The meeting of ministers broke up unhappily, and Zhu Erdian felt powerless for a while. Although the British Empire was still at a dizzying height, it could no longer answer every call. As a diplomat, he felt this most vividly. The brand of the British Empire could no longer scare anyone.
In a country like Germany, even Japan cannot obey orders.
But can I just back down, in front of a yellow-skinned pig? Russia lost to Japan a few years ago and has become the laughing stock of the white world. Wouldn't it be even more shameful for Britain to bow to a local warlord? Sichuan must be given greater
pressure to completely cut off trade.
Just as Zhu Erdian was about to go to arrange the arrangements, the Japanese Minister Hichiichi suddenly left and returned. When he saw Zhu Erdian, Hichiichi seemed very polite and bowed: "Mr. Zhu Erdian, the Japanese Empire and the British Empire will always be good friends and close friends."
Allies, the Japanese Empire has no intention of offending the British Empire, but Japan has huge interests in Sichuan, and we ask the British to understand our country's difficulties!"
When Zhu Erdian heard this, he immediately sneered: "Mr. Hizuki, when did Japan also have huge interests in Sichuan? Your hands are stretched very far!"
Hioki said with a smile without any anger: "Our country has reached an agreement with the patrol envoy Qiao Yu to jointly develop Sichuan's oil resources. This is what the Japanese government is determined to win!" Hioki said this with an extremely positive tone.
, Zhu Erdian was also shocked when he heard it, it was actually oil interests?
Zhu Erdian is an old fox, and Britain and Japan are both island countries, so they naturally know the weaknesses of island countries. The lack of resources is always a curse. The British Empire has colonies all over the world, and it also has the most powerful navy. Naturally, there is no need to worry, but
Japan has to worry.
All energy resources are imported. There is no doubt that they are handing over their life to others. Japan's strength is built on the beach. If Sichuan can provide Japan with the oil it urgently needs, there is no doubt that the Japanese government in Sichuan will definitely be important.
Astonishing, Britain will definitely not be allowed to attack Sichuan.
Thinking of this, Zhu Erdian gradually understood the reason why Japan sided with Sichuan, but Zhu Erdian was still a little unhappy in his heart: "Mr. Hikihi, Britain and Japan are allies. They will both prosper and suffer. If your country has reached cooperation with Sichuan, is it possible?
Is it necessary to harm British interests?"
Hichi Yi felt a little relieved after hearing Zhu Erdian's words, and then smiled: "No one can ignore the interests of the United Kingdom. Japan will never act like this. We have found a brand new solution. Qiao Yu's inspection tour in Kawabe
Let me tell the minister that Sichuan is willing to hire officers from your country as military instructors to exchange military ideas with the Sichuan army!"
Zhu Erdian's eyes suddenly lit up. The statement given by Sichuan was tantamount to whitewashing the issue of British interference in China's internal affairs. At the same time, being able to influence the Sichuan Army was what the British dreamed of. The Germans took the lead on this matter. If the British were involved in this matter,
It’s also good to catch up when the time comes.
"Mr. Hikiyi, does Qiao Yu have any other requests?"
Hikiyi smiled and said: "Qiao Yu requires your country to compensate for 100,000 yuan to compensate for the loss of the goods seized from Sichuan. However, this money does not need to be paid to Sichuan, but is given to your country's officers as wages. I personally think that
This solution is very pragmatic and can be accepted by everyone!”
Zhu Erdian also fully understood Qiao Yu's plan. Although he would no longer pursue Britain's interference in China's internal affairs, there was no doubt that Qiao Yu still demanded compensation, even if it was just in name. Only in this way could Qiao Yu explain to the surging public opinion.
, of course, it will still have an impact on Britain's reputation, but it still gave Britain a step up, and Britain seemed to be able to use this as an opportunity to extend its influence deeper into the Sichuan army...
It can be said that this way of dealing with it was to gain face for Sichuan and gain pride for Britain. Zhu Erdian could not help but weigh whether he should do this or not.
In the Sichuan Marshal's Mansion, Qiao Yu had summoned all the main personnel of the military to the Marshal's Mansion and informed them of his approach to handling the confrontation between Britain and Sichuan. Everyone present could not help but savor Qiao Yu's plan. Wu
Tong was the first to speak: "Commander, I think your plan leaves some steps for both sides. The UK will probably agree to it. It's just that we obviously have a moral issue, but we have to give Japan and the United States such huge benefits to settle it.
It's all us soldiers who are incompetent. We are really ashamed of our military uniforms!" After saying this, Wu Tong slammed the table and looked very angry, as did everyone else.
"Everyone, a weak country has no diplomacy. It is precisely because of humiliation that we must work hard to strengthen ourselves. I have a plan to rectify our armaments. First, we will reduce the main army in Sichuan to two divisions plus one brigade. One of these two divisions must be
The Mountain Division, the southwest is mountainous, this is one of our ace units, and this is what I promised President Yuan Da!"
"Third brother, you're not talking nonsense!" Qiao Zhen became anxious when she heard that the troops were being downsized: "Our army can't protect Sichuan in the first place. We should expand our troops. That will invalidate our martial arts!"
"Second brother, the downsizing does not mean weakening the Sichuan Army's combat strength. On the contrary, it means improving the Sichuan Army's combat effectiveness. I am planning to form a heavy artillery regiment and introduce a batch of 120 mm caliber and 150 mm caliber heavy artillery. With this
Even if the British try to cut off the Yangtze River waterway with this batch of heavy artillery, we have the capital to fight against it, and those warships will not come over and we will be helpless!"
As soon as Qiao Yu said this, everyone nodded frequently. It was precisely because there were no heavy weapons and the Sichuan Army did not have any countermeasures that they did not dare to showdown with the British. If a heavy artillery regiment could be established, it would undoubtedly greatly increase the Sichuan Army's strength.
Strength, there is no soldier who does not like good weapons, so everyone seemed very excited, but when they thought of only retaining the strength of two divisions, they couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.
"Commander, Sichuan itself is the place of the Four Wars. Northern Sichuan must defend Beiyang, eastern Sichuan must defend the provinces in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, and southern Sichuan must withstand the pressure of the Yunnan Army, and must defend Sichuan and Tibet. Just two divisions plus one more
The strength of the brigade is really very thin!" Su Ding said: "Commander, I think there are at least two more divisions. Isn't Sichuan's finances very strong? It should definitely expand the army. Don't worry about Yuan Shikai. Now Yunnan is constantly
We don’t need to be too afraid of Yuan Shikai when it comes to military expansion!”
"Yuan Shikai is the president. Respecting him means respecting the Republic of China. Don't talk nonsense. However, Sichuan does need to use troops in many places. The disbanded troops will be added to the local troops to form three reserve divisions as the reserve force of the Sichuan army. Although
It is a reserve force, but it must be strict and can be brought to the battlefield at any time!"
Qiao Yu made the final decision, and the new reorganization work of the Sichuan Army was fully launched.
Sichuan and the British sent a joint telegram explaining that those officers were an exchange group sent by the British army. They clashed with the Sichuan army because of a misunderstanding. Now that the misunderstanding was clarified, the British compensated Sichuan 100,000 yuan as compensation for Sichuan's business. At the same time, Sichuan
Spend 100,000 yuan to hire these British officers as an exchange group to exchange tactics with the Sichuan army!