Part 5 Chapter 18 The Price of Compromise

Interests are always the leverage for the intersecting between countries.

Since the war between China and Japan ended too quickly, the Russians hoped to fight between China and Japan, and the situation did not appear for a year or two. From a strategic perspective, the Japanese government was not fully prepared for this war. This can be reflected by the fact that the Japanese government quickly fell into a fiscal crisis after the war started. On the other hand, the Chinese army had definitely made sufficient preparations for this early war. From the provocation on the sea surface to the continuous landing operations, the combat qualities shown by the army and the large-scale financial loans were enough to prove that these were all prepared.

In fact, since Chen Congyun launched an attack on Beijing, he had foresaw and began to prepare for this war. Japan and Russia did not expect that a new regime would take the initiative to attack without being completely stable within.

At a symposium of ministers from various countries held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the US Minister Rou Keyi talked freely: "A stable China is beneficial to the interests of all countries."

China is gradually opening up its market to the United States, and purchasing a large number of industrial, mining, shipbuilding and other equipment from the United States, and a large number of American railway practitioners come to China to work. All of the above is really important for the United States, and it plays a crucial role in the United States getting rid of the dilemma of the economic crisis. All of this is naturally entrusted by Chen Congyun's pro-American policy, so Americans' support for Chen Congyun is naturally affirmed.

Germany is now China's largest arms supplier and military machinery supplier. At the same time, a large number of German officers are in the Chinese army. China has carried out comprehensive cooperation with Germany in the mining and metallurgy industry, which is of great help to Germany to heal the trauma caused by the economic crisis. In addition, Germany's relations with Russia suddenly became tense due to Austria's relations, so Germany naturally stood on the stance of calling for peace on the surface and secretly supporting it.

"The stability of the Far East is something that all countries hope to see. The Germans love peace." The German minister was singing high-profile while secretly planning to get more arms orders from China. During the Sino-Japanese War, China secretly submitted a purchase list to Germany, equipped with the weapons and equipment of three reorganized divisions. Among them, the infantry was equipped with K98, so he ordered 30,000 units. At the same time, he also proposed the right to purchase patents and more than 300 artillery pieces of large and small artillery. I heard that the Chinese Navy recently proposed a plan to purchase armored cruisers. This order must be obtained. When necessary, it is necessary to urge the government to increase the number of loans to China.

The traditional British power is in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, which is the richest region in China. Currently, most of the control is in Shen Congyun. Last week, pro-China MP Mr. Nelson expressed concerns about China's current status and handed over a report of 5,000 words to Yijia. The report stated that starting from the national policy of restricting Russia's expansion in the Far East, we must provide corresponding support to China. A stable China is in line with the interests of the empire, and China's stability must have a relatively powerful regime to maintain. Although Chen Congyun's power is not worth mentioning in the face of the powerful British Empire, it is enough to maintain the Far East situation that an empire needs. The empire does not need to worry that Chen Congyun's regime is stronger, but it needs to worry that Chen Congyun's regime cannot be strong enough to compete with the rapid expansion of the Russians. Therefore, the empire needs to make an attitude and limit the ambitions of the Russians.

Such an argument implies that it is clear. Once Chen Congyun is defeated in the confrontation with the Russians, Russia will surely gain huge benefits in Northeast China. At the same time, Chen Congyun is likely to retreat to the two rivers and three provinces after failure. China will have a warlord melee. I am afraid that many warlords will be willing to covet the two rivers at that time, which will inevitably cause chaos in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, which is not in line with the interests of the UK.

While the ministers of the United States and Germany were talking freely, the British minister stood up with a pipe in his arms and expressed his opinion: "After China's new regime is confirmed, the pace of opening up to the outside world has accelerated, which is something that all countries are very willing to see. The new regime is in line with the interests of all countries in China. The British government hopes that the new regime can maintain stability and the Far East can maintain a stable situation."

The fact is that before this symposium, the five ministers of Britain, France, Russia, Germany and the United States had exchanged views in private. China and France also held a new round of secret consultations. After the French government regained the protection rights of Saigon, it had decided to stop the bill to stop. The loan proposal to China was restarted.

The attitude of the ministers of the four countries was ambiguous, and Russia naturally softened after losing the accomplice. The Russian minister shouted "Russia's interests in China must not be violated!" Afterwards, the delegations of the two countries had actually sat down and started secret negotiations.

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In the study in the presidential residence, Foreign Minister Tang Shaoyi sat opposite Shen Congyun, waiting patiently for Chen Congyun to look at the copy of the China-Russia agreement just reached.

A straight line was drawn between Dandong and Yingkou, and the south of the straight line was rented to Russia for fifty years. The railway construction rights in the three eastern provinces were 40% of the equity after the completion of all railways. These two were the minimum conditions proposed by the Russians, in exchange for the Russians giving up their support for the old Manchu forces in the Northeast.

Chen Congyun did not want to compromise with Russia, but under the current situation, without three to five years of preparation, the war between China and Russia is destined to turn into a protracted war, which is what Chen Congyun is most reluctant to see.

Tang Shaoyi saw Chen Congyun's hand trembling, and took out a cigarette while trembling. The trembling hand lit a match several times before lit it. A deal was only one page, and Chen Congyun looked at it for an hour.

"Promise them!" The simple four words seemed so difficult when Chen Chengyun's mouth came out.

After saying this, Chen Congyun put down the copy of the file and slowly walked out of the study. When Tang Shaoyi was a little worried, Chen Congyun waved his hand and said without looking back: "You go and do things, I'm fine."

As he said that, Chen Congyun walked slightly along the path in the yard and walked into the backyard. At this moment, Tang Shaoyi realized that Chen Congyun's back was so lonely in the sunset. The young man who was full of energy back then was now slightly hunched. Russia is not Japan, and what the war between China and Russia meant, Tang Shaoyi was very clear. A few days ago, when Sheng Xuanhuai recalled the rebellion in Xinjiang that year, he said helplessly. At that time, the Qing Rivers of the Qing government shouted to go to war with Russia. As a result, Li Hongzhang went to Wen, the British man Hurd, what would happen if China and Russia started to fight? Held at that time returned and said that the result was difficult to predict, but it must be a protracted war. Moreover, in the early stage of the war, China must be ready to move the capital to Xi'an and be prepared to fight for ten years. If the war could be delayed for ten years, China might win.

The future and destiny of a country are pressing on its shoulders, and Chen Congyun has to calmly face every domestic and foreign political event. If someone asks Chen Congyun now, what he needs most, Chen Congyun will definitely answer with affirmative answer, time! But now, Chen Congyun has no time.

Once China and Russia start war, if they cannot make a quick decision, the 200,000 elite new troops in Chen Congyun's hands will be dragged to the Northeast for a long time. It is conceivable what situation will happen. In this sense, the weak Japan has been able to rise rapidly in real history, largely because of China's uninterrupted internal friction. From the end of the request, after the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom movement ended, the Qing government's control over the local area was no longer enough. Otherwise, in the Sino-Japanese War of 1894, how could the two Japanese have independently fought against the entire Japan? How could the "joint protection" of the six southeastern provinces appear when the Eight-Nation Alliance invade?

China must end the internal friction, but the time to solve this problem was exchanged for the traitorous treaty. The southern part of Vietnam and the Liaodong Peninsula.

In fact, Chen Congyun's heart was like a knife stirring at this moment. He was walking alone in the courtyard along the winding path. While heartache, Chen Congyun also breathed a sigh of relief. The troops stationed in the coastal provinces could finally order to stop preparing to go north. Liu Kunyi from Fujian and Cen Yuying from Yunnan and Guizhou seemed to be time to close the net. Taking advantage of the snow in the northeast, the two divisions of Fengtian were transferred to Beijing. The problem of Shanxi should be solved. After the Russians gave up the restraining of the Northeast, the troops of the four divisions of the aftershock swept the Northeast, which was more than enough.

The blood-like setting sun shone on your face. The sunny clouds bathed in the sunset murmured in a low voice: "I'll get it back sooner or later, and I'll have to spit it out after eating mine."

On February 2nd, the dragon raises its head!

The day after the signing of the Sino-Russia Beijing Contract reached Fujian, Liu Kunyi sent a telegram to announce the recognition of the legitimacy of the new government, but all this came too late. Wang Chao and Clawson bombarded with fierce artillery fire for three days, Liu Kunyi's envoy to seek peace came to Wang Chao's command center.

Wang Chao drove the envoy out very simply and gave only one sentence: "Unconditional surrender!"
Chapter completed!