?More than a week after the assassination in Sarajevo, the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs remained silent, but many newspapers and other institutions incited anti-Serbian sentiment. "The Vienna billboard declared: "All Serbs must perish." But these seemed to be a temporary outbreak. Two days after the burial of the murdered hypothetical heir and his wife, Emperor Francis Joseph returned to his summer villa without attending the funeral.

Francis Joseph's attendant, the loyal Earl of Pal, ignored any hint of his monarch's reverence for a war. He explained, "This is just another tragic event, which happened frequently in the emperor's life. I do not think he would consider this event from any other perspective." Pal mentioned the tragedy in Meerling in 1889, when the crown prince Rudolph shot and killed his seventeen-year-old mistress, Baron Fetzela, and then committed suicide. He also mentioned the assassination of Queen Elizabeth by an anarchist nine years later.

But Parr obviously did not realize that things were taking a new turn in Vienna. Apart from Apis, the person who was most excited about the death of the Grand Duke was the Austrian Foreign Minister Leopold von Berchedord, who was a staunch Europeanist and has always been one of the most solid leaders of the "Serbian" faction in the Austrian-Hungarian Empire. Consistent with him was General Franz Conrad von Khsendorf. When the first Balkan crisis broke out, Conrad instigated the Grand Duke Ferdinand to send troops to annex Serbia. It was because the Austrian-Hungarian Empire could not face pressure from Britain, France, Russia and other countries, and that their allies Germany and Italy also refused to support it, so they suspended the idea of ​​annexation of Serbia. Now the crown prince Ferdinand and his wife were in trouble. How could the expansionists in the Austro-Hungarian Empire let go of such a good opportunity?

Bershidold, the Austro-Hungarian Foreign Minister and Prime Minister of the Austrian government, has been criticized and sarcastic by all walks of life in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, especially the Hungarian aristocratic group. The reason is not only because of his private life, but also because of his poor performance during his tenure. He rejected the third heir to expand and develop in the Far East, which highlighted many people in the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

The German family and company that expanded its power in the Far East were very dissatisfied with it. Moreover, the reason why he was able to serve as prime minister was entirely because he was born into a noble, wealthy and extremely powerful family. Combined with these, Berchedord's status in the country was not stable, and he urgently hoped to show himself through a victory, such as annexation of Serbia and establishing unparalleled meritorious deeds. Therefore, together with Conrad, he tried his best to instigate the old emperor to launch a war against Serbia.

Although the emperor was old, he was not confused. Although Serbia was weak, it was by no means an easy country. Moreover, Russia stood behind Serbia, which made him very hesitant. Faced with the forced escorts from the domestic expansionists, he retorted: "...If they all rushed towards us, especially Russia, how could we go to war?" In response, his prime minister and his generals answered very firmly, "But don't we have German guarantees again?"

The cautious monarch soon discovered that he could no longer control the situation in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Over the years, he had been away from the regime for too long. He handed over too much power to his successor, Grand Duke Ferdinand, and did not regain the army as soon as possible after Ferdinand was assassinated. This led to the fact that the Austro-Hungarian Empire had actually become a puppet. His prime minister and generals took advantage of the death of Grand Duke Ferdinand to take the opportunity to control the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Faced with more and more requests for war, he also vigilantly discovered that the government was constantly manipulating the media and various tools to incite the empire to hostile Russia and hate Serbia. The old emperor, who felt uneasy, had to compromise and agreed to convene a meeting of the imperial front. At the imperial front meeting, the radicals who advocated war and the moderates who advocated caution were stalemate, and finally reached a compromise---to seek Germany's opinions.

To get the necessary assurance, Berchedord's cabinet secretary, Earl Alexander Hoyus, took a car to Berlin and brought a letter of inquiry written by Francis Joseph to German Emperor William, who was forwarded by Austrian envoy to Berlin. Francis Joseph asked if Austria could rely on Germany if it took action against Serbia? Szczechoni was answered at a pleasant lunch with the German Emperor on Sunday. The talks were not recorded, but Ambassador Szczechoni reported, "Even if the situation develops to the extreme of the war between the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Russia, we are still assured that Germany will stand on our side out of its usual loyalty as an ally."

The truth of history may always be drowned in the details and is unknown. Although the media in the Austro-Hungarian Empire later reported the friendship between Germany and Austria and the promises of the German Emperor, the British even sarcastically said: "The madman filled out a blank check casually with the resources of the entire German Empire as a guarantee." However, no one knows that in fact, German Emperor William II felt a sense of powerlessness and loneliness at this time about the changes in the domestic situation of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Since accidentally learning about Italy's intention to betray the ally in the Far East China, Germany has never relaxed its enlistment and threats to Italy, and the intelligence agencies have made even more inclinations, and there are a lot of relevant opinions every day.

The intelligence from the top Italian officials was sent to Germany. However, in Italy, the new Prime Minister Sidneysanino, who is close to Germany, is not in a good situation. In Italy, from the people to the royal family, they are generally hostile to him, which has led to difficulties in the new government since its establishment. Not only is it financially difficult, but it has not received support from all walks of life. What made him feel cold was that newspapers in Italy generally expressed their yearning for the British-French alliance and their hostility to the two allies of Germany and Australia. And the generals in Italy forgive those generals who are more willing to sprint on their lover's belly. In summary, there is only one sentence for the intelligence sent from Italy - once the war begins in full swing, Italy may not be trustworthy!

William II could no longer withstand the betrayal of another allied country. If he did not support Austro-Hungary in this matter, it would inevitably create centrifugal force between Germany and Austria. Although he had full confidence in Germany's strength, heroes could not defeat the four punches after all, and Germany's future development space was narrower. For the future, even war was not scary. William himself divided war and peace into good war and bad peace. If peace was obtained at the expense of Germany's allied states, he would rather not. Obviously, after so many years of high positions, the emperor, who has always been called "madman", "psychopath", and "madman", has begun to understand and accept half of his teacher, former Prime Minister Bismarck.

When the old emperor received the promise from the German emperor, his sense of peace suddenly disappeared. He murmured to himself: "Now we can't look back, there will be a terrible war."

After obtaining the German guarantee, the imperial meeting held again swept away the previous wavering and hesitant atmosphere and became excited and radical. The German guarantee was like giving the Austro-Hungarian Empire a shot of a strong arm to make them stronger--the Austro-Hungarian war determination was already made, and the next step was to prepare for how to settle the accounts with the Serbs.

The only senior executive of the Austro-Hungarian Empire who opposed the use of war against Serbia at the meeting was Hungarian Prime Minister Earl Isterfontisau. He was worried that invasion of Serbia would lead to war with Russia, and there were sufficient reasons to doubt that after annexation of Serbia, Hungary's status would be reduced to a small partner of Austria in the binary monarchy. Bercidord solemnly guaranteed that Serbia would continue to be safe, and there were many plans to dismember Serbia in his files. He assured Hungarian Prime Minister Earl Istervosau that Serbia would be divided into several parts in the future and merged into Austria and Hungary respectively to ensure the rights and interests between the two sides. Dysau was deceived by Bercidord and reluctantly agreed to support Austria.

After the final decision of the imperial meeting, Emperor Joseph issued an edict: "I am determined to attack Serbia by force, and all the ministers should make comprehensive preparations." General Conrad, the Chief of General Staff, and Bercidord, the Ministers, were the most determined pro-war faction to formulate strategies: in order to conceal the Austro-Hungarian goal, to gain time for the army to mobilize and seize all favorable conditions to shape the "peaceful image" of their country, the two decided to submit an ultimatum to Serbia first, with the wording harshly and the offer high, so that they must not accept it. After the Serbian government rejected the ultimatum, it would be best to create a fait accompli before Russia interfere.

China, which is thousands of miles away, has also reported on the European situation. Especially now, the government's throat newspaper, Voice of China, has reported on a series of reports every day. Half a month after the assassination of the Grand Duke Ferdinand and his wife, the front page of each day has given unexpected events in another country thousands of miles away. Faced with domestic doubts, Li Han personally picked up a pen and wrote a passage in the newspaper, his tone full of complexity and anxiety, "As soon as the gunshot of Sarajevo sounds, the prelude to the national decisive battle between major European powers has begun! On this day of turbulence in the international situation, how will the Republic of China with a short history be handled? The struggles of European powers are evenly matched, and all means are expected to be used to the extreme. Although our Republic of China is in the Far East,

It is not a paradise, and the world is competing for the world, and our country should be prepared for danger and be careful. Nine years ago, Japan and Russia fought in the northeast, and our country was transformed into a battlefield, and our people were wandering in the ravines. During the Qing Dynasty, the country was lost and humiliated, and the Republic of China was put into ranks of countries that fell into the mainstream. Looking around were tigers, wolves, jackals, leopards, and evil eagles and poisonous snakes. Once European countries were restrained, they might be afraid of diplomatic blackmails and military invasions. I would like to encourage all the citizens to prepare early. Although our government is a transitional government, the people trust and responsibilities are on their own. We will always forget the obligation to strengthen the country and enrich the people. If there are any evil neighbors provocations, we should fight back with thunder. Although the above are expected, I hope it will not come true. It is so that God blesses the Republic of China and hopes that the people will enrich the country and build a prosperous Tang Dynasty again!"

Li Han has his own unique view on the international situation and will never be affected by any outsider. Even though he knew that Germany would suffer a crushing defeat in World War I, or even in a short time after the war began, Germany would lose contact with all overseas colonies, and still firmly implement his pro-German policy and constantly strengthen the relationship with Germany. In his opinion, is the British's thick thighs easy to hug? Not to mention the unreasonable and arrogance of Britain on the issue of **, and several troops were sent to interfere in **. Just the various things that Britain continued to implement in China's high-level decisions and malicious support for local forces to fight against the central government, Li Han decisively gave up and changed his face immediately. What's more, even if he was shameless and wanted to hug Britain's thick thighs, he was also a stingy way.

There was no substantial benefit. Once the World War I started, it would be difficult for the British to squeeze out loans from bad finances. However, China is not competitive in industrial products, and the quality of textiles is inferior to Japan. The price advantage is not obvious, and it must compete with Japan, the textile power is powerful. On the issue of Jiang Customs, although the Republic of China government has gained some voice, the real helm is still the UK. Unless China uses strong power on this issue, the UK will never give up its control of China's tariffs... Then after all these were denied, they now changed their camps and defected to Britain. It is not that China itself should try to cut a piece of the cake from World War I to eat, and it will not be possible for the UK to gain any substantial benefit.

It is different from Germany's continued strengthening relations. First, Germany lacks global allies. China has a feud with Germany's enemy Tsarist Russia in the Far East. Once it can win over Li Han, it will inevitably restrain Russia from drawing troops from the Far East and even Central Asia to the country. Second, Germany has had calls for further strengthening relations with China since last year. This is not only reflected in the gradual increase in loan amounts and the increase in technical support, but also made huge concessions on the Shandong issue, that is, the Germans are willing to hand over the privileges of Qingdao and Shandong to China.

Since Germany took away Jiaozhou Bay from the Qing rulers at the end of the last century, the Germans have invested hundreds of millions of marks in Qingdao and Shandong. Not only has they built Qingdao, one of the most solid military ports in the East, but they have also left many industrial and mining enterprises and transportation foundations in Shandong. Among them, only one Jiaoji Railway is worth around 80 million marks. If the Germans were willing to hand over the privileges of Qingdao and Shandong to China when war was unfavorable to Germany, the Chinese government could at least make hundreds of millions of marks.

Although Shandong is just a bait for the Germans to tempt China, there is no doubt that the Germans did give Li Han a bargaining chip that Li Han could not refuse! Thinking about the war in history, Germany did contact China and wanted to hand over the history of Qingdao (not Shandong) unconditionally. It is undoubtedly the kingly way to continue to deepen the relationship with the Germans. Anyway, with a "weak country" like China, Li Han has too many reasons to reject Germany's request for war on its allies. If the other party only asks him to restrain Russia, he would not mind increasing troops in the Northeast and waiting for an opportunity to recover Outer Mongolia or even covet Central Asia.

On the one hand, joining the Allies will not get any practical benefits, and facing the covetousness of Japan by its "allies" and on the other hand, the temptation of the Germans. This multiple-choice question is very easy to do. Will the Allies prepare to settle the score in the future? After World War I, Britain, France and other countries fell into serious economic regression, and half of France was damaged by the war and suffered losses of up to 100 billion francs. The Red Soviets refused to admit that the debt of more than 4 billion gold rubles of French debt was owed. The losses did not recover until before World War II. Russia was even more in a turmoil that lasted for several years. Even if Britain had to face the struggle for world hegemony by the emerging power, the United States, but also faced the tide of major colonies... At that time, as long as China was united and had a tough attitude, what qualifications did they have to curb China's development?

Of course, no matter what choice you make, there is a prerequisite that must be guaranteed, that is, to hold the thick thighs of the United States tightly!

With this view, on July 26, Li Han approved the document of the new German ambassador Franz, who was transferred by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to go to the Presidential Palace to visit him. This was the first time that Li Han officially met him as the president of the Republic of China since the Sarajevo incident. Germany had requested to meet him several times before, but he refused it with various excuses. In order to make the Germans feel that he seemed a little hesitant, so that the Germans could fall into a passive position and further concessions to him on the issue of Shandong and Qingdao.

The agreed time between the two sides was the starting point of the evening, but the German Minister Franz obviously couldn't wait for that time. In fact, when Li Han finished his dinner at six o'clock, his servant had come to report to him that the German Minister Franz had arrived at the presidential palace to wait for him. The diplomat had no choice but to ask for a meeting at dinner. It seemed that he was very clear about the severity of the situation. It was very likely that Europe had not yet fought, and the Far East had been in full swing! The new Minister and Qingdao had been in contact with each other in the past few days. The British and Japanese ships had been in contact with each other several times.

Unexpectedly, passing through the coast of Jiaozhou Bay, almost passing by the patrol line of the Far East Fleet, the meaning of surveillance was very obvious. Germany is most concerned about the largest overseas fleet of the empire, and it has even reached the point where it cannot be lost. Because the new aircraft and tanks equipped in the army are all designed from the Far East, and more than half of the country's military industry was established with the support of Germany, so if possible, Germany would rather pull the cunning military president of the Far East into the camp of the Allies than let him shake it, and eventually turned to the Allies.

Although the Germans are crazy, they are also very rigorous. At least they are still very clear that Germany, whose influence has only gradually increased in recent years, has far less than the old empires such as Britain and France.

To win over China, the Germans have few bargaining chips. Germany cannot be sure whether the war will break out, when it will break out, and when it will end. Therefore, the only bait that can really attract China is Qingdao and its business forces in Shandong. Franz has reached the latest hint in China. If the cunning military president can win over this cunning soldier, the president can make an absolute neutral guarantee at least, Franz can promise to hand over Qingdao back to China after the war in Europe, and Germany's industries in Shandong Province can consider selling or partially handing over.

When Li Han came to the Presidential Palace and was regarded as the Xiyang Hall in the living room, he saw this slightly depressed old friend sitting there waiting with black tea and snacks on the table, but he didn't even look at it.

Li Han signaled the attendants to withdraw and walked a few steps and said with a smile: "Mr. Minister, you have been tired for a long time. I am really embarrassed! Please drink tea, please drink tea! Recently, such an unfortunate thing happened in Europe, and the turmoil has spread to the Far East. You must be heard by the wind. The Japanese seem to be very interested in Shandong and Northeast China. Not only are the navy gathering, but at least three divisions in North Korea and Kanto Prefecture are no longer stable. Our garrison in the Northeast has lost dozens of people, and it seems that the Republic of China is in trouble again recently!"

Germany is not clear about this matter. According to the instructions from Germany, the German Minister to Japan, Duden, immediately lobbied the Japanese government after the outbreak of the Sarajevo incident, hoping that the Japanese government would remain neutral in Europe that could break out and not participate in the European dispute. However, the Japanese government's reaction was not only rejected! The Japanese Navy not only sent ships to monitor the German Far East Navy, but even added soldiers to stand guard near the German embassy. Combined with the rounds of people and middle and lower-level soldiers that broke out in Japan, demanding that the Japanese government send troops to march in Northeast China and Shandong, petitioning, Duden, the German Minister to Japan, had already sent the news that Germany least wanted to hear. That is, the iron-core ally of the Far East Britain and Japan, Japan, which has the fourth navy in the world, has made all preparations to declare war on Germany.

Franz's expression remained unchanged, his tone was still gentle. He had a high language talent. He had been able to speak a good Beijing film after more than a year. It seemed to be to express his importance to China. He did not choose German or English to communicate with Li Han, and used Mandarin.

"I'm sorry, Your Excellency the President. I'm afraid that as you are worried, your country will be on the brink of war. If you think that the power of China is not enough to fight against Japan, why not consider the power of allies..."

"Your Majesty..."

Before he could speak, he was interrupted by Li Han. "Please allow me to express my apology for interrupting you. You and I have known each other for more than two years. You must have a very clear understanding of the current situation in China. We have spoken clearly. Your Majesty. Our country faces Russia, Japan, and the south of our country, Britain, France, and the enemies of your country are all around us. You and I do have common enemies, but your country can use our country to involve some of its opponents, but our country cannot get the final help from your country..."

He picked up the black tea he didn't like on the table and drank it, "Your Excellency, as the supreme ruler of a country, I need to be responsible to my country and the people. May I ask, if our country swears to stand on your side, how many warships can your country send to wipe out the British, French and Japanese and Russian fleets for our country? Or can we send 100,000 troops to help our country repel foreign enemies in the Northeast?"

As he said, Germany is not a natural ally. The two countries are located on the coastlines of two continents, and the distance between countries is dozens of. The straight line distance is calculated in tens of thousands of kilometers. In terms of military terms, the two countries can help each other, except to help each other to restrain some Russian troops.

Franz opened his mouth and finally nodded, "What the President said is that if a war breaks out in Europe, it will be difficult for our country to help you. However, although the exchanges between the new Chinese government and the German Empire are short-lived, they have deep friendship. The top leaders of you and me spare no effort to maintain this friendship. In just less than three years, Germany provided China's 600 million goldmark loans and mechanical support. Our diligent military adviser made unremitting efforts to improve your national defense force, and engineers participated in the construction of most of your country's engineering. In your modern history, no European power should have shown such kindness to your country!"

Li Han agreed, and he smiled and said, "The Minister is right. The friendship between China and Germany will be the same forever. As long as Li still takes charge of this country for a day, your country will always be the most important ally and friends of our country. However, I still say the same thing. I am now the supreme ruler of this country, and my every move is related to the future of this country. The friendship between Germany and our country has a solid foundation and will not be shaken. I can assure your country that our country has always adhered to a strict and neutral foreign policy and will never make any moves that hurt friends..."

"Thank you for your commitment to your country, and I will always remember the friendship of your country on behalf of His Majesty the Emperor and all the people of our country!"

This old fox could not convince Li Han to turn to Germany, but after getting his promise of keeping his neutrality, he actually shut up and stopped talking.

Li Han was not angry, but his expression gradually became a little playful. He picked up the black tea cup again, but he didn't want to drink it. He just held it in his hand for a while before suddenly speaking, "Mr., I heard that Britain recently transferred two main battleships from the Indian Ocean Fleet to our country, and is currently docking in Malacca to replenish coal. Europe is the center of the world, and the tension in the situation has caused the whole world to fall into uneasiness and madness. Not only the British, but I heard that the Japanese have also started military mobilization recently, and the target is directly pointed, and you and I know that the war is beyond avoidance.

No, not only Europe but also the Far East. I didn't seem to say the whole thing just now, it also has a meaning. Shandong and Qingdao are our sacred and inseparable territory. In our territory, any country, including Britain, France, Japan and Russia, if you want to attack or destroy neutral countries, your army will be ready to fight without fear of fighting with any country! Our planes can not only destroy any city on land, but also protect military ports and coastlines, and our army from underwater... Do you understand?" Please come to "

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