However, we still have to give some face to the Western powers. Ri Zhiyi later responded that the secret talks with China are only about the ownership of the Qingdao issue, and there is no so-called "Twenty-One". The attitude of Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is very clear.
, that is, they resolutely refuse to admit the existence of these private clauses in front of Britain and the United States, but on the other hand they still continue to put pressure on China and force China to sign and jump as soon as possible.
On September 10th, the Japanese Embassy conveyed a message from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, giving an ultimatum to China. And on the same day, the 5th Division and the 18th Division mobilized from North Korea and Japan to gather in Lushun
The divisions carried out training on war preparation instructions together, and used force to put pressure on the Beiyang government.
As news from all aspects gathered in Bei Jing, Yuan Su felt a little anxious while waiting for Yuan Shikai's reaction.
The historical Sino-Japanese negotiations were originally concluded in May. Obviously, it was because of the historical microwave caused by time travel that the negotiations were delayed until now. But in any case, even a slight delay in time has not been able to solve the problem.
The actual facts caused a slight change. If Yuan Shikai really signed the "Twenty-One" with Japan against his will, then let alone the Hongxian monarchy would not have any changes, the Beiyang government would completely go on a path of disintegration from now on.
Yuan Su kept in contact with Reynoldson on the ninth and tenth days, and sent more than twenty messages to and from him.
He had always hoped that through Reynoldson he could persuade the British side, even if it was to give Japan a warning, and give up supporting Japan to seize Qingdao. Reynoldson's hatred of "Twenty-One" is the most obvious, because he
In the past few years, all the forces that have developed in China have been in coastal areas, and they even plan to expand more territories along the coast of Zhili in the next few years.
However, the British side only cares about exposing the secret agreement between Japan and China. What's more, Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has repeatedly denied the existence of the secret agreement, saying only that the secret agreement is about the ownership of Qingdao after the war. Britain and the United States currently have no way to take substantive measures against Japan.
Sanctions can only be verbal warnings at best.
Even though Reynoldson conveyed Yuan Su's intention to Whitehall, revealing that the Beiyang government intended to hand over Qingdao's ownership to the British, this matter once aroused a burst of interest in the embassy in China. Zhu Erdian also made a special statement on this matter.
Several telegrams were sent to London, providing some interest analysis and program suggestions for taking over Qingdao.
However, after careful consideration, the British government believes that the United Kingdom currently does not have excess resources to allocate to take over Qingdao. Furthermore, since the European war needs to attract Japan to participate in the war, Japan should be given some benefits. China's Qingdao is used in exchange.
The conditions are the most suitable choice for the UK.
Because of this, the British Minister in China ultimately rejected the proposal submitted by Reynoldson.
However, from the beginning, Reynoldson did not place all his hopes on these civilian bureaucrats in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. While waiting for Zhu Erdian's reply, he continued to lobby his superior unit, Whitehall, and made wild claims that Japan
Sooner or later, the development of the navy will threaten Britain's maritime supremacy. Even if it is not considered now, it should be considered in the future.
In particular, Japan actually threatened the Beiyang government and asked China not to concession coastal areas and islands to other countries. This was already restricting the expansion of British maritime power in the Far East. Japan's refusal to acknowledge it does not mean that it is not true. Internally, the Beiyang government
Many senior officials have confirmed the authenticity of the "Twenty-One Articles", and Japan has not given up forcing China to submit.
Reynoldson hopes that Whitehall can put aside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and directly cooperate with certain forces in the Beiyang government to support this force to counter Japan's arrogant ambitions.
Whitehall naturally looks at global strategy more carefully than the bureaucrats sitting in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, considering that the current main task is to deal with the European battlefield, it cannot be too obvious to target Japan, a military ally.
, so the solution given is "As long as the Chinese army can take over Qingdao without conflict with the Japanese army, the British army will provide appropriate support."
When Yuan Su received the news, it became increasingly clear that the Qingdao issue could be solved forcefully. He responded to the message by text, expressing his great gratitude to Reynoldson for his efforts and that he would always remember this kindness.
He conveyed the news to Yuan Shikai through the Attendant's Office of the Presidential Palace on the same day. Only ten minutes later, Yuan Shikai sent Xia Shoukang to the Beihai Guesthouse to invite Yuan Su to attend the advisory meeting of the Military Counselor Office of the Presidential Palace. Obviously, this meeting was already very early.
The preparations started, but they were just temporarily allowed to participate.
In any case, he knew that this meeting was the moment when Yuan Shikai made the final decision, and it also meant whether Beiyang government and modern Chinese history could reach a turning point.
The advisory meeting of the Military Counselor's Office was held in the main conference room of Huairen Hall. When Yuan Su followed Xia Shoukang into the venue, the conference table here was already filled with many senior staff members of the Presidential Palace. Not only people from the Military Counselor's Office, but also
There are officers in charge of other departments such as the Foreign Affairs Office and the Internal Affairs Office, and even senior officials of the Army Ministry such as Duan Qirui and Xu Shuzheng.
There were several foreign consultants leaning against the wall, but they were all consultants from Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The only exception was Ban Zhichao, the Japanese consultant who was most trusted by Yuan Shikai before. From this point of view alone, it seems that
It can already predict the purpose of this meeting, which more or less gives everyone some expectations and hopes.
Everyone nodded and saluted Yuan Su, but Duan Qirui just glanced at him lukewarmly without making any comment.
An empty seat was added under the conference table. Xia Shoukang said some explanations in a good voice, leaving Yuan Su to sit down temporarily.
Not long after Yuan Su took his seat, the side door of the conference room opened, and outside the door Cheng Qiguan sang: "The President is here!"
Everyone stood up one after another and turned to the side door with solemn eyes. After a while, Yuan Shikai strode into the venue surrounded by a group of entourage and staff. The majestic presidential uniform was neatly dressed, but his face was full of confusion.
A solemn and cold expression.
"No need to be polite, just sit down. Time is running out." Yuan Shikai walked to the first chairperson's seat and said neatly.
When the attendees heard these words, everyone's faces became more serious. Everyone could see that the atmosphere was extraordinary. After taking their seats, Yuan Shikai first glanced at Yuan Su, who was sitting directly opposite him.
, the eyes are quite complicated, and the eyebrows look even more sad and heavy.
"Keli, if you asked someone to tell you just now, I have already talked with Mr. Slater."
Yuan Su did not expect that the first thing in the meeting would be related to him. However, the promise given by Whitehall was an unwritten promise. Not only was it not made public, but it also needed to be kept secret. After all, this matter had nothing to do with the British Foreign Office.
The policy is in the opposite direction, and once it is spread, it will inevitably cause internal discord.
He secretly broke into a cold sweat, and his eyes couldn't help but fall on Slater, the British military adviser who was sitting against the wall.
At this time, Slater stood up and said in righteous English: "I can prove that there is indeed such news from London, but I also hope that everyone here can understand that the moral assistance of our British Empire is necessary.
The premise is that your country must take over Qingdao without having a military conflict with Japan. This is the top priority."
Hearing this, Yuan Su felt a little more relieved. Since Slater is a military adviser, he is also a member of the military department in the system, and he is also a military adviser to the presidential office. The order sent by the White House will naturally be obtained as soon as possible.
Know.
Yuan Shikai nodded slightly and said calmly: "Riben bullied me too much. After thinking about it over and over these past few days, I still feel that this matter is not trivial. If I let Riben get this inch, he will definitely take another step. Yesterday
In the morning, I have withdrawn the order of Qingdao Neutral War Zone issued previously. If the results of today's meeting can be discussed, tomorrow I will formally note to the Japanese Minister and announce the sovereignty of Qingdao. Dear gentlemen, this matter is about national sovereignty and more about national sovereignty.
The majesty of our Beiyang legal system at home and abroad must not be underestimated."
After saying these words, the whole audience was in an uproar. Although before entering the venue, everyone had more or less guessed the content of today's meeting, but when Yuan Shikai made such a determination, all the previous disappointments were suddenly transformed into hope.
, this huge contrast inevitably has a huge impact on emotions.
Duan Qirui and Xu Shuzheng both showed excited expressions, and several civilian officials in the Foreign Affairs Office were also very happy. Only a few staff officers in the Military Consultative Office were worried. These people were unswerving supporters of the imperial system.
Originally, he was in favor of exchanging Qingdao for Japan and supporting the proclaimed emperor. Now that the president has suddenly changed his mind, he is afraid that it will affect the process of the imperial system.
After waiting for the audience to calm down slightly, Yuan Shikai turned to the German military adviser Reinhardt and asked: "Has Qingdao made a decision?"
Reinhard nodded and said unhurriedly: "Our German Empire's Far East Command will still adhere to the previous agreement with the President. As long as the squadron enters Qingdao, our German Empire's troops in Qingdao can
The relevant handover will be completed within a week. However, all the conditions we have proposed are non-negotiable, and we hope that the President can understand."
Before officially participating in the World War, the Beiyang Presidential Palace was in a very complicated and funny period. Both the British and German military advisers and the British and German ministers to China could have lunch together in their free time, and
Talking about some current affairs will not put you in a tense situation at all because of the impact of the war in Europe.
The diplomatic system of Germany and the United Kingdom in China can basically be said to be a dutiful system. This part of the system will only be responsible for the political situation in the Far East.
Even when China officially announced its participation in the war at the end of World War I, it politely asked all German officials in China to leave the country. Not only did they arrange ships, but they also provided many preferential treatment conditions for the aftermath.