After Yuan Shikai finished speaking, Zhang Zhidong nodded slightly, thinking that Yuan Shikai's words were indeed at the critical point, because from the very beginning, Zhang Zhidong believed that the proposals of the four countries were fundamentally uneasy and were completely trying to put the Qing court on the fire and roast them. Yuan Shikai directly explained this point to see what foreigners have to say.

At this time, Abe Sodaro and Pukedi were both a little embarrassed. After all, the armies of the two countries were indeed defeated by the People's Army, and now they have basically withdrawn from the Northeast region. What else can I say? However, Zhu Erdian and Gu Rui's faces were still normal. Zhu Weidian said: "Yuan Zhongtang, we can understand the concerns of the Qing government. If I had changed my seat in your position, I would not have easily turned to that side when the situation was unclear."

Yuan Shikai smiled and said, "Mr. Minister can understand our difficulties, Yuan is also deeply pleased."

Zhu Weidian said, "But there is one thing I want to remind the two that it is impossible for the Qing Dynasty to stay out of the matter and keep it alone in this war."

Yuan Shikai was also stunned when he heard this, and exchanged a glance with Zhang Zhidong. Zhang Zhidong said, "What does Mr. Minister mean?"

Zhu Erdian said: "We might as well deduce. If the East China government wins this battle, of course we will all retreat to our own country. What will the East China government do next? Will they only be satisfied with getting Shandong and Northeastern regions? I think their next goal is the entire Qing Dynasty. At that time, all four of us were defeated by the East China government and were unable to rescue the Qing Dynasty. It is up to the Qing government alone to resist the attack of the East China government? I don't think I need to say much. Therefore, joining our alliance, fighting side by side, and striving to defeat the East China government is the only choice of the Qing government."

Yuan Shikai and Zhang Zhidong also smiled bitterly. In fact, the truth that Zhu Erdian said was not to mention Yuan Shikai and Zhang Zhidong, even Cixi and Guangxu were even other ministers. It was just that no one could do anything about it. Moreover, everyone had a different mentality. Cixi just wanted to delay for a few more years, just to close her eyes. Moreover, even if the East China government won the four countries of Britain, France, Japan and Russia, it would definitely have a longer rest time. If the Qing court did not take the initiative to provoke the East China government, Cixi would still be likely to drag it over; Guangxu was determined.

If you are powerless, you have no real power in your hands, and even if you have ideas, it is useless. The ministers have their own plans. For example, Zhang Zhidong and Yuan Shikai have certain relationships with the East China government. Therefore, as long as you do not directly oppose the East China government, after the dynasty, you can at least be able to keep your family safe. If you are lucky, you may still have a chance to have a single official position in the East China government; the upstarts of the Manchus advocate a decisive battle with the East China government; but more officials are buried in the ground as ostrich, regardless of whether they are concerned, they will leave their fate.

Gu Rui continued: "If our four countries defeated the East China government without the participation of the Qing government, then please be honest. On the issue of post-war interest distribution, such as the territory and interests of the Northeast region and Shandong region, the Qing government will not have any right to speak and can only accept the results of the negotiations between our four countries. Therefore, the interests of the Qing government will also be considered clearly."

After hearing this, Yuan Shikai and Zhang Zhidong couldn't help but change their faces. If Zhu Erdian's inference just now was quite kind, then Gu Rui was a direct threat. But what Gu Rui said was not unreasonable. If Britain, France, Japan and Russia win, with the nature of these countries, the Northeast and Shandong region will definitely not be able to be preserved. But if Gu Rui said it directly like Yuan Shikai and Zhang Zhidong felt very embarrassed.

After a while of silence, Yuan Shikai said: "Okay, we have understood what the ministers mean. Zhang Zhongtang and I will truthfully report the content of today's talks. The emperor will finally decide the decision. Please go back and wait."

Zhu Erdian said again: "There is another thing. In order to ensure our interests in China, we, Britain and France, need to increase the number of troops in Shanghai and protect the concession. We hope that the Qing government can allow it and cooperate."

Britain and France have negotiated with Japan. Once the British and French joint fleet arrived in the Far East and obtained the sea control power, Japan will send the 6th-8th division army to land in Shanghai and restrain the East China government. However, the sea control power in the Far East is now controlled by the East China government, and Japan is not able to transport the army to Shanghai. Therefore, Britain and France believe that a part of the army can be transferred from the colonies to enter the concession and deployed first. However, this requires the cooperation of the Qing court. In addition, Britain and France are also assessing that they will first form a fleet of warships stationed in the Far East and will go to the East Asian waters to help Japan regain some of the sea control power.

Yuan Shikai nodded and said, "Okay, we will also report to the court truthfully."

Zhu Erdian nodded and said, "That's natural, we hope the Qing government can make the right choice."

Pukedi sneered and said, "But we can't wait that long, we have to decide quickly."

Then the four ministers stood up and said goodbye. Yuan Shikai and Zhang Zhidong sent the four ministers away. Zhang Zhidong said, "Weiting, I have also said goodbye. Write a memorial about what you talked to them today. Tomorrow morning, we will go to the palace to return our lives." Although in the ranking of the Military Affairs Office, Zhang Zhidong was before Yuan Shikai, Yuan Shikai was the chief official of the Prime Minister's Office, and Zhang Zhidong came to assist Yuan Shikai, so the matter of writing the report was naturally subject to Yuan Shikai.

Yuan Shikai said: "Shishuai Xiang please do whatever you want. I will do everything well. I will enter the palace with Shuai Xiang tomorrow."

Zhang Zhidong nodded, then left the Prime Minister's Office and returned to his residence. Of course, Yuan Shikai did not need to do the facts of writing the memorials, and he had his own staff to do it. However, after Yuan Shikai returned to his residence, he was worried and did not have food and food. Because there will definitely be a debate when entering the palace tomorrow. What position he takes should be thought about, Prince Qing and Zhang Zhidong can rely on his seniority and pretend to be confused, but he cannot go there. He must have a clear attitude. However, the current situation is too complicated, and Yuan Shikai had no idea. From a rational point of view, he certainly believed that Britain, France, Japan and Russia must be better than the East China government. He should stand on the side of Britain, France, Japan and Russia, but to be enemies with the East China government, it is indeed difficult for Yuan Shikai to make such a determination.

In addition to Li Hongzhang, Yuan Shikai was the Qing government with the most contact with the East China government. He knew that the elites in the East China government were full of talents. Because they were the leaders, they could be regarded as the most powerful people. They would never do meaningless or confident things. Therefore, the East China government would rather let the talks break up and fight with Britain, France, Japan and Russia. It would definitely rely on something. He must not underestimate the East China government.

Moreover, from personal perspective, Yuan Shikai was unwilling to stand on the side of the four countries of Britain, France, Japan and Russia. Although in the old time and space, in mainstream historiography, Yuan Shikai was labeled as a very negative mark such as traitors and thieves in the country. Regardless of the accuracy of this positioning, it was also the method of forming after Yuan Shikai became emperor, and Yuan Shikai has not yet become emperor.

In addition, to be fair, before the Revolution of 1911, Yuan Shikai still had a relatively strong national consciousness, and did a lot of things that were beneficial to the country and nation, and also safeguarded some national interests to a certain extent. The East China government resisted foreign countries many times, not only safeguarded national interests, but also gave China a lot of confidence. Yuan Shikai was also very impressed, so Yuan Shikai was unwilling to be enemies with the East China government, which was also an important factor. In recent years, Yuan Shikai also helped the East China government openly and secretly. Yuan Shikai thought that he would eventually change the dynasty. The East China government established the country and established the dynasty. With the things he helped the East China government in recent years, he could also have a single official and half position in this new dynasty. Therefore, Yuan Shikai was not actually afraid of the Qing court's destruction and destruction of the dynasty.

Of course, the most important factor is that Yuan Shikai cannot judge the direction of this battle. If the East China government shows that it is obviously inferior to Britain, France, Japan and Russia, Yuan Shikai will not hesitate to stand on the side of Britain, France, Japan and Russia. He will not be able to eat with all his feelings, and power is the most important thing.

Yuan Shikai thought about it over and over again and decided that at this time, he would never choose the sidelines, and his position in the court was still neutral. Even if he was demoted again, he would not hesitate to do so. Bi Jin had a chance to make a comeback with his position. Once he stood in the wrong team, he would be doomed. At the same time, he still had to maintain a certain good relationship with the East China government. So Yuan Shikai wrote a letter to the East China government overnight, stating that Britain, France, Japan and Russia had jointly put pressure on the Qing court and demanded that the Qing court join.

In fact, the East China government had already received some news at this time. The Qing court's awareness of confidentiality and confidentiality were poor. If there was a little disturbance, it would cause trouble. It should be said that the East China government attached great importance to the Qing court. Although the Qing court's military strength was not strong and basically belonged to the level of a pig team like Italy, if the Qing court joined in at this time, it would be very unfavorable to the East China government. After all, in most China, the Qing court was still a legal orthodox government. Once the Qing court formally issued an edict across the country and completely became enemies of the East China government, it would indeed cause considerable trouble to the East China government. The East China government has not yet completely overthrew the Qing court and unified the comprehensive strength of the country, and is not to mention that the army of Britain, France, Japan and Russia is approaching. Therefore, the East China government is also actively planning a response strategy.
Chapter completed!