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Volume 2 Beijing Story Chapter 66 Wu Tingfang Resigns

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    Update time: 2012-07-02

    The Prime Minister waved his hand, "Let's have a meeting first. If you are interested in everything about Wang Geng, you will know about it in the future. Anyway, he lives in my Duan Mansion. You can come to him at any time!"

    Everyone found their seats one after another. There were actually only a few people in front of the large conference table, and the cabinet secretaries sat down on the chairs behind their respective bosses.

    "Wang Geng, please sit next to me!" Duan Qirui gestured to Wang Geng to sit down next to him. This special treatment caused several chief executives below to whisper to each other.

    "Brother Jingren, this Wang Geng who fell from the sky is a bit extraordinary. Is the Prime Minister looking for a son-in-law?" Chen Jintao, the finance minister with a round face and wearing a suit, and Xu Shiying, the chief minister of internal affairs beside him, bit their ears and said  .

    He graduated with a doctorate from Yale University in 1906 and was considered a good financial manager. He later served as the supervisor of the Qing Dynasty, director of the budget proposal of the branch, director of the Bureau of Statistics, director of the Bureau of Printing and Mining, chairman of the Currency Reform Committee, and senior minister of the Zizheng Yuan.  Although he is from Nanhai, Guangdong, he has Duan Qirui's trust.

    Next to him, the traffic chief Xu Shiying, who had a thin face and wore a mandarin jacket, shook his head and said,

    "Brother Lansheng, the second daughter of the Prime Minister's family is less than 16 years old. If this Wang Geng was sent to study abroad by a graduate of Tsinghua University, he must be in his early twenties now. It doesn't look like that. There is a difference in age.  It¡¯s a bit big!¡±

    Xu Shiying, a native of Qiupu, Anhui Province, once became sworn brothers with Duan Qirui, and was considered one of Duan Qirui's most loyal confidants. He was also the master of scholars in the former Qing Dynasty. He later traveled to Europe and the United States, focusing on the judiciary.  He has served as president of the Dali Yuan, chief of justice, and chief of the interior, and now he is the chief of transportation.

    China's lawyer system was established by Xu Shiying. He also initiated the "National Arts Promotion Association" with Chen Jintao, Xu Qian and others. Therefore, the relationship between the two has always been very close. Every state meeting is basically  Above is the Lord who sits together and advances and retreats together.

    Among the cabinet ministries of the Beiyang government, the most powerful and wealthy ones are actually Chen Jintao's Ministry of Finance and Xu Shiying's Ministry of Communications. One is in charge of collecting money, and the other is in charge of spending. They are both extremely rich.  yamen.

    Wang Geng actually had sharp ears and had already heard the two of them muttering about having a small meeting there.

    This guy couldn't help but smile in his heart. Historically, Chen Jintao and Xu Shiying resigned due to accusations of corruption in April and May of 1917. In particular, Finance Minister Chen Jintao actually resigned.  He was arrested and jailed and sentenced to two years in prison. Xu Shiying escaped because he was a direct descendant of Duan Qirui.

    Thinking of this, Wang Geng felt happy. Damn it, this is the time when he, the Supervisor of the War Preparatory Office, needs money. Then he will see how he can sell favors to these two silverfish to replenish military expenses!

    Opposite the conference table is Xu Shuzheng, who is sitting upright. Next to him is Wu Tingfang, the oldest foreign minister among the cabinet members. The old master is 75 years old, with white beard and hair. He looks energetic in a long robe and mandarin jacket. From just now to now, the only  The only one who didn't chirp along with everyone was this old gentleman.

    It is said to be a state meeting, but in fact it is just a meeting between Prime Minister Duan Qirui and a few key cabinet members. For example, Chief of Agriculture and Commerce Gu Zhongxiu, Chief of Justice Zhang Guogan, Chief of the Navy Cheng Biguang, and Chief of Education Fan Yuanxi were not notified to come to the meeting at all.  .

    "Jue Sir, let's talk about your diplomacy first! Is there any latest news from the United States?" Duan Qirui cleared his throat and said, Wu Tingfang, also known as Wen Jue, is the oldest cabinet member among everyone here, and  In front of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, so at every state meeting, his Ministry of Foreign Affairs basically speaks first and reports.

    The old master was not polite. He took out a pair of reading glasses from his pocket and put them on the bridge of his nose. He opened the folder in front of him, coughed, and reported everything.

    "As for the United States, the Minister to the United States, Gu Weijun, sent an urgent telegram last night, saying that today, the President of the United States will deliver a speech in Congress!" The old master is actually very serious about his work. Although his Cantonese accent is strong, everyone present except Wang Geng is an acquaintance.  , but they all understood what he meant.

    "Did the telegram mention the theme and content of the US President's speech?" Xu Shuzheng, who was beside Wu Tingfang, asked anxiously.

    "Gu Weijun's speculation is that the United States is about to declare war on Germany, so President Wilson will give a speech in Congress. In 12 hours, we will know the specific content of Wilson's speech!"

    Duan Qirui remained calm. When Wang Geng came yesterday, his first sentence was that the United States was going to declare war. Now this news has been confirmed through Gu Weijun¡¯s diplomatic channels. Obviously, this Wang Geng is really not a bluff!

    The following ministers were talking a lot. Obviously, the declaration of war by the United States is good news for Duan Qirui's cabinet in promoting China's participation in the war. Although among the cabinet members present, the 75-year-old foreign minister is the only one who insists?Ministers who opposed participation in the war.

    "What's the latest news from Britain, France, and Russia?" Duan Qirui asked unhurriedly.

    "Both Britain and France are stepping up their mobilization because the situation in Russia has become uncontrollable. After the Czar abdicated in mid-March, the new government announced that it would continue the war. However, the internal opinions of the Bolsheviks and the Viktors were not unified. In fact, Russia is very likely to withdraw.  War!" Wu Tingfang said in a logical and logical manner.

    Opposite, Chen Jintao and Xu Shiying were smoking cigarettes and thinking about their own thoughts. They had never had a say in the diplomatic field and it was not within their scope of responsibilities. They were just listeners.

    "Prime Minister, according to my analysis, even if the new Russian government announces the continuation of the war, Russia will actually no longer be able to play a role on the Eastern Front. Germany is probably already deploying troops to the Western Front. That's why Britain and France are so nervous!" Xu Shuzheng's analysis  Clearly hit the nail on the head!

    "Sir, seeing that the United States is about to join the war, do you still think that China should not join the war as soon as possible?" the Prime Minister asked abruptly.

    In fact, Wang Geng was also puzzled. He never understood Wu Tingfang¡¯s anti-war motivation. This was because the old man had a long-standing relationship with the British Hong Kong government. He and others founded China¡¯s first Chinese newspaper, "China and Foreign News"  , and he is also a doctor of law. He is the first Chinese lawyer to obtain the qualification to practice law in Hong Kong, and he is also the first Chinese justice of the peace appointed by the Hong Kong Governor.

    Back then, Li Hongzhang and Shen Baozhen offered him an annual salary of 6,000 taels of gold to recruit him, but this guy actually didn't agree. Now, in the presence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, he firmly opposes China's participation in the Allied Powers. What's the point?

    "Quan Gong! Although Wu grew up eating the food of the British Hong Kong government, the UK has the most colonies in the world now. If the Allies win, how long will it take for Hong Kong to return to the motherland? I have said this a long time ago  , might as well say it again today!

    I firmly oppose China¡¯s participation in the war. I already handed in my second resignation on March 27. Today I am taking this opportunity to hand in my third resignation!  "

    Wu Tingfang spoke in a heavy tone, with an overwhelming sadness on his face. The old man took out a resignation letter from his folder and put it on the table. He raised his head and said to Duan Qirui sincerely,

    "Quan Gong, Wen Jue never compromises. Please approve my resignation. Only when the cabinet is united can it play a better role. Maybe history will prove that you and everyone are right and I am wrong! But today,  I still firmly oppose participating in the war and will not hesitate to resign to express my position!¡±

    Wu Tingfang knew that once the United States entered the war, China's participation in the war was only a matter of time. In the old man's view, the result of Britain's failure would be more powerful for China than Germany's failure. However, he alone could not influence the decision of the prime minister and cabinet, so he insisted on resigning.

    "Ting Zhai, please invite you, the Under-Secretary of Foreign Affairs, to attend the following meeting on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Everyone, I take my leave!" Wu Tingfang packed up the folder and told Xia Yiting, the Under-Secretary of Foreign Affairs next to him, to continue with the meeting. He stood up and followed  The stunned cabinet members said goodbye and stood up to leave.

    "My lord! Why are you doing this! Everything is negotiable. If our cabinet is not united, how can China be united?" Chen Jintao stood up and persuaded him to stay.

    Xu Shuzheng and Xu Shiying, the two backbones of the Anhui clique, did not speak and only acted based on Duan Qirui's eyes. Xu Shuzheng, especially, was most annoyed by these old masters wearing big hats and flaunting their qualifications to force them to resign!

    Duan Qirui frowned, and his thoughts flashed. He was always polite to you, Wu Tingfang. If you really don¡¯t give me face, don¡¯t blame me for not keeping you!

    "In this case, I can't force you. Just rest for a while, Jue. Let Xia Yiting, the deputy minister, take care of the affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Lan Sheng, please send Jue for me!" Once Duan Qirui did it  Decide that it is tight to kill decisively.

    Seeing that Duan Qirui really accepted his resignation on the spot, Wu Tingfang felt sad for no reason. The old master threw Chen Jintao's hand away and walked out of the conference room on crutches angrily.

    "It's okay to let the noble man take a rest. After the meeting is over, we can draft a motion to allow Wu Tingfang to resign as Minister of Foreign Affairs and appoint Xia Yiting to act as deputy minister. Let the Congress pass it this afternoon!"

    Duan Qirui¡¯s face was expressionless, but he dealt with it cleanly and without any sloppiness.
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