The battle of Qingdao was short and fierce. All the people who paid attention to the war in Qingdao, from the political families who thought that they were manipulating the general trend of the world in the palm of their hands, to the ordinary people, did not expect that the war would end abruptly in such a way.

Britain had a military base in Shandong, albeit weakly. When China formally demanded the return of Qingdao to Germany through diplomatic channels, the British ambassador to China, Juerdian, realized that the war in Qingdao was inevitable. Zhu Erdian deduced from the character of the decision-makers on both the Chinese and German sides, that Wilhelm II was notoriously empty-eyed, and out of self-respect, he would never allow the Germans to cede Qingdao without a fight. It is possible for Germany to take the initiative to cede Qingdao for the sake of the overall situation, just like the "conditions" that Germany has already set for China. But it is impossible to cede the fortress under the threat of China. But China must fight, and Zhu Erdian's evidence is Long Qian's character. In a secret telegram to Foreign Minister Gray, he said, "He [referring to Long Qian] is one of the few people in the Chinese who has no reverence for civilized nations, and he has an inexplicable sense of national pride, and his generals, by virtue of their chiefs, have a kind of arrogance towards everyone...... In view of this, China will definitely try to seize Qingdao by force in order to put an end to Japan's coveting of Shandong. Let the Germans teach the Chinese a lesson, and it is in the interests of the British Empire to teach the increasingly arrogant Chinese a lesson by force. ”

Zhu Erdian sent a letter to Colonel Kaden, commander of the Shandong garrison, asking him to pay attention to the situation in Qingdao and, if necessary, send observers to observe the battle situation nearby.

Colonel Carden carried out the instructions of Ambassador Jurdian, 23 August. On the second day after China presented an "ultimatum" to Germany, Colonel Carden formally requested the Central Military Region to send military observers, and General Chief Situ Jun, who represented Long Qian to "supervise the war," immediately approved Carden's application, and three British Army officers arrived at the Qingdao front, witnessed the process of the Xiaozhan Mountain attack, and submitted a report to Colonel Carden, which was forwarded to China in full by Zhu Erdian.

Zhu Erdian didn't expect that the battle of Qingdao would end in one day! Had it not been for the three "truth-telling" observers, Jurdian would have thought that Germany's abandonment of Tsingtao was entirely a tactic, but the observer's report shattered Juerdian's assumptions.

"The Germans can't hold it! Up to three days. The 6th Division of the Chinese Army can capture Qingdao! "This is the conclusion of the observers. Of course, the observers used a series of facts to prove this conclusion: the Chinese army was well-armed and the tactics were secondary, but the incomparably high morale of the Chinese army left an extremely deep and even shocking impression on the three British observers. "The vigorous offensive spirit of the Chinese army is not inferior to that of the European powers. It was not so much that the Germans were overwhelmed by the overwhelming superiority of the Chinese army. It is better to say that the sacrifice spirit of the Chinese army overwhelmed the German army, and if the Chinese army attacked our base, it would take up to 48 hours! ”

This report was very much to the chagrin of Zhu Erdian. Out of consideration for the interests of the British Empire. If Japan still insists on attacking Qingdao, it may evolve into a full-scale war between China and Japan, and because of the shackles of the Anglo-Japanese alliance, Britain cannot stay on the sidelines of Asia like Russia and France and focus on the European war, and Britain will inevitably be pulled into the water by Japan! Then British interests in China will suffer heavy losses, all base concessions will be completely lost, and even Hong Kong will be difficult to guarantee security!

Of course, Zhu Erdian took this result into account when he learned that Japan had decided to use troops against Qingdao, but the battle of Qingdao shattered Zhu Erdian's illusion that the Chinese army was fully capable of "wrestling hands" with Japan, and if Japan could not quickly defeat China, Britain would be forced to take huge strategic risks! Further, if China is lucky enough to defeat Japan, they can even cross the Himalayas to attack India! This picture frightened Zhu Erdian, India is the lifeblood of the British Empire, without which the global hegemony of the British Empire would have completely collapsed!

Jurdian's assumption is not unfounded. In 1912, just three years after the founding of the People's Republic of China, the 13th Division of the Southwest Military Region overcame many difficulties to march from Sichuan to Tibet and garrisoned Lhasa and Shigatse, although thousands of officers and soldiers were killed for this, but the Chinese accomplished this feat! Lan Xinzhi, commander of the Southwest Military Region, Cao Kun, commander of the 13th Division, and Wu Peifu, brigade commander, who commanded this advance, and a large number of other generals have been commended and promoted.

After the Qingdao war, Zhu Erdian gave his views to a special report in China. Foreign Minister Jian Yì Gray warned of the danger of Japan's military dispatch and strongly demanded that the empire cancel Japan's military adventure! Zhu Erdian had already realized that the purpose of Japan's entry into the Entente was not to directly participate in the European war, but to prepare to "make a profit" in Asia, and if the actions of the Japanese did not harm the interests of the British Empire, the Empire could acquiesce. But now it is completely different, the Japanese attack on Shandong has the potential to greatly worsen the situation in Asia, and even directly affect the situation in Europe!

While waiting for domestic instructions, Zhu Erdian and his French and Russian counterparts studied the variables brought about by the Battle of Qingdao, France was already panicking, the "Schlieffen" plan had spread its fangs, and the powerful German right flank was sweeping Belgium from western France into France, aiming directly at Paris. Already in the greatest crisis, his attacks on Alsace and Lorraine failed, and the French began to retreat. And there was also a big crisis on the Eastern Front, on the day the Chinese army stormed Qingdao, the Battle of Tannenberg broke out, and the German Eighth Army taken over by Hindenburg and Ludendorff staged the first miracle of the war, until August 29, that is, yesterday, the first and second armies of the Russian army 300,000 horses disappeared, the battle was like a stick on the head of the Russians, the German and Austrian side hyped up, and the Entente side was depressed, and the British and French hopes that the Russian army would contain more German troops on the Eastern Front was in vain. The Battle of Tannenberg exposed the weakness of the Russian army, the loss of 300,000 sick men was not a big problem, the Russian army had 5 million. The loss of equipment and supplies for the 300,000-strong army is not unbearable, but confidence, confidence is the most important thing. In a sense, the Battle of Tannenberg showed the possibility that Germany and Austria would defeat Britain, France and Russia. If France could not withstand Germany and failed, and Russia could not avoid it, Britain would be expelled from the continent. Like dominoes, it brings about a great change in the global situation. Britain will completely lose the global hegemony it has built up for 200 years.

Zhu Erdian hopes that France and Russia will face up to this danger and prevent the situation in Asia from spiraling out of control.

After receiving the news, Ambassador Kosowitz was very low, and he fully agreed with what Zhu Erdian said, "The Japanese must not be allowed to make trouble!" Never! ”

It's a big difference from the shape of a month ago. Zhu Erdian was very afraid of China joining the Allied camp, and if Foreign Minister Gray's instructions gave Zhu Erdian a shot in the arm a month ago, now that the effect of the medicine has completely passed, fear has prevailed again.

The mighty Qingdao fortress ah, the Chinese only need three days, with only one elite division to capture. Are they still bluffing?

The British Foreign Office's reply to Zhu Erdian officially arrived in Beijing on the morning of August 31. The empire agreed with Zhu Erdian's construction, believing that it would be advantageous to maintain China's neutrality in such a situation. Strong measures should be taken to safeguard China's neutrality.

Zhu Erdian immediately went to the Japanese embassy to meet with Lin Quansuke. The smell of firecrackers in the air still seems to be wafting from the Chinese celebrating the "liberation" of Qingdao. The Chinese walking by the side of the road seemed to be more arrogant. Zhu Erdian certainly does not forget the mass rally held in Beijing on August 27 to celebrate the capture of Qingdao by the National Defense Forces. Since the founding of the Mengshan Army, mass rallies have become the norm, and each rally is seen by Juerdian as a challenge to the global order established by the British Empire, and every rally is a good way to awaken this long-dormant ancient nation. That night. Zhu Erdian attended a reception held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Assistant Gu Weijun reported on the end of the war in Qingdao. The Germans had completely disarmed and left Qingdao, and the fortress had been officially taken over by the Wehrmacht, not only Qingdao. The management of the Jiaoji Railway and the Jinpu Railway has been formally withdrawn -- Gu Weijun avoided the key issue and avoided talking about relations with Germany, especially the handling of German investment, but only informed this fact.

Foreign Minister Tang's toast to him seemed to be mocking.

The battle of Qingdao boosted China's confidence and further established the absolute authority of President Long Qian, and all those voices questioning the use of force to seize Qingdao disappeared, and even Huang Xing, the leader of the Kuomintang who was seriously ill and transferred to Union Hospital for treatment, sent a letter to Long Qian to congratulate and pay respect.

A China that integrates its internal strength and can go all out is formidable, and although she is still weak, it is enough to make her voice heard in Asia.

Lin Quanzhu rejected Zhu Erdian's advice. He told Zhu Erdian that the Empire's determination to attack Qingdao was unchangeable, and that "on the orders of the Imperial Government, I have sent a diplomatic note to the Government of China, demanding that the Chinese troops immediately withdraw from Qingdao and transfer the German troops and equipment to the Empire. This is a prerequisite for avoiding the outbreak of war. You know, Mr. Ambassador, that the people of China are not teaching the Germans, but the whole world! You know what the consequences will be if you indulge in this behavior. They can take Qingdao, and they can also take Weihai or even Hong Kong! The banner of peace and neutrality is simply a shameless lie! The Germans cooperated with the Chinese in staging a botched double play – a ridiculous Chinese stage play in which one person performed in front and another behind the scenes. The Empire will never allow such a challenge to the world order to happen! ”

Lin Quanzhu actually has no choice. Because the empire is already "unable to contain"! The first army division ready for Qingdao has been assembled, and the domestic situation is excited, and it will be a big deal to stop at this time! Of course, Lin Quansuke will not tell Zhu Erdian the details of Japan, he can fully imagine what the situation in Japan is now.

Indeed, the Battle of Tsingtao stimulated Japan.

On August 26, the news of the surrender of the German army in Qingdao reached Japan, and the military headquarters immediately made an uproar. The Cabinet immediately convened an emergency meeting to consider countermeasures. The Chinese ignored Japan's warnings and angered Japan, and the end of the Battle of Qingdao in one day caught the military by surprise!

War Minister Nosuke Okaichi strongly demanded that the Cabinet increase war expenses and mobilize at least three full divisions for the Qingdao War.

Chief of Staff Yoshimichi Hasegawa attended the cabinet meeting as an observer, and according to the information already available, the Chinese army had assembled four army divisions on the Shandong Peninsula, with a total strength of more than 140,000 (the information is wrong)! The original plan to seize Shandong with two divisions was obviously not enough, and it was necessary to mobilize another full division and regiment, and the navy was required to fully cooperate.

Without the navy, the army could not land in Shandong, and moreover, after the Germans surrendered Qingdao, all the artillery and shells of the German Qingdao fortress, especially the heavy shells, all fell into the hands of the Chinese people, and without the fire of the navy, the army could not "quickly" capture Qingdao.

Prime Minister Shigenobu Okuma was in a hurry. He immediately posed a key question to the Army: what if China made a move in Manchuria and eastern Hebei over the Qingdao issue? Three divisions? Can three divisions dominate the world?

Earlier, Shigenobu Okuma had already met with Yama Yama Aritomo, the soul of the army, and solicited the opinions of the elders of Yama Prefecture on the Qingdao Incident, clearly pointing out that if there was a full-scale war with China in Shandong, Naoli, and Manchuria, would the army be ready? How many troops are needed? Five, or ten divisions? Not to mention whether the domestic economy can withstand a major war no less than the Russo-Japanese War, what about time? How much time does it take? Is three months enough? Will the people of China give us three months? If the Zhina is launched in an all-round way regardless of the consequences, the Zhili Zhili garrison army will be completely annihilated, and Manchuria will also be lost, is it appropriate for the empire to adopt refueling tactics to deal with such a huge China?

Yama Prefecture did not answer Prime Minister Okuma's question directly, "Military issues are the consideration of the Army, and you don't need to worry about it." But you must understand that if the Empire does not do anything more, there will be no chance in the future. ”

Shigenobu Okuma inwardly agreed with the judgment of the Yama Prefecture elder. The facts of the five years since the founding of the People's Republic of China have proved this, and their development speed far exceeds that of the empire, and even if they cannot go to sea to compete for power, the mainland policy of countless people with lofty ideals and lofty ideals in the empire for decades will completely fail, and the achievements of the Russo-Japanese War will be in vain! This is not only unacceptable to the Army, but also to the entire population! Whoever dares to accept this terrible fact will die without a place to be buried!

"Your Excellency, don't worry. It made sense for the army to choose Shandong, Manchuria involved Russia, and an attack on North Manchuria would provoke Russia, because they were far more wary of the empire than China. As for the situation that you feared getting out of control, I don't think it will happen. The Chinese were unprepared as well. With the battle-experienced Imperial Army, it is easy to defeat the Chinese Army in Shandong! If you think about it, if the army wins in Shandong, China will undoubtedly retreat, and the situation is not uncontrollable. But stop there, and Manchuria will be even more passive. As for Britain, there is no need to consider it at all, the European war is a golden opportunity for the Empire, and we must not sit idly by. ”

Shigenobu Okuma was somewhat relieved. The attitude of the Shan County was the attitude of the Army, they did not intend to wage a full-scale war against China, the Battle of Shandong was just a punitive action to show the strength of the Empire.

Not all of Japan supported war against China, and Duke Saionji explicitly opposed it. But Emperor Taisho had just ascended the throne, and his control over the situation was no better than that of the dead Meiji Emperor. The imperial situation was actually under the control of the elders, and since Shanxian agreed to send troops to Shandong, it would be difficult for the cabinet to recover.

The Japanese Cabinet and the Ministry of Military Affairs held a three-day meeting to study the issues of mobilization and war spending. Finally, on August 29, it was agreed that the 18th, 6th, and 3rd Divisions would be mobilized for the Shandong battlefield, with the minimum goal of capturing Qingdao and controlling the Jiaoji Railway. The 12th Division was mobilized to reinforce Manchuria and strictly guard against the stupid movement of China. In addition, the strength of the DPRK was strengthened by at least one division to cope with the security of South Manchuria.

To this end, the Japanese cabinet issued an additional 50 million yen in war spending.

Therefore, in the face of Zhu Erdian's request to stop military operations, Lin Quanzhu categorically refused. However, after the Cabinet decided to send troops, in order to gain time for the troops to assemble, Japan began to act through diplomatic channels, and after Hayashi Quansuke's sternly worded diplomatic note, the Japanese, together with Britain, France, Russia, and other countries, proposed a series of proposals to China on the Qingdao issue, and the two sides began to negotiate the fate of Qingdao. The reason given by the Japanese was that the Qingdao issue was not the sole property of China and Germany, but also involved the interests of the great powers in China, and that the reckless actions of the Chinese army had aroused the fears of the civilized world, and that if China made Qingdao a free port open to the Entente countries without garrisoning troops, the Japanese Government would welcome it and would ensure the security of Qingdao. (To be continued......)