Chapter 831, The dispute at Qingyuan Conference

Wu Shaoting pondered for a moment and said slowly: "Mr. Cheng, you may not understand my thoughts, but I still have to tell you patiently. What I worry most now is that the Chinese people will develop blind confidence, so that their confidence will turn into ambition, and it will even reach an uncontrollable level. We won a Qingdao War, but we did not really jump into a powerful country side by side with the great powers. Of course, I am willing to develop China into a real big country and a strong country, but this is just like building a navy. It is impossible to achieve such a great cause in one day."

Wu Shaoting's meaning is to learn from the country of ***. Blind ambitions will eventually lead to painful lessons. His original plan was to rise during World War I, but World War I has just begun, and China's current national strength is still very limited. If the people's hearts expand too much, it will definitely be a backfire. Furthermore, he knew that the future of the country's destiny would not go smoothly. He now saw a chance to start from the people of *** and took certain risks for this. If even other powers offend, let alone China cannot cope with the ***, I am afraid that it will be difficult for it to protect itself.

He had only one diplomatic principle at this stage, he adopted a conservative attitude towards other powers, focused on attacking the emperor, and laid the shadow of a strong country from the emperor.

Cheng Biguang, who is over 50 years old, certainly knew what Wu Shaoting meant, but he was still very surprised. Before, the Nanjing Presidential Palace had been guiding public opinion to arouse the confidence of the people across the country. Why did he feel so worried at this time? He breathed a sigh of relief, and then asked tentatively: "Wu Zhizheng, since that's the case, why do you still have to agree?"

Wu Shaoting could see the doubts in Cheng Biguang's heart. He smiled lightly and explained: "The intention of the Navy is good. I also know that we Chinese people still need a lot of confidence to inspire our nationality. I just hope that Lord Cheng, you can understand that the most urgent thing is that we completely protest against targeting the *** alone, but if other great powers are involved in it all at once, this is not only a arrogant attitude, but also a serious burden on the prospects of our Republic of China."

Cheng Biguang suddenly realized that when he heard Wu Shaoting say this, he knew it completely.

Wu Shaoting paused, and then said: "How to build a naval base. Tianjin is the key port in the north, and it is across the sea from Lushun. We want to protest to the small people, use their warships to defend our territorial waters and deter the Lushun forces. This is a blow. I agree with it all. I still say the same thing, as long as we know something in our hearts, don't exaggerate it blindly."

Cheng Biguang immediately nodded and said solemnly: "Don't worry, Wu Zhizheng, I know what to do."

At this moment, a knock on the door came from outside the office. The attendant said at the door: "Taosh, Minister of Civil Affairs, Minister of Civil Affairs, Lord Xiong, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lord Tang, Director of Government Affairs, Lord Lin, Deputy Minister of Transportation, Lord Wang, Director of the Office of the Government Affairs, Lord Pu, Director of the Office of the Government Affairs, have been waiting for reception in the small living room."

Wu Shaoting frowned and muttered to himself: Are these people the guys from Qingyuan Conference? Why are they here now?

Cheng Biguang stood up, picked up his military cap, and said to Wu Shaoting: "Then, I won't disturb Wu Zhuang's handling of other government affairs. I will say goodbye now."

Wu Shaoting thought quickly for a while and immediately said, "No, if Lord Cheng has no urgent matters, why not leave a step first. I have some things to discuss with you later."

Cheng Biguang browed slightly. He realized that Wu Shaoting was deliberately trying to keep him, and that he was definitely not the kind of trying to keep him for being polite or heart-to-heart. It seemed to have a profound meaning. He was in a naval position and rarely got involved in national politics and was not aware of the current situation in the Nanjing Presidential Palace. However, since Wu Shaoting asked him to stay, he could only stay.

Afterwards, Wu Shaoting turned to the door and ordered: "Please come in."

The attendant came from the corridor to the living room and led Xiong Xiling, Tang Shaoyi and others to the President's office. Xiong Xiling was led by Xiong Xiling, and others followed one after another, and then walked into the office with great strides. When they saw Cheng Biguang also present, they just nodded politely. Except for Xiong Xiling, Tang Shaoyi and the other two had a friendship with Cheng Biguang before and greeted each other, and did not say anything else.

Wu Shaoting was not slow and did not stand up. He asked directly: "Binggong, Mr. Shaochuan, do you have any important things today? Why did they all make an appointment to come together?"

Xiong Xiling looked at Cheng Biguang, as if she thought that this person was in trouble. However, seeing Cheng Biguang standing there motionlessly, she knew that the other party would not leave, so she said to herself: "Zhenzhi, we are here together today, there is an important thing to report to you."

Wu Shaoting nodded slowly and said, "Oh, it's really important. Then everyone will sit in the small hall first."

He said that, then he stood up and led everyone to a small hall directly in front of the desk. He waved to Cheng Biguang and asked him to sit down on the seats in the small hall together.

Lin Changmin had a little more thought and asked Cheng Biguang tactfully when he sat down: "Mr. Cheng has something important today?"

Of course, Cheng Biguang knew that Lin Changming was hinting that he had left the scene. He smiled embarrassedly and said, "It's not important, but it's okay to hurry up and get on. I will continue to talk to Wu Zhizheng after you finish talking to Wu Zhizheng."

Wu Shaoting said with a solemn expression: "Everyone is under the same roof, what can I avoid? What can I say in front of Lord Cheng?"

Lin Changmin looked at Xiong Xiling helplessly. Xiong Xiling still looked like a mountain. He said, "Since that's the case, it's good that Lord Cheng is here. What we are going to talk about is still somewhat related to Lord Cheng."

Cheng Biguang looked at Wu Shaoting, then at Xiong Xiling, looking confused.

Wu Shaoting asked calmly, "Is that so? That's better. Bingyin, what's the important thing?"

Xiong Xiling breathed a sigh of relief and said seriously: "So many days, Brother Shaochuan has held several informal meetings with the *** people at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. *** is very disappointed with the defeat of the Qingdao War, and also realizes that it is a wrong decision to provoke this war. Regarding the issue of prisoners dealing with the *** war, Brother Shaochuan did his best to discuss with the *** side. *** decided to exchange more than 30,000 prisoners imprisoned in Weifang at the cost of abolishing the Hankou Concession."

After hearing this, Wu Shaoting had already guessed a rough idea in his heart. No wonder since the last inspection and meeting with Takemoto Koki, the Qingyuan Conference has not been moved until now. It turned out that he used the excuse of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss the aftermath issue with the people in private.

"So that's it," Wu Shaoting still remained silent. He turned to Tang Shaoyi and asked, "Duke Shaochuan, is *** really saying this?"

"That's right," Tang Shaoyi nodded and said, "I have always insisted on exchanging ransoms for prisoners of war, but the economy in the country has been depressed a lot after the impact of the Qingdao war. I will not be able to raise so much ransom for a while. Of course, as a defeated country, they dare not ask for prisoners of war unconditionally, so they can only adopt this method."

"So, is *** unilaterally asking for prisoners?" At this time, Cheng Biguang, who was standing beside him, asked with concern.

"In addition, you only need to return the five warships of the Okkoshima, Mishima, Yagum, Tanshou, and Changpan, and other warships do not need to be returned." Tang Shaoyi added.

"What? We have to return five warships?" Cheng Biguang widened his eyes and said in surprise.

"Master Cheng," Xiong Xiling said slowly, "We all know that the victory of the Qingdao War has made our Chinese Navy a lot of cheaper. A whole fleet fell into our hands. This is a rare big harvest. But it is not ours, and after all, it is not ours. Instead of taking the warships into their own, it is better to exchange things that are more practical, easier to hold in our hands, and better consolidate the reputation of the country."

"The exchange of nearly 40,000 prisoners in the Hankou Concession has made it cheaper for the people. Why do you have to give them the warships? Besides, these warships are not all in our hands. Except for the two armored cruisers of "Chongdao" and "Sidao", the other three can be allocated to the Germans."

"What? Why do I know this at all?" Tang Shaoyi was very surprised.

"Zhenzhi, what's going on? The Qingdao War was fought hard by us. We helped the Germans. Why did we have to distribute the battleships to the Germans?" Xiong Xiling also stared at Wu Shaoting in disbelief.

Lin Changming, Wang Yinchuan and others were also talking in the back, almost unanimously agreeing that it was wrong for Wu Shaoting to conceal such a big news. Everyone's tone was either blame or strict, and the whole posture seemed to be teaching Wu Shaoting a lesson as a junior.
Chapter completed!