Chapter 825, Bargaining

Shortly after the press conference of the Ministry of National Defense, the Embassy in the diplomatic area of ​​Nanjing was thrown by unidentified people many times. At four o'clock, a student group launched a protest to surround the Embassy. It was not until nightfall that the Nanjing Police and the Gendarmerie troops arrived at the scene to evacuate the crowd.

Although *** Minister Yuyuki Hamaguchi had serious suspicions about the Qingdao riot, he was not clear about the specific situation because he was isolated from the *** prisoners of war. However, he drove to the Nanjing Presidential Palace after dinner and urgently met with the Grand Administrator Wu Shaoting. At first, Wu Shaoting refused to meet on the grounds that he was not working hours, but Yuyuki Hamaguchi insisted on his attitude and refused to leave in the lounge of the secretary hall. After forty minutes, Wu Shaoting had to meet him.

Yuyuki Hamaguchi just walked into the small reception room of the presidential residence. Without waiting for Wu Shaoting to say some polite words, he immediately took the lead and said: "Your Excellency Wu Zhizheng, I won't say much gossip. You should know the purpose of my rush to see you now. Regarding the Qingdao riot, this is really too sudden. We the Japanese side don't know many details at all. I suggest that it is necessary to send the *** diplomatic investigation team to Qingdao to re-verify the incident. Only in this way can it be considered fair and just."

Wu Shaoting looked lazy. He smiled calmly and said, "Mr. Minister, I think you should sit down and talk slowly first."

Yuyuki Hamaguchi sat down on the sofa without saying a word.

Wu Shaoting continued: "About this matter, I have sent local military police forces to take over the investigation. The content announced by the Ministry of National Defense at 2 o'clock this afternoon is the entire content of the investigation. Don't say that you want justice and fairness, I am very annoyed by this matter now. It is because you are allowed to stay in the ammunition depot of the warship, so there is an opportunity to take advantage of it. How can prisoners be allowed to wear guns and ammunition?"

Yuyuki Hamaguchi said seriously: "Wu Zhizheng, now we are discussing the Qingdao riots, not the surrender agreement that has already been a fait accompli. As the ambassador to China, I have the right to request a fair investigation."

Wu Shaoting snorted angrily and said emphatically: "What power do you have to ask for this? These people are not legal expatriates now, nor are they here to visit. I tell you very responsibly that these people are now prisoners of war! They are prisoners of war who failed to invade our Republic of China! Do you think this is playing house? Do you think this is a joke?"

Yuyuki Hamaguchi was stunned for a moment and was speechless.

Wu Shaoting continued: "Mr. Binkou, I know that you have a reputation in the country and are also a staunch democratic figure. If I hadn't thought that there were a group of politicians in the country who opposed ambitious people, I would have cut off relations with you before the Qingdao War. How about you, you are still talking about justice and fairness with me? Are you insulting your own IQ or insulting my patience? I thought Mr. Binkou, you were a democratic patriot, and would strongly refute your previous ambitious people after this war and sincerely cultivate Sino-Japanese relations. It seems that I have really misread you."

Yuyuki Hamaguchi suddenly felt a huge pressure coming. He had already realized that it seemed that China and Germany were a fat piece of the Second Fleet. I think so, they should not have any hope at the beginning. Now they came to Wu Shaoting to make a mistake. He sighed and decided to change his diplomatic strategy. He spoke again: "Wu Zhizheng, you must have a misunderstanding of what you think. As the ambassador to China, I am naturally dedicated to the Great *** Empire to maintain Sino-Japanese relations. The Qingdao War was a wrong decision, but Wu Zhizheng should know that from the beginning, our Great *** Empire did not intend to be an enemy of China, but just fulfilled the agreement of the Allied Powers. We really want to deal with Germany!"

Wu Shaoting still had a cold face and said gloomy: "Treat Germany? Is it? I have been reviewing the statistical report on war accidents sent from Shandong all day today. Do you think I can turn a blind eye to the evil deeds committed by your 18th Division in Yantai, Qixia and Wendeng? Of course, this statistical report is a preliminary report, and I am sending someone to verify the authenticity. If I ask me to verify that there are certain incidents, I can assure you without any of the about 40,000 prisoners of the 18th Division and the Second Fleet!”

Hamaguchi Yuyuki's eyelids twitched, and his throat began to squirm unconsciously. It took him a long time to speak again: "I think there must be a misunderstanding. Our Embassy will do its best to cooperate with your verification and investigation. War is terrible, and many accidents are inevitable. Wu Zhizheng, you are a soldier, and you should understand this."

Wu Shaoting sneered: "Of course I understand, I can understand the accident, but I will not tolerate intentional behavior. However, out of my last patience with the country, I can give you a solution."

Oyuki Hamaguchi hurriedly asked, "Please tell me."

Wu Shaoting said: "Before I verify these incidents, the *** government would better raise enough ransom to redeem these prisoners as soon as possible. You can understand that I am a principled person, and you can also regard it as if I am using an excuse to put pressure on me. In short, I will definitely not compromise on this matter. Let's see if your great *** Empire is willing to spend money on the soldiers who went to war."

The blue veins on Hamaguchi Yuyuki's forehead swelled up, but he couldn't make it happen. He knew that Wu Shaoting was in power now, but if the 40,000 prisoners of war really ignored it, it would be a surprise to the entire *** army. He took a deep breath and asked seriously: "Then, how much ransom do you plan to ask for!"

Wu Shaoting smiled relaxedly and said, "It's very simple. One soldier is one hundred dollars and one officer is one hundred and fifty dollars. I believe that for your united Yamato people, your soldiers are worth this price?"

Yuyuki Hamaguchi made a rough calculation and frowned and said, "According to you, this is a big deal of more than five million US dollars. You are starting the price."

Wu Shaoting laughed and immediately changed his words and said, "Is that true? It turns out that your soldiers are not worth the price? OK, I will give you a discount, one soldier is 60 dollars and one officer is 100 dollars, how about it?"

When Hamaguchi Yuyuki heard this, he felt very uncomfortable. Wu Shaoting was measuring the dignity of the country and money! He suddenly realized some situations, which made him in a very difficult dilemma.

Seeing Binkou's ambition not speaking, Wu Shaoting continued to smile and said, "Is this expensive? Well, I'll give you another discount, a soldier costs thirty dollars and a military officer costs fifty dollars! How about it, it's OK now, it's more than half the cheaper!"

Yuyuki Hamaguchi's face looked very ugly, and his hands couldn't help but clenched into fists, and his whole body was trembling. Wu Shaoting was not generous at all, but a naked humiliation. He sold the soldiers of the Great *** Empire like animals, and even bargained for it!

"I understand what Wu Zhizheng means," he said angrily, and suddenly stood up, "I will report today's conversation to the country as soon as possible. Please wait patiently for our reply!"

Although his expression was angry, his tone was not emotional, which made the words seem ambiguous, sounding like an ordinary answer, and seemingly threatening.

Wu Shaoting nodded indifferently, reluctantly stood up and said, "Okay, I hope your Prime Minister can make up his mind as soon as possible, otherwise I will regret it at that time, don't blame me for not reminding you!"
Chapter completed!