roccoschili Chapter 777 Cyprus Contract 3
Chapter 777 Cyprus Contract 3
The meeting resumed at 9:00 AM on June 21st.
This time, the atmosphere in the conference room was noticeably different. Asquith's face was still somewhat pale, but he no longer looked as desperate as he had yesterday. He looked at Wilson, who nodded slightly to him.
Clemenceau remained expressionless, but his fingers no longer tapped the table. Tirpitz stood ramrod straight, staring directly ahead. Chen Feng picked up his teacup, sipped slowly, and glanced at everyone present.
Wilson stood up.
"Ladies and gentlemen, after yesterday's discussion, all parties have gained a deeper understanding. Today, let's get straight to the point."
He looked at Asquith. "Prime Minister Asquith, has the British opinion changed?"
Asquith stood up. His voice was much calmer than yesterday, but every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth.
"Britain is willing to waive its claims for reparations from Germany."
There was a moment of silence in the meeting room. Then, Tirpitz stood up.
He walked up to Asquith and stopped. Everyone stared at him, wondering what he was going to do.
Tirpitz spoke. His voice was hoarse, but every word was clear and powerful.
"Prime Minister Asquith, Germany thanks Great Britain for its goodwill. In return, Germany announces the immediate release of all British prisoners of war. 150,000 men, all released. Let them go home."
Asquith was stunned.
He opened his mouth, as if to say something, but nothing came out. His eyes stung. He tried desperately to hold back, but tears still streamed down his face.
He lowered his head and wiped his face with his sleeve. Then he looked up at Tirpitz.
"Thanks."
Tirpitz shook his head. "You're welcome. The war is over."
The two shook hands.
Applause filled the conference room. Clemenceau clapped, Wilson clapped, Lansing clapped, and Wang Wenwu clapped. Only Chen Feng didn't clapp. He simply watched the scene, a slight smile playing on his lips.
After the applause subsided, Wilson spoke again.
"Very good. Britain and Germany have reached a reconciliation. Now, let's discuss the last issue—the status of Wilhelm II."
All eyes were on Tirpitz.
Tirpitz stood up. His voice was steady, but everyone could hear the complex emotions beneath that calm.
"His Majesty Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany is willing to accept the new arrangements. His Majesty will retain the title of Emperor, but will no longer hold real power. Germany will establish a cabinet system, with the Chancellor holding executive power and being accountable to Parliament."
He paused.
Field Marshal Hindenburg will become the first German Chancellor after the war.
There was a moment of silence in the meeting room. Then Clemenceau was the first to speak.
France accepts this arrangement.
Asquith nodded. "Britain accepts."
Wilson looked at Chen Feng. Chen Feng nodded. "Lanfang supports this."
Wilson stood up.
"Good. The five countries have reached a consensus."
He walked to the podium and picked up a document from the table.
"This is a draft of the Cypriot Convention. Please take a look."
The signing ceremony will take place at 4 PM.
In the conference center's lobby, five long tables were arranged side by side. Each table was covered with a dark green velvet cloth, and on it lay a thick document and a gold fountain pen.
Reporters were allowed into the hall and placed in designated areas. Flashes went off one after another, and camera shutters clicked incessantly. Everyone held their breath, awaiting that historic moment.
Wilson was the first to approach the table. He picked up his pen and signed his name on the document. He wrote slowly and carefully, stroke by stroke. After signing, he looked up and smiled at the reporters.
Clemenceau was the second to approach the table. He moved quickly, and after signing, he let out a long sigh, as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
Tirpitz was the third to approach the table. He picked up his pen and signed his name on the document. His hand was steady, without the slightest tremor. After signing, he straightened up and nodded to the reporters.
Asquith was the fourth to approach the table. His hand was trembling slightly. He took a deep breath, then bent down and signed his name. After signing, he stood there, staring at the document for a long time. No one knew what he was thinking.
Chen Feng was the last to walk to the table.
He picked up his pen and signed his name on the document. He wrote slowly and carefully, stroke by stroke. After signing, he put down the pen, looked up, and stared at the flashing lights.
His face was expressionless.
But he knew that from that moment on, the world had changed.
Group photo at 5 PM.
Five people stood on the steps at the entrance of the conference center. Behind them were the five flagpoles, their five flags fluttering in the wind. Wilson stood in the middle, Chen Feng to his left, Clemenceau to his right, Tirpitz to Chen Feng's left, and Asquith to Clemenceau's right.
Reporters frantically pressed their shutters. The flashes were so bright they were almost blinding.
Wilson smiled and waved at the camera. Clemenceau smiled too, a relieved smile. Tirpitz stood ramrod straight, his face serious. Asquith forced a smile, but everyone could see how bitter it was.
Only Chen Feng didn't laugh.
He just stood there, looking at the camera, his face expressionless. A breeze blew, and the hem of his clothes fluttered slightly. Sunlight shone on his face, illuminating the fine wrinkles at the corners of his eyes.
The shutter clicked away, capturing the moment.
At this moment, five people stand together. At this moment, five flags flutter side by side. At this moment, the world welcomes a new era.
At six o'clock in the evening, the sun was setting.
Wang Wenwu stood at the back of the crowd, watching this scene, and suddenly felt a little dazed.
A year ago, Lanfang was still fighting for survival. At the Dubai docks, workers were still repairing the large hole in the Huaihe ship. Soldiers from Japan were still fighting desperately in the jungles of Malaya. Zhao Dengyu was still waiting on the sand dunes of Holdasa for the British to attack.
A year later, Lanfang stood at the center of the world stage.
They stood on equal footing with those once-invincible superpowers. They signed their names on that document that determined the fate of the world.
He recalled Chen Feng's words: "The war is over. But the real battle has just begun."
Yes, the real competition has only just begun.
In the distance, the setting sun was sinking into the Mediterranean Sea. The golden afterglow spilled onto the sea, onto the flagpoles, onto the reporters still taking pictures, and onto the building that had just witnessed history.
Wang Wenwu looked at the golden sea and said softly:
"From this day forward, the world has changed."
That evening, the delegations from the five countries each held their own celebrations.
On the ship carrying the Meilika delegation, bottles of champagne were opened one after another, and bursts of laughter filled the air. Wilson stood on the deck, clinking glasses with Lansing, a smug smile on his face.
In the French delegation's hotel, Clemenceau, unusually, drank a glass of red wine. Sitting by the window, gazing at the night view, he said to Pichon, "Alsace and Lorraine, they've finally returned."