The debate became increasingly fierce. The Japanese side believed that agreeing to Duan Qirui's request would be tantamount to deliberately expanding the local military friction in Liaodong, which would have a negative impact on both China and Japan. Naito Shinpei also deliberately
He emphasized that Japan is now a member of the Allied Powers, and China is obviously biased towards the Allied Powers in international politics, and should not make a small matter into a big deal.
As a result, on this issue alone, China and Japan were in a stalemate for several hours.
During the lunch break, Lu Zhengxiang and Lu Zongyu had to find Duan Qirui and persuade him to talk about serious matters first. After the armistice was confirmed and Japan made a series of compensations, it would not be too late to discuss the Japanese Prime Minister's public apology.
Duan Qirui said righteously: "You think that a public apology is just a formality, but in fact it is not. This is the real focus of national sovereignty. In this morning's meeting, the Japanese made arrogant remarks everywhere, and they did not do it at all.
Sincerely resolve this conflict in Liaodong. Huh, are you bullying me, the Chinese people? If they have such an attitude, then there is no need to continue this negotiation. Let’s see who is the anxious person in the end!”
Lu Zongyu sighed and said in a persuasive voice: "Mr. Duan, you see, the president has repeatedly warned us about this matter. No one wants to continue with the affairs in Liaodong, so why bother?"
What? In my humble opinion, it is better to do less than to do more. It is best to be able to solve more practical problems."[
Duan Qirui snorted coldly, stared at Lu Zongyu with disgust and said: "The Qing-France War in the past was caused by cowards like you, and it resulted in a result that will be remembered for thousands of years. You don't want to do it all.
Think about it, who has the active advantage in Liaodong now? What other tricks can the Japanese play?"
These words were so destructive that Lu Zongyu's face turned red with anger, but he did not dare to talk back to Duan Qirui.
Not only was Duan Qirui's temper well known to everyone, but also the disparity in status made it unreasonable for the following to commit the crime. In the end, he could only curse in his heart for a while, wishing that the negotiation meeting would be ruined because of Duan Qirui's willfulness.
They parted on bad terms, and we will see how Duan Qirui will explain to the president when the time comes.
Lu Zhengxiang naturally knows what Duan Qirui is planning. It’s not that he disagrees with this. It’s just that diplomatic negotiations should have a skill, rather than just acting on emotion. If Japan is pushed into a hurry, things that could have been calmed down again.
Big, how will it end then?
"Commander Duan," he took two steps forward and said earnestly, "I know that you have read the message sent back from Yingkou by General Headquarters Yuan, but the President had already clearly issued a reply at that time, ordering General Manager Yuan to
The commander should not act rashly, and also said that all counterattack preparations would be suspended. This shows that the president has made up his mind."
"You didn't read Yuan Su's telegram carefully at all. The words he used in the telegram were quite fierce. How could he give up his long-planned plan just because of the president's order? What's more, everyone in Liaodong supports Yuan Su's continued advancement.
I mean, our Army Ministry also believes that we should take this opportunity to regain the territory of Liaodong." Duan Qirui said decisively.
"As for the recovery of part of Liaodong's territory, the President has already given the order. The purpose of our negotiations now is to ask Japan to clearly formulate terms and conditions. But Mr. Duan, you have been obsessed with the Japanese Prime Minister's public apology to our country. Instead, you have
These serious things have been delayed. Look..." Lu Zhengxiang said in a circular manner.
Yesterday, after reading the telegram sent by Yuan Su, Yuan Shikai did explain the recovery of part of the land in Liaodong. The recovery of Qingdao is the first time that China has successfully defended its sovereignty in the past century, and the recovery of part of the land in the Liaodong Peninsula means that the Chinese army has used its own
Strength changes the destiny of the country. The two events are connected one after another, and their influence on the country is self-evident, which is enough to build public opinion support for Yuan Shikai's further implementation of the imperial system.
So in this matter, Yuan Shikai naturally insisted on doing his best to get it back if he could. But the situation in Liaodong must not be allowed to worsen. Although the Chinese army does have the upper hand now, it does not mean that the Beiyang government still has enough energy.
Continue this war.
The main aspect is naturally Yuan Shikai's eagerness to proclaim himself emperor, but the secondary aspect is also the consideration that if the action is too big, it will attract the attention and vigilance of many warlords in Japan, which will not be conducive to the good development of the First World War. As the saying goes, it can lead to one move.
As for the whole body, the whole body here refers not only to Japan, but to all the powers that have interests in China.
It's not that Duan Qirui doesn't know this, nor does he mean to stubbornly go against Yuan Shikai, but he knows the Japanese very well, but the small Eastern country has limited ambitions, and all actions to expand his country's power are planned in advance.
Then it went on step by step. In the former Qing Dynasty, because of its ability, it was not enough to guard against this seemingly "weak" country. Now that it is the fault of the people and he is in his position, how could he not be prepared for danger in times of peace and take precautions?
"Mr. Lu, you have just taken over as the Minister-General of Foreign Affairs. You have lived abroad for many years before, so you don't know much about the Japanese. At the negotiation table or other diplomatic occasions, you can see that they are polite and elegant.
faction, but in fact they are our most terrifying enemies. Whether it is from the speed of national power development, geographical location or the inevitable direction of national development. Once we relax our targeting of the Japanese, the Japanese will definitely take advantage of them. Do you understand?
"Duan Qirui said loudly.
"This...Mr. Duan, what you said seems..." Lu Zhengxiang's face showed a bit of embarrassment. Subjectively, he still took Duan Qirui's words for granted, but objectively he had just taken over as the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
As the ambassador to Austria, Germany, Russia and the Netherlands, Duan Qirui must not have a deep understanding of the diplomatic situation in Asia.
"Mr. Lu, I know you are a capable person. It won't take long for you to understand what I just said. But no matter what, I am determined to be the black face of this diplomatic negotiation. Let's see who can be tough to the end.
." Duan Qirui said without giving in at all.
"Well, if that's the case, then let's handle this matter according to Mr. Duan's wishes." Lu Zhengxiang was helpless and could only sigh and nodded in agreement.
Lu Zongyu on the side looked very anxious, but since the two big shots in charge had said so, what else could he say? At most, he could only return to the presidential palace later and report to the president exactly as he was.