conspiracy!

Many times, there seem to be traces of conspiracy hidden behind many major events.

After the "Sarajevo" incident in 1914, the history of the entire Europe was changed.

July 23rd!

This seemed to be a carefully chosen time. When Serbia received the "ultimatum", it was too late to communicate with the great powers. In desperation, the Serbian government first issued a joint mobilization order and then submitted a reply.

In order to ensure that the 'ultimatum' can be delivered to the Serbian government on time and that someone will answer the ultimatum, on the afternoon of July 23, the Austrian Ambassador to Serbia Gisl informed the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs that he would deliver the ultimatum from 4 to 5 pm that day.

An important document. At that time, only Dr. Gruki ​​and three ministers were in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Belgrade. They had already called the Serbian Prime Minister Bahic who was out of town to rush back and arranged a special train to take him back to the capital.

The Serbian government's attitude towards the assassination is extremely cautious and careful. Because they have realized that due to the anti-Austrian propaganda in the past and the fact that the murder was planned in Belgrade, the Austrian government will definitely think that this matter is

The Serbian government did it or thought it was instigated by the Serbian government and used it as an excuse to launch a war. So they canceled all gatherings to celebrate Saint Vido's Day; they severely condemned this crime in the official newspaper and expressed due due respect to Ferdinand.

condolences, and stated that it is ready to bring judicial proceedings against any Serbian suspected of complicity.

On July 21, Prime Minister Bacic also sent a long telegram to Serbian envoys stationed abroad, instructing them to tell the host country that Serbia was eager to maintain good relations with Austria-Hungary. If Austria was willing, Serbia would

He is willing to try any accomplices involved in this case in his own independent court. He also asked the ministers to express Serbia's firm position and never accept any demands that are detrimental to the dignity of the country.

At 4 o'clock in the afternoon, Gisl did not come. At 5 o'clock in the afternoon, Gisl had not come yet. This inevitably caused Serbian officials to talk a lot. Everyone was guessing what this important Austrian document was? And Gisl's delay

The delay in coming adds to the ominous atmosphere.

It turned out that Giesl had received an order from Vienna temporarily, and Berchatot hoped that the news of the ultimatum would reach Russia just when the French president visiting Russia had left Russia and was sailing on the Baltic Sea, so that Russia and France would not have time.

Therefore, he requested to postpone submitting the ultimatum to Serbia until 6 p.m.

At 6 p.m., Gisl finally arrived.

After submitting this "ultimatum", he used diplomatic language and asked that he must respond to the Austrian government before 6 pm on July 25, otherwise, our embassy staff will leave Belgrade by then.'

Serbian officials have said that it is too difficult to respond in such a short period of time, especially since several ministers are not in the capital.

Gisl said displeasedly:

"This is the age of railways, telegraphs, and telephones. For a small country like Serbia, it's just a matter of hours. Besides, I already greeted you this morning."

So Gisl left without any more excuses, and the Serbian ministers began to read the document.

"It seems we have no other option but to fight tooth and nail!"

One minister shouted angrily, indeed, at this time there was no choice but to fight.

At this time, the officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs seemed to have smelled the breath of war. So they began intense and orderly work: some people sent telegrams to the Serbian ministers stationed in various countries, asking them to appeal to the countries where they were stationed.

"Such a request is unacceptable to any Serbian government."

At the same time, the Serbian regent made earnest requests to the Russian tsar.

"We are unable to defend ourselves and beg your Majesty to help us quickly. We have always been very grateful for your kindness to us. Therefore, we are convinced that your Majesty's noble Slavic nation's benevolent heart will certainly answer our entreaties.

"

They also asked the King of Italy to mediate and persuade his ally Austria to extend the deadline and reduce their demands.

At the same time, other ministers who left Beijing to participate in the election were quickly recalled to the capital. At 5 o'clock in the morning on Friday, July 24, Prime Minister Bashiqi rushed back to the capital. Starting at 10 o'clock, the cabinet held a long and lengthy meeting.

It was a depressing meeting, but no decision was made on how to answer the question.

On Saturday morning, the meeting was still going on, because everyone knew that some kind of answer had to be provided before 6 p.m.

at this time.

Bashichi believed that the most important thing was to understand the attitude of the Three Entente countries towards this matter. Unfortunately, Russia, France and Britain did not have permanent ministers in Belgrade at that time: the first two Russian ministers suddenly collapsed and died, and his successor

The British minister had not yet arrived; the British had no minister, and Graz was still on his way from London; the French minister was suffering from mental illness and was weak, and his successor had just arrived and did not understand the situation at all.

Therefore, the agents of the Allied Powers were powerless to do anything to Serbia. They could only report the unacceptable conditions proposed by Austria to their own countries and wait for instructions. These instructions came so slowly that the facts had little effect on the decision made by Serbia. From this point of view, Austria

The country really put a lot of thought into issuing the ultimatum to Zilvia. It did not leave any time for the other party to maneuver. From this, it is not difficult to see what this 'ultimatum' will mean.

In fact, as early as about 7 o'clock on the evening of the 24th, Shazonov had a meeting with the Serbian minister. Shazonov hoped that Serbia would be particularly cautious in its reply. When leaving Shazonov, Serbian

The minister met the German ambassador and said to the ambassador.

"He expected that soon this issue would not only be an Osseinian issue, but a European issue."

Much later, Shazonov telegraphed to the charge d'affaires in Belgrade that if Austria attacked and Serbia felt that it was not capable, it would be best not to resist, but to retreat and appeal to the powers for protection.

However, unfortunately, these situations were unknown to the ministers who were meeting in Serbia. Without time to understand the attitude of any major power, the Serbian government could only formulate this difficult reply independently.

At this time, the Serbian people have clearly seen that no matter what answer Serbia makes, Austria will not be satisfied, because Austria will insist on going to war. At this point, the Serbian government quickly appealed to the good big power governments and asked them to protect Serbia.

Independence. If war cannot be avoided, the Selvi Arc is about to be fought. Since the Austrians will reject any answer that does not accept all demands, their answer is likely to take the form of a very compromise, ostensibly accepting many demands, but

It is even suggested to submit this matter to the Hague Court for arbitration. Such a conciliatory reply can win the sympathy and protection of the great powers and will put Austria in an unreasonable position.

The main points of the reply had been basically drawn up during the long cabinet meeting on Saturday morning. At the same time, the envoys of the state were notified of the summary in advance, and they were told that the reply would be formulated in a tone that was extremely willing to be conciliatory and would try its best to meet the Austrian requirements. The main contents of the original manuscript

It was drafted by the Minister of Internal Affairs Stojan Brotich, but every sentence was discussed again and again by the ministers and revised until the last minute. The final Serbian original manuscript was given to Glucki to be translated into French and copied.

, the original manuscript was full of traces of deletion, and only the person who revised it could read the handwriting clearly. Glucki dictated the translation to the typist, and time flew by. In the end, the only remaining typewriter was damaged and could no longer be typed, so a reporter had to be used.

Copied it with trembling hands, and then handed the document to Prime Minister Bashichi.

Almost as soon as Li Siqin disembarked from the Hamburg Port, he heard the news of the "ultimatum". He glanced at the news in the newspaper. Although he was extremely surprised, he still calmly said to Cao Yu beside him.

"How's it going? Have you contacted people from Krupp?"

Cao Yu is the manager of the company's office in Germany. On the other hand, he is also a "security guard" sent by the Security Department. After returning to the Security Department last month, Li Siqin happened to be in time for the graduation of the second batch of students from the security school.

At that time, the chairman was eager to open up the international market. Without any hesitation, he sent all the 12 members of the second phase abroad. Although most of them were sent to Nanyang, India, South America, South Africa, etc. according to the chairman's request.

land, but Europe and the United States were also not left behind, and Cao Yu was sent to Germany.

"Secretary General, we have contacted people from Krupp Company. They are very interested in the equipment we proposed!"

The so-called equipment is very simple, just the design drawing of a cannon. The reason why Li Siqin came to Germany this time is to establish relations with the German business community. This is the task assigned by the young master.

Li Siqin didn't know why he wanted to have relations with the German industry, but he always believed that the young master had his own reasons for everything he did. Outsiders couldn't see it because they didn't have the same vision as the young master.

"Secretary General, representatives of Krupp Company have asked people privately how much they would pay if they purchased the complete design. Judging from their words, it seems that they are willing to pay several million marks for it.

, if there are more, I'm worried..."

"Yu Qing, I didn't come to Germany this time to do business!"

Interrupting Cao Yu's words, Li Siqin laughed. After that serious injury, he looked much more mature, but his face did not show any youthful vigor, and there was only a kind of stability that was in no way consistent with his age.

"Not doing business?"
Chapter completed!