svetikya Chapter 152 Pressure from the Great Powers
Chapter 152 Pressure from the Great Powers
June 5th, morning.
Shanghai, Chen Mansion.
Mo Lanzhi nodded: "Yes!"
Looking into Chen Zijun's resolute eyes, Cao Qingdi felt a mixture of worry and admiration. This man, facing pressure from the great powers, remained so calm and composed.
"Zijun," Cao Qingdi said, "Will the great powers really resort to force?"
Chen Zijun shook his head: "No. They are riddled with internal conflicts and dare not easily use force against China. Especially the French, who have completely bled out French men in the European war. The French are just bluffing now, trying to use diplomatic pressure to force me to compromise."
Cao Qingdi nodded: "Yes, I believe you."
Chen Zijun said, "Qingdi, you continue your research. I will handle these diplomatic matters."
Cao Qingdi smiled and said, "Okay."
She turned and left the study, returning to the pharmacy to continue researching improved sulfonamide formulations.
Mo Lanzhi said, "Young master, news has come from the French consulate that the French consul, Marcel, wishes to meet with you in person to discuss the issue of the French concession."
Chen Zijun sneered: "Marcel? This Frenchman is quite proactive."
Mo Lanzhi said, "Young master, do you want to see him?"
Chen Zijun thought for a moment and said, "I'll see him. Tell him to come to the Chen residence at three o'clock this afternoon. I want to see what he has to say."
Mo Lanzhi nodded: "Yes!"
At three o'clock in the afternoon, French Consul Marcel arrived at the Chen residence on time. He was dressed in a sharp suit and had an arrogant expression on his face. This Frenchman had been working in China for more than ten years and had always regarded the French Concession as a French colony, filled with contempt for the Chinese.
Meanwhile, the French Consul General in Shanghai, Mr. Villeneuve, wore a fawning expression, clearly aware of Chen Zijun's assertive attitude. Moreover, a great deal of German industrial equipment had flowed from his hands to Chen Zijun's, and now he was the one most afraid of being exposed.
Chen Zijun received them in the reception room.
"Mr. Marcel, Mr. Wilhelm," Chen Zijun said calmly, sitting on the sofa. "Please sit down."
Marcel did not sit, but stood in front of Chen Zijun, looking down at him. "General Chen, I am here on behalf of the French Republic government to deliver an ultimatum to you."
Chen Zijun raised an eyebrow: "An ultimatum?"
Marcel said, "Yes. The French government demands that you immediately rescind your declaration to reclaim the French concession, otherwise the French Republic will take all necessary measures to defend its interests in China."
Chen Zijun laughed: "Mr. Marcel, you've misunderstood something. The French Concession is Chinese territory, not a French colony. A concession is a concession I leased to you; if I don't lease it anymore, I naturally have the right to take it back. What I'm taking back is Chinese territory, not something I'm seizing from France."
Marcel's face darkened: "General Chen, the French Concession was legally leased to France through a treaty during the Qing Dynasty and is protected by international law. Your unilateral declaration of its return is a blatant violation of international law!"
Chen Zijun stood up and walked to Marcel, whose height advantage forced Marcel to look up at him. "Mr. Marcel," he said, "those unequal treaties were signed under duress by the Qing Dynasty, and were never legitimate. Now that the Qing Dynasty is gone, we have the right to reclaim our territory. What's wrong with that? If France is dissatisfied, it can start a war. I, Chen Zijun, will fight to the bitter end!"
Marcel was momentarily intimidated by Chen Zijun's imposing manner, but quickly regained his arrogance. "General Chen, don't think you can do whatever you want just because you have some military strength. France, along with Britain, the United States, and other powers, will impose comprehensive economic sanctions on you. Your industry, trade, and finance will all suffer severe damage!"
Chen Zijun sneered: "Economic sanctions? Mr. Marcel, you might as well ask the British and Americans if they dare to impose economic sanctions on me. My steel production, textile industry, and raw silk trade are of paramount importance in the whole of East Asia. If the great powers sanction me, it will not only harm the Chen family army, but also the economic interests of the entire West."
Marcel said, "General Chen, you are too confident. The combined sanctions of the great powers are enough to collapse your economy."
Chen Zijun shook his head: "No, Mr. Marcel. What will truly collapse is the interests of the great powers in China. I can tell you, if the great powers dare to sanction me, I will stop exporting raw silk, tea, and sulfonamides to the West, and may even freeze all the great powers' assets in China. At that time, the loss will not only be money, but also the centuries-old foundation of the West in China."
Marcel's expression changed drastically: "General Chen, you are threatening the great powers!"
Chen Zijun said, "This is not a threat, it's a fact. Mr. Marcel, go back and tell the French government that the French Concession must be returned to China. If France wants to use force, I, Chen Zijun, am ready to fight at any time. If France wants to impose economic sanctions, I am also ready to retaliate at any time. I set the rules in Shanghai!"
Marcel trembled with rage: "General Chen, you'll regret this!"
Chen Zijun said coldly, "I have no regrets. Mr. Marcel, you can leave now."
Marcel turned away angrily, slammed the door, and left.
Mo Lanzhi entered the reception room, a hint of admiration flashing in her eyes. "Young Master, what you said just now was quite forceful."
Chen Zijun sat back on the sofa and said calmly, "When dealing with foreign powers, you can't show weakness. If you do, they'll take advantage of you. Only by being tough can you earn their respect."
Mo Lanzhi nodded: "Yes!"
Chen Zijun said, "Sister Lanzhi, please inform Shen Li and have him strengthen the military deployment around the French Concession. If the French dare to use force, we will retaliate immediately."
Mo Lanzhi nodded: "Yes!"
Chen Zijun said, "Furthermore, tell Mo Huixin to prepare for economic countermeasures. If the powers really implement economic sanctions, we will freeze their assets in China, stop exporting raw silk, tea, and sulfonamides to the West, and simultaneously sell off large quantities of pounds sterling and use pounds sterling to purchase goods at any cost..."
Mo Lanzhi nodded: "Yes!"
The following day, the French consulate issued a formal note to Chen Zijun, demanding that he rescind his declaration to reclaim the French concession within three days, or France would take "all necessary measures." At the same time, the British and American consulates also issued similar notes to Chen Zijun, warning him not to "challenge the bottom line of the great powers."
Upon receiving the note, Chen Zijun sneered. "Three days? Fine, I'll give them three days. If they don't withdraw the note after three days, I'll take action."
He ordered a strengthening of military deployments around the French Concession. A battalion of the Garrison Commander's Guard was stationed near the French Concession, armored vehicles patrolled the streets, and artillery units constructed positions on the outskirts of the French Concession. A tense atmosphere permeated the entire city of Shanghai, as if war were about to break out.
At the same time, the great powers began to impose economic sanctions on Chen Zijun. Britain announced a ban on the export of weapons and industrial equipment to areas controlled by Chen's army, the United States announced a freeze on all assets of Chen's army in the United States, and France announced a halt to all trade with Chen's army.
Upon receiving the news, Mo Huixin immediately reported it to Chen Zijun.
"Young Master," Mo Huixin said, "the great powers have already begun to implement economic sanctions. Britain has banned arms exports, the United States has frozen assets, and France has halted trade."
Chen Zijun sneered: "They came faster than I expected."
Mo Huixin asked, "Young Master, what should we do?"
Chen Zijun said, "Countermeasures. Sister Huixin, immediately freeze all the assets of the foreign powers in China, including bank deposits, factories, mines, and real estate. At the same time, stop exporting raw silk, tea, and sulfonamides to the West. Let the foreign powers know that sanctioning us comes at a price."
Mo Huixin nodded: "Yes!"
Chen Zijun said, "Furthermore, tell the British and Americans that if they do not withdraw the sanctions, I will take back the concessions by force. At that time, their warships and assets in Shanghai will be subject to confiscation."
A hint of surprise flashed in Mo Huixin's eyes: "Young Master, is the foreign concession really that important to them?"
Chen Zijun nodded: "It's extremely important. Without our concessions and without my trade and economic protection, not a single penny of their interests in China can return to their homeland, and all their efforts over the years will be in vain. Of course, having concessions is better, but if there are no concessions, my military force can guarantee their economic security, which is also acceptable. But without both, where in all of China can they quickly realize their profits?"
Mo Huixin smiled and said, "Young Master, that was a ruthless move of yours."
Chen Zijun said, "When dealing with foreign powers, you can't be soft-hearted. If you are soft-hearted, they will ride roughshod over you. Only when they feel pain will they know to be in awe."
"Of course, we must also be prepared to make sacrifices!"
Mo Huixin nodded: "Yes!"
Just then, Mo Lanzhi walked into the study, her expression solemn.
"Young Master," Mo Lanzhi said, "I have important intelligence to report."
Chen Zijun nodded: "Speak."
Mo Lanzhi said, "Young Master, the great powers have officially announced comprehensive economic sanctions against you. At the same time, the vanguard of the Northern Expeditionary Army has reached the Zhejiang border, only fifty kilometers away from Quzhou."
A cold glint flashed in Chen Zijun's eyes. "A double crisis? Interesting."
He stood up, walked to the map, and looked at the border between Zhejiang and Jiangxi. The vanguard of the Northern Expeditionary Army had already reached the vicinity of Quzhou; if they broke through Quzhou, they could directly threaten Hangzhou.
"Young Master," Moranzhi said, "what do you plan to do?"
Chen Zijun sneered: "Since the great powers and Chiang Kai-shek both want to deal with me, then let them come at me together. I, Chen Zijun, am not afraid of any challenge."
He turned to Mo Huixin and said, "Sister Huixin, immediately freeze all the assets of the foreign powers in China and stop exporting raw silk and tea to the West. At the same time, stop exporting sulfonamides and let Lily speculate and short sell in Europe, so that the foreign powers know that sanctioning me will come at a price."
Mo Huixin nodded: "Yes!"
Chen Zijun said to Mo Lanzhi, "Sister Lanzhi, inform He Maofeng to prepare for battle. If the Northern Expeditionary Army dares to attack, then fight them hard. I want Chiang Kai-shek to know that the Chen family army is not to be trifled with."
Mo Lanzhi nodded: "Yes!"
Chen Zijun said, "In addition, you should inform Yang Yanzhao to transfer troops from Fujian to support Quzhou. If the Northern Expeditionary Army dares to launch a large-scale attack, we will flank them from Fujian and make sure they don't return. If necessary, we can even enter Jiangxi. Anyway, Uncle Yang and his men have been there before and are familiar with the terrain. If they really have any ideas, it's not impossible to take over a few of their counties."
Mo Lanzhi nodded: "Yes!"
Chen Zijun walked to the window and looked at the sky outside. The sky was gloomy, as if foreshadowing an impending storm. But he felt no fear; instead, he was filled with a desire for battle.
"The great powers want to crush me with economic sanctions? Chiang Kai-shek wants to threaten me with the Northern Expeditionary Army?" Chen Zijun sneered. "Then let them see just how capable I, Chen Zijun, really am!"