Years of the Republic of China 1913

Volume [-] The Times of Unrest

Opening his mouth, Marcan suppressed his anger and slowly sat back down, but his chest heaved and heaved to show how angry he was.

It never occurred to him that Fang Zida not only used commercial means to intimidate himself, but also shamelessly threatened Germany's investment and loans in China. How could the always proud German diplomat tolerate it?Seeing Fang Zida's calm appearance, Marshen was so angry that his nostrils were smoking, wishing he could find a gun to punch the nasty guy in front of him.

However, the rationality of the diplomat allowed him to finally suppress this dangerous thought, suppressing his anger and slowly regaining his composure.Although what Fang Zida said was a serious provocation and blackmail to the great Germany, Marshen also knew in his heart that this kind of situation is not impossible.

Although the loss of Qingdao will humiliate Germany, it is also unacceptable for Germany to allow the war opponent to obtain a large number of material sources from China for the sake of Qingdao, which cannot be kept.What's more, the indemnities and loans of more than 2000 million pounds, plus all the immeasurable investments in China, once they are all in vain, let alone a small charge d'affaires in China like Marsan, even the high-ranking Kaiser Wilhelm The Second World cannot afford the consequences.It is conceivable that if what Fang Zida said came true, the domestic Junker nobles and those financiers with huge wealth would definitely tear themselves to pieces.

After calming down, Marcan felt a wave of fear, and he really didn't want to bow his head to the Chinese, but the situation forced him to make a decision.

"I will explain to His Majesty again, hoping to reach an agreement." After hesitating for a while, Marcan said through gritted teeth.

"This is really good news." Fang Zida put down his glass and nodded with a smile: "However, I would like to remind you that everyone's time is running out. If a war breaks out in Europe, everything we talked about will come to nothing." Bubble, this consequence..."

"Don't worry, I understand!" Marsen said through gritted teeth.

At this point, Fang Zida didn't stay any longer, and got up to leave.As for how Marsan will contact Berlin and how to convince the arrogant William II, this is not what he considers, and then he just needs to wait for the final news.

After leaving the German embassy, ​​Fang Zida actually felt a little helpless. If it weren't for the time constraints, he would not be willing to use this method to solve the problem.Once the two countries completely tear off their faces, no matter what the result is, it will not be a good thing.Once World War I begins, China will face great opportunities, but it will also face the same risks.It is Fang Zida's wish to have both sides and gain the greatest benefit in the war.

Back at the Prime Minister's Mansion, Song Jiaoren and the others had been waiting for a long time. Seeing Fang Zida's return, he hurried forward to inquire about the contact situation.Fang Zida did not tell the truth, but said that Germany is still considering the details and needs to wait for some time, but according to his judgment, there should not be too many problems.

Hearing the good news, everyone cheered and smiled happily.Liang Ruhao, the deputy minister of foreign affairs, danced happily, as if he had taken back Qingdao Island from now on.Everyone discussed with great interest about how to resettle Qingdao after it was taken back, and they didn't disperse until they were exhausted.At this time, Fang Zida deliberately walked last, and quietly winked at Song Jiaoren.

"Shang Ming, do you have anything to say?" The understanding Song Jiaoren found an excuse to ask Fang Zida to stay first, and when he returned to the office, Song Jiaoren closed the door first, then turned around and asked.

Nodding his head, Fang Zida said, "You still need to make two preparations for the exchange of Qing*dao. Brother Dunchu, please make plans early."

"What do you mean? Did you just say...?" Song Jiaoren's expression changed, and he asked hastily.

"There were too many people just now, and some things were difficult to say." Fang Zida nodded, let Song Jiaoren sit down first, and then carefully reported the results of the negotiations at the embassy to him individually.After listening to everything, Song Jiaoren frowned and his face was extremely solemn.

"give me a cigarette!"

Taking the cigar handed over by Fang Zida, Song Jiaoren took a strong puff, who would have thought that being choked would cause bursts of coughing.

"Good guy, it's really strong!" Song Jiaoren took another puff after getting used to the smell of the cigar, and then looked at Fang Zida: "Shang Ming, did you act recklessly? What if..."

"There is nothing in case." Fang Zida explained: "In this situation, we have to give it a go, and the result is nothing more than two. One is to recover Qingdao* Island smoothly, and the other is to plan for the worst."

"Is the worst plan you said just what you said about the showdown with Marshen?"

"If possible, of course!" Fang Zida didn't deny it, and replied directly.

Song Jiaoren nodded, expressing his understanding.Although what Fang Zida told him is like pouring cold water on him when he was excited, Song Jiaoren is not an ordinary person, so he can naturally tell which is more important. There is nothing wrong with this way of dealing with it, but the consequences of doing so are also serious. Once Germany is angered and the hope of returning Qingdao safely is completely cut off, Zheng Fu will face huge internal and external pressure.

And Fang Zida deliberately did not tell the truth in front of everyone, I am afraid he also had this idea.Song Jiaoren thought about it carefully, and finally felt that Fang Zida's choice was the best.After pinching out the cigarette butt, Song Jiaoren stood up: "Just do this. For the time being, these things are only known to the two of us. There is no need to report to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Everything will be discussed after Germany's final reply."

"it is good!"

Fang Zida was completely relieved by Song Jiaoren's support, and he nodded and left.

Time flies, and it is the end of the month in a blink of an eye, and it is only three days before the outbreak of World War I.Although Fang Zida was the same as usual on the surface, his anxiety was getting worse and worse.Seeing that the time was coming, and Marshen hadn't answered yet, Fang Zida gradually became a little desperate, and even began to prepare for the worst.

On the night of July 7, just as Fang Zida was about to go back to sleep, there were knocks on the door outside.After a while, Zhang Huchen rushed into the study and told Fang Zida that someone had brought a letter, asking Fang Zida to go to the German Embassy in Dongjiaominxiang immediately.

Hearing this, Fang Zida stood up abruptly, put on his coat, and hurried out. After walking a few steps, he turned around and told Zhang Huchen to take two people with him, so that he could use it to help pass the news in case something happened.

Taking advantage of the darkness, Fang Zida and his party arrived at the German embassy half an hour later.It is already past ten o'clock in the evening, but the lights inside the German embassy are brightly lit. When Fang Zida walked in quickly, he saw Marsan, who was walking back and forth in the hall, waiting for him, and the old man was sitting on the sofa on the left side of the hall. Friend Governor Wardeck.

"Please come with me." Seeing Fang Zida, Marsan nodded slightly to him, and turned to walk towards the reception room. Hua Deke stood up and followed, and Fang Zida entered together without saying a word.

After entering the reception room, everyone sat down on the sofa without any formalities.Marshm asked: "Mr. Fang, can your country's neutrality guarantee that our country's investment and borrowing in China will not be affected?"

Fang Zida's heart moved, and he nodded calmly: "Of course, our country will abide by all international regulations and fulfill its obligations as a neutral country."

"What about the business plan you mentioned? Can it be guaranteed?"

"I promise!"

"The safety of my German soldiers and nationals in China?"

"That's no problem! Our government will arrange it properly."

"By means of a memo?"

"can!"

The two asked and answered. Maer Shen asked more and more detailed questions, and Fang Zida gave answers one by one with confidence.Half an hour later, Marcan, who received a satisfactory answer, smiled, stood up and stretched out his hand to Fang Zida: "Congratulations, Mr. Fang, you will become a hero of your country! His Majesty the Emperor gave me the authorization to return Qing* Island to your country unconditionally." country."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for the generosity of His Majesty the Kaiser. I think this will be the beginning of a new friendship between our two countries." Suppressing the excitement in his heart, Fang Zida smiled and shook hands with Marshen, but his slightly trembling body expressed Expressed his irrepressible joy.

"Your Excellency Governor, on behalf of His Majesty, I will sign an agreement with the Republic of China to return Qingdao* Island. After the agreement is completed, your mission in China will be over. I hope you can restrain your subordinates and cooperate with the squadron to take over the defense of Qingdao* Island .”

"Of course no problem! I think the young man will be happy when he receives this news." Hua Deke said lightly. In fact, he is also very happy now. At least he doesn't have to stick to the Qingdao Fortress after the war broke out. Prisoner of war.

When everything was settled, Fang Zida hurriedly found Zhang Huchen who came with him, and asked him to contact Song Jiaoren, Lu Zhengxiang and others immediately, and asked them to send professional diplomats over immediately.At the same time, inform Yuan Shikai of the news and be ready to sign at any time.

Two hours later, Sun Baoqi and Cao Rulin arrived at the German embassy in a hurry. The two sides discussed the record and agreement content, and started drafting as quickly as possible.By five o'clock in the morning, all the terms had been negotiated, and Cao Rulin, who had been up all night without sleep, rushed to the presidential palace without stopping. When he arrived at the presidential palace, Yuan Shikai, Song Jiaoren, and Lu Zhengxiang all waited with red eyes. All night long, seeing that Cao Rulin finally came, he didn't bother to talk nonsense about hard work, so he hurriedly took the document and read it.

"Dunchu, Zixin, what do you think?" Yuan Shikai asked Song Jiaoren after reading it.

"Everything is reasonable, and there seems to be no problem." Song Jiaoren nodded, but he still asked Lu Zhengxiang: "Brother Zixin, you are a professional, what do you think?"

"You can sign!" Lu Zhengxiang said categorically. This is a great thing to return Qingdao. Since the Opium War, China has paid compensation in addition to ceding land. Where has it ever taken back the country?Now that Qingdao can be taken back from the hands of the Germans, not to mention just paying a small price, no matter how much you pay, it is worth it.

"Okay! That's it!" Yuan Shikai exchanged glances with Song Jiaoren. Seeing that he did not object, he immediately made a final decision. First, Lu Zhengxiang represented the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and then Song Jiaoren represented Zheng Fu. The head of state signed his name, so that this document came into force.

On the morning of July 1914, 7, when all eyes in the world were focused on the changes in the situation in Europe, news came from Beijing that shocked everyone.From now on, the German Empire unconditionally returned the rights to Qingdao Island and the Jiaozhou Bay area to the government of the Republic of China, and the governor Wardeck, on behalf of the German garrison, officially handed over the garrison defense to the Chinese National Defense Forces.