Duan Qirui quickly stood up when he heard the voice: "Prime Minister Baixi, you are here!" Duan had just arrived, but he suddenly remembered that the war in Europe had been in full swing recently, and the army and navy had also made frequent moves, clamoring to consolidate the British alliance and maintain stability in the Far East. Even if we in China want to remain neutral, I am afraid it will be difficult to stay out of it! That's why I shook my head and sighed, not for any other reason. ”

Sun Yuanqi nodded: "The problem we are going to discuss today is how to deal with the challenges of this aspect!" ”

After beckoning everyone to take their seats, Sun Yuanqi continued: "Recently, there have been a lot of wastes waiting to be revived, and everyone is burning the ointment, and there is no time to take a step away. The reason why Sun suddenly convened an emergency cabinet meeting despite everyone's busyness was that early this morning, Kohata Youyoshi, the acting minister of the People's Republic of China in China, came to the door and demanded that China immediately stop all contacts with the German side and allow the Japanese to fight with Germany in order to fight for the Jiaoao region in Shandong.

"Some people may say that they want to fight, anyway, this kind of thing has not happened, just let them eat the dog and eat the dog's hair, we are happy to be quiet, as long as we sit firmly on the Diaoyutai and laugh at the two tigers fighting, maybe we can also be a cheap fisherman! Indeed, this kind of thing is very similar to the Russo-Russian War ten years ago, when the land battlefield was in our northeast, but the Qing Dynasty declared neutrality, and even set aside a combat area for this war. But did we get a little bit of a bargain in that war?

"Not only did we not get any money, but we paid a heavy price, with houses blown up, cattle looted, food looted, hundreds of thousands of people displaced, and countless Chinese people killed by both warring sides. The local people have suffered a huge disaster, and their lives and property have suffered an unprecedented catastrophe, and if Shandong allows them to do anything wrong now, I am afraid that the consequences will be even more tragic than ten years ago! ”

Tang Shouqian echoed: "Shandong is the hometown of Confucius and Mencius sages and the old state of Qilu etiquette, how can it be practiced by outsiders?" ”

Sun Yuanqi added: "It is said that earlier today, Germany had issued an ultimatum to Germany, demanding that Germany immediately withdraw all warships in the China Sea, immediately disarm those who cannot retreat, and unconditionally hand over all the leased land in Jiaozhou Bay to the management of Jiaozhou Bay before September 1, so that it can be returned to China when the conditions are right in the future." However, the crux of the matter is that Germany has signed an agreement with China as early as the end of June to return the Jiaoao area to China free of charge, and the two sides are currently in the process of handing over the Jiaoao area. In other words, now the Jiaoao region already belongs to China.

"I also made this clear to Minister Yukichi Kohata, but he insisted that Germany first hand over the Jiaoao region to them and then return it to us, and avoided answering the important questions I raised about why it had to be taken over by Rìmoto, and when it would be returned to China. And repeatedly threatened that if we do not sever relations with Germany and maintain the status quo of the Jiaoao area, all the serious consequences brought about by the rì will be borne by our country. The intimidation is beyond words! Its wolf ambition is violent! ”

Lu Zhengxiang stopped his pen and looked up and asked, "How does Prime Minister Baixi plan to respond to the requirements of this side?" ”

Sun Yuanqi said: "I read the "Historical Records" a few days ago, and I remember that the "Biography of the Huns" mentioned that when Mao Dunshan was first established, Donghu was relatively strong, and he repeatedly sent people to ask Mao Dun Shan Yu for BMWs and beauties, and Mao Dun was generous and gave them without hesitation; But when the king of Donghu asked for the deserted wasteland between him and the Xiongnu, Mao Dun was furious and said: "The land, the foundation of the country, how can I give it!" So he sent a large army to attack Donghu. Compared with the uninhabited wasteland of the Xiongnu, Shandong, which is a treasure of heaven and earth, is naturally a heaven and an underground, is our knowledge not as good as the Xiongnu Shan Yu thousands of years ago?

"Therefore, I would like to instruct the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to respond to the following demands: first, to once again make it clear to all countries that China strictly adheres to its position of neutrality in the European war, and is willing to abide by international conventions and continue to engage in all kinds of normal trade activities with European countries that do not endanger third parties; Second, continue to contact the U.S. side through Mr. Xia Kaifu, the Minister to the United States, to see if the two sides can work together to form a loose neutral alliance. I will also communicate with the current President of the United States, Mr. Wilson, through the sī relationship; Third, order the Minister Zhang Zhonghe (章宗祥) to warn him through unofficial channels that although China is not warlike, it is not afraid of war, and that China's sovereignty to defend its territorial integrity will not waver, so please think twice before acting! Do you have any objections to these three articles? ”

Lu Zhengxiang asked: "I have no objection to this, but I just want to ask if the British protest, how should we answer?" The British Minister to China, Zhu Erdian, was known for his arrogance, and he was stationed in China for nearly 40 years, making him the most difficult of all the ministers to deal with. If Prime Minister Baixi doesn't give a charter in advance, I don't know how to deal with it! ”

Sun Yuanqi said: "Zhu Erdian used to be arrogant, that is because the British Imperial Navy is behind his back, and now Britain is too busy to take care of itself in Europe, how can it have time to manage the affairs of the Far East?" Otherwise, it won't release the vicious dog of rì Ben! Without the support of the British Imperial Navy, do you think Juerdian can still be arrogant? Of course, in any case, the British Empire is still the nominal number one power in the world, the so-called 'tiger will not fall to the top, donkey will not fall to the end', it is better not to provoke him than not to provoke him, we can't offend a world power because of a momentary battle of will, if Zhu Erdian comes to ask, you will change the way to prevaricate him with 'neutrality'. ”

Duan Qirui asked, "According to intelligence, Rì has mobilized 80,000 army forces, including the 6th and 18th divisions, as well as a navy composed of more than 20 capital warships. If we talk about the army alone, the Northwest Army, which is now gathered in Shandong, already has 3 integrated divisions and 5 mixed brigades, which far surpasses the Rì Army in terms of numbers; With the geographical advantage and the possession of advanced weapons such as tanks and aircraft, it should not be a problem to defeat the army. But the subordinates are worried about the rì this navy!

"It is rumored that once Rìmoto sends troops to prepare to seize Qingdao, Vice Admiral Yuzaburo Kato, commander of the First Fleet, and Vice Admiral Dingyoshi Kato, commander of the Second Fleet, will lead their troops to blockade the sea near Shandong, and Rear Admiral Mitsujin Tsuchiya, commander of the Third Fleet, will also lead his troops to patrol the area from the mouth of the Yangtze River to the mouth of the Pearl River to monitor the movements of Chinese and German ships. If the army is unfavorable in the war, their subordinates are worried that their navy will threaten or shell Tianjin, Shanghai, Fuzhou, Guangzhou and other coastal areas! ”

Sun Yuanqi is obviously convinced of this: "In the face of this powerful navy, our navy is indeed dwarfed. However, Chief Zhiquan doesn't need to worry, Sun has already thought of countermeasures. If the navy is safe and guarded, we will naturally not be very sorry for ourselves; But if they dare to shell our coastal cities, we will definitely return an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, and they will regret it! ”

Duan Qirui was very curious about what Sun Yuanqi's so-called countermeasures were, and he could make Rì Ben regret it after he showed it. However, he was the chief of the army, and it was inconvenient to ask too much about the affairs of the navy, so he had to think about it secretly in his heart.

Chen Zhenxian, who has always been silent at cabinet meetings, suddenly suggested at this time: "Premier Baixi, according to Chen's speculation, since the German ship is planning to declare war on Germany, the German ship will inevitably be intercepted by the fleet of the German army on the way home, and even the outbreak of a major war is unknown. Although the German army is the strongest in the world, its forces in the Far East are still weak, and the so-called 'outnumbered' is really against the Rì army, and it is estimated that there will be more defeats and fewer victories. In that case, can we do something about this? ”

"Oh? What is the opinion of the chief priest? Sun Yuanqi hurriedly asked.

Chen Zhenxian said: "For example, let's secretly join forces with the German army and defeat Rìben in one fell swoop?" Or let's take this opportunity to buy German ships, heavy artillery and all kinds of guns at a low price, so that the German army can return to Germany smoothly as unarmed personnel?? ”

Everyone's eyes lit up suddenly.

Army Chief Duan Qirui also nodded frequently: "It may not be possible to join forces with the German army, but it is definitely a stroke of genius to take the opportunity to buy German weapons and equipment at a low price." As far as I know, Germany and Austria-Hungary have a total of 17 warships in Qingdao and the surrounding areas, with a total displacement of nearly 50,000 tons. For example, the Austro-Hungarian cruiser Empress Elizabeth, with a displacement of 4,030 tons, a speed of 20 knots, is equipped with 8 150 mm naval guns, 2 70 mm secondary guns, 14 50 mm speed shè guns and other weapons. Our Navy does not yet have a comparable ship! There are also newly equipped shallow water gunboats Qingdao and Motherland, which are also rare weapons! ”

Sun Yuanqi shook his head resolutely: "Absolutely not!" From now on, we will not have any dealings with the Germans, including the purchase of German ships, except for normal and public trade. If there is any sī bottom transaction, it will definitely bring us endless hidden dangers and serious consequences in the future! ”

"Why do you say that?" Everyone wondered.

Sun Yuanqi said in a low voice: "According to the results of joint research by the China Policy Research Institute of Jingshi University and other academic institutions and intelligence agencies, it is very difficult for Germany to win this European war. Once Germany loses and Britain returns to the Far East, it will definitely carry out a counteroffensive against China together with Rìben. The agreement we signed with Germany to return the Jiaoao region was before the end of June, and although it could not completely block the mouth of Britain and China, it could not be a reason for them to make things difficult for China. If we hook up with Germany now, and let them seize the handle in the future, won't the consequences be serious and the consequences will be endless? ”

Only then did everyone understand the reason for Sun Yuanqi's refusal, and they couldn't help but nod secretly.

Sun Yuanqi asked again: "Do you have any different opinions on such a reply?" If there are no objections, then let's start preparing. I want to see how capable this little rì is, and whether he can turn the sky upside down! ”rs！。