"Since the president knows what is at stake, I won't say much, but in the course of the negotiations, I also ask the president to keep it strictly confidential and not let the outside world know the news, so as not to cause unnecessary incidents." Rizhiyi looked at Yuan Shikai and said proudly in a threatening tone, "Otherwise, the Chinese government may be in big trouble." ”

"But those who can give in can negotiate! But those who cannot make concessions, such as Article No. 5, have no possibility of negotiation at all! Yuan Shikai seemed to be enraged by Ri Zhiyi's arrogance and rudeness, and he said in a fierce voice, "Don't deceive people too much! ”

"I believe the president will make a wise decision." Rizhiyi sneered, looked at Yuan Shikai, stopped talking, he bowed slightly to Yuan Shikai, and then turned around and left without looking back.

Yuan Shikai watched Ri Zhiyi's figure disappear with anger in his eyes, gasped, he calmed down, looked at the table clock on the wall, got up and entered the inner hall, and picked up the phone on the table.

"The Japanese really secretly proposed this '21 Article' to the president," Lu Zhengxiang, the new foreign minister, put down the phone and said to Gu Weijun sitting next to him with a gloomy face, "The president said that the content is exactly the same as what was written in the materials we got before." ”

Listening to Lu Zhengxiang's words, Gu Weijun, who was full of anger, slammed his fist on the table.

"Without going through our Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he directly listed conditions to the head of state!" Lu Zhengxiang was so angry that he blew his beard, "And they even strictly forbade us not to leak the news!" It just doesn't make sense! ”

"They are afraid that after the Western powers know the news, they will not be willing to dominate our country and intervene," Gu Weijun heard Lu Zhengxiang's words, and immediately understood what was going on, "It's just that they don't know yet, the ministers of Britain, the United States and Russia already know the content of the '21 Articles'." ”

"Weak countries have no diplomacy, and the last time the president told the ministers of the three countries about the '21 articles,' they all expressed suspicion and thought that we were making something out of nothing." Lu Zhengxiang sighed and said, "Now that the war in Europe is tight, it is the time when the western countries rely on Japan, this time the matter is really coming, I am afraid that they may not be willing to offend the Japanese for the sake of our country." ”

"The fact that the Japanese strictly forbade us from revealing the news shows that they are also worried about the interference of the foreign powers, and they are very weak-minded," Gu Weijun said. ”

"But what if the Japanese use this as an excuse to send troops to our country because of the leakage of news?" Cao Rulin sighed, his voice full of unspeakable sadness and helplessness, "How can we beat the Japanese tiger and wolf army!" ”

"The matter has come to this point, and we can't take care of it too much, so we can only inform the British and American ministers of the news immediately." Gu Weijun looked at Lu Zhengxiang and Cao Rulin and said, "This matter is sooner rather than later, otherwise, my country will become more and more passive." ”

"You're familiar with the American minister, so let's work hard first, Shaochuan." Lu Zhengxiang thought for a while and said to Gu Weijun, "But don't reveal your whereabouts, let the Japanese know that it was us who revealed the news, so as not to give them the truth." ”

Gu Weijun nodded calmly and did not speak.

"After that, we have to find a way to let the British and American ministers know the details of the negotiations." Seeing Lu Zhengxiang and Gu Weijun's calm appearance, Cao Rulin also stabilized from the initial panic, "The Japanese will definitely limit the number of people participating in the negotiations, and we must also take precautions in this area." ”

"Your Vice Chief Cao is a high-achieving student studying in Japan, and it is rumored that you are Vice Chief Cao is pro-Japanese, and the Japanese also have a good impression of you, even if you don't let me, the chief executive, participate in the negotiations, you shouldn't be denied participation." Lu Zhengxiang looked at Cao Rulin and said, "Your deputy chief Cao, a pro-Japanese name, will definitely come in handy this time, and it will be up to you when the time comes." ”

"Outsiders say that I am pro-Japan, I don't deny it, but my pro-Japan is due to emotion, not for power, but if you can be pro-Japanese, you can't be pro-Japanese, so my pro-Japanese is not flattering." Cao Rulin said in a serious tone, "At this time of national calamity, all Chinese, should do our best for the country, and if we can do a point, what is the benefit of just saying cool words and scolding people there, for the country and for the country?" ”

After listening to Cao Rulin's confession, Lu Zhengxiang and Gu Weijun were a little moved, and after the three of them discussed it again, Gu Weijun immediately started to act.

At night, Gu Weijun, dressed in disguise, appeared in a secret room at the U.S. Embassy in China. ,

"I have not the slightest doubt about the authenticity of the document you provided me, and since the last time I received your warning, I have sent an urgent telegram to Washington to alert the White House to the movements of the Japanese, but unfortunately it has not been able to attract enough attention." U.S. Minister Reinsch said to Gu Weijun with some apologies and brought him a cup of hot coffee, "And this time, I am willing to do my best to help the Chinese government and people thwart the Japanese conspiracy." ”

"The harsh terms put forward by the Japanese are also a great harm to the interests of the United States in China," Gu Weijun took a sip of coffee, and did not say politely to Rui Enshi, but said bluntly, "And if the Japanese ambition succeeds, China will inevitably fall to the hands of Japan, and Japan, which has obtained China, will inevitably become the most dangerous enemy of the United States." ”

"The U.S. government will never allow that to happen." "From now on, dear Gu, I need you to tell me all the details of the negotiations. ”

"The Japanese have also threatened us not to leak the news," Gu Weijun said, "but I have been authorized by the President and General Lu, and I will do everything I can to keep in touch with you at any time." ”

"This is not enough," Rui Enshi said, looking at Gu Weijun, "because this negotiation has a close impact on US interests and sovereignty in China, I must know the whole situation so that our government can take the necessary actions to safeguard China's interests in accordance with the treaties and agreements on China's independence." We must take the initiative in this regard. ”

Rui Enshi's words made Gu Weijun feel a little relieved, he looked at the dark night sky, calmed down, and began to discuss some details with Rui Enshi.

At this time, at the Chinese War Department, a similar secret meeting was also underway.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already started negotiations with the Japanese, and the Japanese have asked for only two people to participate, and at most one secretary to be brought!" A civilian-looking man reported to Army Chief Duan Qirui, "Even the number of negotiators is set by them, and they simply don't treat us as human beings!" ”

In order to prevent Japan from invading our country by force, General Sun proposed to accept the Japanese conditions in its entirety, but the president was very angry and removed General Sun from his post and replaced him with General Lu. The people who are now participating in the negotiations are Chief Lu and Vice Chief Cao. An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said to Duan Qirui, "The Japanese asked for talks five times a week, but General Lu said that he was busy with affairs and could only talk once a week, but the Japanese resolutely refused to allow it. ”

"He, Lu Zhengxiang, is quite good at thinking of these methods." Listening to this official's words, Duan Qirui couldn't help but sneer.

"The Foreign Ministry's method is actually just one word, 'delay', they hope that Britain and the United States will be able to intervene in this matter after getting the news." Xu Shuzheng smiled and said.

"But we can't delay, we must be militarily prepared now." Cai Ye said anxiously.

Duan Qirui looked at the War Department officials and generals present, got up and walked to a huge map, and said, "Our country is inferior to Japan in all aspects, but it is not so easy for Japan to swallow an elephant with a snake. ”

Duan Qirui looked at the map and began to issue one command after another.

Jiangxi, Tianyun Mountain, Jiuqu River.

"He's not going to drown in the river, is he?" Tang Jiumei, who was standing on the bank, looked at the wide and calm river, and said a little anxiously.

"Crow's beak! Nine sisters! Tang Jing put down the binoculars in his hand and glared back at Tang Jiumei with some annoyance, Tang Jiumei stuck out her tongue playfully and stopped talking.

Tang Jing raised the telescope in his hand again and carefully searched the surface of the river.

At this time, the riverside was crowded, not only Tang Jing's father and daughter, but also a large number of ordinary people gathered on the bank, looking at the river with curious eyes, as if they were looking for something.

"Look over there, Ninth Sister." As if she had discovered something, Mrs. Tang smiled and pointed in one direction, and said to Tang Jiumei.

"Where?" Tang Jiumei looked in the direction of Mrs. Tang's finger, and suddenly shouted in surprise, "Look! It's them! What a splash! ”

"Where, where?" Tang Jing hurriedly asked.

"Over there, do you see that? Shocking, spitting bubbles. Mrs. Tang pursed her lips and smiled, came to Tang Jing's side, held his shoulders with both hands, and turned his body in one direction.

At this time, the crowd on the shore also seemed to have discovered something, and there was a commotion, Tang Jing's eyes widened, and he carefully observed the river through the binoculars, and sure enough, he saw a churning wave.

"It's up! They're coming up! Tang Jiumei clapped her hands and jumped to her feet and screamed.

Tang Jing stared at the river tightly, and soon, in the huge waves, a black object slowly surfaced.

"It's amazing. This boat that can run underwater, I only heard that foreign countries have it, but I didn't expect us to build it here," Mrs. Tang saw that Tang Jing's hand holding the telescope was trembling, and smiled and grabbed his other arm, "This town guard is really amazing." ”

At this time, the hatch of the small submarine that surfaced was opened, and Tang Jing saw Yang Shuoming, who was dressed in civilian clothes, happily get out of the submarine, and slapped his palm hard with a test pilot who had just leaned out to celebrate.

"A rare genius, I can't do it." Tang Jing sighed and put down the telescope in his hand.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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