Years of the Republic of China 1913

Tsar Nicholas II was just in his early fifties this year. He had always been in poor health since he was a child, and his personality was indecisive. He was not liked by his father, Tsar Alexander III, because these shortcomings almost prevented him from inheriting the throne.In addition, when he was sent to Asia in the early years, after being stabbed in Otsu, Japan, his nerves became a little fragile. Because he was afraid of being assassinated again, he stayed in Huangcun or Gatchina Palace in the Black Sea all these years. He was even nicknamed "The Prisoner of Gatchina" by Russian nobles in private.But this time, due to the arrival of the Chinese military observation team, Nicholas II actually moved from Huangcun to the Winter Palace, which he had not visited for a long time, and formally received the Chinese military observation team here.

According to the etiquette learned from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before going abroad, Wu Peifu saluted Tsar Nicholas II as the head of the military observation group.When he stood up, he quietly raised his head and looked at the emperor of the Russian Empire, who was wearing a gorgeous military uniform, and the empress Alexandra Feodorovna, who was dressed gracefully and luxuriously and wore a queen's crown, beside him.

Through the interpreter, Nicholas II first asked about the diplomatic and business cooperation between the two countries with a pleasant face, and Wu Peifu answered them one by one according to the prepared draft.After talking for a while, Nicholas II suddenly shifted his interest to China's current national defense force construction, and asked about China's current military situation with great interest.

Although Wu Peifu was not prepared for this topic, he hesitated for a while and talked about it in general.It is inconvenient for him to disclose some details, but he can still talk about the superficial data.When I heard that China's national defense force already has 36 central yang divisions.Nearly a million regular troops.And when it will continue to expand to ten armies, 78 national defense divisions and [-] local divisions next year, the proud tsar can't help showing a look of surprise.

Although the pace of the construction of the Chinese National Defense Force was far beyond Nicholas II's expectations, the overall number of the Chinese National Defense Force is far inferior to the entire Russian Empire with its huge military power.However, China, which has always been weak, has developed such a powerful military in such a short period of time, which made Nicholas II vigilant.

After exchanging glances with the queen beside him, Nicholas II smiled and praised the achievements of China's current government, and at the same time tactfully proposed to Wu Peifu, hoping that he could tell China's government to join the Allied Powers as soon as possible.Join the great Russian Empire and take part in the fight against the evil Allies.

"Your Majesty will pass on this request to the government of our country, and I would like to thank Your Majesty for supporting the work of our Military Observer Group." Wu Peifu replied with a smile, and Nicholas II appreciated his unassuming military attitude.

"Of course. Please rest assured, I believe that the work of your military observation team will be completed satisfactorily. Although our two countries are not alliances yet, we have a century-old friendship and are close friends. Incessant old friends, we will definitely stand in the same trench in the future." Nicholas II said with a smile, with a friendly look.

"Damn old man, return friendship? Shit! I wish you old men would be wiped out by the Germans."

Wu Peifu cursed inwardly, but his expression didn't change at all, he still smiled and quickly agreed.And put forward requirements on the specific work of the military observer mission.

Nicholas II didn't have any doubts about this kind of trivial matter. After listening to it, he invited the Minister of War to give a few instructions, and immediately settled these matters.

"Your Majesty, in view of the friendly cooperation between our two countries, I am also entrusted by the government of our country to invite you to pay a friendly visit to our country." Seeing that the business is almost done, the audience is different from the cabinet negotiations, and it will be over in a short time At the end, before leaving.Wu Peifu suddenly proposed that the Chinese government invite Nicholas II to visit China, which made the other party stunned.

"Visit China?" Nicholas II was a little hesitant about this proposal, and his first reaction was to refuse, but before he could refuse, Queen Alexandra beside him gave him a look.

Nicholas II will certainly not leave.The only time in his life he went to Asia, but that time he almost lost his life.Nicholas II, who was bitten by a snake one year and afraid of grass ropes for ten years, was usually afraid of assassination, and even dared not live in the Winter Palace for a long time.What's more, traveling thousands of miles to visit the East?However, for China, today's Russian Empire needs China's help very much. Whether it is war materials or ordinary commodities, without the support of China, the front line cannot be maintained at all.What's more, he just talked about the traditional friendship between the two countries in front of the head of the Chinese military observation team. It would be too inappropriate to reject the other party's proposal.

For a moment, Nicholas II didn't know how to answer. His indecisive character made him suddenly speechless, and turned to his queen with a look of help.

"Your Excellency, Your Majesty is the monarch of the Russian Empire. Now the European War is at a critical moment. As the king of a country and the commander of the army, His Majesty really cannot spare himself to go to the East. Please also convey your Majesty's apology to your country. I think, wait." After the war is over, His Majesty and I will definitely go to the East to see."

"Thank you for the queen's explanation, and thank you for your great love for our country." Wu Peifu said with a smile: "The government of our country has also considered these issues. If your majesty is unable to visit our country due to war, can you send His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to travel instead of your majesty? ?”

"This..." Empress Alexandra hesitated for a moment, then quickly shook her head with a smile and said, "His Royal Highness, like His Majesty, cannot leave the Russian Empire easily, so I can only say that it is a pity for your country's invitation. .”

"That's really a pity!" Wu Peifu showed an expression of extreme disappointment on his face, shook his head and sighed: "If this is the case, I'm afraid... hey..."

"I'm afraid of what?" Queen Alexandra was keenly aware of what was behind the Chinese's words, and hurriedly asked.

Wu Peifu said with a wry smile: "Our country is now a constitutional country. The national system is different from your country. The power of the two houses of Congress is very strong. In fact, many congressmen have different opinions on the business cooperation between your country and our country. These congressmen even think that, There have been more frictions than friendship between your two countries in the past hundred years. Under the situation of the European War, cooperation with your country is undoubtedly... Hehe, but it is the German Empire. Because of the Qingdao incident, many people have a good impression of the German Empire. Many congressmen even support Germany. The business cooperation agreement was able to be signed last time. In fact, the government of our country was under considerable internal pressure, so His Majesty was invited to visit China to appease some opposition from the two chambers of Congress and the people."

Empress Alexandra frowned immediately, and even Nicholas II, who was not very responsive, remained silent for a while, not knowing what to do.Whether Wu Peifu’s words are true or not, they can’t check for the time being, but the Chinese have always been not very friendly to the Russians. As the tsars and queens of the Russian Empire, this is very clear, let alone the previous tsars before Nicholas II, it was Nicholas. During the years when Raja II became the tsarist queen, they knew exactly how much territory tsarist Russia took away from China. With these precedents, how can the relationship between China and Russia be harmonious?Now China is able to cooperate with the Russian Empire regardless of previous suspicions. Although Nicholas II made concessions on Outer Mongolia, it can be seen that the Chinese government has worked extremely hard to reach an agreement.

"Your Excellency, it is true that Your Majesty and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince cannot travel, but your country's proposal is not unnegotiable." Queen Alexandra glanced at Nicholas II, and smiled: "It is better to have someone visit instead of Your Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince. What do you think of your country?"

"Empress, are you talking about the princesses?" Wu Peifu asked hesitantly.

Nodding, Queen Alexandra said: "Maria and Anastasia are both His Majesty's children, and you also know that we only have one son, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. As the Grand Duchess, it's okay to choose one of them to go to your country. It can meet the requirements of the government of your country."

Wu Peifu seemed to be thinking about it. After a while, he said: "This is also a way. Considering the situation of your country, I will make a suggestion to the government of our country and invite Her Royal Highness to visit our country. But... I don't know. Which Highness are you going to send as an envoy?"

"Let Anna go." Nicholas II, who had been silent all this time, said, Queen Alexandra nodded knowingly, and said to Wu Peifu: "Your Majesty has made a decision, let Anastasia Romanova The Grand Duke is going to your country on behalf of His Majesty."

"Thank you very much, Your Majesty and the Empress. Your Majesty will contact China as soon as possible and send an official invitation to Her Royal Highness Anastasia Romanova."

Wu Peifu apologized slightly, and then offered to leave.When he walked out of the Winter Palace, he felt relaxed for a while. The goals of his visit to the Russian Empire were basically achieved. However, in addition to the work of the military observation team, Zida specifically told himself to invite the Tsar’s family when he came to the front Wu Peifu always felt a little strange about this matter. In his opinion, Fang Zida repeatedly asked himself to invite a member of the Tsarist family to visit China. This is simply a thankless task. Is it necessary?As for the members of Congress who objected, of course it wasn't Wu Peifu's idea, it was Fang Zida who told him to say this in advance. What kind of medicine did Fang Zida sell in the gourd?Is he planning to turn against Tsarist Russia?Waiting for the opportunity to seize the members of the tsarist family in China as hostages?

For a moment, Wu Peifu, who couldn't figure it out, couldn't help but shook his head. From his point of view, Fang Zida's intentions couldn't be guessed at all.Forget it, don't worry about him, no matter how you say this thing has been done, the next thing is the work of the military observation team. When thinking of the front line where the war is raging, Wu Peifu, as a soldier, feels the blood in his body is boiling. Looking forward to arriving at the front line as soon as possible and witnessing this great war sweeping across Europe.

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Sorry, I had a birthday yesterday and drank too much.I owe you three chapters in total, and I will make up for it! (To be continued..)

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