. can’t be delayed (please vote for me!)

"Citizens, now that the British allies have declared war on Germany, how can Japan sit back and watch..."

As the car drove towards the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and passed a park, Green saw the Japanese speaking outside the car through the car window. As the British ambassador to Japan, he understood the eagerness of the entire Japanese nation to participate in the war better than London did. However,

Because of this, he is more vigilant than London.

Although the Japanese used the excuse of "maintaining the alliance," Green clearly knew the real reason why Japan was eager to join the war--expansion.

Three days ago in the afternoon, Greene made a request for "help" to the Japanese Foreign Minister, and yesterday, Garten submitted a memorandum on Japan's "reasons for war and scope of war" against Germany through the minister in Japan.

The memorandum stated that "once Japan becomes a belligerent, its actions must not be limited to destroying the enemy's camouflaged cruisers... In order to eliminate the German forces that harm the interests of Japan and Britain, all possible means must be adopted."

That memorandum made London's long-standing worries come true. The British agreed to Japan's participation in the war on a prerequisite, which was to limit the war's actions to cruising in the China Sea and destroying German camouflage cruisers. The reason why Britain limited the scope of the war was to prevent Japan from getting involved.

Mainland China and German territory in the Pacific, but Japan proposed to fully participate in the war.

Tokyo's excessive "enthusiasm" alarmed London. Britain was afraid that once Japan fully participated in the war, it would expand its power to China and the South Pacific Islands, which would in turn have an impact on the British Dominions of Australia and New Zealand, and at the same time worsen public opinion in the United States.

This will affect the future direction of the United States.

That's why Foreign Minister Gray informed the Japanese government that he hoped not to participate in the war. At this time, Green, who was in a complicated mood, went to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss the matter with Foreign Minister Kato. It was precisely because he understood the contradictions of the British and the ambitions of the Japanese.

, which makes Green as helpless as he is now.

“London thinks everything is too simple”

It's not just simple, it's simply... ill-considered. Japan deliberately wanted to join the war, but London took the initiative to send an "invitation." Under such circumstances, is it possible for Japan to agree to "not join the war for the time being"?

"Your Excellency, Ambassador, this war was fought by Japan at the request of the British ally, and Japan fought the war based on the request of the British and out of the friendship between the allies on the premise that the coordinated operations stipulated in the alliance between the two countries had not occurred.

Having made the decision to join the war, your country has now gone back on its word and asked Japan not to join the war for the time being. How can this be acceptable to a country?"

Almost immediately after meeting with Green, Kato Takaaki not only protested, but also pleaded on the pretext of domestic politics.

"...Since the Japanese government has decided to participate in the war based on the request of the British government, as long as the situation does not change significantly, it must insist on participating in the war against Germany. Otherwise, it will lead to a major political crisis. Please understand."

"Your Excellency, Foreign Minister, the decision not to participate in the war is based on the current situation, and I only hope that your country will not participate in the war, rather than rejecting your country's participation in the war."

Although he knew that his explanation was somewhat weak and that Japan would never accept this explanation, Green still dutifully gave his explanation.

"When the time is right, Britain will still make a request to your country to join the war. Your Excellency, Foreign Secretary, no need to doubt this, if your country needs to appease Congress and the people..."

"Your Excellency, Ambassador, if Britain indeed withdraws its intention to ask Japan to join the war, it will have an extremely negative impact on the Japan-British Alliance."

Kato Takaaki immediately threatened, saying that he knew clearly what Britain was worried about. He also knew that for Britain, what they were most worried about was not the expansion of Japan's power in China and the South Pacific, but the fear of Japan's fall to Germany.

"On the issue of participating in the war, Japan's domestic attitude is consistent, but it is full of contradictions about which direction to turn to. If this opportunity is missed, it is difficult for me to guarantee that next time, we will talk as allies."

threaten

A few months ago, facing this threat, Green would have walked away. Great Britain would not accept any threat, but now? He can only smile bitterly, just like Britain now.

"To this, I must report back to London before I can give an answer."

While Japan was pleading there to join the war, on the other side of the sea, in China, China announced its neutral position a few days ago and immediately announced the "Outside Neutrality Regulations". Regarding its own strength,

Both Yuan Shikai and the Chinese government and local officials have a clear understanding that it is not easy to save the country under the gaze of the great powers. The troubled waters of this powerful war are still as far away as possible.

But sometimes, even if you want to hide, you can't. On August 15, almost as soon as Britain was determined to sacrifice China's interests in Jiaozhou Bay and make compromises on this issue, Japan used the excuse of "maintaining the Japan-British alliance."

On the grounds of interests, an ultimatum was sent to Germany.

In view of the fact that Britain and Germany were already at war in Europe, and Japan issued an ultimatum to the German forces in Qingdao on the grounds of "maintaining the Japan-British alliance", Yuan Shikai clearly saw that Japan was preparing to form an alliance with Britain in order to realize its ambitions against China.

The attack on the German leased land of Jiao'ao and the alliance with Britain were false, but the intention to occupy Jiao'ao was real. As for the hundreds of British troops in Weihaiwei, could they contain the ambitious Japan?

You don’t need to ask Yuan Shikai to know the answer. He understands the Japanese and also has an insight into the Japanese ambitions. Long before Japan issued an ultimatum to the Germans in Qingdao, Yuan Shikai, on the one hand, in the name of the President, telegraphed all participating countries not to engage in war on Chinese territory.

, on the one hand, mediating between Britain and Germany, hoping to take back Qingdao through the strategy of using barbarians to control barbarians.

Perhaps Yuan Shikai's strategy worked, or perhaps the Germans had already foreseen that the upcoming war was destined to fail. On August 15, less than six hours after Japan issued the ultimatum, the German Foreign Ministry announced it to all countries.

"We can consider returning Qingdao to China, but Japan should also return Taiwan to China."

In the evening of that day, the Japanese Minister to China, Hikihi Masuo, entered the Zhongnanhai Jurentang Hall.

Hioki Masashi is in his early fifties, thin and small, with a beard under his pointed nose, and a pair of gold tortoiseshell lenses on his two small eyes that often move quickly. He is a top student who graduated from the Law Department of Tokyo Imperial University.

He is a language genius. He is proficient in English, German, and French. He has been influenced by his family since he was a child. He is not only fluent in Chinese, but also has extensive research on Chinese studies. His talent was quickly appreciated by the government and he was sent to Chile, Argentina and other countries.

He served as an envoy. In the year of Gengzi, he came to Beijing and served as the first counselor of the Japanese Embassy in China. The first major event he served as counselor was the Eight-Nation Allied Forces' suppression of the Boxer Rebellion. Hichiichi had lived in China for fourteen years. He was familiar with China's national conditions and worked closely with him.

Yuan Shikai had dealt with him many times and knew this powerful official of the Qing Dynasty and the president of the Republic of China very well.

"Hello, Mr. Minister"

Yuan Shikai walked into the reception room and stretched out his hand to Rizhiyi. Although Rizhiyi had not yet spoken, he already knew why Rizhiyi came to visit him. Just half an hour ago, he had to arrange for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to contact him.

The price of Germany's presence in China, the German Governor of Jiao'ao discussed the return of Qingdao.

In Yuan Shikai's view, the really important part of the conditions proposed by the Germans for the return of Qingdao was the first half. As for the second half, it was simply to make the Japanese look bad. This opportunity could not be missed no matter what.

According to his original intention, he did not want to meet with Rizhi Yi at this time, but he had to meet because... the country is weak and there is no way.

"Good night, Mr. President"

Wearing a light gray suit and a tie with blue ground and white stripes, Hizuki stood up quickly. First, he held his hands vertically, bowed deeply, and then stretched out his right hand to hold it with Yuan Shikai.

"Please sit down, please sit down"

Although he understood the purpose of the other party's visit, Yuan Shikai still pointed to the sofa with a smile, and then personally pulled out a cigar from the small iron box on the coffee table and asked Hioki to smoke. Hioki politely declined. Yuan Shikai turned around

He said to Yuan Keding who was standing aside.

"Keding, go and make a cup of good tea for Mr. Minister yourself."

"Don't dare, don't dare."

A modest professional smile appeared on Hichiichi's face.

"The President has been busy all day, and I'm sorry to bother you again at this time."

He said he was sorry, but there was no sign of apology on his face.

"Where, where."

Yuan Shikai smoked a cigar by himself.

"We have been old friends for many years, and I am very happy to see you. Tonight we are chatting among friends. In the words of your country, chatting with friends is the best rest."

Hikiichi said with a smile.

"Yes, yes, it is a great honor to be able to chat casually with the president."

"Mr. Minister, it has been more than ten years since he came to China."

Yuan Shikai blew out a puff of smoke and started talking casually. The reason for this was because he wanted to spend more time with Hiki. Anyway, he just didn't talk about business. To be precise, he didn't give him a chance to talk about business.

"It has been fourteen years. When I came to your country, the Boxers were rioting. At that time, the President was serving as governor of Shandong. Your courage to resolutely suppress the troublemakers still makes me admire you to this day."

How could Hichiyi, who knew Yuan Shikai, not know Yuan Shikai's plan? Of course he would not let him succeed. He said this almost as soon as he said this sentence.

"The client admired the president's decision-making and courage back then, but today..."

"Ah today,"

Seeing that he wanted to change the subject, Yuan Shikai quickly spoke up to change the subject, but Rizhiyi refused to give him this opportunity.

"Today our government has made a decision: the Chinese government must not accept Qingdao from the Germans, otherwise Japan will think that China is violating neutrality on its own."

As soon as his eyes opened, the smile on Yuan Shikai's face froze, and he stared at Rizhiyi. He held the teacup tightly with his left hand, as if he wanted to crush the teacup, but in the end, Yuan Shikai was on the verge of being extremely angry, and used the cup with his right hand.

Cover and remove the tea leaves from the cup.

“drink tea”

"I also ask the president to weigh the pros and cons so as not to hurt the feelings between Japan and China."

emotion

bullshit

In fact, neither Yuan Shikai nor Japan had a good impression of each other. Instead, they were wary and even hostile. In the eyes of Japan, Yuan Shikai was a formidable enemy, and Japan was Yuan Shikai's formidable enemy. In fact, the rise of Yuan Shikai

It has something to do with Japan. When he was the governor of Korea, he drove the Japanese out of Korea twice and was regarded as a major enemy by the Japanese. It was precisely in Korea that he fought against Japan many times that made him more powerful than anyone else.

Learn about Japan and learn more about this ambitious neighbor who wants to swallow the elephant with its snake.

Although his heart was filled with rage, Yuan Shikai suppressed his anger and said.

"Japanese Minister, this Qingdao is China's territory, what does it have to do with Japan?"

"Jiao'ao is a German lease, and Japan is now a member of the Allied Powers. Naturally, we must avoid any virtuous behavior by China. At least we must avoid other countries' doubts about China's virtuous behavior in order to maintain China's neutrality. I also ask the President for your understanding. Now,

The United States is unwilling to intervene overseas, Britain, France and Russia are trapped in the European War, Germany and Austria are trapped in a tight siege, looking at Asia, only Japan can uphold justice."

Hichichi said this on the surface, but in fact he was reminding Yuan Shikai in front of him that Japan was determined to attack Jiao'ao and would never take into account the interests of Britain, France, Russia and the United States, and they were unable to hinder Japan.

Yuan Shikai said nothing while holding the tea cup. He didn't even raise his eyes anymore, but the veins in the hand holding the tea cup were already exposed. Originally, the three years of the Republic of China were supposed to be a good year for China. First

With the outbreak of World War I, the European powers were busy with wars, production stopped, and military supplies increased, which gave China an opportunity to develop its national capital. The institutional dynamics since the New Deal in the late Qing Dynasty finally came into force at this time to promote the development of capital.

As a result, the country's economic situation has improved.
To be continued...