Both tanks and self-propelled guns were developed during the First World War, mainly in response to trench warfare, but due to the level of technology, this weapon did not change the form of warfare in the First World War, and it was only in World War II that these weapons shone brightly.

Qiao Yu knows very well that the current internal combustion engine cannot provide enough power, coupled with frequent mechanical failures, which greatly reduces the combat effectiveness of tanks, armored vehicles, self-propelled guns and other weapons, but he still did not give up research, one is that Qiao Yu hopes to be able to train scientific researchers, and the second is also to rely on this new type of weapon in exchange for some benefits from Britain and France, although it cannot change the face of war, but at some time it can still play a great role, and the powers will definitely be interested.

A few months ago, Sichuan sent the first batch of armored vehicles to Europe, this batch of armored vehicles off-road surname can be very prominent, equipped with three 12.7 mm machine guns, the firepower is very powerful, by the French [***] team appreciation, France also began to purchase from China, Qiao Yu knows very well that now Britain and France have begun to develop tanks and other weapons, but they are still in the stage of blind people touching elephants, for this kind of weapons is very insufficient, their own knowledge is enough to make Sichuan produce something barely passable, Now it's finally coming to fruition.

"Qiao Shuai, Sichuan doesn't seem to be equipped with this kind of weapon, is this just for the use of the great powers?"

"That's right, it's not a good thing for Xu Cichang to fight a civil war after all, those who die are their own compatriots, this kind of weapon is easy Sichuan will not use, in order to oppose Yuan Shikai as emperor, we have to use force, but I don't want to continue fighting, the dead are their own people, now it's up to Zhiweng!"

Qiao Yu's words are undoubtedly both warnings and demonstrations, Sichuan has enough strength, but he didn't do his best to take into account the feelings of his compatriots, if Beiyang doesn't make a suitable choice, Sichuan will really be in trouble, Xu Shuzheng, as a soldier, is also the most sensitive to this kind of show of force, yesterday he communicated a telegram with Duan Qirui, Duan Qirui is also very embarrassed now, although it is time to replace Yuan Shikai, but he is really unwilling to bear this infamy, without Yuan Shikai, there would be no Beiyang today, and there is no Duan Qirui's status, Lao Duan is really in a dilemma now.

"Second Chief Xu, it's not enough to just talk about not practicing, I'll let them show you this weapon!"

Qiao Yu gave the order, and immediately a crew boarded the self-propelled gun, and soon the roar sounded, the self-propelled gun continued to rush forward like a monster spitting black smoke, showing a strong ability to maneuver, after arriving at the predetermined location, the self-propelled gun stopped, and the gunner aimed at the target in the distance, while quickly loading the shell, and a shell was shot out in an instant.

The self-propelled artillery is much faster than the towed artillery, and it is also more convenient, soon three shells were fired in succession, and the distant target was blown to pieces, Xu Shuzheng saw that there were really waves in his heart here, now military technology is advancing by leaps and bounds, and the speed of equipment update is also very fast, Xu Shuzheng naturally knows that the Beiyang army has lagged behind the powers, but today at a glance, even Sichuan has thrown Beiyang far away, if Beiyang can't work hard, I'm afraid it will be completely eliminated.

"Qiao Shuai, Sichuan can develop such a powerful weapon, it is really a blessing for the country, but this powerful weapon really should not be used in the civil war, the dead are their own compatriots, I will definitely try my best to persuade Duan Gong to make him agree to come forward to persuade Yuan Gong to abdicate and restore the republican form of government, I don't know if Qiao Shuai has any other requirements, I will convey it to Duan Gong!"

showed the force, it really had an effect, Xu Shuzheng quickly chose to compromise, Qiao Yu also smiled slightly: "Deputy Chief Xu said no, as long as Yuan Shikai can abdicate, Sichuan will definitely not use troops again, but I still have a few things I hope Duan Gong can agree, the first point is to make some adjustments to personnel, Hubei, Hunan will change the governor, Guizhou will also restore the position of governor, I recommend Xia Douyin as the governor of Hubei, Tan Yanmin as the governor of Hunan, and Zhang Bailin as the governor of Guizhou; The second point is that the three southwestern provinces together with Guangxi are preparing to set up a southwest economic development committee to jointly promote regional economic development and improve people's livelihood, and the central government must not easily intervene, and the third is that Sichuan will sign an agreement with Shaanxi and Gansu provinces on the development of mineral resources, these are all good things for the benefit of the country and the people, I think Duan Gong will not refuse! ”

Qiao Yu put forward three conditions, how shrewd Xu Shuzheng is, how can he not hear what Qiao Yu means, the two lakes are the heartland of the world, and changing the governor who is completely obedient to Qiao Yu is tantamount to turning the two lakes into the peripheral forces of the Sichuan army, and the establishment of the development committee is undoubtedly Qiao Yu wants to bring the three southwestern provinces into his control, and the central government is not allowed to intervene, as for the third point, it is purely coveted for the resources of Shaanxi and Gansu, and now Sichuan already has some characteristics of the great powers, Economic interests are valued far more than political and military interests.

But to be honest, these requirements made by Qiao Yu did not exceed Duan Qirui's bottom line, and even Duan Qirui was ready to give up the position of vice president to Qiao Yu, now seeing that Qiao Yu was not greedy and insufficient, nor did he covet the central power, he just wanted to be the king of the southwest, Xu Shuzheng was a lot easier.

"Qiao Shuai, I must convey it to Duan Gong, I still have ideas, I see that Sichuan's economy is developing very rapidly because of helping the Entente countries produce military supplies, and the central government also hopes to profit from the war, I don't know if Qiao Shuai has any ideas?"

"Haha, this is a good thing, the demand in Europe is very strong, for China such a country with a lot of land and resources is a godsend for development, Sichuan has sent a lot of workers to Europe, and now the Entente also requires Sichuan to send troops, but Sichuan abides by the duty of a local political axe, and did not agree, if Yanjing can seize the opportunity to develop industry, Sichuan will definitely support it, it is best to be able to directly participate in the war, and strive for the status of the victorious country, which has great benefits for changing China's current situation."

Xu Shuzheng didn't expect Qiao Yu to be so good at talking, and he was willing to assist Beiyang, which was really a great thing, but this kind of thinking was just Xu Shuzheng's own opinion, and Duan Qirui didn't agree, so Xu Shuzheng didn't agree immediately.

"Qiao Shuai, there are two problems that are difficult to solve when participating in the war, one is that the loss is too great, and the second is that if you bet on the wrong treasure, with China's current poverty and weakness, you will definitely not be able to withstand the anger of the great powers!"

"Vice Minister Xu, I don't think these two are a problem, the European battlefield is a meat grinder, after participating in the war, the Chinese [***] team is likely to become cannon fodder, but if China can win, we can logically take back the privileges of the defeated countries in China, and then shake the foundation of the entire unequal treaty, and finally China will become a completely readable country, not full of foreign concessions, as for who will win, I can rest assured and bold to say that the Entente occupy a huge resource advantage, Moreover, the United States also intends to join the Entente to fight, and sooner or later Germany will not be able to hold on, so there is no mistake at all in joining the Entente side to fight! ”

Xu Shuzheng is also a soldier, he is not afraid of sacrifice, as long as there is enough value, even if he loses hundreds of thousands of people, he will not hesitate, when he heard Qiao Yu say that he could use this as a breakthrough to recover the privileges seized by the powers, Xu Shuzheng's eyes also lit up, it is indeed worth it if he can do this, no matter how big the casualties are.

"Thank you Qiao Shuai for your guidance, it's just that the work of participating in the war involves understanding all aspects, and it can only be carried out after the country is restored to stability!"

"That's right, but the opportunity must not be missed, I don't know how long the war will last, I think as long as Duan Gong can agree to Sichuan's conditions, I will first send an investment group to assist the central government in rectifying the industrial and agricultural system, and prepare for large-scale exports, I believe that the central financial embarrassment will soon be changed, and the larger the trade volume, the heavier the weight in the hearts of the powers, and it can also fight for China's interests, and there will be no harm!"

Qiao Yu threw out a bait again, Xu Shuzheng was suddenly a little stupid, he thought that the trade ties with the great powers were the secret of Sichuan's strength, and Sichuan would definitely cherish itself, but now when he saw that Qiao Yu was very open, not only did he not worry about Beiyang grabbing business, but on the contrary, he also hoped that Beiyang could get more benefits, which was a bit unbelievable.

Maybe Qiao Yu really cares about the central government and sincerely supports Duan Qirui, Xu Shuzheng can only comfort himself like this, but Xu Shuzheng also has to inform Duan Qirui of the situation as soon as possible, and persuade Duan Qirui to agree to Qiao Yu's conditions as soon as possible, this is also a rare opportunity in Beiyang, and it must not be missed.

"Dashuai, you are very good about this little fan, you even promised to help Beiyang develop industry, aren't you afraid of raising tigers?"

Jiang Baili also came to visit the new weapons, Jiang Baili only felt that Qiao Yu seemed to be very good at talking today, especially when he was ready to support Beiyang, which was really unexpected.

"Haha, Brother Baili, farmers still have to plant seeds, now this is also a seed, as long as Beiyang is next, it is equivalent to planting crops for us, and sooner or later there will be a harvest!"

Of course, Qiao Yu has his own plans in his heart, even if the industry in Beiyang develops now, he will not be able to protect it after World War I, and only he can provide shelter in China, and then the capital accumulated because of the war will flow to Sichuan like water returning to the sea, becoming a booster for Sichuan's industrialization, but now Qiao Yu is not ready to point out this relationship.

Jiang Baili didn't ask, but focused on the self-propelled artillery, just now this bulky big guy is like a desolate beast, majestic, but now it is very embarrassing to lie on his stomach, and he couldn't drive back from the shooting range, fortunately, Xu Shuzheng has left, otherwise this inferior product can't scare the little fan.