The changes of the Soviet and Russian negotiators have undergone a 180-degree change. Although they are not arrogant and respectful, they have also changed from tit-for-tat to full cooperation. In terms of the content of the negotiations, the Soviet Russian representatives are willing to export timber and iron ore, which are abundant in Russia.

When they heard that the Northeast was willing to import coal mines from the Amur region, the members of the Soviet delegation had serious faces, but their eyes expressed surprise.

The list proposed by Russia also put great pressure on the Northeast negotiating delegation. I don’t know how the Russians learned their geographical knowledge. Seeing the names of rubber and other tropical products on the list, the representatives were confused about whether the Northeast was even in the Northeast.

All tropical goods need to be imported. Why do the Russian representatives think that Northeast China has them?

But compared with the results achieved, these details pale into insignificance. Later in the negotiations, the Northeastern delegation raised a question, "Have the Soviet comrades completed the railways and roads leading to the mines?"

The Soviet and Russian comrades were stunned and asked questions in confusion. When they heard that Northeast China was willing to provide sales of railways and other infrastructure, the Russian delegation became alert.

The Northeast delegation also said, "If transportation can be completed as soon as possible, the cost of minerals will be reduced."

The Soviet and Russian representative opposite asked unhappily: "Are you plotting against us?"

This is indeed true. Although the Northeastern representative did not respond, he agreed in his heart. If possible, everyone would like to buy bargains.

After the Russian delegation's mood became more stable, the Northeast delegation continued: "Without railways, a large part of the cost is in transportation. This is a waste for Soviet Russia and Northeast China. We are willing to join hands with Soviet comrades.

Advance and reduce transportation costs.”

This remark did not receive a kind response. Although the negotiation started in a good atmosphere, it ended quite unpleasantly.

With great results and a lot of disappointment, Han Haitao and others reported the matter to He Rui. Seeing that He Rui was not affected at all, he just praised the comrades for their hard work and that the work was very effective. The comrades felt that something was wrong.

Since they were facing He Rui, everyone mustered up the courage to ask: "Chairman, are there any other considerations besides the negotiation list?"

He Rui chuckled, "Haha, Russia hopes to immediately determine the border with China. If it admits that those goods are imported, it will be equivalent to admitting that it is Russian territory."

Han Haitao and others were shocked. When they went there, they had no idea that there was such a consideration. Some people were worried that it would ruin He Rui's arrangements. However, before asking, He Rui replied: "Comrades did it."

Very good, let’s talk about it today.”

Just because the project is negotiated does not mean that everything is fine. After the big framework, there are still more details that need to be completed. For example, in order to complete the transportation, whether to build a bridge over the river. After all, railway transshipment requires unloading, and the cost is too high.

.

Railway transportation is just one of many detailed issues, and there are more details in it. A special working group needs to be set up to deal with the implementation of the project. When the negotiating team asked Han Haitao if he was willing to be the leader of the liaison group, Han Haitao immediately refused.

Inwardly speaking, Han Haitao actually doesn't like doing this job. Working in the Price Bureau is more suitable for his wishes. It is really full of fun to study and analyze the prices that are related to life every day. At least Han Haitao feels that it is quite fun.

This kind of life is very similar to Han Haitao's life as a small teahouse owner. At that time, Han Haitao often talked about these things with his guests. At that time, Han Haitao could only guess what happened to affect the market based on the extremely limited information he obtained.

Things, now Han Haitao is really able to understand what is going on by running the Price Bureau.

There was no forced requirement from the organization, so Director Han Haitao returned to the Price Bureau. The bureau was also very busy, and it was about to reach the 'New Year's Day', which was January 1st in the Western calendar. The Republic of China designated it as 'New Year's Day' and changed the first day of the lunar month to 'New Year's Day'.

'Spring Festival'.

In the Northeast, He Rui clearly ordered that the first day of January in the Western calendar is called the "New Year's Day", and the first day of the Lunar New Year is called "New Year's Day", or commonly known as "New Year".

Although he could not immediately figure out the political intentions of Soviet Russia from the trade negotiations, Han Haitao did understand the political significance of the Northeastern government's "New Year's Day" and the Republic of China government's "New Year's Day". After all, many domestic newspapers have mentioned

Comments were made on the debate between 'New Year's Day' and 'New Year's Day'.

From a calendar perspective, traditional literati agree with He Rui's title. But things are not that simple. From a political perspective, the Northeast local government establishing its own calendar is considered to be He Rui's attitude towards the Beiyang presidency.

Critics of He Rui believe that if He Rui was only motivated by calendar considerations, he could have made a request directly to the Republic of China government. With He Rui's influence, the matter might not be passed. After all, from a calendar perspective, ancient China

The year begins with the winter solstice, which is only a few days earlier than January 1 in the Western calendar.

Therefore, critics believe that He Rui's actions in Northeast China are obviously to promote his actions after he ascends to the position of president. It can also be regarded as a kind of external declaration.

Han Haitao was really puzzled when he saw the old story mentioned again in this year's Shenbao and other newspapers. In Han Haitao's view, it was only a matter of time before He Rui became the president of China. If he keeps talking about an old story, then

Is there nothing better to do than help people?

Anyway, Director Han Haitao has many things to do. It has entered the middle of winter, and the sales price of coal has begun to increase. At this time, the government must come forward to provide a batch of coal for people to keep warm. The new year has passed, and the Spring Festival is approaching, and the prices of various commodities have increased.

Gotta keep an eye on it.

From the beginning of the year to the Spring Festival, the price bureau was extremely busy. I walked out for a few days to inspect the work. By the time Han Haitao returned to the office, the New Year's holiday was over. On January 5, 1921, "Northeast Daily" published a news,

The Soviet Red Army broke through Kolchak's defense line, and the troops approached Vladivostok. He Rui, chairman of the Northeast Government, appealed to Soviet Russia and Kolchak, hoping to resolve the issue peacefully. The Northeast Government is willing to provide a place for peace negotiations between the warring parties.

.To avoid a humanitarian disaster in Vladivostok.

Han Haitao was stunned, thinking that such a fierce attack by the Soviet Red Army was probably related to the business negotiations conducted by the Northeastern government. But he was not sure what was going on.

Han Haitao, director of the Northeast Price Bureau, did not know what was going on, but He Rui, chairman of the Northeast Government, knew very well. Although He Rui himself did not receive news from the Soviet Union, the list of urgent purchases by the Soviet Red Army has been

Proved too much.

Grain, food, clothing, footwear, artillery shells, medical supplies, these emergency supplies are all urgently needed by the war side. Not only did the Soviet Union put forward such a list, but Kolchak of the White Guard put forward almost the same list. It was just that the Northeastern government

They did not provide goods to Kolchak.

At this time, He Rui had to see the British government's plenipotentiary representative in China, Zhu Erdian. Zhu Erdian came up and accused He Rui, "Your Excellency, Chairman, you have not done your best to stabilize the situation in the Far East!"

He Rui looked at old man Zhu Erdian's pretended official seriousness and felt it was funny in his heart. If Zhu Erdian had not assumed the title of plenipotentiary representative of the British government, He Rui would never have met Zhu Erdian in person.

But when things got to this point, He Rui patiently listened to Zhu Erdian's description of the attitude of the British Empire government, and then replied: "Your Excellency Zhu Erdian, from an official point of view, you should go to see the President of the Republic of China, His Excellency Xu Shichang. I am a local government,

It's useless what you say to me."

Of course Zhu Erdian knew that what He Rui said was right, but the British Empire was also a little confused at the moment. Before He Rui came onto the Chinese political stage, the British Empire used to divide China into North China and South China. Now it divides North China into two parts.

'Manchuria and Mongolia' and North China. The Manchuria and Mongolia region is already one of the three major forces in China, and is even considered to have as much potential as the entire South China.

In the past 1920, there was a severe drought in the north. The Zhili warlords who occupied Jiangsu, Zhejiang and other places saw that the strength of the North China warlord Duan Qirui was damaged, so they always wanted to attack Duan Qirui. However, He Rui always remained silent on Chinese politics.

The attitude was ambiguous. Moreover, the Zhili clique warlords believed that He Rui had obtained the position of Siping Governor from Duan Qirui. They were afraid that He Rui could not be persuaded, so they instead hoped to get support from the United Kingdom.

The UK does not care whether it supports the Zhili warlords, but once Duan Qirui fails, it will have a huge impact on the situation in China. This is what the UK does not want to see. The turbulent situation and the rapidly changing political structure will not affect the existing interests of the UK.

No benefit.

Moreover, the British are not clear about He Rui's attitude. Now Duan Qirui's Anhui clique is indeed encountering huge difficulties. From a purely military perspective, it should not be a rival to the direct warlords who occupy Jiangsu and Zhejiang. But once He Rui takes advantage of the defeat of the Anhui clique, the regime will be shaken.

Send troops to Shanhaiguan, expel the Zhili clique, and become the president of the Republic of China. The whole of North China will be unified in the hands of this young warlord. The new North China will have an overwhelming advantage over South China. He Rui is likely to take the opportunity to go south and unify the entire country.

China.

The UK never wants to see such a situation.

At this time, Zhu Erdian saw that He Rui was still looking matter-of-factly, and felt that He Rui looked hateful. A young man shouldn't be so high-spirited, how dare he say anything and do something? Why is He Rui, a 31-year-old young man, more powerful than the most popular person in China?

Does a cunning old bureaucrat look even more cunning and sophisticated?

Just when Zhu Erdian was feeling anxious, He Rui smiled and said, "Your Excellency Zhu Erdian, we have probably reached a consensus from an official perspective. As a friend, I have something I want to say. Do you want to hear it?"

Zhu Erdian was stunned for a moment, turned to look at the translator and recorder, and then turned back. If He Rui had spoken in a private capacity, of course it would have appeared in the report, but it would not have been recorded in official documents. Just then he turned around.

I signaled it to the translator and recorder, but the provincial people didn’t hear it clearly and made wrong records.

"What suggestions do you have, Mr. Chairman?" Zhu Erdian asked.

He Rui said cheerfully: "The White Guards are finished as an army, and the Red Army is about to capture Vladivostok. I have already started arranging ships to break the ice and send ships to pick up people. At this time, you should contact France quickly and pick people up. I

The news here that the White Guards are at the end of their rope has been published in The Times, Le Figaro, The New York Times and other newspapers, and the Western world has been asked to accept refugees. In the news, I will not be polite in any way.

"

Zhu Erdian couldn't help but smile bitterly in his heart. It would be strange if He Rui was polite in such news. It can be seen that He Rui is preparing to make a fortune and get a good reputation from this incident.

If no one reported this, and no one took the lead, it would not matter to Britain if the Red Army really killed millions of White Guard soldiers and civilians.

Once He Rui takes the lead in reporting and makes something like this, the European media will definitely follow suit. Mr. Zhu Erdian can even come up with several news headlines, such as, "The lives of millions of soldiers and civilians are at stake."

Another example is "Britain, the accomplice of the massacre! When the Soviet Union raised its butcher knife against millions of civilians, Britain remained silent"... This should be the title of a French newspaper.

Zhu Erdian composed himself and asked: "Let's continue with the official topic. Your Excellency He Rui, are you unwilling to contribute to the stability of the Far East?"

He Rui's face darkened, "I have made all the contributions I can. Your Excellency Zhu Erdian, if I order the dispatch of troops now, Japan will send troops tonight. And it is difficult for me to determine who the target of the attack will be. Does the British government want the entire Northeast to be attacked?"

Are they all in a ball?"

Zhu Erdian knew that what He Rui said was correct. Japan is already very nervous about the changes in the situation. Unless Britain personally sends troops, Japan will have a certain certainty. If Britain does not send troops, Japan does not want the situation to turn in favor of He Rui.

direction development.

After another period of meaningless official wrangling and exchange of insults, the official meeting ended.

At the banquet that night, He Rui and Zhu Erdian held wine glasses and sat next to the warm fireplace in the small single room. He Rui gently shook the goblet in his hand to let more of the fragrant wine aroma escape. He sipped.

After taking a sip, He Rui said: "According to the Chinese saying, there is no need to worry about having no firewood to burn the green hills. Save the lives of these people in Belarus. Only when there is a change in the Soviet Union, the provisional government will have a chance."

Zhu Erdian probed: "Do you want to take in these White Russians?"

He Rui chuckled, "I don't want any of them. In the newspapers, I will strongly criticize the UK, France and the US for ignoring the humanitarian disaster. I will use the power of the media to ask the UK, France and the US to transport the people away quickly."

Taking in a million White Russians is really nothing to Britain and France. Moreover, among these people are a large number of old Russian aristocrats and clergy, who are completely ignored. The pressure from public opinion is indeed great.

"Sir He Rui, I'm very curious, why would you do this?"

He Rui replied seriously: "If there is no humanitarianism, what is the difference between us and wild beasts? Does Lord Zhu Erdian like to see millions of people bleeding into rivers?"

Of course Zhu Erdian didn't like to see it, but Zhu Erdian didn't believe that what He Rui said was sincere. After thinking for a moment, Zhu Erdian asked: "Your Excellency He Rui, if you have the opportunity to take advantage of the contradiction between the Zhili and Anhui factions to gain a higher status..."

He Rui immediately interrupted Zhu Erdian, "The Chinese people have suffered for too long, and I don't want to see any war in the country! Now as long as I dare to say a word, countless people will come to Shenyang to test me. Because

They thought I was interested in intervening in the situation, so I just kept silent."

Zhu Erdian still didn't believe He Rui's words, but Zhu Erdian decided to believe He Rui's attitude. After several years of dealing with each other, Zhu Erdian felt that He Rui was a very stable person. Although the benefits that should be reaped should not be lost at all, there was a bottom line that should not be touched.
To be continued...