Master Yuan, start!

Yuan Xiangcheng did this, on the one hand, to make things convenient for himself.

On the other hand, he also wanted to use his influence to help Hanfu replace the Manchu jacket.

Who can say that coarse cloth shorts are not Hanfu?

Under Yuan Shikai's personal example, most people in Beijing, whether poor or rich, gradually took off their Ma Gua (mandarin jackets).

After all, you can't afford the Republican uniform, but you can at least afford the coarse cloth shorts, right?

What, you said that coarse cloth shorts are not presentable?

Even the president is wearing it, who do you think you are to complain about this and that?

Under this trend, even the melon-shaped hat disappeared and was gradually replaced by a square scarf, or some people whose hair grew quickly after their braids were broken would simply braid it into a bun.

In this way, from the founding of the Republic in March 1896 to September 3, in just half a year, no one in the city, except beggars, went out wearing a Ma兜 (mandarin jacket).

Chapter 347 Reassure the British

"Let them in."

Yuan Xiangcheng drank two sips of soy milk and gave instructions to Mingye.

"Yes!"

Mingye jogged all the way out of the pavilion.

After a while, Yuan Xiangcheng saw an old acquaintance following behind the man.

"Sir Donald, long time no see!"

Yuan Xiangcheng put down his chopsticks and waved to Dou Nale who had just walked into Xiangluan Pavilion.

"Mr. President Yuan, you..." Dou Nale looked at the soy milk, fried dough sticks and eggs in front of Yuan Xiangcheng, and didn't know how to respond for a moment.

"You are really thrifty."

After much thought, Dou Nale could only come up with this comment.

Looking at Yuan Xiangcheng with a simple meal in front of him and a genuine smile, Dou Nale changed his impression of him again.

As early as after the National Revolutionary Army entered Beijing, Dou Nale had heard that Yuan Shikai had dismissed the chefs in the imperial kitchen in the Forbidden City.

It is said that it is to "share joy with the people and enjoy what the people enjoy."

At the time, he thought it was just a rumor. After all, he had heard Qing officials reveal the specifications of the emperor and the empress dowager's imperial meals.

For breakfast alone, there are 2 types of hot pot, 6 types of stir-fried dishes, 2 types of sliced ​​meat, and 4 types of desserts.

Dou Nale didn't believe that Yuan Shikai would give up these things. After all, this was a treatment that some European royal families could not enjoy.

But it was not until today when he saw the eggs and soy milk on the table that he realized that the rumors were true.

Why didn’t I realize before that the leader of the Chinese people is such an ascetic figure?

When talking about ascetics, Dounaluo was reminded of a monarch in European history who was also like an ascetic, Frederick the Great of Prussia.

He, known as the Father of Germany, once wore tattered military uniforms and slept in a simple tent with his soldiers. At that time, Prussia was in trouble because Berlin was under siege and the country was in danger.

But now, the National Revolutionary Army has taken control of the central government, and China is no longer in imminent danger.

Yuan Xiangcheng was willing to eat the same food as the common people.

Thinking of this, British Minister to China, Sir Claude MacDonald, was filled with emotion.

But despite my feelings, I still have to complete the task assigned by London.

"Mr. President, don't you think your country's current actions are dangerous?"

Dou Nale looked at Yuan Xiangcheng, who was drinking soy milk and fried dough sticks in front of him, and felt a mixture of love and hate.

What’s interesting is that with the help of Yuan Xiangcheng, he perfectly completed the task assigned by Whitehall.

Faced with the British Empire's colonies around the world, the British Army has been extremely stretched to the point where there are almost no soldiers left to deploy.

However, in recent years, the French in southern Egypt have been eyeing the area covetously, and the local Boers in South Africa have also been ready to move.

After Dounale proposed the establishment of the Chinese Brave Battalion, he immediately received the approval of London Whitehall.

2. Yuan Shikai not only did not prevent the British from recruiting civilians in Shandong and Zhili, but also specifically recommended retired officers.

With the strong support of the local government, 3000 Chinese soldiers have boarded the ship and are heading for Egypt and South Africa.

4 During the recruitment process, Claude Dowell heard Army Lieutenant Churchill say that the Chinese were obedient, hard-working, and had strong endurance.

Churchill even said, "One Chinese battalion is worth two Indians!"

Dounale knew that if the effect was really as Churchill said, he might soon start recruiting the second batch of Chinese Brave Battalion.

After all, the African colonies were so short of people.

Every Chinese who sheds his blood in the African colonies is a stepping stone for himself to step into Whitehall and become a minister in the future.

4. These are all heavy achievements.

Dou Nale knew that without Yuan Shikai's cooperation, his diplomatic activities in China would not have been so smooth.

However, Yuan Shikai did not agree to everything.

God knows, the army under this Chinese man fought so bravely.

The original order given by London was to sit back and watch China and Russia fight each other, and then Britain would step in to mediate when both sides were exhausted.

At that time, the Chinese will suffer a small loss and lose a small amount of money.

Britain's First Far East Fleet was deployed off the coast of Vladivostok, forcing the Russians to retreat.

The Northeast Asian crisis will be easily resolved.

The situation outside the Great Wall will remain the same and no major changes will occur.

Unexpectedly, Yuan Shikai first colluded with the Japanese, and happened to "completely destroy" the Russian fleet and captured Vladivostok.

The development of the situation was beyond the imagination of Whitehall officials.

What exactly does Yuan Xiangcheng want to do and what is his goal?

Is it Vladivostok, or the area east of the Ussuri River, or the entire Siberia?

Previously, the British Empire helped China because the Russians were powerful.

But now the situation has reversed, and London has to make plans early.

"Danger?" Yuan Xiangcheng looked up, glanced at Dou Nale and said:

“How come you see?”

"Mr. President, aren't you afraid that capturing Vladivostok will anger Russia and attract a million-strong army?"

Dou Nale looked at Yuan Xiangcheng with a calm face and decided to test the waters first.

"A million-strong army?" Yuan Xiangcheng put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and said with a smile:

"Sir Claude MacDonald, as far as I know, during the earth-shaking Crimean War, the Russians only sent 60 troops, and that was in the heart of Europe.

I would like to ask Sir 9, how did the Russian army of 2 million cross tens of thousands of miles to the Far East?

Did the Virgin Mary send them provisions?"

Sure enough, it’s not easy to fool.

After seeing that his previous words had no effect on Yuan Xiangcheng, the British Minister MacDonald stopped probing and said bluntly:

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"Mr. President, what are you going to do with Vladivostok and the Russian Far East?

After all, this is Russian land, although the Chinese army currently has the upper hand in the area south of the Amur River.

But as far as I know, the Russians have begun to mobilize troops from the Baikal Military District to break the siege."

"It's very simple, Sir Dounale." Yuan Xiangcheng said with a firm look in his eyes:

"If Russia wants to fight, then let them fight. I just don't know how many more expeditions their weak finances can sustain.

As for the places I have already occupied, I have no intention of giving them up.”

Don't plan to let it go?

So, you want to fight the Russians to the bitter end?

Dou Nale's mind was working rapidly, and he began to think about the consequences of this matter.

"But" Yuan Xiangcheng stretched out the last syllable and deliberately looked at the expression on Dou Nale's face.

Sure enough, Dou Nale was stunned for a moment and asked quickly.

"But what?"

"However, I believe the ownership of some territories in Russia's Far East is still disputed."

Yuan Xiangcheng smiled, took out the Sino-Russian Beijing Treaty, and confidently continued to explain his theory to Dou Nale.

...

“The treaty does have flaws.”

After hearing the explanation, Dounale nodded, but then added: "But I don't think Russia will give up this 40 square kilometers of land.

Mr. President, I'm afraid you don't think that a piece of paper can trap the Tsar, right?

9. And as far as I know, there are currently over 100,000 Russian residents there, and the Chinese do not constitute the majority."

Yuan Xiangcheng frankly admitted: "Of course it's not that easy, so I need time, time to change the population structure there and create a fait accompli."

8. "What time?" Dou Nale frowned in confusion.

"1 days!"

Yuan Xiangcheng raised a finger, stared at Sir Dounale in front of him, and said:

“The Russian Pacific Navy has been destroyed, and the shipping lanes from the East China Sea to the Whale Sea are unimpeded.

In just 1 days, 1000 Chinese people could land in Vladivostok from the interior.

If we add in the population that migrated from North Korea and other parts of the country, the number will steadily exceed 2000.

It is only a matter of time before the area east of the Ussuri River becomes a Chinese-majority area.