Chapter Thirty-Five: Making a Fuss Over Food

  Three young people were thoroughly trapped in pain, the beautiful hope that was originally in their hearts seemed to collapse instantly. In their impression, the leader is great, wise and correct, but how can they explain the problems in front of them? They seem to have fallen into a dead end of thinking, unable to extricate themselves.

  The greater the hope, the greater the disappointment. Yu Jianxiong was the most silent, but at this time he also calmed down first. "Mr. Qiao, as the saying goes, listen to what he says and watch what he does. This is just a strategy for Mr. to seek foreign aid, it's absolutely not treason, Mr. must love this country more than each of us!"

  "That's right, Jian Xiong is correct, sir will never betray the country!" Shi Yi seemed to have found his last bit of hope and shouted loudly.

  Qiao Yu's two lives as a person, thinking that he himself had also been confused like this before. Originally, the character who was lifted to the pedestal was moved down, and at that time, he was just an ordinary person, it seemed that his worldview collapsed instantly, and he was worried about it. However, what is false cannot become true, and what is true cannot become false. You can go on making excuses, but the facts are there. One-sided beautification is useless. The 5,000-year-old Chinese mainland has never lacked heroes, especially during the Republic of China era. There were too many people who threw their heads, shed hot blood, sat in prison, and died on the execution ground. Only sincerity can restore the original appearance of history.

  "The possibility you mentioned is indeed there, and I also hope it's true. Otherwise, don't you think China is too pitiful? Those in power, the Manchu rulers, want to sell out the country, while those in opposition, the revolutionaries, also want to sell out the country. Is there really no one who truly loves this nation? The phrase 'listen to their words and observe their actions' is well said. Let's speak freely and examine their actions. The revolution has been going on for many years, countless heroes have sacrificed themselves, but it seems that the revolutionary party hasn't learned any lessons from experience. They still rely on secret societies and even bandits to carry out the revolution, wasting money and sacrificing talented young people. I'm very clear about this from my time overseas - how many Chinese people, our flesh and blood compatriots, have donated their life savings, even sending their children to join the cause, which can be said to be ruining families to save the nation. But what's the result? The money is gone, the people are dead, while those leaders continue to shout slogans loudly from overseas."

  "In less than half a year, several factories have been set up and the army has trained over 2,000 people. It can be said that Chongqing's power is now in control of more than half of the country. The Revolutionary Party is very powerful overseas and also has the support of Chinese forces. Thinking of ways to seek a place to train troops shouldn't be difficult, but they haven't done anything at all. On the contrary, they have colluded with the Japanese. Since the First Sino-Japanese War, Japan's intention to destroy us has not died, and they have been stepping up their pressure. But there are people who think of exchanging the three eastern provinces for Japan's support. Is this really patriotism? Even if it is, this is still using treasonous means to be patriotic. I truly feel sad and worried for our country."

  Three young people fell into a thorough silence, no longer speaking, repeatedly ruminating on Qiao Yu's words in their hearts, and the original ideas were quietly changing. Shi Dingzhong let out a long breath on the side.

  He originally wanted to recommend a few kids to Qiao Yu, but unexpectedly they strongly opposed and even wanted to follow the revolutionary party. The old man was worried sick, now these few rascals seem to have calmed down, which is for the best.

  "Sir, are you going to make revolution too?" Shi Yi asked.

  "The Qing government must be overthrown, but what I worry about even more is that China will fall into an even more miserable situation, fragmented and warlord-ridden, with foreign powers intervening, making China's situation absolutely worse than the end of the Han or Tang dynasties. Overthrowing the Qing dynasty is easy, but establishing a new country is too difficult?"

  Does Mr. think we still have hope?

  "How can there not be? We have the world's second-largest territory and the largest population, China is too big, so big that powerful countries cannot swallow it whole. The key is to let our country suffer less and take fewer detours! You should also think carefully, although we are all young people, I still want to advise you not to be impulsive, think things through, and don't make unnecessary sacrifices! Shi Shu Bang, I have something else to attend to, so I'll take my leave first. If Shi Yi and the others come around, you can send them to the newly recruited armed merchant group!"

  Shi Dingzhong hastily nodded in agreement, and Qiao Yu and Wang Tianhe left the Shi residence, leaving behind three young people lost in thought.

  "Young master, you're really something, I'm afraid even Zhuge Wu Hou can't compare to you?"

  "Nonsense! They're just inexperienced, thinking things are simple. But after all, they've received formal military training and are rare talents. I really don't want them to go astray!"

  After handling this matter, Qiao Yu was still extremely busy. The armed merchant group had already recruited a full team and training had begun. The military supplies from Buscher were also arriving one after another. All the patrolmen had been equipped with Mauser rifles, and another batch of men had been selected to learn how to operate mountain cannons. Qiao Yu's forces continued to expand, and he successively eliminated several bandit strongholds around Chongqing, ensuring the smooth flow of trade routes.

  At this time, in a classroom of Chongqing Middle School, more than a dozen people were secretly gathering to discuss how to respond to the uprising in Guangdong. The leaders were Yang Shuqiao, Zhang Peijue, Zhu Zihong, Xie Chi and others. After Yang Shuqiao had a falling out with Qiao Yu, he went to southern Sichuan to raise funds, achieving some success. Although not enough money was raised, the head of the Gelaohui in southern Sichuan had agreed to support the Revolutionary Party and sent his top general, Zhu Feibiao, to discuss plans for the uprising together.

  However, after returning to Chongqing, Yang Shoujian's heart cooled down. Gu Jinlong was caught and escaped, but the power of the Chongqing Ge Lao Hui was greatly reduced, and the Tongmenghui was also suppressed tightly. The most important thing is that the government has become vigilant, making their activities extremely restricted. Moreover, the Japanese consul who had always been friendly with the revolutionary party seemed to have cooled down as well. The problem lies with Ogawa. After Ogawa left the meeting venue, he reported the incident to Consul Suzuki of Japan. This Japanese consul immediately flew into a rage and scolded Ogawa for being stupid.

  Japan indeed has a strong desire for the Yangtze River Basin, but how to enter it is a matter of study. Suzuki insists that we should first make friends with local forces in China and then look for gaps left by the British before slowly extending our influence, rather than recklessly advancing relying on brute force. Ogawa's rash actions have already threatened Japan's strategy, fortunately, Qiao Yu still agreed to cooperate with Japan, it seems that Japan hasn't lost anything but has gained instead. However, since then Suzuki strictly forbids Japanese people from casually contacting the Tongmenghui, fearing that these people will ruin Japan's big plans. Now the Tongmenghui is becoming increasingly desperate in Chongqing.

  "Lie Wu, what can I say about you? The good situation has been completely lost. The uprising is imminent, what can I do?"

  Zhang Peijue felt increasingly embarrassed after leaving the meeting in a dejected manner, and he didn't say a word, only smoking silently with his head down. Xie Chi said on the side: "Don't blame Lie Wu, we all have responsibility, underestimating Qiao Yu's power. Now he not only has the support of the Chongqing Chamber of Commerce but also does business with Germans and British people, and is already a leader in the East Sichuan industrial circle. Opposing him means opposing the gentry merchants of Sichuan, means opposing the Constitutional Party. We must think carefully about our strategy, otherwise we can only suffer losses."

  Yang Shoukan lowered his head and thought for half a day: "I think the only way is to mobilize the forces within the army. Now that the military pay has been in arrears for a long time, the upper and lower levels of the patrol camp are all struggling, and our forces within the patrol camp are not small. I think we can use the excuse of making trouble over pay, as long as we stir it up, conflict is inevitable. At that time, even if Qiao Yu's forces are strong, they won't be able to contend with the regular army!"

  A few people consulted and then took action, they left soon after, not long after, Qiao Yu had an extra note in his hand, which was written about this gathering, the Tongmenghui thought their actions were secretive, but to Qiao Yu it was full of loopholes, from Yang Shukan's return to Chongqing, Qiao Yu had a firm grasp on his whereabouts, now that he knew their plan, Qiao Yu began to ponder how to use this matter to gain greater benefits.

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