The Heroic Age of the Late Qing Dynasty

"Chairman, what do you mean?"

"Although British and French imperialism are our enemies, we are not afraid of them.

We, and France and Britain also sent troops to help Xiliang, but I think we

It is still necessary to treat the two countries differently. Of course, now we and the British have

The relationship has been torn apart, so the key is to discuss how to treat and deal with the French issue.

We can't push all the great powers to oppose us, right?

An attitude of seeking truth from facts.

My intention is to release the French prisoners under certain conditions.

The conditions will depend on our subsequent discussion.

I don't hold out hope for friendship. If France wants to fight, we will fight them.

Yes, it is better to strike first to avoid a hundred blows. But to divide Britain and France

It is still necessary. As for other things, we should do what we should do.

Do. "

It is not uncommon for a large country like China to have no laws at home and no enemies abroad.

OK. Since we have to establish an enemy, we should naturally establish the strongest one.

In this era, Britain is the strongest for the time being. Zhang Yinghao naturally regards Britain as the strongest.

target. However, Zhang Yinghao is now somewhat reluctant to establish Britain as an enemy.

And established France as an enemy. And Zhang Yinghao was really not afraid of the French.

France's military deployment capabilities in the Far East were poor, and the Qing army was able to defeat the French army. There is no reason why the People's Liberation Army would be unable to do so.

At this time Liu Qi said directly: "I agree with the Chairman's opinion. France in the UK

In front of them, they can only be said to be our secondary enemy.

The advantage of concentrating on one direction to defeat the enemy is great.

Of course, we have the confidence to win, but we must lure the enemy deep into our territory.

The tactic of exchanging space for time has caused great harm to the people on the border, so no matter whether there is

It is effective, and it is necessary to temporarily divide Britain and France."

With Liu Qi's support, this proposal was easily passed.

Then he said: "The first issue to be discussed is the establishment of a General Administration of Customs.

Who can tell me about this issue?"

At this meeting, Zhang Yinghao went straight to solving the problems left by the Qing Dynasty and the foreign powers.

The customs was previously a direct agency under the State Council. Zhang Weiqiang stood up directly.

He said: "We have already abolished the customs and customs of the great powers in Chongqing and Yadong.

The State Council has also issued the "Regulations on Tariff Policy and Customs Work"

Decision and the new customs tariff, the government controls foreign trade and implements import and export

Licensing system....

Yunnan has ports such as Tengchong, Mengzi, Hekou, and Simao, and has established customs

After the General Administration, it will be handed over to the customs management, and then foreign financial issues

question....

"Foreign banks should be banned...

"Foreign companies and enterprises..."

...

In this way, one problem after another was brought up for discussion and one problem after another was solved.

After Zhang Jianping received the telegram from the Central Committee, he immediately knew what to do after reading it.

He immediately found the French Consul Auguste François to discuss the matter. Auguste François also gave himself a Chinese name, Fang Suya. He is

The French consul stationed in Mengzi was very powerful. In addition to governing the consulates in Simao and Hekou,

In addition, he is also stationed in Kunming, the provincial capital, and actually exercises the powers of Yunnan Consul General.

Fang Suya was the spokesperson for France's aggressive interests. In 1900, he smuggled

When the arms arrived in Kunming, the Qing government detained them.

The people were furious when they found out about the ammunition and surrounded the church.

Consulate, burned the church, and triggered the famous "Kunming Incident".

Ya also extorted 12 taels of silver from the Qing government and the mining rights of seven mineral deposits in Yunnan.

He also contributed to the dispatch of troops to help the Qing army resist the People's Liberation Army from entering Yunnan.

labor.

Fang Suya didn't know what the PLA wanted him to do, but now that

The fact that they didn't kill me and haven't closed down the consulate proves that the Progressive Party is rational.

So at least now she is safe.

After a brief introduction between the two parties, Fang Suya said simply: "Congratulations

The conflict was a misunderstanding, for which I express my deep regret.

feel."

After hearing this, Zhang Jianping was almost disgusted. Military conflict is a mistake.

Can it be explained? However, Zhang Jianping said very straightforwardly: "Consul Fang,

Your army interfered in our internal affairs, invaded our country without cause, and caused trouble for our People's Liberation Army.

It has caused huge losses, so you must ensure that such incidents will not happen again in the future.

At the same time, compensate us for our losses."

When she heard about the compensation, Fang Suya jumped up like a cat whose tail was stepped on.

He shouted: "This is impossible, France is not defeated, it is just a

I demand that you immediately release the citizens of my Great France, otherwise -

You will be responsible for the consequences.”

Thinking of the telegram he had just received, Zhang Jianping sneered and said, "During the Sino-French War, the old Qing general Feng Zicai was in the town.

If you dare to defeat your French army at Nanguan, and bring down your Rouvier cabinet,

Invade Yunnan, then I am sure you will taste the bitterness of defeat again.

Before you sent troops to the Emile Combe Cabinet, we had a plan.

France will bring him down, do you believe it? And you, too, will be dismissed by France."

Hearing Zhang Jianping say this, Fang Suya said with a stiff neck: "Great France

It is not threatened.”

Zhang Jianping continued calmly: "We are not threatening France.

Meaning, there are more than 2,600 French prisoners of war who attacked our Liberation Army.

We also know that there are still thousands of British prisoners of war in XZ building roads. The British cabinet is

If you do not want to redeem these 2,600 French soldiers,

They are prisoners of war, we don't care. Now XZ needs a lot of people to build roads.

Hands, the French guys - each one is tall and strong, I think they must be very good at working

A good hand, the families of these two or three thousand prisoners will find a way to let France deal with these two thousand

More than 600 prisoners of war."

Fang Suya listened to Zhang Jianping's words and asked the French army to build the road. Her face suddenly changed.

He was very clear about the situation in France.

Children change diapers so frequently. If more than 2,600 French boys were to go to XZ

If the road is built, the French cabinet will inevitably fall.

This aroused the anger of the French people and they sent a large army to fight against Yunnan. However,

No matter what choice France makes, it will not end well.

Fang Suya is very clear at this time that the families of the prisoners in Britain are

But the situation is very serious. Now more than a thousand people have been captured by the People's Liberation Army.

There are tens of thousands of people in total. If one of them is not handled properly, the British cabinet will fall again.

The table is up.

"No, no, no, French citizens are absolutely not allowed to do hard labor. Your actions are a serious provocation to France. If you do this,

If you do, war will await you."

"War, haha! So, we release these French prisoners."

After hearing what Zhang Jianping said, Fang Suya was immediately stunned, and opened her mouth in doubt.

He had heard it wrong. He thought Zhang Jianping would say that they were not afraid of war.

There was a sudden turn of events, Fang Suya said in disbelief: "What did you say?

So, release?"

Zhang Jianping nodded and said, "Yes, release him."

Fang Suya was overjoyed after receiving Zhang Jianping's affirmative answer.

Jia, a smile suddenly appeared on his face. It seemed that this was another highlight in his diplomatic career.

A great stroke of luck. But he suddenly remembered that there is no free lunch in the world.

He immediately stared at Zhang Jianping.

Zhang Jianping carefully observed Fang Suya's expression and saw the dramatic

Changes, I can't help but admire the French guy's quick reaction. Zhang Jianping didn't fight

He kept the secret and said directly: "As ransom for these French prisoners, we

The customs in Hekou, Mengzi and other places will be taken over, and the French consulate must also be withdrawn.

The Kunming Consulate is temporarily reserved for you. If you, France, want to withdraw, you can do so.

Foreign diplomats temporarily stationed in China are treated as foreign nationals.

Obey the laws of the Liberated Areas. The Liberated Areas Government will protect law-abiding foreign nationals.

All your privileges in Yunnan will be abolished. Including your French and other powerful countries.

The seven mining rights in Yunnan signed by the Qing court were all unconditionally reclaimed, and the mines were directly

nationalize."

"This is absolutely impossible. You are provoking civilized countries. You must

Will bear the wrath of the Western world..."

Fang Suya was furious when she heard what Zhang Jianping said. Wouldn't this destroy decades of French efforts? These were absolutely unacceptable things.

situation.

Zhang Jianping smiled faintly, interrupted Fang Suya and said: "Mr. Consul Fang, you

France and our liberated areas do not have diplomatic relations.