Chapter 14 Yuan Shikai's Discovery

"If a war breaks out between the powerful countries on the old continent, then this war will mean the decline and decline of the old continent!"

The New York Times said on July 27, 1914, "Long live!"

The shouts echoed in the square in front of the Vienna City Hall, and tens of thousands of Austrians standing in front of the Hofburg Palace cheered and shouted at their emperor Franz. Joseph I expressed their support for the country and Austria-Hungary.

A month ago, Crown Prince Franz of Austria-Hungary? Archduke Ferdinand and his wife Sophia were assassinated by Serbian nationalists in Sarajevo, and then the Austro-Hungarian Empire issued an ultimatum to Serbia. After waiting for a month, in the face of Serbia's refusal, Franz? Joseph I chose to declare war on Serbia.

On this day, July 28, 1914.

Boiling, boiling, the whole Vienna is boiling, not only Vienna, but also the whole Austro-Hungarian Empire, the whole Balkans, and even the whole Europe will also boil.

On the streets of Vienna, a Chinese-made black Tianma car was driving on the street. The car quickly drove into the courtyard of an east-style building and then stopped in front of the main building.

A major in a white navy uniform pushed the door and got out of the car and stood in front of the doorroom with a briefcase for a while. He saw a solid wood sign hanging next to the fence-style inlaid iron door, with a row of large ink letters on the right.

"Embassy of the Chinese Empire in Austria-Hungary".

On the left, there were several rows of German and Hungarian, and then the major walked in. Before stepping into the hall, he first met a slender and beautiful army captain. The other party saluted first and greeted him with a smile.

"Is it Major Zhou Mingtao? I'm Li Yibo from the Military Officer's Office in Vienna. Please follow me. The military officer is waiting for you.

A few minutes later, Zhou Mingtao entered the military commander's office, and Lieutenant Colonel Wu Tian, who was sitting in the office, smiled when he saw Zhou Mingtao.

"Tao Wu, count the years, we haven't met since we graduated from Lu University. You came to Switzerland last year, and I originally wanted to come to you, but..."

Obviously, the two were old acquaintances. Wu Tian took out a cigarette from the cigarette box and handed it over, and then asked doubtfully.

"How's it going? What's the matter? You must have climbed the Three Treasures Hall for nothing! Say it!"

Although it has been almost three years since he graduated from Lu University, the scenes in Lu University are still vivid in his mind. Occasionally, he always thinks of those classmates. Although the friendship of the vast majority of those students is only superficial, Wu Tian misses Zhou Mingtao, a little brother, and now, the two finally see It's noodles.

"Angkor, I haven't seen you for three years!"

He took the cigarette handed over by Wu Tian with a smile. Zhou Mingtao first took out the fire machine and lit it for the other party first, and then shook his head helplessly.

"I don't think about you. I came here last year. In the past few years, as long as you take a vacation, you will definitely go back to China, and you don't want to see me..."

Wu Tian spit out a cigarette and looked out of the window at Vienna. Wu Tian said with a wry smile.

"I can't help it. Who let me have such an only child at home? All right, what's going on?

Look left and right, and then look at the unfinished curtains. Zhou Mingtao walked over and closed the curtains. Now he has to be more careful.

"Actually, I'm just a messenger, send a message, this is not."

Zhou Mingtao pointed out of the window.

"The Austro-Hungarian Empire has declared war on Serbia!"

Wu Tian is a mess.

"Can we not declare war? If this kind of thing happens in China, I'm afraid there will be a war on the same day!"

Although they have been military officers stationed abroad for three years, in Wu Tian's view, the reaction of the Austro-Hungarian Empire was too slow. For the ultimatum, they even waited for a whole month, and even now, their army has just completed full mobilization.

"They declared war, so..."

Zhou Mingtao held a cigarette in one hand and played with the lighter in the other, and seemed to turn his head left and right very pleasantly.

"We have to be prepared. Switzerland is a permanent neutral country. We don't need to prepare anything. I'm here this time..."

In a low voice, Zhou Mingtao said in the voice as small as possible.

"Gre place a notice!"

"Notification?"

Wu Tian frowned and asked, first the messenger, and then the notice. Why didn't he go through the formal channels?

"This is a direct instruction in China. At the same time, I will replace you as the chief of the military officer stationed in Austria-Hungary!"

Zhou Mingtao took out a document from his briefcase, which was forwarded by the embassy in Switzerland. It was the latest appointment of himself, Tao Wu and more than a dozen other embassy staff.

After taking over the official document and looking at the content of the official document, he understood the reason. Just a few hours ago, the embassy received a secret telegram from China, asking the embassy to enter the 0 state, which means that the embassy has entered a "quasi-war state". Now this official document means that he will be transferred to Switzerland, and Zhou Mingtao Then stay here.

"Taowu..."

"Some things must be done by someone!"

Zhou Mingtao grinned and didn't do anything.

"Okay, do the handover quickly!"

On this day, it is destined that Vienna will not be calm. In fact, the whole Europe and the whole world will not be calm.

On July 28, at about 4 p.m., Mr. Liu Jingren, the Ambassador Plenipotentiary of China to the Russian Empire, arrived at the office of the Foreign Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Empire, Shazonov on time. This meeting was requested by Shazonov.

"As far as the Chinese Empire is concerned, we prefer to solve the current Balkan crisis through diplomatic channels."

Sitting opposite Shazonov, Liu Jingren whispered while drinking tea. The tea in the cup has a slight earthy smell. This is the tea produced by the Russian Popov Tea Company in the tea garden in Georgia. A Chinese named Liu Junzhou founded the Chakwa Royal Tea Garden. Liu Junzhou's contribution to the tea growing business. Georgia is obvious to all. In 1911, the Russian political axe awarded him the "Stanislav Third Order" for this. Two years later, the General Administration talked to Liu Junzhou, hoping that he would join the Russian nationality and be treated as a high-ranking official. Liu Jun and Zhou Wan declined. The General Administration finally decided to include Liu in the list of second-class pension benefits for public officials without changing nationality. In this way, Liu Junzhou is not only the first Chinese to receive the Russian Political Axe Medal for his personal performance, but also the first foreigner to receive the award without being a Russian citizen.

However, Liu Jingren knew that his family was a pseudo-Manchu-Han army flag because of his family background, so he and his descendants could not enter China, otherwise they would have faced their bitter prison for at least ten years. As an ambassador to Russia, Liu Jingren also wanted to mediate from it, but the Ministry of the Interior did not want to set this precedent. After all, Liu Junzhou He was a pseudo-Manchu Han army flag officer, not an uprising Han army flag officer.

After the establishment of the empire, when it comes to liquidation, there is no doubt that the liquidation of the Han military flag is the most severe, because they were Han anniversed. Although hundreds of thousands of Han army flags were issued during the Kangxi and Qianlong periods of the Qing Dynasty, after the establishment of the empire, they took the books of various places and dug them out from the source.

"For Han anniannia, China has always had only one policy, strict and heavy!"

"For those who betray the country and the nation, even those who chase Huangquan will not let go!"

That's right. Even if Liu Jingren has repeatedly sent telegrams to the country for Liu Junzhou, there is no news from His Majesty, and the final compromise made by the Ministry of the Interior is that Liu Junzhou needs to be imprisoned for 20 years without his family. For China, it is already a great gift not to execute such Han Jun officers. As for not to hold him accountable. That's... it's just a dream!

"Mr. Ambassador, the reality we need to see now is that Austria-Hungary has declared war on Selviye!"

Shazonov reminded the Chinese ambassador who was only concerned about drinking tea.

For Russia, Serbia will be attacked by Austria-Hungary. The direct humiliation is Serbia, but the humiliation is Russia. At the same time, he was worried that Germany, as an ally of Austria-Hungary, might even be involved in the war, but he was more worried about the country represented by the ambassador in front of him, a country with a treaty with Germany, although their alliance had expired.

"No matter from which perspective, our country thinks so!"

With a little meditation, Liu Jingren looked at Shazonov, who was a little nervous, and then continued.

"Your Excellency, what I was just going to say is that what our country firmly believes in is a political axe of peace. In view of Europe's fall into war, in addition to hoping that all countries will solve this matter peacefully, we insist more. China will never get involved in European affairs. Any sign shows that China's involvement in the European war is extremely It is unwise, although there has been an alliance between China and Germany, so I want to clarify this matter here. China will never let its soldiers bleed for the sake of the war in Europe. China established its army to defend the country, not to involve other countries in a war that has nothing to do with China!

"That's for sure."

Shazonov nodded quickly and said.

"I believe this is in China's interests!"

At this time, Liu Jingren continued to talk. He spoke slowly and slowly, and did not miss any trivial details. In the end, Shazono finally interrupted.

"This is probably what you said,"

Shazonov looked at Liu Jingren and said.

"Whether your country has made a decision on the current situation in Europe."

"The specific decision is still under discussion in our country, but..."

After a moment, Liu Jingren threw a domestic instruction to him.

"Our political axe has decided to provide 50,000 rifles and 165 guns to your country!"

"Huh? I don't understand--"

"Your Excellency, I think you have understood!"

Liu Jingren smiled. Is there anything more convincing than providing these weapons at this time?

He didn't know why the country gave him this instruction at this time, but from this move, he still noticed the changes in the country, which may mean... "Sir, first of all, I need to thank your country for its generosity, but..."

Shazonov is still a little unsure. He can't understand why. At least in his opinion, there is no need for China to do so at all, but... "Oh, I hope your Excellency the Minister can immediately explain it to your customs. After all, it is impossible for our political axe to pay for this. Tariffs?"

"Huh?"

First, he was stunned, and Shazonov looked at Liu Jingren in surprise.

"Allow me to take the liberty to ask, has your country..."

Don't they want to fulfill the covenant with the Germans? But why can't they respond in this special way through formal diplomatic endorsement?

"I hope you can understand that at least for now, we can't make a diplomatic endorsement!"

Liu Jingren's answer disappointed Shazonov, but at the same time he was surprised, because from the meaning of his words, the Chinese were not willing to fight against Russia with Germany.

"Excuse me for asking again,"

Shazonov asked politely.

"Do you have any additional requirements?"

Benefits! In the final analysis, there is only interest that can prompt China to make such a decision.

"We hope that in the future war, if your country intends to order weapons from foreign countries, we can consider our country first. I believe that China's industrial capabilities and military factories are enough to meet your country's needs, and the transportation costs are lower. We can pass through the Siberian Railway and Central Asian Railway from the Northeast and Xinjiang Province. Road, transport any materials needed by Russia to your country.

"Because..."

Looking at Yuan Shikai in front of him, Chen Moran smiled.

"We exchanged the Russian weapons we got in the last war for tens of billions of rubles, which is what we really want in this war!"

"But..."

Yuan Shikai can't understand what your majesty means. His majesty is not ready to be involved in the European war, which is the consensus reached by the cabinet, but why... "Anyway, this is the beginning! And there are too many complicated reasons behind this matter.

Looking at Yuan Shikai, Chen Moran's heart is somewhat sorry. He is his own scapegoat. If the political axe needs to be responsible because of the actions of the navy, I'm afraid there is no more suitable candidate than Yuan Shikai.

From His Majesty's words, Yuan Shikai still felt a trace of concealment. He could realize that the reason why His Majesty provided this batch of arms to Russia was not because those arms were captured from the battlefield. In Fengtian alone, he got tens of thousands of weapons abandoned by the Russians, and there were a large number of Russian weapons in the weapons warehouse of the Guards. The device.

But your majesty did this not just to order. Maybe your majesty is to get the trust of the Russians, but why do you want to get the trust of the Russians?

Unless... suddenly looking up at your majesty, Yuan Shikai just wanted to speak, but the words still swallowed back.

"Your Majesty's foresight is really difficult to reach as a minister!"

After flattering, Yuan Shikai understood that it was better to pretend to be stupid at this time. Looking at Yuan Shikai, Chen Moran smiled and put down the brush in his hand.

"Wei Ting, count the years, you haven't returned to your hometown in Henan for a few years. When this period of work is over, I'm going to go to Henan to have a look. How about it? Do you want to go to Henan with me?"

"Go to Henan?"

Does Your Majesty want to go out? Yuan Shikai quickly got up and bowed and said.

"If Your Majesty goes to Henan, it is really a blessing for the people of Henan Province. I can accompany Your Majesty, and more..."

Chen Moran didn't listen to Yuan Shikai's words, but just sighed in his heart. Lao Yuan, Lao Yuan, I hope you can understand what I mean in today's words in a few days!

Finally, Yuan Shikai left the study and looked at his back. Chen Moran sighed in his heart. In the past few years, Yuan Shikai can be said to have made great contributions, especially in North Korea. In order to give himself a stable North Korea, he made a personal reputation with an iron fist in North Korea. Maybe he supported him, but ...Yuan Shikai has finally been loyal in the past few years, and this time.

"Old Yuan! I'm sorry!"

With a sigh, who else can be a scapegoat except Yuan Shikai?

Let the navy be in charge? Obviously, it is not appropriate, and it can't calm the anger of others. At that time, I'm afraid that only by making the prime minister responsible, we can calm the anger of some people.

The cabinet, the parliament and the army constitute a balance, and as the emperor, he will do everything possible to maintain the balance of the three. But once the parliament learns that the navy's actions in German East Africa and the German territories in the South Pacific are bound to arouse the dissatisfaction of the parliament. Until then, only the cabinet can be sacrificed. As for the army, when they are still useful in the future, not to mention that the army still acts according to the order, how can they... hurt the hearts of soldiers!

"Hometown in Henan..."

After leaving the palace, on the way, Yuan Shikai always thought about the meaning of His Majesty's last words. Although it would be glorious to return home with His Majesty, he still felt that there seemed to be something wrong with this matter.

What's wrong?

Although Henan is located in the Central Plains, what place in Henan is worth your majesty's visit? Does your majesty want to go to Henan? Why is that?

The more I think about it, the more Yuan Shikai feels that there must be some conspiracy in this matter, which is wrong... What's the minister's puzzled!

After being a minister for the past nine years, Yuan Shikai has already lost the thought of those years. For him, the biggest advantage is to know the current affairs. When he can't fight against others, perhaps the best choice is to be a loyal minister.

But for a long time, Yuan Shikai was not very worried about his majesty. No matter what he did and what he did, he always felt that his majesty seemed to be guarding against him.

In the past, maybe I had the Beiyang Army in my hand, and your majesty should also guard against it, but now? I don't know how many generations of troops adapted from the Beiyang Army have been changed. Although many old men in Beiyang are in high positions, their officers are all your majesty. Even those old men in those years, how many people may carry it for him, the commander-in-chief and your majesty?

But Your Majesty is still guarding against himself! For... Suddenly, Yuan Shikai's eyes opened, and His Majesty's words came to his mind again.

"Weiting, count the years, you haven't returned to your hometown in Henan for a few years,"

In addition to this, he wanted to accompany him to Henan. He clearly told himself that... Yuan Weiting had been away from home for so many years, and it was time to go home. What does this mean? It means... Khan gushed out of Yuan Shikai's bright forehead, and his hands trembled slightly. Could it...

(to be continued)