Judging from the sound of artillery, it is obvious that there was a fierce artillery battle outside Qingdao, and it was by no means a disturbance that could be caused by the engagement of a small group of troops.

Iji Hikoyoshi laughed proudly: "Commander Wang, did you hear that, our Imperial Japanese Army has arrived outside Qingdao City. You Chinese have a saying that those who know the times are Junjie, if you don't know the times anymore, when our Imperial Japanese Army breaks through Qingdao, then you can only beg for your life as a prisoner of our Great Japanese Empire! ”

Looking at Iji Yanji's clown-like performance, Wang Mo smiled lightly and said, "Is it, a sinner like me who slaughtered tens of thousands of troops in your country, can your country spare my life so generously?" ”

Thinking of the tens of thousands of Japanese soldiers who died in Wang Mo's hands, Iji Hikoji's cheeks couldn't help twitching, but for the sake of the overall situation, he finally held back his anger and said: "Of course, my Japanese Empire has always been generous, as long as Commander Wang obeys my Japanese Empire from now on, then everything is not to blame." ”

Zhu Erdian, who had been silent, finally spoke at this time: "Commander Wang, since this is a mediation meeting, of course, the ultimate goal is to end the war and restore peace to Qingdao. As long as you lead your troops out of Qingdao and unconditionally release the 2,000 captives of our British Empire, then I and all the ministers and representatives can guarantee your life. ”

Wang Mo did not respond to Yi Ji Yanji and Zhu Erdian's aggressive words immediately, but turned his head to the personal guard Wang Erhu and ordered: "Erhu, go and open the window." ”

"Yes!"

Wang Erhu answered, and then took two guards to open all the windows of the conference room.

Boom-boom-boom

As soon as the windows opened, the rumbling of shelling outside became louder and louder.

Ijihikichi listened to the incessant sound of shelling outside, as if it were the most beautiful sound in the world.

Seeing the victorious posture of Yiji Yanji, Wang Mo suddenly felt that this product had a talent for acting in comedy, and it was a pity not to develop in the Chinese cross talk industry.

Zhu Erdian and other ministers and representatives of various countries all set their eyes on Wang Mo. I don't understand why he asked people to open the window, what is the purpose of this?

Wang Mo swept around the ministers and representatives of various countries in the conference room, and said lightly: "According to our intelligence, nearly 20,000 troops of the Japanese army, mainly the 18th Division, moved south, and the 19th Division landed in Laoshan Bay, and then went north to Qingdao. The two armies marched north and south. The final siege of Qingdao City, right, Your Excellency Minister Ijihikichi? ”

Iji Hikoji raised his head, smiled proudly, and then said: "It's good to be clear, I think Commander Wang had better understand the current affairs." With the current scarcity of troops and the greatly reduced combat effectiveness of your army after many days of hard fighting, it is simply impossible to resist the powerful Imperial Japanese Army. ”

Wang Mo smiled disdainfully and said, "Really? Since the two armies are advancing from north to south, it is not at all strange that His Excellency Minister Ijihikichi is coming. Why is it that only gunfire can be heard outside the southern city now? ”

Hearing this, not only Iji Hikoyoshi, but also Zhu Erdian and other ministers and representatives of other countries were also stunned.

That's right, from just now until now, only the fierce gunfire outside the southern city has been heard, and at this time, there should have been no movement outside the northern city, where there should have been Japanese troops.

Despite a sense of foreboding in his heart, Iji Hikoyoshi still maintained a posture of victory, and snorted coldly. He said seemingly disapprenanently: "Commander Wang, what do you want to say?" This is just a slight delay of the 18th Division, and I advise Commander Wang not to have any luck. Lest the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment! ”

"Well said, the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment." Wang Mo actually smiled and nodded in agreement with what Iji Yanji said, which made everyone a little surprised.

Wang Mo's calm and composed, I am afraid that everyone can see that he is full of confidence. There was no panic at all because of the Japanese attack.

"Wang Mo, don't think that by deliberately pretending not to care, you can deceive so many ministers and representatives present. On behalf of the Empire of Japan, I now issue an ultimatum to you, immediately lead my troops to surrender unconditionally to the Empire of Japan, otherwise our Imperial Japanese Army will immediately set foot on the entire city of Qingdao! Ijihikichi shouted angrily. I don't know if it's really an ultimatum with confidence, or if it's to cover up the growing panic in my heart.

As soon as Iji Yanji's words fell, the oak door of the conference room was suddenly pushed open, and Wang Mo's adjutant Chen Shishi walked in.

Chen Shishi came to Wang Mo's side and was about to whisper something in Wang Mo's ear, but was stopped by Wang Mo as soon as he raised his hand, and said: "Say it loudly, presumably all the ministers and representatives present also want to know how the battle situation is on the front line." ”

"Yes!" Chen Shishi solemnly responded to the order, and then reported in a loud voice, "Report to the commander, just received the battle report from the front, the second division of our Yimeng Autonomous Alliance Army and the Japanese army outside the southern city launched a fierce artillery battle, and our army won a preliminary victory in the artillery battle. After the artillery battle, the Japanese army did not attack, and at present it is only confronting our troops outside the southern city. ”

Before Chen Shishi's words were finished, Iji Hikoji said angrily: "Nonsense, this is a battle report fabricated by you, just by you, how can you inflict heavy damage on the powerful artillery wing of the Imperial Japanese Army!" ”

Ministers and representatives of various countries, including Zhu Erdian, understood that most of Chen Shishi's reports would not be false, and Iji Yanji was just emotionally unacceptable, after all, they had all witnessed the strength of the artillery units of the Yimeng Autonomous Alliance Army, which was comparable to that of the powerful armies in Europe.

Wang Mo ignored Iji Yanji's shouts and motioned for Chen Shi to continue to report the battle report on the front.

Seeing Wang Mo's signal, Chen Shishi continued to report: "In the north, the Japanese troops mainly the 18th Division were successfully blocked by the 1st Division of our Sichuan Army. Moreover, an hour ago, the 1st Division of our Sichuan Army launched a fierce attack on the Japanese army, inflicting heavy losses on the Japanese army in one fell swoop. Japanese Army General Terauchi Masashi and Lieutenant General Mitsutomi Kamio led the remnants to flee north, and the 1st Division of our Sichuan Army is currently in pursuit! ”

If the report of the initial defeat of the Japanese artillery battle outside the southern city just now, Ijihikichi was only angry, then the report that the 18th Division of the Japanese Army was defeated is simply unacceptable.

"No way, it's absolutely impossible!" Iji Hikoyoshi immediately shouted angrily, "How can the first division of the Sichuan Army be in Shandong, even if it is, it is impossible for a single division of the Sichuan Army to defeat the nearly 20,000 troops of our Imperial Japanese Army!" Fake, Wang Mo. This must be a fake war report you fabricated! ”

Regarding Yiji Yanji's yelling, Wang Mo didn't pay attention to it at all, just smiled faintly.

The fact that Ijihikichi could not accept it did not mean that the other ministers and deputies did not understand. This kind of war report, which can be known as long as it is verified a little, Wang Mo's falsification has no meaning at all, and it cannot be fabricated at all.

Zhu Erdian's face suddenly turned black as the bottom of a pot. He originally wanted to rely on the Japanese army's military deterrence to force Wang Mo to comply, but he didn't expect the Japanese army to be so wasteful, and Wang Mo was so easily cleaned up.

Zhu Erdian had a gloomy face and didn't want to speak, but Wang Mo didn't let him go, and said with some sneer: "I don't know about the customs, can Your Excellency Minister Zhu Erdian give me an answer now?" Or does Your Excellency have to consult your cabinet again before you can make a decision? ”

Of course, it was impossible for Jurdian to reply now, because he had not sent a telegram to inquire at all. He knows it well. If the cabinet learns that he has lost control of China's customs, his post as minister plenipotentiary to China will be in jeopardy.

However, now, I am afraid that there is no way at all, is it possible to really open a second battlefield in the Far East to kill yourself?

It's just that the Japanese are so wasteful! Thinking of this, Zhu Erdian glanced at the lost Ijihikichi with great dissatisfaction.

"I'll get back to you as soon as I can!" Zhu Erdian replied with a blushing face, and then finally left the conference room with his sleeves in spite of his demeanor.

As soon as Zhu Erdian leaves, this second joint mediation meeting will have to end if it is not over. The representative of France, Counsellor Millers, left immediately after Jurdian.

Russian Minister Kudashev and American Minister Rynsch did not leave the conference room immediately, but both came over to congratulate Wang Mo.

After a polite remark to send off the American Minister Rui Ensch. Much unexpectedly, the Russian minister Kudashev actually made a request for an arms deal to Wang Mo.

Wang Mo reaffirmed with some disbelief and asked, "Your Excellency the Minister is saying that your country wants to buy a large amount of arms from us?" Your Excellency the Minister will not be unaware of the weakness of our industry, right? ”

"Commander Wang, it is true that your country's military production capacity cannot meet the requirements of China's large-scale arms procurement, but I think you should have this ability. Although our country's intelligence cannot specifically confirm Commander Wang, where are the mysterious arms procurement channels and weapons research and development bases behind you. But judging by the large-scale armament of your troops, you are absolutely capable of providing large quantities of munitions. Kudashev said with great certainty.

Russia actually thought of asking Wang Mo to purchase arms in large quantities, and it seems that their domestic situation is very bad now.

This is completely a bamboo pole sent to the door, if you don't knock on it, Wang Moke has no intention of becoming a saint. Robbing while the fire is his mastery.

Wang Mo did not immediately agree, but said: "That's right, I have channels to purchase arms in large quantities." However, Your Excellency should also be aware that our side has just taken control of most of the provinces in southern China, and it is imperative to reorganize and expand the army, which requires a large amount of weapons and equipment. ”

Hearing that Wang Mo seemed to have the intention of refusing the arms deal, Kudashev suddenly became anxious: "Commander Wang, can you help, my country is really in urgent need of a large number of weapons and equipment." As long as you are willing to conclude an arms deal, the price will definitely satisfy you, please Commander Wang must help! ”

Looking at Kudashev's anxious appearance, Wang Mo asked without answering: "Why, the poor party in your country is making a lot of trouble now?" ”

Kudashev was stunned, he didn't expect Wang Mo to know so much about the internal situation in Russia.

That's right, because of the successive defeats on the European battlefield, Russia's domestic economy and people's livelihood have been seriously damaged, so that public resentment is boiling. Taking advantage of the situation, the Russian poor party has risen up and has the potential to force the palace.

To put it bluntly, the Russian Empire at this time was already suffering from internal and external troubles, and it was not far from collapse.

Kudashev, of course, would not admit this, and said confidently: "The empire has encountered some minor troubles, but this will be resolved eventually. Commander Wang, if you can help this time, the Empire and His Majesty the Tsar will always remember your friendship. ”

"Now there may be a shortage of anyone in the world, that is, there is no shortage of arms dealers, and there are many foreign arms dealers in China. I think that Your Excellency the Minister will be able to meet your country's arms needs if they so wish. Wang Mo said for a long time, still not relenting.

Kudashev smiled bitterly: "Commander Wang, that was the situation before the outbreak of the war in Europe. After the outbreak of the European war, the demand for arms in various countries skyrocketed, and the supply simply exceeded the demand, so that the price continued to rise. ”

It can be seen that Russia really needs a large number of arms to save its life, otherwise Kudashev would not have exposed his shortcomings so much, because this will only make Wang Mo slaughter more ruthlessly.

Guan Zi sold enough, and the shelves were also full, Wang Mo didn't think too much about it, lest the fat that came to his mouth fly away, so he said: "In this case, I can suspend the action of organizing and expanding the army first, and provide arms to your country first." However, I do not accept your country's settlement in rubles, I only need gold and silver. ”

Russia's domestic economy is getting worse day by day, and it is not known when it will collapse, and it is reasonable not to accept the ruble.

Kudashev had no objection to this, but still argued: "Is it necessary to settle the settlement in gold and silver, and not in pounds and dollars?" ”

"It's better to have gold and silver, and if you settle in gold, I can call the shots and give your country a certain discount." Wang Mo replied, at this time, he was thinking about the domestic gold reserves and the issuance of paper money.

After the territory was expanded to the vast majority of southern China's provinces, the importance of rectifying finance and restoring the economy and people's livelihood seems to be no less important than the reorganization and expansion of the army. It's just that I don't know how Huiyuan Bank is developing now, and whether it has the ability to issue banknotes.

Seeing that Wang Mo insisted on accepting it with gold and silver, Kudashev had no choice but to agree.

Subsequently, after preliminary negotiations, Kudashev placed an arms order of up to 30 million taels of silver on behalf of Russia on the spot, and said that if His Majesty the Tsar was satisfied, he would continue to make additional orders.

In this arms transaction, Wang Mo recorded at least 20 million taels of silver, and he was so happy that he was smiling for several days, and people who didn't know the inside story thought that he was happy because Qingdao and the customs were about to take it back.

Two days later, Zhu Erdian had to agree to Wang Mo's request to take back the autonomy of the customs, and at the same time publicly expressed his stance with the ministers and representatives of various countries, acknowledging that China had abolished the Jiaozhou and Macao lease contracts and officially recovered the Jiaozhou Bay leased land.

When the news came out, the whole country was a sensation.

Although there was no paper treaty between the resumption of customs autonomy and the Jiaozhou Bay lease, the Chinese folk still called it the Qingdao Agreement. (To be continued......)