Qing Dynasty Secret History

Chapter 119 The Qing Dynasty issued an imperial edict to keep neutrality, and the small imperial court endured shame and made an alliance
It is said that after the promulgation of the neutral edict, within a few days, a telegram was received from Yang Qin's envoy stationed in Japan.It is reported that Japan has received a letter from the outside world, saying that Manchuria, although your country is on the outside, must strictly guard against the borders, and do not rely on luck to avoid war, so slack defense.King Qing told the Queen Mother, and the Queen Mother made a decree: order Ma Yukun to lead the tenth battalion to station in Shanhaiguan, and Guo Dianfu to lead the fourth battalion to station in Zhangjiakou.

The border officials in the southeastern provinces sent a powerful brigade to the north to defend Shenjing.The officials in the southeast border did not dare to neglect this order.The Governor of Huguang sent Wu Yuankai of the Central Association to lead the training army of [-] battalions of guards, and the Governor of Liangjiang sent people to Hunan and Anhui to recruit new troops.The government minister Wang also sent the fifth battalion of the Zhili Banner Army to Jinzhou outside the pass, the third battalion of the Huai Army to Xinminting, the sixth battalion of the standing army to Shanhaiguan, and the second army of Wuwei and Ziqiang to Beijing, Tianjin, and Tongzhou.Ma Yukun's soldiers asked him to guard Chaoyang and Rehe areas.He also asked the imperial envoys stationed in Japan to send a note to Japan's foreign officials: Japan and Russia lost peace, and the imperial court regarded the two countries as friends, and emphasized close relations, and dealt with them according to the rule of neutrality outside the situation.All provinces have been ordered to abide by it, and local officials are strictly ordered to protect businessmen and believers.

However, Shengjing and Xingjing are located in the mausoleum and palace, so the general should be ordered to take the responsibility of respecting and guarding.In the official offices of the cities and towns of the three eastern provinces, neither the two countries shall harm human life or property.The original Chinese armies did not attack each other.To the west of the Liaohe River, where the Russian soldiers retreated, the Beiyang Minister sent troops to station.The provinces and the borders of Inner Mongolia and Inner Mongolia shall follow the law of neutrality outside the situation, and the two armies shall never invade.If it breaks into the border, China should stop it, and it should not be regarded as a breaker of peace.However, in the land of Manchuria, there are places where foreign troops stationed in the country have not retreated. They are afraid of China's power and have not caught them. It is difficult to practice outside neutrality.However, the territorial rights of the three eastern provinces, regardless of whether the two countries win or lose, still belong to China and cannot be occupied.

Not long after, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs replied:
The Japanese government hopes for peace in your country and strictly guards against disturbance.Except for the places occupied by Russia, within the scope of your country, if there is no special action by Russia, the open country will definitely regard your country as neutral.The Japanese army adheres to the rules of engagement on the battlefield, and is not allowed to destroy property indiscriminately.The mausoleums and palaces in Shengjing and Xingjing, as well as the government offices of your country where they are located, were not originally done by Russia, and there is no damage. Your government can believe it.Also, in the battle grounds, regarding the officials and people of your country, the Japanese army must protect their bodies and property as far as they are allowed in the military.However, when the officials and the people help and favor our enemies, the Japanese government must reserve the necessary rights when the opportunity arises.When our country and Russia met each other, it was not for the purpose of conquest, but to protect our legitimate rights and interests.If the war goes through, sacrificing China and occupying the land is definitely not the intention of the Japanese government.As for the rush of soldiers and horses in your field, you have to deal with it according to military needs, and you must not dare to damage your country's sovereignty.I pray that your government believes in it!
Yang Qin sent the Japanese back and telegraphed the government.The government knew the situation in Manchuria, and it was difficult to be completely neutral, so it negotiated with Fengtian officials nine rules on the boundaries of the battlefield, and promulgated them both at home and abroad.The article is: - If Japan and Russia start a war on the ground in Feng Province, they plan to designate the battlefield.The two countries' war and stationed troops can only be within the boundaries of the battlefield and must not exceed the boundaries of the designated battlefield.

—From Xiongyue City in Gaiping County in the west, Heiyu, Longtan, Hongjiabao, Laoling, Yimianshan, Sharisai, and Shuangmiao in the middle, to the east, and to Andong County Street, from east to west. The names of the places mentioned above are divided into north and south boundaries, limited to Haizhi in the south, and the three cities of Jinzhou, Fuzhou, and Xiongyue, and Andong County Street are the designated battlefields.Or start from the coast in the west, stop at the bank of the Yalu River in the east, start from the coast in the south, and go northward to fifty li, which is the designated battlefield.After the war between the two countries, all the villages and towns in the counties of the battlefields were protected from military disasters.

- When the two countries start a quarrel, no matter the winner or loser, the troops are not allowed to clash and flee beyond the boundaries of the designated battlefield.If there is any invasion of land outside the limit, killing or injuring people, burning houses, looting property, and all losses, the country that violated the limit should pay compensation.The defeated army and wounded people, no matter where they go, I will not take them in since I am on the outside.

—The area within the scope of the designated battlefield this time, but for the wartime use of the two countries.If the victory and defeat have been decided and the military affairs have been completed, all the designated battlefields and the armies of the two countries will withdraw at any time and must not occupy them.

—After the declaration of war between the two countries, troops from any country other than Japan and Russia shall not be allowed to enter at will within the limits of the designated battlefields.And at that time, regardless of the country, officials and people, if they want to go to the designated place, they should apply for a passport from the Chinese official according to the regulations, and the Chinese official along the way will submit it for inspection before they are allowed to go.Those who should not go are still banned by Chinese officials.

The property of the people inevitably conflicts.If there is a loss, according to public law, it should be paid by the defeated country.If people are killed or injured for no reason, houses are burned, and property is looted, which country should pay for what has been done.When the two countries go to war, since we are on the sidelines, all cities north of the boundary should be defended by our own troops, and the armies of the two countries must not conflict.To the south of the boundary, that is, within the commanded battlefield limits, the patrol teams in the villages of Anton, Fuzhou, and Xiongyue are still stationed as usual.If the two countries go to war on a regular basis, the above-mentioned patrol teams will be transferred back to their respective cities to station.If there are few ground troops outside the provincial capital, one or two battalions should be dispatched to suppress them, so as not to disturb them, and the Russians should not stop them and collect our weapons. - If the troops recruited by the two countries must pass through places outside the designated battlefield, they are not allowed to stay for a long time. Food, firewood, and all daily necessities must be prepared and carried by the army of the country to comply with our rule of keeping outside the bureau.

—I am keeping outside the situation. Before and after the war between the two countries, we are not allowed to recruit Chinese bandits to serve as the army.

- If there are bandits who steal, if they are outside the battlefield limit, they will be arrested by the Chinese team; if they are within the battlefield limit, they are similar to the army of any country, and that country will arrest them.However, they are not allowed to cross the border to avoid troubles.

- If the two countries have agreed to start a war, they must notify the Chinese officials in advance of the date and where the war will start, and issue an announcement so that the people can avoid it.

After the battlefield was limited, another unexpected negotiation arose unexpectedly.There is a Russian warship named "Manchuria" moored in the Huangpu River in Shanghai, which originally came before the battle started.Now that the imperial court declared neutrality and limited the battlefield, the Japanese came to ask: "Why are Russian warships parked in neutral ports?"

Shanghai Road hurriedly called the Minister of Nanyang to issue an order to rein in the "Manchuria" ship to retreat.Because the matter is of great importance, the Minister of Nanyang sent a telegram to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, please make the decision.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a note to the Russian envoy, who replied: "The horse thieves in the three eastern provinces are raging and destroying the railway. The Russian government has not blamed China. China has been instigated by Japan. Instead, it wants to retreat the harmless "Manchurian" ship. Incomprehensible. And the 'Manchuria' ships are moored in Shanghai only to protect Russian merchants."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs could not insist on its own opinion, and said to Japan: When the "Manchuria" ship was moored, Japan and Russia had not yet started a war, so China could not use its military force to force him to retreat. "

The Japanese envoy firmly refused and said: "If the Russian ships do not retreat, Japan should also send warships to Shanghai. If there is any trouble in the future, China will take responsibility for it."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had no choice but to negotiate with the Russian envoy again, asking the ship to unload the ordnance, but the Russian envoy refused to agree.Therefore, Japan directly sent the "Akitsu" warship to station in Shanghai, and then sent the "Izumi" and "Suma" two ships to arrive, and they were moored in the same port as the Russian ships, which was very incompatible.The scholars and merchants in Shanghai were shocked.The Japanese envoy informed the government: "If the Russian ships do not retreat, the Japanese will definitely attack."

As a last resort, Russia allowed to unload the ordnance.For this warship, in more than ten days, Shanghai Road, the Japanese Consul, the Russian Consul, the Russian Ship Commander, the Minister of Nanyang, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Russian Minister, the Japanese Minister, the Russian Governor, the Japanese Foreign Ministry, the Russian Foreign Ministry, exchanged messages and exchanges Such as weaving.

After the negotiation was completed, Hudao reported to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported to the Queen Mother.The queen mother said: "China is an independent country after all, but the country is weak! I don't think it took so much talk for this small warship."

On this day, Yuan Shikai, governor of Zhili, had an audience. The queen mother asked him what opinion he had on the war between Russia and Japan.Yuan Gongzuo said: "Although the two countries have formed a war, they will never involve China. However, after the war is established, there will inevitably be troubles in Manchuria."

The queen mother said: "Then I also know, because the two armies are fighting in China. The best way is to strictly maintain neutrality. In this battle between China and Japan, the national power has been exhausted, and we can no longer meet with each other. Now we should strictly tell all officials, Be careful not to interfere with this matter, lest outsiders have excuses."

Yuan Gongzuo said: "What the Empress Dowager sees is very true, and the ministers should always look up to them and try their best to maintain it."

The queen mother said: "Look at the result of the battle, who wins and who loses?"

Yuan Gongdao: "The matter is difficult to decide, maybe Japan can win."

The Empress Dowager said: "Japan really won. I can relieve my worries a little bit, but I'm afraid it won't be possible. Russia has a large army, and it's not easy to say victory or defeat."

Yuan Gongdao: "Victory and defeat are blunt, sincerity is hard to see, the Queen Mother's order is yes."

The Empress Dowager said: "If China has no choice but to go to war with other countries, I'm afraid there will be no place to stand.

We are poorly armed and unprepared, with neither a navy nor a trained army.

To be honest, there is simply no defense at all. "

As he spoke, he couldn't help but sigh.Yuan Gong comforted the Empress Dowager and said, "According to the current situation, it seems that China does not need to worry about the disaster of war, because all countries are very close to us."

The Empress Dowager said: "China should always wake up and implement various new policies, but I don't know where to get the manpower? It is always hoped that China will occupy a superior position among the world's powers."

For a while, Yuan Gong retreated.The Empress Dowager summoned the Minister of Military Aircraft and told him what she had just said to Yuan Gong.The ministers of military aircraft all tried their best to help, and expressed their opinions on national defense and other matters, and made a lot of discussions.A certain prince advocated reform but not obedience. The queen mother was very impassioned and discussed it for a while.After retiring from the court, it was forgotten.

On this day, when he retreated to the palace, De Ling had already translated the war news.The queen mother asked what new news?Deling said: "North Korea's neutrality was forced to be canceled by Japan. The Russian envoys stationed in South Korea and the guards of the envoys have all returned home. Japan and South Korea have signed six new treaties.

The Queen Mother said: "Is there such a thing?"Fetch it and let me see. "

De Ling submitted the translation, and the Empress Dowager received it, and saw that it read: Lin Quanzhu, Minister Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Japan, and the Interim Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, led Zhirong, each of whom was properly appointed, and made a special article as follows: The first article is The friendship between Japan and South Korea will last forever, and in order to consolidate the peace in the East, the South Korean government sincerely trusts the Japanese government.As for the improvement of state affairs, we can listen to the support of the Japanese government for implementation.

Article [-] The Japanese government, in consideration of the harmonious relationship between Japan and South Korea, should guarantee the peace and security of the Korean court.

Article [-] The Japanese government guarantees the independence and territorial integrity of Korea.

Article [-] If there is a danger that the court of Korea will not live in peace or the borders of Korea will be completely threatened due to being invaded by countries other than Japan and South Korea, or due to civil disturbances in Korea, the Japanese government should take immediate and concise measures depending on the situation. .In case of this matter, the South Korean government should try its best to provide assistance so that the Japanese government can take all measures, and the Japanese government can look at the situation at any time, so that it can occupy the most important places in the military strategy, so that everything will happen.Article [-] Any agreement that does not conform to the purpose of this special article shall not be negotiated with a country other than Japan and South Korea unless there is a mutual promise in the future.

From Article [-] to the details related to this special article, the Minister of Plenipotentiary of Japan and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Korea shall consider the situation at any time and discuss it through consultation.

February 37, Meiji 23
Guangwu eight years in February 23rd
After watching it, the Queen Mother said to Deling: "Isn't the first article of the "Treaty of Shimonoseki" that our country should regard North Korea as a completely independent country? Now, why is he not allowed to be neutral?"

Deling said: "Japan has been trying to annihilate North Korea for a long time. Before the Sino-Japanese War, it competed with China, and after the Sino-Japanese War, it competed with Russia. This time the war was called the Three Eastern Provinces, but in fact it was still North Korea. Before the war, the Japanese were in a hurry The Beijing-Fuzhou railway project has been completed. In ten days, the Japanese army has occupied all of Hanjiang, how can they still be neutral?"

The queen mother said: "North Korea's affairs, after all, belong to other countries, we don't have to worry about him.

It's just that the strong neighbors behaved like this, and the powerful countries in Thailand and the West didn't say a word, and China was also very chilled! "

Deling said: "China will never reach that point!"

The Empress Dowager said: "What's the point of a war? I think this place is too close to the three eastern provinces, so Xi'an is more comfortable."

Unexpectedly, such a sentence was said, and even the three countries of Britain, the United States and Germany have already spread it.The envoys of Britain, the United States and Germany informed the Chinese government: "It has been ordered to Japan and Russia to abide by it as a whole. The military forces of the two countries are not allowed to invade the Chinese border."

And please comfort the two palaces, there is no need to act rashly because of the war between Japan and Russia, so as to hinder the overall situation.The Kaiser also sent a telegram asking the two palaces not to tour the west, and the ministers also asked Ming to promulgate an edict, saying that the imperial court would not be lucky to go west.The queen mother was very embarrassed.It just so happened that Wang Fengchi, the censor, made a remonstrance, and said in his speech: The recent situation of stealing Russia and Japan is about to break up, and the war is at hand.Although I usually stay out of the game, no matter who wins or loses afterwards, China will suffer.Chen Yu thinks that the two evils are the lesser according to their appearance, and the harm may be slightly reduced if the response is appropriate.If you act carelessly, people will panic, and extraordinary changes will happen.External troubles and internal strife are constant and cause each other, so that once the fundamental ground is shaken, the overall situation will collapse and it will be out of control.It's just for my empress dowager to keep calm.Why do you say that?English peeks into U-Tibet and the area along the river; law peeps Yunnan and Vietnam; virtue peeps Shandong.Deliberate deliberation, bandit Yi day and night.The reason why those who hesitate to look at each other is because they restrain each other and dare not make trouble lightly.If today's war between Russia and Japan has started, and the outcome is slightly divided, there must be a mediator, and it should not be protracted.If the disturbance from the east shakes the capital, or if the theory of the west tour is used to blaspheme Sheng Cong and misunderstand his words, the public will be scattered, and bandits will bandit, and they will take the opportunity to incite chaos.And the great powers will also do what they want because of it, and the overall situation is unimaginable!
Chen Yu thought that my empress dowager, Mo Hongyuan, would be able to see this clearly when she went to the temple.I only ask the governors of the generals along the river and coast to carefully seal the Qi and protect the churches in the commercial port so as not to cause problems.

Stay calm and don't be moved by nonsense.Zongshe is very lucky!What a blessing!For the sake of the difficult situation, the minister is on standby in great fear!
Seeing this, the Empress Dowager ordered the military aircraft to draw up an order, and made a big statement to show that the imperial court had no intention of going west: Wang Fengchi, the imperial censor, made a secret report. Or according to the saying of the west tour, if you blaspheme the saint, if you misunderstand his words, you will be panicked and the crowd will be scattered.Now that Japan and Russia are losing their yang, it is not a quarrel with China.Inside and outside the capital, it is safe and blocked as usual, so how can there be a patrol?It is really unreasonable for the censor to make rash remarks with such unfounded remarks.Wang Fengchi wrote an edict to announce the order.Afterwards, if there are false rumors to confuse the audience, the infantry commander Yamen Shuntianfu five city censors will be punished severely to calm people's hearts.This is it.

In the past few days, the Empress Dowager never talked about anything other than the war in the palace.Every day when he goes to court, in addition to summoning military aircraft, he also specially summons all the generals in charge of the army to inquire about all matters of national defense.However, the generals usually serve as officials outside, and they are not very clear about the pilgrimage rituals.

Seeing the queen mother, I was at a loss.The palace family members peeped from behind the screen and laughed.

As for playing the right words, I don't even realize it.One day, the Empress Dowager asked an admiral, saying, "The navy's inferiority is actually caused by our lack of training for naval non-commissioned officers."

A certain admiral replied: "The Chinese people are more numerous than other countries. When it comes to warships, we have countless Neijiang gunboats and many merchant ships from China Merchants, which can be used for battle."

When the queen mother heard this, she drank a certain admiral and withdrew.Then he said to the left and right: "Sure enough, there are many Chinese people, but most of them have the same knowledge as this person, which is of great benefit to the country!"

After a certain admiral drank back, all the courtiers snickered.The Empress Dowager said: "What's so funny? But it's deeply annoying to have such a person in an important position in the navy and army."

At this time of the year Guan Yier, the head of the palace, from the family members to the eunuchs, are busy every day, preparing for the new year.The Empress Dowager personally looked through the almanac, chose an auspicious day, and asked the eunuchs to sweep the dust everywhere.

Take down all the objects on the wall, and check things carefully.All utensils and objects are carefully wiped.The empress dowager's jewelry was also wiped one by one.A list is also prepared, and all the royal family members and Manchu women who are allowed to participate in the New Year's Eve ceremony are listed one by one.The Empress Dowager also ordered new winter clothes to be specially made for the palace family members, all made of white fox fur.Sacrificial stove making cakes, very busy.The queen mother held the pen and ink again, and personally wrote the characters of Dou Fang Fu Shou.It is also called the palace family members and Hanlin officials who can write, to help write, and prepare for the new year to reward the ministers.Generals, governors and ministers from all provinces came here to contribute New Year gifts on special missions.After receiving it, it must be presented to the Empress Dowager for review.The ones that are acceptable are kept for backup, and the ones that are not satisfactory are handed over to the eunuch in charge of the treasury.Among the tributes are small utensils, antique gems, and silk and satin clothes.Just because the queen mother agrees, several rooms have been piled up.Inside is the yellow satin gown of Zhidu tribute, which is decorated with peony flowers with various gemstones and pearls, and flowers and leaves with emeralds, which are dazzling.It's a pity that the weight is too heavy and it is not very comfortable to wear.There are four bags of pearls from Guangdong Dugong, each bag has thousands of pearls, and they are round and bare, which is also a rare treasure in the world.If you want to know what to do after you are old, let's listen to the next chapter.

(End of this chapter)