1905: Beer Hall Speaker

Page 27

"Oh, these foreign devils said our army is very mighty, and they were frightened by it, so they told us to tone down our might," Zhao Yan explained.

Lieutenant Colonel Dai Mingde, who understood some Japanese, looked puzzled. Was that really what the foreigners said? This Japanese man was clearly not saying anything nice!

The delegations of the great powers were in an uproar. They could understand Chinese. They had been living in China for so many years. Did you really think they were foreign devils?

The Japanese delegation immediately protested in Chinese: "I didn't, I didn't, don't talk nonsense!"

Zhao Yan laughed and said, "Look, the Japanese are so scared they can't even speak. Don't mind them!"

British Consul Dunkel also spoke fluent Chinese: "Please do not misunderstand our words, Commander Zhao Yan. We understand Chinese."

The officers looked at Zhao Yan with suspicion. Zhao Yan, feeling embarrassed, switched to speaking in Hunan dialect with the generals.

Zhao Yan stopped speaking Mandarin and started speaking in dialects. This left the foreigners bewildered. There are so many dialects in China; who the hell could possibly learn them all? Even Chinese people might not be able to understand dialects from different regions, let alone foreigners.

However, some people could understand Hunan dialect, but Zhao Yan became even more cunning and started speaking Cantonese, claiming that he couldn't understand what the foreigners were saying.

A British counselor stationed in Guangzhou, who spoke Cantonese, immediately stepped forward to communicate, but Zhao Yan turned around and started speaking Wenzhou dialect, leaving the foreigner completely speechless.

Zhao Yanhe is a man who makes a living by talking. Back then, he traveled around the country swindling people. How could you survive if you didn't know the local dialects?

Not only were the foreigners confused, but the revolutionary army officers present were also bewildered. They didn't know what Zhao Yan was whispering with the foreigners. They overheard a few words of their hometown dialect, but before they could even react, Zhao Yan immediately switched to another dialect, leaving them completely confused.

A large delegation of foreigners from various places, each with their own dialect, struggled to deal with Zhao Yan.

"It's like talking to a brick wall. These foreigners can't even speak human language, yet they've come to negotiate. They're wasting our time. Fine, please come to the guest area and stay there. I'll discuss this later!"

Zhao Yan eventually ended the awkward conversation by citing language barriers, but at least he didn't lose face for the revolutionary army, nor did he make any compromises in front of everyone; he at least saved face.

The foreign delegation immediately exploded, "Are you crazy? We've racked our brains to speak Hunan dialect, Cantonese, and even Wenzhou dialect, and you still say we can't communicate?"

But it was all for naught. The guards had already come up and forcibly separated the representatives of each country, arranging them according to their nationality and asking them to stay in separate tents for the time being.

Zhao Yan, under the pretext of avoiding the leakage of military secrets, forcibly dispersed the representatives of various countries, serving them separately, which also made it easier for him to defeat them one by one.

Before the great war, these foreigners could not be offended. At the very least, they had to be kept neutral, and they could not be allowed to unite. It would be easier to defeat them one by one if they were separated.

Chapter 48 A Series of Ghost Stories: England and France

The revolutionary army's high command was somewhat dissatisfied with the meeting, feeling that something was missing. They thought it would be perfect if they could cut off a few foreign heads as a sacrifice to the flag.

But Zhao Yan resolutely refused to kill the envoy, saying that this was the most basic rule of conduct in the world. The envoy was not a Han envoy, so why did you have to kill him?

After seeing off the officers, Zhao Yan quietly slipped away to the British representative.

Just as the British representative, Dunkel, was getting angry, Zhao Yan walked in with a sly grin on his face.

"Dengzi, there were a lot of people outside just now, and I was a bit harsh with my words. Now that there are fewer people, I apologize to you. Don't mind it!" As soon as Zhao Yan entered the room, he was all alone. He immediately put his arm around Dengke'er's shoulder in an unusually familiar manner and called him Dengzi.

“Commander Zhao, please respect me!” Denker was startled, fearing that Zhao Yan was a kind-hearted gentleman.

Zhao Yan awkwardly withdrew his hand, rubbing it as he said, "Uh, Consul Denker, did you come all this way for something important?"

Denker straightened his bow tie and then asked arrogantly, "Commander Zhao, are you finally cured of the typhoid fever, tuberculosis, mumps, herniated disc, and kidney deficiency you suffered from in Hankou?"

Knowing he was in the wrong, Zhao Yan nodded awkwardly and said, "Western medicine is better. I tried traditional Chinese medicine for half a month without any effect, but the Western doctor gave me an injection, and look, I'm lively and energetic right away."

Denker gave a forced smile: "That's truly a miracle!"

Zhao Yan made the sign of the cross on his chest insincerely: "Thank God! This is a miracle!"

Denklton couldn't hold back any longer. Who the hell is this guy, the foreigner or me?

Seeing that Zhao Yan had even brought up God, Denker skipped the awkward topic and asked directly, "Commander Zhao, the British Empire needs to know your and the Revolutionary Army's views on the interests of the British Empire and the great powers in China."

"The revolutionary principles and program promulgated by your party seem to be very unfriendly to the British Empire and the great powers. The British Empire is very concerned about this. We will not allow a regime that is hostile to the British Empire to rule China."

I believe you are aware of the gap between your country and the British Empire, so I advise you not to do anything that would damage our friendship.

Zhao Yan slapped his forehead and said, "Oh, so that's what it was. I'd completely forgotten about it. I was just rambling on when I was drunk."

"Don't take it seriously. In the political arena, it's inevitable to put on an act. That's how it is when giving speeches. After all, how many politicians actually keep their promises? Don't take it seriously!"

This is the campaign manifesto, understand?

Dunker was a little confused. What this guy said seemed to make some sense. Those politicians in the British Empire, the Labour Party and all that, made flowery speeches in their election manifestos, but they seemed to have forgotten everything after they came to power.

“I understand somewhat, but your army seems very sensitive to the concession areas. Even now, the Hankou concession is still without water and electricity, which is very unfriendly behavior!” Denker was still trying to stay sober.

Zhao Yan slapped his thigh again: "Look at my memory! When we entered the city, the Qing army was resisting and fired a few cannons, which happened to blast the power lines and water pipes. I immediately ordered people to fix them. Don't worry about it. Sino-British friendship will last forever."

"Don't let my Chinese appearance fool you, I was actually born in the British Empire. My ancestors were Taiping rebels, and my whole family believes in God. I'm a true banana."

Dunkel was confused again: "Banana? Born in England? Believes in God?"

Zhao Yan, his face flushed but his heart unmoved, continued his rambling tale of his early experiences, recounting his travels to various countries and his birth overseas. He concluded, "Dengzi, believe me, I'm half English, you know. I'm yellow on the outside but white on the inside, and I believe in God. You know what a Western-worshipping dog is like? That's me!"

"We're on the same side, and I'm a Protestant!"

Upon hearing Zhao Yan say he was a Protestant, Denker was half-convinced: "Really? Then what do you plan to do? How will you serve His Majesty and the Empire?"

Zhao Yan blurted out, "Once I rule China, why bother with concessions? I'll just lead all of China to join the Commonwealth, won't that solve everything? One step at a time, what do you think?"

Denker: "!!!!!!!"

Dunker was completely dumbfounded. "I was just asking casually, did you really have to go this far? Joining the Commonwealth all at once, with all of China pledging allegiance to His Majesty Edward—what the hell is this?"

Denker couldn't believe it; it was too outrageous. It was fine for a pie to fall from the sky, but he was afraid of being crushed to death by a hail of gold.

After Zhao Yan finished speaking, he looked somewhat troubled and said, "But it's a bit troublesome."

Denker immediately dismissed his doubts and asked, "What's the problem?"

Zhao Yan blurted out, "The French approached me before, you know. As someone who's half-British, how could I possibly be interested in those damned Frenchmen?"

"They coerced and bribed me, demanding that I cede a piece of territory at the mouth of the Yangtze River to them so they could build a port and control the Yangtze River's outlet."

"Damn Frenchmen! They're challenging the Empire! This is blatant provocation!" Denker was furious before Zhao Yan could finish speaking.

Zhao Yan pleaded pitifully, "Please, Empire, do me justice! As someone who is half-British, Britain is my home. I just want to send more things back to my home, but those despicable foreigners are trying to harm me. I'm in a terrible situation!"

Denker was completely bewitched, his last shred of reason still holding him back: "Don't be afraid, the Empire fears no enemy, but how much of what you say is credible?"

Zhao Yan pointed to the sky: "I swear in the name of God that I, Zhao Yan, am utterly loyal to the British Empire! Since I raised my army, have you ever seen me harm the slightest bit of the Empire's interests? I beg the Empire to lend me a hand, and I will repay even the smallest favor with overwhelming gratitude!"

I, Zhao Yan, am a man of my word, a man of conscience, and a citizen of half the British Empire!

Denker insisted, "You must publicly commit to abiding by all treaties, respecting the special interests of all nations in China, and recognizing the concessions of all nations in China. Only then can the Empire help you!"

Zhao Yan was seething with rage. "I've begged you like this, I've even abandoned all shame, and you still want to push me? Don't blame me for unleashing my ultimate move!"

"That's too petty. How can that demonstrate my loyalty to the Empire? How about this: tomorrow I will publicly announce to all nations that the Provisional Government of the Republic of China hereby pledges allegiance to His Majesty Edward VII of the British Empire, and that the entire nation will join the British Commonwealth. What do you say?"

Denker's face turned green. They're doing this again!

"No, no! My dear Zhao, this is too radical. I need to report to the local authorities and discuss it. This is not something I can decide on my own."

Zhao Yan was furious: "Are you still a diplomat of the British Empire? Such hesitation and indecisiveness show none of the domineering spirit that allows the British Empire to dominate the seven seas and four oceans. Didn't you say that the British Empire fears no enemy?"

Denker dared not mention recognizing the treaty or the concession again, and quickly reassured Zhao Yan: "My dear Zhao, the empire has its own difficulties. This matter is too big. Let's proceed slowly, as you Chinese say."

Zhao Yan added, "I'm half British too!"

Denker said helplessly, "Then how about we proceed slowly, as you half-Chinese person suggest? After all, the British Empire can't take the whole cake in the Far East by itself; that would cause widespread anger."

Zhao Yan said with a wronged expression, "Then what am I supposed to do? Now those damned French are bullying me, my army is incredibly weak, and my finances are on the verge of collapse!"

Denker tried his best to reassure Zhao Yan, telling him not to worry. He then assured him that the British Empire would immediately ship a batch of supplies and approve a low-interest loan of £200,000 for the revolutionary army, and that the empire would not mistreat Zhao Yan.

Then, Zhao Yan, who was crying, was patted on the shoulder by Denker and comforted as he saw him out the door.

As soon as he stepped outside, Zhao Yan couldn't help but laugh out loud. He quickly covered his mouth and, with his guards, turned back towards the Frenchmen.

Upon entering, Zhao Yan regained her composure, her face pale and eyes red. She suddenly hugged the French representative, pleading, "Please, my family, stand up for me!"

Using the same tactic, Zhao Yan claimed that he was born in Paris, France, that his whole family were devout Catholics, and that his greatest idol was Napoleon.

Zhao Yan tearfully lamented that although he was in the Han camp, his heart belonged to the French. He said that after unifying China, he would popularize French, because only the beautiful French would be the world's number one language.

But Zhao Yan then tearfully complained about the British's aggressive behavior. He said that he had a portrait of Napoleon riding a horse and cracking his whip hanging in his bedroom, but the British discovered it and immediately tore it down and even stomped on it several times.

The British said Napoleon was trash, that after being defeated by them, he was imprisoned on a remote island and had no value to worship.

What's even more outrageous is that the British demanded that Zhao Yan convert to Protestantism, saying that all Catholics were heretics who should be burned at the stake!

The French representative was furious upon hearing this, insulting Napoleon and calling him trash! He also said that Catholics were unworthy of believing in God and were all heretics who should be burned at the stake! This was utterly lawless!

The French representative was still somewhat skeptical and tested him. When Zhao Yan mentioned that he had watched the Eiffel Tower being built since he was a child, and that he loved the Louvre the most, and that he was born in Paris the year the Tuileries Palace burned down, and that besides his favorite restaurant in Paris that served the most authentic salt-baked snails, he was convinced that only there could be such authentic escargots.

Every word Zhao Yan uttered struck a nerve with the French representative, and then nothing more happened. The French actually believed Zhao Yan's nonsense, saying that they would apply for the French Top Ten Outstanding Young Persons Award for Zhao Yan after returning home.

The French representative reassured Zhao Yan, saying that while others might fear the British, France would never back down. The French representative immediately promised a loan of five million francs, but with a relatively high interest rate.

Zhao Yan cursed inwardly that these Frenchmen were all loan sharks. He said, "I even say I'm half French, and the interest rates are still so outrageous. No wonder I can't beat the British. Look how generous they are."

But what puzzled Zhao Yan the most was, were the French so easily fooled? How come the Frenchman believed him after only using 30% of his strength? It was like offering a magic potion; you didn't even need to persuade him, he just gulped it down. It's really incomprehensible!

Chapter 49 A Series of Ghost Stories: Japan and Russia

"Mr. Meichuan, how are the cherry blossoms blooming in our hometown?"

Zhao Yan's very first words to the Japanese representative shocked Mei Chuan Jiro for a hundred years!

"Commander Zhao, don't you want to listen to what you're saying?!"

Zhao Yan brought a set of cups and knelt by the window, looking up at the moonlight at a 45-degree angle, and then lowered his head to think of his hometown.

"Mr. Meichuan, please forgive me for not being able to speak to you in Japanese, because I must maintain my habit of speaking Chinese, after all, my mission is just too heavy!"

Upon hearing the second sentence, Mei Chuan Jiro was completely stunned. Could it be?

Zhao Yan continued his performance, his exquisite tea ceremony dispelling half of Mei Chuan Jiro's doubts. Many of his movements were even more precise than those of the native Japanese, and he even exuded elegance in every gesture.

“Mr. Umekawa, I have been away from my homeland for many years, and my memories have begun to fade. Can you tell me about the changes in my hometown, Nagoya? The scenery there flashes in my dreams every night, but I can never see it clearly.”

Nagoya?! For the first time, Umekawa Jiro finally spoke: "May I ask your real name?"

"Please have a seat, Meichuan-san!" Zhao Yan spoke with an elegant air, but his gaze remained fixed on the moon over his hometown.

Mei Chuan Jiro sat down in shock, but his action made Zhao Yan frown sharply.

"Excuse me, I was rude!" Such strict requirements for details, and his hometown is Nagoya, could the other party be...? Umekawa Jiro found it hard to believe.

"Fine, I have no right to criticize your recklessness now. If it were before, you wouldn't even be qualified to sit across from me, because my real name is Tokugawa Iehime!"

Meikawa Jiro's eyes widened in surprise, and he immediately bowed his head in apology. It turned out that he was from the third branch of the Tokugawa family, a noble family!

Zhao Yan put down his teacup and continued, "Please forgive my impetuousness this time. After all, I have been away from my homeland for too long, and I still couldn't control myself when I met you!"

"This is my unique way of reminiscing about my hometown. The long period of endurance has really brought me to the brink of collapse."

“I understand. For the sake of the Empire, every citizen is enduring. Victory is just around the corner. Tokugawa-san, please persevere!” Umekawa Jiro spoke cautiously. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Zhao Yan, but Zhao Yan’s act was too convincing. He had the genuine flavor of a nobleman, and he dared not offend him.

As a professional swindler, Zhao Yan would cheat anyone. He even learned the Wenzhou dialect, not to mention those foreign fat sheep in the foreign trade field. The Japanese Chinese are mysterious now, but in later generations they will be completely transparent. Of course, it is difficult to cheat real Japanese Chinese, but it is easy to cheat these middle and lower-class Japanese.

Zhao Yan feigned a sigh and said, "It is precisely because I am about to complete my mission that I have been so indulgent. My initial meeting with you today was truly rude of me. Please forgive me!"

"Not at all! I was too rash and offended you. Please don't take it to heart, Lord Tokugawa." Umekawa Jiro still had a slight doubt in his heart at this moment, after all, this matter was too shocking.

Zhao Yan waved his hand and said, "My humble abode is rather shabby. It would be even better if we could have a game of chess and you and I could play a game together!"

"I really miss my Go teacher when I was young. How is Mr. Yasui doing?"

Mei Chuan Jiro was completely dumbfounded. Which Yasui? Only you Chinese people play with things like music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. It's hard for decent people to even have enough to eat, let alone hire a Go teacher.

Zhao Yan continued, "That's Mr. Yasui San'ei. He was my first Go teacher and is also the head of the Yasui family. How come you don't recognize him?"

Zhao Yan's face immediately showed a look of vigilance, and his hand began to reach for his waist as if he was preparing to draw his gun.

Umekawa Jiro quickly bowed his head and admitted his mistake: "Lord Tokugawa, please forgive me, I really don't know Professor Yasui San'ei. This is an internal relationship among your nobility, and we commoners have no way of knowing about it!"

Umekawa Jiro was forced to prove his innocence, and Zhao Yan felt the time was right, so he released his grip: "I'm sorry, Umekawa-san! I've gotten used to it over the years, please don't take offense!"

It's normal for intelligence agents to be undercover, tested, and nervous; Mei Chuan Jiro didn't find it strange at all.

“That’s to be expected, Mr. Tokugawa. May I ask what your mission is…?”

Zhao Yan shook his head slightly: "This is not something you should know, or rather, knowing it would not do you any good!"

Mei Chuan Jiro felt a chill run down his spine. No wonder he was almost at the position of leader of China, vying for control of the Central Plains. What kind of secret was this? No wonder the revolutionary army rose up so quickly. It turned out that it was the imperial high command behind the scenes. It's just that we are too low-ranking to know.

Umekawa Jiro's imagination ran wild as he continued to apologize: "Tokugawa-kun, my impetuousness today did not ruin your plans, did it?"

Mei Chuan Jiro presumptuously addressed Zhao Yan as "Lord," to which Zhao Yan feigned a furrowed brow before tacitly accepting the title: "Mr. Mei Chuan, you have done very well, there is no need to worry!"

Mei Chuan Jiro still had some questions and asked, "But why would someone like you..."