The most perfect resume for a Chinese government official would be one that started from the grassroots, with work experience at the county, municipal, provincial, and ministerial levels, and ideally, experience in a large state-owned enterprise. However, from 1935 to the present, not a single person in the leadership layer possesses such a complete resume. Thus, Li Runshi's resume was already quite comprehensive.

He Rui's plan was not for Li Runshi to remain Prime Minister indefinitely. Party and state leaders grasp the general direction, not every single detail. What Li Runshi lacked most now was experience with the Party School and the Military Commission. This time, He Rui appointed Li Runshi as the head of the delegation for the 1936 World Naval Negotiations. Even within the Central Committee, not everyone supported this. So, this was also a test for Li Runshi.

Li Runshi was well aware of this, and he had likely even guessed He Rui's longer-term views. In fact, Li Runshi didn't need to guess; there would naturally be people who would "reveal" such a future to him to express their goodwill. But Li Runshi didn't care about this at all. It wasn't that he was pretending to be high-minded; while fame and fortune held great attraction for many, Li Runshi had absolutely no interest in them. What he was truly willing to dedicate his life to was exactly what He Rui wanted to offer him.

So, after receiving the appointment, Li Runshi spent four days and nights reading, going through the materials once. Foreign Minister Li Shiguang had expected Li Runshi to convene a meeting, but he didn't expect that after Li Runshi slept for a whole day, he invited experts—including but not limited to those from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs—and asked them quite a few questions.

When the Foreign Ministry personnel who had been consulted by Li Runshi reported to Li Shiguang afterward, they actually exclaimed with emotion: "Premier Li's understanding of international politics is incredible."

Li Shiguang had greatly admired Li Runshi's talent back when Li Runshi was the Propaganda Minister, so he wasn't particularly surprised at this moment, though he did feel a little pressure.

Only when preparations had reached this stage did Li Runshi convene the first meeting. Going to Paris now no longer required a ship; if departing from the Western Regions Province, the plane could take off in the early morning and arrive in Paris the same day. Li Runshi's tone was simple: since France would express a desire to increase its naval tonnage, China would also demand naval tonnage equal to that of France.

As for the reason, Li Runshi asked Li Shiguang, "Are the materials ready regarding all laws related to the navy passed by Carl Vinson and Franklin Roosevelt from 1933 to 1936, as well as the number of US naval vessels completed and funded?"

Li Shiguang was instantly relieved. Li Runshi intended to start from the balance of naval power in the Pacific, using the quantity of the US Navy's expansion as the standard. Even if the US muttered complaints, they couldn't truly oppose it. Moreover, China only had a coastline on the Pacific; using the balance of the US Pacific Fleet as a reason, Britain and France wouldn't oppose it either.

Diplomacy is not complicated; what diplomacy requires is grasping the principal contradiction. If the principal contradiction is not grasped, one can only find far-fetched reasons. Even if these reasons don't cause a diplomatic incident, they will be laughed at by those sharp-eyed diplomats in the diplomatic circle. Li Runshi had clearly grasped the principal contradiction.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had long prepared these materials and brought them out immediately. Soon, the Chinese delegation, having completed its preliminary preparations, departed. Paris in May was no longer cold. Because of Sino-French economic cooperation, France had not been impacted by the economic crisis at all. It had even made a fortune off the economic crises of other countries. A large number of wealthy people from Europe and America invested in the Paris Stock Exchange and obtained considerable returns. The consumption of these wealthy people in Paris made the city look even more feasting and revelrous.

The Chinese delegation merely toured the streets by car before checking into their hotel to continue preparations. Next, Li Runshi met with the new Prime Minister of the French Cabinet. After their talk, they jointly issued a statement on deepening Sino-French friendly cooperation. By the time Li Runshi returned to his residence, the comrades who had been in contact with the French Ministry of Defense had also brought back France's attitude.

Given Germany's rearmament and the Anglo-German Naval Agreement signed between Britain and Germany, the total tonnage of Nazi German naval vessels was not to exceed 35% of the total tonnage of British naval vessels as stipulated by the Washington Naval Treaty and the London Naval Treaty. Regarding submarines, Germany guaranteed that the tonnage of submarines possessed would not exceed 45% of the total submarine tonnage of the British Commonwealth nations.

According to the Washington Naval Treaty and the previous London Naval Treaty, the ratio of British naval tonnage to French naval tonnage was 5.25 to 1.75. The German naval tonnage agreed to by Britain already exceeded France's tonnage, so France would demand that the French naval tonnage ratio be increased from the original 1.75 to 4.

It was clear that France was serious. And France was not short of money right now; due to the strength of the franc, France's total industrial and agricultural output value had already surpassed that of Britain. Let alone increasing the naval ratio to 4, even if it meant building a navy with tonnage equal to Britain's, France could afford the bill. It was just that France didn't have such a large demand for naval vessels, so they only wanted a ratio of 4.

After the conference convened, France frankly put forward its request. There were only six participating nations in the naval agreement: the United States, Britain, France, China, Japan, and Italy. These were indeed the world's strongest naval powers at present, or at least countries with huge naval potential.

China and Japan maintained a consistent position. Because Italy had invaded Ethiopia—a fellow member of the League of Nations—last year and faced opposition from the League, other countries had no interest in treating Italy's views as content for real consideration. The focus now was on Britain's attitude.

Faced with France's accusations, the British representative merely perfunctorily brushed them aside. Just when everyone thought the British representative would end it there, he raised a point: "Perhaps it was precisely because of the excessive restrictions on Germany that intense nationalist sentiments were triggered within Germany. Britain believes that allowing Germany to become a normal country is the only way to make Europe more peaceful."

Just after these words were spoken, Li Runshi immediately indicated that he requested to speak. The French representatives couldn't help but show looks of joy. During previous contacts with the Chinese delegation, the Chinese side had clearly stated that the naval tonnage China needed was not directed at Europe, nor at the North Atlantic region. China's naval requirements were entirely based on its own needs, namely the balance of naval power in the Pacific region. This had disappointed the French representatives very much; what France hoped for most was that China could stand up for France, but they hadn't expected the Chinese delegation's attitude to be so rational. Now, seeing Li Runshi's reaction, it was possible he was going to attack Britain. The French representatives adjusted their sitting postures, ready to listen comfortably to what Li Runshi had to say.

The venue layout consisted of four concentric circles, leaving a 270-degree section. Li Runshi was located at the core round table. It was originally China's turn after Britain spoke. Soon, Li Runshi said in his powerful voice: "I oppose the reason just given by the British representative. If history were to return to 1919, Germany should indeed have been treated in a not excessive manner. But now it is not 1919, but 1936. During these 17 years, Germany had many rational and moderate governments; that was the time to conduct rational discussions with Germany. After excessive policies led to the Nazis—this most radical racist party in Europe—coming to power, what countries need is to be vigilant against this kind of radical racist party, not to compromise, not to relax restrictions on them.

"In the view of the Chinese government, Britain's policy will not only fail to make a radical racist party like the Nazis show any restraint, but will instead make the Nazi Party and the German people believe that only madness can exchange for Germany's interests. My view on the British government is that the British government has already been wrong once, and is currently being wrong a second time! Therefore, I suggest that the British government reflect and return to the correct path. I have finished speaking."

As soon as Li Runshi finished speaking, the French representatives applauded one after another. The British representatives, on the other hand, looked unhappy and glared at Li Runshi, but said nothing.

In this atmosphere, it was the Chinese representative's turn to elaborate on his country's view on quotas. Li Runshi had already adjusted his emotions by this time and said frankly: "In June 1933, the *National Industrial Recovery Act* proposed by Carl Vinson of the United States stipulated that the United States would build an additional 2 aircraft carriers, 4 light cruisers, 20 destroyers, and 4 submarines.

"In 1934, under the normal US naval construction plan, 1 heavy cruiser, 3 light cruisers, 14 destroyers, and 6 submarines were completed.

"In 1935, the *Emergency Relief Appropriation Act* proposed by President Franklin Roosevelt stipulated that the United States would begin additional construction of 1 aircraft carrier, 2 light cruisers, 14 destroyers, and 6 submarines.

"In 1936, under the normal US naval construction plan, the United States completed 12 destroyers.

"From 1933 to 1936, China built a total of 2 cruisers, 2 light cruisers, 12 destroyers, and 4 submarines. Now, the naval power in the Pacific has appeared to be in a state of serious imbalance. In order to guarantee the balance of Pacific naval power, China plans to build 300,000 tons of naval vessels to ensure the balance of Pacific naval power, as well as peace and stability in the Pacific region."

300,000 tons of naval tonnage seemed like a lot, but it was actually nothing remarkable. Just the 12 battleships in France's plan would exceed 300,000 tons. Moreover, from 1924 to 1936, China had never built a large navy. Although other countries knew that half of the personnel on Japanese naval vessels were Chinese naval officers and sailors, and the frequency of the Japanese Navy's exercises in recent years was the highest in the world—so much so that the Japanese Navy's ships were almost being driven to the scrap heap—the Chinese Navy did not have its own fleet, and that meant it didn't have one. From being almost non-existent to possessing 300,000 tons of vessels, the Chinese Navy still posed no threat.

After Li Runshi's speech ended, none of the countries had much of a reaction. When it was Japan's turn to speak, Japan simply stated, "We need to replace all our ships." This remark also didn't trigger any reaction; if they wanted to replace them, then replace them. If those broken ships weren't replaced, they probably wouldn't last much longer anyway.

When the Italian representative spoke, everyone cared even less. Moreover, the Italian representative's speech was full of a "wanting this and wanting that" posture, as if wanting to get some response through his speech. But other countries completely ignored it. Ethiopia was currently the only independent country in Africa and was also a buffer zone recognized by European countries. Ethiopia bordered the Red Sea, was close to the two entrances of the Red Sea, and was very close to the Suez Canal. Britain's attitude was firmly opposed to Italy's invasion of Ethiopia. And the League of Nations had already passed a resolution to impose sanctions on Italy. Giving Italy any excuse now would only encourage the Italians to push their luck.

When Italy used the excuse that French shipbuilding threatened Italy's security, the French representative watched the Italian representative's performance with a face full of mockery.

After criticizing France, the Italian representative began to attack China, believing that China giving up ownership of four battleships was playing a double act with France.

Li Runshi watched the Italian representative's performance like watching a play, also saying nothing. He even lit a cigarette and watched with ease. Everyone was a civilized person; the Italian representative expressed Italy's attitude based on the speaking rights granted by the conference, so he naturally had the right to speak. Fortunately, Italy also prided itself on being civilized and did not deliver a meaningless long-winded speech to turn the international naval conference into a farce.

After the Italian representative finished speaking, the US representative asked a question: "May I ask why China gave up ownership of the four battleships?"

The French political scene changed governments like a revolving lantern, so the French representative looked slightly nervous. Li Runshi answered calmly: "When the shipbuilding agreement was signed, the Nazi Party had not yet come to power. Now the situation has changed. The Chinese government, based on specific changes and France's request, gave up ownership of the four battleships in order to maintain world peace."

The US representative was somewhat disappointed in his heart. Li Runshi's answer was impeccable, so much so that this question failed to achieve the US representative's expected goal. The Chinese government's anti-Nazi stance was very firm; as soon as the Nazi Party came to power, the Chinese government took the initiative to lower diplomatic relations with Nazi Germany.

With an explanation completely in line with the Chinese government's position, plus the well-known Franco-German contradictions, Li Runshi very reasonably explained the issue of the transfer of battleship ownership between China and France. If he hadn't answered this way, it would have become a diplomatic incident.

The Great War in Europe had been triggered because secret treaties were flying all over the sky. Europe and America learned from the painful experience afterwards. Although no treaty was publicly reached, all countries believed that if two countries reached a secret treaty, it meant hostility towards other countries. Other countries would then make reciprocal responses based on this hostility. No one liked Italy, but the accusation made by the Italian representative just now was not without lethality. If China and France had reached a secret treaty when signing the construction contract for the four battleships, it would definitely have placed China and France in a disadvantageous position.

Before this trip, the US representative had received instructions from the US Secretary of State to pay attention to Li Runshi. At this moment, the US representative had a rough judgment: although Li Runshi was not famous, he was at least a qualified diplomat. And Li Runshi's resume had always been in the positions of various chief government officials. Although he was only given the comment of a "qualified diplomat," this had actually greatly improved the US government's evaluation of Li Runshi.

Diplomacy is originally a place to announce contradictions, attempt to coordinate relations, and reduce conflicts. As a qualified diplomat, Li Runshi simply ensured that this naval conference did not encounter unnecessary trouble because of him.

In the subsequent meeting, the enthusiasm of all parties was not high, and the other talks did not last long. Two days later, the Paris Naval Conference ended, and everyone held their noses and accepted the content of this naval treaty. France got the ratio of 4 as it wished, Japan renewed its warships, and China built 300,000 tons of new naval tonnage.

This agreement would be effective until December 3, 1942. However, almost all the representatives of the participating countries felt that the naval conference in 1942 might be very difficult. Especially those naval powers, they all felt the pressure of war constantly increasing. After the meeting adjourned, when the British representative walked out the gate, he couldn't help but stop and cross himself. As the world's most powerful naval nation, the British representative's sense of crisis was very strong.

Britain's former naval strategy was the "One-Power Standard" (Note: Text implies Two-Power Standard description "sum of 2nd and 3rd"), where the total naval tonnage was the sum of the second and third place. But Britain's strength was no longer enough to suppress countries around the world. Although Britain was still the nominal world hegemon, the ground beneath the hegemon's throne had long since begun to hang in the air due to collapse. As for which brick would be the first to collapse, the British representative didn't know either. But the British representative knew that no matter which brick collapsed, the current Britain could not deal with it easily.

After Li Runshi returned to China, his performance as a representative this time did not receive superficial high praise. Foreign Minister Li Shiguang's evaluation consisted of only one sentence: "A great warrior has no illustrious merit."

After Li Runshi returned to the capital, his old friend Ye Shengtao came to visit. The two hadn't seen each other for many years, and this reunion was also a great joy. When asked about his recent situation, Ye Shengtao replied, "I have been arranged to go to Vietnam to serve as an official protecting expatriates."

Hearing that his old friend was going to the far south, Li Runshi quickly said, "Wait a moment." Then he and his wife searched quickly and returned before long holding a bottle of green ointment. Handing the ointment to Ye Shengtao, he said, "Brother Ye, when I was in Burma, I used several kinds of ointments and floral waters for mosquito bites, but none were very satisfactory. This ointment is the most effective. If you apply a little on exposed skin usually, it can also prevent bites."

Ye Shengtao looked at Li Runshi's robust body and smiled: "Thanks. Do you have any other suggestions? Although I am from Zhejiang, I haven't been back to the south for a long time. The mosquitoes in the north really can't compare with those in the south."

"Mosquito nets must be prepared," Li Runshi urged. Just as he finished speaking, Mrs. Li had already brought in a large bundle. "Mr. Ye, this is a mosquito net our family bought. We bought several at the time, but didn't use them all. This one hasn't been opened yet; please don't disdain it, Mr. Ye."

Ye Shengtao was not a pretentious person; he immediately took the mosquito net. "Brother Li has stayed in Burma. With Brother Li's reminders, I can suffer a lot less. Thank you."

Ye Shengtao was not one to ingratiate himself either; he really came to see his old friend this time. After eating, he left in a leisurely manner carrying a few packages, very carefree.

Two days later, Ye Shengtao arrived in Hanoi. Sure enough, as Li Runshi had said, at night the mosquitoes hummed outside the nylon mosquito net but but just couldn't drill into the fine holes of the double-layer net. They could only rage impotently outside the net.

The French colonial officials in Hanoi had long prepared a welcome banquet. As soon as Ye Shengtao handed over his work, they invited him to the banquet. Sino-French relations were very close, and Ye Shengtao himself was responsible for the rights and interests of Chinese citizens in the French colony. The level of the reception banquet was even a bit higher than Ye Shengtao's position. Several young French ladies were also invited to the banquet. Ye Shengtao was served very comfortably.

On the way back, Ye Shengtao was a little dizzy. He swatted at the mosquitoes inside the car, his brain also a bit woozy. The driver had also been entertained and had drunk a few glasses, talking with Ye Shengtao. Suddenly, the driver exclaimed and immediately slammed on the brakes. Ye Shengtao was unprepared; his body lurched forward violently, and if he hadn't subconsciously propped himself up with his arm, his face would have almost hit the front seat.

The driver opened the door and got out, shouting a few words at the outside. Ye Shengtao was startled, fearing that they had hit someone. He also quickly got out of the car. Sure enough, in front of the right side of the car, a skinny boy was lying on the side of the road clutching his leg, his face full of pain. The local people of French Indochina around them hid to the side with fear on their faces, not daring to come close at all.

Ye Shengtao didn't think much. He first looked around the car and saw no one else was injured. He immediately ordered the driver: "Saving the person is the priority. Hurry up and carry the child into the car and send him to the hospital!"