Rebirth of the Northern Giants

Zong Fang sneered a few times proudly, Chinese, if you want to sneak attack, you won't let you succeed so easily, and if you don't let you drop a few front teeth, it will be worthy of my busyness in the past few months.

Not daring to neglect, he immediately sent the news back to Japan by telegram.

It didn't take long for Mutsu Munemitsu of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to see the news. Without further ado, he immediately instructed officials of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to issue a warning to the Russian Minister to Japan Babanev.

Two days later, in the Russian Army Command in Vladivostok.

The governor of the Russian army, Gerrony, stood solemnly in front of a huge map, and said nervously: "Everyone, this time the Japanese have warned us again, saying that there is intelligence that the Chinese Beiyang Fleet will be destroyed today, that is, today." When they leave Hong Kong on the 15th, they will transport more than 3 troops to attack our army. The situation is serious. Once the Chinese army lands behind us, our army will face the danger of fighting on two fronts. No."

"Is the source of the Japanese intelligence reliable?" Burskila, commander of the coastal artillery, asked frowningly with his face crossed.

"Regardless of whether the intelligence is reliable or not, we will be ready to face the battle. It was our carelessness that caused the naval fleet to suffer heavy losses last time. This time, we must pay enough attention. Please see, everyone, after many days According to observations from here, there are more than ten places on the Vladivostok line that are suitable for soldiers to land. However, there are only four or five places that are relatively close to us, and one of these four or five places must be the choice of the Chinese.”

"Major Admiral Weizofort, tell me which place the Chinese are most likely to choose to land," Gerroni asked for his opinion while looking at the naval commander who was bowing his head in deep thought.

Wizofort stood up, walked to the front, pointed to a few points on the map, and said slowly: "Before landing, they will definitely observe first, and there are three places where our coastal troops keep finding that the Chinese fleet is approaching. They have been active here for a few days, but it is not easy to say which place they will choose. The best defensive strategy is to deploy a large number of troops in these three places at the same time, and send many small boats to patrol the sea. China Once the fleet enters our country’s waters, it can be found immediately, and it will not be too late to mobilize troops after determining their targets.”

The other generals saw that the major general was speaking logically, so they couldn't help but nodded their heads in agreement.

"Since this is the case, we will deploy heavy troops in these three places, and we will not allow the Chinese to go ashore." Seeing that the other officers did not object, Gerroni finally agreed with his policy.

"I don't know what the strength of our army is now?" Burski asked again.

Gerroni finally showed a smile this time, and said proudly: "After this period of time, the strength of Vladivostok's troops has reached more than [-]. I believe the defense is more than enough."

There are more than 4 people, only 1 are regular soldiers, and the other 3 are either farmers who have just put down their hoes and picked up guns, or veterans who have retired for many years and are in their [-]s and [-]s.

However, the advantage in numbers still brought a lot of courage to these Russian officers, and they were no longer panicked like before.

"Everyone, we have no way out. Either surrender or fight to the end, but I believe that you will not choose to surrender to the weak China. Anyway, I, Geroni, have already made preparations to sacrifice and dedicate myself to the empire. Yes. My honor." Gerroni said vowedly.

"Fight to the end" Seeing this, the other officers had no choice but to stand up and swear. .

-------------Chapter Dividing Line---------------

"Why, the United States still refuses to agree? Take the lead?" Ye Zhikui put down the document in his hand and asked with a frown.

Li Hongzhang sighed helplessly, and replied: "I'm afraid that no country wants to start this first, otherwise it will become the target of public criticism."

Ye Zhikui doubted for a moment whether it was suitable for him to let Li Hongzhang be the minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. To be honest, Li Hongzhang did have some talents, but he was too forward-looking and considered too many issues.

The First Sino-Japanese War was at peace with Japan, and the Sino-German war was slightly better in China. In the current Sino-Russian war, China is victorious. According to the latest news from the front line, Jiang Zikang and others wiped out more than 1 Russian troops, causing the Russians The total number of troops lost in the Far East reached more than 5. I believe that as long as you are not a fool, you will expect that China will win this war.

The military government won victory on the battlefield, of course it also needs victory in diplomacy. All the privileges of Russia in China were abolished one by one by the military government. Ye Zhikui also hopes to gradually withdraw some privileges of other countries in China.

The first thing to bear the brunt is the consular jurisdiction that directly led to the Boxer Movement. Simply put, nationals of various countries who enjoy consular jurisdiction in China violated the law in China, causing civil and criminal cases. Adjudicated in accordance with the laws of the country of origin.

The existence of this kind of extraterritorial right constituted an exception and violation of China's superiority, which led to the strange phenomenon that "outsiders are not subject to Chinese punishments, while Chinese are subject to foreign judgments".

Since the establishment of the military government, in fact, this right has been withdrawn. Foreigners who violate the law and commit crimes in China are treated equally without discrimination. This can be used to protest, and the diplomatic disputes caused by it have long been not one or two.

"These foreigners really don't cry when they don't see the coffin. It's enough to let them travel freely in China and trade. Tell them that China will take back customs rights, concession rights, garrison rights, etc. Zhongtang, not me Speaking of you, the military government is now strong and strong. In the Zhili region alone, there are 30 troops. The combat power is not comparable to that of the former Qing officers and soldiers. The sword in my hand takes back my rights."

Li Hongzhang blushed, and said submissively: "Generalissimo, it's better to take the road step by step. If you offend the great powers all at once, the military government may not be able to stand it."

Ye Zhikui looked at his gray hair, but couldn't bear to blame him, so he could only order: "Zhongtang, please help me make arrangements. We will meet with that American Minister Tian Xiali together tomorrow morning."

Early the next morning, Ye Zhikui met with American Minister Tian Xiali and other commercial counselors on the second floor of the Eight Kingdoms Hotel. Before that, Li Hongzhang, Wu Tingfang and others had made preliminary contacts with the ambassadors of various countries and expressed the military government’s desire to revise some unequal treaties. .

So, today we can get straight to the point.

After exchanging pleasantries, Ye Zhikui asked Tian Xiali to take a seat. After the diplomats of the two countries sat down face to face, Ye Zhikui looked straight at the American cowboy he had known for a long time.

"Mr. Tian Xiali, I don't want to waste everyone's precious time, so I will get straight to the point. China is the largest country in Asia, and the United States is the largest country in America. There is no major conflict of interest between China and the United States. Not long ago, the military government also dispatched A large number of international students are going to the United States, which shows that our military government intends to have friendly exchanges with the United States, and there is indeed a lot of room for complementary interests between the two countries. I believe that Mr. Tian Xiali will definitely agree with what I said above." Ye Zhikui was long-winded. Said a lot first.

Tian Xiali's Chinese is not very good, so the translator next to him hurriedly said it again in English.

After Tian Xiali listened, he smiled and said: "Ye, you and I are old friends, but you want the United States to abolish some rights such as consular jurisdiction first, I'm afraid it won't work, if you do this, the United States will become a joke of other Western countries , and it is likely to cause dissatisfaction among other countries.”

Ye Zhikui raised his eyebrows, adjusted his sitting posture and said, "The United States enjoys one-sided most-favored-nation treatment in China, and China will abolish the unequal treaties signed by the former Qing Dynasty with other countries. Similarly, it no longer enjoys any privileges. If the United States can take the lead and voluntarily give up its consular jurisdiction first, the military government will regard the United States as a friendly country, and in the future it will provide certain conveniences in terms of ships, commerce, and formal exchanges. "

Tian Xiali was a little surprised, he had already heard the meaning behind Ye Zhikui's words, and asked curiously, "For example?"

Ye Zhikui smiled lightly, raised the document in his hand and said, "For example, this business, the military government's budget for military procurement originally planned to cooperate with the Germans, but if the US side satisfies us, I will persuade other officials to change it. direction."

Later generations of the United States made a lot of war windfalls through the arms trade in the First and Second World Wars, and became a world power in one fell swoop. It can be seen how big the profits in the arms trade are.

Commercial Counselor Cruise next to Tian Xiali showed a delighted smile. As a commercial counselor, whether it is military or civilian trade, he is within the scope of his duties. Selling arms is better than other businesses. In the past, most of the arms of the military government were purchased from Germany. If the United States can step in and change the tendency of the military government, his position will be moved up.

Cruise couldn't wait to reply: "Your Excellency Generalissimo, you have finally found the right person. I believe that the arms of the United States are comparable to those of the Germans, and they are cheaper and more practical. If they can compete with the military government for a long time Cooperation is not only my honor, but also the best way for China and the United States to maintain friendly relations."

Ye Zhikui handed the document to Cruise, and said with a smile: "Of course, I have never doubted the military capabilities of the United States. This is just the first cooperation, and the quantity is a little small. If the transaction can be successful this time , I believe there will be more orders in the future.”

Looking at the ecstatic Cruise, Tian Xiali shook his head helplessly, smiled wryly twice, and said, "Ye, I have to say that you are a businessman who can prostitute and commit crimes, but the matter of abolishing privileges is not within my scope of authority." Guilt, but I can assure you that I will report to Mr. President as soon as possible and give you a satisfactory reply."

Ye Zhikui curled his lips and said: "Friend, if you miss something, you won't come again. The military government has always regarded the United States as a friendly government. I believe that with the rise of China, there are many countries that are willing to trade with our country and abolish the treaty. , besides, you also know that the U.S. government is not the first country to abolish the treaty, Russia is the first."

Cruise next to him looked at the list and couldn't help but screamed. The list was densely filled with the number of various weapons. Just 60 shotguns, 600 revolvers, and machine guns were needed. The number of cannons is not small, and what makes him even more excited is that China will order a cruiser.A cruiser is about [-] to [-] yuan. He estimated a little, and the whole list is about [-] million yuan. This is not a small business, let alone the first batch.

"Your Excellency, please contact the best domestic production supplier. As long as you make this business with our country, you are our God."

When Tian Xiali heard his screaming words, he couldn't help rolling his eyes. This businessman who came to China not long ago, can the counselors and colleagues stop making such a fuss, China is full of gold, not just talking about it.

"Ye, how about giving me two days, after two days, I will reply you no matter what." Apparently influenced by this Cruise, Tian Xiali was not so calm anymore, and said in a somewhat urgent tone.

"Well, I believe there will be greater trade between China and the United States," Ye Zhikui replied pointedly.

After that, we talked about some trivial matters. Tian Xiali was very curious about the victory of the Chinese army in the Northeast battlefield, and kept asking some reasons.

Ye Zhikui was really annoyed by his question, touched his chin, and said lightly: "Actually, it's nothing. There are many Chinese people. It is worthwhile to win a war by sacrificing 10,000+ people. Therefore, we are not afraid of war."

Li Hongzhang, Wu Tingfang, Tian Xiali and others were all dumbfounded. .

Volume Two, The Wind and Cloud in the Capital

"Mr. Minister, if you have nothing else to do, don't bother me anymore." Ye Zhikui straightened his chair, moved his body slightly, and was about to stand up and say goodbye.

Tian Xiali quickly stopped him and said, "Ye, I haven't thanked you well for the embassy siege last time. How could I just let you go today? Why don't we have lunch together?"

"Just having lunch together?" Ye Zhikui asked with a meaningful smile on his face.

Tian Xiali shook his head with a smile, and followed Ye Zhikui's tone and said, "Of course, is there anything else?"

"Since that's the case, it's better to obey orders than to be respectful." Ye Zhikui said noncommittally.

American treats, of course, choose raw steak, but fortunately, the Liuguo Hotel has food from all countries, so there is no need to go to other hotels.

Not long after, the steak was ready and everyone was seated in turn.