Volume 1 Teacher Chapter 6 Duan Qirui
The Ministry of the Army is located at No. 3 Tieshishi Hutong, facing north and south.
It was originally the residence of Prince Gong Changying, the fifth son of Shunzhi. In the late Qing Dynasty, it became the residence of his descendant, Duke Zhenguo Chengxi, and was known as Chenggong Mansion.
After 1901, the Qing government implemented the "New Deal" and merged the original Ministry of War, the Military Training Department, and the Imperial Household Department into the Ministry of the Army.
In 1906, the remaining naval funds from the construction of the Summer Palace by Empress Dowager Cixi were used to build the current Ministry of the Army on the original site of Chenggong Mansion.
Duan Qirui, the Chief of the Army in Tang's Cabinet and in seven subsequent cabinets, worked here.
"Your Excellency, welcome!"
In the spring of 1889, Duan Qirui entered the Berlin Military Academy as a government-sponsored student. After studying theoretical courses systematically for a year and a half, Duan Qirui was sent to study in the Krupp Artillery Factory for half a year. The Krupp Artillery Factory was the world's top arsenal at the time. He benefited a lot from the exposure and opportunities to practice here. However, he also developed an incurable blind worship of the German army as the best in the world.
Therefore, although he was still welcomed it with great enthusiasm.
"Mr. Minister, there is a saying in your country that one does not visit a temple unless there is something important to do."
The big guy speaks Chinese quite well, but as a foreigner he speaks quite directly.
"I am here to introduce a talented person to you."
"Talent?"
Duan Qirui looked at Dai Jiliang who was standing behind Manhain and nodded.
"Mr. Military Attaché, please come inside and talk."
Back in the hall, the host and the guests took their seats. Looking at Dai Jiliang, who was sitting next to Manhain and was very respectful, Duan Qirui asked the big guy calmly.
"Mr. Military Attaché, the so-called talent must be the brother next to you, right?"
"Your Excellency the Minister is indeed a man of quick thinking."
Who said foreigners don’t know how to flatter? Duan Qirui just fell for it. Looking at Duan’s excited face, Manhain introduced him to him.
" This is an elite of your country. He also studied at the Imperial Military Academy in Berlin. The Imperial government awarded him the rank of lieutenant. He is the recipient of the Second Class Iron Cross Medal awarded by our Emperor Wilhelm II. Lieutenant Dai Jiliang."
"Meet the senior!"
Hearing this, Dai Jiliang stood at attention and gave Duan Qirui a German military salute.
"Berlin Military Academy?"
It must be said that Dai Jiliang's address and Manhain's words reminded Duan Qirui of the passion and ambition of his youth.
"Yes, I wonder where this young man is from!"
During this trance, the way he addressed me was different.
"General Manager, please be kind to me. From now on, I will call you Zhixiang."
Dai Jiliang immediately took advantage of the situation and put himself in the position of Duan Qirui's nephew.
"I am from Gaoyou, northern Jiangsu."
"It's only separated from Tianchang by a lake, so we can be considered half fellow villagers."
Duan Qirui's words opened a door for Dai Jiliang. One has to know that China values relationships, whether it's fellow townsmen, classmates, having fought together, or having visited prostitutes together, as long as one of these "commons" is involved, things will be easy.
"Mr. Zhi is right. My elder sister married a man from Anhui, and her brother-in-law is a close friend of our old parents in Anhui, Mr. Zhu Jiabao."
Dai Jiliang was extremely servile, and this was blatant flattery.
"oh?"
Zhu Jiabao and Yuan Shikai also had an extremely close relationship, and Dai Jiliang's statement was also to show his relationship with the Beiyang government.
Duan Qirui nodded again, and decided to stop talking. Besides, the German military attaché was still sitting there, so it was not the time to talk about hometown or old friendship. In addition, Duan Qirui also wanted to test Dai Jiliang, so he asked.
"Zhixiang just came back from Europe, right? Tell me, what's the latest news in Europe?"
"Then forgive me for being so presumptuous."
Next, Dai Jiliang began his German speech in the form of a thesis defense.
"The situation in Europe is now on the verge of breaking out. First of all, there is the conflict between Britain and Germany in the navy. Your Majesty's ambition is something that St. George cannot tolerate.
In addition, the old feud between France and Germany and their hostility over the Morocco issue were also one of the triggers.
As for Russia, since the head of the double-headed eagle that was stretched out to the east was cut off by Japan, the Tsar’s only choice was to turn west.”
If Dai Jiliang's initial remarks were merely general, then what he said next was shocking.
"All of the above are the reasons why the Allies and the Central Powers must fight. However, due to the constraints on both sides, the war will never be started by the two camps first. There must be a Balkan idiot who will provoke a European war. This argument is well known in Europe. The reason is also very simple. The Balkans are the entanglement of the interests of Russia, Britain, and Austria-Hungary. Once there is a slight disturbance, the surrounding powers will inevitably be involved."
Dai Jiliang's words were normal in the eyes of later generations, but they sounded different to these two people.
"If a war breaks out, Germany will inevitably be surrounded. If France cannot be defeated as quickly as possible, once the Russian steamroller is launched, it will not only be a two-front war that the Imperial Command is worried about, but will inevitably lead to three or four fronts. You must know that facing the stubborn Serbs and the complex mountainous terrain, it is still a question whether the Austro-Hungarian Empire can succeed in the Balkans with its strength alone, not to mention that Austria-Hungary will have to face attacks from both Russia and Italy."
"slow!"
Manhain's eyes widened.
"Lieutenant, what were you talking about? Italy?"
Manhayn was listening attentively. He agreed with many of Dai Jiliang's arguments, especially the issue of a quick decision and the combat effectiveness of Austria-Hungary. However, he couldn't help but jump out when he heard about Italy.
Although the German also had some doubts about the Italians' position, Dai Jiliang's firm statement still made him feel unusually surprised, so he couldn't help but question.
"Doesn't the lieutenant know that Italy is one of the Allies?"
"Italy is one of the Allied Powers."
Dai Jiliang nodded, indicating that he agreed with Manhain's doubts.
"But I heard a rumor on my way back home. You know I was on the Toulon-Tokyo route, and there were only French guys and Italians on the ship."
Dai Jiliang explained.
"I once got a French colonial official drunk."
Dai Jiliang was talking nonsense.
"He pointed at me and cursed, saying that the Germans would not last long, that Italy and France had a secret agreement, and that once the war broke out, Italy would turn its guns around and strike Germany's soft belly from an unexpected place. Sir, please keep your composure!"
It turned out that Manhain stood up and was about to pounce on Dai Jiliang and grab his neck but was blocked by Dai Jiliang.
"You are talking nonsense!"
The big guy's eyes turned red, and this action made Duan Qirui not know what to do.
"It's nonsense or hearsay, this is just my personal opinion. Sir, you can go and verify it, but don't forget the honor of German soldiers."
Dai Jiliang gave full play to his abilities, and after a scolding, Manhain calmed down instead.
"Yes, it was my fault."
The big guy apologized and sat back down steadily.
"So, Lieutenant, what do you want to go on about?"
"certainly."
Dai Jiliang sighed secretly. He had already reminded the other party in disguise. As for the outcome, it was not something he could decide.
"Just now I learned from vague news that Italy would turn its guns around, so now I will analyze whether it is possible for Italy to turn its guns around in reality."
Dai Jiliang spoke eloquently, first talking about the old feud between Italy and Austria-Hungary, then analyzing the conflict of interests between Italy and Austria-Hungary in the Balkans, and from the hypothetical changes in the war situation after Italy joined the war to the current development of weapons in Europe. For the entire morning, the reception room of the Ministry of the Army became the venue for Dai Jiliang's personal show.
"Finally, I want to say one thing. Although Germany has a certain advantage in heavy artillery, in terms of rapid-fire artillery for medium and short-range support, the French 75mm team's 30 rounds per minute has completely overwhelmed Germany's 77mm rapid-fire artillery, so our country should find a way to import some French rapid-fire artillery for imitation."
"Lieutenant, you did n't hear that from the drunk French colonial official, did you?"
Manhain asked coldly. This damn yellow monkey had too many secrets. He knew things that even the Imperial Intelligence Agency didn't know. It seemed necessary to investigate.
"Sir, this is something that the intelligence department should be concerned about. I heard some things, but they are not enough as evidence."
Dai Jiliang shrugged in a very Western way.
"I am just speaking the truth and giving some advice to our country's Army Chief."
"Zhixiang."
Duan Qirui interrupted.
"Germany is still very friendly to China, so you might as well tell the military attaché everything you know."
"Yes, Zhiong, wait a moment, I will pass on the information I know to Lieutenant Colonel Manhain."
Dai Jiliang nodded indifferently. He thought that if he made up some rumors, there would be no way to verify them, so he just let the Germans guess at it.
"Mr. Military Attaché, it's getting late. Thank you for sending a top talent to the President. How about we have a light meal together?"
Naturally, the official routine of serving tea and seeing off guests could not be used when dealing with foreigners, so Duan Qirui extended an invitation.
"Forget it, I can't get used to your Chinese food, I'd better go back and eat my Bavarian pork knuckle."
As expected of a military attaché sent out to other places, Manhain had completely calmed down at this moment. He stood up, smiled at Duan Qirui and politely declined the suggestion of a dinner, then looked at Dai Jiliang.
"Lieutenant, I wish you a bright future, but don't forget our agreement."
Dai Jiliang naturally understood the double meaning of this remark and responded with a military salute.
"Don't worry, Mr. Military Attaché. Soldiers should never lie."
"Since the Germans won't eat with me, Zhixiang, how about you have a simple meal with me?"
Looking at Manhayn's receding back and then glancing at the heroic Dai Jiliang, Duan Qirui seemed to see his own past and couldn't help but develop a love for talent.
"The chief has invited me, how dare Zhixiang disobey his orders!"
Dai Jiliang did not show any joy on his face, but just nodded firmly. The first step had been taken, but there was still a long way to go.
