The impact of the great changes in Tsarist Russia put great pressure on Britain and France. Faced with the possible thunder attack from the allies, when the final decision of the Chinese government quickly spread to Europe through diplomatic channels, the alliance led by Britain and France began to argue fiercely. The main content was not the decision of the Chinese to send troops, but a series of conditions attached to the later.

As old world powers, when did Britain and France look down on weak countries like China? If it weren't for the European war that dragged them to exhaustion, they wouldn't have spent so much effort to win over China. But that's true, on the one hand, they hoped that China and Japan would send troops to Europe to participate in the war as soon as possible, but on the other hand, they did not want to give any interest in exchange. They kept saying that they were just using the obligations of members of the agreement or waving some flashy blank checks to achieve this goal. However, they did not expect that Japan has not responded to this yet. Although China reluctantly agreed to send troops, it also made so many requests at the same time.

These made Britain and France very angry. While discussing, their government accused China of "taking advantage of the situation" through diplomatic channels. In response, the Chinese government had long been prepared and came up with a lot of reasons to prove the rationality of the conditions set out.

There are three most irrefutable reasons.

1: Due to the collapse of Tsarist Russia, a large number of materials that were originally allocated to support the European war were wasted, and it is very likely that no cost would be recovered. This is China's obligation as a member of the Allied State, but in this case, China's losses must also be shared within the agreement. If it cannot be paid for the time being, it should be compensated in other ways after winning the war. These requirements must be recognized by the Allied State in advance and a filing document will be formed.

2: Last year's local war between China and Japan led to the deterioration of China's economy. Large military expenditures and restorative construction in the war areas both require huge financial appropriations. Since the members of the Allied Powers failed to stop this meaningless war in the shortest time, China's already not well-off finances have fueled the fire. Now that it is going to Europe to participate in the war, the Chinese government cannot afford so much military expenditure. Moreover, the main battlefield of this war is in Europe. Therefore, it is natural that all military expenditures, including weapons, equipment, logistics, etc. are provided by the Allied Powers.

3: The pressure of sending troops to fight in China is extremely high. Although the Congress reluctantly passed the proposal, there are many opponents. If China sends troops to Europe to participate in the war without any substantial benefits, it may be difficult to achieve. Since China has an obligation and also has rights as a member of the Allied State. It is also necessary to make a series of commitments made by the Chinese government before sending troops, at least to appease the opposition in the country. What's more, these are based on the victory of the war. Once the war fails, China will also face the fate of a defeated country. In other words, this is a matter of coexistence between interests and risks. It is absolutely impossible for China to bear risks without any interests. Assume that. It would be fine if the Chinese government does not send troops.

These three reasons made Britain and France unable to speak for a while, secretly cursing the Chinese how they transformed from weak people who could bully casually into such a snobbish businessman? If the European war situation was the Allies that had the upper hand, Britain and France would definitely not pay attention to China's request, but the situation is not good now. After the fall of Tsarist Russia, Britain and France could hardly attract any allies that could change the situation except for seeking help from the United States, Japan and China. The United States, which was highly anticipated by Britain and France, has always been ambiguous. It always refused to announce its participation in the war easily, which disappointed Britain and France. As for Japan, it had the first fleet in Asia, but it also hesitated in front of formally sending troops and never gave a clear reply. Then the only remaining one is the straw that the Chinese government that agreed to send troops.

Britain, France and the Chinese governments argued back and forth, and each refused to give in. It was not until half a month later, as the Germans on the European battlefield began to move abnormally, according to intelligence, Germany gathered a large number of troops on the Eastern Front and showed signs of transfer on the Western Front. Compared with the Chinese government that had not let go, Britain and France, which were like an ant on a hot pan, finally lost control. In addition to the several requirements they raised objections and demanded that China take the responsibility first, and then the Allies, that is, Britain and France, paid for it, they finally agreed to all other requirements. When the news reached the country, Song Jiaoren finally breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't help laughing.

With the signing of the military dispatch agreement, Fang Zida's expeditionary force on paper finally came to fruition. The early recruitment had quietly begun one month ago. A large number of lower-level officers who had just graduated from the Central Military Academy were sent to the expeditionary force to serve. The middle and senior officers will be individually transferred to the National Defense Forces, local troops, etc., and the entire unit will be completed by the General Staff Department and handed over to Wu Peifu of Shandong for a three-month short-term training.

This is Fang Zida's proposal, and neither the Ministry of National Defense nor the General Staff have any objections. Because Wu Peifu, as the leading general in China, has praised his skills in training and fighting. Three months is short, but to train a group of new recruits who have never even touched guns into soldiers who can go to the battlefield, except Wu Peifu, there is no other person in the country who can take on this position.

As for the candidates for the chief officers of the Expeditionary Force at all levels, it is also a product of compromise between the forces of various factions. Feng Guozhang was impeccable in terms of qualifications and reputation, and this was also a pacification for the old Beiyang faction. Shang Dequan, as the deputy commander, was also basically recognized. Shang Dequan was the general office of the former Baoding Military Academy. Although he had not officially held a real position in the military, he was not well-known and had a good relationship with various factions. He was a good candidate to serve as the deputy commander.

Except for the first division that is equal to being divided by several forces, the second division and the third division are almost dominated by Fang Zida's troops. Moreover, Fang Zida also set up a so-called political department in the expeditionary army, allowing Wang Zhaoming to serve as the director of the political department, with the purpose of controlling the grassroots rights of the army in disguise.

On this day, Fang Zida was finishing his official duties when a major officer suddenly came to visit, saying that he was ordered by Lu Jianzhang to invite Fang Zida to the banquet.

Lu Jianzhang sent someone to invite him? Fang Zida was a little surprised. Although he felt a little strange, he still accepted the invitation. After all, Lu Jianzhang was also one of the Beiyang giants, and he was also Yuan Shikai's confidant. After the death of Old Yuan, Lu Jianzhang was ordered by Yuan Shikai to support Fang Zida. He was also his own person. Moreover, Fang Zida had to call him uncle when he saw Lu Jianzhang from his wife's family. The friendship between the two sides was pretty good. Lu Jianzhang came to Beijing to report his work some time ago. At that time, Fang Zida invited him to a banquet. This time he came to invite Fang Zida. No matter what, this face would be given to you.

After making an appointment with the person who came, Fang Zida went home and prepared, and then took a bus to the place.

The place Lu Jianzhang found was a good place, not a restaurant or a yard for drinking wine, but a small house next to the inner city. When he arrived, there was a long time ago waiting at the door, and he saw that the person waiting for him was the major who gave the invitation in the afternoon.

"Haha, Zhengming, come on, come in quickly."

When he entered the house, he saw Lu Jianzhang walking out of the main hall and greeting Fang Zida enthusiastically. He was surrounded by a young woman, looking very good-looking.

"How is this place, it's a good place. This house was given to me by the President back then. By the way, this is the best son-in-law of the President I mentioned to you. The current Chief of Finance, the President of the Central Bank, and the famous Fang Zhengming."

"The little woman has met her uncle..."

"uncle?"

Seeing the woman facing her, Fang Zida was stunned. Then she realized that she was the outer room raised by Lu Jianzhang. Since Lu Jianzhang went to the northwest to lead troops, she has quietly settled her here. Because she had never seen her before, this was the first time Fang Zida met her.

He quickly replied with a gift. He said that Lu Jianzhang wanted to grow older than himself. His outer room called him uncle. Isn’t this equivalent to being a fellow student of Lu Jianzhang? But Lu Jianzhang didn’t care at all. He laughed and asked someone to prepare wine and food, and pulled Fang Zida to the yard.

After entering the main hall, a soldier who was tall and strong, with thick hands and feet, who seemed to be more honest than a peasant, quickly stood up respectfully.

"Uncle...General Fang..."

The man first shouted at Lu Jianzhang, then greeted Fang Zida with a smile.

"Is this one..."

Fang Zida saw that this man was very kind-faced, but he really couldn't remember where he had seen him. Although he was wearing clothes similar to ordinary soldiers, there was a star on his shoulder collar, indicating that this man was an army major general.

Lu Jianzhang laughed and introduced, "Come on, let me introduce you, this is my niece-in-law Feng Yuxiang, currently the brigade commander of the 16th Brigade. Zheng Ming, you two are the same age and are not outsiders to each other. You must get closer to each other in the future."

"General Fang, I have never had the chance to see Daming for a long time. Today is Yuxiang's three lives. I would like to ask General Fang to take care of him in the future." Feng Yuxiang's posture was very low, and the subordinates of the future gave formal greetings to Fang Zida with etiquette.
Chapter completed!