British Minister Zhu Erdian has seen these confidential documents and can basically confirm their authenticity, and Japan has always been very keen to extend its influence into the Yangtze River valley, and he has always vigorously resisted it. Pen | fun | pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 infoSo, Japan's small actions made him very angry.

"There are also some secret documents of the Manchurian and Mongolian independence movement." Chen Wenqiang took out some more documents and handed them to Zhu Erdian.

These secret documents show that Japan has not relented, and that some arrogant aggressors in the military department are enlisting the Qing Dynasty relatives and nobles and the princes of Inner Mongolia to continue to engage in the so-called "Manchu-Mongolian independence movement." With the help of the Japanese Consulate, Kawashima Naniwa went to Lushun and gathered with more than a dozen people, including Komito Takayama and Yasugoro Sasaki, to secretly plan and actively prepare for the incident.

Some Japanese army officers went to various places in the name of traveling or under the guise of believing in religion, and some of them "changed their clothes and wore braids, pretending to be Mongolians," secretly selling guns and guns, and "trying to make friends with the princes of various banners." In order to instigate the rebellion, these people continued to collect weapons and attempted to train the Manchu and Mongolian bannermen in Dalian, Haicheng, and Liaoyang. To this end, they also prepared the customs defense and appointment letter of the "Qin Wang Division of the Qing Empire", and privately made "dragon flags" and military tickets.

Among these documents is a report by the Chinese government military that recounts the smuggling of weapons from Dalian to Inner Mongolia by the Japanese Kuibianlong and Manchu and Mongolian diehards. When this batch of weapons arrived near Zhengjiatun, they were intercepted by Wu Junsheng's unit of the Fengtian government army, and in the melee, three Japanese were killed on the spot, more than 20 people were killed, wounded, and arrested by the Manchu and Mongolian diehards, and more than 40 truckloads of ammunition were seized.

"It is true that the government indirectly contributed to the withdrawal of money from Zhengjin Bank, but does Mr. Minister think this is excessive?" Chen Wenqiang said: "The original intention of the Anglo-Japanese alliance was to curb Russia's expansion in the Far East, and according to our information, Japan is engaged in secret negotiations with Russia, and if the two countries reach an agreement, it will greatly damage the integrity of China's territorial sovereignty." As a result, relations between Japan and Russia will be further strengthened, and they will also gain an advantageous position in the struggle against the great powers for China. ”

Zhu Erdian was silent, but he was extremely shocked in his heart. Britain was another imperialist that was extremely concerned about Russia's expansion in northern and western China, and when the Anglo-Russian Agreement was negotiated in 1907, Britain refused to recognize Russia's special interests in Outer Mongolia and Xinjiang without cost, and strongly opposed their inclusion on the agenda. As a result, only a package deal was reached for Persia, Afghanistan, and Tibet, and some restrictive clauses were imposed on each other in the Tibet Article.

The British government was already worried about the Mongolian-Tibetan treaty, because it was very convenient for Russia to use Outer Mongolia to intervene in Tibet, and there was no need for any treaty at all. Now the situation has changed, taking advantage of the opportunity of China's internal revolution, Russia's plan to create "independence" in Outer Mongolia began to be implemented, and under the pretext of protecting the Xinjiang consulate, a large number of troops were increased in Kashgar, Ili and other places; Britain felt deeply mistaken and was powerless to reverse the situation in Outer Mongolia and Xinjiang.

"Can the Chinese government compete with Russia?" Zhu Erdian suddenly asked thoughtlessly.

Chen Wenqiang smiled. It seems to be very easy to say: "Local conflicts, internal strife, just let it be limited to this range." The princes of Outer Mongolia are not all independents. Moreover, I do not think that Russia has any intention of engaging in a large-scale war with China. ”

Zhu Erdian fell into deep thought, Chen Wenqiang's meaning was very clear, the new government was ready to support the princely tribes in Outer Mongolia who opposed independence, and funds, weapons, and training were indispensable. It may even be possible for government troops to disguise themselves as Mongols for a small war, but try not to tear the face of Russia. That's a good idea. Turning a war into a local conflict will not be a fact as long as the independence of Outer Mongolia is delayed.

The Lanzhou Military Region, the Shenyang Military Region, and the Chengdu Military Region are new measures taken by the new government for the defense of the country, and it can be seen that the intentions against Japan and Russia are obvious. But the new government clearly did not want to face two enemies at the same time, and he needed Britain to suppress Japan. In order to deal with the expansion of the Russian bear alone.

"What are the conditions?" Zhu Erdian raised his head and asked with a smile: "I am looking forward to getting the new government's commitment on Tibetan affairs." ”

By this time, the new Government's efforts to strengthen border control had progressed. The government army successively conquered Batang and Litang, and except for the township city, the east of Ningning Mountain was completely relieved. The army had been concentrated in Chamdo and was preparing to march into Lhasa. Zhao Erfeng sent personnel to inspect the corner of Xiachayu until the south of Walong.

The British and Indian governments were worried that if the Chinese army continued to advance, reorganize the border defenses in the vast area at the southern foot of the Himalayas, send officials to govern, and replace the original administrative organization of the Tibetan local government, it would certainly stop the British invading forces expanding northward. Moreover, the Anglo-Indian Government attached great importance to the vast area east of Bhutan and sought to occupy it and to bring Bhutan under its control. The Anglo-Indian authorities considered this issue more important than encircling ******** lamas.

The former wolf and the tiger, step by step crisis! Chen Wenqiang sighed in his heart, but his face did not show it at all, and he smiled faintly: "The memorandum submitted by your country is debatable. The Lhasa garrison is under siege by rebels, and the government cannot afford to sit idly by. ”

"It was a garrison sent by the former Qing Dynasty, and it had very poor relations with the local people, and the new government could have ordered them to withdraw from Lhasa." Zhu Erdian said: "MacDonald, the commercial agent of the British Empire in Asia Eastern, can mediate. ”

"No matter who sent the army, it is now under the command of the current government." Chen Wenqiang said solemnly: "It is imperative to march into Lhasa, and the rebellion must be eliminated. However, we can negotiate the number of troops stationed in Tibet, the appointment of administrative officials, and the implementation of the New Deal reform. ”

In a telegram sent to Zhu Erdian, the British Government clearly pointed out that "Tibet cannot stand on its own feet now, and in order to prevent Tibet from turning to Russia, Britain must abandon its negative attitude toward Tibet and have a fuller understanding of the arrangements that the Tibetan Government is prepared to make."

In other words, the British government is governed by the Anglo-Russian Agreement? Tibet Treaty and the 1906 Sino-British-Tibet-India Treaty, the Indian Affairs Secretary Mori also suggested to the government: "The ******** lama should now be clearly informed that the British government cannot intervene in the question between the Tibetans and the Chinese." The British Government will take the necessary steps to implement the Anglo-Tibetan Treaty and the Sino-British Treaty, but the British Government can only recognize the de facto government, and the two treaties specifically state that Britain is not allowed to interfere in the internal affairs of Tibet."

Moreover, during the time in India, **** was in constant contact with Russia and Japan. The Russian agent Del Zhi rushed from Petersburg to talk with him secretly, and Yajima, a retired Japanese officer, served as a military adviser to the ****. These, of course, aroused the suspicion of the British government. I am even more uneasy about the "Mongolian-Tibetan Treaty" that seems to be there and is hidden in the fog.

As a result, the argument within the British Government for revising the 1907 Anglo-Russian agreement was rear-raised, but because Britain was unwilling to make concessions to Russia on the Afghan issue, the idea of convening a tripartite conference between China, Britain, and Tibet gradually gained the upper hand.

Complex, quite sophisticated. Outer Mongolia, Xinjiang, and Tibet are mixed together. There was collusion between Britain and Russia, and there were also contradictions, and Britain wanted to invade Tibet, but also felt that the time was not ripe. The British government was very worried about Russia's use of Outer Mongolia to intervene in Tibet, and was unwilling to allow Russia to monopolize Xinjiang, but it was beyond its reach, and the further collusion between Japan and Russia also made the British government uneasy.

Now, the new government has sent warm sympathy and promised to maintain the status quo in Tibet. It is also necessary to contain Russia on the issues of Outer Mongolia and Xinjiang so that Russia's interests in the Far East will not continue to expand.

Of course, the new government's petty demand is to hold Britain accountable and suppress Japan's ambitions against China, that is, to make Britain look at its own dogs.

"The British Empire government is also deeply concerned about the new government's engagement with the United States and Germany, and hopes to receive the same treatment." Zhu Erdian seems to have acquiesced to this condition, and turned to the question of China, the United States and Germany.

"It is nothing more than normal exchanges and cooperation between the three countries with traditional friendly relations." Chen Wenqiang said casually: "The United States and Germany are interested in providing loans and technical support. To help the new China in a friendly way, I wonder if your country also has the same desire? ”

"Of course. Mr. Secretary of State, do not doubt the British Empire's deep affection for China and the Chinese people. Zhu Erdian said seemingly sincerely: "Can you explain in more detail so that I can understand more clearly." ”

Chen Wenqiang nodded and said: "The United States and Germany have agreed in principle to defer the payment of Gengzi indemnity, agreed to the sale of the Chinese government's public bonds in the two countries, and provided low-interest loans and sent some experts to help the Chinese government carry out a series of actions to improve the living conditions of the people." The majority of the people in China are too poor, which directly affects the overall level of consumption. It is indeed an obstacle to the development of business. ”

Avoiding the important and trivial, it was obvious that he was not telling the truth, Zhu Erdian thought for a while and continued: "I heard that there is also a cooperation agreement on railways. ”

"Oh. I forgot to mention. Chen Wenqiang added apologetically: "The United States and Germany understand the new government's idea of building railways on their own to avoid disputes between countries, and have decided in principle to allow and encourage American and German consortia and entrepreneurs to invest in the form of purchasing railway bonds from the Bank of Communications." Of course, after the completion of the railway, it is possible that the price of goods transported by the two countries will enjoy certain discounts. And, in the process of building the railway, they want the new government to consider whether it can give preference to some American and German engineers. ”

Zhu Erdian's face is not very good-looking, the United States and Germany have long tried to withdraw from the four-nation banking group, and it seems that it is now about to become a fact. Through this form of private investment, the United States and Germany have thrown off the banking groups of the four countries and rushed to inject capital, which is really hateful. As for Chen Wenqiang's statement that the United States and Germany enjoy the benefits on the railway, Zhu Erdian does not believe that it will be so few.

According to his intelligence, the Chinese government will mainly rely on the technical help and financial support of the United States and Germany in the heavy industry, chemical industry, and manufacturing system. In terms of national defense, the army learns from Germany, and the navy relies on the United States, and this general direction has also been determined. Of course, there is a lot more that he doesn't know, which makes it even more unsettling.

"I think the British Empire, as the most capitalized country, has no reason to be left behind by the United States and Germany." "If Britain is willing to invest in China's railway construction, as the United States and Germany do, the new government may consider whether it needs to set up a joint management body so that friendly countries like Britain with traditional spheres of influence in China can have some management rights in their traditional spheres of influence," Chen said gently. ”

"If this concept can be clarified, I think it will be more popular." Zhu Erdian asked expectantly.

If this is the case, Zhu Erdian felt that it would be helpful to ensure British interests in the Yangtze River valley, indicating that the new government has realized that building roads alone is not only a problem with money, but also will be resisted and opposed by the powers that covet China's railways.

Therefore, they flexibly changed their thinking, relinquished part of their management rights, and attracted funds from the great powers to participate in the construction, in an attempt to do a good job in the construction of the railways as soon as possible. After all, railways are related to people's livelihood, economic development, and national defense and security.

Zhu Erdian appreciates the new government's flexible diplomacy, which is not blindly tough, but also knows how to make concessions and measures. And it is also very clever to basically exclude Japan and Russia, which are financially poor and underfunded, two of the most vicious enemies that China now faces. And from the UK's point of view, I don't want the cake to be taken away by others!

The Anglo-Japanese alliance has always been an international tool for Japan's expansion into the Asian continent. And next year will be the day of the expiration of the second Anglo-Japanese alliance, and at this sensitive moment, it is a good move to use the British to suppress Japan.

There are many difficulties, as long as you don't lose too much before the first world, and by then your own strength can be strengthened to a certain extent, not to mention that you can defeat Japan, a vicious dog that has temporarily broken free from the chains of Britain, you must at least have the ability to fight. Japan should not be allowed to profit too much during World War I and gain too many benefits in China, and as long as Japan can be dragged down, it will also bury the golden opportunity for Japan to rise again.

Of course, this is just a hypothetical, rather unoptimistic ending. The most optimistic outcome is to use diplomatic efforts or local conflicts to make Japan retreat from the difficulties and give China a few more years to develop. Taking advantage of the east wind of World War I, China has better conditions for development than Japan by virtue of its resource superiority, and this good opportunity belongs to Japan as well as China.

A certain amount of concession and patience is necessary, and at least for the time being, the new China, which is in dire need of a stable environment. The countries that have really changed from chess pieces to chess players are all countries that know how to endure strategically. But there are limits to such concessions and compromises, which can have a minimal impact on the government's prestige.

And Britain, in the face of the backlash of the United States and Germany, as well as the enthusiasm of the two countries for the new government, must also make a posture and not press too hard. First, to maintain Britain's superiority in China, and second, not to cause China to completely fall to Germany, and especially to prevent the two sides from reaching an agreement similar to a military alliance.

"The China-Myanmar Railway has always been hoped to be built by the British Empire, and once the China-Myanmar Railway is completed, it will become an international channel connecting China with Southeast Asia and South Asia." Zhu Erdian was looking forward to finalizing more things about the talks, but Chen Wenqiang had clearly achieved his goal.

"We can talk about this later, I think it's time to go out and have a look, and I can't ignore the lady too much!" Chen Wenqiang got up and made a gesture of please. (To be continued.) )