After Yang Du finished speaking, he leaned forward slightly and whispered: "Qiao Shuai, the New Deal of the Qing Dynasty seems to have achieved considerable results, such as the Hanyang Iron Works, the Sichuan Arsenal, and those new schools.
Including the Beiyang New Army, they are all the results of the New Deal. However, when we entered the Republic of China era, we were still unable to compare with the Manchu Qing Dynasty in terms of construction. Isn't this a weird thing? I thought about it, and it was all due to constraints from many sides, so
I think a constitutional monarchy is better than a democratic republic!"
After finishing speaking, Yang Du stared at Qiao Yu closely, trying to see any unusual expression on Qiao Yu's face. Unexpectedly, Qiao Yu did not change at all. He just took a sip of tea slowly and said, "Mr. Yang,
Even if we really need an emperor, it cannot be the Manchu Emperor!"
After Yang Du heard this, a light flashed in his eyes and he looked very excited. Obviously Qiao Yu had already expressed his inclination. Of course, Yang Du would not naively think that Qiao Yu was telling the truth, but as a southwest
The fact that one of the most influential figures can say this is a great support for Yang Du's great cause.
Now looking at the various local forces in China, with Li Yuanhong's Hubei governor being replaced by Duan Qirui, Beiyang has taken control of the world, leaving only the southwest. Now Qiao Yu has also relaxed. It seems that President Yuan has become
Emperor Yuan's dream is not far away!
"Qiao Shuai, you are really superior to others for having such knowledge. I dare to say that in the land of China ten years from now, it will be the best time for you to show your talent. The president is already old and often tells us that the future still depends on ability.
What an outstanding young man!"
At this point, Qiao Yu is very clear. Speaking of it, the age gap between him and Yuan Shikai is really big. The two are destined to be figures of two eras. Old Yuan should have the idea of taking Qiao Yu under his command.
Even if Lao Yuan really ascends the throne of the emperor, then Qiao Yu should not be able to escape the position of a prime minister, and it is indeed better than a patrol envoy.
Speaking of which, Lao Yuan's thoughts on Qiao Yu are no different from his thoughts on Tao Chengzhang and Song Jiaoren. He just hopes that they can balance the increasingly disobedient Beiyang system. But the first two have already died violently. Where is Qiao Yu's heart?
How could you not be clear?
In fact, Lao Yuan and Yang Du's calculations were definitely wrong. Although the age gap between Qiao Yu and Yuan Shikai is too big, they are both leaders of a large faction. Beiyang is spread all over the world, and the Sichuan faction has deep roots and amazing development momentum. Qiao Yu and Yuan Shikai
With the support of huge forces behind him, it would be too difficult to abandon the faction. Therefore, it is impossible for Qiao Yu to be owned by Yuan Shikai, and Lao Yuan is destined to be the president of Beiyang, but not the president of China!
"Mr. Yang, you have a genius for insight into world affairs. China really needs a strong man to stand up and concentrate all the power in one place to quickly realize industrialization and strengthen the country and enrich the people. But Mr. Yang, you may have overlooked one of the most important issues. The Chinese people
It is the country most suitable for implementing a democratic system, which is different from the West!"
Yang Du's eyes widened immediately, "Qiao Shuai, where do you start with these words? An important condition for a democratic republic is that the people are intellectually enlightened, which requires an overall improvement in education levels and a spirit of rule of law. China does not have these.
Can a democratic system be implemented?”
"Haha, Mr. Yang, democracy in any country is a game played by the elite. Popular elections are just a cover. Even ordinary people will not elect a farmer as president! And China has been a country that has been a country compared to Europe since ancient times.
It adds up to a huge empire. Managing such a large dynasty is definitely not something that an emperor can accomplish. He must rely on a huge bureaucracy. Therefore, China has always had a tradition of elite governance, and this kind of central dynasty has great influence on surrounding areas.
The barbarians have too great an advantage, which determines that China will focus its main attention on itself, because as long as there are no loopholes in the internal affairs of the central dynasty, foreign enemies have no chance at all. In other words, as long as we can solve our own
Problem, you can defeat the enemy without fighting!" As Qiao Yu spoke, he couldn't help but observe Yang Du's face. It was obvious that Yang Du's face was not good-looking...
China's national conditions are completely different from those of foreign countries. China itself is a world, a world system as huge as the West. Europe is about the same area as China, but has dozens of countries and countless nobles, so every European country wants to develop.
A strongman must appear to lead the country to compete with foreign countries and rely on war to make the country strong. Therefore, Europeans essentially long for strongman politics.
After the Industrial Revolution, when Westerners gained the power to control the world, they suddenly discovered that if they did not restrict the huge imperial power, it would only lead to brutal war, which in turn prompted the emergence of democratic thought.
China is completely the opposite. If China wants to be strong, it must go through internal political reforms. For example, during the reign of Wen and Jing, such as the prosperous Kaiyuan era, foreign war was not the theme of the operation of this empire, and governing the country requires the imperial power to form an alliance with the power of the prime minister.
Balance is the prototype of an elite democracy.
"The imperial examination system began in the Sui and Tang Dynasties, and then in the Song Dynasty, scholar-bureaucrats and kings ruled the world together. In the Ming Dynasty, there was even the idea of a virtual emperor. Following this process, the Chinese have been looking for a tool to restrict imperial power, and the democratic republic
After the concept was passed on, Chinese scholars immediately accepted this view. This is the best way to solve the dispute between China's monarchy and the power of the prime minister, which is to completely eliminate monarchy!"
When Qiao Yu said this, a layer of delicate sweat appeared on Yang Du's forehead. Yang Du couldn't help but torture himself in his heart. What Qiao Yu said was the fundamental difference between China and the West. Is it true?
Is the constitutional monarchy system that I advocate wrong?
"Qiao Shuai, don't you think that the constitutional monarchy is more suitable for today's China than the republic?"
"Mr. Yang, it is true that it is suitable, but whether it can be realized is another matter!"
Yang Du fell silent. Qiao Yu knew that Yang Du was a great talent and knew that he would not change his opinion just because of his few words. Therefore, Qiao Yu smiled and said: "This is just my immature opinion.
Mr. Yang can be used as a reference, but you can rest assured that I still support the president, and I can also guarantee that Sichuan will never be the first to attack in the future!"
Yang Du left Sichuan with full of thoughts. Yang Du still valued Qiao Yu's words very much. Qiao Yu's ability to obtain huge benefits among the great powers proved that this person's vision far exceeded that of the people of this era. In Yang Du's heart
I keep asking myself whether I can implement the Constitution of the King!
Yang Du had just arrived in Beijing, and before he had time to report to Yuan Shikai about his trip to Sichuan, a major event appeared in front of Yang Du. Just two days ago, the Japanese Minister Hioki submitted a treaty to Yuan Shikai, sharing a treaty.
Five paragraphs and twenty-one.
Japan occupied Qingdao and its power in China expanded rapidly. At the same time, after 1915, the European powers were now busy with wars. Last year, the British were able to mediate the Hanyang Iron Works problem, but now the British do not have such energy. Germany
Frequent attacks by submarines have caused frequent crises in the British maritime communication lines, making them almost unsustainable, giving Japan an opportunity to take advantage of it.
Compared with the original Twenty-one Articles in history, Japan's current conditions have many aspects specific to Sichuan. In the third paragraph, Japan requires China and Japan to jointly establish the Chongqing Iron and Steel Plant and hand over Han Yeping Company completely to Japanese management. In addition,
We also need railway rights from Wuchang to Nanchang, Nanchang to Hangzhou, and Nanchang to Chaozhou.
Both of these requirements have affected Sichuan's interests. Most of Hanyang Iron Works has moved to Sichuan, but it still leaves behind a large area of factory machinery. It can also produce pig iron and wrought iron, and can provide a large amount of raw materials for Japan's steel industry.
Japan has learned the lessons from the last conflict and wants to take the Hanyang Iron Works directly into its hands.
The Chongqing Iron and Steel Works is the core of southwest industrialization. Japan actually wants to co-operate with China and Japan. It is tantamount to taking the lifeblood of Sichuan into its hands. It will undoubtedly arouse crazy opposition from the Sichuan Group!…
The Sichuan-Hankou Railway has been built to Wuchang. If Japan gets the right to build the road from Wuchang to Nanchang, it can directly enter Sichuan through the railway. The Japanese army can march straight in through the railway. Sichuan's security will be challenged like never before. Japan's intentions
Only the viciousness can be seen.
After Yang Du saw this treaty, he was also shocked. Japan wanted to gain rights to Shandong, gain control of Fujian, expand its power in Northeast China and Inner Mongolia, and require China not to lease coastal islands to other countries.
The country, the Sino-Japanese joint police force, and the arsenal. If these conditions are agreed to, there is no doubt that China will become an exclusive colony of Japan. Yang Du has the dream of a powerful country, how can he let Yuan Shikai agree to such a treaty?
"President, we absolutely cannot agree to this kind of treaty of national subjugation, otherwise China will really be in doom!"
After Yuan Shikai saw the twenty-one items, he instantly became much older. "Xizi, even if I die, I can't agree to this kind of treaty. I'm just under a low eaves and have to bow my head. If we don't agree, is there any other way?"
What?"
Yang Du read the clauses carefully, then slapped his thigh, "President, I have an idea. Although this treaty is harsh, Japan has several clauses that have affected Sichuan's interests, such as Hanyang Iron Works and Chongqing Iron and Steel.
The problem of the factory, such as the railway from Wuchang to Nanchang, and the joint arsenal factory, Sichuan has already had two conflicts with Japan because of the steel problem. Sun Wen betrayed the Hanyang Iron Works once, and last year's iron ore dispute
Once again, this time the gun is pointed at the Chongqing Iron and Steel Plant. In addition, if the railway is built to Wuhan, it will be connected to the Sichuan-Hankou Railway. There is also the issue of jointly establishing an arsenal. The scale of the Sichuan arsenal is the largest in the country.
These demands from Japan will drive Sichuan to death. I think as long as the contents of the treaty are secretly sent to Chengdu, I think Sichuan will go crazy!"
Yuan Shikai's eyes lit up when he heard this. Yang Du's vision was much stronger than that of Yang Shiqi and others. If he could bring Sichuan in, he would be able to fight against Japan's pressure once and for all, and he would be able to share a lot of his own pressure.