Qiao Yu's electrification made the already heated public opinion even more heated. Leaders of various factions in the south came forward one after another. Li Yuanhong, Tang Hualong, Zhang Taiyan, Liang Qichao and others also gave electrification speeches. Everyone questioned the practices of the Nanjing Provisional Government, and even began to question it.
The legitimacy of the Nanjing government fell into an unprecedented crisis. Sun Wen's reputation plummeted and his prestige was ruined.
Since China has set off a large-scale wave of opposition to Japanese goods, it has also dealt a huge blow to Japan's commercial interests. Japanese Minister Hioki Masuo is also in a bad situation at this time. Uchida Ryohei, a member of the Black Dragon Society who attacked Hanyang Iron Works, Hioki
Japan was not involved in it, but now that problems have arisen, it is up to Japan to deal with them. Britain, Germany, and France have all expressed varying degrees of opposition, causing Japan to come under tremendous international pressure.
Japan now seems to be showing off its teeth and claws, but in fact its foundation has been severely exhausted in the Russo-Japanese War and cannot withstand the war at all, so it can only bluff. Of course, Hikigashi supports the invasion of China, but he does not advocate cooperation with the Southern Provisional Government.
, but advocated cooperation with Yuan Shikai. Although the Nanjing Provisional Government agreed to more favorable conditions, it had no ability to implement them. It was a dead letter and was not a qualified partner at all.
In Hiki's view, there is currently only one person in China who has the final say, and that is Yuan Shikai. Negotiating with others is meaningless. Therefore, if we want to solve the immediate problem, we still have to ask Yuan to nod, so Hiki directly found Yuan Shikai.
"Your Excellency, Prime Minister, I would like to congratulate you. I believe that you will soon become the new master of China. The Japanese Empire will always support you!"
Old Yuan Ke is not stupid at all. He just listens to what Japan has to say, "Thank you very much, Minister. I wonder if you have any advice, Mr. Minister?"
"Your Excellency, Prime Minister, you must also know that there has been a small misunderstanding recently due to the Hanyang Iron Works. Instigated by a group of people with ulterior motives, the people of your country are extremely unfriendly to the Japanese Empire and have even begun to boycott Japanese products.
It has seriously damaged Japan's interests in China, and I hope that the Prime Minister can come up with a solution!"
When Yuan Shikai heard this, he cursed in his heart. Little Japan is really shameless for confusing right and wrong so openly. However, Old Yuan did not dare to offend the other party. He just smiled bitterly and said: "Your Excellency, you also know my current situation. The southern provinces
None of it is under my control. If you have any problems, you should approach the Nanjing Provisional Government. I am helpless!"
Hichi Yi saw Lao Yuan playing tricks and smiled slightly: "The Nanjing Provisional Government is a temporary regime, and the Prime Minister is the one everyone hopes for. If the Prime Minister can cooperate with Japan, Japan will definitely try its best to support the Prime Minister to advance to the next level and become the president!"
Lao Yuan knew in his heart that being recognized by the great powers was the key to his ascending to the presidential throne. Now Japan is actively supporting him, which is exactly what he wants, but now public opinion is so fierce that he has no way to contain it.
"Your Excellency, Mr. Yuan is willing to help your country, but the current public opinion does not allow it. I think it is better for your country to abandon the Hanyang Iron Works. This way, it will naturally be explained to the people. I will definitely come forward to calm the storm!"
How could Hichiki be willing to give up the Hanyang Iron Works? However, the current problem is indeed very serious. If we try to force it again, it will only intensify the conflict. If the United States and Britain intervene, it will be even more difficult. So Hioki said with a smile: "Your Excellency, Prime Minister,
We are willing to give up the equity of Hanyang Iron Works, but Hanyang Iron Works now owes Japan a huge debt and must repay it!"
As soon as Lao Yuan heard this, he knew that the Japanese were going to change their strategy. The Hanyang Iron Works signed millions of Japanese debts, and now it is not operating well. Where can it find the money to repay the debt? In the end, they still have to mortgage the factory to the Japanese.
?But then Lao Yuan thought about it and thought that he was not the president yet. Why bother with this? It would be better to push the trouble out of the way...
"Your Excellency, the largest shareholder of Hanyang Iron Works is the business community in Sichuan. If you want to solve this matter, I think we still have to go to Qiao Yu, the governor of Sichuan. As long as he nods in agreement, I think things will be much easier to handle!"
Lao Yuan kicked the ball to Qiao Yu. Hikiichi also knew that there was no point in bothering with Yuan Shikai anymore, so he had to ask Suzuki, the consul general of Chengdu, to negotiate terms with Qiao Yu as soon as possible to maximize the interests of Japan's Hanyang Iron Works.
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Suzuki was also in a bad situation at this time. With his secret support, Suzuki planned an assassination attempt against Qiao Yu, but it was a pity that the success fell short. What followed was retaliation from Sichuan, especially Wang Lingji, who was responsible for investigating Sichuan.
After taking the head of the bureau, Japan began to vigorously clean up Japan's influence in Sichuan. Japan's foundation in Sichuan was not strong originally, and after this change, there was not much left.
Therefore, Japan did not even know about the Sichuan business community's involvement in the Hanyang Iron Works. Suzuki turned his attention to a Japanese ronin sitting opposite: "Miki-kun, the Hanyang Iron Works was all done by your association. Now it has not only aroused
The opposition from the Chinese people has greatly reduced the value of a good card like the Provisional Government. It is really stupid. Since it is your association’s matter, please resolve it yourself!”
"Mr. Consul General, Japan is a small country with poor resources. If it wants to lead Greater East Asia, it must be proactive and decisive, rather than blindly doing nothing. Although the Hanyang Iron Works seems to be in trouble now, it is not as serious as you think.
, Zhang Jian, Li Yuanhong and others are all old-fashioned characters. They will stop at the slightest threat, and the people of China are not worth mentioning. The only problem is Qiao Yu, we only need to force him to surrender.
, he is just a local official and there is nothing to be afraid of. You failed to successfully assassinate him last time. You are so incompetent!"
This Miki is the Japanese who met Qiao Yu in Japan. He is also a member of the Black Dragon Society. This time he came to China with Uchida Ryohei. His main task is to ensure that the Hanyang Iron Works can fall into Japan's pocket. Miki
He has been dealing with the Tongmenghui for many years and is a well-known China expert. He is highly regarded by Katsura Taro. The main support for this action to get involved in the Hanyang Iron Works comes from Katsura Taro. The reason why Sun Wen is willing to sell out the Hanyang Iron Plant is to obtain the political support of this veteran.
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With Katsura Taro as his backer, Miki was not afraid of Suzuki, so he spoke very rudely: "Suzuki-kun, I think it's time to pay a visit to Qiao Yu, the governor of Sichuan. I think he will feel the power of Japan!"
Suzuki had no choice but to visit Qiao Yu with Miki, "Qiao Jun, we meet again after a year. You have become the master of Sichuan. I congratulate you on your success!"
Qiao Yu had already guessed that Japan would directly put pressure on him. Unexpectedly, the person who arrived turned out to be Miki, an acquaintance in Japan. He also knew clearly that his original guess was indeed correct. Miki was indeed a spy.
"Consul General Suzuki, Mr. Miki welcomes you. I think you two are going to the Three Treasures Hall for nothing?"
Suzuki didn't say anything. Don't you, Miki, think you are capable? Then I'll leave everything to you.
"Qiao Jun, your two countries are friendly neighbors. Japan supports your country's revolution. The decadent and backward Manchu Qing Dynasty has insulted Chinese civilization and should be spurned. China and Japan should join hands to move toward a new era.
In this era, some small misunderstandings should not affect the exchanges between the two countries!"
Qiao Yu said with a smile: "Some misunderstandings are not small misunderstandings!"
"Qiao Jun, I hope you can understand what Japan's support means?"
Qiao Yu felt sick in his heart. This Miki is really arrogant. Japan has not yet emerged from the shadow of the Russo-Japanese War. It is impossible to let him go with just a few threats!
"Mr. Miki, I am a Chinese official, I only need the support of the Chinese people!"