Chapter 10: Long Live (Part 2)

  New book, don't forget to collect! Recommended! Thank you!

  These are the proud underpinnings of Japan, and geographically speaking, aside from Russia which shares a border with China, Japan's interest in China is the most pressing. Especially when it comes to the vast territory of this ancient empire that has been weighing on its head for thousands of years, the temptation is even stronger for a small island nation. This is something that experienced politicians among the world powers all tacitly understand. The two countries with the largest stake in China's interests, Britain and France, have long been secretly vigilant about Japan's ambitions towards China. However, for their own national interests, they do not oppose the Japanese government increasing its influence and interests in China during this large loan, which is also the main reason why the banking syndicate accepted Yokohama Shokin's participation. But don't forget that letting you share the benefits is one thing, while curbing Japan's interests is another matter altogether. This kind of political trick has been played by the British Empire and European countries for hundreds of years, and they have long since mastered it to perfection. How can small Japan be a match for these old imperial powers?

  The original six-nation banking syndicate has now become a five-nation banking syndicate, and the US's withdrawal is also due to this reason. The Japanese, as a younger brother and follower of Western powers, were so arrogant as to think they could threaten the European four-nation banking syndicate, and even shouted about withdrawing from it. This immediately enraged the proud John Bull and his followers, the Gallic Rooster, who had been slightly dissatisfied with the transformation of the German and Russian banking syndicates. They immediately turned their main spearhead towards Japan, and instead supported Germany and Russia's proposal. Especially when the representative of HSBC heard the representative of Yokohama Specie Bank say those words, he immediately fell silent, didn't say anything else, and announced a temporary adjournment. Afterwards, Britain and France got together to secretly consult with each other, then exchanged opinions with the German and Russian representatives, and the four-nation financial syndicate quickly reached a new private agreement to reorganize the banking syndicate, excluding Japan and directly negotiating with the Chinese government.

  The Japanese were shocked, they never thought that these Western foreigners would turn their faces faster than turning pages. Originally, five people were playing cards together, having a good time, when suddenly one of them got upset and threatened to quit, saying "I don't want to play anymore". The remaining four discussed it and decided, "Great, we can form a mahjong table with just the four of us!" So they said goodbye and told him not to come back. They continued playing without him, and from then on, they didn't invite him to play together again. This really scared the Japanese.

  The Yokohama Shokin representative, who had threatened to withdraw and was scolded by a telegram from Tokyo, returned home with his tail between his legs. It is unknown whether he committed seppuku as an apology. The newly appointed representative changed their attitude and busily apologized in the Four-Power Banking Consortium, making several concessions. This barely obtained the understanding of the other four countries, allowing them to return to the negotiating table. After Japan calmed down, the banking consortium representatives made a final decision: to raise the interest rate by half a percent, extend the repayment period from 47 years to 50 years, and keep the remaining terms unchanged. The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation and the Banque de l'Indochine would jointly increase their share by ￡3 million, the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank by ￡3.5 million, the Russo-Asiatic Bank by ￡2.2 million, and the Yokohama Shokin, which was relatively poor, would only increase its share by ￡580,000. These increases added to the originally agreed-upon ￡25 million, bringing the total to ￡34.028 million.

  Finally, except for the slightly disappointed Japanese in the bag, everyone was delighted with this result. Soon, on May 12, 1913, three days before the formal opening of Parliament, the Five-Power Banking Consortium's large loan to the Chinese government was formally signed in Beijing.

  On May 15, 1913, the first National Assembly of the Republic of China was formally convened. The night before the opening, the streets near the House of Representatives were already decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, shining brightly in a festive atmosphere. On the 15th, the elected senators and representatives of both houses wore brand new formal attire, beaming with joy as they entered the meeting hall one after another.

  "The road to constitutionalism... after struggling for so many years, we finally made it to today, it's not easy! " Song Jiaren, the interim president of the National Assembly, chairman of the Preparatory Committee of the National Assembly and acting chairman of the KMT, looked at the members of parliament who were taking their seats one after another, and couldn't help but be choked with sobs.

  "What a pity for Ke Qiang, if he could live to see this scene today...". Liao Zhongkai, who was standing beside him, also couldn't help but sigh with emotion. Everyone's face was filled with joy and their hearts were stirred with excitement.

  "The Grand President has arrived!"

  As a loud shout of welcome, Song Jiaoren and others hastily cast their eyes towards the entrance, only to see Yuan Shikai, dressed in a grand ceremonial robe, had also arrived. Accompanying him was Liang Shiyi, the Secretary-General of the Presidential Palace, followed by Premier Zhao Bingjun and various ministers and deputy ministers of the government.

  "Let's go! Everyone follow me to welcome the President." With a shout, Song Jiaoren led the way forward, while Fang Zidao stood slightly behind him, looking very low-key.

  "It's finally over, what a relief!"

  "Great President, thank you!"

  They didn't say much more, a simple sentence expressed their current mood, smiling and shaking hands, walking together towards the podium.

  At 11:00 am, all personnel were present, and Song Jiaoren, as the host, formally announced the opening ceremony of the National Assembly. First, 108 rounds of salute were fired, followed by President Yuan Shikai's congratulatory speech. Yuan Shikai, full of spirit, stood upright on the stage without any manuscript in his hand, his piercing eyes gazing at the delegates below, and the entire venue was silent for a while. Then, with a voice filled with emotion, slightly trembling due to excitement, he loudly declared: "The first National Assembly of the Republic of China is formally established! This is indeed the greatest glory in the history of over 4,000 years and the happiness of 400 million people for billions of years. As a citizen, I am honored to celebrate with you." After finishing his speech, Yuan Shikai raised his hand high and shouted slogans: "Long live the Republic of China! Long live the National Assembly!"

  "Long live the Republic of China! Long live the National Assembly of the Republic of China!"

  "Long live the Republic of China!"

  "Long live the National Assembly of the Republic!"

  "Long live President Yuan!"

  "Long live the National Assembly!"

  The members of parliament below the stage also responded one after another, shouting slogans that were deafening, and the atmosphere in the meeting hall reached a climax. As Yuan Shikai waved his hands non-stop on the stage, the members of parliament below became even more frenzied, with several members so emotionally excited that they had tears all over their faces.

  At that moment, Fang Zida was also infected and followed everyone in shouting slogans, his heart burning like a raging fire. Watching this scene before him, with tears welling up in his eyes, it seemed as if time had become disordered, the Henan accent of President Yuan's official speech gradually merging with a certain Hunan accent deep in his memory.