Years of the Republic of China 1913

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Qingdao Governor's Mansion, also known as Jiao'ao Admiral's Mansion, is located on the southern slope of Guanhai Mountain, Qingdao, with the mountain on its back and the sea facing the sea. It covers an area of ​​more than 86000 square meters. The main building is a yellow concave-shaped building with a height of 30 meters. , The whole construction area is about 7500 square meters, majestic and magnificent.

Xu Shichang was very familiar with this place, and led Fang Zida through the heavily guarded gate. When they came to the front of the building, a young German military official greeted him quickly from the steps, speaking fluent but somewhat foreign-style Chinese Said: "Hello, Mr. Xu, Your Excellency Governor is very happy to know that you are here, please follow me this way."

"Thank you, Major Erhard." Xu Shichang recognized him as the governor's adjutant, thanked him politely, followed him into the building with a cane and Fang Zida.

Upstairs, the major took them to a reception room, asked them to sit down and asked if they wanted coffee or tea, and then asked them to wait a while so that he could inform the governor.

"Hehe, the Germans are like this. They do things a little rigidly. The old man always does this when he comes back. It's not too troublesome." When the major left, Xu Shichang smiled and explained to Fang Zida beside him.Fang Zida nodded slightly to express his understanding. When he was in Europe, he had a lot of dealings with Germans, so of course he knew the German way of doing things.

Soon, crisp footsteps came from outside the corridor, Xu Shichang signaled Fang Zida to stand up with him, and then saw the door open, and a general with a German beard appeared in front of them, and there were two other people behind him, One is the major who went out just now, and the other is a tall, thin middle-aged man in a suit, who may be the governor's secretary.

"Hello, Mr. Xu, long time no see. I'm so glad you can come." This general is of course Governor Wardeck. Compared with the major just now, his Chinese can only be said to be reluctant, but he is very happy with Xu Shichang's visit. enthusiasm.

"Thank you, Your Excellency Governor." Xu Shichang smiled and shook hands with Hua Deke.

"Who is this?" Hua Deke asked politely seeing a strange man accompanying Xu Shichang.

"This is a junior of the old man, hehe, I am getting old, and my legs and feet are a bit inconvenient." Xu Shichang did not reveal Fang Zida's identity, and raised Stick in his hand with a smile.

"You Chinese are so modest. In fact, Mr. Xu is not old at all. I think you are in good health." Hua Deke said with a smile, Xu Shichang was slightly taken aback, and suddenly he was also happy.

After a few pleasantries, the two sides sat down respectively. Xu Shichang first explained to Hua Deke about Zhong Yang's reorganization of the Shandong Patrol Battalion and the Military Guard Army, and hoped that the German side could understand the "small-scale battle" that occurred in Shandong some time ago. So as not to affect the good friendship between the two countries.

"As the governor of Germany in Qingdao, I certainly don't want any unpleasant things to happen in my jurisdiction. Fortunately, this kind of unpleasantness didn't happen. However, as a soldier, I have to appreciate your country's government. Determined. The reorganization of the National Defense Forces is a major event for any country, and for some local troops who resist the reorganization of Zhong Yang, the necessary punishment is understandable."

"Thank you, Your Excellency Governor." Xu Shichang nodded with a smile, then said some routines, and then gradually brought the topic to the Sarajevo incident that happened in Europe not long ago.

"Your Excellency, your country and the Austro-Hungarian Empire are allies. The crown prince of the Austro-Hungarian Empire was assassinated in Sarajevo. The Austro-Hungarian Empire will inevitably launch a war against Serbia. Britain, France, and Russia have an agreement and are likely to intervene in this war. I wonder how your country will respond?"

Wardeck seemed a little surprised, and was not prepared for Xu Shichang's sudden question. He subconsciously glanced at the middle-aged man sitting next to him, and then smiled: "I'm afraid Mr. Xu asked the wrong person. We have to ask His Majesty the Emperor."

Xu Shichang couldn't help laughing, shook his head and said: "Today is just a casual chat between old friends. Your Excellency the Governor also knows that I don't have any position in Zheng Fu, I am just an ordinary citizen."

"Mr. Xu is modest." Before Huadeck could speak, the man interjected in fluent Chinese: "As far as I know, Mr. Xu served as the Minister of Military Aircraft in the Qing Dynasty, and he was a good friend with President Yuan for many years. He has a high prestige in Chinese political circles, how can he be called just an ordinary person?"

"It's all in the past..." Xu Shichang said lightly.

The man just smiled, and didn't continue talking about this matter, but turned the topic back: "The question Mr. Xu just asked is just a hypothesis, and in my opinion, the hypothesis is often untenable. However, For the peace-loving German Empire, it is our duty to stabilize the situation in Europe, mediate conflicts between the two sides, and try to avoid war.”

Listening to his bragging, Fang Zida almost laughed out loud.Who is Kaiser Wilhelm II?A thorough militarist, the concept of Greater Germany is deeply rooted. According to later records, after the Sarajevo incident, William II was happy to receive the news in the palace. A war breaks out, so that Germany can legitimately participate in it to complete the "world policy" formulated by Germany back then.

Xu Shichang waved his hand and said with regret: "If you say that, there is no need to talk about these things. I thought that as old friends, the two sides could treat each other honestly, but... hey..."

Shaking his head, Xu Shichang stretched out his hand to hold the cane that was placed aside, as if he was about to get up.The man was slightly taken aback, and quickly raised his hand to stop him with a smile: "Since Mr. Xu thinks it's better to be honest with each other, can you please tell me your real purpose for coming here?"

"I haven't asked Mr.'s name, may I ask you..."

"I'm Marsan, Chargé d'Affaires of the German Empire in China."

"A long time ago!" Xu Shichang and Fang Zida didn't expect that the person accompanying Wardeck would be Malsan. Now that the German ambassador to China has returned to China, the new ambassador has not yet taken office. Marsan is acting as the acting plenipotentiary ambassador. Officials can be said to be one of the highest-ranking political officials in Germany in China, and they are not inferior to Governor Waldeck.

"In my opinion, your country will inevitably be involved in a war. Once the European war breaks out, your country and the Austro-Hungarian Empire will be on one side as the allies, and the other side will of course be Britain, France, and Russia in the Triple Entente. Together, the war will involve a lot. But no matter what, it's your business in Europe, Europe is far away from the Republic of China, these old men can't worry about it, and there's no need to worry about it."

Maer Shen's expression gradually turned serious, and he asked thoughtfully, "In Mr. Xu's opinion, what you care about is Qingdao?"

"Yes!" Now that the words have been spoken, Xu Shichang did not hide anything, and said bluntly: "With the European war, your country's position in Qingdao will become extremely embarrassing. Your Excellency Governor and Your Excellency, you all know very well. How powerful are China, France, and Russia in our country? Can your country’s military strength in Qingdao be able to compete? Besides, your country is far away from Qingdao by thousands of miles. The two of you should plan ahead."

"Hmph!" Wardek snorted coldly, and said disdainfully, "It is undeniable that the power of the Three Kingdoms in China is greater than that of Germany, but Qingdao is not something they can easily take. Our German army ranks first in the world. With our Qingdao With 6 elite soldiers and strong defenses everywhere, it is impossible to take it down without [-] to [-] casualties. Yes, our homeland is far away. Are countries such as Britain and France closer? Together, they How many troops can be transferred to the Far East?"

"Governor's Pavilion is right. Besides, there is my country's Far East Fleet in Jiaozhou Bay. It is more than enough to rely on Qingdao's fortifications to defend for a few years." Marcan said with a smile, his expression seemed not to worry about Qingdao at all, and he was full of confidence. full look.

"What if Japan suddenly joins the Allies?" Suddenly, Fang Zida interjected, and Wardeck and Marsan were stunned at the same time. but Japan is different. They can send troops to Qingdao to fight at anytime and anywhere. Don’t forget that Japan also has the strongest navy in the Far East. The strength of your fleet in Jiaozhou Bay may not be able to resist? In addition, even if Japan does not Join the camp of the Allied Powers, what if another country joins the Allied Powers?"

"Who else?" Shocked Wardeck and Marsan asked in unison.

"Republic of China!"