Chapter 147 The Affiliation of Han Yeping

The dinner was very pleasant. Although the conversation between the guests and the host was all polite and polite and did not involve any specific matters, the atmosphere was still quite harmonious overall. Xiao Yimin, who strongly occupied Yichang and became the host, was very graceful and polite. (")

In the next two days, all parties spent the open and secret negotiations. Xiao Yimin held open and honest talks with Feng Guozhang and Yoichi Tanaka on behalf of the Sichuan Army and the Sichuan Provincial Government.

Whether they believed it or not, Xiao Yimin sincerely introduced the development of Sichuan's industrial and commercial development and military construction to the two. Among them, they also focused on industrial and commercial development and education, clarifying Sichuan's political stance of strictly adhering to neutrality. No matter how they looked, they felt that Xiao Yimin was satisfied with cultivating his own acre of land and had no ambition to dominate the world. However, Tanaka Yoshiichi still maintained skepticism about the purpose of the Sichuan army occupying Yichang "only to ensure the development of foreign trade."

Feng Guozhang, who was in harmony with Duan Qirui, could finally breathe a sigh of relief. The "Yichang Sino-Japanese Confrontation Incident" that was widely concerned by Chinese and foreign public opinion was successfully resolved. Feng Guozhang's burden on his shoulders could finally be removed, and just need to announce the negotiation results to the outside world, it will surely bring a lot of reputation and prestige to the ambitious Feng Guozhang.

The entire negotiation process went very smoothly. After the deputy commander of the Sichuan Army, Wang Lingji, promised to "guarantee the safety and interests of the Japanese consulate and expatriates, impose tariffs in accordance with the original laws, and protect legal trade", the Japanese who achieved their goal were also very tactful and no longer obsessed with the "conventional" privileges they had enjoyed in the trade policy. Japanese negotiator Ogas Yoshihara proposed the request of Japanese merchants to purchase old wharfs and renovate special wharfs and reservoir areas, but was also rejected by Wang Lingji.

Wang Lingji, who is responsible for the specific negotiations, will support Yichang's industry and commerce and expand existing wharf facilities and tell the five measures to expand all four large and medium-sized wharfs and reservoir areas within one year, and purchase large passenger and cargo ferries to promote north-south transportation in Yichang. Among them, two existing civil terminals in Jiangbei, the newly built storage and transportation wharf and large transit warehouses in Jiangnan are all open to merchant ships and merchants from various countries. The Yichang River Defense Force will provide services for merchant ships and commodity trade in various countries to promote Yichang's prosperity and development.

On the morning of the third day, Tanaka Yoichi met with Xiao Yimin again. Then, with the warm farewell of many Chinese generals, he left Yichang "happily" and took a warship to Shanghai. Three other Japanese gunboats and a ship of marines who came to show off their power also returned to Wuhan to station. The tension in the Yichang River section finally calmed down. (　　　)

After seeing off the Japanese, Feng Guozhang finally got the opportunity to have a separate talk with Xiao Yimin. He walked into the main building hall of Linjiang Street, covering an area of ​​five acres and four three-story European-style buildings. Feng Guozhang was amazed at the luxury of the interior and then joked:

"Yiming, I didn't expect that the Yichang business community would respect you so much. I gave you such a large area of ​​industry just a few days after meeting."

Xiao Yimin laughed and asked Feng Guozhang to climb the third floor together, walk out of the wide and unique balcony, and enjoy the scenery of the entire river section and the north and south sides. Xiao Yimin pointed to the Japanese Consulate and Japanese Overseas Chinese Area a hundred meters away from the east, and then pointed to the simple cargo dock directly in front:

"This wide courtyard was originally built by a French businessman. After the Frenchman had enough money in China, he returned home in glory. The Yichang Chamber of Commerce bought this industry together with the freight terminal below... I used a new terminal to exchange it for this industry and the terminal below, and did not receive this huge gift. Moreover, the courtyard and the terminal below will soon become a camp for the Yichang River Defense Force. The small terminal below will also be expanded into a dedicated dock for the Jiang Defense Force. I plan to leave a few gunboats to maintain the safety of the Yichang River."

Feng Guozhang was slightly surprised: "You really don't plan to hand over Yichang to the Hubei Provincial Government?"

"How could it be? As the saying goes, if a person leaves a name and a geese leave a voice, I can't avoid the vulgarity!" Xiao Yimin looked at Feng Guozhang happily, and Feng Guozhang would also smile with great pleasure, as if he understood Xiao Yimin's good intentions.

According to a written agreement reached between the representatives of Sichuan and Hubei government representatives and the central special envoy yesterday, the Sichuan Army has the right to station in Yichang for five years, and use 50% of the trade tax and import and export tariffs in the Yichang region for five years to make up for the cost of Sichuan Army's out of Sichuan to suppress the rebellion.

For the Hubei Provincial Government, it is also an acceptable result. Anyway, the Sichuan Army cannot drive away for a while. Instead of getting nothing after a quarrel, it is better to take a step back and reach a five-year agreement that is beneficial to both sides. The nominal political jurisdiction is still in the hands of the Hubei government, and you can still get 50% of the import and export tariffs without worrying about anything. This result is much better than the possibility of not getting nothing after fighting for force.

As for the situation in five years, only God knows that Hubei military and political officials, including the governor Wang Zhanyuan, care about their term of office and immediate interests. No one knows where they are in five years. As long as they can have a reasonable reason to get over it, no one wants to break up. (")

The attendant served two cups of tea and quietly stepped down. Feng Guozhang took a sip of sweet and fragrant tea, praised it, and raised his head to look at Xiao Yimin: "Yiming, what do you think about the current dispute between the north and the south? What are your plans for the next step?"

Xiao Yimin held the teacup and thought for a moment: "It's very messy! To be honest, I can't stand the behavior of the South, otherwise I wouldn't respond to the central government's order and send troops to Yichang. Once the southern government is allowed to occupy Yichang, I'm afraid that the stability and unity situation that we finally got in Sichuan will be affected.

"On the surface, our Sichuan army has made huge profits in occupying Yichang, but in fact no one can understand the difficulties. Brother Hua Fu also knows that Sichuan offended the British and Japanese. Since the beginning of the year, it has been blocked from the warships of these two powerful countries. The export of local specialties such as pig bristles and tung oil in Sichuan has been severely setbacked, and imports have also been greatly hit. The import and export value and tax revenue of Sichuan have dropped by nearly 40%, which has caused friends in Sichuan's business community to go to their homes every few days and sigh. They are not at peace. They have to insist on saying that the situation is very good, and they keep saying hard words and lies to comfort the people.

"After thinking about it, I finally felt that only by occupying Yichang can we break the blockade of Sichuan by the great powers. Therefore, even if we spend more money and do more practical things for the people of Yichang, it is worthwhile for Sichuan's development. At the same time, it can stimulate Yichang's development, lay a solid foundation for the mutual communication between Sichuan and Hubei provinces, and thus improve the livelihood of the people of the two provinces. As for other political influences, it is not important to me."

Feng Guozhang nodded slightly, thought for a moment, and asked with a smile: "Yiming, it seems that you are still unwilling to send troops south to face the revolutionary armed forces, right?"

Xiao Yimin explained sincerely: "Let the position and face besides talking about the situation in Hunan in the east of Sichuan and the cost of military dispatch... Brother Huafu must have seen the chaos in Hunan. Your old friend Chen Huan is restless. He sometimes opposes the central government's surrender to the Southern Revolutionary Party, sometimes accuses the Southern Revolutionary Party, refuses to obey the call, and takes the opportunity to annex several local garrison troops of the Hunan Army. Now he has been appointed as the governor of Hunan by the central government.

"Chen Huan originally brought a brigade from Zhili, and last year he recruited another brigade in Hunan. Now his troops stationed in Hengzhou have reached 12,000. Who does this army support? In addition, my former colleague General Cheng Qian has also formed a team to respond to the revolutionary party in Changde. In addition, a division of Zhao Hengti from the Beiyang branch and several local armed forces in Hunan, the entire Hunan is now a gunpowder barrel that is about to explode!"

Feng Guozhang lamented deeply and agreed with Xiao Yimin's analysis:

"Yes, yes! Hunan is in chaos. It is not an exaggeration to say it is a powder keg. However, with the strong strength of my brother, he should be able to share some pressure for the central government, right?"

Xiao Yimin answered helplessly:

"I am willing but not capable enough... The Sichuan Army is nominally known as 150,000, but in fact only 120,000. Half of them were stationed in Bashu. The other 40,000 people had to control the vast Kangzang area for the central government. I have repeatedly requested the expansion of the army, but I did not get the support of the provincial government and the business community. It was already very difficult to send troops to Yichang this time. If it were not for the government's taxation and the vital interests of the merchants, I am afraid that no one in Sichuan would agree to send troops to Yichang. Alas! Brother Hua Fu also knew the political system of Sichuan. Just because the military expenditure was controlled and allocated by the government, it would have captured my life root. It was difficult to deal with it!"

Feng Guozhang laughed: "Aren't you all these made? In recent years, the literati from all provinces across the country responded to the bustling crowds, jumping up and down and strongly demanding the implementation of Sichuan's so-called democratic politics, which has caused us, the commander of the army, to suffer from headaches. You, the culprit, finally regret it?

"I heard that the business community in Bashu forced you to give up all your own industries, but it was not enough. I was also preparing to introduce measures to control military and political officials and their children to do business. Haha! This is not enough. The national conditions are different. China is not from Europe and the United States. My brother's intention is good, but unfortunately he was too hasty!"

Xiao Yimin was deeply touched: "I won't say it anymore, I'll hold my breath. Brother Huafu, I will return to Chengdu tomorrow. I don't know when I will meet my brother next time. I want to ask my brother for help if I have something!"

"You are welcome, brother. If you need Brother Yu, please give me some instructions. This time I will get five thousand German rifles and fifty heavy machine guns you provide at a low price, and give two hundred shell guns to Brother Yu. Brother Yu is a kind person." Feng Guozhang smiled and his half-closed eyes flashed by. He knew that the show was coming.

Xiao Yimin smiled and said, "Brother Huafu, I want Han Yeping."

"Bang dang..."

The teacup in Feng Guozhang's hand shook suddenly, and the lid was almost shaken off. The overflowing tea water filled his powerful hands. Xiao Yimin hurriedly took out his handkerchief to wipe it.

Feng Guozhang put the teacup on the edge of the balcony, took the handkerchief and wiped his hands slowly, and his mood had stabilized: "Yiming, please tell the truth to Brother Yu, do you really want to wade into this muddy water?"

Xiao Yimin nodded: "I know the difficulty of this matter, and I also know how great the benefits involved in all aspects of this matter are. Although mortgaged Han Yeping to the Japanese have always been opposed by all walks of life across the country, Brother Zhiquan and others have always ignored the public's opinions and persevered. The Japanese are determined to win at all costs to control the lifeline of our country's economy. Now it seems that Han Yeping is no longer just an iron ore, a coal mine and a steel plant, but has risen to the height of national self-esteem and national dignity, and its political influence far exceeds its own value."

"Then why are you still so persistent? Listen to Brother Yu's advice and give up, Yiming, this fact is too much involved." Feng Guozhang sincerely thought about Xiao Yimin. He did not want to see Xiao Yimin, who had established a good cooperative relationship with him, fall into endless trouble.

Xiao Yimin smiled gratefully, stared into Feng Guozhang's eyes, and asked in a low voice: "Brother Huafu, if I say I should get Han Yeping at all costs, will Brother Huafu help me with this within my ability?"

Feng Guozhang was stunned and hesitated for a long time, and finally agreed: "Although the military and political affairs in the Yangtze River Basin and the south of the Yangtze River are only nominally under my jurisdiction, I think I can still say a few words on the Han Yeping issue, but the key is not me. Brother Zhiquan, and the central government, the remaining trouble is the three-year contract signed by the Japanese and the Daye Iron Mine. These are not something I can manage. The Hubei Provincial Governor's Office and the Provincial Government are not a problem."

Xiao Yimin raised his hand and bowed: "Thank you Brother Hua Fu for your care. I will thank you very much after the matter is completed! To be honest, I have already obtained the Hanyeping Co., Ltd. in the hands of businessmen from Britain and the United States. All I lack is the support of the Hubei Provincial Government. As for Brother Zhiquan and the central government, I am confident that I can settle it with money."

Feng Guozhang was shocked: "This is a huge amount of more than 15 million yuan. You must think it through."

Xiao Yimin laughed: "No problem, the money is ready. As long as you get help from your elder brother, I will have the confidence to win Han Yeping! The people of the whole country and the vast number of patriotic young people will also become my greatest help."

Feng Guozhang was silent for a long time, and finally realized: "It turns out that you occupied Yichang to lay the foundation for taking Han Yeping..."
Chapter completed!