1908 Far Eastern Madman Chapter 116 Zhang Yuan (I)

The fog has lifted. **.Provide this book txt e-book download**A few whistles came from the Huangpu River. The pace of life in the city.

Shanghai. Public Concession. Zhang Yuan.

Zhang Yuan is "Zhang's Flavor Garden". It was originally a private garden built by a foreign foreign company. Later, it was purchased by Wuxi businessman Zhang Shuhe. Zhang's purchase of land expansion. Painstaking business for many years. Until now. It is already a large garden that occupies more than 50 acres. Pavilions, pavilions, bungalows, and lawns in the park. It is a Western-style model. After Zhang took over. A lot of buildings were built. It can be called a model of a new garden based on the west of the Chinese and Western walls.

After the opening of Shanghai. The foreigners who came here built a lot of parks. But this garden is open to the Chinese. Uncle Zhang has learned from this. Interested in opening up a new public place for the Chinese. Then Zhang Yuan was opened to the public. At first it was completely free. However, due to the loss of plants and trees in the garden. It's unsightly. No, there is no charge to enter the park. A dime per person. It's also fair. There are more and more amusement facilities in the back park. Admission fees are not charged. Switch to other projects as a source of income. By the way of management. There are also many new foreign gadgets on display in the park. Zhang Yuan gradually became a saint for Chinese tourists in Shanghai. Every festival. It's always a place to swim. After Gengzi. The country is declining. People with lofty ideals also chose to give speeches in the park. Promote your ideas. Until now. This garden has become the most famous speech saint in Shanghai and even in the whole country. Plus located in the concession. The imperial decree does not work. The speaker could preach the anti-Qing revolutionary doctrine without hesitation. So much so that it is jokingly called "Oriental Hyde Park" by Westerners.

There are not only Western, but also Western gadgets in Zhang Yuan. Such as photo studios, illusion palaces, and food restaurants, treasure clubs, etc. There is also a tea room specially prepared for the literati. , Taiwanese inscription poem wall and other Chinese gadgets. In particular, the two-story oceanic building known as "Andy". It is even more extraordinary. It can accommodate thousands of people. It is also the tallest building in Shanghai. Aerial view from the top. The beautiful scenery of Shencheng can be seen as far as the eye can see. Arrived at Zhang Yuan. If you don't go to "Andy" to climb the heights, it will be a trip for nothing.

But. Now Andi Wai has been surrounded by rental patrol groups, and tourists are strictly forbidden to approach Inri, and a meeting is being held. China's journey may be pinned on this meeting.

The meeting was attended by constitutionalists from the eastern provinces. There were also several distinguished guests who came all the way from the north. One is Tang Shaoyi. The North's plenipotentiary at the North-South Peace Conference. The other is Yin Ming. Deputy Minister of the Northern Assembly. Except for them. There are also a few foreigners. The head was Steder, who was the U.S. Consul General in Feng, but was the proprietor of the Peace Conference. There is also a foreigner who is also quite famous. Pei Shikai is the deputy general tax department of the United Kingdom in Shanghai. He was the brother-in-law of Hurd, an Englishman in the General Department of Revenue. Not long ago, Hurd left his job due to illness. Return to the UK to recuperate. The affairs of the General Taxation Department are actually handled by Pei Kai on his behalf. It is said that it is very likely that he will succeed to the post of General Taxation. The decision to take care of China's maritime affairs and seize the tax balance was made by him, and he was also the most hated foreigner of the southern revolutionaries.

Due to the Southern Authority and 1 Table Wu Tingfang was also on the way back to China. Therefore, this meeting was not a formal meeting, but a very ordinary meeting. See you all. Exchange views. By the way, explore the bottom line of the other party's peace talks. Although Wu Tingfang had not yet arrived, the southern peace delegation had already arrived in the Shanghai Concession. In the south, the deputy representative is coming. Soon after. It's time to officially start the meeting.

The Southern Mission did not arrive. The meeting room was opened. Everyone was waiting in the tea room on the second floor. Most of you here are constitutionalists. Everyone gathered. It's a lot of fun. Except that Tang Shaoyi didn't speak much. Everyone else is talking. Pointing the way. There is a sense that everything in the world is in my heart.

"Mr. Tang. The time is almost up. The representatives of the south have not yet arrived. You Chinese rarely have a clear concept of time. And. There seemed to be little sincerity on the part of the delegation of the South. Si Dai said to Tang Shaoyi.

Tang Shaoyi smiled. Answer in English: "We are learning to keep time." Although the southern delegation was late. But that doesn't mean they're not sincere. State affairs are difficult. It is necessary for the North and the South to work together. Even if you wait all day. I have no complaints. "That being said, I said. However, he is not optimistic about the prospects of this peace talks. On the one hand, it is because the South advocates a "republican". It seems that it is difficult to get them to approve of the "monarchy". On the other hand, it is because the Republican Army, the strongest of the revolutionary forces in the South, has not yet selected representatives to participate in the peace talks. As a matter of fact. If not the fleets of the great powers. I'm afraid that the Alliance and the Liberation Society will also sit down at the negotiating table so soon.

Stade shrugged. Lean back on the couch. Coffee. Enjoy the aroma that soaks into your heart. He whispered, "For the current situation in your country. I deeply sympathize. Similar to the view of the British Minister, Mr. Jurdian. I think the Manchurian king was a dynasty of decay. It does not represent the interests of the majority of the people. Its demise is imminent. If this peace conference does not reach a consensus. I think. The emperor of Manchuria should probably abdicate. Now there is no power that can save the Manchurian dynasty from its demise. Even if countries send troops to intervene. ”

This is your own opinion. Or is it the opinion of your government? Tang Shaoyi asked.

"My personal opinion, of course. But the pity is. Mr. Robert, Secretary of State, does not see it that way. He still thinks. As long as there is a consensus among countries. Joint intervention in the revolution. So. The Manchurian dynasty could have been saved. In Mr. Roto's opinion. There is a shortage of suitable politicians in your country. The people are uncivilized. Once the spiritual sustenance of the "emperor" is suddenly lost. Your country is likely to be plunged into a long period of chaos. Stade made no secret of his disagreements with his immediate superiors.

Tang Shaoyi was silent. He also knew the current situation of his family. But this question is too heavy. So the subject changed. "I heard that the general election in your country is coming to an end?" ”

Stade smiled. said: "The votes are being counted. Although the results have not yet been counted. But. I'm bullish on Mr. Taaffe. ”

"Is that the War Department-Mr. Futo?" Tang Shaoyi seemed to see a glimmer of light. "If Mr. Taft is elected president. I think. The country's diplomatic stance may change. ”

"That's for sure. Mr. Taft has always been enthusiastic about the interests of the United States of America abroad. Moreover, he firmly believes that "Jinyuan diplomacy is better than "stick diplomacy". ”

Stade put down his coffee cup - and raised a finger. Said: "I believe." A major diplomatic issue to be resolved by the new president when he takes office. It is the railway problem of the district of Manchuria. Even if the Roto-Gaoping Agreement cannot be abrogated. At the very least, it can change the current status quo of the monopoly of commercial rights and interests in Manchuria by Japan and Russia. This is not only beneficial to your country, but also to the stability of cross-border trade.

Other than that. Recently, I have heard rumours that the British Minister is making a run for the formation of an international banking syndicate, and France and Russia have shown great interest. It is said that they also want to pull in Japan. If this banking syndicate is formed. We will have complete control over your country's finances. Don't forget. All four countries are members or associate members of the Entente group. In terms of interests towards China. They don't have any major differences. And once they take control of expensive finance. I think that Mr. Tang has been looking forward to the "Three Provinces Industrial Bank plan in the three eastern provinces" will be completely destroyed. ”

This is not alarmist, according to the information of the arrival of the American Legation, the British Minister Juerdian is now campaigning for the affairs of this international banking syndicate. Once this international consortium of banks is formed. It will not only greatly alleviate the financial embarrassment of Yuan Shikai's Beiyang Group, but will also monopolize all international loans to China. But the American consortium did not receive the invitation. This may well mean that this international banking syndicate is exclusive.

The American consortium wants a piece. However, relations with Japan and Russia on the issue of northeast China are tense. These two countries are very disgusted by the United States' attempt to participate in this international banking syndicate. There are them who obstruct it. Coupled with the fact that the United States is electing a general election government - the result is that the business community in the country is complaining. The finger is pointed at diplomats in China, accusing them of incompetence.

For unreasonable accusations at home. Diplomatic personnel stationed in China generally feel aggrieved. They are not the ones who caused the situation. This is the result of drastic changes in international diplomatic relations.

Since the outbreak of the Russo-Japanese War. The competition between the regions of the Far East, especially China, which is a European power, has markedly eased. Begin to turn your attention back to the European continent. The Anglo-French Entente of 1904 and the Anglo-Russian Pact of 190 not only marked the end of Britain's "glorious isolation". At the same time, it also means the formal establishment of the "Triple Entente". The two military blocs in Europe are officially moving towards confrontation. In order to strengthen the fight against Germany. In 190, Japan and Russia, two hostile countries that had just ended a state of war, came together again with the help of Britain. The Russo-Japanese Agreement was signed. Meanwhile. France also signed a paramilitary pact of the same nature with Japan. Plus the Anglo-Japanese alliance, which has long been established. The Entente group in Europe found a powerful helper in the Far East. The living space of the country in the Far East has been further compressed. Japan, with the support of France and France, began to ambitiously expand its tentacles deep into the northeastern part of China. In a vain attempt to carve up the so-called "Manchurian interests" with Russia.

In order to seize all the interests of South Manchuria. Japan later established the "South Manchuria Railway Co., Ltd." and the "Kanto Prefecture". The former is responsible for economic penetration. The latter is responsible for military deterrence. "Golden Yuan" and "Big Stick" are both down. Arrogant and cautious crowding out American power.

It is in this international context. The Consul General of the Division took office. Sit in Mukden. On the one hand, it strengthened ties with the powerful figures of the Manchu Qing Dynasty. While monitoring the Japanese government's every move. Advice on safeguarding "American interests".

But it's not an easy task. On one side is Japan's constraints. On the one hand, there are stumbling blocks in Sino-US relations. And the latter is the trickier.

Because the Chinese Exclusion Act in the United States angered the Chinese intelligentsia. In 1905 there was a boycott of American goods. The movement quickly spread from the Shanghai Concession to the whole country. The volume of goods in the United States is unsalable. It's only been a year. The volume of U.S. exports to China fell by nearly 40 percent. Americans' image in China has also deteriorated. In order to turn this disadvantage. The U.S. Congress passed a resolution in 190. It was announced that part of the "Gengzi indemnity" would be refunded to China. With this money, we will support Chinese culture and education.

This refund is equal to almost half of the total amount of "Geng" money in the United States. The amount is huge. However, this money cannot be used at will. Its sole purpose is to fund Chinese students to study in the United States. Enhance the "friendship" between the two countries.

This move to kill two birds with one stone quickly improved the unfavorable situation in the United States. It's not just U.S.-China trade that's starting to recover. And the Qing court even regarded the United States as a friend. Quickly move closer to the United States.

Gratitude is dripping. Qing even began to seek an "alliance" with the United States. However, considering the dire consequences of the last alliance with Tsarist Russia. The Qing court decided to pull in another great power. Take the strategy of vertical and horizontal.

Thereupon. Germany also entered this "alliance plan".

"China, the United States and Germany". What a dream.