Super dictator.

After several deliberations, the Tsar decided to deal with China with a stick in one hand and vodka in the other. www

On the same day, Russian Finance Minister Witte met with Minister Xu Jingcheng in Russia.

Xu Jingcheng is one of the veteran diplomats of the Qing Dynasty. He has been sent to France, Germany, Italy, Holland, and Austria. He inspected and received warships such as Dingyuan and Zhenyuan.

Since 1891, the Russian army has entered the Pamir Chinese border area with the outrageous, unreasonable and absurd reason of "safari". He persisted for three years without giving in, and finally in 1894, due to the weakening of China's national power, had to accept Russia's proposal to maintain the status quo and not to enter the army.

However, he has long been aware of the vicious nature of the Russians, and he foresees that after the Three Kingdoms return to the Liao Dynasty, the Russians will plan for their own convenience, and the Germans will take responsibility for retribution.

This time, when Werther invited him to meet, Xu Jingcheng probably guessed what was going on.

Xu Jingcheng was sitting on a chair in the Russian diplomatic office, drinking the bitter coffee on the table, quietly waiting for Werther's arrival.

"Mr. Xu, the Russians urgently invited me to meet. I don't know what it is?" Seeing that Werther hadn't come, Xu's entourage couldn't help asking in a low voice.

Xu Jingcheng said with a worried face: "In the past, Russia, France, and Germany forced Japan to return the land of Liaodong to me. Do you think it's that simple? Although Russia intended to ask the Japanese to withdraw their troops, it deliberately let Japan delay time, trying to get the land back. Our country borrows money from it."

At that time, although Japan had promised Russia, Germany and France to give up the land of Liaodong, the specific situation of the three countries had never been known to the Qing government.

If it weren't for the upsurge of calls for World War I in China, the Japanese would accept it as soon as it was good, send a note to the Qing government, and leave when they got the money, the Russian conspiracy might have really succeeded.

China spent 1000 million taels of silver to take back these places, which is 2000 million taels less than the original history. Although it was in financial constraints, it still made up without borrowing.

As for the 8000 million taels of indemnity from the Treaty of Shimonoseki, it can be divided into several years to pay back, and it is not so urgent.

In the original history, the Russians used the retreat of the Japanese army from Liaodong as a threat, explaining that if they did not borrow money from him, whether the Japanese could withdraw their troops or not. In the end, China had no choice but to compromise. Anyway, it was borrowed from any country. There is a way.

The attendant also said worriedly: "Don't the Russians still want to talk about borrowing? Hasn't the imperial court already favored German, American, British and other banks?"

Banks in other countries are eager for China to borrow from them. Not to mention other things, they can earn a lot of money from economic interests, and loans need guarantees. The Qing government usually uses various taxes such as customs duties as guarantees. The great powers can legitimately intervene in China's finances.

Therefore, there is no need to worry about not being able to borrow money. What is worrying is that various countries use various methods, either coercion or lure, to make the Qing government borrow money from them. Russia is trying to force the Qing government to submit through coercion.

Xu Jingcheng shook his head helplessly, and said no more, a weak country has no diplomacy, even if it is a matter of certainty, if a big power is involved, something will happen.

Xu Jingcheng and the others waited for a while before Werther walked in unhurriedly.

"Xu, I kept you waiting for a long time." Werther said unhurriedly. Werther played the role of vodka in Russia's dealing with China. He was a conspirator, and he always appeared in front of the Chinese with a charitable face.

Xu Jingcheng said pointedly: "Your minister is busy with affairs, so it is reasonable to be late."

Werther sat down without changing his face.

He first took a sip of coffee slowly, and then said in a leisurely manner: "I heard that your country is now going to build its own railway, so as to connect with our country's Siberia Railway?"

Xu Jingcheng rolled his eyes and replied with a smile: "In 1891, our country had already established the Daqing Administration Railway Bureau. For the convenience of transportation, it had already decided to build a railway from Yingkou to Hunchun. Now it is just according to the original It’s just a plan.”

When the Russians built the Siberian Railway, the insightful people in the Qing court realized that their intention was to encircle the Northeast, so they proposed a countermeasure, that is, to build a railway to strengthen control over the three eastern provinces.

However, on the one hand, the Hanyang Iron Works has not produced qualified rails, and on the other hand, the Japanese invaded eastward not long ago, so the railway is still under planning and has not yet been built in time.

Werther also knew that the Qing government built this road to compete with the Siberian Railway, but he couldn't say anything.

He smiled lightly and said: "Your country's idea is good. The construction of railways is indeed beneficial to transportation and economic development, but this country is acting as your country's budget. Firstly, your country may not have the funds at present, and secondly, there are no familiar projects. My dear man, the air disaster was handled quickly, and the railway in our country can be built to the border of Heilongjiang in your country by next year. If the railway in your country is not completed, the railway in our country still cannot be transported to Vladivostok, which is very disadvantageous to our country.”

Xu Jingcheng was annoyed in his heart, and said lightly, "Why does your country have to pass through our railway? Your country can just detour around the Boli area to build it."

Werther pretended to be surprised and said: "Minister Xu, why did you say that? If our country's railway can be connected with your country's railway, it will not only save a lot of trouble, but also facilitate the trade between the two countries, which is beneficial to both parties."

Xu Jingcheng could only say: "Don't worry, our country is fully capable of building a railway by itself."

Witt glanced at Xu Jingcheng lightly, and said with a smile: "Your country is now borrowing everywhere, I am afraid that it is not strong enough. Why don't you allow the Russians to raise funds to set up a company to undertake this road and sign a contract with your country. As long as the regulations are established, it will not hinder the country's affairs. Right, there is nothing else to worry about in your country, please let your envoy send a telegram to the country first, and let the headquarters discuss the draft contract, and then submit it to your country for approval."

Xu Jingcheng is vicious and seasoned, and when he understood the sinister intentions of the Russians, he thought in his heart: "Russian businessmen must not be able to deal with such a big deal. What Werther means is that it is a business in name, and the Russian government must do it on its own and harbor evil intentions. It's just borrowing land to build roads, it's just a little packaging, it's just to prevent the countries from being jealous and deceiving us.

Xu Jingcheng suppressed the boredom in his heart, and had to put on a smile and said: "Your minister said that the company's road construction is different from the self-made theory in our country, so there is no need to call for a draft."

Werther saw that Xu Jingcheng was firm and firm, so he had to think of another way. All roads lead to Rome, but this road does not work, and there are other roads, so he said indifferently: "Since your minister can't make the decision, then I will make the decision." The company undertakes this business, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of our country will order the Minister to China, Cassini, to do business in Beijing."

Werther was extremely contemptuous of Xu Jingcheng, but Xu Jingcheng's face only changed slightly, and he left in a hurry without saying much.

After Xu Jingcheng left, a Russian official said: "Xu Jingcheng is impenetrable, and he is really a strong opponent for us."

Werther said indifferently: "Even if he doesn't get in a drop of water, so what? The strength of the Chinese is there, and we can't let us knead it."

"Your Excellency, due to the instigation of the Japanese, there is an incident in the Korean palace, the Korean princess was killed, and the anti-Japanese atmosphere in Korea is strong. The Korean royal family asks for our blessing. If we can obtain the right to build the railway in China, we can extend the railway. Go to North Korea to suppress the Japanese forces, so if this can be done, it will be a great fortune." The Russian official said with a smile.

Witte nodded and said: "Whether it is political conditions or geographical conditions, North Korea is a part of the territory of the Russian Empire, so its fate has already been decided. If the Japanese want to win North Korea from our country, they must be prepared to bear it." Conquer the wrath of our nation."

Witte went on to say: "Now that the railway has not been repaired, it is not suitable to use troops. You can first use peaceful means to obtain the highest control over North Korea. Your Majesty has discussed this matter with Robanov and me. You can move the king of North Korea from the palace. To our embassy, ​​and at the same time send a financial adviser to North Korea to start the construction of the railway, and this person, I have recommended you."

"Thank you for your attention." The official said gratefully.

After Xu Jingcheng returned to the embassy, ​​Dang even telegraphed the meeting with Werther back to China, and pointed out that the Russians had evil intentions, and Russia was not credible.

At the same time, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs notified the Russian Minister to China, Kassini, to go to the Prime Minister's Office of China to discuss the matter.

Inside the Zongli Yamen, Prince Liuhe Qing, Prince Yikuang, Weng Tonghe, and Li Hongzhang were all there. After receiving Xu Jingcheng's call, they were very worried.

Guiziliu saw that he was dying, and he didn't know how long he would be able to survive. Guiziliu was not smart in other aspects, but when it came to dealing with Russia, he had suffered so much from the Russians over and over again. Cunning people.

When the British and French allied forces invaded China in the past, the Russians acted as saviors hypocritically, scolding Britain, France and other countries, and said that they could help the Qing Dynasty to help train soldiers and provide guns to resist Britain and France and other countries. Who knows, in the end, The soldiers from Britain and France benefited the most from the Russians. Not only did they cut off a large area of ​​land for the Russians, but they also included the Russians in the signing of the Beijing Agreement. It can be seen that the Russians did a lot of looting.

This matter is not counted, and when Zuo Zongtang recovered Xinjiang, the Russians were even more cunning. Their country had just suffered in Europe and was unable to deal with China, so they conspired to collude with Bismarck in Germany, saying that they wanted to support the peace faction Li Hongzhang and others stood on their own in order to attack the peacemakers and maintain the interests of various countries in China. In the end, the Qing court was so frightened that even Yili did not take back.

In short, the means of the Russians are rogues and robbers, stealing and plundering. When they have the ability, they go directly to it, and when they are not able, they take advantage of the fire to rob. In short, they will not give up until they completely cede China's territory.

At this time, after the Sino-Japanese Sino-Japanese War of [-]-[-], China's national power became weaker. If the Russians let go of this opportunity, they would not be called Russians anymore. He has already blatantly tore up the agreement, and privately divided Pamir with the British. Even now, he is forcing China to allow him to park the fleet in Jiaozhou Bay.

Why did the Russians want to berth in Jiaozhou Bay? That is because of their ulterior motives. Jiaozhou Bay is not a treaty port. Yantai and other treaty ports can completely allow them to berth for a long time, but ships from all countries in the treaty ports can enter and leave at will. Russia cannot occupy it alone. That’s why he chose Jiaozhou Bay, and now Lushun has been taken back by the Chinese. Compared with Jiaozhou Bay, Lushun’s geographical location is better, so the Russians have taken a fancy to Lushun again.

If there are no Beiyang ships guarding Lushunkou now, it is estimated that the Russians will repeat their old tricks, first sailing the fleet into the port to play hooligans, and then talk to you.