The people Sun Yuanqi counted were all Nobel laureates of German nationality in the first decade of the 20th century, and they were all well-deserved great scientists.

It can be said that in the decades of the late 19th century and early 20th century, Germany's scientific level was second to none in Europe and even the world, and a large number of world-renowned scientists were born, among which the most well-known are Einstein and Planck. Among them, in the 5th Nobel Prize awarded in December 1905, three of the five winners were Germans, and the winners of the three scientific prizes in chemistry, physics, physiology or medicine were all German scientists, they were Bayer, a chemist who studied organic compounds such as organic dyes and aromatics, Lerner, a physicist who studied cathode rays, and Koch, the founder of pathogenic bacteriology who made great contributions to the development of bacteriology.

Hearing the names of a series of famous German scientists from today's most prestigious scientific authorities, Mr. Hahausen subconsciously puffed up his chest and replied proudly: "Although our German Empire does not have such amazing scientific giants as Dr. Johnson and your wife, there are still some scientists who have produced world-class research results. Of course, we cherish and cherish every researcher, because they are the cornerstone of the empire's thriving and the bridge to the future! ”

Sun Yuanqi shook his head and said, "Mr. Minister, I just sincerely invited Professor Planck's family to visit and study in China, not kidnapping and kidnapping, why are you so nervous?" After a pause, he asked, "Mr. Minister rushed to Taiyuan from the capital thousands of miles this time, shouldn't it be just for Professor Planck's invitation?" Is there something else going on? ”

Instead of answering, Hahausen asked: "Your Excellency Prime Minister must have heard the names of the 'Allied Powers' and 'Entente Powers', right?" ”

Sun Yuanqi nodded slightly: "I roughly know." The Allied powers include your country, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, etc., while the Entente countries include the British Empire, France, the Russian Empire, etc. ”

Hahausen said: "Perhaps Japan will be added to the list of Entente countries." According to the Anglo-Japanese Treaty of Alliance, signed in 1902 and renewed in 1911, Japan and Britain would fight together if a third country that was at war with Britain and one or more other countries entered into an alliance. In the event of a conflict between Britain and the Central Powers, Japan would undoubtedly be on the side of the Entente. ”

Sun Yuanqi said expressionlessly: "And then? ”

Hahausen continued: "Your Excellency the Prime Minister is certainly not unaware of the treaty signed not long ago between Mr. Zhao, adviser to the Presidential Office of your country, and Mr. Yamasha, the Japanese Minister to China. ”

Sun Yuanqi said: "I really know! However, as we all know, the treaty was invalid, because not only did the Chinese side not ratify it through the Diet, but the Japanese side did not recognize the existence of the treaty, and it was only an agreement signed privately by Mr. Zhao Zhi'an and Mr. Enjiro Yamaza, and it had no legal effect. ”

Hahausen said: "Yes. It was invalid, and the Japanese government even believed that it was fabricated by people with ulterior motives in China, or that Minister Yanza had signed it without the permission of the Cabinet. However, His Excellency the Prime Minister should know better than anyone what the real situation is! Although the treaty is invalid at the moment, we can see through the treaty itself that Japan has boundless ambitions for your territory! Of course, Japan's coveting of your territory is consistent and endless, from Korea and Taiwan to Liaodong and Shandong. Who knows what else they will do in the future? ”

Sun Yuanqi made an exception and did not defend himself, because what Hahausen said was completely correct and there was no way to refute it. How could Sun Yuanqi, who knew the 918 Incident, the Nanjing Massacre, and the eight-year bloody struggle in real history, not know Japan's enthusiasm for Chinese territory?

Hahausen added: "Perhaps such an insatiable country should be added to Russia, because its aggression against your territory can be traced back even three or four hundred years to the Battle of Yaksa!" As for the colonies of Britain and France, they are densely spread all over the world. A coalition of such countries. The evil nature can be imagined! In recent hundreds of years, your country has been bullied and ravaged by Britain, France, Japan and Russia, and has been forced to cede land and pay reparations, and the country and people have suffered endless suffering. Now that this evil alliance has returned, and it is ready to surrender at this time, which vows to annex the whole world. Completely reduced to their colony? Or are you ready to fight to the last drop of blood? ”

Only then did Sun Yuanqi come to his senses: "Mr. Minister wants my country to join the ranks of the Allies?" ”

Hahausen nodded affirmatively: "Exactly! In Europe. Like your country, Germany has endured ruthless humiliation and brutal oppression by the British, French, Russian and other powers, because they feel that the pattern of Europe and even the world has been roughly determined, and that such a small five continents can only allow the current few great powers to rule, and it is simply unable to tolerate the rise of a new country and challenge the old order. In other words, they want to be high forever and humble forever. In the face of such a stubborn, powerful, and evil alliance, shouldn't we all be in the same boat? ”

Sun Yuanqi smiled bitterly: "Just as your country is sandwiched between France and Germany, China is also sandwiched between Japan and Russia, but China is far less powerful and military than Germany. If China has the strength to challenge the world powers like Germany, it would be willing to fight alongside Germany. It's just that China is too weak at the moment, and if it rashly joins the camp of the allies, I am afraid that as soon as the war begins, it will become an appetizing dessert for Japan and Russia! ”

Hahausen agitated: "Your Excellency, do not worry, Germany will provide your country with strong support to help defend against the aggression of Japan and Russia!" ”

Sun Yuanqi was unmoved: "Does Mr. Minister know that there is a saying in China that 'far water can't quench the thirst of the near'?" Your country is far water, and the Japanese-Russian invasion is near thirst, and your so-called support is not to be feared at all! ”

Hahausen frowned and said, "What is your country's attitude?" ”

Sun Yuanqi said: "Although our country recognizes and appreciates your country's courage and determination to challenge the great powers, due to the limitation of national strength, it is a pity that we cannot join the camp of the allies and fight side by side with your country. However, within the scope of international permission, China will try its best to maintain normal business and trade exchanges with your country, and will also provide some material assistance at the appropriate time to show support! ”

Hahausen bowed shallowly: "In that case, on behalf of the German Imperial Government, I would like to express my gratitude to your country for your support!" In order to cope with the possible war, China needs to reserve a large number of strategic materials in the near future, including the need to import antimony, manganese, tin, pig bristles, tung oil, cotton yarn, tungsten sand, etc. from China. In addition, after losing your potential ally in the Far East, it will be difficult for us to deal with the attacks of Japan and Russia on our own, so our government intends to return the Jiaoao region to you, but your country will have to pay a fee and lease a suitable port to our country after the war. ”

Sun Yuan raised his eyebrows slightly: "I don't know what the 'one expense' you are talking about?" ”

Hahausen explained: "This cost is mainly to compensate the municipal funds and ancillary facilities built by the Chinese government, including the Ilqis Barracks built at a cost of 950,000 marks, the Bismarck Barracks built at a cost of 750,000 marks, the Qingdao slaughterhouse built at a cost of 850,000 marks, the Governor's Palace built at a cost of 850,000 marks, and the governor's residence at a cost of 1 million marks, etc., with a total of 8.5 million German marks, about 4.2 million silver dollars of Bloomage Bank." ”

As Hahausen put it, with the 10,000 German men in the Far East, it would be difficult to resist an attack by Japan or Russia. Rather than letting the enemy take it away for nothing, it is better to sell it at a good price as soon as possible, which can not only save the capital, but also justifiably withdraw these more than 10,000 German soldiers to the country and put them on more useful battlefields. Therefore, Germany's form of returning Qingdao is not a disadvantage to himself, and in a sense it is the best way for the golden cicada to get out of its shell.

Seeing that Sun Yuanqi looked a little unhappy, Hahausen hurriedly added: "Our German government also knows that your country's funds have been relatively short recently, and it is impossible to come up with so much cash to pay it at once, so we have drawn up two alternative repayment methods. The first is to directly deduct ,—— from the cost of our country's government procurement of various strategic materials in your country"

Sun Yuanqi shook his head again and again and said, "No, no!" Antimony, manganese, tin, tungsten sand, pig bristles, tung oil, cotton yarn and other materials are all produced by the hard work of China's workers and peasants, and they are the foundation on which they rely to make a living. If the state takes them without telling them and cuts them off from their source of livelihood, their actions are tantamount to killing people and extorting goods, and the result is equivalent to raiding their homes and destroying their homes. Such a way of killing chickens to take eggs and drying up the water and fishing is absolutely not advisable! I wonder what is another alternative to your repayment? ”

Hahausen said: "I heard that some time ago, the 47th Mixed Brigade of His Excellency the Prime Minister fought a fierce battle with the 1st Division of the Army and the 3rd Cavalry Brigade of the former President Mr. Yuan, outside Zhangjiakou. Our military has a strong interest in this new weapon, and if His Excellency the Prime Minister can provide drawings and samples of the design of this vehicle, we can waive this cost! ”

Sun Yuanqi sneered: "I'm sorry, Mr. Minister, now this kind of tank is a top state secret, just like the design drawings of your country's Nassau-class battleships (i.e., dreadnoughts), which must not be leaked!" ”

Hahausen hesitated for a moment and said, "If Your Excellency the Prime Minister is unwilling to provide information on this kind of combat vehicle, it is okay to use the design drawings of the new bomber!" ”

Sun Yuanqi said: "It's a big matter, let me think about it again!" ”

In fact, Sun Yuanqi couldn't afford to pay the 4.2 million silver dollars, and he could even get out of the Bloomage Bank with a little squeeze, how could he exchange the treasures of the town and the country such as tanks and aircraft design drawings? What's more, Qingdao is now a hot potato in the hands of Germany, I can't wait to throw it out as soon as possible, the longer I hold it, the less valuable it is, how can Sun Yuanqi be stupid and make a deal with Germany now? So for now, it's natural to use delaying tactics as much as possible. (To be continued.) If you like this work, you are welcome to come to the starting point (qidian.) to vote for recommendation, monthly pass, your support, is my biggest motivation. For mobile phone users, please go to m.qidian. )