui's proposal?"

Mabeuf shook his head immediately. The shaking movement was so violent that the fat on his neck also shook, "No, Mr. President. Mr. He Rui proposed such conditions based on trust in France. Britain will not accept a fully industrialized China, and the United States only considers earning profits from China. Only we, France, will treat China fairly. Compared with the benefits France is about to obtain, China's conditions are just right. Mr. President, I want to ask you to answer me, is the purpose of modifying the conditions out of economic interests or political considerations?"

President Doumergue heard blame in Mabeuf's words. As a politician, considering problems from political interests is almost instinctive. So Doumergue understood why Mabeuf raised such blame. previous people in the economic circle believed that once the cooperation was successful, the French economy would be revitalized. France's current economy was suffering from external pressure, as well as internal inflation and currency turmoil. As long as the economic situation improved, Doumergue, who decided this matter, and the current cabinet would gain huge political benefits.

Damaging China's trust in France for a few hundred million francs was obviously not worth the loss.

Doumergue finally made up his mind. He stood up and said, "Gentlemen, from now on, this matter is top secret. I believe that for the future of France, you gentlemen can guarantee not to leak this matter."

Seeing President Doumergue finally made a decision, Mabeuf felt relieved in his heart and sat back on the sofa like a mountain of meat.

French Foreign Minister Briand straightened his back. He understood that it was his turn to act next.

Sure enough, President Doumergue ordered, "Mr. Briand, I hope you can determine the time for Chairman He Rui's visit to France."