Chapter 316: Do you want us to fight against Russia?

South Manchuria Railway.

In later generations, this railway was famous. (du ka nka, because this railway was a major artery that Japan invaded the three eastern provinces and even invaded China in the future. It was the first to take action.

The South Manchurian Railway was originally a railway in northeast China. It was originally a branch line of the Central and Eastern Railway built by Tsarist Russia, namely the Changchun-Lushun section in the Harbin-Lushun section.

Speaking of which, this is another sad thing. Because the Middle East Railway is actually a railway built by Tsarist Russia on Chinese territory in order to plunder and invade China and control the Far East. This railway is centered on Harbin, extending to Manzhouli in the west, Suifenhe in the east, and Dalian in the south. It started construction at the same time as the Middle East Railway trunk line in August 1897, laying from Lushun to the north and from Harbin to the south. It was completed in December 1902 and opened to traffic in July 1903.

During the Russo-Japanese War, the section of the Middle East Railway branch Lushun to Gongzhuling was occupied by the Japanese army. In order to manage the South Manchuria Railway, Japan established the South Manchuria Railway Co., Ltd. on November 26, 1906, with its headquarters in Tokyo.

This South Manchuria Railway Co., Ltd. is not just a simple railway company. It is an important part of a complete management organization established by Japan in the Northeast. It is paralleled by the three major institutions of the Kanto Department, the Kanto Army Headquarters, and the Japanese Consulate. It conducts comprehensive infiltration and control of China from the perspectives of politics, military, diplomacy and economics.

The first president of "South Manchuria Railway Co., Ltd.", who once served as the head of the Taiwan Governor's Office in Taiwan, was a doctor, but had executed more than 33,000 people in Taiwan, directly erasing one-percent of Taiwan's population, once said, "Japan must focus on operating railways in Manchuria, and the rest must develop coal mines, immigrate from the local area and develop agriculture and animal husbandry. Only in this way can he have the strength to fight again with Russia, or be prepared for the full occupation of China." It directly points out the identity of the Manchuria Railway as the vanguard of Japan's invasion of China.

In the future, in a series of historical events, Manchu Iron and Steel did reflect its importance to Japan's aggression.

In August 1914, World War I broke out. On January 18, 1915, Japanese Minister to China, Nishiyi, met with Yuan Shikai, and proposed "Twenty-One Articles" to China, demanding that the Beiyang government recognize Japan's inheritance of all Germany's privileges in Shandong; and intends to put China's territory, politics, military and finance under Japan's control. After that, Japan issued an ultimatum through force, and finally forced the Yuan Shikai's government to accept the "Twenty-One Articles" on May 9. The first of the twenty-one articles was to require the Beiyang government to "recognize Japan's inheritance of all Germany's rights and interests in Shandong Province, and Shandong Province shall not transfer or lease other countries." The second article was related to the South Manchuria Railway. Japan demanded that the "lease period of Lushun and Dalian" and "the management period of South Manchuria Railway and Anfeng Railway" be extended to 99 years. These terms are all for legalization and maximization of the interests occupied by Japan through war.

Article 21 caused an anti-Japanese wave across China, but Japan still gained huge benefits. Later, on the evening of September 18, 1931, the Japanese "Kanto Army" bombed a section of the rails of the South Manchurian Railway near Liuhu, the northern suburb of Shenyang, in accordance with the planned conspiracy, and falsely accused the Chinese team of * tyrants to destroy the railway and attack the Japanese army. Using this as an excuse, the Japanese army immediately attacked Shenyang. Six hours later, occupied the entire city of Shenyang, causing the "September 18th" incident that shocked China and the world.

It can be said that during the "Twenty-One" and "September 18th" incidents, although the Manchurian Railway was only a supporting role, its important role had undoubtedly been reflected. Then, the emergence and development of the Japanese Kanto Army was closely related to the Manchurian Railway. Because it was precisely because of the Manchurian Railway that the Japanese Kanto Army had obtained the right to station 15 troops every 10 kilometers along the South Manchurian Railway. Therefore, since 1907, the Japanese army has stationed one division and six railway garrisons on the South Manchurian Railway, with a total force of more than 10,000. This is the predecessor of the "Japanese Kanto Army" that later swept most of China. On April 12, 1919, the Kanto Department implemented military and political division, based on the former Army Department.

In the foundation, the Kanto Army Command was also formed, which was in charge of the South Manchurian Railway garrison. The Kanto Department was the highest administrative and judicial organ, while the Kanto Army Command was the highest military organ. By 1931, the Kanto Army, which had been dormant for 12 years, instigated the "September 18th" Incident, occupied the entire northeastern territory in four months, and its troops expanded rapidly. In 1931, the Kanto Army had only three divisions, six in 1932, and maintained the strength of five divisions from 1933 to 1936, 7 in 1937, 9 in 1938, 11 in 1939, and 12 divisions in 1940. By 1941, before Japan's sneak attack on Pearl Harbor, the total strength of the Kanto Army had reached 31 divisions, with a rise to 850,000, which was known as one million.

During this crazy army, during its infidelity, it committed a series of war crimes, including planning the Huanggutun incident, launching the September 18th Incident, supporting the puppet Manchukuo, forming the 731 biological warfare unit, creating the Pingdingshan Massacre, the Yilan Massacre, the Laoheigou Massacre, the Chaoyang Xiawujiazi Village Massacre, the Baijiabaozi Village Massacre in Tongbei County, the Massacre in Dadaoyu Village, the Bashang Massacre and other tragic massacres.

All of this can be said to be related to the Manchurian Railway, that is, to the South Manchurian Railway.

...

If Guo Jinzhang, after leading the Red Corps and the Chinese in the United States, occupied Tangzhou and achieved a relatively equal status for everyone, what else can't be let go, is the future Japanese invasion.

He did not hesitate to extend the tentacles of the Intelligence Agency to Japan early and began to assassinate some famous Japanese officers and politicians in later generations, which is a concrete manifestation of this concern.

However, it is impossible to stop Japan's invasion by killing people alone. Guo Jinzhang deeply understands this. Japan is a wolf-like country. If one day he discovers that China is not as powerful as it appears on the surface, or feels that it is capable, then it will immediately pounce on without hesitation. This is the nature of the entire Japanese nation, and it cannot be changed by killing people alone.

Therefore, Guo Jinzhang has been looking for opportunities to help China... Inspiring the Americans to hire Qing soldiers to fight against the Spaniards is the biggest action he has planned so far. His purpose is to cultivate an army that dares and can fight against the imperialist army in this battle with the Spaniards, and at least he will cultivate a batch of seeds. And if this army is large enough, he will be even happier. Because, it is not far from the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, even if the Beiyang was defeated, the army that had just walked on the battlefield with the Spaniards for a few years is likely to become the main force against the Japanese army... Guo Jinzhang had no other hope. He just thought that this army could block the Japanese and not collapse almost without fighting like in the original history. Even if it was only for a few more months, the Japanese's pitiful finance would collapse, greatly damaging their confidence and speed in their rise.

But he didn't expect that Yikuang would suddenly throw out the news that he would build a railway... Britain, France and other countries had long regarded China as a piece of fat and were eager to eat more. It was just that in the twenty years since the fall of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, Zeng Guofan, Li Hongzhang, Zuo Zongtang and other Westernization factions have worked hard to paste gaps for this windy and rainy country, making China seem to have a certain strength on the surface, so these countries dare not go too far. But not long ago, the result of the Sino-French War allowed the great powers to further recognize the weak nature of the Qing Dynasty, and many of their fears were gone. Therefore, the rumor released by Yikuang aroused great interest from the great powers.

Liu Tongfu was far away in Beijing and had a few years of dating with Yikuang. He quickly understood why Yikuang was such a bastard... Of course, this Qingbeile would not be stupid enough to release such a big news in order to find someone. The railway did have plans, and it was also the Eight Banners nobles from the Qing court. Yikuang knew all the related matters, Prince Li Shiduo knew, Prince Chun Yihuan, the biological father of Guangxu, also knew that there were some other Eight Banners princes and nobles with higher status, and in addition to these, the highest status was the Empress Dowager Cixi... But apart from these people, many people with real knowledge, including Guangxu, Li Hongzhang, and Prince Gong Yixin, were not clear about it.

What a sad thing?

But why is this happening?

One word: money!

The Russian Empire's Minister of Transport Sergei Yulievich Vette instructed the Russian minister to bribe these guys!

This matter is now a semi-public secret in Dongjiaomin Lane in Beijing. Britain, France and other countries are not ashamed of the Russians' behavior, but they are more slanderous... Because, through bribery, the Russians have obtained the right to build the Middle East Railway! But how could the dignified Russian Empire and the greedy polar bears spit out a lot of money to "buy" things? They should be more willing to rob. Why did they bribe Yikuang and other guys?

Because they saw Liu Tongfu's jealous intimate status in Beijing, in front of Yikuang and others... How did Liu Tongfu get this status? It was bought! To be more precise, it was obtained by bribery.

Through bribery, Liu Tongfu gained a large amount of power to immigrate for Tangzhou; through bribery, Liu Tongfu had the power to freely enter and exit the residences of princes and ministers of the Qing court; through bribery, Liu Tongfu even gained the power to hire Qing officials and soldiers for Tangzhou and use the endless source of troops of the Qing Dynasty to fight for the interests of other countries...

Sergei Witt, an important policymaker in the industrialization process of the Russian Empire, was also the drafter of the October Declaration, the predecessor of Russia's first constitution. He was a very smart guy. He originally served in the railway system and served as Minister of Transportation, and immediately focused on the Far East... This is not surprising. Because, in the late 19th century, after Russia began to enter the industrialization period, in order to develop its domestic economy, he had already begun to pay attention to the Siberian region. More importantly,

It is true that at that time, Britain, the United States and France were competing fiercely on the Far East international stage, highlighting Siberia's strategic position. In order to firmly occupy this land far away from Europe and to implement the "Far East Policy" of Tsarist Russia eroding Asia, a large railway that runs through the entire Siberia was inevitable. In fact, as early as the mid-19th century, relevant Russian departments had already conducted a lot of argumentation for the construction of railways. Sergei Vette was just following the footsteps of his ancestors.

However, China had just defeated the Spanish Philippine squadron in the Battle of the South China Sea. It was the time when the national morale was so strong that the Russians obviously could not force it by force. If the Chinese people got angry again and fought with Hai Chuanwei, wouldn’t they begging them to suffer?

Although they were not afraid, the reigning Tsar Alexander III was actively promoting Panslavism at this time. This foreign policy was highly diplomatic targeted - mainly targeting the Balkans and the Black Sea coast. At this time, it was obviously inappropriate to let the country focus on the Far East. But if we waited, Witt was very unhappy. Because in his plan, the Middle East Railway would become an important part of the Siberian Railway, and even an important step for Russia to invade the entire Northeast in the future. In addition, Witt also liked Harbin. He really wanted to turn Harbin into a Russian colony in the Far East and an outpost for their invasion of Northeast China... As a result, the construction of the Middle East Railway became even more urgent.

Therefore, after Witt decided to seize the power to build a railway in Northeast China, he also decided to act: not putting it into force! But without force, the polar bear really had no good idea. After thinking about it, finally, through the analysis of the information provided by the Russian diplomatic department, Witt decided to use the same trick as Liu Tongfu...

So, after several months of continuous testing, tens of thousands of rubles were invested, and the threat of force, Yikuang finally agreed. However, the construction of the railway was not just a prime minister's affairs office that could manage, but also had to make a solid foundation with the Military Affairs Office, and in the end Cixi would probably nod... Therefore, under Yikuang's guidance, Witt had to take out more than 200,000 rubles and give them to Shiduo and several other important figures of the Qing Dynasty, and finally formed a "Central and East Road Alliance".

Then, under the operation of this alliance, Yihuan, the biological father of Emperor Guangxu, and Cixi, were successively "conquered"... and Yikuang's reason for convincing these people was to build railways, which could transport troops and grain faster, better defend against the Russians, and better protect the "land of the ancestors' dragons' rise"!

...

This is so ridiculous and so pathetic.

But Witt succeeded.

Moreover, in order to prevent Li Hongzhang and other scheming guys from using diplomatic means to destroy their plans, this favorite Alexander III has always been in control of the overall situation and secretly directed Yi Kuang and others to keep their secrets... It was actually successful.

If the matter ends here, China and Russia will successfully sign the treaty, Sergei Vette will definitely be able to use this action to achieve a model in diplomatic history. But the problem is that things went wrong at the end. Vette did not expect that just when he saw that the success was about to be completed, he would officially sign the Sino-Russia Treaty of Middle East Road with the Qing court, and he would soon be able to celebrate champagne, but Yikuang suddenly took the reason to find Liu Tongfu to expose the matter.

For a time, the great powers flocked to him.

Witt was furious, but he could do nothing... Yi Kuang refused to admit that he had accepted his ruble. What are you doing? Prince Li Shiduo, who also received money, and other Eight Banner princes and nobles also refused to admit that they had received money from the Russians, and they also accused the Russians of being falsely accusing them.

Typical cheating.

There is no evidence for Kervait.

what to do?

In desperation, the count had to sacrifice his weapon of killing: a threat of force! Yikuang and others did not dare to stimulate Tsarist Russia too much. After some negotiations, they were forced to share the pie for the Russians. Witt did not dare to force them too much, so as not to force the Chinese to force them to Britain and France. At that time, the railway would be taken down by Britain and France, and Tsarist Russia would have a dream to take the Middle East Road to the south.

In this way, Zhongdong Road was divided into two sections, and was built by the Russians to the north of Changchun, and south of Changchun, that is, the South Manchurian Railway, was taken down by Liu Tongfu, who was used as an excuse by Yikuang, and handed over to Tangzhou.

...

"I really don't understand why the ministers of the Qing Dynasty dared to do this." In fact, Beard had already known the ins and outs of the Central East Road through the path of the ambassador to China. He also knew that Yikuang and others had actually collected money but played Witt in turn... But the Secretary of State didn't know that this kind of thing is very common in China. He only felt that the behavior of Yikuang and others was incredible.

"First, it was greed, vanity without reason, and then it was cowardly and timidity who did not dare to take responsibility... This kind of thing was really normal in the Qing Dynasty." Guo Jinzhang snorted coldly. After receiving Liu Tongfu's report, he and Li Asheng and others were angry, and they also analyzed the behavior of Yi Kuang and others. Everyone is both Chinese, and there is news that Liu Tongfu got from Yi Kuang himself. It is naturally closer to the truth of the matter. After all, Viter's methods are indeed very clever and can make Yi Kuang accept bribes without any defense at the beginning... You know, the officials of the Qing court themselves were full of war with the great powers. Although Yi Kuang, although Yi Kuang, did it easily. But Viter did it. Later, it was Yi Kuang and others' own problems. These guys took the money and opened the

They were very happy and vain at first, thinking that foreigners were going to curry favor with them. It seemed that the Qing Dynasty was about to revive again... Look at the naval battle in the Philippines, how happy it would be to win? But after a brief excitement, Yikuang and others became guilty again. They understood that these foreigners were all things that were stolen and did not spit bones, so how could they easily stuff money to themselves? Although they followed Werte's intention at the beginning, they said that the cultivation should be repaired the Middle East Road, but the more they went back, the more they became guilty, and the more they were afraid that Cixi would react and settle the accounts with them... Moreover, they hid the whole thing from Guangxu, Li Hongzhang and others, which was also a big problem. So, in the end, they simply gritted their teeth and stomped their feet, and stabbed the matter out like this, trying to muddle the water. After all, they were just a bunch of guys who were not enough to succeed and had more than enough to fail.

"You asked the government to come forward to take on this railway. You don't want to use the name of the United States to fight against the Russians, right?" Cleveland stared at Guo Jinzhang and asked in a deep voice.

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Chapter completed!