Since Japan seized these two cargo ships, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been overwhelmed instantly, and everyone, including the Prime Minister, has been struggling to deal with it and is overwhelmed.
Qiao Yu and the United States jointly took up the issue of raw silk. Japan now knows very well that China has a long tradition of raw silk production, vast land and sufficient labor force. The biggest reason why Chinese raw silk has been replaced by Japan is that Chinese raw silk production still relies on handwork, and
Japan has introduced a large number of machines, so Japanese raw silk can be cheaper and of higher quality.
But if the United States supports the development of sericulture and silk reeling in Sichuan, Japan's advantages will disappear instantly. China's natural conditions are not comparable to Japan. What's even worse is that the United States is the largest market for Japanese raw silk. If the United States changes its attitude
, it is really a disaster for Japan.
Raw silk was so closely related that Japan had to go crazy, so the Japanese wanted to put pressure on Sichuan by seizing cargo ships. However, Japan found that a bigger powder keg had been ignited in an instant. Now the Allies and the Allies were fighting to the bitter end.
At the critical moment, the production capacity of Britain and France had reached its limit, but it still could not keep up with the rate of consumption. Therefore, the support of the Allied Powers from various production areas around the world became very important, and it was even a matter of life and death.
Although Japan declared war on Germany, it only fought against the Germans in Qingdao in Asia. It can be said that it simply stood aside and watched. Sichuan was much more lovely than Japan. It not only provided raw materials and commodities, but also provided a large number of laborers. At this time
Japan seized the Sichuan cargo ship, and the anger of Britain and France broke out instantly.
"Mr. Hiraki, our two countries are allies, but unfortunately, I only discovered now that your country is actually an ally of Germany. It is fighting for the interests of Germany and is a complete traitor!"
Hikiichi has been discussing the Twenty-One Issues with Beiyang representative Lu Zongyu and others. The sudden seizure of the Sichuan cargo ship by the Japanese government also shocked Hikiichi. As a diplomat, Hikiichi knew very well that Sichuan was in the hearts of the Allied Powers.
The weight of this is undoubtedly to anger Britain, France and Russia.
Now Hiroki is facing questions from the ministers of Britain, France, Russia and the United States. The most angry among the ministers of these four countries is the Russian minister. Originally, Japan and Russia had a feud. Now, after Russia experienced the Battle of Tannenberg, the consumption of heavy equipment
Once the war broke out, Russia's poor industrial situation made it impossible to withstand a long war. Now almost two or three people on the Russian front line have a rifle.
The arms delivered by Sichuan can be said to be very eager for Russia. Sichuan's arms are cheap and can just make up for Russia's vacancies. However, just when the Russian soldiers were waiting eagerly on the front line, Japan actually withheld the arms. After the Russian Czar got the news,
Almost going crazy.
The same is true for Britain and France. On the Western Front battlefield, the consumption is very fast. Inconspicuous things like bristle brushes can help maintain weapons and extend their service life by half. The Japanese have now taken them, which just hits one of the pain points of these two countries.
Together with the American minister, the four-on-one situation made Hioki very passive.
"Your Excellency Zhu Erdian, Japan has always been loyal to its allies. Don't get me wrong. We have obtained some information that the Sichuan ship contained a large amount of morphine. We were worried that this drug would be transported to Europe, so we seized it!
"
"Now that the ship is in your hands, I wonder if you can find the morphine?" American Minister Reinsch asked.
"I'm searching carefully and I'll definitely find it!"
"No, you can put it in yourself even if you don't have it. The Japanese government is such a gangster. The Chongqing Steel Plant is a joint venture between the United States and Sichuan, with shares in both parties. Why does Japan ignore business rules and want to take over the steel plant?"
If you get it into your own hands, this is hooliganism. I have reported it to the government. If Japan cannot change its wrong stance as soon as possible, we will expand sanctions on Japan and completely cut off products including oil and steel!"...
As soon as Rui Enshi finished speaking, Hizuki Yi's forehead started to sweat. Rui Enshi's words were too intimidating. Now the main oil producing area is in the Gulf of Mexico. The United States is the largest oil exporter. If the United States cuts off
Without the oil supply, Japan's warships suddenly became scrap metal.
As for steel, it is a necessary resource for Japan to develop its industry. If the United States cuts off the supply, it will be a nightmare for Japan. Hioki is now extremely resentful of why the country is so reckless. It is simply making fun of the empire.
"Your Excellency Rui Enshi, the Japanese Empire will not ignore commercial principles, and it also attaches great importance to business exchanges with the United States. However, the United States first reached a raw silk cooperation with Sichuan and ignored Japan's interests. As long as the United States can change, Japan will definitely change its policy!"
Rui Enshi was so angry that he wanted to laugh, "The Japanese government must clear its head. Everything that is happening now is the result of the 21 measures proposed by Japan. It is the result of your desire to monopolize China. It is the result of your ambition. Everything.
The responsibility should be borne by the Japanese government, not anyone else!"
Zhu Erdian took over the conversation at this time, "Mr. Hizuki, we, the Allied Powers, together with the United States, require your country to immediately release the seized cargo ship, and at the same time promise not to do the same thing again in the future. The other 21 are too harsh, and the great powers will absolutely
I can't agree!" After saying that, the four envoys left one after another, leaving Hiji Yi on the spot.
Hikiichi listened very carefully to Zhu Erdian's ultimatum. Although the Allies seemed to be aggressive, they were not very confident. The cargo ship must be released, but the twenty-one points were too harsh. In other words, as long as some modifications could be made
, the great powers could just accept it, Hizuki Yi's mind was spinning rapidly, and gradually a bright light appeared in his eyes. The great powers were indeed too weak now and were unable to take care of the Far East.
Reaching this conclusion made Hizuki Yi feel a lot more excited. He immediately sent electricity to the country and asked the country to release the cargo ship first, and then put all his strength to pressure Yuan Shikai to accept the 21st. As long as Yuan Shikai compromised, the United States would not
What can we do? As long as we get the treaty first, Japan can slowly get the benefits.
Three days later, the Japanese government released two cargo ships, and the U.S. sanctions against Japan were also reduced a lot. After all, there are many consortiums in the United States that are making money from trade with Japan. The United States is destined to be unable to enforce this policy forcefully. It seems like a crisis.
It has been relieved a lot, but the root cause of the twenty-one issues has not yet been solved. The current peace is only temporary, and a bigger conflict is still brewing.
"Qiao Shuai, the Beiyang government is still discussing the 21st issue with Japan. It seems to me that Beiyang is not willing to reject it outright. I am afraid that the Japanese have given Yuan Shikai benefits that he cannot refuse, otherwise the current situation will not make sense!"
Jiang Baili asked while drinking tea.
Qiao Yu sighed, "President Yuan wants to be Emperor Yuan, and the Japanese want to do what they want, so President Yuan naturally can't refuse!"
When Jiang Baili heard about Emperor Yuan, he thought it was very ridiculous, "Qiao Shuai, the Manchu Emperor has just fallen. Why does Yuan Shikai still want to be the emperor? Isn't this wishful thinking!"
"This is what Yang Du said personally. After all, the president is not as powerful as the emperor. Brother Jiang, you might as well imagine what China would be like if Yuan Shikai became emperor."
Jiang Baili frowned in pain, "Shuai Qiao is afraid that the world will be in chaos. Except for a few sycophants among the arrogant soldiers in Beiyang, no one else will agree with Yuan Shikai becoming the emperor. The academic world, the business world,
The political circles and others will not agree. I am afraid that Yuan Shikai will be completely isolated and the fate of defeat is unavoidable. But without Yuan Shikai, who can unify China? The disaster of the division of Han and Tang Dynasties is just around the corner!"...
Jiang Baili's expression became excited as he spoke, and his fingers trembled slightly, "Qiao Shuai, this is a great disaster for China and a tragedy for the Republic of China. You must try to stop it!"
Qiao Yu has always admired Jiang Baili's knowledge and vision. Things are indeed as he said. Once Yuan Shikai dies, China will be completely divided. However, Qiao Yu has long adapted to this era. Some things cannot be stopped.
, you might as well seek greater benefits from these things.
"Brother Jiang, what do you think is the biggest problem restricting the development of Sichuan?"
"Of course it's transportation. Sichuan is deep inland and far away from the sea. Although Sichuan can avoid the intrusion of foreign powers, but now that sea power is booming, if you can't control the ocean, you can't control your destiny!"
"Haha, brother Jiang, thank you very much, but Sichuan will soon have its own shipyard. The British and I have reached an agreement to build a shipyard in Qinzhou, Guangdong, mainly to produce cargo ships of about 3,000 tons. The British will provide technology and Sichuan will produce
funds to purchase land from Guangdong and build a port
Qiao Yu couldn't help but feel proud when he said this. This time Japan attacked Sichuan freighters, which greatly stimulated Britain. Sichuan's main transportation channel is the Yangtze River, which is still too single and not safe enough. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find
As for other options, Qiao Yu took the opportunity to propose a plan to build a shipyard in Qinzhou. All the cargo ships produced would be provided to the Allied Powers. He planned to complete the construction of the shipyard within a year and start production. With this shipyard, Sichuan's goods could be transported
From Yunnan, it enters Vietnam, and then is shipped to Europe. All the way is under the control of Britain and France, so there is no need to worry about the Japanese causing trouble.
"Qiao Shuai, Guangdong is too far away from Sichuan. Do you think you won't build a factory there for no reason!" Jiang Baili's mind was spinning rapidly, "Qiao Shuai, don't you want to dominate the southwest! After possessing Yunnan and Guizhou,
,Qinzhou is not too far away!"
"Haha, Brother Jiang, this project may not be successful yet. The most important thing is that the construction period of the shipyard is not short. If the product has not been produced, Europe will be over. Wouldn't it be in vain? So there is no detailed
The British will not easily agree to a feasible plan!"