Chapter 6 "Traitor" Plan

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  In early March, the nationwide protests grew more intense, with student demonstrations, worker strikes and merchant closures happening almost every day. Even in Shanghai, there were several instances of mass unrest, including a joint strike by workers and merchants, but order was quickly restored after Yu Qiaqing personally intervened to mediate the situation.

  Zheng Rucheng repeatedly urged Xu Shaowen to send troops into the city of Shanghai to maintain order. Xu Shao knew that if he did this himself, he would definitely be hated by others, so he insisted that the new soldiers were not yet trained and could not let him lead a hundred or so people from the guard room to maintain order.

  As for these trivial matters, Xu Shao-wen didn't have any worries. What he had been worried about was that two months later, Yuan Shikai would yield to the Japanese threat and sign the "Twenty-one Demands". Once signed, the Beiyang government would be doomed. Of course, he wasn't worried about Yuan Shikai, but his uncle Xu Shi-chang. So after hesitating for a few days, he decided to return to Beijing in mid-March.

  On March 6th, Xu Shao-wen summoned Li Zhen-ning and two American advisors to the military command office. These two American advisors played a significant role in training new recruits, teaching Chinese soldiers many survival skills on the battlefield.

  "Wenhan, I will be leaving for Beijing soon to persuade President Yuan not to sign the agreement with Japan. During my absence, I hope you and Major Sherman and Captain Smith can help me with some matters." Xu Shaowen said seriously after inviting the three men to sit down.

  Li Zhenning already knew that Xu Shaowen was going to Beijing, he nodded and said: "Don't worry, I'll take care of things in Shanghai."

  Xu Shao let out a sigh and smiled bitterly, saying: "Now it's not Shanghai's problem, but Shandong's problem."

  Li Zhenning also recently learned that the Japanese were slow to withdraw their troops from Shandong, and instead were increasingly aggressive in attacking German garrisons. He looked at Xu Shaowen and asked in surprise: "Wenyuan, do you have some plan?"

  Xu Shaowen looked at the two American advisors, now only the four of them were present. He took a deep breath and didn't respond to Li Zhenning's words, but instead turned to Sherman and Smith, saying: "Major Sherman, Captain Smith, I have a plan that I want to convey to the US government through you two."

  "Oh? I think if Director Xu wants to contact the US government, he should directly contact the Consul of the US Embassy?" Major Sherman was a forty-something active-duty US Army officer and also a graduate of the famous West Point Military Academy. He had a thick beard and looked at Xu Shaowen with an odd expression.

  "If I go to the American Consul in China, this matter will probably be leaked out soon, and the American Consul may not necessarily help me contact your government." Xu Shaowen explained, although finding the consul is a shortcut, he believes his two advisors also have their own methods. "This matter is important, and I believe it will also bring benefits to your government, so I hope you can help me with this favor."

  Sherman and Smith exchanged a glance as soon as they heard the word "benefit". Sherman said, "Mr. Xu, what do you need our help with?"

  "I can guarantee that the United States government will obtain the right to establish a naval base in Shandong, China, while China hires American naval, financial and political advisors, and China's police authorities will jointly operate with the United States." Xu Shaowen said directly to Sherman and Smith.

  These political and military privileges are actually the rights that Japan extorted from China in the Twenty-One Demands, which is only a small part of the agreement. Xu Shao Wen now wants to reach these political concessions with the United States, precisely because he plans to sacrifice a small part to preserve the larger part.

  "Oh, my God! Commander Xu, as far as I know, you are just the Shanghai local military and political chief, these political and military privileges, it seems that you do not have the power to negotiate with the US government." Sherman felt a little surprised, such terms would be considered treasonous in the United States. However, at this time in China, it seemed to be already taken for granted.

  Xu Shaowen smiled calmly and said to Sherman: "Colonel, since I can say it out loud, I must be able to do it. I just hope that through you, Colonel, you can help me convey this message to the US government. I hope the US government will send someone as soon as possible and in secret to negotiate this matter."

  "If it's just a message, I believe I can do it, but I hope Mr. Xu won't play tricks on me, or I'll be left with no way out." Major Sherman said seriously. He himself had acquaintances in the consulate and the US government, so passing on this message would not be difficult at all.

  Xu Shaowen patted Sherman on the shoulder and said, "Colonel, we've known each other for quite some time now. Would I deceive you? Besides, you've also seen China's current situation. China urgently needs America's assistance. As for our government, rest assured that I will definitely obtain this representative speaking right."

  Sherman knew that Xu Shao-wen was the nephew of Xu Shi-chang and had become a dujun at a young age, holding all financial industries in Shanghai. He also believed in what Xu Shao-wen said, and if he could facilitate the extension of American interests in China, his reputation in America would be greatly enhanced.

  He nodded and said, "I'm relieved to hear that. I will pass on your words to my government as soon as possible." However, he then asked, "But Mr. Xu, you must have conditions for proposing such privileges. You might as well tell me directly, and I'll inform my government at the same time."

  Xu Shaowen and others have been saying this for a long time. Americans are very pragmatic, so he first mentioned the benefits himself. He smiled slightly and said: "I hope the United States can form a strategic alliance with China, just like the Allies and the Axis powers."

  Sherman nodded and said, "I understand, I will convey it accurately."

  Xu Shaowen first let Sherman and Smith go to handle this matter, after they left, he said to Li Zhenning: "Wenhann, I am not in Shanghai for a while, you mainly follow up on this matter, must be able to make positive contact with the US government within 20 days."

  "But, Wen Yuan, aren't you being too rash? You're selling out the country's interests!" Li Zhenning had been holding back and hadn't said it in front of the two advisors, but now he couldn't help but say it. He looked at Xu Shaowen with a very surprised expression.

  "Have you read the entire content of the Twenty-One Demands Agreement?" Xu Shaowen's expression was calm and collected, he said slowly to Li Zhenning.

  Li Zhenning took a deep breath and didn't say anything else.

  "If I can sacrifice some of my rights to preserve most of the benefits, I am willing to be a traitor." Xu Shaowen said with some sadness, if it weren't for the current weakness of the Republic of China's national power, he wouldn't have taken this path either.

  "But even so, you are only the Shanghai Garrison Commander and don't have the power to negotiate with America." Li Zhenning was still somewhat anxious.

  "Don't worry, President Yuan knows the measure better than I do. When I go to Beijing, I will definitely persuade him. What I am most worried about is that Major Sherman does not believe me or will leak the news and let the Japanese know. Both of these are unacceptable, so you must keep a close eye on things." Xu Shaowen said seriously, looking at Li Zhenning with a slightly tense tone.

  Li Zhenning nodded heavily, he finally understood why his father Li Wanqi would only let him be Xu Shaowen's deputy today, and only Xu Shaowen had the audacity to turn the tide of the situation.

  "I understand, don't worry, I will definitely let Sherman convey the message safely and as soon as possible." Li Zhenning replied firmly.

  Xu Shaowen nodded reassuringly and patted Li Zhenning's shoulder, saying: "One life, two brothers, I believe you can do it. By the way, although our three batches of soldiers have already been recruited, let the Propaganda Department and Logistics Department continue to recruit soldiers during this period, and keep a low profile."

  "Still recruiting troops? But the top only gave me a division's quota, and now there are already 7,000 people, which is more than 1,000 over the quota." Li Zhenning said with some surprise and concern, "If Zheng Rucheng finds out, he will definitely become suspicious."

  "I knew, so in February I stopped recruiting, just to create a false impression for Zheng Ruicheng. But in March, we must continue to recruit new soldiers for the fourth period, and I want to assemble two brigades before August." Xu Shaowen's expression was very serious, like a general on the eve of a great war. "I have secretly ordered 140 Krupp field guns and 50 large-caliber howitzers from the United States and Austria, and also purchased 300 mortars from Austria. I want to establish two artillery regiments in our troops as soon as possible."

  "What, you bought so many artillery pieces?" Li Zhenning was even more shocked. He wasn't worried about the money, but rather that such a large amount of military supplies exceeding the quota would make Zheng Ruicheng think what? "This, you didn't discuss it with the Shanghai Garrison Command beforehand, and once Zheng Ruicheng finds out, he will definitely come to intervene."

  "I know, but once I return from Beijing, he won't be able to interfere anymore, because I will request President Yuan to appoint a special envoy to negotiate with the US government." Xu Shaowen smiled slightly, looking confident. "So, you just need to pay attention for this period of time. The artillery will arrive by the end of this month, and you'll transport them to the armory at the new recruit camp. Hide them first. After the fourth batch of new recruits finish their regular training, you, Sherman, and Smith can start training them in artillery."

  "This artillery training, once the cannons start firing, won't that expose us?" Li Zhenning said worriedly.

  "Don't worry, I was also on my way back then, and couldn't help but let Zheng Rucheng take the lead." Xu Shaowen smiled and reassured Li Zhenning.

  "Alright, I'll do it your way, but what's the point of expanding the army like this?" Li Zhenning asked with some confusion.

  Xu Shaowen didn't plan to hide anything from Li Zhenning, he mysteriously smiled and said briefly: "Head north, fight the Japanese devils, and take territory along the way."

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