Chapter 76 Purpose

On the afternoon of May 25, 1915, there were dark clouds over Nanjing, heralding the upcoming rainy season.

Behind the extremely majestic Western-style Capitol in the center of Nanjing's inner city, there is a spacious official residence of political axes. The largest of them is the official residence of the Prime Minister. This official residence consists of two buildings. The office part is a Western-style building with Baroque style, and the living part is Chinese style. To some extent, this building is just like today's China. Eastern and Western civilizations meet in this country and influence each other.

The Prime Minister's residence integrates office and life. Since the completion of the Prime Minister's residence nine years ago, it has always been a place where successive prime ministers work and live. This is their office and also their home.

As in the past, after lunch at noon, Guan Mingtang sat against the sofa and soft chair in the study. When he was about to rest, the housekeeper came over with a tray. There was a famous post on the plate. Guan Mingtang took it over and saw that it was the name of Lu Zhengxiang, the current foreign minister, so he ordered the housekeeper.

"Please come in."

Looking at the post, Guan Mingtang smiled. He vaguely guessed Lu Zhengxiang's intention to see himself during the afternoon's non-working hours. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a department of the cabinet. In recent months, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been busy negotiating with the lease with the United Kingdom and France. Although some progress has been made, the progress in principle has not been made. Get it.

He met himself with a famous post at "unofficial" time. I'm afraid he still hopes to get some answers from him about sending troops.

After a while, in the British-style warm living room, the host and guest met, and it was inevitable to say a few words first.

The sudden visit of the "private room" naturally has gifts. After a few polite words, Lu Zhengxiang ordered his entourage to present a square gift box. When he opened it, there was a nearly-foot-long Korean ginseng on the silk mat. Even in the eyes of people who don't know how to do it, it seems to be really good.

Although the empire has always had zero tolerance for corruption, the habits of thousands of years of officialdom can't be changed in a few years, especially those so-called "human exchanges", but most of these exchanges are within the acceptable range, and gifts must be counted.

"Prime Minister, this is the Korean ginseng sent by the Governor-General's Office of North Korea a while ago. This late spring is the time to make up for it..."

Looking at the Korean ginseng, Guan Mingtang just smiled. Every year, the North Korean Governor-General's Office sends some "local products" to the cabinet dignitaries. Those local products are often handed over to the education fund after registration, and then auctioned by the education fund. Every year, the North Korean Governor-General District contributes millions of yuan to domestic education, and this is Yuan Shikai formulated a strategy when he was in charge of North Korea to make up for the losses caused by the exemption of central tax in the Korean governor's area. Looking at the Korean ginseng and then looking at the auction seal on the red belt, Guan Mingtang took it over with a smile.

"How embarrassing is this..."

Seeing that the Prime Minister received his gift, Lu Zhengxiang said:

"It should be, it should be."

After ordering people to put away the gifts, the host and guests drank the first cup of tea, and Lu Zhengxiang came straight to the door:

"The so-called no matter of the Three Treasures Hall, Zhengxiang is here, and there are some questions that I want to bother the Prime Minister to solve the puzzles on his behalf."

Gang Mingtang smiled and said:

"If Zici has something to say, you can ask. You don't have to be polite. And now it's non-working hours. Please call me directly. You and I have been friends for many years, and we are ministers in the same hall. How can we be so polite?"

Seeing the Prime Minister's words, Lu Zhengxiang responded happily:

"Zhe Qin, you're welcome. Zhe Qin must also know that in recent months, Zhengxiang has been negotiating with Britain and France on the dispatch of troops, but the matter involved is the ownership of Guangzhou Bay and Hong Kong, especially Hong Kong and the negotiations with the United Kingdom..."

"It should not be a negotiation. It's more direct to say that the negotiation is not a negotiation."

interrupted Lu Zhengxiang's words, Guan Mingtang said.

"Zheqin, you naturally know everything in between them. Long before the negotiations began, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expected that this negotiation would be disturbed by various difficulties. It's just that Your Majesty's request also involves the national interests. The members of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can only go all out to fight for the rights of the country, which is in line with Your Majesty's will and the will of the people. However, many problems are beyond words. Although the French agreed to return Guangzhou Bay to China, it is an appointment with the United Kingdom, such as the United Kingdom's return of Kowloon and the New Territories. , it will be returned to Guangzhou Bay..."

After listening to this short mouth, Guan Mingtang probably expected what Lu Zhengxiang was worried about, so he took a sip of tea and said:

"Ziji, didn't the British propose that our country must recognize Hong Kong's status so that it is possible to make concessions in Kowloon and the New Territories?"

The Prime Minister's words only made Lu Zhengxiang sigh and get up and arch his hand:

"What Zhe Qin said is very true. The cunning of these powers is far beyond our imagination. If we recognize Hong Kong's status at the negotiating table, we can thank our people without returning to China..."

Gang Mingtang waved his hand repeatedly:

"Sit, sit, there's nothing to worry about."

Lu Zhengxiang just sat down, and then Guan Mingtang said:

"The cunning of the great powers has long been known. Let's put it this way, Western things can be learned, but Westerners can't listen to them. In any case, those Westerners discriminate against us in their bones. Although we are Yan Han people, in the eyes of Westerners, they are inferior people of color. Naturally, it is difficult for them to treat me fairly, and then Then, the exchanges between countries put profits first, and it is understandable for the British to do so.

In many cases, Guan Mingtang can take a "fair" position to see it seem to be a problem. Although he emphasizes racial injustice, in his opinion, the fundamental problem is the different positions caused by the interests of the countries.

"If Hong Kong is used as a prerequisite, the negotiation will be deadlocked..."

Lu Zhengxiang said helplessly.

"It can be said that. If it's someone else, I can't talk too much, but since Lord Lu mentioned it at this time, it can be slightly disclosed, but it must not be mentioned to others.

Lu Zhengxiang swore gratefully.

"Thank you for your trust. Zici swears to God..."

Gang Mingtang hurriedly grabbed him:

"Oh, what's the need? Stop it quickly, or I'll see the guests off."

Lu Zhengxiang just took a little peace:

"Please give me advice from Zheqin, and I will listen to you."

"That's right."

Gang Mingtang took another sip of tea to moisten his throat, and put on the airs of the Prime Minister and asked first:

"Lord Lu, have you ever heard of Asia?"

Lu Zhengxiang thought for a moment and nodded:

"I have indeed heard that it probably emphasizes Greater Asianism, and there is also a voice in China that continental affairs are made up by Asians, Asians only fight for Asia, and the advanced Asian nation is responsible for the whole Asian nation, and China needs to bear the burden of leading Asia because of the traceability of Asia for thousands of years. The responsibility to maintain the security of Asia.

Gang Mingtang nodded:

"It's almost the same, but the core of Asianism is Asian security, which is inevitably related to Asian national liberation and literacy."

Lu Zhengxiang nodded and said:

"I have also heard about this matter. Except for China, Japan and Siam, all Asian countries have become colonies of Britain, France and the United States. As the most powerful country in Asia, China is obliged to bear the burden of all Asian peoples. Similarly, the reading ability of all Asian peoples is also related to the future interests of the empire, so it strives for the liberation of Asian nations. It is also the responsibility of China.

Gang Mingtang smiled with satisfaction, and then took a sip of tea and said:

"Very good, so you say, if you want to achieve this goal, where is the future enemy of the empire?"

"It's not Britain, France and the United States... In this way, isn't that..."

"So, in your majesty's opinion, it is not worth flowing a drop of blood for the Westerners. Now bleeding for them is equivalent to bleeding for the enemy. That's why your majesty has no intention to make any concessions on the issue of sending troops, because this negotiation is not so much a negotiation, but a delay. Your Majesty has never pointed out. What real concessions will Britain make to return Hong Kong to us, but for our country, Hong Kong is a must-have place..."

Lu Zhengxiang sighed when the Prime Minister's words only gave way.

"The British are short-sighted, greedy for small profits and lose the overall situation. The land of Hong Kong is the land of China. Although China is large, there is not much land. It has no intention to make concessions on the Hong Kong issue. It is bound to make Britain an enemy of me. Why is it suffering? If it takes advantage of the current opportunity to make concessions, it is possible to urge China and the United Kingdom to turn war into jade and silk, and we can jointly manage Asia in the future..."

Lu Zhengxiang's childishness in exchange for Guan Mingtang's kind smile.

"If China wants to build a colonial empire, how can it tolerate sharing Asia with other countries? Now that Asia is semi-colonized, if China wants to build a colonial empire, it will naturally conflict with the colonial countries. In addition, the colonization of Asia makes China's surrounding situation even more unfavorable to China. Therefore, the contradiction between China and the West is actually irreconcilable.

"Then why do we join the British and French camp now, instead of joining the German camp and sharing the world with Germany?"

"The strength is not as strong as that of others. If your majesty had been active for ten years in advance, how could our country be able to keep a little light and take the initiative to repair it in Britain and France? The root cause is still the problem of strength."

Then Guan Mingtang said:

"In your majesty's opinion, although the current repair is due to the lack of strength in Britain and France, one day, the strength will be strong. Because of the disputes between the colonial and Asian ethnic groups, we will finally quarrel with them!"

Put down the teacup in his hand, Guan Mingtang said with a sigh.

"Therefore, war is inevitable. Now Britain and France are weakened by the reserve countries. It is beneficial to promote Asianism in Asia in the future empire and help Asian peoples gain reading power."

"Since you don't want to send troops to Europe, why doesn't Your Majesty simply refuse Britain and France, but negotiate between Britain and France..."

Although he had received some criticism from His Majesty, Lu Zhengxiang was obviously confused at this time.

"With the blood of our East Asians, we want the hegemony of the West to dominate the world."

The corners of his lips were slightly raised, and Guan Mingtang's face was full of sarcasm.

"The same is true of the three countries of England, France and Germany, and what Your Majesty has done is nothing more than complying with the wishes of the three countries, making them think that they can get what they want, and then achieve the purpose of our country. China's current strategy is to implement the strategy of keeping astringent light, but it will never be self-disciplined and used by the enemy. Therefore, a lot of work must be done, and it is worth it. World War I, it is the time when our country is struggling with world strategy. How can it be trapped in Europe..."

After sneering, Guan Mingtang said again:

"Ziji, you are a smart person. Haven't you come up with a reason?"

"This..."

Lu Zhengxiang was in trouble and frowned and thought hard.

"Is it...Your Majesty's meaning..."

When the words came to his mouth, he still swallowed it back. The holy intention did not guess, which was the most basic principle of minister.

Ping up the teacup, Guan Mingtang sneered.

"This world has always been a world that pays attention to strength. The exchanges between countries are only interests first and strength first. In this era of power diplomacy and interest diplomacy, for countries with slightly inferior strength, in addition to choosing the right allies, they should take advantage of the opportunity of major countries to fall into their own battles and fully expand. The strength of the country, after the competition for the strength of a [***] country, is to decide the winner, and it is not far from the competition for the strength of the next *** country!"

With his eyes half closed, the sneer on Guan Mingtang's face disappeared, but the rest was worried about the future.

"The competition for the strength of a major power does not start at the moment of the outbreak of the war, but begins with the careful preparation of many years before the war. It can be said that the strategy of keeping a nocre in the empire is to prepare for the future competition of strength. East Africa and Arabia are the same. Even if the Allied troops are sent to Russia, it is like Now, the same is true of this negotiation. Compared with taking back Hong Kong now, I believe that Your Majesty is more willing to let the people see the situation that "the Western powers will not die", so you only need to..."

After a few soft words, Lu Zhengxiang suddenly realized:

"It turned out to be a plan to lead the snake out of the cave. Your Majesty is really far-sighted..."

Although he praised it, there was a wave of ups and downs in Lu Zhengxiang's heart. Those who knew His Majesty knew that His Majesty's work must be considered carefully. Everything was made after careful consideration. In this matter, His Majesty made a decision. In this matter, His Majesty made the Chinese people more Against Britain and France, after this incident, although Britain and France are China's allies, they are still discriminatory and cannot be regarded as equal. How can the people not hold a grudge? If the people have been hostile to Britain and France for 20 years, then when the right time is right, China's challenge the United Kingdom is just to follow the public opinion and drive it under the impetus of public opinion.

This step is ultimately to push China into an unprecedented war, and how not to let Lu Zhengxiang set off a frenzy in his heart.

"In the final analysis, although Britain and France are now our allies, the most important thing for our country is to do the opposite. The more cruel the European war, the greater the casualties of the two countries, the more in line with China's interests, and the more in line with China's future needs. In other words, the Europeans want to use the blood of our East Asians. In exchange for the hegemony of the world, your majesty means to use the blood of Europeans to map the power of the Chinese world.

One is "hegemony" and the other is "power". The two terms that seem to be not very different clearly indicate China's demands. China's appeal is only the power of the world. Even in the view of Guan Mingtang, a famous pro-British-American faction in China, China's power to stand in the world can only be from the Western countries. It was captured with guns there.

"China's greatest helplessness is that China wants to treat all countries in the world equally, but all countries in the world do not want to wait for me equally. Therefore, what we can do now is to do everything possible to seek the country not to lose its national interests in the next great power competition, and try our best to make a strategy..."

After a helpless sigh, Guan Mingtang's expression became more and more helpless. As a famous pro-British-American faction in China, he knew the gap between China and the United States and Britain. That's why he advocated international coordination and ensure China's interests through international coordination, but in the end, the reality was again and again. He told him that the great powers could not treat China equally, at least not now. In this case, he could only make the worst plan, that is, to "showdown" with the Western powers at an appropriate time in the future. But before the final "showdown", as the prime minister of the empire, he must cooperate with your majesty for that day. Make the most comprehensive preparations.

"The greatest value of Hong Kong to us now is not that we use the European war to force the British to hand it over, but that through this matter, the Chinese people are completely desperate for the Western powers. At the same time, with the empire becoming stronger and stronger, Hong Kong is ruled by the British, which will become a national shame for our country. The stronger the country is, the more the people. The anger is getting stronger, and this kind of anger has invisibly added a lot of strength to our country. The contradictions it can provoke are the greatest value of Hong Kong. In a word, Hong Kong is temporarily ruled by the United Kingdom, and the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. As Your Majesty said, as long as we are willing, as long as we invest in three divisions, we can fight in three days at most. The whole of Hong Kong, so it is only a matter of time before we recover Hong Kong, and now we are just under the guise of Hong Kong. It is your majesty's intention to let us send troops to Europe.

Lu Zhengxiang suddenly realized it. After meditating for a moment, he asked.

"Then should we be tougher at the negotiating table to win the British people's minds..."

The most important bottom line of negotiations, and Your Majesty once gave Lu Zhengxiang a bottom line, that is, to take advantage as much as possible. However, while taking advantage, you must not promise them to send troops. At least the specific date of sending troops, you must not make a promise. Now Guan Mingtang's words made him understand where the bottom line of the empire is. Fang.

Guan Mingtang can probably understand why Lu Zhengxiang said this. In fact, he is not the only one who advocates international coordination. Zhang Zhidong is like this, and so is Yuan Shikai. It's just that the two of them have become long-term officials. They talk about people and ghosts talk about ghosts. For the people, they boast of being tough, but for foreign countries, they advocate coordination. In the end, it is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that bears all responsibilities. Under the external coordination of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has long been reduced to a "traitorous government office". If there is a chance, of course, they hope to be tougher.

"Ziji, you should know that your majesty needs time, not rupture!"

After saying this sentence, Guan Mingtang took a long sigh of relief and picked up the teacup, but the teacup was only in his hand and did not drink it.

This is a hint of delivering tea to guests.

(to be continued)