Tan Yankai, Deng Xihou, and Li Zongren, these three people look very interesting. Tan Yankai has become famous for a long time. He was known as the "Three Young Masters of Hunan" along with Tan Sitong and Chen Sanli. After the Republic of China, he served as the governor of Hunan several times, which is considered famous in Hunan.
The highest and oldest political veteran.
These are nothing, but one thing surprised everyone. Tan Yankai played a great role in Hunan's federal-provincial autonomy. But this time Zhang Tinglan raised the banner of opposing federal-provincial autonomy. It stands to reason that Tan Yankai would not be liquidated.
It's already pretty good, but it's really puzzling how it still gets the chance to be reused.
In addition, Deng Xihou and Li Zongren can only be regarded as local emperors on one side. Outside the province, not many people know about them, but Zhang Tinglan promoted these two juniors.
Using the old and the new together makes it really difficult to figure out Zhang Tinglan's routine. Outsiders can't see through it, so Zhang Tinglan has a reason for his arrangement. This crusade against the south can actually be regarded as the first step to unify the world.
If you want to unify the world, you must recruit all kinds of talents. You can't limit yourself to the three eastern provinces. You can't miss the talents available in the south. What's more, Deng Xihou has established a line with Fengjun early, and Zhang Tinglan also wants to promote him.
In addition, Li Zongren and Bai Chongxi of the Guangxi Clan were both talented in military affairs, and Zhang Tinglan also wanted to win over them. Moreover, Li Zongren happened to be relatively late in his fortune and had not yet become a prince, so he was in a good position to take action.
More than a year ago, Feng Jun and Li Bai got in touch, provided them with a loan of two million, and sent a batch of obsolete water rifles to them. They also secretly sent some military instructors there without any courtesy.
It is said that Li Bai was Fengjun's spokesperson in Guangxi.
Now the time is ripe to show these cards. They are all the way in Sichuan and all the way in Guangdong and Guangxi. In fact, they have formed a crescent-shaped encirclement against the rebels in Jiangsu and Zhejiang. At the same time, it also shattered some people's dreams of separatist rule in the south.
South of the Yangtze River, there are still a large number of forces close to the Fengjun. It is wishful thinking to want to rule across the river.
As for Tan Yankai, Zhang Tinglan didn't have much of a good impression. This guy was like a crystal ball with all sides. He was a lively Feng Dao who accompanied food and painted promises. He was a complete old bureaucrat. For such a person, Zhang Tinglan originally didn't want to use him.
However, just when Fengjun started to move south, Wang Yongjiang sent a secret message to Zhang Tinglan. Zhang Tinglan might not care if it were someone else, but Wang Yongjiang, who was also a teacher and friend, did not dare to take it seriously.
In the telegram, Wang Yongjiang analyzed the situation. He also believed that this was a good time to extend his power to the whole country. However, Wang Yongjiang also bluntly reminded Zhang Tinglan that with the current strength, it is still too difficult to control the whole country.
, so it is necessary to create as few grudges as possible and win more people's hearts.
In fact, most of the bureaucrats and gentry who advocate federal provincial autonomy are just outsiders. If they can succeed, they will take the opportunity to expand their power. If not, they will immediately change their families. Since the Republic of China, these guys have been swinging between the north and the south.
This action has become extremely skillful.
Although he also looked down upon Yongjiang, the weakling king, there was no need to force them to a dead end, especially when the strength in hand was not enough.
It was precisely because of Wang Yongjiang's warning that Zhang Tinglan decided to appoint Tan Yankai, in order to set an example for the fence-sitters. As long as they could change their ways, there would still be a chance.
Tan Yankai, an old fox, also knew the elegant meaning of Xiange by listening to it, and immediately issued a message, claiming that he originally advocated federal provincial autonomy in order to seek welfare for his hometown. However, this idea has been misappropriated by a group of separatists and has become their own.
Shelter. Therefore, Tan Yankai said that he was retracting his previous views, supporting Beijing wholeheartedly, and doing his best to equalize the chaos and restore peace to the world.
This old fox could be so obedient, but he was still overawed by the powerful force of Fengjun, not even the British, let alone these domestic warlords!
However, Tan Yankai also had reservations. He shouted loudly but did not take many real actions. This old fox was still observing, wanting to see whether Fengjun could withstand the British retaliation. Finally, he decided where to go.
In fact, compared with the domestic public opinion, there was also an uproar in the world. China sank a British warship. A public colony in the eyes of the world actually challenged the world hegemon. No matter how you look at it, it seems like hitting a stone with an egg.
Many conservative British media have clamored to severely punish China and organize the Eight-Nation Allied Forces again to let the Eastern people taste the power of the Western fist. Of course, this time is completely different from 1900, and many media controlled by the United States are gloating about the misfortune.
appearance.
The British monopolized the Yangtze River Basin, the richest area in China, which had long aroused dissatisfaction in the United States. At this time, someone finally came out to challenge the British, and also made the British disgraced. Many people in the United States felt relieved. After all, on the issue of the League of Nations
, Britain and France collaborated with the United States, which temporarily shattered this emerging country's dream of becoming a hegemon. Now that they see the British being unlucky, they naturally gloat about their misfortune.
The debate in the media actually represents the differences between the great powers. Starting from the attack on the warship, the British were immediately alarmed. As an old overlord, the British bureaucracy is quite efficient. For these emergencies, the British
It also has its own set of countermeasures.
First, the British summoned ministers from various countries under the banner of unity of the great powers, hoping to bring everyone together to put pressure on China.
British Minister Eston first said: "Gentlemen, the Chinese shamelessly attacked the British Empire's warships. This is a very serious provocation. I think severe measures must be taken to punish the audacious Chinese."
"I support Mr. Eston's view. If necessary, I think war should be declared on China immediately, to completely overthrow the Zhang Tinglan regime and establish a new regime that can respect the interests of all countries."
The speaker was none other than Japanese Minister Yoshizawa Kenkichi. China and Japan had just had an in-depth and friendly international exchange. Zhang Tinglan had already regarded Japan as a life-or-death enemy. During this period, the Japanese have been working hard and licking their wounds.
, preparing to compete with Fengjun again at the right time.
After the conflict between China and Britain, the Japanese believed that the opportunity they had been waiting for had finally come. Therefore, Fang Ze appeared to be more active than the British and said loudly: "At any time, the Japanese Empire is willing to stand with the British to jointly safeguard the Far East.
order."
Eston is not a fool. If they could declare war, the British would have declared war long ago. Why call all these people together again! The Japanese seem to support the British very much. In fact, to put it bluntly, they just want to put the British on the fire and let them roast.
If a war breaks out between China and Britain, they can profit from it.
On the side, French Minister Qi Leye also said: "What the humble China needs most is a lesson. The huge British fleet should take immediate action to wake them up with cannons and blood."
As the saying goes, those who watch the excitement are not afraid of big troubles. France also jumped out and encouraged Britain to send troops. Qi Leye also appeared to be filled with righteous indignation.
Shulman, the new U.S. Minister to China, looked disapproving: "Mr. Aston, it is certainly a regrettable thing that China attacked the British fleet, but the British fleet appeared in China's civil war and helped.
The rebels in the South, I think this is equally inappropriate."
Aston was stunned for a moment. He did not expect that Americans would have such an attitude. To be honest, Americans are becoming more and more important in the world. As the largest industrial country and the creditor of the British, the United States cannot
I am willing to stand with the UK. It is absolutely a tragedy for the UK.
But just when Aston was thinking about how to persuade Shulman, Italian Minister Edward also spoke: "British unilateral intervention in China's civil war will have a very bad impact on the Chinese people and even arouse the resentment of the Chinese people.
, just like they did in 1900. But what I want to say is that I am afraid that the young Italians are not willing to cross the ocean and come to fight in this unknown land."
At this time, the Prime Minister of Italy was already Mussolini. As a country that had signed a large number of cooperation agreements with Fengjun, Italy would obviously not stand with the United Kingdom. A few words from Edward had completely shattered the dream of the Eight-Nation Allied Forces.
Broken.
Times have changed, and there will no longer be any coalition of powers. Excluding Germany, Russia, and Austria-Hungary, only Japan and France sided with the United Kingdom.
Japan is trying its best to instigate Britain because of its hatred, while France is angry and stands with Britain because Zhang Tinglan vetoed the Golden Franc Bill, shattering the French dream of extorting a fortune. However, although these two countries
They support the UK, but they also have their own agendas and are not really willing to be Britain's little partner.
As for the United States and Italy, they value cooperation with China more and are unwilling to take chestnuts from the fire for the British.
Aston secretly sighed in his heart. In fact, not only these countries have changed, but also the British Empire. Britain, which was hollowed out by World War I, really did not have the courage to cross half the world and fight a life and death battle with China.
Already.
"Gentlemen, Britain will naturally retain the power to use force in response to China's provocation, but before that, strong sanctions are also very important. All countries will stop all trade with China, and warships from other countries will be dispatched together.
Blockade the Yangtze River and prevent Feng's army from going south."
As soon as they said this, both Schulman and Edward lowered their heads slightly, their eyes falling on the tips of their leather shoes, as if they could see a flower inside. Obviously, these two people did not care about these proposals that were harmful to economic interests.
willing.
Aston looked at them with a stern face: "Gentlemen, you must understand that today's challenge to the British Empire may fall on everyone tomorrow. If we blindly indulge the Chinese, we will lose this place forever!
"
Faced with Aston's threat, Schulman and Edward reluctantly nodded in agreement, but whether they really did so would depend on the situation.
…
"Vice President, the British made a strong protest and listed several conditions, requiring us to respond immediately." Rong Zhen introduced the situation to Zhang Tinglan.
Zhang Tinglan showed a happy smile on his face: "In the past, we always protested against others, but now we are suddenly being strongly protested by the British. This feels really good. When will the streets in the UK be filled with demonstration teams?
We have achieved righteous results by holding slogans against China!"
When Rong Zhen heard this, he also laughed and said: "Vice President Mingjian, the British only protested and did not really declare war. In fact, it was a manifestation of fierceness but inner weakness."
Zhang Tinglan smiled slightly and looked at the conditions proposed by the British, which included compensation for the loss of warships, an apology to the British, the return of prisoners, severe punishment of the pilot responsible, returning the stranded Yarmouth to the British, and a guarantee that this would never happen again.
matter……
After a few glances, Zhang Tinglan put it aside and sneered: "The British are wishful thinking. Not only can they not be compensated, but they will also have to swallow a bigger bitter pill! From now on, we will drive British forces out of the country."
Rong Zhen was also very perceptive and immediately smiled and said: "Vice President, do you mean to attack the concessions of the great powers?"
"It's not the great powers, it's the United Kingdom!" Zhang Tinglan corrected: "It's not appropriate to make too many enemies yet. The United Kingdom was the first to seize the concession and the largest area. Once the British are eliminated, everything else will be easy."
Rong Zhen nodded hurriedly: "Vice President, how do you think we should take it back? Should we directly send the troops in?"
"No." Zhang Tinglan still shook his head: "After the army enters, it is easy to stimulate other powers, and the British concessions are all over the country, and our troops have not arrived in many places. I think we might as well take advantage of public opinion. They are not available everywhere now.
Is it okay to be anti-British? If the people are angry for a moment and rush into the concession, I'm afraid no one will have anything to say."
Zhang Tinglan learned this idea during the Northern Expedition. People from Hankou and Jiujiang rushed into the concession and drove away all the British military and police. This became an established fact, and then the British had to bow their heads and put them away.
The two concessions were returned to the Chinese side.
However, Zhang Tinglan's handiwork is obviously bigger. Hankou and Jiujiang are definitely not enough. Tianjin, Zhenjiang, Xiamen, and Guangzhou are all in Zhang Tinglan's plan. These countries, large and small, have long become a worry for Zhang Tinglan. Well,
Why was China's land seized by foreign powers?
Now that we have the opportunity, we must not let it go. The first place to take action is Tianjin, which is closest to Beijing. As the gateway to Beijing, Tianjin has one of the largest number of concessions in the country.
Since 1860, the British have occupied concessions in Tianjin. After several expansions, the British concessions bordered the Haihe River in the east, along Machang Road to Tonglou in the south, Haiguang Temple Avenue (today's Xikang Road) in the west, and Baoshitu Road in the north.
It is adjacent to the French Concession and covers a total area of more than 6,000 acres. It is the largest concession in various countries.
However, this concession area that used to be bustling with entertainment was now under the most serious threat. Outside the concession, tens of thousands of angry people gathered in a sea of people, and the number was still increasing.
The Yangzhou tragedy was still raging, and the people's anger had been ignited. With the support of the government, these people had no fear and surrounded the British concession area.
Rotten eggs, rotten leaves, stones, clods of soil, and even feces fell into the concession like raindrops and hail.