Fernan's eyes suddenly became solemn. Of course, he knew that Yuan Shikai did not really plan to invite someone from East China to help him manage his finances, but reminded all countries that if Yuan Shikai was really forced into a hurry, Yuan Shikai could choose to cooperate with East China, and then all countries would get nothing.

If Yuan Shikai completely turned to East China, it would certainly not be in the interests of all countries, but this does not mean that all countries will be held by Yuan Shikai's threat. After all, a completely uncontrolled Yuan Shikai is not an ideal candidate needed by all countries, and countries will never invest money and resources to an uncontrolled person. So Franzan rubbed his hands and said, "Your Governor has enough confidence in your financial management capabilities. We can temporarily reserve this. However, this time we will support your Governor 2 million taels of silver. This is not a small amount, and this money is donated by merchants from all countries. We hope that this money will play its due role in the hands of your Governor, not waste or private occupation. Therefore, there is no excessive requirement for the purpose, supervision, and review of the purpose, direction of this money."

Yuan Shikai nodded and felt relieved. To be honest, he was afraid that the complete negotiation would collapse. Moreover, Fernan only proposed funds to support Yuan Shikai, which was actually a step back and no longer insisted on fully intervening or even controlling Yuan Shikai's finances. This was of course an acceptable result for Yuan Shikai, so he said: "That's natural. The funds supported by various countries have the right to supervise and review. I have no objection to this. You can send someone to supervise or even manage the purpose of this fund. The review is OK, but it can only be limited to the funds you support me. As for my taxes, the use of other funds, etc. are not within this scope."

Fernan said: "Okay, thank you for your understanding. In fact, we have no intention of interfering in your affairs. We have paid the price and we should naturally obtain reasonable power. This should be a very reasonable request."

Yuan Shikai laughed and said, "This is of course very reasonable. There is an old Chinese saying, "There is no lunch in the world that costs money." Since you have made efforts, you have the right to ask for rewards."

Fernan said: "Then the support we provide to the Governor is not just financial assistance, but will also provide support to the Governor in all aspects of politics, economy and military. Therefore, I think it is completely right for us to ask for corresponding power. What do you think?"

Yuan Shikai sneered in his heart. The other party gave him a trap here, but he has done sufficient preparations these days, so he said: "This is natural, but for now, the support from various countries to me is mainly in terms of funds. There is not yet other aspects. Even if there is one, there is not much. The Consul cannot deny this."

Furnan was stunned for a moment and nodded, because the Qing court has not yet perished, and the support of various countries for Yuan Shikai can only be carried out in secret and cannot be made public. Therefore, at present, they can only have practical support for Yuan Shikai in terms of funds, and the other parties are not feasible for the time being. When it is not feasible, it is indeed a bit inappropriate to reach out to Yuan Shikai for power.

At this time, Yuan Shikai said again: "I think this is better. I will hire foreign consultants in the name of the Governor of Liangjiang, so that I can explain to the court. You will arrange corresponding personnel to form an advisory group, and then discuss the funds provided by the advisory group to manage and support me. The specific operation method can be negotiated in detail. In addition, the second article, in the military, I think you can also participate in the name of the advisor. As for other aspects, when it can be implemented, I wonder what the consul thinks?"

It was very common for the Qing court to hire foreigners as consultants. It was originally limited to economic aspects. Later, when Li Hongzhang formed the Beiyang Navy, he expanded foreign consultants to the military. After the Boxer Reform, the Qing court began to implement new policies and finally introduced foreign consultants in the political field. Now foreign consultants were in full swing in the Qing court, and there were several foreign consultants around the ministers with heavy weight. When Yuan Shikai formed the Beiyang New Army, he also hired many foreign consultants. Now the Qing court has also formed a set of methods for the system management of foreign consultants.

Now, Yuan Shikai is still seeking from all countries, and is better than other countries. It is impossible not to give up some power to other countries. Therefore, Yuan Shikai thought of establishing an advisory group to deal with the demands of various countries to intervene in their own power. After all, the power of foreign consultants can be large and small, and they can be restrained or released, which is also the bottom line that Yuan Shikai can accept.

Fernan thought for a while, nodded, and said, "Well, the Governor's suggestion, I will truthfully respond to the ministers. I will see if they have any opinions, and that's all for the discussion at this moment."

Although Fernan said that he still needs to look at the attitude of the ministers from various countries in Beijing, with Yuan Shikai's experience, his suggestion was 80% successful, so he was very energetic and said, "Okay, as for discussing shipping rights with East China **, I can only do my best, but I can't guarantee that it will be successful."

Fernan nodded and said, "This is naturally. Just do your best to strive for the best results." In fact, this is completely caused by Swire Gulf and Jardinea. Because he lost the shipping rights of the Yangtze River, it has the greatest impact on these two businesses. It is not only less shipping revenue, but also the influence of these two businesses. With the shipping rights of the Yangtze River, these two businesses can expand their business scope to the entire Yangtze River Basin. Although there is more competition from East China, the market in the Yangtze River Basin is very large, and East China Basin cannot completely occupy it. Swire Gulf and Jardinea will always be divided into some markets. Among the funds supported by Yuan Shikai this time, Swire Gulf and Jardinea have the most, each of which has produced 100,000 taels of silver. Therefore, the opinions of these two businesses cannot be ignored.

However, Fernan also knew that this article cannot be forced. It is considered to be worthy of the two foreign companies that can be included in the negotiation conditions. As for how much energy Yuan Shikai would spend to negotiate with East China ** and whether East China ** would let go, it can only depend on God's arrangement.

Furnan said: "Then there is only the last one left now. We hope to set up a comprehensive concession in Nanjing, which will help us better cooperation with the Governor. Of course, the Qing court is still there, and the Governor cannot decide on his own, but we can sign an agreement first to delineate the area in the name of establishing a commercial bank, and start the construction of construction, roads and other facilities. When the time is ripe, the concession can be announced." After a pause, he said: "There is another way, which is to apply for the Governor to the Qing court, and the ministers in Beijing will operate activities and let the Qing court issue an order, so that the concession can be established in Nanjing immediately."

Yuan Shikai shook his head and said decisively: "Mr. Consul, it is absolutely impossible to establish a concession in Nanjing. I will never sign such an agreement, nor will I submit a memorial to the court. Even if the court issues an intention to establish a concession in Nanjing, I will strongly oppose it. If the court still insists on its own opinion, then I can only resign and return to the forest."

Furnan was stunned for a moment, seeing that Yuan Shikai's attitude was quite firm, so it didn't seem to be pretending. Before the negotiations, although he considered that this article was quite difficult, he still felt that it was still lower than the first two. However, he did not expect that Yuan Shikai's reaction was so fierce that it seemed to be even more serious than the first two. Therefore, he hesitated for a while and said: "Governor General, we hope to establish a concession in Nanjing to facilitate the establishment of consulates in Nanjing. In this way, the contact with the Governor General General was smoother, and the support for the Governor General was also more convenient."

Yuan Shikai said: "Mr. Consul, please forgive me for your frankness. Now the Chinese people hate the concession. It is fine if the concession has been established. However, if a new concession area is established in my district, it will definitely be angered by the public. I am afraid that it will not be able to sit steadily in this position. Even if it is not me who submits a letter to me, but the imperial court issued an order to establish it, I can only resign and not do it to show my attitude."

After hearing this, Furnan was silent for a while before saying, "Is the Governor's concern a little too exaggerated? It's just that a concession area is established in Nanjing, so it's not like this."

Yuan Shikai smiled bitterly and said, "If there were no East China **, there would be no big problem, but the world has changed now. It was not before the Gengzi State's change. I felt that all countries should also make progress with the times and could not act with the old ideas. Therefore, this matter should not be mentioned again. If all countries must insist on establishing concessions in Nanjing, then my cooperation with all countries can only be given up. All countries should ask others to cooperate with them."

Fernan frowned and said, "Governor General, if this is the case, our negotiations today are meaningless, because none of the conditions we have proposed have been met. I am afraid I cannot explain them to the ministers of all countries!"

Yuan Shikai spread his hands and said, "Then I have no choice. I am frank. If I meet these conditions you have put forward, I may be driven down immediately. I think countries don't want to see this result."

Fernan was silent for a long time before saying, "Okay, I will report the results of our negotiations to the ministers of all countries to see what their opinions are. Please wait for a few days."

Yuan Shikai nodded and said, "Okay, I wonder if the Consul is waiting in Nanjing! Or should I go back to Hankou first."

Fernan thought for a while and said, "Let's wait in Nanjing."
Chapter completed!