In Jiujiang City, the National Social Army is taking a simple rest. Due to the fierce fighting that night, although the casualties were not large, the formation of many units was more or less chaotic and needed some time to recover.

Moreover, during the attack on Jiujiang, the Nationalist Army and the Anhui Navy on the river consumed tens of thousands of shells, almost all of the shells brought this time. In addition, the consumption of guns and grenades is also very amazing, although with Li Liejun's performance in Jiujiang, even if he attacks Nanchang with the existing ammunition reserves, there will be no problem, but for the sake of safety, Xiao Yongyan still decided to wait in Jiujiang first, and wait until the ammunition arrives later.

It's just that...

Although Jiujiang's victory was very gratifying, after seeing the ammunition consumption list sent back by Xiao Yongyan, the Ministry of Military Affairs and the Ministry of Finance had a headache.

Because in just one day, Xiao Yongyan consumed a month's output of the arsenal. If it weren't for the fact that Yan Shao also bought a considerable amount of artillery shells for reserve when he bought artillery, he had been producing ammunition uninterrupted since the official start of the arsenal, and I am afraid that this war would consume a considerable part of the ammunition reserves of the National Social Army.

Theoretically speaking, the arsenal's artillery output is 100,000 rounds per month, but now the arsenal has just started, and the workers have not yet developed the equipment skillfully, so the current production capacity is only 30,000 or 40,000 rounds, and it will take some time to reach the theoretical production capacity.

If the next battles were fought like this, Yan Shao would really have to think about the consumption of ammunition.

And whether it is a gun or a shell, it takes money to produce. Especially the shells, it can be said that they smashed out hundreds of thousands of them at once...

Regardless, the victory was always gratifying. What's more, the casualties are so small.

Moreover, after taking Jiujiang, the next step is to take Nanchang, and the strategy of the National Social Army against Jiangxi is basically achieved.

As long as Nanchang is taken, and the troops in Li Liejun's hands have been almost lost, he has no room for resistance from any aspect.

Therefore, although the Ministry of Military Affairs and the Ministry of Finance were a little distressed about the problem of ammunition, after receiving the demand for ammunition, they still transferred the ammunition requested by Xiao Yongyan from the inventory as much as possible. It was then transported by ship to Jiujiang.

The next thing Xiao Yongyan has to do is to wait for the arrival of ammunition, and the rest of the troops and properly deal with some local problems.

Stand in the city. Looking at the dilapidated cities and streets that were bombarded by shelling, although it was for the sake of fighting, Xiao Yongyan still felt a little sorry. After all, it was he who gave the order to open fire.

Therefore, military discipline was emphasized, and all the gendarmes were sent out. Avoid something that no one wants to see at the same time. Xiao Yongyan also sent the 2nd Regiment and the 4th Regiment, two troops with basically no casualties, to help the local people do some things, such as helping them rescue some relatives who were crushed in the rubble (although leaflets have been distributed, there will always be some stubborn people who are unwilling to leave their homes), or distribute some relief materials, so that the people whose homes are destroyed will not go hungry—————— whether these people will accuse the Nationalist Army of hypocrisy, some things still have to be done...

On the other hand, although the hatred of the National Social Army ruined their homeland. But when the people of Jiujiang took the supplies distributed by the National Social Army and watched them help themselves. But the people were confused, and seemed to be a little incomprehensible...

Because such a move by the National Socialist Army is something they have never seen in the past...

Naturally, in addition to these, Xiao Yongyan also announced a lot of aftermath work, such as the establishment of a provisional government in Jiujiang—————— before the attack on Hukou, the Special Affairs Bureau had already contacted some more suitable candidates in Jiujiang, so after entering Jiujiang, it didn't even take much effort to pull up a team.

In addition, just like Anhui, many of the original harsh taxes have been exempted or exempted, which is probably the most supported policy by the people of Jiangxi.

Unlike in the past, so long after the establishment of the Anhui military junta, with the example of Anhui first, no one doubts whether this policy is real.

————————————————————

Having said so much, in fact, the so-called aftermath is very simple.

The government team in Jiujiang has already decided on it, Xiao Yongyan has just entered Jiujiang, and these people have already taken the initiative to come out—————— becoming officials, everyone will think about it.

As for the aftermath policy, the Special Affairs Bureau's stronghold in Jiujiang is a newspaper office, which itself has the ability to print and print it, and the policy has just been issued here, and it has already been printed there.

The distance between Jiujiang and Anqing is not very far, and it only took one day for the ammunition that Xiao Yongyan needed to arrive in Jiujiang.

It's just that just when Xiao Yongyan and Gu Chengzhou were preparing to march directly into Nanchang along Poyang Lake, at the French Legation in Beijing, Lei? Kopa also welcomed a guest from Anhui, a very heroic young man.

"Long time no see, Mr. Minister..."

Towards Thunder? After Kopa smiled, Luo Wenying sat on the sofa somewhat casually.

And sitting opposite, Ray? Copa motioned for his entourage to get some champagne first.

"It's been a long time, Mr. Mu..." There was also a smile on Copa's face. "I remember it's been a while since that Mr. Lu started to act..."

"yes, that damn Lu Jianzhang...", but the person surnamed Mu still had a smile on his face.

Mousse is the head of the secret service bureau in Beijing, and is responsible for liaising with some people in Beiyang who have been bribed, as well as the French legation.

Unlike in other places, the Secret Service is obviously more troublesome in Beijing, because in other places there is little that can be done even if anyone knows about their existence, but in Beijing there is a Gyeonggi Military and Political Law Enforcement Division.

Although as an espionage agency, the Gyeonggi Military and Political Law Enforcement Department is obviously inferior to the Special Affairs Bureau—————— first of all, in terms of funding, the two organizations are not of the same grade.

But Beijing, after all, is the territory of the Gyeonggi Military and Political Law Enforcement Department. In Beijing, Lu Jianzhang's advantage was obvious, so after the war in Hukou began, Mousse and others went underground. Even the French legation hasn't been here for a while.

"Anyway, congratulations first..."Seeing that the attendant has already brought the wine, Ray? Copa picked up his glass and raised his glass slightly towards Mousse.

"Of course, good luck," Mousse said with a smile as he raised his glass from the table.

Looking at Mousse, who was sitting across from him, Ray? A smile appeared on Kopa's face.

Since the news of the victory in Hukou and Jiujiang came. Thunder? Kopa has always been in a good mood. It's not surprising, because the place in Anhui was chosen by him, that is. The better Anhui's development, the greater the credit of his French minister. If Yan Shao can unify China one day in the future, then the agreement he signed with Yan Shao at the beginning can bring great benefits to France.

And he. Thunder? Copa. He would become one of the most important French ministers in the Far East.

Such a political status although not Ray? Copa is satisfied, but at least for him at this stage, it can be regarded as improvised, after all, in the current French diplomatic map, China has only barely been promoted from a third-rate position to a second-rate, to be precise, quasi-second-rate, and because of the annual trade volume of 10 million pounds, otherwise, I am afraid that I can only stay in a third-rate position.

Not surprising either. Although China is huge, its strength is too weak.

And because of the poverty of the people. It is also weak in purchasing power.

Think about American workers, whose wages are 5 yuan a day, while China's per capita wage at this time is only 1 dime...

One in fiftieth, that's 2%

It's really hard to get people to pay attention to...

————————————————————

With wine glasses in hand, the two sat there and exchanged pleasantries, and not long after, the main topic came.

"I'm sure Mr. Minister should know what I'm here for—" Mousse said with a smile after taking a sip. The war in Jiangxi is going well, Hukou and Jiujiang have been taken, and it shouldn't take much time for Nanchang, and at least Nanchang falls into our hands, even if there are still some remnants of troops under Li Liejun, I am afraid that they will not be working for him, that is to say, before the Kuomintang in Guangdong and Fujian send troops, we can solve the war in Jiangxi. ”

"But that's the case, but I'm afraid that President Yuan is going to do it, and then we will need the support of France..."

Although there is still a lot of ammunition in the inventory of the National Social Army, if it is so intense every time, I am afraid that it will not last much time.

If the British announced an arms embargo on China at this time, the blow to Yan Shao would be very serious.

During the First World War, when the European countries were in the middle of a major war, the amount of arms exported to China was greatly reduced, and Japan took the opportunity to import arms on a large scale, accounting for 80 percent of China's total imports at that time.

In 1919, in order to promote the peaceful settlement of China's civil war and resist Japan's monopoly of the Chinese arms market, the United States proposed an embargo on Chinese weapons and arms, which lasted for ten years from 1919 to 1929.

However, in fact, due to the end of the European war, a large number of all kinds of arms used in the European battlefield were exported at low prices, and the governments of the north and south of China and the warlords of various provinces still imported a considerable amount of foreign arms through smuggling and smuggling.

Naturally, most of these arms are pistols and rifles, and there are very few warships or planes.

Hearing Mousse's words, Ray? Kopa smiled too. "Rest assured, according to the agreement we have reached, we will boycott this matter even if the British agree. Although the Minister Zhu Erdian had a good personal relationship with Yuan Shikai, China was as important to Britain as Anhui was to France..."

Due to many factors in the past, the French side has a natural sense of closeness to Yan Shao, coupled with many kinds of interest connections, as well as the relationship between Bertrand's side, the French are naturally willing to support Yan Shao in this matter.

Whether it's mousse or ray? Kopa knew very well that if Yuan Shikai wanted to find someone to help, the first one he would find would definitely be the British. Only the British could intervene in what was happening along the Yangtze River.

But...

First of all, the British were willing to intervene.

The atmosphere in Europe now is comparable to that of Yan Shao and Lei? Kopa was much more nervous when he signed the treaty. Even if it is the next second, it is not impossible for the two camps to break out into a big war. At this time, the British would never easily offend the French, naturally, and vice versa.

So if the British insist on interfering. It is impossible for the French to really stand behind Yan Shao.

The question is...

Is this little thing happening in China really worth tearing the British and French apart?

The answer is certainly not worth it, and this point is not Ray? Whether it's Kopa or Jurdian knows it, so the rest of the matter is simple...

As long as the French stand up and show their support, then the British can only be a spectator, like the French, watching the series of changes that have taken place on the land of China...

Got Ray? Copa's commitment. Mousse smiled and didn't say anything more.

But it was at this time that a person suddenly walked over quickly. After taking two steps forward, he walked over to Mousse's ear and whispered softly.

Listening carefully, Mousse nodded, and after motioning for him to step back first, he turned to Ray? Copa laughed. "Looks like it's time for you to get out of the way..."

Hear Mousse say that. Thunder? Kopa also suddenly understood.

At the door of the British Legation. The Special Affairs Bureau had already arranged for people to conduct surveillance, and not long ago, someone had just seen someone from Beiyang walk into the legation. Although the content of the conversation between that person and the legation is not clear, I am afraid that there will be nothing else at this time...

"Don't worry...", to Mousse to know about this so quickly, Ray? Copa wasn't the slightest surprise. "I'm going to send a telegram to France and ask them to put diplomatic pressure on Britain, but..."

Look at Mousse, Ray? Kopa is coloring. "In this matter. We can only provide this level of support to ensure that neither the British nor the Japanese can intervene in this war. But you'll need to do the rest..."

To put it simply, it is to keep all parties neutral and not to intervene in the impending civil war, that is, even if Beiyang is about to be disabled, the British will not intervene. But on the other hand, if Yan Shao was cornered by Beiyang, the French would not intervene either.

This is the rule of the game.

This is also for what to do before Ray? Copa will be a little hesitant.

But after hearing about the victories at Hukou and Jiujiang, Ray? Kopa's confidence in Yan Shao has increased a lot.

"Don't worry, it won't be like that..." Copa's words, Mousse smiled.

The longer he stays here, the heavier the sense of twilight that Mousse feels about Beiyang. In his opinion, although the strength of Beiyang seems to be strong on the surface, in reality it is impossible to be an opponent of the National Socialist Party at all...

"Naturally, I hope so..."

————————————————————

Just in Mousse and Ray? While Kopa was toasting there, Yuan Shikai also met with Zhu Erdian.

It's just that Zhu Erdian is very difficult for Yuan Shikai to seek support.

"I'm sorry, I'm afraid I won't be able to give you much support in this matter..."After a deep groan, Zhu Erdian said bluntly. You are also aware of the treaty signed between Anhui and France, although I can send a telegram to London to seek the right to intervene, but if the French are in the way, London may agree..."

In fact, Zhu Erdian also wanted to help Yuan Shikai, after all, London had reprimanded him very harshly for that share of trade, and with the temper he had cultivated in China for so many years, this humiliation would never be forgotten.

The problem was that he was well aware of the importance of France to Britain, after all, Europe was the foundation of Britain. No matter how beautiful those colonies are, if Europe is finished, they will disappear with it.

"There's really nothing you can do about it, Mr. Minister..."

Although he had expected such an answer for a long time, Yuan Shikai still felt a little disappointed.

"I'm really sorry, my friend—" Juerdian shook his head. I can only support you by trying to get the next batch of loans for you as much as possible, and some things about the arms dealers, in fact, the French are also very dissatisfied at home, so if you want, I can help you buy some cheaper arms from home, and also give some diplomatic support..."

The Yangtze River has always been within the reach of the British, and now the French have suddenly inserted a foot in, although the British have endured it for the sake of the overall situation, it is obviously impossible for them to endure it willingly.

Moreover, although Britain and France reached a tacit agreement in this matter, that is, not to interfere with each other, they did not say that they could not give some help to the people they supported. And Zhu Erdian is sure that if his proposal is transmitted back to China, the probability of approval will be 100%...

It can be said that the British have not encountered this kind of thing in the past few hundred years, how can they endure it?

It's just the arms embargo that Yuan Shikai requested, etc., these Zhu Erdian can only apologize...

Sighing, Yuan Shikai didn't expect to be supported, he was very aware of the existence of that agreement, so this time he just tried it. Because according to Beiyang's analysis, the only threat to the Nationalist Army is equipment, especially machine guns and artillery, the problem is that the ammunition consumption of these two is very staggering, and the capacity of the Anhui Arsenal is not enough to support the ammunition consumption in this regard, and the final solution is only imports.

In other words, as long as the British could be persuaded to impose an arms embargo, it would not be long before the machine guns and artillery of the National Socialist Army were shut down.

But since you can't convince you, forget it...

"Since that's the case, then I'll leave it to you..."Lowering his head and thinking about it, Yuan Shikai said softly.

"Don't worry, my friend, I'll do my best..."

That is, at the same time as the two were talking, in Jiangxi, Xiao Yongyan, who had taken a break, also took action again, and this time their target was Nanchang... (To be continued......)