Beiyang reactionaries

Duan Xun finally felt relieved after seeing off the two people.

Fix the royals quickly and save a ton of money.Confiscating some of the property of the religious and social parties can solve the tens of millions of gaps.Then 1921 was not too difficult.

From the Japanese loan, some money was used for military expenditure.As well as the appropriation from the Ministry of Finance, military spending can increase by nearly 3000 million this year.Enough for army expansion, arsenals, and air force construction.

Moreover, Japanese loans can be used to build steel plants and coal plants in Baotou, and even build the Beijing-Baotou Railway.From Beijing to Suiyuan, and then to Baotou, the huge resources in Baotou area can be developed.

Just too much in debt.

But how to pay back the money?

Humph.

When Duan Xun was thinking again, Yan Huiqing walked in.

"Prime Minister."

"President Yan, sit down. How are you talking with Japan?"

"Prime Minister, this is the final agreement between us, please read it."

Duan Xun took over.

In fact, from the beginning of the draft, Duan Xun has been paying attention to this clause.So Duan Xun read quickly, of course Duan Xun read the most important things.Actually not much has changed.

At the last cabinet meeting, that was the final clause.

The negotiations in the past few days have at most added some more detailed terms, and the framework has not changed.After reading it, Duan Xun nodded and said, "That's right. We'll be there in two days, and I'll sign it myself."

"Prime Minister, otherwise you don't have to go. As the Minister of Foreign Affairs, I signed on behalf of the government and the Japanese representative."

Yan Huiqing hesitated and persuaded Duan Xun.

Duan Xun smiled.

Then he shook his head and said, "Mr. Yan, I thank you for your kindness. I also know that there are a lot of criticisms about this contract outside. Many people have criticized me for being pro-Japanese in the newspapers, and some even scolded me for betraying the country. But what A politician is not well-known and slandered all over the world. I asked myself this negotiation, this contract has nothing to do to the country or the people of the country. This matter can stand the test of history. I am not afraid of others’ criticism. At this time, do I I can pass the pressure on to you. You have made great contributions to this negotiation. How can I let you heroes be criticized."

It is no secret at all that the Beijing government talks about the Shandong issue with Japan.

Duan Xun signed a private secret treaty with the Japanese government a long time ago.It is impossible for the outside world to know this kind of thing.But the negotiations on Shandong have long been raging.

Even the draft of the contract has become known all over the world.

There are many criticisms.

Some fierce people even said that Duan Xun inherited Duan Qirui's policy and was a pro-Japanese government.It is believed that Duan Xun made too many concessions in the Shandong negotiations.There are really a lot of criticisms.

It was precisely because of this that Yan Huiqing wanted Duan Xun not to come forward, and they signed it from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

But how could Duan Xun let the people below be shocked by this kind of thing.

"Prime Minister, I can actually sign it."

"President Yan, you have to preside over more negotiations. You have a lot to do in the future, so don't be affected by these things. I will sign the contract myself, and everyone will just scold me a few more times. There will be no major problems."

"Yes."

Duan Xun and Yan Huiqing didn't have much intersection before.But the cooperation between the two has been quite good in the past year, and Yan Huiqing has also worked in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for many years.But the year I worked with Duan Xun was the happiest.Duan Xun has always supported Yan Huiqing, he would not push him back, but instead gave him the greatest backing.

Now that Duan Xun is so unreasonable, Yan Huiqing is more convinced.

"Prime Minister, there is one more thing."

"whats the matter."

"The negotiations on Zhengtai Railway have reached an impasse."

"how?"

Duan Xun frowned.

Zhengtai Railway refers to the railway from Shijiazhuang to Taiyuan.This railway was originally borrowed from Russia in the late Qing Dynasty, but Russia was defeated in the Russo-Japanese War and suffered heavy losses, and had no money to continue investing.

So this was passed on to France.

Therefore, the Zhengtai Railway was built by the French with loans, and it is currently controlled by the French.This railway is very important, and Duan Xun hopes to use this railway to extend his hand into Yan Xishan's independent kingdom of Shanxi.

That's why it is necessary to take back the control of Zhengtai Railway.

"The French want us to pay back in gold francs."

"Gold francs? What do you mean?"

"Prime Minister, the so-called gold franc in France is the franc price calculated on the gold standard. However, after the European War, the French economy is not good, and the franc has depreciated rapidly. The face value is only one-third of the gold franc. According to the current situation, we have always Silver dollars can be exchanged for 8 francs. But if calculated with gold francs, then one silver dollar can only be exchanged for about 2 francs and 70 centimes. The construction of the Zhengtai Railway originally cost 4000 million francs in France. Calculated according to the current price of francs, even if interest is added , we can repay the rest of the money up to about 700 million silver dollars. But calculated in gold francs, we have to repay more than 500 million. If you count the interest, it may be nearly 700 million. There is a difference of tens of millions Silver dollars."

"The difference is so big?"

"Yes. And the meaning of the French side is that they hope that Boxer's indemnity will also be repaid in gold francs. I calculated that according to their requirements, we will lose more than 7000 million silver dollars. That is to say, we have to pay more Around 7000 million silver dollars."

"damn it."

Duan Xun was furious.

Damn the French really take China as a fool.It is clearly a depreciated franc, and China is required to pay back the money at the original gold franc price.What a bunch of robbers.

So Duan Xun thought for a while and said, "Last time, you said that the United States is willing to refund the remaining Boxer indemnity?"

"Yes. The United States has proposed to return the remaining boxer indemnity for China's education and cultural exchanges. It just wants to spend money to cultivate a group of pro-American students in China. However, as the United States has made such a statement, even some other countries have also Meaning in this regard."

"Okay. Let's talk about the boxer indemnity with the United States first. As long as the United States is willing to return the boxer indemnity, we can also make concessions in other areas. Among the Eight-Power Allied Forces, Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Russia have already given up the indemnity. If the United States If you also give up the compensation, then it’s easy to say anything. I will definitely not continue to pay this money.”

Duan Xun snorted coldly.

Indemnities were not resumed until 1923, but Duan Xun still had to delay.Since entering Beijing, Duan Xun never thought of continuing to lose money.Some money is borrowed, of course it has to be repaid.But some are indemnities, and Duan Xun will definitely not continue to pay them.

"Yes. I will continue to contact the United States."

"As for the Zhengtai Railway, let's take it easy."

France.

Although his strength has been greatly reduced after the European War, Duan Xun really doesn't want to have too many conflicts with France.There is nothing wrong with small-scale conflicts, but Duan Xun still avoids large-scale conflicts.

Now it is better to concentrate our firepower and attack the British forces first.

Use the hands of the Japanese and Lu Yongxiang to sort out the British forces in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai.In this way, after a few years, as long as I get rid of the Japanese forces, I can basically drive most of the foreign forces out of China.

"Yes."