As soon as MP Annon entered the financier's home, he saw the financier, with a solemn expression, introduce a man beside him. "Mr. Annon, this is Professor Abu from the Law School of the University of Paris."

Seeing the financier's serious expression, MP Annon knew he couldn't avoid contact with the professor. Although he felt somewhat helpless inwardly, he could only accept this reality. The three sat down; Professor Abu picked up the draft of MP Annon's press conference speech and began to read it, while MP Annon attempted to explain this excellent opportunity to the financier. The financier, who had been quite happy on the phone yesterday, now listened to MP Annon's introduction with a displeased look.

Soon, Professor Abu looked up. "MP Annon, I believe the British have set a trap for your political party."

MP Annon was stunned. He could understand British attacks, but he couldn't comprehend the British setting a trap. Professor Abu nodded to the anxious financier before explaining to MP Annon, "Your party's platform and campaign methods are completely fine within France. But from the perspective of international politics, the France you describe is a France that achieved economic development through its own power, and a France capable of sustaining this prosperity through its own power."

"Professor Abu! Is there anything wrong with this?" MP Annon barely maintained his politeness and didn't shout at Professor Abu.

Professor Abu looked at MP Annon with a slightly pitying gaze. After deliberating for a moment, he replied, "MP Annon, if your party obtains ten seats with the help of the British, or even gets a ministerial position, the British will likely immediately notify China to prepare to downgrade diplomatic relations between China and Britain."

Under the stunned gazes of MP Annon and his financier, Professor Abu continued, "The British government's reason doesn't need to be complex. The British can completely state that, according to the political platform of French political parties, Britain believes that France views China as a vassal state, so Britain finds it necessary to downgrade diplomatic relations with China."

"Are the British crazy? Professor Abu!" MP Annon finally questioned angrily.

Professor Abu looked at MP Annon helplessly. He had long realized that making non-professional politicians understand Great Power politics was not easy. Politicians of small parties might have a keen intuition for French domestic politics, but it was much harder for them to understand systemic Great Power politics. Because domestic politics was a contest for public opinion, the realm of politicians or political appointees. International politics, however, belonged to specific affairs, the working domain of civil servants and bureaucrats.

In domestic politics, grasping the emotions of the public could lead to a total victory. Applying this line of thinking to international politics was a joke. Just as fifteen years ago, no matter how angry the Chinese public was, it couldn't help the Republic of China government defy the realistic demands of the European and American powers.

Seeing Professor Abu's calm and helpless expression, MP Annon felt he was being looked down upon. But roaring at a university professor out of anger was neither polite nor practical; it might even cause this university professor to look down on him further. MP Annon asked in as calm a tone as possible, "Professor, do you think the Chinese government will believe the British attempts to sow discord?"

Seeing that MP Annon still hadn't grasped the main point, Professor Abu decided to try again. As a university professor, if he couldn't even explain a basic political logic clearly, it would be a huge mockery of his academic ability. Picking up his green tea and taking a sip, Professor Abu explained, "MP, do you believe that France's current excellent economic performance is entirely due to the ability of the French government or the state?"

These words directly stung MP Annon's mood. He asked unhappily, "Professor, is your evaluation of France so low?"

Professor Abu sighed inwardly. A basic quality of a politician was to sense the public's emotions. To incite such emotions, he himself had to be enthusiastic first, delivering speeches full of demagoguery. But MP Annon's words just now were a bit too oblivious to reality. In reality, it was He Rui, Chairman of the Republic of China, who first proposed economic cooperation to the French President. The French President keenly discovered the opportunity and immediately pushed for it with full force.

The French President was inferior to Chairman He Rui of the Republic of China in strategic vision and courage; this was the reality. Moreover, at this stage, China didn't just have France as a collaborator; both Britain and the United States wanted to replace France and monopolize the position of cooperation with China. MP Annon's view neither respected the facts nor possessed judgment regarding the world situation. No wonder British newspapers started with the French United Revival Party; if MP Annon were allowed to continue, the British stratagem would succeed.

Realizing this, Professor Abu felt an impulse to ensure this knowledge was imparted. Although there was no personal friendship between MP Annon and Professor Abu, as a professor at the Law School of the University of Paris, Professor Abu felt he had an obligation to expose the British trick.

After more than an hour of conversation, Professor Abu was parched and exhausted. The two opposite him weren't much better off; just trying to understand the two levels of international politics—the government level and the non-governmental level—was enough to tire out these two guys engaged in electoral politics.

MP Annon felt he understood Professor Abu's explanation, but he still couldn't accept one thing. After resting for a moment, MP Annon asked, "Professor, can't the Chinese public understand the British attempts to sow discord?"

Professor Abu tried hard to control his mood, which was becoming somewhat irritable due to fatigue. To avoid saying something unpleasant, he first picked up the Chinese green tea and gulped down several mouthfuls. He then lit a cigarette to calm his emotions first.

MP Annon felt Professor Abu looked down on him, but he also knew this was caused by their differing views. He waited patiently for Professor Abu to recover, but a thought suddenly popped up. MP Annon hurriedly asked, "We can explain the British trick to the Chinese public."

This view wasn't excessively stupid. Professor Abu replied, "If you're going to spend effort explaining, why not avoid the problem from the start? If your party's campaign platform first emphasizes your party's respect for the Chinese people, acknowledging that the diligent and honest labor of the Chinese people is the cornerstone fostering Sino-French economic development, and that China and France will advance hand in hand to create a better future... On such a foundation, criticizing the British trick again would receive a very good response."

MP Annon immediately expressed opposition. "That kind of platform is the leftist set. My voters don't support such views."

Professor Abu shook his head helplessly. "That is why Britain deliberately singled out your party. They aren't afraid at all of your party gaining more seats in the upcoming election; they even look forward to your party winning a landslide victory because your party's platform can be completely utilized by the British. Mr. MP, you must know, Britain and France burned the Old Summer Palace together."

"What does that have to do with our party?" Annon felt Professor Abu was being very pedantic.

Professor Abu was greatly disappointed in his heart. "Then, does Mr. MP feel that Prussia capturing Paris has anything to do with your political party?"

MP Annon immediately sat up straight. "Of course it's related! As Frenchmen, we must protect France's dignity and interests!"

"As Chinese people, don't they need to protect China's dignity and interests?" Professor Abu continued to remind him with patience.

MP Annon got angry. He said loudly, "We really don't have any thought of hurting the feelings of the Chinese people!"

"If you merely stop at not hurting the feelings of the Chinese people, it equates to abandoning the effort to promote Sino-French friendship. MP Annon, you have relatives, right? Even if there is a blood relationship between you, if you don't maintain the relationship, the kinship will become distant. Eventually, you will become like strangers. Let alone China and France, two countries separated by ten thousand miles. Why should the Chinese people naturally have fond feelings for France? Why should the French people naturally have fond feelings for Britain!"

These words choked MP Annon into silence. Various unhappy emotions clashed in his heart, making his mood terrible. Amidst such unhappiness, MP Annon couldn't help but voice the displeasure in his heart: "Damn international politics!"

These words made MP Annon's financier very unhappy. His purpose in inviting Professor Abu was to elevate MP Annon from a broader perspective, to increase the party's seats. However, Professor Abu's eyes lit up. Although he was already somewhat desperate about MP Annon, this at least meant this patient education session had a result. Professor Abu stood up, expressing his agreement while putting on his coat. "You are right, MP Annon. International politics is exactly such a damn thing. But it is precisely this damn international politics that constitutes the relationships between countries in the world today. I have other matters, goodbye."

After speaking, Professor Abu bowed politely and left without looking back. After walking out, looking at the sunset glow in the sky, Professor Abu felt very relaxed and made a decision: he would not participate in such matters again in the future. Unless the other party increased the price to three times the current amount. Compared to students who could pass the exam into the University of Paris, politicians of small parties were truly hopelessly stubborn.

When MP Annon returned home, it was already 11:00 PM. His wife had already gone to sleep. MP Annon went to the bathroom alone, running cold water from the tap over his somewhat swollen knuckles. Because he came back too late, he encountered several drunks causing a scene along the street. Facing the drunks' provocation, MP Annon decisively struck out with heavy punches, beating those drunks away. He finally vented the foul air in his chest.

Recalling Professor Abu's disdain and the financier's displeasure, MP Annon had spent a lot of effort to convince the financier that the French United Revival Party could win more seats. At this moment, perhaps because his emotions were somewhat numb, MP Annon began to feel that the British *The Times* indeed harbored malicious intent.

Initially, he did think he could fully utilize the newsworthiness created by *The Times*. Now looking back, the British were treacherous and cunning; how could they help the French United Revival Party for no reason? Although Professor Abu made MP Annon very unhappy, thinking about it carefully, Professor Abu at least loved France more than *The Times* did.

While he was thinking, the house door was knocked on. MP Annon turned off the tap and went to open the door. He saw several police officers standing outside; the leader had a cold expression. "This gentleman, someone reported to the police that you hit people. We need you to come with us to the police station."

MP Annon was furious. "Those were a few drunks; they attacked me first. By the way, I am a Member of Parliament!"

Hearing this, the officer's expression remained cold. "That is to say, you really hit people! Then you must come with us."

At 2:00 AM, the office of the department responsible for domestic security within the French Ministry of the Interior was still brightly lit. Hearing the news that MP Annon had been caught, the members responsible for this matter breathed a sigh of relief. An MP was a big shot to ordinary people, and the French government was also unwilling to easily move against an MP.

However, among the powers granted to the Ministry of the Interior, one was to deal with some "not ordinary" French citizens. According to the investigation, MP Annon was a patriot, but the French upper echelon believed MP Annon was a muddler. At present, MP Annon already constituted a threat to France's core interests.

Although the French Constitution granted citizens many rights, for the sake of France, there had to be departments that stood up to protect France's core interests.

"Is the press conference ready?" someone asked under the light.

The respondent stood exactly directly under the electric lamp; his face was completely shrouded in the shadow created by his peaked cap in the light. This person replied, "It is ready. The Parliament has also received our notification; they indicated they are aware."

There was some impatience in the cold expression of the questioner. "Then handle it this way. Also, there are some other political parties that have some issues; hope they won't cause trouble again!"

Within 24 hours, He Rui received the news from the French side. After reading the documents, He Rui said to Premier Wu Youping before him with some emotion, "Youping, France does not lack smart people."

Wu Youping nodded but asked, "Chairman, will the French government figure out that we will reach economic and trade cooperation agreements with Britain and the United States?"

"Of course they can figure it out. The French government has only one bottom line, which is for the Chinese government to prioritize the Franc as the currency used. Britain's advantage is realized through the international status of the Pound Sterling. If the Franc can replace Britain's status, France can become the world's strongest."

Wu Youping could completely understand this issue now, so he smiled. "Chairman, the Japanese government has also announced the Yen's decoupling from the gold standard. The strongest currency in East Asia is the Renminbi."

He Rui did not express agreement. He expected Wu Youping to view problems more completely, so he said, "We are different from France. Our population is the sum of the European population plus the American population. If China's per capita GNP reaches two-thirds of the European and American average, what kind of situation would that be?"

If it were before, although Wu Youping knew this figure was exaggerated, he couldn't form a concept of it. But today, before coming here, he had finished reading the economic statistical data for the first half of the year. Previously, China's two types of regions were basically south of the Yangtze River. In the economic data for the first half of the year, grain output wasn't that large. But this year's grain output was double that of last year. Grain output directly pulled the output value of industry, transportation, and so on. If no problems occurred in the second half of this year, China's economic growth could potentially reach 20%.

Even though Wu Youping was the actual person in charge of promoting industries like synthetic ammonia, the realistic data made Wu Youping feel what "soul-shaking" really meant. China could truly become wealthy in a very short time. This was originally a slogan to encourage morale, but when this slogan turned into reality, Wu Youping's greatest feeling was surprisingly not ecstasy, but being left speechless.

Wu Youping probed, "Chairman, the statistical data has been submitted. The Bureau of Statistics' sampling survey has also been arranged. Does the Chairman have any other work requirements?"

"Let the comrades understand the economic data at the meeting and learn to be vigilant. Amidst such sudden changes, I'm afraid many people will have thoughts of fishing in troubled waters. Therefore, reasonable economic data models are the best tools to help leading cadres avoid being deceived by reports from below."

Hearing He Rui remain calm, Wu Youping felt his own emotions calm down as well. He pondered for a moment and continued to ask, "Leading cadres of various provinces, cities, and counties are inspecting the grassroots level. I think this is a very good method."

He Rui shook his head. "If it's a town mayor or a county magistrate, walking through the locality is indeed a good way to improve their insight and work ability. But if a governor, provincial party secretary, mayor, or municipal party secretary also uses such a method, isn't the efficiency too low? What are the various departments, bureaus, and committees doing?"

Hearing He Rui was somewhat unhappy, Wu Youping couldn't help but explain, "The changes are too great; the comrades really haven't seen this before."

He Rui did not express agreement with this explanation but continued to ask, "How is the usage of the sampling survey tool by these comrades? This is the work of your State Council. Even if comrades go down to inspect, they must have a purpose. Inspect the areas designated by the sampling survey."

"Mn." Wu Youping nodded. The State Council grasped these work methods very tightly, but seeing the farmers' summer planting and summer harvest with his own eyes, Wu Youping was indeed shocked by such scenes. The vast plains of the Yellow and Huai River basins were filled with manpower. Every single person was working hard. On the racks by the rice paddies, sharpened high-carbon iron sickles were laid out. The harvesting farmers didn't bother sharpening their blades at all; the moment a sickle didn't feel smooth to use, they would immediately change to a new one.

Long animal-drawn carts stood ready by the wheat fields. Once a cart was full, it was immediately transported to the threshing ground. Threshing machines ran non-stop driven by internal combustion engines, and golden wheat grains soon piled up into small hills outside the outlet.

Thinking of this, Wu Youping asked, "Chairman, the third well at Daqing Oilfield has already been drilled. The Rockefeller side hopes we can expand oil imports from the United States."

The Rockefeller family was indeed shrewd as a ghost. Seeing that China had already become a stable oil producer, Rockefeller wasn't willing to see a competitor appear in Asia and actually proposed such a suggestion.

He Rui smiled. "Isn't this very good? We can certainly increase imports, but will Rockefeller agree to accept Renminbi?"

"They said they are willing to accept Renminbi." Wu Youping smiled bitterly. This was the reason why Wu Youping initially thought they could refuse Rockefeller, only to find they couldn't.

He Rui laughed. "Haha, since they are willing to accept Renminbi, why shouldn't we agree? China's demand for oil is so huge; just one Daqing Oilfield is far from enough. This summer planting and summer harvest can prove that we need too much agricultural machinery and equipment."