The telegram was sent by Hioki, the Japanese minister in Beijing. In this era, the ministers of the great powers were not simple diplomats. They were emperors. They represented the great powers to safeguard their interests in China. Each of them held the power of life and death. Even the president Yuan Shikai
You have to look at the faces of these great powers.
Japanese Minister Masuo Hioki was the culprit who planned the Twenty-One Plan. He wanted to take advantage of the time when the great powers had no time to look eastward to swallow up China, but to be honest, this goal did not come true.
The things involved in the Twenty-one Articles were so important that they even made all the great powers panic, fearing that Japan would monopolize China. Yuan Shikai also adopted a conciliatory attitude. Although Lao Yuan finally accepted some of the terms and signed the so-called democratic treaty,
Four treaties. However, if you compare carefully, you will find that the Fourth Civil Treaty limited Japan's rights and interests to the three northeastern provinces. Even if the rights and interests ceded by the three northeastern provinces were granted, Lao Yuan also instructed the localities to boycott them, making it impossible for Japan to implement them.
Yuan Shikai suffered too much infamy in his life. In fact, many of the charges were really wronged against him. How many choices does a leader of a weak country have? Perhaps his biggest mistake was to restore the monarchy, which made his reputation go down the drain.
At this time, Hikiichi was worried about being unable to implement the treaty. Suddenly he received a report from his subordinates. Some newspapers published articles about Japanese rogues committing crimes in Fengtian. When Hikiichi heard this, he was shocked and he hurriedly asked his subordinates to take action.
I took the newspaper and read it carefully.
His face was livid, and he slapped his thigh hard: "Stupid, beyond stupid! How can this idiot Yata cause trouble for the empire at this time!"
Hioki is in Beijing and knows Japan's situation better than Yata. The great powers are already very dissatisfied with Japan's attempt to monopolize China. At this time, Japan is far from strong enough to ignore the great powers. As long as the United Kingdom and the United States and other countries pass some trade sanctions,
It would cause Japan to suffer great losses.
In Hikihi's view, the right and wrong of the Fengtian incident is no longer important. What is important is that the great powers will take this opportunity to jointly attack Japan, and China has also launched a boycott of Japanese goods. This is for the rapidly taking off country.
This is definitely not a good thing for the Japanese economy.
Therefore, Hioki Masukai sent a strongly worded telegram to Yata, asking him to calm down the incident in Fengten as soon as possible and not to damage the image of the Japanese Empire.
After receiving the telegram from Hikihi, Yata suddenly felt a heavy pressure on his shoulders. Just as he was thinking about countermeasures, someone came to see him.
The person who came was a thin old man in his fifties. He wore big glasses and looked polite. But don't be fooled by this man's appearance. He was the famous Kawashima Naniwa, who first tried to separate the three eastern provinces.
careerist.
After he arrived at the consulate, he said straight to the point: "Consul General Yata, Chinese students and businessmen launched a march against the empire. This is a blatant provocation to the dignity of the empire. I think decisive measures must be taken to knock this trend down.
I am willing to be your pawn and summon the Japanese samurai to teach those Chinese people a lesson and let them taste the pain!"
Kawashima Naniwa ran to Yata and recommended himself. On the other side, Zhang Xiluan, the governor of Fengtian, also summoned Zhang Zuolin. Zhang Xiluan was proficient in bow and horse in his early years and made many military exploits. Because he especially liked good horses, he was nicknamed Kuai Ma Zhang. He was also a trend in the late Qing Dynasty.
figure.
However, the old man was already over seventy at this time, and his energy and physical strength were declining day by day. He could no longer ride a fast horse, and even the daily government affairs were postponed. He was just dawdling in the office of Governor of Fengtian.
However, in more than a day, the 27th Division first detained the Japanese ronin who were causing trouble, and then there was a demonstration in Fengtian. Seeing that if it was not handled well, it would lead to a major incident of Sino-Japanese conflict, the old man could no longer
Unable to sit still, I had no choice but to invite Zhang Zuolin.
Zhang Zuolin had worshiped Zhang Xiluan as his godfather a few years ago. Although he despised the old coffin man from the bottom of his heart, Zhang Zuolin still wanted to maintain basic respect for him and hurriedly came to see him. Zhang Tinglan also became an adjutant and followed Zhang Zuolin to the governor's office.
Mansion.
When Zhang Xiluan saw Zhang Zuolin coming, the old man hurriedly came out to greet him.
"Godfather, how can I work for you? Isn't this a shame for my son to be unfilial?"
"Yuting, let's not talk about this between us. Let's talk about how to get through this hurdle. I am an old man and I can't help but struggle like this. This conflict between China and the Yangtze has always been a difficult matter. I think it was once
Wen Zhenggong was in danger because of this, and there was also the Gengzi Rebellion, and it was also because the Boxers killed foreigners. I am sitting on pins and needles now."
Seeing that the governor was so cowardly, not only Zhang Zuolin, but also Zhang Tinglan despised him. How could he be a military commander without any murderous spirit and courage? Kuai Ma Zhang was just a simpleton.
"Dad, don't worry, things haven't reached that point yet. Fengtian is still China's territory, and the Japanese cannot do anything they want."
Zhang Xiluan felt a little relieved when he saw Zhang Zuolin was so confident. He sat tremblingly on his seat and sighed: "Yuting, just now Japanese Consul General Yata sent a message, asking me to calm down the students as soon as possible.
Parade, and also ask Yuting to release the detained Japanese."
Lao Zhang's brows rose: "The Japanese prodigals are doing evil things. It is reasonable for us to detain these people. If there is no suitable explanation, we will let them go and let the elders in Fengtian think of us. Moreover, those students will still
Poke our spine, even President Yuan in Beijing will blame you if he finds out!"
Zhang Xiluan also knew that Zhang Zuolin was right. He had received the secret order. Yuan Shikai asked him to secretly boycott the Fourth Treaty of the People's Republic of China, restrict Japanese activities, and prevent Japan from purchasing land at will. This time, the Japanese used despicable means to plot a food trade all over the world. It seemed that
The matter is not big, but at this juncture, it affects the hearts of everyone.
"Hey, at my old age, why have I got involved in such a thing? I'm going to lose my life insurance as an old man!"
When Zhang Xiluan was sighing, there was a rush of footsteps outside, and someone shouted: "Brother-in-law, I came to see you when you are old."
While talking, a middle-aged man trotted to the main hall. This man was Zhang Xiluan's brother-in-law Lu Zhengxiong. When he looked up, he happened to see Zhang Zuolin sitting on the side. The color on his face suddenly changed. He had just been photographed by Zhang Zuolin.
If you are driven out of the military camp like a dog, everyone will lose face.
"Mr. Zhang, you are here too!" Zhang Zuolin just snorted. Zhang Xiluan, who was sitting in the chair, asked: "Zhengxiong, what can I do for you?"
"Brother-in-law, some student representatives in Fengtian want to go to the Governor's Palace and the headquarters of the 27th Division to petition, demanding severe punishment for the Japanese ronin who are making trouble. You think this is not causing trouble, I ordered the troublemaking students to be dispersed, and those brats still haven't
Convinced, I slapped a few pricks on the head on the spot. They are all more honest now, what do you think of my skills?"
Lu Zhengxiong had a flattering look on his face, and he thought Zhang Xiluan would praise him, but he didn't know that Kuaima Zhang's face was as gloomy as the bottom of a pot. Zhang Zuolin stood up suddenly, pointed at Lu Zhengxiong with his finger and yelled: "Asshole, it's your fault.
You are still a police officer from Fengtian, how can you attack students, this is just adding fuel to the fire!"
Zhang Tinglan's complexion was also not good. He hoped to use public opinion to force Japan to retreat, but he was more afraid of causing a bloody conflict. The situation was now out of control. He hurriedly said: "Mr. Zhang, the old governor, the students are passionate and have always been
It is better to block the situation than to open it up. I am worried that the conflict will become more intense and we must take action as soon as possible."
