Qiao Yu's attitude is very clear, that is, to occupy Sichuan to the death, and Lao Yuan is absolutely not allowed to interfere, and the rest of the things are easy to discuss, not only can support Lao Yuan is already a Republican, but also hand over the taxes to the central government, Yang Duming knows that if this continues, Sichuan will sooner or later become the Kingdom of Reading, but the current Beiyang is no longer the Beiyang of a year ago, the combat effectiveness is seriously weakened, and there has been a serious split internally, for example, this time Lao Yuan mobilized Feng Guozhang to go south, but Feng Guozhang's march was extremely slow, and the purpose was very clear, It's nothing more than wanting to get more benefits.

But Lao Yuan has not yet received a loan from the bank group, so naturally there is only prevarication, Yang Du is very clear about Lao Yuan's situation, and he does not have the ability to have a showdown with Qiao Yu.

Speaking of which, the two sides are afraid of the two sides of the wolf with a hemp rod, Yang Du has been instructed by Lao Yuan before he comes, and he can compromise with Qiao Yu appropriately, in exchange for his support for the Republican Party, and it is not impossible for him to monopolize Sichuan.

"Patrol envoy, Sichuan still owes more than 8 million taels of tax and silver to the central government, I don't know how much you can send to the central government!"

As soon as Yang Du said this, Qiao Yu saw through the face of Beiyang's foreign powerhouse, they didn't dare to have a showdown with themselves, of course, they didn't need to fight with Beiyang, even if they were lucky enough to win one or two games, then after Beiyang fell, the huge mess still couldn't be cleaned up, so it was better to continue to let Beiyang maintain, but it just meant that he didn't have so much money to send Lao Yuan.

"Mr. Huizi, you can't calculate this account, the counterinsurgency in Tibet Province is all the money from Sichuan Province, you look at all countries in the world, the Chinese imperial courts, and the local government to fight for the country, this is the responsibility of the central government, but let Sichuan provoke it, the cost of entering the Tibetan army is no longer less than five million taels, plus the cost of pacifying Sichuan and Tibetan Province has exceeded six million taels, do you understand people, do you still want eight million taels?"

Of course, Yang Du didn't expect to get so much silver from Qiao Yu, but he just asked for a sky-high price.

"Patrol envoy, the cost of counterinsurgency should be spent by the central government, but don't forget that now the central government has changed the tax system, such as stamp duty, etc., the total amount that Sichuan should send to the central government has reached fifteen million taels, and after deducting the counterinsurgency part, you should also send at least seven million taels!"

Qiao Yu smiled slightly: "Mr. Huizi, don't forget that taxation is a major matter related to the overall situation, not only consider the problems of the central government, but also let the local government be able to maintain, if the central government takes too much, the local will inevitably be in trouble, and after being forced to helpless, it will exploit the people, isn't it embarking on the old road of the Manchu Qing Dynasty, and the matter of taxation must be cautious!" ”

Yang Du thought about it slightly, stretched out his right hand, and shook it: "Five million taels can't be less!" ”

Qiao Yu smiled and stretched out two fingers: "The tax of 10 million taels is deducted from the 6 million taels of counterinsurgency, and Sichuan has already sent 1.8 million taels, so Sichuan can only send another 2 million taels, not a single cent!" ”

Yang Du was very resolute, and his face was also embarrassed: "I can promise two million taels, but the army in Sichuan must be reduced, and only two divisions in Sichuan can be given!" The products of the Sichuan Arsenal should also be given priority to the central government. ”

Qiao Yu nodded: "Mr. Huizi really has a unique vision, don't worry, the taxes will be released as soon as possible, and the Sichuan Association will stand on the side of the president and resolutely maintain the authority of the president!" ”

The agreement between the two sides was reached, Yang Du was also very happy in his heart, he overfulfilled the task, not only pulled Qiao Yu over, but also got two million taels of silver, and controlled the military power of Sichuan, it was really a lot, after Qiao Yu and Beiyang reached this kind of deal, the position of the king of Sichuan was secured, and it was a rare opportunity to start large-scale construction.

At this time, news came from Tibetan Province, Liu Xiang led the army to attack Kaze at night, successfully occupied, killed 2,000 rebels, captured more than 5,000 people, and unexpectedly captured 37 British officers, Qiao Yu was both happy and worried after receiving the report, this Liu Xiang can still really fight, but catching these British officers is a hot potato, how to deal with it is a big trouble.

The most important thing is that Britain has controlled China's finances and finances, and the Yangtze River, Sichuan's passage to the outside world, is in the hands of the British.

But this kind of thing can't be compromised casually, otherwise where will the dignity of the country go, Qiao Yu hurriedly invited his extremely confidant over.

"Let's talk about it, what should we do with these thirty-seven captives?"

Everyone was also embarrassed, when they thought of the arrogant British, everyone also had a headache, Wu Tong took the telegram and looked at it carefully: "Marshal, I think it is the British who are anxious now, they openly send officers to participate in the rebellion and interfere in China's internal affairs, which is unreasonable, and other powers will also try their best to resist this kind of behavior, as long as we can tell the news to other powers, especially Germany, we can form a huge pressure, not afraid that the British will not give in, but also let the world see the spirit of the Sichuan army!" ”

Shi Dingzhong shook his head again and again on the side: "I don't think it's appropriate, although this can form a huge pressure, but we also have to take into account the face of the British, if the British are provoked, as long as we are embarrassed on the Yangtze River, our cargo ship is enough for Sichuan to drink a pot, you must know that we are now in urgent need of foreign machinery to build factories, and it will affect the overall situation of Sichuan's industry, so we can't be cautious!" Shi Dingzhong said more realistically, Sichuan really can't turn its face with the British now, and it doesn't have this strength at all, but it is obviously the British who are rude in front, the Chinese have caught the British officers, and they are worried about British retaliation.

While discussing, Wang Lingji hurriedly walked in, "Sir, the German newspaper has already stabbed out the matter of the capture of the British [***] officer, and the Germans are also waving their flags and shouting for us, strongly condemning Britain's interference in the internal affairs of other countries, and expressing that Germany and uphold justice and justice!" ”

When everyone present heard this, their faces were full of bitterness, this German is really not a thing, isn't this going to roast Sichuan on the fire? Of course, the British did not want to make the city full of wind and rain for this kind of humiliating thing, so there was still the possibility of reconciliation with Sichuan, but when the Germans made such a fuss, the people were angry, and there was really no room for recovery.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the matter has come to this point, I am afraid that it will not work, be prepared to deal with it, if the British are arrogant and unreasonable, then they can only break the kettle for the sake of dignity, but this must be avoided, and in addition, Liu Xiang ordered Liu Xiang to send the British officers back to Sichuan as soon as possible, and they must be treated well, and there can be no problems!"

The Sichuan side is actively preparing, and the British Consul General Fu Shan has already received an order from China at this time to negotiate with Qiao Yu to release the captured British officers as soon as possible and maintain the dignity of the British Empire.

After Fu Shan received this order, he also hesitated, this matter is not right in the UK, but the face of the UK is more important than everything, and it is absolutely impossible to bow his head, but the strength of the UK cannot make him very tough, and the UK is in this embarrassing situation, but no matter what, Fu Shan still decided to visit Qiao Yu first to discuss a solution.