Since Lao Yuan's death, Beiyang has been completely torn apart. The overt and covert struggles between President Li Yuanhong and Prime Minister Duan Qirui have become more and more obvious, especially around the issue of participating in the war. The conflicts between the two sides are very sharp. Lao Duan has also repeatedly tested the strength of these places.
The factions, especially Lao Zhang, who was in the limelight after defeating the Russians, were the top priority.
In exchange for Lao Zhang's support, Xu Shuzheng had to offer an olive branch: "Soldiers are also members of the country and should express their own opinions on politics. Yu Shuai single-handedly recovered the Middle Road, which was a rare feat since the Republic of China. Participating in the war has a lot to do with it.
The prime minister urgently needs Yu Shuai's understanding, and the three eastern provinces have a heavy responsibility for border defense and need to strengthen their troops. We should work together."
Xu Shuzheng made it very clear. As long as Lao Zhang can support Duan Qirui, Lao Duan will allow Fengjun to expand its armaments. Although Fengjun's expansion is not something Duan Qirui can object to, if Lao Duan can support it, the army will
If it can be justified, there are still many benefits.
The military leaders of Fengjun were also thinking about it. Zhang Jinghui also asked: "Secretary-General, after joining the war, will China need to send troops? If so, will they be drawn from various provinces or reorganized? Where will the military pay and weapons come from?
?”
Zhang Jinghui is usually confused, but this time the question is indeed very important. It is what everyone is concerned about. If Duan Qirui, in the name of participating in the war, transfers troops from all over the world to Europe to serve as cannon fodder, in the name of participating in the war,
In fact, the big guys will never agree to the idea of cutting down the vassal vassal in name.
"The Prime Minister has negotiated with the great powers. China does not need to send troops to participate in the war. It only needs to send some laborers. It can obtain the status of a victorious country without firing a shot. This is a very cost-effective thing."
"Secretary-General Xu. Since there is no need to send troops, I don't think there is any need to join the war with great fanfare." Zhang Tinglan said with a smile: "Germany is a powerful country on the European continent. Even if it loses the war, their science and technology is still the leader in Europe.
It is also very influential in the world, and we don’t have to offend the Germans. Therefore, I suggest that all provinces jointly set up a labor export company, and we can provide as many workers as the great powers need, so that we can get the best of both worlds. What do you think of this idea?"
As soon as Zhang Tinglan's words came out, Lao Zhang knew the elegant meaning of the string song and immediately said with a smile: "My humble suggestion is very safe. It is really unwise to offend Germany. I think it is better not to declare war!"
How shrewd Lao Zhang is. After Zhang Tinglan finished speaking, a strange color flashed in Xu Shuzheng's eyes, and Lao Zhang quickly caught it. It became clear in his heart instantly. Lao Duan was still preparing to take advantage of the opportunity to participate in the war to expand his armaments. In fact, the reason is obvious.
, there is no benefit, will Lao Duan rush to join the war?
Fengjun was now a prince, and of course he didn't want Lao Duan to grow bigger, so Zhang Zuolin deliberately followed Zhang Tinglan's words to force Xu Shuzheng into a corner.
When Xu Shuzheng heard this, his expression changed. He pondered for a long time before saying: "Shuai Yu, there is still a big difference between participating in the war and not. After declaring war, we will be an upright and victorious country. We can take back the lost sovereignty and be able to
There are too many benefits from abolition of various treaties and lifting of various restrictions. If we do not participate in the war, these benefits will be gone."
"Secretary-General Xu still has the opinion that if we can take back the country's sovereignty, it would be a good thing to join the war." Zhang Tinglan continued: "Then I don't know how the talks with the powers are going, whether they have signed an agreement, and what privileges they are prepared to use in exchange for our participation in the war.
Is it a tariff, a concession, a railway, or a garrison? If the South Manchuria Railway can really be taken back, I think all the soldiers in the army will definitely be willing to obey the Prime Minister's order. Even if they really go to the battlefield and bury their bodies in a foreign land, they will die without mercy.
!”
What Zhang Tinglan said was awe-inspiring. Similar words were mentioned by Zhang Zuolin last time. The recovery of sovereignty must be implemented in a treaty. Otherwise, it will be empty talk and there will be no meaning at all.
This point once again hit Xu Shuzheng's fate. The idea of taking back sovereignty was just wishful thinking of Beiyang. Britain, France and other countries did not agree at all. Xiao Xu's heart was also churning for a while. Fengjun was indeed difficult to deal with. He used this rhetoric to deal with
Other warlords have no success.
As soon as everyone heard that they could take back their sovereignty without sending their own troops, they nodded without hesitation. The governors of the northern provinces also formed a military governor's army to cheer for Lao Duan. But when they arrived in Fengtian, the loophole was firmly grasped.
Yes, Lao Zhang was not fooled at all.
Xiao Xu seemed a little passive, and Yang Yuting on the side suddenly laughed and said: "Commander, Youzheng has just arrived in Fengtian, let's just take care of ourselves first, and let's talk about the big things tomorrow!"
Yang Yuting and Xu Shuzheng were both students of the Japanese Military Academy, and they could be considered classmates. One of them was reused by the Prime Minister, and the other was trusted by the Northeast King. It was also a good story. Yang Yuting took the initiative to help Xu Shuzheng resolve the embarrassment, and Lao Zhang also
Instead of talking about official matters, they held a banquet in honor of Xu Shuzheng.
After the banquet, Yang Yuting took the initiative to find Zhang Tinglan. As soon as they met, he said coldly: "I'd like to say that participating in the war has many benefits for the country. I don't understand why you are hostile to Youzheng?"
"Linge, you only know one but not the other. You haven't seen this problem through yet!"
Yang Yuting said with a puzzled look on his face: "I'd like to say that Germany's defeat is a foregone conclusion. You also said this. Let's beat the loser and get a bargain. Even if the tariffs cannot be recovered, at least Germany's privileges in China will be abolished. This will
It's like releasing a shackles. No matter how I look at it, it's a cost-effective deal."
"Linge, you only talked about the shackles that were lifted, but you didn't count the other chains that might be added."
As soon as Zhang Tinglan said this, Yang Yuting immediately frowned and said, "I'm sorry, how can I say this?"
"Although Xiao Xu said he would not send troops to join the war, I dare say that Lao Duan will definitely take the opportunity to expand armaments. He may not dare to take away the power of the provinces, but it is inevitable to train another army."
Yang Yuting lowered his head and thought for a while, then nodded. As the saying goes, you can't afford to be too early if you don't have any benefits. Duan Qirui was so eager to join the war, so he probably had this consideration.
"My humble opinion, are you worried that the expansion of Beiyang will threaten the interests of Fengjun, so you oppose sending troops?" Yang Yuting said: "Although I am from Fengjun, I still think about the good of this country.
Now is a God-given opportunity, we can’t let it go!”
Yang Yuting's words are actually a bit out of line. He is obviously accusing Zhang Tinglan of disregarding the national interests for the sake of Fengjun's personal interests. He also implicitly accuses Zhang Zuolin. If he hadn't had a close relationship with Zhang Tinglan, I believe in Zhang Tinglan's character. Yang Yuting would definitely
Wouldn't say this.
"Linge, you misunderstood. I am not so petty, especially in the face of national interests, and I will not be confused. But there is one thing you need to think about, Linge. Lao Duan wants to expand armaments. These armaments will
Did it come out of thin air? Why did he get it in exchange for it?"
Zhang Tinglan's continuous rhetorical questions shocked Yang Yuting, and his thoughts suddenly opened up, and he understood Zhang Tinglan's concerns. Since the expansion of the army requires weapons and military pay, and the introduction of foreign instructors, the amount of money required is quite staggering.
, then how to get funds?
The Beiyang government would definitely not be able to come up with it, so it would have to borrow money from the great powers. Thinking about the borrowings since the late Qing Dynasty, there is something Yang Yuting still can't figure out. It must be exchanged for more economic and military benefits.
When Xu Shuzheng lobbied Fengjun, he only said that he could regain his sovereignty, but he did not say how much sovereignty he would lose because of it. Weighing the two, whether it was worth it.
"Lin Ge, it was the United States that initially encouraged Beiyang to join the war. Obviously the Americans also saw this move. As long as they encouraged Beiyang to join the war, they could use the two chains of loans and armaments to lock Beiyang in. As a result, the Japanese also saw this move.
, they turned to support Beiyang. At this time, the Americans went back on their own words and opposed China's participation in the war. How many small calculations are behind this, haven't you figured it out yet, Linge?"
Yang Yuting has just woken up from a dream. He can only see one step, but Zhang Tinglan has already seen three or five steps away. The issue of joining the war is indeed not that simple. The Japanese are instigating behind the scenes, and the little devil has been focusing on the three northeastern provinces.
, will Lao Duan betray the interests of the three eastern provinces in exchange for Japan's support?
Now it seems that it is not that Fengjun is disregarding national sovereignty for his own selfish interests, but that Lao Duan may betray the three eastern provinces for his own benefit.
The historical facts are indeed true. Duan Qirui's funds for training the war troops were obtained by selling the railways and mines in Northeast China. It was the famous Nishihara loan in history, which paved the way for the Japanese to further encroach on the three northeastern provinces. It can be said to have caused endless disasters.
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After Zhang Tinglan explained the truth to Yang Yuting based on his little understanding of history and the facts he now understands, Yang Yuting also woke up from a dream and understood the hidden crisis.
He originally cared about the friendship with Xu Shuzheng as a classmate and wanted to help Xu Shuzheng speak, but now he saw that it was a fire pit. Yang Yuting stood up and bowed respectfully to Zhang Tinglan.
"Zhu Yan, if you hadn't woken me up, I almost made a mistake!" Yang Yuting said: "According to what Zhu Yan means, we are going to object to participating in the war?"
Zhang Tinglan shook his head again and said with a smile: "With Fengjun's current strength, we should pursue our own line, instead of following Beiyang and acting as followers. Fengjun's failure to oppose is the greatest support for Lao Duan
, it is worth paying a sufficient price for him, otherwise our army will directly go south to support Li Yuanhong, then Li Bodhisattva will have the status of president and military support, and he will not be afraid of Lao Duan!"
There was a sneer on Zhang Tinglan's face: "Ling Ge, you leaked the news to your old classmate. Lao Duan must recognize the border defense army and at the same time promise Fengjun to expand two divisions. Fengjun will remain neutral and they can fight however they want."
, otherwise we have the ability to bring down Lao Duan." (To be continued, please search Piao Tian Literature, the novel is better and updated faster!