Chapter 72: The Battle of the Jinghan Line (12)

After crawling, the foreigner clerk fled back, and reported to Ge Fu that Fang Jianxiong threatened that if he could not give him a satisfactory explanation, his soldiers would probably lose control and attack the concession.

Ge Fu was taken aback, don't look at the British Empire's awesomeness, but there are only a few guns in the concession of Hankow? There are only 2,000 people in the battle, but there are 10,000 or 20,000 troops outside, and they are not the kind of rotten army with only rifles. In case the sword is hot-blooded, impulsive, and orders to attack the concession, it is undoubtedly a disaster.

Ge Fu waved the clerk out, left an interpreter, and asked him what was going on? The interpreter reported the truth, saying that the clerk just now was too arrogant when he went out to deliver the message, which angered Fang Jianxiong's soldiers and almost opened fire.

Comparing the two, Ge Fu felt that the two of them were talking with moisture. Fang Jianxiong undoubtedly had no intention of using force, otherwise he would have come in a long time ago. Although Ge Fu has not seen the equipment and su zhì of the Anhui Revolutionary Army with his own eyes, if he can defeat the Beiyang Army, he cannot take it lightly. You must know that the Beiyang Army is known as a strength comparable to the armies of second-class European countries, and this is the conclusion reached by various countries after watching the war. In such a big place as the concession, there is no Boxer Rebellion outside, and this is not Dongjiaomin Lane. With the equipment of the revolutionary army, dozens of cannons were set up to bombard, and they could not hold on for long at all. The warships on the river first had to guard against the navy of the revolutionary army, and the artillery on Guishan Mountain was also a threat.

All in all, the dignity of the British Empire could not be provoked, and the Japanese, although bastards, were also there to protect the concessions. In order to avoid the situation, Ge Fu still decided to go out to meet this Fang Jianxiong in person. This warlord is said to be hypocritical, greedy, and violent. It doesn't matter if you are wronged for the time being, there will be an opportunity to settle accounts in the future.

Standing outside the concession, Fang Jianxiong's face was gloomy, and the barbed wire fence at the gate of the concession opposite was pulled several times, and the guard was heavy. This Nima is China's territory, and when it comes to this Qing Dynasty, it is indeed a bastard. Say a thousand things and ten thousand. Or the country is too backward. Even such a backward country is still fighting a civil war, and Fang Jianxiong is a little anxious when he thinks of this.

Fight the British. Fang Jianxiong also took the plunge. In fact, if the British were ruthless and drove a warship to Wuhu for an artillery bombardment, Fang Jianxiong would have returned to the pre-liberation period. Speaking of which, we still have to thank Germany for this era. The phrase "we also need colonies in the sun" can be said to have choked Britain and France. War, war, hope!

When Fang Jianxiong was a little distracted, Ge Fu appeared at the gate of the concession, across the road, which was ten meters away, Ge Fu had a straight face, and an interpreter shouted loudly: "Listen to the people outside, Mr. Ge Fu said that the previous incident was a misunderstanding, and both sides had losses." That's it. ”

Graham had planned to be a little tougher, such as asking for compensation or something. But when I came out, there were still craters and blood stains on the ground, and these guys on the other side were really fighting. Matsumura, the Japanese consul who accompanied him, was furious and crazy. It seems that he is going to start a fight with the squadron outside at any time. Ge Fu felt that the Japanese could not be given a chance to go to war, and that the growing Japanese ambitions in East Asia must be suppressed.

On the way out, he urgently exchanged views with the Japanese consul Matsumura, expressed concern that the Japanese army had broken the neutrality by shooting without authorization, and angrily said that this was an irresponsible act for the personnel, lives and property in the concession. Matsumura was dissatisfied. But in the face of the British boss, he could only pinch his nose and admit it. However, he was still not convinced, saying that the Japanese government would reserve the right to seek compensation.

When I came out and looked across the road, I could see from a distance that the revolutionary army was pushing out the cannons, and one by one could roughly see more than a dozen of them. This cannon was nothing to the British Empire, but to the Hankow Concession, it was very fatal.

So when it came to the end, Ge Fu decided that he didn't want any compensation.

Fang Jianxiong stepped forward, and when Qi Erzhu behind him was about to stop, Fang Jianxiong smiled: "It's okay!" Walking to the middle of the road, Fang Jianxiong said loudly in English: "Mr. Consul, can we talk here." ”

Ge Fu thought about it for a while, and came out and walked in front of Fang Jianxiong. This young mid-** valve is not as unbearable as rumored outside, at least the first impression is that of a handsome gentleman. If you are not a gentleman, how can you take the initiative to walk to the middle of the road, you must know that it is very dangerous, in case the Japanese soldiers shoot .......

"Hello, Mr. Consul. Just now you said that the matter was a misunderstanding, and I accept this explanation. However, I cannot accept that such a thing happen again, so I ask all countries to produce a written letter to ensure that they do not launch an attack on our army without warning. That's a tactful statement, but the meaning is clear. Since it was a misunderstanding, write a letter of guarantee.

In fact, Fang Jianxiong didn't expect the British to agree to this, it meant bargaining. At this time, it is basically no different from looking for death with the British over-shouting.

"I remind Mr. Fang that you are not representative of your government, so you are not obliged to provide a written guarantee." Ge Fu had a tough attitude, but he turned around and said: "But don't worry, I will send someone to notify the ** teams in the concession to avoid unnecessary disputes." ”

Fang Jianxiong breathed a sigh of relief, the British had no intention of forcibly interfering.

"Well, I believe Your Excellency is a gentleman, and I am willing to accept even verbal promises." Fang Jianxiong smiled, Ge Fu didn't expect to deal with the past so easily, and he had some doubts about the rumors in the outside world and the news in the newspapers. Fang Jianxiong was probably a warlord, but he did not mean to offend British interests. However, this warlord is very close to Germany, which makes Graham a little worried.

"Mr. Fang, thank you for your trust. I have heard that you have close business relations with Germany, and I say to you, Your Excellency, that the business reputation of the British Empire is also guaranteed. I hope that, in the future, you will strengthen your commercial relations with the British Empire. Ge Fu's words were a bit tentative, let's see Fang Jianxiong's reaction.

Fang Jianxiong was completely uninterested in British goods, especially mechanical products, which were expensive and outdated. However, at this time, it seems that it is still necessary to give the British some sweetness, so as not to put too much diplomatic pressure.

"Well, if Your Excellency can call the shots, I would like to purchase some thousand-ton river warships from the British." Fang Jianxiong simply threw out a piece of cake, and Ge Fu was a little surprised. But this seems to be another signal that Fang Jianxiong seems to be giving in to the British Empire. Ge Fu felt better about himself in an instant, straightened his waist, and smiled, "I will convey your intention to Mr. Minister." Today's misunderstanding can be solved smoothly, I am very relieved! ”

Fang Jianxiong said: "I would like to express my admiration for the courage and generosity of His Excellency the Consul, if it weren't for the open and honest conversation in this place, the misunderstanding would not have been resolved so smoothly." Finally, I would like to emphasize that if the Government of return so permits, I will procure four or six river warships, and I ask Your Excellency Consul to convey my goodwill. ”

Ge Fu was sure that this warlord was indeed a hypocrite. While making a lot of nonsense in the newspapers, saying that British battleships could not go ashore, and at the same time throwing out orders. Four to six river warships, this is a small deal. But it is undoubtedly a good start, at least Fang Jianxiong does not reject British goods.

The two sides returned to their respective camps happily, and after Fang Jianxiong came back, he told his subordinates about the situation, his face was grim, and he said in a heavy tone: "Everyone has seen it, this is the treatment of a weak country." If you want to take off the hat of this weak country, you must first create a regime that belongs to the people and build an army that has always dared to sacrifice and sacrifice to protect the country. I believe that one day, with the joint efforts of all of you, the Chinese nation will surely stand on top of the world again. ”

"Defeat Beiyang, overthrow the Qing Dynasty, and create the Republic of China!" Tian Jiyang raised his hand and waved his fist to shout slogans, and all of them issued earth-shattering slogans: defeat Beiyang, overthrow the Qing dynasty, and establish the Republic of China.

Ge Fu was taken aback by this shout, but when he heard clearly that he was defeating Beiyang or something, he shrugged his shoulders and said to the Japanese consul Matsumura: "You also saw it, because of the recklessness of the Japanese soldiers, they almost brought destruction to the entire concession." I hope that we will not see anything like this happen again, and that our foreign affairs department and your country have the same understanding of China policy. I hope that your country will not take some drastic measures that will lead to unnecessary changes. ”

The revolutionary army is gone, and the neat line is gone. One by one, the cannons passed through the edge of the concession, and Dayuan Daisa, who was standing on the top of a second floor, looked at this army and knew to the Kanno chief beside him: "Kanno-kun, what do you think is the difference between this army and the ordinary Chinese army?" ”

Kanno Nagachi put away his binoculars and sighed: "I can't tell, but my intuition tells me that Fang Jianxiong and his army will definitely be the great enemy of the empire." It's a pity that the politicians in the country can't hear the words of our little people, and even if they do, they can't do much. The British would not allow the empire's interests in China to continue to expand, let alone allow other countries to get their hands on the Yangtze River valley. Even if we are allies. ”

"Kanno-kun, in terms of squad equipment alone, this army has surpassed the Imperial Army. And I saw with my own eyes that he was able to adopt a completely new infantry tactic. Even in hand-to-hand combat, they are very good. I was thinking that if Fang Jianxiong had 500,000 troops, he should be able to unify the whole of China. Such a thing must not happen! We had to do something! ”

Runan! When the sky was slightly white, Feng Guozhang on the train had just fallen asleep, and the speeding train was roaring south. Suddenly, the earth shook slightly, and a loud noise woke up Feng Guozhang, who was not too familiar with his sleep. "What's going on?" Feng Guozhang sat up! (Your support is my biggest motivation.) )