Chapter 217 Concession

Simple breakfast, a bowl of oil tea, two deep-fried dough sticks, plus a spring roll and a tea egg. In Nanjing City, most people's breakfast is like this, even for the emperor himself in the palace.

Every month, the royal family will announce its own expenses. No one doubts that the monthly family catering expenses are only about 500 yuan, but the royal family's daily expenses are not much better than theirs. Such a "huge" is still because your majesty, the queen often entertains ministers, councilors and their families. The reason.

However, for the people, they have long been used to the "disgly" of royal catering, and they have been used to it. At least compared with Qianqing, who ate thousands of taels of silver every meal, they would rather prefer this "indegly" royal family, while on the other hand, the royal family squeezed money out of his teeth. Go to help the poor and buy war bonds.

90% of the 4 million yuan of royal funds paid by the Congress every year are used to buy all kinds of bonds, which always makes people feel that the emperor they chose is very good!

A simple breakfast is just a habit for Chen Moran. The habit of 20 or 30 years can't be changed in three or two days. What's more, instead of eating a breakfast that is unnecessary and worth hundreds of yuan, it is better to turn the few hundred yuan into bullets or shells and provide it to the army. Team, or become a book to donate to the school, this is the real maximum value.

"Britain once again met with our ambassador to the United Kingdom and asked our country to withdraw its troops from Japan immediately..."

While enjoying a simple breakfast, looking at the official document, and looking at the events mentioned in the official document, Chen Moran just sneered. These British people, if they really have the courage, then send a fleet directly!

"Damn the English!"

With a sneer, Chen Moran found that he didn't like those British more and more, and even vaguely expected to declare war on Britain one day and then send troops to recover Hong Kong.

"Calm down, be sure to calm down!"

After spitting out this sentence to himself again, Chen Moran slowly calmed down. Now China does not have the ability to challenge the great powers at all. It is just a quasi-strong power, and China is not a quasi-strong force. Neither country has achieved industrialization, relying on the relatively poor economy and Backward industries support wars that do not match their own strength.

"... It's time to tell the British that if Britain continues to point fingers at us, then we should not reject the use of force to solve problems... The whole world knows that maybe the British navy is very powerful, but the poorly equipped British army is not our highly combative army at all. The opponent, even its navy can't guarantee that it can completely defeat our efficient navy... When our great army generals make the final decision, it is easy to break Britain's stubborn dream... Why can't we choose to say no to Britain?

In a word, it shows the changes in the thinking of the Chinese people now, especially after the alliance with Germany. Compared with the "inferiority of weak countries" in the past, the current citizens have a little more "strong country spirit", because the British's fingers hurt China's feelings, so in their opinion, China should choose to use the strong Hard confrontation is tough.

"All the people are like this. You must calm down at this time!"

With a sigh, Chen Moran said to himself.

In fact, to some extent, I can understand that those citizens defeated the "small and strong" power of Japan and attacked its local victory, which stunned many people's minds. After the alliance with Germany, they felt that China had achieved an equal footing with the world's top powers overnight. They completely ignore the gap between China and those great powers in education, science, technology, industry and other aspects.

The army they saw was actually an army that they had built at all costs that did not match their national strength. Like me, they chose to build a strong army without remembering the cost, so as to ensure the security of the country. How difficult it is to rely on the current national strength to maintain such an army. Difficult?

As soon as you challenge the real powers, the prototype will appear immediately.

Contemplation, Chen Moran slowly calmed down and began to think about the relationship with Britain, the United States, Germany and Japan with a calm attitude as much as possible.

While thinking about the problem, my thoughts were suddenly interrupted.

"Your Majesty, Foreign Minister Liang Dunyan, please see me..."

"Oh! Ask him to go to the study!"

"I said I let Cai Jun go!"

Listening to Liang Dunyan's report only shocked Chen Moran. This news was really unexpected. Why did I release the ambassador at this time? Does this mean?

"Your Majesty, Ambassador Cai has sent a telegram to the German Embassy now!"

"Hmm!"

He nodded, and Chen Moran looked at the telegram again. When he carefully checked the telegram with more than 2,000 words, Chen Moran found something unexpected.

Telegrams are often very short except for the need, but this time, Cai Jun's telegrams are very long, and some of them can even be understood as "excessive waste". On the other hand, looking at these telegrams, Chen Moran suddenly realized a problem that Cai Jun deliberately sent back this long telegram.

In addition to analyzing the changes of the political axe in the telegram, there is even the content of asking the country to tell his family. This Cai Jun... Chen Moran, who understands Cai Jun's intention, smiled and forgot to work on the country at this time!

"Is this telegram sent by a German?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, forwarded by the German Embassy in China!"

Liang Dunyan replied with some uncertainty.

"Oh, when Cai Jun comes back, I will honor him in person!"

Chen Moran smiled at the telegram in his hand.

"Cai Jun has made great contributions this time. With this telegram, Germany's diplomatic password is just like we have opened up. No matter what password the Germans use, we are clear about the final translation of this telegram, which means that we can directly decipher the German diplomatic telegram, Germans..."

The cautious German actually made a fatal mistake in this place!

"Your Majesty?"

"Germany is our ally, but it is also a good choice to learn more about our allies."

With that, Chen Moran looked at the content of the telegram again.

"Let's hold a cabinet meeting in the morning! Well, ten o'clock!"

At 10:35 a.m., in the cabinet conference room of the government building, Chen Moran, dressed in a naval uniform, looked at the sitting ministers. The cabinet meeting was held for half an hour, and in half an hour, everyone was still discussing.

"The political axe proposed to hold direct negotiations with us, which can be regarded as the political axe's desire to make a huge concession!"

Cai E, who had studied in Japan, said directly that in his opinion, he could show this attitude, which meant that they had begun to face up to the failure on the battlefield.

"The problem is that the bottom line of the concession of the political axe is there!"

Compared with the optimism of others, Guan Mingtang is not very optimistic.

"The conditions we put forward are harsh, even beyond our plan. In this case, even if I am willing to negotiate, I only hope to be able to bargain in the negotiation. If their purpose is not achieved, I'm afraid that the negotiation will eventually break down!"

He nodded deeply, and Chen Moran looked at Zhang Zhidong.

"I agree with the opinion of the Chancellor of the Exchequer!"

Seeing His Majesty's eyes on himself, Zhang Zhidong slowly spit out his opinions. For the old prime minister, he was the "center of the empire", and the word "symbol" should be added later. Most of the time, he would not find his views, but was inclined to the relatively stable advice of other ministers.

"Therefore, I hope to refuse the request of the Japanese political axe and exert pressure through further military action!"

Although he is not a soldier, Guan Mingtang knows that only by constantly exerting pressure can he make greater concessions. "If you start negotiations in arash way, I'm afraid it will lead you to see the bottom card of our country!"

"Your Majesty, maybe I want to bargain at the negotiating table and do everything possible to preserve the interests of Japan, but this may be an opportunity!"

Yuan Shikai obviously does not agree with Guan Mingtang's opinion. In fact, to a large extent, he has already regarded Guan Mingtang as his "competitor". He once thought that among these cabinet dignitaries, he might take over Zhang Nanpi as the next prime minister.

After thinking about it, there is only one person, Guan Mingtang. Compared with others, Guan Mingtang, who has studied in the United States for more than 20 years, knows far more about Europe and the United States and the advanced aspects of Europe and the United States than him, and also knows more about the operation of a modern political axe and how to formulate the development of industry and education in the whole country.

But the most important point is that Guan Mingtang has won the trust of His Majesty. Although he has said countless rebellious words in front of His Majesty, His Majesty still trusts this person.

Because of this, in Yuan Shikai's opinion, he is the only one who is most likely to squeeze himself out of the next prime minister.

So, in any case, it is impossible for Yuan Shikai to agree with his opinion.

"Your Majesty, the longer the war lasts, the more unfavorable it is to us. According to the statistics of the Ministry of Finance, if the war continues until the end of the year, the military expenditure alone will be as much as 700 million yuan. According to the feedback from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there are now voices in the United Kingdom and the United States against my [***] action, with The delay of the war is likely to lead to the deepening of the hostility of the two countries towards China. The two countries first consider their interests and the balance of Asia. Now we are allied with Germany. On the surface, it makes Britain avoid it, but on the other hand, it will also force Britain to make a choice whether to continue to deepen the alliance with Japan. Relationship, thus restraining our country, and now Russia is extremely dissatisfied with China's joint operation of the sodium nitrate mine in Xinjiang Province with Germany and allied with Germany..."

At this time, Yuan Shikai fully demonstrated the qualities that a prime minister should have and began to analyze from the international environment.

"In Nanyang, the dispute between us and the Dutch is still an unsolved case. In Zhongnan, the French are also extremely vigilant about us. It can be said that China is now entering an unprecedented and extremely bad external situation. Your Majesty, if the war is delayed for a long time, will it lead to drastic changes in the external environment? We It's unpredictable, so now we should not only hold direct negotiations with Japan, but even..."

Looking at his majesty, who was meditating, Yuan Shikai said in an extremely solemn tone.

"We can make huge concessions in negotiations!"

"Great concession!"

Yuan Shikai's suggestion only made Chen Moran frown. What's wrong with Lao Yuan? Turning his head and looking directly at Yuan Shikai, Chen Moran's eyes were more or less with a glimmer of dissatisfaction. Didn't he know that he... "Your Majesty, what is the purpose of our request for the ceding of land and huge war compensation?"

Facing His Majesty's slightly angry and dissatisfied eyes, although he beat the drum in his heart, Yuan Shikai still raised a question without hesitation.

"There is no doubt that the purpose is to completely destroy the development potential of Japan, so as to pave the way for China's future development. The ceding of land can enable China to have a base to enter the Pacific Ocean, which can directly threaten Japan's mainland, and a huge amount of war compensation can also cause Japan's economy to collapse, a country with an economic collapse. It is impossible to support a modern army, so our purpose is to destroy and control Japan, but is it possible for Japan to accept this condition without losing the last bit of feat?

Yuan Shikai's rhetorical question made everyone fall into thinking. Similarly, Chen Moran was also thinking. In fact, the bottom line was proposed by Chen Moran. Although the ministers had some opinions, they finally chose to meet His Majesty's "needs". On the other hand, they were also eager. We are eager to make huge compensation to ease the economic pressure brought by large-scale industrial development and educational development.

Whether it is ceding land or compensation, they have reached an agreement within the cabinet because of demand. Although they also understand what difficulties they will face if they want Japan to agree to the conditions aimed at destroying a country, they are still willing to try.

But now Yuan Shikai's reminder at this time is undoubtedly to lift their inner questions on the table, making them have to face this problem.

yue ben... Thinking about these two words, Chen Moran frowned. In another time and space, in World War II, if it were not two atomic bombs in the end, would it be possible to surrender? Even when the surrender decision was made, Japan still needed the guarantee of the United States - to preserve the emperor's system.

Now, although he has occupied the four countries, is it possible for him to accept the conditions aimed at destroying them? Will they... After thinking for a long time, Chen Moran spit out a sentence?

"Without land cuts and no compensation, the war will not end!"

"I have no objection!"

Yuan Shikai answered directly.

"But how much is cut and how much to lose, the original political axe has an acceptable bottom line. If it is only slightly higher than their bottom line, I think the original political axe is acceptable!"

Looking at Yuan Shikai, Chen Moran didn't say anything. If it hadn't been for the investigation bureau monitoring him, he would have really doubted whether the old Yuan had been bribed by himself. However, looking at Yuan Shikai at this time, he had a little appreciation in his heart. The most important thing was to refute himself that the minister he needed was not a minister who could only compliment him.

"North Korea, Ryukyu!"

Yuan Shikai spit out two place names.

"There is no doubt that for Japan, they are willing to spit out these two places, and there is almost no need for any disputes. I understand that if the war is lost, the dirt that was swallowed in the mouth before will certainly not be preserved. Therefore, there is no problem in these two places in the ceding of the land, and the remaining problems That is, how much meat can we dig from the day itself! And how to dig this piece of meat!"

Looking at His Majesty and looking at Guan Mingtang, Yuan Shikai thought for a moment.

"Kyushu, Shikoku, Tsushima, South Sakhalin Islands, Qiandao Islands, in the Chen's opinion, there should be no problem with the occupation of Tama for our country. As for South Sakhalin Island and Qiandao Islands, there are not many problems. These are all occupied by Japan, so there is no big problem, but if you want me to cede Kyushu, I'm afraid not. It's possible,"

After an assertion, Yuan Shikai thought for a moment.

"So for us, we should plan to give up Kyushu and concentrate on solving the problem of the Shikoku Islands occupied by our army!"

Listening to Yuan Shikai's suggestion, Chen Moran didn't say anything. He just looked at Yuan Shikai and waited for him to continue. At this time, Yuan Shikai, who was con was thinking about it, changed the topic again.

"There is also the issue of compensation. The condition we offer is 15 billion gold yuan, and the bottom line is 12 billion yuan, but I prefer that we can have between 5 billion and 6 billion yuan, up to 6.5 billion yuan. If it exceeds 6.5 billion yuan, there is no possibility of reaching an agreement at all, so... "

For the proposal to reduce the cession of land, in order to reach a peace treaty, Chen Moran can barely accept it, but in terms of compensation, in any case, Chen Moran can't accept it.

"The gap is too big!"

"Your Majesty, the gap is big. It is precisely because the gap is too big that we have to find a way from other places!"

Facing His Majesty's dissatisfaction, Yuan Shikai said directly.

"Can you find a way elsewhere?"

Chen Moran frowned slightly. Where else can he find a way?

"Whether it is ceding land or compensation, we have to make huge concessions to reach an agreement. I am also aware of this problem, so we have sufficient reasons to put forward new conditions!"

"New conditions!"

Chen Moran was stunned by Yuan Shikai's words. When he looked at Yuan Shikai, he was puzzled. What new conditions could he put forward?

"Your Majesty, our purpose is to control the Japanese and change the Japanese from a threat to a neighbor under our control that will not pose any threat to us. Therefore, we should focus on this issue and do some articles such as..."

Looking up at Your Majesty, Yuan Shikai closed his eyes again and said with his head down slightly.

"Your Majesty, why didn't you decide to be in the capital at the beginning?"

(to be continued)