Volume 2 King of the Northwest Chapter 32: Consequences (Part 2)
In March and April 1917, China was in turmoil and looked like a storm was about to come.
In early March, as Duan's cabinet's resolution to join the war was not passed by Congress, Prime Minister Duan Qirui resigned and fled to Tianjin. For a time, the dispute between the government and the parliament intensified.
On March 14, under pressure from Duan Qirui's resignation, the Beiyang government officially announced the severance of diplomatic relations with Germany, took back the German concessions in Tianjin and Hankou, and stopped paying indemnities and debts.
Just one day later, news came that the Russian February bourgeois-democratic revolution was victorious, the last Tsar Nicholas II was forced to abdicate, and the Romanov dynasty that had ruled Russia for more than 300 years was completely destroyed, and the domestic situation changed again.
Amid this murky situation, the struggle in Shaanxi became increasingly fierce.
On March 8, the first public trial of the "Well Case" was held. The main culprits Li Dongcai and Ren Shenwa each held their own opinions and attacked each other.
On the 12th, Dai Jiliang initiated a three-day public memorial service for Jing Wumu across Shaanxi, but the Kuomintang denounced it as the cat crying over the rat.
Dai Jiliang immediately launched a counterattack. A tabloid was the first to disclose that this case was an internal conflict within the Kuomintang. When the newspapers bribed by Wang Danping fought back across the board, Shaanxi's public opinion suddenly split into two opposing groups.
On March 20, the Yongliang Times successively exposed the "Yongchang Oil Mine Theft and Sale Case" of Governor Li Genyuan and Provincial Finance Director Han Jun, which immediately diverted public opinion attention.
On March 22, the so-called "secret agreement on the extension case" was exposed. Although Li Genyuan and Han Wangchen repeatedly refuted the rumors, the provincial capital's Kuomintang was still paralyzed by the attack of Dai Ji's Xi'an Citizens' Group.
On April 1, one of Li Genyuan's guards endorsed the existence of the "secret agreement" as a party concerned and provided a copy of the relevant secret agreement. As a result, the Xi'an Democratic Party immediately became the target of public criticism.
On April 13, the verdict of the "Jing Case" was announced. Ren Shenwa and three others who were suspected of shooting Jing Wumu were sentenced to death, and Li Dongcai was sentenced to 30 years in prison for conspiracy. Although the Shaanxi-Gansu Democratic Party was still dissatisfied, it was powerless to reverse the situation.
In the same month, with the completion of three brigade-level exercises of the Shaanxi Army, all the main forces of the Shaanxi Army went to Yintai, Chengcheng and Pucheng. The situation in Shaanxi was on the verge of breaking out. Under pressure from the Shaanxi Army, the Shaanxi-Northern People's Army was forced to withdraw to its original defense area. At this point, Dai Jiliang finally survived the most dangerous moment of his life.
"Brother Wangchen, don't be sad. We lost this time. I am an incompetent governor!"
Li Genyuan comforted Han Jun. He was also very sad about the betrayal of his trusted subordinates, but it would be of no help to the overall situation to talk about it now.
"Senior Dai just wants me to leave. Fine, I will voluntarily resign from the provincial council. From now on, the situation in Shaanxi will depend on the sincere cooperation between Brother Wangchen and the comrades in the north."
"Brother Yinquan, you can't leave!"
Han Jun seemed to have aged a dozen years since the secret agreement case was exposed, but even though he was exhausted, he still thought clearly.
"You were sent to Shaanxi by the President. If you leave, the President will lose a powerful arm to oppose the Duan government. Forget it. I was the one who advocated this matter. I will bear the responsibility."
"Brother Wangchen!"
Li Genyuan held Han Jun's hand tightly, but couldn't say a word.
On April 30, 1917, Han Wangchen made a public statement, attributing all responsibility for the "Extension Case" to himself, and announced his voluntary resignation from the post of Director of the Shaanxi Finance Department.
On the same day, after being declared an unwelcome person in Shaanxi Province, Han Wangchen was escorted out of Xi'an by armed police from the Public Security Department and was driven out of Tongguan two days later. Li Genyuan was also placed under house arrest in the Governor's Office. Dai Jiliang won a phased victory.
"Good baby!"
Dai Jiliang and his trusted followers looked at the Japanese-made 105mm heavy field gun that had just arrived in Shaanxi. The sophisticated killing machine flashed brightly in the sun, just as thrilling as Dai Jiliang's ambition.
"Shifu, you are a top student in the Baoding Artillery Department. Aim at the opposite training area and fire one shot at each side."
100,000 silver dollars could be exchanged for 4 cannons and 300 rounds of ammunition for each cannon, so naturally one had to be very frugal.
"First artillery group, get ready. Second artillery group, get ready..."
Since Dai Jiliang was determined not to hire Japanese instructors, these artillery groups were newly formed and it is understandable that they were in a state of confusion.
"Ready, fire!"
With a command, a deafening roar rang in the ears of the onlookers.
Although Japanese-made artillery cannot be compared with the power of European or American artillery, in China, where the 7.5-cm artillery is generally used as division-level artillery, it is definitely a unique weapon of mass destruction.
With a muzzle velocity of 504 m/s, the target area was filled with flying debris and rising smoke in less than three seconds.
"Let's go and take a look."
After the four guns fired in succession, Dai Jiliang excitedly pulled everyone to the impact point to watch. They saw that the walls around the huge crater were broken, the houses collapsed, and the previous continuous civil engineering works had been destroyed beyond recognition.
"Ziqi, did you see that? This is the power of the new era. Your engineers will suffer in the future."
Looking at the shocking scene before him, Dai Jiliang looked at his chief engineer and all the senior officers meaningfully.
"When the war in Europe is over, if there is a surplus in the provincial treasury, I think we will send you to Europe to see how other people fight wars. Remember, this is the age of explosives and machines. The spirit of hand-to-hand combat is of course important, but if we rely solely on spirit, we will pay a huge price."
"Mr. Hirono, thank you for your artillery!"
After inspecting the newly arrived cannons, he returned to Xi'an and found that the Japanese soldier Guangye was already waiting in the reception room of the Governor's Mansion.
Xi'an is in turmoil these days, but a contract is a contract, and this is to urge fulfillment of the contract.
"By the way, when will the batch of radio equipment that this Governor ordered be delivered?"
"Your Excellency, please rest assured that the goods will arrive in Xi'an in a few days. However, may I ask when the Yanchang Mine can be handed over?"
Guangye stared at Dai Jiliang, obviously getting impatient.
"The Yanchang Mine is in some trouble now!"
Dai Jiliang frowned.
"I think Mr. Guangye has also sensed the dissatisfaction of all walks of life in Shaanxi with this contract during his time in Xi'an. Director Han has already paid the price for this. This is a lesson learned from the past. For this reason, this governor has to consider it carefully."
"General Dai, are you planning to break your promise?"
Hirono stood up suddenly.
"I deeply regret your actions, but the Empire of Japan will never give up."
"Don't get excited, Hirono-kun!"
Dai Jiliang waved his hand, motioning the other party to sit down.
"It's nothing more than a diplomatic protest. Can it solve the problem?"
Seeing the Japanese soldier’s bloodshot face, Dai Jiliang smiled.
"I have a solution, I wonder if Hirono-kun is interested in listening to it?"
"Your Excellency, please speak!"
The stuff was already in Dai Jiliang's hands, and it was impossible to get him to spit it out. Thinking of the guarantee he had made at the foreign company and the consequences if the talks failed, Guangye lowered his voice slightly.
"It is impossible to obtain the entire mining rights of Yanchang Mine for 400,000 yuan, no, 500,000 yuan. The Shaanxi Provincial Council will not give up on this."
Dai Jiliang looked at Guangye who was about to jump up again and hurriedly tried to comfort him.
"As a solution, I suggest that you cooperate with the Shanfu Company to jointly develop the Yanchang Mine. Each party will hold half of the equity. As compensation, the dividends can be taken by your foreign company for 70% within 50 years, and then the two parties will share it in half after 50 years."
Looking at Guangye whose eyes were rolling rapidly, Dai Jiliang calmly picked up a cup of tea.
"By the way, if your company makes additional investments or builds an oil refinery in Shaanxi, the distribution of benefits can be more inclined towards your side."
"I can't give you an immediate answer. I need to consult our company. But may I ask, Your Excellency the Governor, how will the personnel of this oil mine be arranged? Can the output of this oil mine be sold by our company?"
Despite Dai Jiliang's exaggerated words, Guangye still found Dai Jiliang's loophole.
"In addition, I hope that the output of the oil mine will be exempted from tax, otherwise the loss of this foreign company will be too huge."
"In terms of personnel, the Japanese side can be in charge of the production department, and we must participate in the finance. As for other departments, the two sides can negotiate separately, but the Japanese side must train our technicians and workers free of charge. In return, I can exempt the import tax on the equipment needed for the oil mine, as well as all taxes and fees on crude oil, kerosene, gasoline, diesel, asphalt, etc."
We cannot force the Japanese too much, so Dai Jiliang opened some gaps under certain conditions.
"As for the output being handed over to Guiyang Company as an agent, the Shaanxi Army needs 100 tons of various oil products every year. In addition to the above oil products, the rest can be handed over to Guiyang Company as an agent. However, the sale of kerosene must be lower than or no higher than the current prices of British and American companies such as Mobil and Anglo-Dutch. In addition, if the oil mine increases production, the amount of oil products to guarantee the Shaanxi Army should also increase accordingly."
"Understood !"
Guangye nodded heavily.
"I will report to our company. In addition, I hope that our dividends will also be paid in oil products, and that the Governor-General should grant us the right to monopolize Shaanxi kerosene."
"Of course, but our dividends should also be used to pay for oil products. As for the kerosene monopoly, that is impossible."
Dai Jiliang shook his head.
"Open Door. Shaanxi is not a region of special interest to your country. I cannot go against public opinion!"
Nonsense, now that Dai Jiliang and an American company are jointly developing the Shaanxi Railway, it is naturally impossible for them to offend a giant like Mobil at this time.
"However, if the Shaanxi coal mine is developed, I guarantee that Guiyang Bank will have the same priority as other companies. This will at least make up for Guiyang Bank's losses, right?"
"General, are you telling the truth this time?"
Guangye no longer trusted Dai Jiliang's words. No matter how beautiful the promise was, it would be empty talk if , so he tricked Dai Jiliang.
"Whether it's true or not, let's see what happens next."
Dai Jiliang drank the tea in his hand with a dull look on his face.
"I hope Hirono-kun can give me a reply soon."
