Republic of China: German-equipped divisions massacred as warlords guarded the nation's borders

Chapter 160 Betraying teammates is the norm for great powers

Shanghai, a teahouse on the Bund.

Mo Huixin sat in the same window seat as last time, looking at the Huangpu River outside the window with a calm expression.

On the river, several foreign warships were anchored, their cannons pointed at the concessions on the shore.

She picked up her teacup and took a small sip.

The aroma of tea wafted through the air, but her mind was elsewhere.

"Miss Mo."

A voice came from behind.

Mo Huixin put down her teacup and turned around.

British Consul General in Shanghai, Barton, and American Consul General in Shanghai, Cunningham, came over.

The two looked somewhat nervous, glancing around frequently as if to check if anyone was following them.

"Sir Baldon, Mr. Cunningham," Mo Huixin said calmly, "you've arrived."

Bardon sat down opposite Mo Huixin and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Cunningham sat down beside him, looking uneasy.

"Miss Mo, we've come today to have a talk with you," Barton said in a low voice.

Mo Huixin remained calm, took a sip of tea, and gestured for the two people opposite her to drink tea first before asking, "What do you want to talk about?"

Cunningham took a sip of his drink with a helpless and anxious expression, then explained, "It's about Mr. Chen."

Mo Huixin's expression shifted, and she raised an eyebrow: "My young master?"

Barton glanced at Cunningham and continued, "Yes. We've heard that there are some extreme actions being planned in France."

A cold glint flashed in Mo Huixin's eyes.

"Extremist actions?"

"Yes. We don't want to get involved."

Mo Huixin sneered: "Unwilling to participate? When have you British and Americans ever been so moral?"

Bardon smiled helplessly. Sometimes, the prejudices people hold in their hearts are just too real.

"Miss Mo, you misunderstand. We're not talking about morality, but about interests. We believe that cooperation is worse than being enemies with Mr. Chen. Moreover, the French's actions will only lead to excessive chaos in Shanghai and even the entire southern region of China. This is not in our long-term interests, nor in yours. Stability is always better than chaos and disorder. Don't you agree, Miss Mo?"

Upon hearing this, Mo Huixin laughed instead: "Cooperation?"

Seeing that things were looking promising, Cunningham quickly made their demands.

"Yes. If Mr. Chen is willing to lift the freeze on British and American assets, we are willing to remain neutral on the French issue. We can even publicly condemn France's actions."

Mo Huixin looked at the two consuls, a cold smile appearing on her lips.

"Gentlemen, are you trying to curry favor with me? Or are you afraid?"

Barton said awkwardly, "No...it's not an attempt to curry favor, nor is it out of fear. It's just...it's just that I feel Mr. Chen is indeed capable...and the French side went too far."

Cunningham, ever the astute one, continued to persuade him: "Yes. Rather than being enemies with Mr. Chen, it's better to cooperate. We also don't approve of what the French are doing."

Mo Huixin continued, neither confirming nor denying, "Then what can you do?"

Barton: "We can...we can remain neutral on the issue of France. We can not participate in French actions."

Cunningham: "We could even...publicly condemn France's actions. Let the international community know what France is doing."

Mo Huixin smiled faintly: "Public condemnation? When did you British and Americans become so concerned about morality?"

Baldon: "Miss Mo, you're right. We're certainly not morally upright. But this time, we genuinely, and truly do not want southern China to experience the kind of turmoil that happened sixty years ago..."

Sixty years ago?

That was the Taiping Rebellion!

Mo Huixin: "Lift the economic blockade and financial freeze?"

Cunningham quickly reiterated, "Yes. These are our conditions. We hope Mr. Chen will consider them."

Mo Huixin looked at the two consuls and remained silent for a moment.

She sneered inwardly. Britain and America really are driven by self-interest. Now that things are going wrong in France, they're trying to jump ship.

"I will report to the young marshal," Mo Huixin said. "However, the young marshal's attitude is very clear—he can make appropriate concessions to Britain and the United States, but he will never budge on France."

Barton nodded repeatedly. "We understand. France has indeed abandoned the bottom line of a civilized nation, which is extremely disgraceful to our British Empire."

Cunningham said sheepishly, "We just hope Mr. Chen will consider our proposal. We are willing to cooperate."

Mo Huixin picked up her teacup, took a sip, put the lid on, and calmly said, "I will pass on the message to the young marshal."

Serving tea and seeing guests off was a basic courtesy that the two consuls, being experts on China, naturally understood. After exchanging a glance, Barton could only say, "Then we'll leave it to Miss Mo. We hope Mr. Chen understands our sincerity."

Cunningham followed up, "Yes, please. We really don't want to see the French operation succeed."

The two consuls stood up and left the teahouse.

Mo Huixin watched their retreating figures, a cold smile flashing in her eyes.

"Britain and the US? Hmph. Self-interest above all else, just as I thought."

She stood up and walked out of the teahouse.

The sunlight outside was dazzling, but her heart was ice-cold.

Shanghai, Chen Mansion.

Chen Zijun sat on the sofa, looking out the window at Shanghai.

The Huangpu River outside the window glittered in the sunlight, but his mind was not on the scenery.

"We should have some news from Huixin's side."

Wang Ma walked in, her expression somewhat serious. Since her brother's accident, she had never seen Wang Ma smile at the Chen mansion, but the atmosphere there had become much more solemn and rigorous, and even the efficiency had increased considerably.

"Young Master, Miss Huixin is back."

Chen Zijun: "Let her in."

Mo Huixin walked in, her expression calm.

"Young Master," Mo Huixin said.

Chen Zijun: "How's it going? Any developments from the UK and the US?"

Mo Huixin: "The British and American consuls have contacted me privately again, expressing their willingness to cooperate with you to deal with the French threat. They are very nervous and seem very worried about France's actions."

Chen Zijun sneered: "Cooperation? Worried about me? When have they ever been so moral?"

Mo Huixin: "Yes. They said the French government is planning extreme actions against you, and they don't want to participate. They're worried that French actions would plunge the entire southern part of China into chaos, which would be detrimental to their interests."

Chen Zijun: "Extreme action? Marcel seems to be going all out this time. I wonder if it's his idea, or the Japanese's!"

Mo Huixin: "They offered to remain neutral on the French issue if we were willing to lift the freeze on British and American assets. They even said they could publicly condemn France's actions."

Chen Zijun: "Even publicly condemning them?"

Mo Huixin: "Yes. They indicated that they could consider publicly condemning France's actions. However, I think their main concern is that France's actions will affect their interests."

A cold smile flashed in Chen Zijun's eyes.

"Britain and the US? Hmph. Self-interest above all else, just as I thought."

Shen Li: "Young Marshal, what do you think? Should we accept their proposal?"

Chen Zijun: "We can offer some incentives to Britain and the United States. After all, there are rifts among the great powers. Exploiting these rifts to defeat them one by one is the best strategy. Besides, it's not appropriate for us to completely break with them now."

Shen Li: "Making appropriate concessions? Unfreezing some of the frozen assets?"

Chen Zijun: "Yes. But we can't lift all restrictions. We need to let the UK and the US know that we are not without principles, but we are not easy to bully either."

Shen Li: "What about France? Should they also make some concessions?"

Chen Zijun: "We can't back down with France. Marcel has suffered such a huge loss, he certainly won't let it go easily. Moreover, we can't show weakness with France either. If we do, they'll take advantage of us."

Mo Huixin: "Young Marshal, regarding the lifting of the freeze, how much exactly should be lifted?"

Chen Zijun: "We can unfreeze some of them, but not all of them. Let's start by unfreezing the financial sector. This will give our national industries and businesses some time. Let's inform Mr. Li, Mr. Sun, and Mr. Yu, so they know what to do. However, we also need to let Britain and the United States know that we are not without bottom lines, but we are not easy to bully either. Give me a list of exactly how much to unfreeze."

Mo Huixin: "Understood. I will prepare the list as soon as possible."

Chen Zijun: "Also, have Lan Zhi strengthen intelligence gathering. Marcel is definitely plotting something. The British say France is planning an extreme operation; we must find out exactly what that operation is."

Shen Li: "Yes. I will have Sister Lanzhi strengthen her intelligence gathering efforts."

Chen Zijun: "I will personally negotiate with the UK and the US. Some things can only be finalized by my personal involvement."

Shen Li: "Young Marshal, are you going in person? Won't it be dangerous?"

Chen Zijun: "Yes. There are some things that I have to handle personally. However, the UK and the US probably won't take action against me. They want to cooperate with me now, and they wouldn't be foolish enough to offend me at this time."

Shen Li: "Young Marshal, when are we going?"

Chen Zijun: "Tomorrow. Tomorrow I will visit the British Consulate and the American Consulate separately. First the British Consulate, then the American Consulate."

Mo Huixin: "Young Marshal, what do I need to prepare?"

Chen Zijun: "Prepare a list. List the assets that can be unfrozen and the assets that cannot be unfrozen. Also, prepare an analysis report on the possible actions that France might take."

Mo Huixin: "Understood. I will prepare as soon as possible."

Chen Zijun: "Also, have Lan Zhi investigate thoroughly to find out what Marcel is planning. The British say France is planning an extreme action; we must find out exactly what that action is. We can't wait until something happens before we react. And an extreme action that can make both Britain and the US so nervous is definitely not a small matter; we must continue the investigation!"

Shen Li: "Yes. I will have Sister Lanzhi, Su Guiying, and Feng Yong work closely together to make sure they understand Marcel's specific plans."

Just then, Mo Lanzhi walked in, looking somewhat nervous.

"Young Marshal," Mo Lanzhi said.

Chen Zijun: "Lanzhi, what's going on? Is there some news from Marcel's side?"

Moran: "Yes. They planned to stage an assassination attempt at the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce dinner three days later and frame the Northern Expeditionary Army. They arranged for an assassin to infiltrate the dinner and stage a 'failed assassination' while you were giving your speech, and then search the assassin for Northern Expeditionary Army identification and weapons."

Chen Zijun sneered: "An assassination attempt? Frame the Northern Expeditionary Army? Marcel, you actually came up with such a despicable tactic?"

Moranzhi: "However, according to our tracking and investigation of this Japanese spy, in addition to arranging assassinations, he also secretly arranged for a sniper and transported a large amount of explosives."

A hint of murderous intent flashed in Chen Zijun's eyes.

"Good, that makes more sense. Otherwise, blaming the Northern Expeditionary Army for a mere 'attempted assassination' would be underestimating me."

Moranzhi: "Young Marshal, what are your plans? Should we cancel the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce dinner?"

Chen Zijun: "Cancel? Why cancel? Since he wants to play dirty tricks, I'll show him what real extremist action is!"

Shen Li: "Young Marshal, you...you're going in person?"

Chen Zijun: "I'll be attending the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce dinner in three days. Marcel wants to play dirty tricks, so I'll play along."

Moranzhi: "Young Marshal, this is too dangerous! What if they really attack?"

Chen Zijun: "Danger? Hmph. If Marcel wants to play dirty, I'll play along. The important thing is that I want everyone to see the Japanese's depravity. Besides, I already know his plan, so with proper security measures, there shouldn't be any problem."

Shen Li: "Young Marshal, should we strengthen security measures?"

Chen Zijun: "Regarding security, let Lanzhi take full charge. Send a battalion of German-equipped troops from the Imperial Guard to carry out the security mission. Also, have Lanzhi find out the identity of that 'assassin,' and preferably capture him alive."

Mo Lanzhi: "Understood. I will take full responsibility for security and ensure the young master's safety."

Chen Zijun stood up and walked to the window.

The Huangpu River outside the window shimmered in the sunlight, but his heart was filled with coldness.

Shen Li: "Young Marshal, what about Japan? Should we take any measures there as well?"

Chen Zijun: "Japan? Hmph. These rats in the gutter, I must say, they've got some nerve this time, and they've pulled off some pretty clever tricks!"

Chen Zijun: "Just keep an eye on them."

Moranzhi: "Understood. I will keep an eye on the Japanese and find out their specific methods. I will make sure the young master is not harmed in the slightest..."