Chapter Nine, The Longest Night (Six)
As these foreigners left the building of the Public Works Bureau, the sky had gradually begun to brighten. This long night had finally come to an end
Leber interjected, saying: "I can candidly inform everyone here that Mr. Kent and I had originally established contact with the leaders who were expected to initiate the revolution in Shanghai. They are likely to be quite civilized individuals among the Chinese. Moreover, they have made clear commitments to safeguard our interests in East China. However, the events that transpired tonight do not involve them as the main actors"
The Russian consul in Shanghai laughed heartily and said: "How the Chinese choose to revolutionize or engage in civil war is of no concern to many gentlemen present here. Our only responsibility is to protect our expatriates and maintain the safety of the concession. To be honest, both our government and I personally still have a fondness for the current ruling Tatar court."
Kent Road: "This Governor Yuchen has, within a single night, already occupied the Shanghai Road, the official offices of Shanghai County, the Jiangnan Manufacturing Bureau of Gaochang, the Shanghai Police Headquarters in Nanshi, the Zhabei Police Headquarters, the Shanghai Mint, the Copper Coin Bureau, and other locations. According to our friends' preliminary estimates, he likely has between 1,000 to 1,500 trained soldiers and has received ammunition supplies from the Manufacturing Bureau. Currently, newspapers in the Chinese concession are rushing to print special editions announcing the establishment of the Shanghai Military Government led by Governor Yuchen, and the people in the Chinese community seem quite pleased with this outcome. They are celebrating as if it were their New Year, setting off firecrackers and parading aimlessly in the streets, cheering."
However, everything has changed now, as the Governor of Shanghai is an obscure young officer.
Mr. Leber said loudly in French: "Esteemed gentlemen, due to our esteemed colleague, the most capable diplomat of Great Britain, Lord Kent, who has been busy outside, he has arrived a little late, causing you gentlemen to wait for a short while. As the host of this place and the initiator of the meeting, I express my sincerest apologies"
Kent looked at the Russian consul's white military uniform and his gray beard, which resembled a horse's mane, with a hint of disdain. He did not acknowledge him but continued to address everyone: "Unlike these barbaric and irrational Easterners, we are all elites from various countries, noble civilized individuals. There are some things that we can speak about frankly and honestly. We have no intention of participating in the Easterners' own chaotic conflicts. However, the interests of our respective countries in China must be safeguarded! This is the work we must endure, receiving taxpayers' salaries, in this filthy Eastern land, with its terrible weather and the incompetence of the local government... Perhaps for some gentlemen, their countries' interests in East China are not so apparent, but the interests of the British Empire along the Yangtze River are immense. As a whole, the interests of civilized nations in East China must also be ensured!"
He also said in French: "Esteemed colleagues, gentlemen, I believe everyone has witnessed the events that transpired in Shanghai this evening. A revolution has occurred in the Chinese community... and in literature... Of course, this revolution has come earlier than we anticipated, and the leaders are not the figures we had envisioned."
A voice in the crowd shouted: "I hope the time we are waiting can become worthwhile due to Lord Kent's efforts outside. Three hours have passed here, yet we have not seen a single beautiful young lady or an esteemed lady, which truly makes the time feel like it is dragging on!"
He barely managed a smile as he tugged at the corners of his mouth: "Even in the concessions of our respective countries, you should have seen many Chinese people celebrating along the way."
He stood up and saluted: "This is all the information I have received, and I have shared it all with you without reservation. I know that you are all eager to return to report the changes that have occurred here to your respective governments. Mr. Leber and I also need to do the same. Mr. Jules, the minister in Beijing, is also waiting for my report. If there are no objections, let us reconvene here on October 28 at 7:00 PM, by which time you should have a complete plan to address this matter. Do any of you, Mr. https://m.hetushucomcom, have any further comments?" If there are no objections, let us reconvene here on October 28 at 7:00 PM, by which time you should have a complete plan to address this matter. Do any of you, Mr. https://m.hetushucomcom, have any further comments?
A few kind-hearted laughs emerged from the crowd. Kent, with the characteristic aloofness of the English, removed his top hat and gave a slight nod to the crowd.
In the luxurious conference hall of the Municipal Council in the French Concession of Shanghai, dozens of prominent foreigners from various concessions in Shanghai gathered together. They included consuls, ministers, officers from the army and navy, as well as directors of the Municipal Council. Dressed in tailcoats or dazzling military uniforms adorned with medals, they formed groups of three or five, engaged in discussion. Although they had assembled hastily in the middle of the night, these foreigners displayed no signs of anxiety or urgency, conversing with remarkable poise. Meanwhile, the servants of the Municipal Council exhibited a high level of professionalism, serving a variety of fine wines, Cuban cigars, Darjeeling tea from India, and native Brazilian coffee at flowing prices. Despite the late hour and the hurried gathering, the foreigners maintained a calm demeanor, engaging in pleasant conversation. If it were not for the absence of female guests, one might almost mistake this for a social gathering.
Naturally, the one who was in contact with them was Li Pingshu. He not only agreed to continue safeguarding the interests of all countries in Shanghai, but also promised to expand the concessions and increase the rights of various countries on the Yangtze River, among other chaotic concessions. The only return was a commitment from various countries to consider recognizing the revolutionary army as a belligerent entity. Among them, Lebe was the most enthusiastic, privately agreeing to lend Li Pingshu financial support, hoping to gain a share of the interests on the Yangtze River controlled by a British company. Regardless of how each party calculated their own interests, an agreement was ultimately reached. All countries would adopt a neutral stance towards the changes occurring within the Qing Empire.
He set down his cane, his tone still very calm. It is indeed a difficult task to expect an Englishman to become excited: "I have been out for three hours and have met several Chinese friends. It has finally been confirmed that the Qing Empire, with which we have been dealing, has been completely overthrown in Shanghai. The officials of Shanghai Dao and Shanghai County have already hidden in various concessions. In their place, however, is a young military officer named Yuchen, whom we have never heard of before." The officials of Shanghai Dao and Shanghai County have already hidden in various concessions. In their place, however, is a young military officer named Yuchen, whom we have never heard of before.
The grand entrance of the hall made of mahogany was suddenly pushed open. Mr. Leber, the French Consul in Shanghai, and Lord Kent, the British Consul in Shanghai, walked in side by side. All eyes were turned towards them