Years of the Republic of China 1913

Although Zhang Zongxiang is a member of the cabinet, the Ministry of Justice does not have a high status in the cabinet. Apart from having a little more power than the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Justice is just a Qingshui yamen. Zhang Zongxiang's position as chief justice is not low. During the cabinet meeting, he made up the numbers, except for soy sauce, no one took him too seriously.

But who would have thought that Zhang Zongxiang, who usually makes soy sauce, was suddenly notified today to rush to the State Council for a temporary meeting.At first, he just thought it was another soy sauce event, and he didn't care at all. He rushed to the meeting room and was stunned.Half of the members of the cabinet attended this meeting. Except for Prime Minister Fang Zida, they were the heads of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff Department. Even the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Communications did not come, let alone the education department at the bottom of the list. department.It is conceivable that this impromptu meeting is really not simple. Judging from the participants, it may be related to military affairs or diplomacy.

Sure enough, Zhang Zongxiang understood today's theme without saying a few words at the beginning of the meeting, and it was indeed related to military affairs and diplomacy.But the more he listened to him, the more puzzled he became. Although it was a good thing that Fang Zida called him to attend the meeting, the purpose of the meeting had nothing to do with him. What does the Ministry of Justice have to do with this military and diplomatic matter?Did Fang Zida have other meanings for letting him attend the meeting?

Thinking of this, Zhang Zongxiang's pair of small eyeballs hidden behind the glasses rolled around, and his eyes swept over everyone, trying to figure out something.When he finally fixed his eyes on Cao Rulin, his heart couldn't help but move slightly.

Don't think about Zhang Zongxiang in the military field in this life. He is just a literati, and he holds a bachelor's degree in Japanese law. He is so-so in court as a lawyer, but it is really difficult for him to wield swords and guns.Except for Fang Zida and Cao Rulin, all the people here are civil servants like myself.But Fang Zida couldn't get dizzy and want to give him the position of prime minister?Then there is only one possibility left, which is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Everyone knows that Cao Rulin is the first cabinet member of the Beiyang faction to join Fang Zida. Over the years, he has been promoted from a senior staff member of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to a deputy minister and then to the chief minister of foreign affairs. Didn't move at all.Of course, this would not have been possible without Fang Zida's care.As Fang Zida's hard-core confidant, now that Fang Zida is in charge of the cabinet, Cao Rulin has risen even higher. The status of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has vaguely been compared with the number one Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Speaking of which, the relationship between Zhang Zongxiang and Cao Rulin is not shallow. The two were good friends when they studied in Japan in the early years. After returning to China, they both worked in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Qing Dynasty and were colleagues.Cao Rulin is two years older than Zhang Zongxiang, and they often refer to each other as brothers. Fang Zida won the KMT party election in the top position.There are also Cao Rulin and others who are pushing the flames. Zhang Zongxiang, who has a tacit understanding with Cao Rulin, is also one of them. Judging from the situation, I'm afraid it's time for Zhang Zongxiang to make his debut.

Thinking of this, Zhang Zongxiang's heart became hot.Unable to restrain the excitement in his heart, he analyzed over and over again that this was the only possibility.If it wasn't for Fang Zida, he would have reused him.Why pull him to participate in this meeting?

Zhang Zongxiang was indeed a little clever. Sure enough, when the military issue was decided, Fang Zida set his sights on Zhang Zongxiang.

"Zhonghe, the end of the European War is imminent. According to the series of clauses signed by our country and the Allied countries in front of the station, it will be officially honored after the war. But you also know that the words of foreigners are not reliable. There is a saying in Western countries that 'the clauses start from the date of signing. It was torn up forcefully'. Zhong He, as the chief justice, has a heavy responsibility afterwards."

"The Prime Minister is right!" Zhang Zongxiang quickly stood up and said respectfully: "Zongxiang worked in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in his early years, and those foreigners are indeed shameless. That was also what happened last year. Now that the United States and Japan have entered the war successively, the situation is different. Japan, in particular, is clearly looking to fish in troubled waters at the right time. At the beginning, the parties who promised the terms of the agreement were mainly Britain and France, and now they have increased The United States and Japan, from this point of view, it is obvious that all countries will get a piece of the pie. After the victory of the war, the pie was so big, and now there are five or more people sharing the meal for three people. In Zong Xiang's opinion, those promises may be Gotta get a discount."

As soon as Zhang Zongxiang finished speaking, everyone showed expressions of dissatisfaction, especially Duan Zhigui, who was even more angry. He slapped the table and scolded: "It's okay for the Americans, how can this little Japan have the ability to share the food? Think about the soldiers of our National Defense Forces." When Europe was fighting life and death, the Japanese government refused to send troops like a tortoise. Now that the Allies are about to be defeated, they are fine, and they jump out at this time to get a share? Is it tolerable or unbearable!"

"Brother Xiangyan, that's what you say, but Japan is also a party to the war after all, and it is absolutely impossible not to give them some benefits when the war is over. Besides, don't you and I know what the nature of the Japanese is? Western devils have always loved In terms of balance, especially in terms of the international status of China and Japan, I am afraid that it is not impossible to cede some of the benefits originally given to our country to Japan."

"Fart!" Hearing that Zhang Zongxiang destroyed his own prestige and boosted the ambitions of others, Duan Zhigui blushed with anger: "What a mere Japanese! It's not like we haven't had a fight with Japan before. Jiaozhou, Fengtian, and Japan's loss of soldiers and generals didn't make it easy. Why? Say that China is not as good as Japan? Why should we cede our interests to Japan?"

"Brother Xiangyan, don't be angry. Zhonghe doesn't mean that China is not as good as Japan, but that in the eyes of Western countries, China and Japan are both in East Asia. It is not in the interests of Western countries if my country is allowed to be big." When Cao Rulin saw Duan Zhigui angrily questioning Zhang Zongxiang, he quickly explained to him that he is the Minister of Foreign Affairs and has absolute authority in diplomacy.

Although he felt uncomfortable, Duan Zhigui held back his anger and sat down, while Wang Shizhen frowned tightly and said nothing.

After giving Cao Rulin a grateful look, Zhang Zongxiang analyzed the possible problems from a legal perspective. As his analysis deepened, everyone gradually calmed down and listened patiently.

After Zhang Zongxiang finished speaking, Fang Zida nodded and said: "What Zhonghe said is actually what I have been thinking about all the time. Judging from the current situation, as Zhonghe said earlier, the original promise of the Allied Powers will be discounted. It doesn't matter. The transactions between countries are similar to the business in the well market. Everyone asks the price and bargains on the spot, but the key is how much to compromise and what is the bottom line. Therefore, Zhonghe... "

Looking at Zhang Zongxiang, Fang Zida ordered: "Starting from today, your Ministry of Justice must make preparations. When the Allied Powers surrender, you will negotiate with the Allied Powers on behalf of the government and do your best to protect our country's interests."

"Please rest assured, Prime Minister, Zong Xiang is obliged!" Zhang Zongxiang immediately responded loudly, with an expression of extreme excitement on his face.He knew very well in his heart that once this was done, his status in the cabinet would inevitably rise.

After explaining to Zhang Zongxiang, Fang Zida talked about how to gain more benefits in Europe after the war.As early as when the expeditionary force was formed, Fang Zida had arranged for Wang Jixin to join the expeditionary force headquarters and be directly responsible for intelligence collection and advance preparation.Now it is almost the harvest time, and this pawn can be used. Immediately, Fang Zida told everyone his plan. After listening to Fang Zida's plan, everyone was stunned, and then excited.

After the war, the division of the Allies was a foregone conclusion.The three great empires of the Allies: the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Ottoman Empire are inevitable, and Germany, the most powerful of the three great empires, will also be strongly suppressed by the Allied Powers, thus losing its glory.

During several years of European War, the Allied Powers suffered numerous casualties, the whole of France was maimed, and Britain lost most of its elite army. Under such circumstances, hatred could no longer be resolved. The situation facing Germany was obvious. At this time, China If you want to get more benefits, you must think of some ways. If you can't guarantee all the benefits at the negotiating table, you have to rely on another method.

Fang Zida took a fancy to Germany's military, heavy industry foundation and a large number of intellectuals, skilled workers and even excellent officers.These are the foundations of a strong Germany.After the surrender of the Allied Powers, the Allied Powers will inevitably take their salary from the bottom of the pot in order to weaken Germany, and attack Germany from these aspects.It has also done so in history, dismantling a large number of factories and facilities in Germany, disbanding the German Wehrmacht, and paying huge military indemnities... etc., which made the powerful Germany slump until Moustache came to power with the powerful dictatorship of National Socialism Only then did Germany, which was riddled with holes, gradually recover.

Historically, it was mainly France that implemented this plan.But the French did these things only for revenge. The factory equipment they dismantled was rusted and destroyed by the wind and rain. The huge compensation made the German economy collapsed, and the people had no food and clothing. This was completely harmful to others. Fang Zida’s plan was to use the vengeful psychology of the French as a pawn for the Chinese government to legally plunder the essence of Germany.

After hearing Fang Zida's plan, everyone was surprised and happy, and then they all praised it, and discussed it in a hurry.

Cao Rulin is the Minister of Foreign Affairs. He thinks that the industrial base is the most practical. If we can take advantage of this opportunity to relocate nearly half of Germany's modern industries to China, this will greatly enhance China's strength.Zhang Zongxiang's suggestion is similar to that of Cao Rulin, but he focuses more on basic industries, such as steel and textiles.As for Duan Zhigui and Wang Shizhen, of course they value military enterprises. Germany's military industry is world-renowned. It would be a pity to miss such a good opportunity if they don't take advantage of it.

As we talked, we talked about the fleet again.Although the German High Seas Fleet did not play much role in the war, it is a powerful maritime force after all.After Germany surrendered, it was obvious that the High Seas Fleet would stay or stay. It is better to take this opportunity to take down this fleet, so that China's navy will be settled.

The more they talked, the more excited the crowd became, and they even got into a row because of some small differences.Even Wang Shizhen and Duan Zhigui, who have always been prudent, even blew their beards and stared in front of the question of which army or navy should be used first. (To be continued..)

ps: Thank you for your concern, the cold is almost gone, but the cough is still there, and it will be ok after a few days of recovery