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Volume 2 Beijing Story Chapter 93 Labor and the Expeditionary Force

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    Update time: 2012-07-16

    Seeing that both Duan Qirui and Xu Shuzheng had agreed to the use of American firearms by the new troops of the Preparatory Office for the War, but they were having some difficulties in borrowing money and negotiating with the United States, Wang Geng stepped forward without hesitation and patted his chest and said,

    "Prime Minister, didn't you allow me to independently negotiate with the great powers on the preparations for the army to join the war? Why don't you let Brother Youzheng take the trouble to talk about borrowing money, purchasing arms and aid from the Americans? Leave it to me.  Bar!"

    "Wang Geng, are you really sure? You won't create any trouble for the Prime Minister, right? Negotiations between countries are not as simple as you just fooling around in Manhattan!" Xu Shuzheng said a little worried.

    "Well, Zheng Zheng is right, Wang Geng, I know you have met the President of the United States, but there are many politicians in the United States who distinguish between public and private affairs. Even if you have friendship with someone, it does not mean that the other party will make unprincipled concessions.  Besides, you studied military affairs and lack experience in diplomacy!"

    Duan Qirui was undecided for a moment. Negotiating with the United States was originally the strength of the two diplomatic giants, Tang Shaoyi and Wu Tingfang. The problem was that Tang Shaoyi was boycotted by the governor's army and could not even take office. Wu Tingfang, the foreign minister, was opposed to participating in the war.  Having given up the challenge, the cabinet really lacks diplomatic talents who can stand alone.

    "Prime Minister, diplomacy is nothing more than games between countries for their own interests. I am talented in this area. Besides, under the noses of you and the deputy minister, I asked for instructions early and reported late. With you two at the helm, we will not run away.  If you deflect the boat, you won¡¯t create any trouble!¡±

    Wang Geng casually put a tall hat on Duan Qirui and Xu Shuzheng, while using sincere and magnanimous eyes to meet the sharp eyes of the Prime Minister and the Deputy Secretary of the Army.

    "Prime Minister, I am your diplomatic and military secretary anyway. It is not an exaggeration to handle some foreign negotiations for you, and there is no gossip!" Wang Geng followed.

    "Youzheng, what do you think? Should we leave the matter of negotiating with the United States to Wang Geng? Fortunately, the Minister to the United States, Gu Weijun, is his eldest brother. He has studied and lived in the United States for seven years. It is rare to have him with us again.  The President in Washington and the Minister of Finance have some friendship, it would be a pity if they don't make good use of it!" Duan Qirui turned to Xu Shuzheng for advice.

    "The name is not justified. If a brigade commander of a mixed brigade is sent to negotiate with the foreign affairs office, this matter will only be laughed at!" Xu Shuzheng had made up his mind and planned to help Wang Geng.

    "Don't blame the brigade commander! I am still supervising the preparations for the war. I am also the Prime Minister's National Policy Advisor and Foreign and Military Secretary. I think these titles are enough. As long as the Americans believe that I am representing the Prime Minister and the government.  Just talk to them!" Wang Geng shouted anxiously.

    "What Zheng said makes sense. In this case, Wang Geng, I will assign you the title of Supervisor of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Interactions with the United States. You will be fully responsible for negotiations with the United States, including coordination of war participation, loans to the United States, military and material assistance, and arms deal negotiations.  That¡¯s enough, but you have to remember that there are no small things between countries. If you try to trick me, I won¡¯t be able to protect you!¡±

    Duan Qirui was also a decisive leader. He slapped his head and gave Wang Geng the title of supervisor.

    "This is a great idea! Wang Geng, the Prime Minister trusts and supports you so much. You must not let the Prime Minister down! Since your arms and equipment of the 3rd Division and 6th Brigade have chosen to use American equipment, this matter depends on you.  Plan it yourself!¡±

    Since Xu Shuzheng planned not to get involved in the negotiations with the United States, he simply shied away from the Ministry of War's responsibility for providing equipment and arms supplies.

    Of course Wang Geng nodded in agreement, but in the blink of an eye he asked again, "How much is the monthly allowance for the Supervisory Office of the United States? And the funds for diplomatic activities can't be paid by me myself? We are also a yamen of our size! I still have a  We all need to take care of ourselves. Seeing that spring is here, Chun Ni and Xia Cao should go to Dashilan to buy some fancy clothes for the season. "

    "We will give you another 500 oceans per month as a subsidy for the supervision of diplomatic relations with the United States. You can allocate the funds for diplomacy from the funds of the War Preparatory Office. Now that the Foreign Affairs Minister Wu Tingfang has resigned, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in chaos. Where can I give it to you?  Get money?" Duan Qirui said angrily and funny.

    "Sure! It's up to you. Just don't say that I embezzled public funds. By the way, Prime Minister, Deputy Minister, why did I already see notices posted in Langfang by the Allied Powers recruiting civil servants in our country?" Wang Geng mentioned again.  I learned about the new things I saw when I left Langfang in the morning.

    "This matter was already in progress at the beginning of the year. The Allied Powers were in a tight situation in the European war and lacked manpower in the rear. They discussed with China to recruit some laborers to work as slaves in Europe. The cabinet agreed at that time. Shandong and Hebei under the control of Beiyang  Recruitment stations have been set up in Henan, Hubei, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Fujian provinces!¡±

    Xu Shuzheng¡¯s face turned red. It seems that the government owes the people this matter, because the labor contract was signed for five years and traveled across the ocean.On the European battlefield, the daily wage is only 5 francs, which is equivalent to only eight cents in the ocean, and the franc is still depreciating.

    "Prime Minister, I won't talk about this earlier, but now that we are going to join the war, it is a government action! How can we still use private methods to operate it? Doesn't this allow Britain, France and Russia to take advantage of it? It is completely different from before.  In the Qing Dynasty, ordinary people traveled across the ocean to sell piglets to build railroads in the United States. What was the difference? "

    Wang Geng shouted a little anxiously.

    Duan Qirui frowned, not knowing how to answer. Xu Shuzheng explained beside him,

    "At the beginning of the year, China had not yet entered the war. If we did not sign a labor contract in the name of an Allied private company, would the Allies and Germany agree?"

    "Prime Minister, it is our established policy to send troops to participate in the war in Europe. If we only send civilians to be used as slaves, it will be a loss-making business. I suggest that we stop this matter first and let's plan it carefully. Since we are participating in the war, of course we are sending troops in the name of participating troops.  Go out, how much does it cost to just be a coolie? We have to be sent to the European battlefield!"

    Wang Geng continued to shout reluctantly. He had been planning to use the European battlefield training to build an expeditionary force early in the morning. Who knew that when he returned home, he found that many workers had been taken out.

    "Prime Minister, what Wang Geng said makes sense. Labor is also a bargaining chip in negotiations between countries. There is a huge difference between sending troops and sending workers!" When Xu Shuzheng said this, he suddenly felt that this loss-making business could no longer be done.  Done!

    "Have the statistics from the Ministry of the Interior been released? How many workers have been sent out now?" Duan Qirui asked with a frown. Since he is going to join the war, there is no need to covertly say that he is a worker. If the Yankees want to join the war, don't they have to recruit soldiers first?  Let¡¯s go!  Of course, our workers can also enlist in the army at home before setting off. The Prime Minister's mind is spinning very fast!

    "As of the end of March, Britain and France have recruited less than 30,000 people in total, and about 10,000 people have arrived in Europe, mainly from Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Fujian. Russia has recruited less than 10,000 people in North China.  About five thousand to leave the country!" Xu Shuzheng, who is also the Secretary-General of the State Council, thought for a while and quoted a few figures.

    "Then stop for now and wait until the government officially declares war on Germany before deciding how to support the European war?" Duan Qirui asked and looked at Wang Geng and Xu Shuzheng.

    "Prime Minister, Deputy Minister, I suggest that the labor recruitment work be included in the unified management and planning of the War Preparatory Office from now on. We will select the best part to form the direct troops of the 3rd Division and 6th Brigade that will stay in the country, and the rest will be trained and trained.  We will join the expeditionary force and serve as military escorts. When we go abroad, we will choose to follow the American Expeditionary Force for unified action! The Americans will definitely be willing to accept such a great gift!¡±

    Wang Geng expressed his thoughts while looking at the expressions of Duan Qirui and Xu Shuzheng.

    "Are you from the war preparation office busy?" Duan Qirui didn't think this idea was good.

    In Duan Qirui¡¯s mind, sending troops to Europe is far less important than organizing a direct force at home. How can the scale and intensity of the European War be compared to the fighting between several domestic warlords in China?  In a single battle on the Western Front in the European War, both sides could suffer hundreds of thousands of casualties. Russia's casualties on the Eastern Front had exceeded 2 million. How many troops did China have at this time?  We definitely don't have the ability to really participate in the war, and most of us will become cannon fodder.

    "Our war preparation office is well-established! We were supposed to recruit and train troops, and now we have to negotiate with the United States. It's just the right time to hunt rabbits together!" Wang Geng said confidently, patting his chest.

    "You Zheng, what do you think?" Duan Qirui asked his confidant Xu Shuzheng.

    "I think it's okay. Wang Geng is young and has a lot of energy. He can show his sharpness. He might as well shoulder more responsibilities for the Prime Minister and me to practice. This matter should be done sooner rather than later, otherwise hundreds of workers will be abducted every day!" Xu Shuzheng  He nodded.
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