On March 14, 1917, the Beijing government announced that it would sever diplomatic relations with Germany, take back the German Concession in Tianjin and Hankou, and stop paying indemnities and arrears!
At the same time that the [Chinese] government announced the severance of diplomatic relations with Germany, it announced that it would take back the German concessions in Tianjin and Hankou, disarm the German troops in [Chinese] territory, and stop paying German indemnities and arrears. It still expressed friendship to German expatriates, and in [Chinese]
〗The Germans serving in various departments of the country were retained as one, German businessmen from various places continued to operate as usual, and missionaries continued to carry out religious activities as usual. When the German Minister Xin Ci returned to the country, Li Yuanhong also gave him many precious gifts. Xin Ci gave him many precious gifts on March 27.
When I returned to China after returning to Shanghai, the Shanghai official sent people to the station to greet me. Soldiers raised their guns in salute, and the army played national music. All the etiquette was the same as before the diplomatic relations were severed, which corresponds to a traditional Chinese saying:
"A gentleman will never make a bad sound in a relationship."
After [China] broke off diplomatic relations with Germany, the [Chinese] government should repay Germany's compensation and stop paying all outstanding debts, and deposit the money in the [Chinese] bank. The Dutch minister in China openly sent a note claiming that
He was entrusted by the German government to take care of Germany's interests in [China]. China and Germany have not declared war. The [Chinese] government cannot apply the methods used to treat enemy countries and confiscate German interests and properties.
The British and French ministers in China requested that the above funds be deposited in foreign banks.
After the order to sever diplomatic relations with Germany was issued, Li Yuanhong breathed a sigh of relief. He thought that an article on Germany had been completed. However, Duan Qirui believed that this issue was only half the way, and the other half of the declaration of war had not yet been completed.
.
But in 4:1" it was still business as usual.
"Leave? Why are you leaving?" Facing German Consul Weiss, Wang Hengyue smiled: "Beijing has severed diplomatic relations with you, but I, Sichuan, have not severed diplomatic relations with you. What should you do?
Although we can no longer have a consulate, we can still do business and drink."
Weiss pushed up her single-sided glasses.
To be honest, he has been dating this [Chinese] man for too long, ever since Wang Hengyue was a child.
They had already recognized him since he was the team officer. Although at that time, he didn't think there was anything outstanding about this young man, but the subsequent development surprised Weiss.
After the European War broke out, Wang Hengyue took the initiative to find Weiss and was willing to provide Germany with all the supplies Germany needed, as long as he could get them.
He seems to have no principles in doing things, and everything is based on money. But when making money, he also knows the situation in Europe well.
He has maintained good relations with the Americans, the British, and the French. He has also signed a large number of orders with the British and French, and has become the most popular Chinese in these two countries.
But as soon as he turns around, he will transfer to Weiss. He will also sign a large order with Germany.
Is he pro-British and French, or pro-German? Maybe only God knows what he is thinking in his heart
Wang Hengyue looked at a new trade list submitted by Weiss: "Okay, Mr. Weiss, I will deliver the goods immediately. I hope my goods can help you. Of course, now you can transport these urgently needed supplies to Germany from neutral countries."
It seems to be getting harder and harder to go back.”
"Yes." Weiss did not hide this point: "But Germany will find a way. Never ignore the determination and wisdom of the Germans."
"No, no." Wang Hengyue smiled: "I still respect Germany very much, and I am willing to give you all help within my ability. But if, what I am talking about is just if, if Germany loses this game
War, what will you do?"
Weiss didn't even think about it: "No, Germany will not lose the war, we will eventually defeat all our enemies!"
Wang Hengyue put away his smile and looked very serious: "The United States will soon join the war. We all know this. Unless you can defeat Britain and France before the United States reaches Europe, but obviously, it will be difficult for you to do this.
.Once the United States enters the war, the balance of power will change greatly."
Weiss nodded silently.
The leak of the Zimmerman telegram caused an uproar in the United States. The voice of declaring war on Germany has become mainstream in the United States. The declaration of war by the United States is unavoidable. It is only a matter of time!
"If Germany fails, it will lose a lot." Wang Hengyue looked a little regretful: "For example, your factories, such as your army. If such a day comes...
Please believe me, I am still willing to maintain friendship with Germany, and will still provide you with all possible help as I am now. You can even open your factory into my sphere of influence. I will protect your factory and do
What you want to do."
Although Weiss was very grateful to Wang Hengyue for his kindness, he was still a little unhappy. This Sichuan man
Warlord, why are you so sure that Germany will lose this war?
Opening German factories to China and within the protection of its power? This is always a crazy idea.
Wang Hengyue smiled again.
Yes, my idea seems really crazy now...
Wang Qinglu hurriedly left Lou Lai and whispered a few words in Wang Hengyue's ear. Wang Hengyue nodded: "Mr. Weiss, I have news that is good or bad for Germany. I don't know whether it is good or bad for Germany. Tsar Nicholas II has abdicated.
"
"What?" Weiss looked extremely surprised.
In early 1917, a strike movement unfolded rapidly in Petrograd. On February 25, the strike began to develop into an armed uprising. Nicholas II panicked and quickly ordered the commander of the Petrograd Military District, Khabalov, to "take action."
Order to put an end to the chaos in Kyoto tomorrow." So, machine guns were set up on the roofs and turrets to shoot at the demonstrators.
On February 27, the Petrograd armed uprising was victorious. The Tsar lost the support of the military, bureaucrats and capitalists. On March 2, Nicholas II was forced to abdicate. He wanted to pass the throne to his younger brother, Grand Duke Mikhail, but
He refused, and the Romanov dynasty fell.
This news was too sudden for Weiss.
"This may be good news for Germany." Wang Hengyue said easily: "Maybe the Russians will withdraw from the war, so that Germany can concentrate its efforts on the Western Front."
Weiss thought for a moment but did not express his opinion.
Everything that happened in Russia felt so sudden. Weiss didn't dare to delay. He stood up and thanked Wang Hengyue for his kindness, and then left in a hurry.
As soon as Weiss left, the smile on Wang Hengyue's face immediately disappeared without a trace: "Where is Beijing?"
Wang Qinglu quickly said: "After the order to sever diplomatic ties with Germany was issued, Li Yuanhong breathed a sigh of relief. He thought that an article on Germany had been completed, but Duan Qirui thought that this issue was only half the way.
There is also the other half of the issue of declaring war that has not been done. Therefore, the deteriorating relationship between Li and Duan has not been eased by the cessation of diplomatic relations with Germany, but has worsened because of it. Because Duan Qirui believes that the cessation of diplomatic relations with Germany is the first step, and the second step is
The first step was the case of declaring war on Germany. Liang Qichao first expressed "urgent issues after the severance of diplomatic relations" and advocated the declaration of war on Germany in an article. However, the opposition to the declaration of war on Germany was very strong across the country. Kang Youwei sent a message, Zhang Xunhan sent a message, and Wang Zhanyuan sent a message.
There were all voices of opposition. Kang Dian said passionately, "Please hang your eyes at the country's gate to watch the German ships come in." He actually claimed to be Wu Zixu. The Shanghai Business Association sent a telegram to oppose participating in the war, and chambers of commerce across the country responded one after another...
"
Wang Pingyue was spinning a cigarette in his hand. After listening to Wang Qinglu's words: "Duan Qirui's original intention was also for the interests of the country. The reason why he insisted on declaring war on Germany was influenced by the Allied Powers' certainty of victory. He believed that if
If you don’t participate in the war, you won’t be able to share the fruits of victory after the war. Warlords from all over the world are opposed to participating in the war because they are afraid that once they participate in the war, they will abandon their territory, power, wealth, and wives and concubines, and lead their troops to Europe.
In the war, the enemy was the German Army, which was the best at fighting, so the soldiers all went against Duan. Regards Li Yuan Honghang."
Wang Hengyue threw the cigarette aside and stood up: "Li Yuanhong was having a dispute with Duan Qirui. His right and left told him all the information that was unfavorable to Duan. These information were also facts, so Duan Qirui's
I objected to the proposal to join the war."
"Heng Shuai's analysis is very thorough." Wang Qinglu nodded.
"Japan is now very close to Duan Qirui." Wang Hengyue walked back to his desk, picked up a piece of information and handed it to Wang Qinglu: "Japan has even prepared to provide information to Duan Qirui.
Loans and weapons helped him establish a model army to prepare for the unification of China."
"If he wants to unify [China], I think he will definitely use troops in the southwest first."
The corner of Wang Hengyue's mouth moved: "He can't move to Southwest whenever he wants. He wants to rely on Lu Rongting, but he has to guard against Lu Rongting, and he has to fight and pull. Lu Rongting is not a fool, and he will not let Duan Qirui stretch out his hand easily.
Went to Guangdong and Guangdong."
"We have almost laid out the layout. Now we are waiting for Lu Rongting to take action first." Wang Qinglu pondered for a moment: "It's just that we still lack a fuse."
Wang Hengyue glanced at the crumpled cigarette on the table, picked it up, lit it, and took a puff: "Huaizhao, if you want to light a cigarette, you have to smoke it, otherwise you just use fire.
Can’t light it”
Wang Qinglu was stunned for a moment, and then understood the meaning of Heng Shuai's words.
"Lu Rongting has sent people to come to us several times, with only one purpose: Yunnan and Guizhou issues. I also clearly promised him that I only want Guizhou and have no intention of competing with him for Yunnan." Wang Hengyue smoked.
: "Lu Rongting is still very wary of us, but he is willing to cooperate with us, but he is always on guard against us."
"But driven by profit, he will definitely attack Yunnan." Wang Qinglu said calmly.
Wang Hengyue put out the cigarette with force: "Once he invades Yunnan, the time will come for us to unify the southwest!".