Chapter 42: The Wine Party

  After drinking some wine, Ma Lu asked about Wang Hengyue's situation and was particularly interested in how he had beaten up foreigners and eliminated bandits.

  On the other side, Ma Yunxin also listened very carefully, constantly sneaking a peek at Wang Hengyue.

  It's not clear how the conversation turned to Klayman's cocktail party, but Ma Lu Nianci smiled slightly and said: "I heard that this time Fanli Xi Company is going to expand its office in Chengdu and establish a branch company, so Klayman held this cocktail party. Not only were consuls from various countries invited, but also Zhao Du Xian and my husband Ma Junmen were invited together, it was very lively."

  Wang Hengyue never thought that just because Kleiman invited himself, he would be on par with the Governor and Admiral?

  "Kleiman's invitation specifically stated that the whole family was invited, but my husband thought it wouldn't be suitable for women to attend. However, Kleiman repeatedly extended the invitation, so I had no choice but to let Yuxin accompany General Ma, hoping she won't embarrass us."

  Ma Yunxin smiled and pursed her lips, but didn't say a word.

  They talked for a while longer, but the other party was after all a woman and it wasn't convenient for her to sit for too long. Wang Hengyue and Qin Guangcheng stood up together to bid farewell.

  As soon as he went out, Qin Guangcheng sat back at his desk and suddenly smiled: "Shu, I think Miss Ma is about the same age as you, and I'm also friends with the Ma family. Why don't I act as a matchmaker?"

  "Big brother is joking." Wang Hengyue himself laughed: "Brother is just a small team officer, Ma Junmen is the provincial governor, how can brother climb so high?"

  Qin Guangcheng was also laughing and joking at that time. The status of both sides was actually too far apart, seeing his brother say so, he laughed and passed by.

  To attend the party at Kleiman's, Wang Hengyue put a lot of thought into what to wear. After much deliberation, he finally decided to stick with his new PLA uniform and headed out.

  Ma Xiao was not invited and could only stay in the Qin Mansion.

  The invitation was presented and the servant at the door led two people in. There were already quite a few people there, and as soon as they entered, they saw Kleiman and someone wearing a Qing dynasty official uniform talking about something.

  "King, my friend!" Seeing Wang Hengyue and Pete arrive, Kleiman enthusiastically went up to greet them, hugged Pete, and brought Wang Hengyue in front of the official: "Wang, this is your superior, Governor-General of Sichuan Zhao Erxun, Lord Zhao."

  "Long time no see, Governor Du!" Wang Hengyue gave a new army salute.

  Zhao Erlong was surprised, such an important wine party, where did this small military officer come from? Before Zhao Erlong could ask, Kleiman had already said: "Mr. Zhao, let me introduce you to this gentleman who I just mentioned to you, the Wang team officer who eliminated the Rong County bandits, Mr. Wang, my friend, we had a great time fighting bandits together."

  Zhao Erxun couldn't help but shake his head, foreigners were indeed strange and unpredictable. Eliminating bandits was just a trivial matter, could it be that simply because of this reason, he could stand alongside him, a dignified high-ranking official?

  What's more, how can a small team officer be called "sir"?

  This Wang Hengyue doesn't understand etiquette, seeing himself only gave a courtesy, if it weren't for the foreigners on the side, I'm afraid the Governor would have lost his temper on the spot. Unhappy in his heart, he just hummed a response through his nose.

  What does Governor Klayman care about what the governor is thinking? Let the governor take care of himself, but bring Wang Hengyue to a group of foreigners, and wait for a small officer, who is actually better than the provincial governor, and make Zhao Erlun cry with laughter.

  "This is Mr. Alex Eckford, Consul of the British Consulate General in Chengdu; this is Mr. Du Zhong, Acting Vice-Consul of France in Chengdu; and this is Mr. Weiss, Imperial German Consul in Sichuan." Klein introduced the foreigners one by one, finally pointing to a person and saying: "This is Mr. Stewart, Second Secretary of the American Embassy's Office in Chengdu."

  Wang Hengyue nodded his head in respect, this was truly astonishing, that a single officer like himself could suddenly meet so many "consuls", it was also a strange occurrence.

  These consuls from various countries were also full of curiosity about Wang Hengyue, and it was clear that Klayman had already introduced him to them in detail. The consuls kept asking questions, and Wang Hengyue's English was good, so he didn't need a translator and answered one by one.

  "A young and promising officer who has been influenced by American civilization." Stuart was apparently delighted with Wang's "American return" identity: "Completely different from those officials of the Qing Empire. Of course, Alex may be unhappy, their strong man became a sacrifice to Wang, I sympathize with that."

  Although there was a teasing element in it, Alex Eckford shrugged his shoulders: "The victory or defeat of a strongman between two countries cannot explain the gap in national strength. The failure of a British Empire strongman also proves nothing. King, I heard you studied military affairs in Britain?"

  Wang Heng's ear roots were a little hot, and he had no relationship with the British half penny either. If the cowhide was pierced, this person would be lost internationally.

  Ecclesford vaguely glossed over it, apparently saving face in front of the Americans: "The military lessons learned from the British Empire were perfectly embodied in China. It's just used to deal with small bandits, and it's a bit of an overkill."

  The phrase "kill a chicken with a bull knife" Eikford couldn't think of it no matter what, and it was Kleiman who helped him say it out loud, also causing some laughter from the people around them.

  Wang Hengyue's position was ultimately too low, and although he had been introduced by Klemann, the consuls of various countries chatted with him but didn't take him seriously. Wang Hengyue also had a sense of self-awareness, took a cup of wine and stood aside.

  It turned out that Si Daoming was very interested in Wang Hengyue, firstly because they both had an American background, and secondly because Klein must have said a lot of good things about Wang Hengyue in front of him. After chatting with several consuls for a while, he stood beside Wang Hengyue and asked some questions about Rong County. Suddenly, he asked: "Wang, you are back from the United States, what kind of business does your family operate in the United States?"

  My family doesn't have anyone in America, Wang Hengyue calmed down and casually said a few words.

  "A very good family, you have a background that others don't, which is extremely important in today's China." Si Tu listened very carefully: "The Qing court keeps saying it wants to reform, and people like you should be reused, rather than just being a small military officer."

  Wang Hengyue made up his mind: "Being a small military officer isn't bad either, at least I can do what I want to do. If I really go there"

  He pointed to his forehead in the morning: "Maybe I won't be able to do anything anymore!"