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Czar Nicholas II undoubtedly hated China extremely. Russia was once one of the most important powers in the world. Although Russia's economy was terrible, its military strength was extremely powerful. No country in the world dared to
Provoke. However, China defeated Russia, causing Russia not only heavy losses, but also shattered
This created the myth that Russia would not be defeated. The civil strife in Russia was entirely due to Russia’s failure in the war. Therefore, Tsar Nicholas II hated China so much that he thought about revenge all the time.
. They want him to put down his dignity now and go to China for help. How can they bear this tone?
"Your Majesty, state affairs are of paramount importance! Russia, which has suffered a disastrous defeat, can no longer allow the rebellion to continue to run rampant. We must resolve the rebellion as soon as possible. Otherwise, once the rebellion continues, the harm to Russia will be greater than the loss to Russia in the war.
China is even more serious!" Prime Minister Sergei Vitte persuaded. He knew what Tsar Nicholas II thought. However, now he should put national interests first
When it was first, Russia was defeated by China and lost most of its territory. However, these territories were either grasslands, mountains, and ice fields, and were not of much value. But the situation in southern Russia where rebellion was raging was different. Regardless of whether it was
Ukraine and the Don River region are both Russia's main grain-producing areas. Once Russia cannot take back these areas, a severe famine will definitely break out in Russia in the coming year.
Tsar Nicholas II nodded. Being able to become the emperor of Russia, he was certainly not a fool. Naturally, he could distinguish the important from the important. However, the only thing that worried him was that China would take this opportunity to speak loudly. The original negotiation
At that time, the Chinese offered a high price of one hundred pounds for American prisoners of war. If all the prisoners of war were to be
If all were redeemed, it would cost a full 100 million pounds! The war compensation of 200 million pounds to China cost him a full price of 1,465 tons of gold, and the Russian royal family had accumulated over the years.
His wealth has shrunk by nearly half. If China extorts another 100 million pounds, he will have to pay more than 700 tons of gold.
"I have no objection to ransoming prisoners of war. However, the Chinese will definitely use this to extort a large ransom from us. What will happen to the ransom?" Czar Nicholas II asked.
Prime Minister Sergei Vitte was silent. He also served as the Russian Finance Minister. The Russian treasury was already empty and the debt was high. How could there be money to collect the ransom? He was just trying to beat the Tsar again.
It's just an idea of wealth. After all, the whole of Russia belongs to the Tsar. Now that we are encountering such troubles, the Tsar should find a way to solve these problems.
One look at Sergey Witte's look, and Nicholas II knew what he was thinking. Although he was a little dissatisfied, he also knew that there was nothing he could do about it. After all, the country was his. If he didn't want the country to be
If it is overturned, then he must take out the money.
"Okay! The royal family will bear the ransom. However, when negotiating with the Chinese, the price must be kept as low as possible!" Tsar Nicholas II said. Although he also knew that this was somewhat impossible, China
People are stingier than Grandet, and they will definitely not let go of this opportunity to give Russia a severe blow.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will instruct Cassini!" said Russian Foreign Minister Izvolsky. Cassini was the Russian ambassador to China. After the Sino-Russian war, the two sides restored diplomatic relations and appointed Minister
The level of diplomatic relations has been raised to the ambassadorial level, which also means that Russia and the Western powers have recognized China's status as a great power.
To celebrate New Year's Day, government departments and factories all had a three-day holiday. After receiving the instructions from Foreign Minister Izvolsky, the Russian Ambassador to China, Cassini, was as anxious as an ant on a hot pot.
It was not until January 4 that I met Chinese Foreign Minister Wu Tingfang.
"Hello, Your Excellency, Minister of Foreign Affairs!" After seeing Wu Tingfang, Cassini took the initiative to salute. Now, the ambassadors of various countries in China are respectful in front of Wu Tingfang, and they will never look the same as before.
arrogant. During the war, China used their strength to win the respect of all countries.
"Your Excellency, Ambassador, please sit down! I wonder if you have anything to do with Your Excellency, Ambassador?" Wu Tingfang asked with a smile. Feeling this gesture from Cassini, he was very happy. Sure enough, in this era, fists
Big is the last word! China defeated these countries all at once during the war, and now they are all honest.
"Your Excellency, Minister of Foreign Affairs, our country has received news that our prisoners of war have been treated unfairly in your country. They are forced to perform heavy manual labor, which has caused great harm to our prisoners of war. Therefore, on behalf of the Russian government, I officially,
Protest to the Chinese government!" Cassini said sternly.
Wu Tingfang's face suddenly darkened: "Your Excellency Ambassador, your country voluntarily gave up these prisoners of war. During the armistice negotiations, your country was unwilling to redeem these prisoners of war, and of course our country will not keep them in vain.
If they want to survive, they must work!"
"Ahem!" After being accused by Wu Tingfang, Cassini blushed. However, he did not forget his duties, so he said: "Your Excellency, Minister of Foreign Affairs, in order to prevent our compatriots from continuing to suffer. Therefore, His Majesty the Tsar has instructed
I will negotiate with your country to redeem these prisoners of war!"
"Redeemed?" Wu Tingfang was a little surprised. You know, if all the millions of Russian prisoners of war were redeemed, it would be a big sum! Is the miser Tsar Nicholas II crazy? Or, what happened in Russia?
What accident can't happen?
"So, how much money does your country plan to pay to redeem these prisoners of war?" Wu Tingfang asked.
"Your Excellency, Minister of Foreign Affairs, you know that the current situation in our country is quite bad. Therefore, we cannot afford much money. We are willing to pay 10 million pounds to redeem one million prisoners of war!" Cassini said.
"Impossible! We will not accept such a price!" Wu Tingfang refused directly. Just kidding, in the last negotiation, he offered a price of 100 pounds for each prisoner of war, totaling 100 million pounds. The Russians actually
It is simply wishful thinking to redeem these prisoners of war at one-tenth of the price.
"So, Your Excellency, Minister of Foreign Affairs, how much ransom does your country want us to pay?" Cassini asked.
"This!" Wu Tingfang was about to offer a price of one hundred pounds each, but suddenly realized that Russia must be so eager to redeem these prisoners of war, there must be some ulterior secret. So, he said: "Your Excellency, Ambassador, this is
A major event is not something I can make the decision about, I have to ask His Majesty the Emperor for instructions!"
Hearing what Wu Tingfang said, a trace of disappointment flashed in Cassini's eyes, but he had no choice but to agree to discuss this issue tomorrow.
After seeing off Cassini, Wu Tingfang immediately went to the palace to report the matter to Wang Yuze.
"Your Majesty, the Russians suddenly want to ransom these prisoners of war. Is there something wrong with them?" Wu Tingfang asked.
Wang Yuze also began to ponder, but then he figured out the key to the problem. Two days ago, General Wei Zhiyong, the director of the Military Intelligence Bureau, had informed him that the rebels led by the Russian Democratic Labor Party had defeated the Russian army, and
Kiev was captured. The rebellion has swept across southern Russia. The Russian army should be unable to deal with it now.
rebelled, so I remembered these prisoners of war who were still in the hands of China. Although these prisoners of war were defeated by the Chinese army, all of them were veterans. Moreover, after experiencing the cruel war, once they recovered, they
It will become an elite army, and it should not be a problem to defeat those rebels composed of ragtag groups.
"Haha! Mr. Wu, we are going to make a fortune!" Wang Yuze laughed.
"Your Majesty? Do you know the specific reason?" Wu Tingfang asked puzzledly.
"Two days ago, we have received intelligence. The Russians were defeated in the south, and the insurrectionists achieved a huge victory. The Russians probably had no choice, so they wanted to redeem these prisoners of war in order to stabilize their position.
, and destroy those rebels!" Wang Yuze said with great certainty.
"If that's the case, then we really shouldn't agree to them easily." Wu Tingfang said after thinking about it.
"You can delay them appropriately. In addition, the price will be doubled. Two hundred pounds per prisoner of war. If the Russians don't agree, forget it. Anyway, after the spring, we need to carry out large-scale construction in Siberia. These prisoners of war are all
It can come in handy!
"Wang Yuze said with a smile. He has always been keeping an eye on the Tsar's treasure house. Although more than a thousand tons of gold were taken away from the Tsar in the last war, Tsar Nicholas II obviously still had a lot of gold in stock.
This is exactly when China needs money, and this money comes at just the right time.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I know how to deal with the Russians!" Wu Tingfang also said with a smile. Although this approach is a bit shameless, but for the sake of the national interest, what will happen if it is more shameless? One million prisoners of war, if
If sold at a price of two hundred pounds each, that would be another 200 million pounds in revenue! This is equivalent to the war reparations paid by Russia to China! With this money, many domestic constructions can start
.
The next day, Cassini, the Russian ambassador to China, went to see Wu Tingfang again, but was told that Wu Tingfang was on a business trip. He didn't see Wu Tingfang for two days, and Russia frequently sent telegrams urging Cassini to go on a business trip.
I’m so anxious that I’m getting angry! (To be continued. Mobile phone users, please read it here.)