1908 Far East Maniac Chapter 178 Far East Maniac

On the three poles. The streets are getting warmer.

Morrison pulled back the curtains. Standing behind the window, I took a few deep breaths of fresh air. He raised his hand and rubbed his temples. With those red eyes from staying up late, he swept around the street across the street.

That street is called "Xinsheng Road". It is the junction line between the Hanhua Territory and the British Concession. To the south of the street is the Chinese boundary. To the north is the British Concession. Hankow's country within a state. Over here. China's laws don't play a role. This is the British's plate. Everything is up to the British.

As Australian. There are British nationals, Morrison did not hesitate to choose the British Concession as his foothold. This humble little hotel was the comfort home of his trip to Wuhan. No matter what happens in the Chinese world. At least it's safe here. And because of the close proximity to the Chinese boundary. So he can see the changes in the Chinese world at the first time.

The current Xinsheng Road is very different from before. First of all. The concession side of the road was littered with British soldiers with live ammunition. Army sailors and even patrols. Walk along the streets. A model like a great enemy. The bayonet on the tip of the gun glistened in the sun; Secondly. On the other side of the road, groups of Chinese were crowded. They held banners and slogans. Walk slowly along this road that is not wide. Shouting slogans all the way. The crowd was outraged. And from time to time there were physical clashes with British soldiers on the side of the road. Some Chinese soldiers stood on the side of the road. Wearing an armband of "Iron Blooded And". Carrying a rifle with a bayonet, Jǐng Ti stared at the British soldiers across the street. A posture that will rush over at any moment to support his compatriots. The atmosphere at the scene can be said to be quite tense.

The reason for the sight. The two sides of the confrontation held their own words, and the British Concession authorities believed that the Republican Army had provoked it first. The British team was only there for self-defense. The Republican Army, for its part, insisted that the British had provoked all this. the state of relations between China and the UK. The British zhèngfǔ must be responsible. Because it was the British zhèngfǔ that aroused the anger of the Chinese people. If it weren't for the British Prime Minister's threat to activate the "obligations" in the treaty of alliance with the British. It's not going to be so out of control.

"Down with the guys."

"British colonists go abroad."

"Give me back my sovereignty. Our country's soil. ”

"Unite to fight for national power. Inner country. ”。

The Chinese in the street let out angry shouts. However, they come from different social classes. I don't usually look at each other. But now this moment. At least they have a common goal in mind: to shout for the rise of China.

Morrison walked back to his desk. 'Turn on the oak smoke. Picked an authentic Cuban cigar from inside. He took another box of fire from the fireplace, and walked back to the window to light the fire. While continuing to observe the angry Chinese on the street.

In his opinion. The anger of the Chinese is justified because just a few days ago. British Prime Minister Asquith openly shouted in the British House of Lords. Claim: If the Republic of China zhèngfǔ can't do a good job of calming down the chaos in the Yangtze River basin caused by the conflict between China and China. Then the British zhèngfǔ will activate the obligations in the British treaty of alliance. Dispatch of troops and warships. Assist the army in "maintaining" the situation in China. If necessary, Britain will even re-examine the issue of the abdication of the Qing dynasty and consider re-supporting the Qing dynasty to govern China.

As you can imagine. What kind of impact will this unscrupulous speech have on the press, especially for the military and people in Hubei under the rule of the Chinese Revolutionary Republican Army. Supporting the Qing family to reset is tantamount to making enemies of the republic. Don't say that the generals of the Republican Army don't agree. Even those who have eaten the "republican head" will never agree. So. A larger anti-British campaign was provoked.

A few days ago, there were no more than 10,000 or 20,000 people demonstrating outside the British Concession. And now it has increased to 40,000 or 50,000. And there are more and more trends. It's still polite during the day. One to night. The guys from the shops got to work. He joined the protesters along with the coolies at the docks. Shout and cheer. By the way, you can also drink a bowl of hot porridge provided free of charge by "enthusiastic people".

9; Fortunately. This time the Chinese did not set up military surveillance posts at the entrances and exits of the British Concession. Although there are more and more protests in China. But at least the commercial order in the concession was not disrupted. Apparently. The art of struggle of the Chinese has been raised to a new level. In the opinion of many foreign journalists. What the Chinese oppose is English | zhèngfǔ. And not British merchants.

Morrison gracefully spat out a smoke ring. Condescendingly looking down at the Chinese people on the street. Although he was not sure whether these people were really as rumored to be, they could receive a meager daily salary in the army. But as a subject of one of the largest Dominions of Great Britain. He knew that the British Prime Minister's speech was nothing more than a bluff.

Since the end of the Anglo-Boer War in South Africa. The expansion of the British Empire had actually reached its peak. The national strength could no longer allow Han Niu's army to run rampant in the far reaches with impunity. The German threat and the growing tension in Europe. Forcing this rì does not fall empire must gather strength. Fight the challenge from Central Europe. And how can Australia be allowed to achieve self-government? And how can the South African Boers be tolerated to enter the zhèngfǔ? Britain even allowed Australia to have its own naval forces. This was simply unthinkable before. The only explanation is. Britain has indeed reached the pinnacle of its strength. After that, it's downhill.

An old saying. "The extremes of things must be reversed. Prosperity must decline". It is used to describe the current empire no longer fits. In such a large industrial age. An important indicator of national strength is the number of factories. On top of this. Britain is not only inferior to the United States. Not even Germany. If it weren't for the many colonizations. I'm afraid that this emperor won't be able to support it for a long time.

abroad. The challenge from Germany is becoming more and more apparent. Britain does not change the imaginary enemy from the United States. Go all out to build up the naval forces. The German Kaiser's arms race had almost exhausted Britain's national strength; in the country. The new Labour Party has begun to influence decision-making, although it is still the Conservative Party that alternates with Zìyóu. But everybody knows. In an era where the vote is everything. Whoever holds the workers holds the ballots. Whoever has the possibility of mastering zhèngfǔ. Labour's rise to power is only a matter of time. And an important means of attracting votes is the constant promise of better workers' treatments. This doesn't just cause dissatisfaction among business owners. Causing capital flight. It will also further hollow out the British treasury. The inevitable result of both internal and external causes is. Britain is no longer able to stand alone against the rest of the world, and it remains unchanged from the isolationist tendencies of the past. Make every effort to win over Europe's allies. Concentrate the main military forces in Europe and the Near East. to deal with a European conflict that could erupt at any time.

All of this determines this basic fact: at least in the near future. Britain could never send troops to the Far East. There is no way that Britain's naval forces will be sent to China for its own benefit. So. The British Prime Minister's words in the House of Lords were nothing more than a threat. The intent is also simple. That is, to force the Chinese to submit through intimidation, as was done in the previous case against the Qing Dynasty, without a fight.

The British Prime Minister's frightening seems to have made a difference. That speech went back to China. Immediately frightened Yuan Shikai in the north, and there was no threat more terrifying than the threat of the British zhèngfǔ. In this day and age. If Britain zhèngfǔ self-confesses itself to be the second in the world. Then no one dares to say that their country is the first in the world. Unless it's a madman. So. Almost all foreign journalists in China agree that the Chinese will definitely give in, even Morrison.

But what made them blew their eyes was. Although Yuan Shikai and the Constituent Assembly in the south successively expressed the sincerity of "reconciliation". The Hu Army is still in a posture of not entering oil and salt. Zhao Bei, the commander-in-chief of the Republican Army, openly declared in the newspaper: If the British want to fight. So. Just hit. You're going to fight. Fight. Even the name of this war he had in mind. It's called the "New Opium War".

Alarmist.

In Chinese folk proverbs. It's called "a stone in a pit." It is also called "Wang Ba eats scales". No one knew what the commander thought. In the eyes of foreigners. Either he was a fanatical patriot. Or just a complete lunatic. Madman. Unreasonable.

Zhao Bei also got a nickname because of this: Far Eastern madman.

At this time. What is it that someone who dares to pick on the British Empire is not a madman?

To find out how crazy this Far Easterner really is. Foreign journalists are buying train tickets and ferry tickets. rushed to Wuhan from all directions. I want to seriously explore what kind of person this commander-in-chief of the Republican Army is. Is it really as rumored to be. A bandit leader of the revolution? There is no doubt about it. The literary speech of the British first was not only not to frighten the commander-in-chief. On the contrary, it further increased his popularity. His limelight has overshadowed President Yuan Shikai in the north.

According to estimates. The current foreign correspondent in China. At least half of them are Han. Or on the way to Wuhan. Major newspapers have also followed up and reported on the Qizhou incident. Newspapers that supported the British position struggled to find evidence against the IRA. Newspapers opposed to Britain's position struggled to find evidence against Britain. But it doesn't matter which side of the newspaper. Their coverage is always inseparable from the soul of the IRA.

The term "commander-in-chief" has become the focus of news throughout the country and even in the Far East. The dispute between China and Britain is the second focus. As for Rì himself, who provoked the Qizhou incident. Instead, it became a foil. Only American newspapers are still making a barbaric story about Rì himself.

As a correspondent of "Taishi Daily" in Beijing. Morrison also set off for the south as soon as possible. Came to Wuhan by train. Stayed in this small hostel. As an ordinary reporter, he observes every move here. Trying to find out the source of the IRA's hardline attitude towards the British.

A closer look at the heavens. Morrison quickly came to the conclusion that Zhao Bei, the commander-in-chief of the Republican Army, was by no means a madman. Although Hubei under his rule has not yet seen economic prosperity. But. The New Deal measures he enacted speak for themselves. From the party autonomy to the clean-up of the gold. From repairing embankments to straightening out social order. These measures are not something that a madman can think of. And. Those "armed work teams" that are active in the villages and the "current affairs propagandists" who are active in the military and society are even more miraculous. Mo follows the five-body cast that admires this.

As a Chinese who has lived in China for nearly five years. Morrison looked at the dark corners of the country from the perspective of a bystander, and he found that the country's backwardness was rooted in the backwardness of the countryside. That backwardness is all-encompassing. To save the country. It is necessary to save its countryside first, but unfortunately. Outside of Zhao Bei. Almost no one recognizes this

Whether it is Yuan Shikai in the north or the revolutionaries in the south. They all wanted the squires to devote themselves to industry and foreign affairs. can save their homeland. As long as you take the support of foreigners. It will make the country rich and strong. They are destined to snort. When foreigners are angry. That is, when they fell on their knees and begged for mercy. Figured this out. This is why the Republican Army's hardline attitude was found.

Perhaps this is the confidence of the "madman" who dared to challenge Britain. Because he doesn't rely on foreigners. Maybe he needs the help of foreigners. But this does not mean that he will kneel in front of foreigners and beg for him, there is only one belief: strength comes from national self-confidence, and comes from self-esteem. But only by self-esteem and the ragged people. Can it really revive the dying country? on this. Morrison was cautiously pessimistic, after all. The country has fallen far behind. Unless a miracle happens. Otherwise. It will continue to go on and on. Until the day when the old world order is reshuffled. Maybe someone will come to save it.

"Poor people, but you can really get those small pays, at least it will make you look less yellow-skinned."

Stand in front of the window. Morrison looked down with white pride on the snow windowsill in the hands of the demonstrative Chinese. Then walk back to your desk. Sit in a chair. Continued with the press release that had been revised overnight.

“。 As a prime minister who lacks vision. Mr. Asquith clearly made an inappropriate speech at an inappropriate time. It left a little dust on the glorious image of the British Empire. Although this bit of dust is not worth mentioning to the British Empire. But who can guarantee that Mr. Asquith will be able to sweep that bit of dust out? After all. As a former Chancellor of the Exchequer from a middle-class background. All he's good at is finances. He did not even understand the scope of application of the treaty of the Anglo-League. The reason why he became prime minister. It's just because of the unfortunate death of Prime Minister Bannerman. And not because of the trust of his subjects. As a well-known moderate in the zìyóu party. Mr. Asquith's tough performance this time was clearly out of place. Maybe. His intention was simply to make his position clear to the radicals in the party. In order to stabilize the position of prime minister. And there was no real intention to send troops to the Far East to interfere with the revolution. If no. It is difficult to explain why he suddenly changed his moderate stance.

As a pass. It's safe to say. The current Chinese revolution is by no means a traditional change of dynasty. And a new revolution that is rushing forward. It bears a striking resemblance to the revolution that broke out in the Ottoman Empire. They are caused by foreign arrogance. And it's all military-led.

9; The note is. The soul of this revolution was not the former Manchu minister Mr. Yuan Shikai. Nor is it Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the leader of the Southern Revolution. It was General Zhao Bei, the governor of Hubei. From the very beginning of the revolution. This "Far Eastern madman" guided the direction of the revolution with a vision that surpassed that of his contemporaries. He saw only Mr. Yuan Shikai's political ambitions. At the same time, it also saw the external power of the British Empire. It is also clear to see the fierce struggle in international politics.

Under the guidance of this self-proclaimed commander-in-chief military strongman. China has the potential to embark on a unique path to becoming a great power. This path may not be something we can deduce. But one thing is for sure. Foreign pressure would not have had any effect on this commander-in-chief Zhao. Instead, it will make him seize every opportunity. With his unique propaganda methods and strategies. Unite China's most radical youth and intellectuals around him. They may use any means to seize any opportunity to lead China to prosperity. How many years does it take? Decade. Twenty years. Or fifty years? No one could answer. After all, this era is the age of power. The rules of the game are set by the great powers. Weak countries can only act within this rule. Any cross-border behavior is intolerable in the eyes of the Powers. This oriental revolution could be interfered with at any moment. This is a clear proof of this. Apparently. Rì Ben was more reluctant to see the rise of China than the British.

Although all the great powers do not want to see an ancient Eastern country rise again among the great powers. But there's no denying it. Due to the peace struggle between the great powers. Their joint control over this eastern country has failed. At this moment. Perhaps only "partition" could satisfy the control of the great powers. But here's the thing. The recent Balkan crisis showed. In the matter of "partition", it is clear that the great powers have their own plans. If there is any uneven distribution of benefits. can cause a large-scale war.

However, the enormous damage caused by the war has also made the country's politicians not take international disputes seriously. Because no one knows how a war will be fought. Is it a protracted American Civil War or a quick decisive battle in the style of Franco-Prussian War? No one could answer. So. Europe is now peaceful. But how long will this peace last? No one knows.

The establishment of the Entente and the Allies is the best relief for the European powers for the present peace in Europe. European powers are trying to maintain a fragile peace in Europe by means of this deterrence. Maintain confidence in the enemy.

The situation in Europe. Awkward European peace.

The commander-in-chief saw clearly the embarrassing situation of the European powers. So he made a decisive move. Under the leadership of this Far Eastern madman. Can China go the way the revolutionaries wanted? Let's wait and see. ”