Subtitle of this chapter: Do your best, obey the destiny of heaven.

………………

To put it simply, the general environment for resolving the Shandong problem is that after World War I, the people of the whole world do not want to fight anymore, not only do they not want to fight, but they also do not want others to fight.

Even Yoshiichi Tanaka, a representative of the Japanese warlords, had to admit that "recent world trends do not allow the development of the old imperialism of the past of acquiring new territories or expanding spheres of influence." ”

The small environment is that the countries with relevant interests in the Far East, that is, the United States, Britain and France, all oppose Japan's monopoly of China's interests, and the tough diplomatic methods of the Japanese have also attracted opposition from all sides.

After the Paris Peace Conference, not only did the anti-Japanese sentiment of the Chinese people grow day by day, but also the boycott of Japanese goods continued. The United States, Britain, and France also criticized Japan as "an aggressor nation" that "only thinks about itself and does not consider other countries, and is too self-interested," and claimed that "for the sake of world civilization, we do not want Japan to develop."

Finally, specifically to the United States. Warren Gamelir Harding, many Chinese don't even know that there is such a big commander. However, he is a hardcore "friendly Chinese person".

In his campaign speeches, he repeatedly mentioned that the Paris Peace Treaty allowed Japan to "seize Shandong," a phrase that appeared so frequently in Time magazine, which published the candidates' campaign speeches, that Harding's Democratic opponents were greatly inferior.

During the election campaign, Harding's other Republican allies also made a lot of public references to the Shandong issue and the unjust resolution of the "occupation of China" to discredit the Paris Peace Treaty and the League of Nations.

Of course, this is a way to smear the current Democratic President Wilson to attack his opponents. And the promises of Western politicians when they campaign are generally farting. Few people keep their promises as much as a mustache. He said that if he wanted to give the German people a war, then he really brought a war to everyone.

However, if it is not too troublesome, these politicians are still willing to do some superficial work.

"So...... Brother Shaochuan, the opportunity to solve the Shandong problem has come! ”

After our Master Yuan finished speaking, Gu Weijun and Meng Xiancheng showed excited looks. Minister Gu also stood up and paced a few steps with his hands in his hands.

He turned around, stared at Yuan Yanqian with blazing eyes, and asked, "Hong Yan, let me ask you, even if you have the support of the United States, will the Japanese people agree?" You must know that the Japanese have always been arrogant and unreasonable, and regard our country as their forbidden body, will they be willing to spit out the fat in their mouths? ”

"Brother Shaochuan, the key is not Japan but the United Kingdom." Yuan Yanqian smiled slightly and said confidently.

"Since the Opium Wars, England has long dominated trade with China. During the last war, however, their attention was mainly focused on Europa, and they had no time to take care of the interests of the Far East, while Japan expanded aggressively under the banner of the Anglo-Japanese alliance, gradually penetrating into South China and the Yangtze River valley, British spheres of influence in China......"

"Between 1915 and 1919 Japanese investment in China was equal to or close to that of Great Britain, more than all other imperialist countries combined, and by the end of the war, about half of China's foreign trade was in Japanese hands, with Britain accounting for only 17. 1%, relegated to second place; The United States accounts for 16. 7%, in third place......"

"It was at this time that Britain was gradually losing its hegemony in the Far East, and Japan had become the new Oriental hegemon despite Britain and was in a position to gain a favorable voice."

Meng Xiancheng couldn't help but admire: "Hong is becoming a talent, you really deserve to be an economic expert!" ”

Gu Weijun also nodded and agreed: "Bo Hong is right, you have a heart." We, the Chinese diplomatic community...... No, we are in China now lacking professionals like you. ”

Nonsense, Lao Tzu was originally an economic expert, or a professional with his own search engine.

"The two of them have won the prize, this is just a fool of myself." Master Yuan, of course, was still polite in his words, and he then asked, "Imagine if you were England, would you sit back and watch yourself lose your privileged position in China?" ”

He asked himself and replied, "Of course not......

"In fact, long before the Paris Peace Conference, the British Minister to China, John Gil, had already analyzed the situation in Japan, the United States, and Britain in a telegram sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the end of 1918, arguing that the situation in China contained the seeds of future conflict, and therefore, 'it is necessary for us to adjust our policy.'" ……”

"In 1919, when the British Foreign Secretary Curzon met with the Japanese ambassador, he made it very clear that the time when China was cut off and divided into spheres of influence by foreign countries was over. China's future will not be in such a partition. Nor does it exist in the assumption that Japan will become the hegemon of the Far East. China's future must depend on international help and cooperation, not on the competition of interest groups or the domination of individual powers......"

It can be seen from this that for the expansion of Japan's influence in China, this-stirring stick ...... Well, England is already extremely vigilant and ready to make waves again. ”

"-stirring stick...... English ...... Hahaha...... "This not-so-elegant way of saying made Gu Meng and the others laugh dumbly.

"Be cautious, be cautious, and be cautious." Gu Weijun shook his head and persuaded, "You are also a public figure now, it's okay for us to talk about it in private, don't say that when we go out." ”

Heck, that's a reminder that I've forgotten the loud nickname of the British. I'll write an article to spread the word about the good name "Stir" (stir) (shit) stick.

"Brother Shaochuan, that's what you said." Yuan Yanqian has always "accepted such opinions with an open mind and resolutely refused to change."

"Now that the British are on their guard, they have no strength to return to their pre-war situation for the time being. Then they must follow the old practice and pull other forces into the game. Then the other forces are only their cousin, the United States, which is the most suitable. ”

Master Yuan summed it up: "All in all, Britain and the United States coincide on the Shandong issue. They are also in a hurry to solve the Shandong problem. ”

Well, why did Yuan Yanqian spend her lips and tongue to say such a big deal in front of Gu Weijun?

This is because in the original timeline, the Beiyang government and diplomatic circles finally agreed to hold "brinkmanship" with the Japanese under pressure from Britain, the United States and Japan, and did not formally include the Shandong issue in the official agenda of the Washington Conference.

Of course, this is not good for China, and this matter is not impossible to fight for.

According to the original schedule of the Washington meeting, our Master Yuan was no longer in the United States at that time, and he had no intention of getting involved in this matter.

It is not because the history of the Washington Conference is not influential enough, but because the international order has been called the "Versailles-Washington system" since then.

Rather, it is because the Shandong issue will not affect his "grand plan", and his current influence will not affect the Shandong issue.

Therefore, our Master Yuan did his best and obeyed the destiny of heaven. 14410