"The only way to resolve the "Jiao'ao Incident" between China and Japan today is through diplomacy. I hope that the far-sighted people in the government can put national affairs first and plan for a good relationship between China and Japan in the future, so as to resolve the conflict and maintain the good relationship.

Heart, start negotiations between the two countries with a sincere heart, and maintain peace between the two countries! Only in this way can the East avoid falling into the confinement of the West!"

"Sunchon Times: The East is in Danger"

In this short period of time, the wheel of China's history is advancing at an unprecedented speed, and major events that attract worldwide attention happen almost every day. (Please keep in mind the free novels.

At this moment, at this moment!

The attention of all China has been attracted to Jiaoao and Lanshan. Everything that happens there involves the hearts of all people who pay attention to national affairs. On the surface, the Jiaoao area is filled with smoke and gunfire all day long. In fact,

, the war made no progress at all. The Japanese army continued to attack, but in the face of the enthusiastic Jiao'ao defenders, they did not go further, and the attack continued to be frustrated.

In Lanshan, in the eyes of the Chinese people, the First Army of the Central Army composed of the Beiyang Army was well-armed and well-trained. It stands to reason that the defeated remnants of the Japanese army were no match for the Beiyang Army, and the Japanese army had been huddled on the coast.

This area seems to be holding on and waiting for help.

Compared with the two, China can be said to have the advantage on the battlefield. However, a strange two-way confrontation situation occurred on the battlefields of the two places at the same time. At the same time, a diplomatic battle without guns and smoke was happening thousands of miles away.

It's going on in the capital.

As Japan's minister to China, Hikihi's mood cannot but be said to be heavy. Two months ago, when he met Yuan Shikai in Jurentang in a domineering manner, he handed over Japan's request for "Jiao'ao" ​​in person and explained the purpose one by one.

As for Japan's position, his words are full of contempt and disregard for the people of the weak country by the "minister of the powerful country". But now, in just two months, everything has changed, and the situation of both sides has undergone a fundamental reversal.

Two days ago, Hioki received a secret telegram from Prime Minister Okuma Shigenobu, asking him to make full use of his own influence and understanding of Yuan Shikai to strive for a relatively dignified end-war peace. Finally, he was told in the telegram to use this opportunity to provide support for Yuan Shikai.

The Empire of Japan has made unparalleled achievements.

What is unparalleled achievement?

As a diplomat, Hikigashi certainly knew what this extraordinary achievement was, and it was nothing more than a decent peace negotiation condition that was in line with Japan's interests. But what made Hikibashi embarrassment was that the prime minister's secret message did not mention anything about Tokyo at all.

The terms of peace that have been decided are tantamount to granting him exclusive power.

But in fact, as the Japanese minister in China, Hioki knew that he had no power to sign the end-of-war peace treaty. This was the power of the special envoy. In short, Tokyo's behavior this time completely violated common diplomatic common sense, but even so, Hioki

But there is no choice.

He had no choice but to accept it. To this end, he spent two full days discussing with everyone in the legation the peace terms that would be beneficial to Japan under the current circumstances. What made him embarrassed was when he sent a copy of the terms to

After arriving in Tokyo, he waited for several hours before Tokyo called him back and the content of the telegram was very simple.

“The cameras act!”

Even though he was faced with all sorts of difficulties, he still had to obey the orders from Tokyo. Accompanied by the Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Lu Zhengxiang, he walked into the Huairen Hall in Zhongnanhai.

Wearing a pair of gold tortoise shell lens glasses, Hichiichi entered Huairen Hall and waited for a moment before seeing Yuan Shikai come out. Different from usual, Yuan Shikai today was wearing a military uniform. Usually, because of the tense situation between Germany and Japan,

Due to the status of an enemy country, Yuan Shikai would take off his daily German military casual clothes and put on Chinese robes when meeting foreign guests. But today, he put on the military uniform again.

As early as the Gengzi Year, Hikihichi came to Beijing to serve as the First Counselor of the Japanese Embassy in China. He had lived in China for fourteen years. He was familiar with China's national conditions and had many dealings with Yuan Shikai. For this powerful official of the Qing Dynasty,

The president of the Republic of China also knew it very well. He naturally understood Yuan Shikai's thoughts in wearing this military uniform. He wanted to use this military uniform to remind Japan that the two countries were now in a quasi-war state.

"Your Majesty the President!"

When Yuan Shikai entered Huairen Hall, Hichi Yi immediately bowed respectfully.

"Yes! Mr. Minister!"

Yuan Shikai walked into the reception room and nodded towards Hizhi Yi, without any expression of joy or pride on his face.

"Sit down, please sit down!"

It was not until he sat down that Yuan Shikai pointed to the sofa with a smile. Then Yuan Shikai turned to the attendant standing aside and said:

"Why haven't you served tea to Mr. Minister yet? Don't let people say that we are not treating our guests slowly!"

The attendant was stunned. Didn't the president ask the Japanese to take a breath before serving tea? Lu Zhengxiang was also stunned. This president seems to be different from usual!

"Don't dare, don't dare."

Yuan Shikai's actions also exceeded Hikiyi's expectations. Although he didn't know what Yuan Shikai meant when he said these words, a humble professional smile appeared on his face.

"The President has been busy all day, and I'm here to disturb him again. I'm really sorry."

"Where, where."

Yuan Shikai took out a cigar from the cigar box on the table, cut off one end with cigar scissors, then smoked the cigar himself, blew out the smoke, looked at Hizuki and said.

"We have been old friends for many years, and I am very happy to meet you. Today we are chatting among friends. In the words of your country, chatting with friends is the best rest."

Yuan Shikai's words almost made Hikiichi smile and say:

"Yes, yes, it is a great honor to be able to chat casually with the president."

But as soon as he said these words, he saw Yuan Shikai's face change again. Yuan Shikai once again cast his eyes on the attendant, showing some dissatisfaction on his face.

"I said, what's going on here? Why are you still standing here? Quickly order someone to serve tea!" "Ah! It's the president!"

The attendant said in response, and then hurriedly walked out of Huairen Hall. After the attendant left, Yuan Shikai turned his eyes to Rizhiyi again, with some apology in his words.

"These people really don't have any discernment. As the saying goes, when a jackal comes, there is a shotgun. But when a friend comes, of course there will be fine wine. The Japanese envoy is an old friend of mine. How can I keep coming here?"

I don’t even have a cup of tea!”

Although Yuan Shikai's tone seemed apologetic when he spoke, there was no apology on his face. What he said only made Hichi Yi look embarrassed for a while. Lu Zhengxiang looked at him and almost stopped laughing.

The President is indeed the President, and there is no intention behind his words to be polite to Hioki.

"Mr. Minister, it has been more than ten years since he came to China."

After taking a short breath, Yuan Shikai blew out a puff of smoke and casually started talking.

"It's been fourteen years! I've known the President for fourteen years!"

When answering the question, Hikiyi quickly complimented.

"I came to China during the Gengzi Revolution in your country and witnessed with my own eyes how the president turned China into a powerful country today. The president's ability to rule the country is really admirable!"

Although Hejiyi felt happy when he heard what he said, Yuan Shikai knew that the man in front of him two months ago did not regard himself as the president of China at all. He only regarded himself as Li Xi of North Korea and regarded China as North Korea.

"Your country is so admirable. Twenty years ago, your country first defeated the Qing Dynasty. If this president had not been transferred back to Beijing, he might have become a prisoner of your country! Ten years ago, your country

After defeating Russia, it suddenly became a member of the great powers and a powerful country in the world, while China is just the oldest and weakest country. It can be said that your country is a slave and our country is a fish!"

While sighing, Yuan Shikai looked at the embarrassment on Hizhiyi's face and felt a sense of relief in his heart.

"As the saying goes, knowing shame is close to courage. Let alone this person, it is a rabbit. A rabbit bites people when it is in a hurry! You just don't understand this! Old friend!"

Yuan Shikai's reluctance only made Zhiyi's face turn red and white. In the past, he would have walked away even if he didn't refute. But now, he can only sit here and even accompany him.

Smiling faces, only then did he finally understand why those Chinese colleagues always showed such extremely bitter smiles.

"What the President said is absolutely true!"

After agreeing with it, Hikiyi deliberately steered the topic into the established track.

"I have the honor to live in Beijing during the great revolution in your country and witness this great change with my own eyes. In the past three or four years, I have congratulated your country on finally recognizing the president as the leader of the country after a period of great chaos.

All factions unanimously support the president, but I have been observing calmly for many years and am deeply worried about the future of your country."

Yuan Shikai and especially Lu Zhengxiang were puzzled by Richiyi's words. He looked at Richiyi. According to what he said when he visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he met with the president to discuss peace negotiations between the two countries for the sake of peace between the two countries. But this time

Why did he pull it up here!

Lu Zhengxiang, who is just a diplomat, has no idea what Hikiichi is thinking. Hikiichi, who thinks he knows China and the president in front of him very well, knows where he should make a breakthrough so that he can benefit Japan in future negotiations.

conditions.

Taking off the cigar from his mouth, Yuan Shikai narrowed his eyes and asked:

"Oh? I wonder, Mr. Minister, what are you worried about?"

"I fear that the troubles in your country will not cease."

Hikiyi looked at Yuan Shikai and said with a very sincere attitude,

"Today, China is at a time of change and prosperity, especially when your country's Jiangsu Army has demonstrated its strength on the battlefield. It can be said that the strength of the Jiangsu Army alone can push your country into the ranks of great powers!"

Countermeasures!

Lu Zhengxiang immediately understood what Rizhiyi was thinking. This was out of diplomatic etiquette, but he could not interrupt the conversation between Rizhiyi and the president. He could only stand aside and wink at the president from time to time, and the president

But he seemed to turn a blind eye.

"But we are old friends, so there are some things we have to say. There has been a lack of communication between China and Japan recently. China has many doubts about Japan's actions and there are unnecessary misunderstandings.

Some Japanese people also doubt the sincerity of the Chinese authorities and are often resentful. They are instigated and slandered by third parties, which poses an unexpected danger to the diplomatic relations between the two countries. This is why the current deterioration has occurred. Of course, the patriots of your country say It is said that Jiao'ao belongs to China, and Japan has no intention to object to this. However, if this matter is used by ambitious people, it will be very detrimental to the president!"

Listening to Rizhiyi's words, Yuan Shikai smiled calmly and said:

"After all, you just said that this incident happened in Jiangsu! But you didn't say that if it weren't for your country's arrogance, how could it have led to what happened today!"

"The President was surprised!"

Hichiichi adjusted his glasses out of habit and said seriously,

"The root of this chaos is apparently caused by Japan, but it has something to do with the ambitions of politicians in your country. The biggest beneficiary of this war is not Japan, let alone the president, but..."

"Is it Li Zhiyuan?"

Interrupting Hizhiyi's words and ignoring Lu Zhengxiang's glance, Yuan Shikai showed some sarcasm on his face.
To be continued...